Newsletter

THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST

13th January 2008

CALENDAR
Monday - St Anthony Abbot

Gospel Reflection
God's Spirit In Our Hearts

What is baptism about for most? Our reasons are reasons we might not want to boast about. Do we baptise our children because we were baptised ourselves and it seems the thing to do? Do we enter baptism because it's expected, because we've spotted a beautiful baptismal gown or because we've planned the party? Do we look on baptism as some kind of superstitious 'insurance against hell policy', or as an entry requirement for the local Catholic school?

In today's account of Jesus' baptism we are told how the heavens opened, and how the Spirit of God descended like a dove. This marked the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Filled with the Spirit of God, Jesus had the power to turn water into wine, to control the wind and the sea, to cure the sick and raise the dead. The Spirit of God enabled Jesus to face any challenge. Our own baptism might be not much more than a dusty memory in a dog-eared photo album, but we are told that in our baptism we too are filled with the very same Spirit. In baptism we are given the very same Spirit that filled Jesus. This is an extremely powerful belief. Armed with this knowledge how can we fail to respond to all the challenges life throws our way?

Filled with the Holy Spirit we can cope with the challenges of a difficult marriage, wayward children or an overly demanding boss. More than this, filled with the Holy Spirit we are empowered to do something special for God.

An Invitation to our Jubilarians
In his pastoral letter for the Feast of the Holy Family the Cardinal spoke of a celebration at the Cathedral in May of the Sacrament of Marriage. The Cardinal will celebrate a Mass at 3.00pm on Saturday 10th May and wants to invite all couples in the Diocese who are celebrating their 10th. 25th. 30th. 40th. 50th and 60th+ wedding anniversary in 2008 to attend. Would all couples in the parish who qualify for this please hand in their names and full postal address to me as quickly as possible.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
"Pray Without Ceasing" - 18th-25th January

2008 is a special year, marking the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
The themes of this week are:
• To pray as Christ prayed, "that they be one".
• To pray for the unity of all Christian people as we share in Christ's ministry.
• Readings and meditations focus on Paul's advice to "pray without ceasing".
The Week of Prayer offers opportunities to meet and pray with fellow Christians of different denominations in the locality.

St. Paul to the Thessalonians:

"But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters . . . be at peace among yourselves. ...See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I-5:12

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

A United Service will be held at All Saints Church, Hampton, next Sunday Evening at 6.30pm to which we are all invited.

EDUCATION SUNDAY:

Next Sunday there will be a retiring Collection for the Work of the Catholic Education Service of England and Wales.

Offerings to the Catholic Children's Society:-

The Crib Offerings from St. Theodore's this year, (including the sum raised in the Christmas Card Service) amounted to £396.34p which has been forwarded to St. Charles Square together with the sum of £200.00 from the poor-box donations through the year

NOTICE TO PARENTS OF 1st COMMUNICANTS

Please note that there will be a meeting tomorrow
Evening (Monday 14th. Jan) at 8.00pm in the Parish Centre

The Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill (Stem Cell Research!)

An important bill coming before Parliament causes great concern to very many in this country. A series of rallies to educate and inform on today's life issues and the new Bill going through Parliament have been organised beginning in Glasgow next week. Details of subsequent rallies, including a meeting in London 6th February are advertised.(See notice board.) Ask Fr. Bernard for printed literature. Phone 01925 220999 or email gill@epiphany.org.uk for all further details and further printed material.

CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES

The first of the sessions of the new year takes place on Wednesday Evening at 5.15 in the Parish Centre

Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child.

A retiring collection will be taken up after each of the masses this weekend.

"This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased" Mt.3:17

FAITH-SHARING FOR LENT 2008

A season of preparation begins next week with a series of planning sessions around the diocese (See notice-board for details) The venue closest to home will be at St. Bridget's, Isleworth 2nd February commencing at 10.30am and concluding at 1.00pm

LOURDES 150 YEARS ON...

Lourdes is embarking on a year-long festival of Missions. Each month will see a specific focus of Christian Mission. This month Lourdes celebrates 'The Church in Mission for Christian Unity' to coincide with January's week of prayer of Christian Unity. In the time of Bernadette there were probably no more than three Protestant families in Lourdes and ecumenism was not an issue. With the proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception the recognition of the Apparitions) divisions grew. Lourdes welcomes Christians from all churches and from all four corners of the world. On each day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Lourdes will follow a programme suggested by the Christian Churches throughout the world. Booking Forms are available from the Presbytery for Westminster Diocesan July Pilgrimage.

PAX CHRISTI

The International Catholic Movement for Peace appeals for your prayers and your support of its work. An envelope supplied to us with the blessing of the Hierarchy of England and Wales is available in the Church today.

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