Newsletter

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

24TH FEBRUARY 2008

CALENDAR
Thursday - St. Oswald
Saturday - Saint David

Gospel Reflection
The Water of Life

"...at that moment his disciples returned and they were greatly surprised to find him talking with a woman."
At what were the disciples more taken aback - that Jesus was talking with a Samaritan or that the Samaritan in question was a woman?

Sometimes we like to say or do something that shocks and surprises. It draws people's attention and allows what occurred and what follows to leave its mark. In this moment Jesus' act of speaking with a Samaritan woman was in truth challenging to ancient traditions. How impoverished and shallow is such a reaction shown to be when the immense richness of the exchange that had taken place is realised and how apparent is Christ's humility and gentleness. (Jesus' own disciples had kept their silence!)

In the heat of the day Jesus was without the means to obtain water and asked the next person to arrive at the well with a bucket if they would do him the favour. He was not intimidated by custom but the woman's retort to his request was curt and hostile. Her sharpness to Jews is provocative but Jesus wishes show her that in fact her need is far far greater than his. Moreover, her thirst reflected a universal one, he told her - which he, Jesus, had come into this world to quench and relieve. At last she begins to perceive that the man she has met by the well is not to be judged like others but someone with whom she is content to speak and listen to attentively - a "Living Water" like none she has ever tasted on this earth.

Jesus is indeed much greater than the provider of the well of Samaria. The whole world is refreshed with the words he speaks. Moreover, the water that he will give will flow in spate forever.

Saint David - Saturday 1st March

Saint David, or Dewi Sant, as he is known in the Welsh language, founded a monastery at Glyn Rhosyn (Rose Vale) on the banks of the small river Alun where the cathedral city of St. David stands today. The monastic brotherhood that Saint David founded was very strict, the brothers having to work very hard besides praying and celebrating masses. They had to get up very early in the morning for prayers and afterwards work very hard to help maintain life at the monastery, cultivating the land and even pulling the plough. Many crafts were followed - beekeeping, in particular, was very important. The monks had to keep themselves fed as well as the many pilgrims and travellers who needed lodgings. They also had to feed and clothe the poor and needy in their neighbourhood.

Particularly relevant to us today in the twenty first century, Saint David is a model to us on living simply and sustainably.

The Lenten Well:-

"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country"

Proverbs 25:25

THE HUMAN FERTILIZATION AND EMBRYOLOGY BILL 2008

The Cardinal has written on behalf of all the Bishops concerning the bill proceeding through parliament which will legalize laboratory experimentation on the human embryo with the intended crossing of the human with the animal. It is a watershed act that changes forever the way human life and its essential dignity will be regarded in this country. It is a needless and wanton measure that will be seen by many as the effective rehabilitation of all the worst aspects of the regime in Germany between 1933-45

The constituency MP's address:- Mr Vincent Cable, 2a Lion Road, Twickenham TW1 4JQ. www.richmond.gov.uk

Click here to read the Cardinal's letter and view a draft letter to your MP

Click here to download a specimen letter (in MS Word) to Mr. Vincent Cable M.P.

LENTEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS

The stations are followed every Friday evening in the Church during Lent at 7.30pm

LIVING STONES APPEAL

Deacon Duncan will be preaching at all the masses next weekend and will also be appealing on behalf of the Living Stones Trust, a charity that promotes links between Christians in the Holy Land and Christians in Britain.

Profits at the Sunday evening concert by Mr. Gerry Coates will also go the Living Stones Trust.

World Youth Day Update

There will be a cake sale on 2nd March after the 10.30 mass please do come and support us. We will also have our sponsorship forms at all masses for our sponsored bridge walk which takes place on the 9th March. Many thanks for your continued support for our pilgrimage.

'Give me always of that water ...'

LENT '08 VISIT TO AYLESFORD

Morning Mass - 5th Sunday of Lent (9th March) at 'The Friars' - Maidstone. This Sunday excursion leaving 9.30am and returning 5.00pm approx. Please use the booking sheet in the porch to reserve a place (£12.50p per coach passenger)

GOOD FRIDAY ECUMENICAL SERVICE

This year's ecumenical service at 11am outside Sainsbury's will take the form of Children's Stations of the Cross led by Deacon Duncan with children and young people from the parish. Offers of help with costumes will be welcome.

If you have any Roman armor or are prepared to provide togas, tunics or suitably first century women's fashions please tell Deacon Duncan after the masses on March 2nd and 3rd.

MOTHER'S DAY RAFFLE

Some very desirable gifts have been donated and tickets are on sale from this weekend onwards. The items concerned are on show in the Parish Centre if you wish to see them. The draw will take place after the 5pm mass on Sunday 24th.

The Sons of Divine Providence founded by St Luigi Orione have vacancies in their residential care home for the elderly in Hampton Wick.

Further information from the Manager Lydia Davis 020 8977 0754.