Summary of Amoris Laetitia - The Joy of Love:
Chapter seven: “Towards a better education of children” (259-290)
The seventh chapter is dedicated to the education of children: their ethical formation, the learning of discipline which can include punishment, patient realism, sex education, passing on the faith and, more generally, family life as an educational context. The practical wisdom present in each paragraph is remarkable, above all the attention given to those gradual, small steps “that can be understood, accepted and appreciated” (AL 271).
There is a particularly interesting and pedagogically fundamental paragraph in which Francis clearly states that “obsession, however, is not education. We cannot control every situation that a child may experience… If parents are obsessed with always knowing where their children are and controlling all their movements, they will seek only to dominate space. But this is no way to educate, strengthen and prepare their children to face challenges. What is most important is the ability lovingly to help them grow in freedom, maturity, overall discipline and real autonomy” (AL 260).
The notable section on education in sexuality is very expressively entitled: “Yes to sex education”. The need is there, and we have to ask “if our educational institutions have taken up this challenge … in an age when sexuality tends to be trivialised and impoverished”. Sound education needs to be carried out “within the broader framework of an education for love, for mutual self-giving” (AL 280). The text warns that the expression ‘safe sex’ conveys “a negative attitude towards the natural procreative finality of sexuality, as if an eventual child were an enemy to be protected against. This way of thinking promotes narcissism and aggressivity in place of acceptance” (AL 283).
Cont’d next week …
Church Cleaning
If you could help for one hour every other week, please contact the Parish Office.
Table Sale
The Live Simply group are organising a Table Sale in the Parish Centre on Saturday 30th July in their quest to continue supporting Fr. Dominic in his work with refugees in Calais - up to date information sheets about his work are at the back of the church. Please put the date in your diary and start sorting through your unwanted ‘bits’ in preparation. Further details will follow.
A Talk on the History of Leigh with Jo Ronan
Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an interesting talk, meet friends and enjoy tea and homemade cake. JUNE 27 at 2pm in the PARISH CENTRE. Organised by the CWL everyone is welcome ! Donations on the day may be made to the Homeless Project.
A Talk on the History of Leigh with Jo Ronan
Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an interesting talk, meet friends and enjoy tea and homemade cake. JUNE 27 at 2pm in the PARISH CENTRE. Organised by the CWL everyone is welcome ! Donations on the day may be made to the Homeless Project.
Fundraising for the Parish Centre
I will be taking part in the Colourthon Walk on Saturday 2nd July to raise funds for our Parish Centre. I will be outside church with my sponsorship form after 5.30pm Mass on 25th June and 9.30am & 11.30am Masses on 26th June. Simon Pearson
Sea of Voices Choir
We had a great start on 8th June in the Parish Centre’s Gilbert room and will continue to meet on Wednesday evenings (7.30 to 9pm) up to 19th July when we will break for the Summer. Forty-two members now on our list! We are collecting an annual subscription of £5 after which its £3 each attendance at a choir meeting. We would like some more gentlemen to come along, and young singers over 15 will also be welcome. A regular Choir newsletter will be produced giving more details, updates etc. This will be available in the Parish Centre’s St Clement room when teas and coffees are served after Sunday masses. Contact Darrell for more choir information.
Sea of Voices Choir
We had a great start on 8th June in the Parish Centre’s Gilbert room and will continue to meet on Wednesday evenings (7.30 to 9pm) up to 19th July when we will break for the Summer. Forty-two members now on our list! We are collecting an annual subscription of £5 after which its £3 each attendance at a choir meeting. We would like some more gentlemen to come along, and young singers over 15 will also be welcome. A regular Choir newsletter will be produced giving more details, updates etc. This will be available in the Parish Centre’s St Clement room when teas and coffees are served after Sunday masses. Contact Darrell for more choir information.
Carmelite Pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory
You are welcome to join us on a coach to Aylesford Priory for the Carmelite Pilgrimage for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Celebrations on Sunday 17th July, Holy Mass will be at 12.00 noon. Coach from bus stop opposite Nazareth House leaving at 9am or Our Lady of Lourdes 9.15am. Cost of coach £12.50. Please bring a packed lunch. To book a seat on the coach, telephone Bernadette Lane on 01702 421891 or 07963300518.
Carmelite Pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory
You are welcome to join us on a coach to Aylesford Priory for the Carmelite Pilgrimage for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Celebrations on Sunday 17th July, Holy Mass will be at 12.00 noon. Coach from bus stop opposite Nazareth House leaving at 9am or Our Lady of Lourdes 9.15am. Cost of coach £12.50. Please bring a packed lunch. To book a seat on the coach, telephone Bernadette Lane on 01702 421891 or 07963300518.
Counters & Folders
Counters: Kitty Edwards & Bernadette Lane.
Newsletter Folders: Pauline Jordan & Maureen Ward.
Carmelites
The next Carmelite meeting is on Saturday the 25th June we have a quiet time in the Church at 2pm followed by the Rosary at 2.15pm. We then go to the Parish Centre Newman Room for the meeting. This commences with a cup of tea, talk about our spiritual growth and how we can help one another spiritually, we then have Lectio divina, the meeting usually finishes by 5pm. All parishioners are welcome for all or part of the meeting, why don’t you come and see what we do.
