Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Perchance to dream

Change is an ever present reality. Whether we like it or not. There is much talk of change at this moment of our shared life. A new president and vice president in the USA, a desire for a new world order and endless rumination about re-thinking our post Covid world.  Jesus begins his public ministry with the call for a change of heart. He has his own inaugural message.  Repent and believe the Good News. (Mark 1:14-20) To repent means to be converted, to have a change of heart to see the old reality with fresh insight. Conversion is the starting point of every spiritual journey.

Andre Louf, in the book Tuning into Grace, writes that the Good News is first and foremost that we are sinners and that our sin has been forgiven.” Sometimes people have the idea that the Good News is rather we should beware of sin and do our best not to fall into it. No… “the first object of the good news is not the identification of sin and what sin is not. That would be the good news of ‘the Pharisees’, not of Jesus.  The Good News of Jesus is that our sin, whatever it may be, has been forgiven. Our great joy is we are forgiven sinners. That can lead us to gratitude and conversion”.  Of course if you don’t see the need for conversion in your life, it’s hard to see why you should change.

To take on board the call to repentance, to a conversion of heart demands openess, honesty ,humility and above all courage. The process of conversion invites us to ask for forgiveness, and resolve to change, to seek to live differently .
If we are to embrace change we need a new vision, worthwhile goals. In a word openness to a new way of life. It’s a daily challenge.

Pope Francs in his Encyclical letter Fratelli Tutti (on fraternity and social friendship), dreams of what our post Covid world could look like.  In his letter the Holy Father makes an appeal founded in the gospel. Calling us to care for others no matter where they are from. He dreams of a new reality grounded in a culture of encounter and friendship rather than fear and self-interest.

I was moved to read that the Pope at the end of his letter offers us Blessed Charles de Foucauld, as an expression of a life in conversion. A possible role model for a culture of encounter, presence and fraternity. Brother Charles wrote: “pray to God that I may truly be a brother of all”. Charles following Jesus’ example wanted to be a universal brother. Pope Francis concludes in Fratelli Tutti that “only by identifying with the least did he(Charles), come at last to be the brother of all. May God inspire that dream in each one of us”

Mgr Jim Curry

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Mass & opening times during this lockdown.

Monday- Friday:
10.00 am
Saturday:
6.00 pm vigil/anticipated
Sunday:
9.30 am & 11.00 am

Please observe good hygiene and the social distancing norms when visiting the Church.
 
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A Prayer of Trust in God

God has created me to do him some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission - I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do his work; I shall be a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep his commandments and serve him in my calling.

Therefore, my God, I will put myself without reserve into your hands. What have I in heaven, and apart from you what do I want upon earth? My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the God of my heart, and my portion for ever.

https://www.ctsbooks.org/

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​Today we mark the Feast of the Santo Nino such an important part of the devotion life of many of our Filipino parishioners. 

Oh, sweet and merciful Jesus! Señor Santo Niño, the source of all goodness, we kneel before Your sacred Image, imploring Your Divine aid for universal peace and brotherhood among all men, enlighten the unbelievers and the heathens so that they will believe you as their true God. Restore the faith of those who have wandered away from you, bring them back to Your fold with repentance in their hearts.
Grant also to faithful departed in Purgatory the remission of all their sins so that they will rest in peace forever. Finally, nourish and strengthen our faith in You so that we will serve You faithfully on earth. AMEN.

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2nd of February the Presentation of the Lord - Candlemass

7.00 pm. Join us via webcam www.ourladyofvictories.net

An hour of prayer with reflection by Dr Harry Hagopian : Unity in diversity: The Christians in the middle east. 
Music and Hymns for the service will be drawn upon the Armenian, Latin and English traditions. 

Dr Harry Hagopian KSG is a Public International Lawyer. He was Executive Secretary of the Jerusalem Inter-Church Committee & Assistant General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches in Beirut.

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IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a new and uncertain time for all of us, so it is only natural that it will affect our mental health in different ways. However you are feeling right now is valid. With the right help and support, we can get through this.​

Visit https://youngminds.org.uk/ for more information and material both for parents and children.