SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. - OCTAVE OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
JANUARY 18-25
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
I hope you have had a productive week, in spite of all the challenges!
A friend of mine was telling me that his godson is learning the 'Hail Mary.' So far he has got to :' Hail Mary, lives in Greece.' This is clearly from the 'orthodox' tradition in Athens.
It is a time when, perhaps, we are able to read all those books we have planned to open for some time. I have just begun "House of Music" by Kadiatu Kanneh - Mason. She is the Mother of Sheku, who won the BBC Young Musician 2016. He also played his 'cello at the most recent Royal wedding. The book is published by One World. It describes the difficulties and trials that lead to Sheku' s triumph. He also has six siblings who are all brilliant musicians.
We continue to remember in our prayers all those in hospital at this time. The heroic work of the NHS. Our prayers are with the elderly who are in care homes throughout the land. My sister is 83, and has been in care for almost 30 years. The carers and other members of staff need our special support and thanks.
We think of our young people unable to attend schools and universities. Online learning requires special discipline and resolve.
With prayers and all good wishes,
Fr. Michael odcs.
I hope you have had a productive week, in spite of all the challenges!
A friend of mine was telling me that his godson is learning the 'Hail Mary.' So far he has got to :' Hail Mary, lives in Greece.' This is clearly from the 'orthodox' tradition in Athens.
It is a time when, perhaps, we are able to read all those books we have planned to open for some time. I have just begun "House of Music" by Kadiatu Kanneh - Mason. She is the Mother of Sheku, who won the BBC Young Musician 2016. He also played his 'cello at the most recent Royal wedding. The book is published by One World. It describes the difficulties and trials that lead to Sheku' s triumph. He also has six siblings who are all brilliant musicians.
We continue to remember in our prayers all those in hospital at this time. The heroic work of the NHS. Our prayers are with the elderly who are in care homes throughout the land. My sister is 83, and has been in care for almost 30 years. The carers and other members of staff need our special support and thanks.
We think of our young people unable to attend schools and universities. Online learning requires special discipline and resolve.
With prayers and all good wishes,
Fr. Michael odcs.
BOOKS
'Let us Dream.....' Continuing Pope Francis' new book. We read: "We are born, beloved creatures of our Creator, God of love, into a world that has lived long before us. We belong to God and to one another, and we are part of creation. And from this understanding, grasped by the heart, must flow our love for each other, a love not earned or bought because all we are and have is unearned gift. "
"We have neglected and mistreated our ties with our Creator, with creation, and with our fellow creatures. But the good news is that an Ark awaits us to carry us to a new tomorrow. Covid- 19 is our Noah moment, as long as we can find our way to the Ark of the ties that unite us; of love, and of a common belonging.
"The Noah story in Genesis is not just about how God offered a path out of destruction, but about all that followed. The regeneration of human society meant a return to respecting limits, curbing the reckless pursuit of wealth and power, looking out for the poor and those living on the edges.... "
"We have neglected and mistreated our ties with our Creator, with creation, and with our fellow creatures. But the good news is that an Ark awaits us to carry us to a new tomorrow. Covid- 19 is our Noah moment, as long as we can find our way to the Ark of the ties that unite us; of love, and of a common belonging.
"The Noah story in Genesis is not just about how God offered a path out of destruction, but about all that followed. The regeneration of human society meant a return to respecting limits, curbing the reckless pursuit of wealth and power, looking out for the poor and those living on the edges.... "
OCTAVE OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
The theme for this year has been chosen by the Sisters of the Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland. It is "Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit. "( Based on John 15 verses 1-17). A leading writer on ecumenism has commented :" Our unity in Christ underpins our work for climate change and for the health of all the nations. " Ecumenism lies at the very heart of our lives as Christians. I was Chairman of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission from 2017 - 2021.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
We will continue with our daily Masses in Watlington at 9.30am Monday to Friday, and 10.pam on Saturdays. Some of the Parishes have discontinued a public daily Mass. Sunday Masses are also at there usual times: Watlington 9.30am and Stonor Park 10. 30 am.
QUICK LINKS
Find us
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St Edmund Campion Roman Catholic Church, No.2 Watcombe Rd, Watlington OX49 5QJ
T: 01491 612431
T: 01491 612431