5th October

Twenty Seventh Sunday Year C

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As the Holy Father reminds us that the Lord Jesus showed great love and compassion to those who are poor. Poverty can mean a lack in many areas, fiscal, emotional, spiritual and physical. That is why we have such organisations as CAFOD but also MIND, FOODBANKS, NHS and many other organisations. This weekend’s retiring collections are for CAFOD, money to help people in all sorts of poverty-stricken situations throughout the world.

Keeping up with the aims of charities, the church urges us to live simply, live sustainably, live in solidarity, become a live-simply parish. Do we ask ourselves the question, “Do we try to live simply so that others may simply live?”

To keep up the spiritual wealth of clergy and religious, part of our discipline is to attend a week of retreat each year. This week it is my turn to join my fellow religious brothers at Shallowford House not far from here for a time of prayer, input and meditation, accompanied by a renewal of our contacts and friendships within religious life. Pray for me as I will pray for you during this time of renewal.

There are many people to pray for. Please remember Sharon Acton in your prayers, recently deceased, along with all her family and friends. There are many others, please bring them to mind.

During the week we had the memorial of the Guardian Angels, a reminder of God’s love for each of us as he has an angel by each of us. Angels are important to us in all sorts of ways, especially the fact that they create a contact between God and humanity. As I told the children I invite mine to sit on my shoulder and guide me and look to my welfare. Why not you as well!

Remember too that October is the month of Our Lady, our Mother and the Mother of the Church.

Meanwhile take care and remember that God is by our sides along with his holy angels.

Father Anton s.c.j.