The 31st Sunday of the Year
4th November 2007

Wed: St Willibroad
Fri: Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

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Gospel Reflection:
Salvation For All

ZACCHAEUS is an example of the most despised of crooks. He is a chief tax collector who has made great wealth on the back of his oppressed fellow Jews. Jewish tax collectors were regarded as traitors by their own people. Although hugely wealthy, Zacchaeus must have felt lonely and isolated. He certainly makes a good subject for a parable that tells us how Jesus reaches out to the lowliest and most despicable.
On this particular day, Zacchaeus, curious to catch a glimpse of Jesus runs ahead, and being of small stature climbs up into a tree. But although it is Zacchaeus who wants to see Jesus, it is actually Jesus who spots Zacchaeus and tells him that he will be dining at his house that day.

It is disappointing that we don't get to hear what went on between Jesus and Zacchaeus at that meal, but we do know that Zacchaeus was suddenly a changed man. We don't know what was said, but we do know Jesus' intention. Jesus had come to save those who were lost. To be lost means to become disassociated with the person God wants us to be. Jesus has a talent for looking beyond sin to the people we can become. Somehow Jesus was about to show Zacchaeus who he could really be.

The parable of Zacchaeus is a great comfort to us, however low we have sunk, Jesus is determined to seek us out and show us a better way.

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The Dedication of St. John Lateran
9th November

Most Catholics think of St. Peter's as the pope's main church, but they are wrong. St. John Lateran is the pope's church, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome where the Bishop of Rome presides. Unlike the commemorations of other Roman churches (St. Mary Major, Sts. Peter and Paul), this anniversary is a feast.

The dedication of a church is a feast for all its parishioners. St. John Lateran is, in a sense, the parish church of all Catholics, for it is the pope's parish, the cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome. This church is the spiritual home of the people who are the Church.

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Pope Benedict's Prayer Intention for November

In a letter to the Korean people, Pope Benedict wrote "For over fifty years, the Korean people have suffered the consequences of division. Families have been split, close relatives have been separated from one another," The pope said he was "spiritually close to those who were suffering," and that he prayed "for a speedy solution to the problem which impedes so many from communication with one another. We are invited to join Pope Benedict's prayer intention for November "....That the spirit of reconciliation and peace may grow in the Korean Peninsula."

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AND WITH NOVEMBER IN MIND...

Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to do.

Saint Thomas Aquinas, 'Two Precepts of Charity'
Italian saint & theologian (1225 - 1274)

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THE CHRISTMAS BAZAAR...is only one week away!!

Saturday 10th November 11-3pm

We need your valued support to make this event a success.
Please come along next Saturday. We have an excellent array of goods and preserves which will make lovely Christmas presents for your friends and family together with a selection of stocking fillers, wrapping paper and beautiful hand-made crackers.

Tombola: To date this stall urgently needs bottles. (To date we have only 3!!)

Cake Stall: Please bake a cake for us and bring it along Thursday or Friday Evening.

Setting up: Would all stallholders note the Parish Centre is open from 7-9pm on Thursday and Friday evenings for you to price and display goods for your stall.

Grand Draw Tickets are on sale after all masses
Sponsorship of prizes

Very many thanks to everyone who agreed to sponsor prises. Please hand any donation or sponsored prize to Father Bernard. K Wren