Newsletter

THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

27th January 2008

CALENDAR
Monday - St Thomas Aquinas
Thursday - St John Bosco
Saturday - CANDLEMAS

Gospel Reflection
A Job For Life

What are you going to do with the rest of your life? This was the question that was levelled at the first disciples. Were they going to spend out the rest of their lives catching fish, or were they going to follow Jesus and become 'fishers of men'? The early disciples were unerring in their discipleship. They left their nets and followed Jesus 'at once' .... 'immediately'. There was no doubt in their minds about how they wanted to live out their lives. Discipleship was a job for life.

Jesus' work is never done and there will always be vacancies for new disciples. Discipleship is something akin to an army. Without active supporters, a cause can grow faint. We are not asked to keep Christ's teaching to ourselves, we are asked to be 'fishers of men' always opening up God's opportunities to others. So why are we so reticent about the job? Perhaps there's something about evangelisation that we find uncomfortable. We associate evangelisation with the person in the city centre wearing billboards, or the woman who wedges her foot in the door and gives us a doorstep homily, notching up conversions like a party political candidate.

Today we are asked to sweep our preconceptions aside and become 'fishers of men'. Being a fisher of men does not have to be about notching up conversions. Being a 'fisher of men' needs to be about making a real difference in other people's lives by demonstrating our discipleship. Discipleship is a job for life.

THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
Saturday February 2nd

Simeon had waited all his life to see Jesus. The Holy Spirit had promised him that he would live long enough. When Mary and Joseph presented the baby at the temple, Simeon said, "Now, Lord, you have kept your promise, and you may let your servant go in peace. With my own eyes I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples." The moment of meeting the parents bringing the child Jesus for this special visit to Jerusalem satisfied everything Simeon longed for. We are prompted to ask what would satisfy us in our lives. Are the goals we set worth a lifetime of waiting, as Simeon's was?

Saint Thomas Aquinas
January 28th

Against strong family opposition, St. Thomas became a Dominican friar and in 1250, was ordained a priest. He was sent to teach at the Dominican school in Paris where he became increasingly famous for his teaching, preaching and writing. St. Thomas takes his place in history as one of the greatest and most influential theologians of all time.

Saint Thomas is the patron saint of Roman Catholic schools, colleges, universities, and academies, scholars and students, apologists, philosophers, theologians, and booksellers.

WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL IS IN URGENT NEED

No doubt you will have seen and read reports from T.V. & Press of Westminster Cathedral's unsatisfactory condition. A leaflet is available in the church detailing work that must be done over the next few years on the roof and domes to obviate a danger of falling masonry or collapse. Urgent electrical work must also be completed. Please take a leaflet and see the help that is required. We will, in the following months, decide how we could respond as a parish community to the appeal that has been made.

MASS FOR THE ELDERLY

Mass on Thursday will be at 2.30pm and there will be tea afterwards in the Parish Centre. Everyone welcome.

LENTEN FAITH-SHARING

The Lenten booklet "And who is my Neighbour?" is available in the Church for the use of House- Groups or for personal prayer and reflection. This year's season will run from Sunday 10th Feb. - to the end of Holy Week. The theme for the season, for which children's Liturgy and youth materials are available, is 'The call to Welcome and to the Understanding of those around us'. In advance of the booklet the Agency for Evangelization is hosting *6 sessions around the diocese to prepare for the season. If you would like to attend please email Mark Nash marknash@rcdow.org.uk.

*Of the 6 sessions planned the nearest venue to St. Theodore's is St. Bridget's, Isleworth next Saturday (Feb 2nd) 10.30am-1.00pm.

See the noticeboard for all details.

KRAKOW - POLAND

See the advert in the porch for a 'Divine Mercy' pilgrimage to Krakow in March led by Father Dwayne Bednar, Cathedral Chaplain and formerly a resident of the city of Krakow

"...immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." Mt. 4:20

HOMELESSNESS SUNDAY - 27th January

Providence Row, the organization founded 150 years ago and still committed to working for the poor and homeless in the Capital makes an appeal today for funds to help them in their work. Any donations will be sent to the 'Dellow Centre' in E. London

MIND THE GAP

A Series of Lenten Talks for young Adults (18-30ish)
These talks take place at Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane, Covent Garden and commence 12th Feb. for 5 consecutive Tuesdays. All young Adults welcome. For details please contact Ausra Karaliute 020 7931 6078

The Cardinal's Lectures - April & May
Faith & Life in Britain

There are leaflets in the Church advertising a programme of talks at the Westminster Cathedral which we have been asked to advertise. The speakers include The Archbishop of Canterbury and Rabbi Julia Neuberger. For further information cf. www.rcdow.org.uk/lectures

THE CHILDREN'S SUNDAY LITURGY

Children (3-7yrs.) are welcome to the Parish Centre at Sunday 10.30am Mass. However, only adults who have St. Theodore's CRB Clearance may, according to the set rota, accompany the children.

Please observe these strict diocesan rulings

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