The 15th Sunday of the Year
15th July 2007

Monday - Our Lady of Mnt. Carmel

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Gospel Reflection:
UBI CARITAS DEUS IBI EST

'Others had passed and had taken no notice and now I was dying. I'm certain some of them were priests. I had been there two whole days since those two killers set on me. All my customers in Jericho will have written me off by now. Anyway, I've nothing to sell them any more. And while I was lying there I asked myself again and again - if this was how my life was to end why for pity's sake had I to be born into this wretched bear-pit of a world in the first place?

'Then he came along. I knew his origins by just looking at him. But he was like God to me. That's why I'm still alive. They've told me he's coming back and will pay my bills. I am daring to hope he'll bring me back to Jerusalem if he's going that way ...that'll teach them - I hope!

'Is there a God? And the questions I asked myself come flooding back to my mind. Why does God allow some of the things that happen; is he punishing us? Does he care about us? Did he care about the children who died when the market-place caught fire in Aschalon last year? Where was he during that terrible time in Bethlehem that everyone still remembers?

'But is there a God? Surely it'd be a different world if there was? Well look at those priests! 'They just walked by me when they could so easily have helped me. Who do they think they are anyway? And why are there these thieving brigands making this road so treacherous to travellers? How can there be a God?

'But there is a God. 'Of course there is... he picked me up off the road yesterday and saved my life didn't he - yes, that was God indeed.

Praise be to his name always. Amen'

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OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
16th July - Monday

The patronal feast of the Carmelite Order marks a historical link between its many communities in this country and around the world and their origins in the Holy Land. The feast recalls an ancient honouring of the Mother of God by Christian hermits who lived on coastal hills on the border of The Lebanon and who were eventually to come to Europe. The prayer of the feast recalls the mystical journey of faithful Christians to "the Mountain that is Christ" Since the days of the prophet Elias, the Desert, the Island and the Mountain have always been favoured places of retreat for 'searchers after God' and Mount Carmel was such a place in Ancient Isreal. The ambience of the mountainside characterises the spirituality of Carmelite houses today and Aylesford Priory in Kent has been such a place for people for the last sixty years and since its foundation in the 13th century.

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Quarterly meeting of the Parish Council

A meeting will take place on Thursday Evening (19th July) in the Parish Centre at 8.00pm

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ANNOUNCEMENT:

The Sunday Evening mass at 5.00pm will lapse after next week for the following 5 weeks until Sunday 2nd September

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THE WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP

A Buffet-Supper has been organised for 7.30pm - Thursday 26th July in the Parish Centre. All ladies are welcome.
The cost (wine included) £7.50p.

All monies please to Jennifer Gibbs by Friday 20th July latest please. Any queries to Margaret Beirne on 020 8941 6438

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SONGS FOR A SUMMER'S EVENING

Saint Raphael's Church & Kingston University Catholic Chaplaincy are holding an event in aid of the Church Building and Restoration Fund on:-
Friday 31st August 2007 at 7.30pm.
See the notice board for all details

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CHRIST AMONGST US:-

Love made visible is the title of an exhibition by Catholic Artist - Elizabeth Wang - at the French Church, 5, Leicester Place (off Leicester Square) 1st July - 9th September - 9.30am - 7.30pm. Free Entry.

This international artist's pictures have received high praise in this Diocese and beyond - and are inspirational to faith and religion in a new and innovative way. Highly recommended.
Visit website: www.radiantlight.org.uk and see the notice board for further details and of a connected event.