14th Sunday in Ordinary time

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14th Sunday in Ordinary Time What happens when nothing happens. One of the questions that Biblical Scholars, Theologians, and some of the faithful too, keep asking is: “where was Jesus before his public life?” Some people – and by that, I mean people who make money selling books – have come up with the most far-fetched stories and theories of where Jesus might have been. I know this might disappoint some, but the fact is that it is enough to read the Gospels with a little attention to know where Jesus was before his public life: HE WAS WITH HIS FAMILY. In today’s Gospel we find that people in Jesus’ town struggled to accept his teaching because they did not believe Jesus could bring anything new. They all knew who he was, who his parents were, the synagogue he used to go to, they probably even knew his favourite food and the places he liked to visit… So, this is rather unexciting. The news is, that there is no news. Nothing extravagant, not even a small anecdote, regarding the whereabouts of Jesus before his public ministry. However, that is exactly the point and the Good News: JESUS WAS WITH HIS OWN ALL THE TIME! Unlikely as this may sound, the no-news of the Gospel is Good News. The boring passage of this Sunday's Gospel reminds us that Jesus is present and can bring something new out of the boring, ordinary, everyday-the-same events of our lives.   Daniel Herrero Peña   Parish News: Fr Daniel Herrero Pena. After 3 years as assistant priest with us Fr Daniel will take up a new appointment in September. He has been appointed as the assistant priest to Our Lady of Grace, Chiswick and also serving the parishes of Grove Park and Gunnersbury. The Cardinal has appointed the Rev Marco Salvagnini to succeed Fr Daniel as the assistant priest for our parish. Marco was ordained to the priesthood last Saturday, June 26th. You can see some of the photos using the button below. See album here Remembering Fr Freddie Jackson. The first anniversary of Fr Freddie's death will fall on Saturday the 17th of July. The 6.00pm Mass that evening will be offered for the repose of his soul. Members of his family will be joining us. We had hoped that the social distancing regulations would have been lifted. Unfortunately we still have to limit the number of people who can attend the Mass.     Please, pray from our children and young people, who will be receiving their First Holy Communion and confirmation in the next months of June and July.  Stella Maris is the largest ship-visiting network in the world, and the official maritime charity of the Catholic Church. It was founded in Glasgow in 1920 by a group of Catholic men and women with the founding belief that every seafarer deserves fair working conditions and respect for their human rights. The shipping industry has changed dramatically in the last 100 years and the work of Stella Maris has evolved to make sure that the changing needs of seafarers can still be met today, but the mission of Stella Maris remains the same, to provide care and support for the people of the sea. Seafarers often have to work away from their families and local communities for nine to 12 months at a time.  Across the world, Stella Maris aims to provide a ‘friend in every port’ and stand alongside seafarers and fishermen to ensure their rights are upheld. For 100 years Stella Maris has been extending the hand of friendship and welcoming seafarers and fishermen to our shores. Life at sea can be difficult. Seafarers and fishermen  can suffer from loneliness, depression, spiritual deprivation, and even exploitation.  Chaplains and volunteers visit hundreds of thousands of seafarers and fishermen every year. They listen and chat, they arrange Mass onboard ships, they offer practical help in a crisis and bring free Wi-Fi onboard so seafarers can call home. Often, these simplest practical kindnesses make the greatest difference Chaplains and volunteers make more than 70,000 ship visits each year and support hundreds of thousands of seafarers and fishermen in times of need. Catholic faith is at the heart of Stella Maris, it inspires, enlivens, and motivates our work, and is expressed through a loving care of the people of the sea of all faiths and none. If you would like to support the work of Stella Maris please pick up an envelope from the back of the church or donate online using the button below. Donate Here Our Lady of Victories 16 Abingdon Road London W8 6AF 020 7937 4778  [email protected]