Pray for the Dead
Please pray for our dead on their anniversaries:
Fr. Vincent Dutton, Fr Edward Thomas, Audrey Conlon, Angelo Camilleri,
John Callaghan, Brenda Dorey, Alfred Mansell, Kathleen Michael, Mary Wright, Michael Woolcott, Bridget Parsons, Eileen Ketterer, Angela Balcombe,
Doreen Faust, Patricia Larman, Francis Woodward, Sidney Baldwin,
Anthony Gwatkin, Francesco Ciccone, Peter Liddell, Rosemary Conway,
Frank Cope, Claire Mellish & Marie Patricia Kidd.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Eleventh Sunday of the Year
Dear friends in Christ
In his Gospel, St Luke gives us many examples of the teachings of Jesus on mercy; so relevant for this extra-ordinary Holy Year that we are in. The Gospel of this Sunday recounts the moment when a women of ill-repute came in to the house where Jesus was the guest of a leading Pharisee; she lavished signs of her atoning love upon the feet of Our Lord. A canvas of Peter Paul Rubens illustrates the pathos of this moment with touching effect. She was not interested in what those around her were saying; she wanted only to encounter Jesus; she wished to express her sorrow in a tangible way. In a word, she was seeking peace of soul. There is peace only with true and deep contrition. At the end of Confession the priest says to us: Go in peace your sins are forgiven. Faith and humility saved that women; with contrition she began a new life. St Gregory the Great says: The woman represents us when, after having committed a sin, we turn back to God with all our heart and imitate her in our cries of penance. Contrition makes us forget ourselves and return to God through a deep act of love. Contrition is also a sign of the depths of our love and calls down God’s mercy upon us. All our sins and defects may indeed weigh heavily upon us, but with true love-sorrow we are renewed and refashioned as the children that God desires us to be. May we never tire of seeking this mercy of God, never tire of receiving it, and above all never tire of being merciful ourselves, like Jesus. May God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Eleventh Sunday of the Year
Dear friends in Christ
In his Gospel, St Luke gives us many examples of the teachings of Jesus on mercy; so relevant for this extra-ordinary Holy Year that we are in. The Gospel of this Sunday recounts the moment when a women of ill-repute came in to the house where Jesus was the guest of a leading Pharisee; she lavished signs of her atoning love upon the feet of Our Lord. A canvas of Peter Paul Rubens illustrates the pathos of this moment with touching effect. She was not interested in what those around her were saying; she wanted only to encounter Jesus; she wished to express her sorrow in a tangible way. In a word, she was seeking peace of soul. There is peace only with true and deep contrition. At the end of Confession the priest says to us: Go in peace your sins are forgiven. Faith and humility saved that women; with contrition she began a new life. St Gregory the Great says: The woman represents us when, after having committed a sin, we turn back to God with all our heart and imitate her in our cries of penance. Contrition makes us forget ourselves and return to God through a deep act of love. Contrition is also a sign of the depths of our love and calls down God’s mercy upon us. All our sins and defects may indeed weigh heavily upon us, but with true love-sorrow we are renewed and refashioned as the children that God desires us to be. May we never tire of seeking this mercy of God, never tire of receiving it, and above all never tire of being merciful ourselves, like Jesus. May God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday 11th St Barnabus, Ap
10.00am Mass Winifred Llewellyn, RIP
5.30pm Vigil Mass Gwendoline Underwood, RIP (Anniv)
Sunday 12th June
8am Mass Maeve Bree, RIP
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Ray Parascandolo, RIP (Anniv)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 13th St Anthony of Padua, Pr, D
10.30am Requiem Mass Iolanda Peretti, RIP
Tuesday 14th Feria
9am Mass Julia Fitzell, RIP
Wednesday 15th June Feria
9am Mass Maureen Regan, RIP
Thursday 16th St Richard of Chichester, Bp
9am Mass Andrew Rickard, RIP
Friday 17th Feria
12Noon Mass John McNamara, RIP
Saturday 18th Our Lady on Saturday
10.00am Mass Elpedio& Salis Bonggot & Lopie Andalan, RIP
5.30pm Vigil Mass Albert Shaves & Tony Poulton, RIP
Sunday 19th June
8am Mass Don McGregor, RIP
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish-
Thanksgiving for all First Holy Communicants
11.30am Mass Intentions of Jim Scott
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday 11th St Barnabus, Ap
10.00am Mass Winifred Llewellyn, RIP
5.30pm Vigil Mass Gwendoline Underwood, RIP (Anniv)
Sunday 12th June
8am Mass Maeve Bree, RIP
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Ray Parascandolo, RIP (Anniv)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 13th St Anthony of Padua, Pr, D
10.30am Requiem Mass Iolanda Peretti, RIP
Tuesday 14th Feria
9am Mass Julia Fitzell, RIP
Wednesday 15th June Feria
9am Mass Maureen Regan, RIP
Thursday 16th St Richard of Chichester, Bp
9am Mass Andrew Rickard, RIP
Friday 17th Feria
12Noon Mass John McNamara, RIP
Saturday 18th Our Lady on Saturday
10.00am Mass Elpedio& Salis Bonggot & Lopie Andalan, RIP
5.30pm Vigil Mass Albert Shaves & Tony Poulton, RIP
Sunday 19th June
8am Mass Don McGregor, RIP
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish-
Thanksgiving for all First Holy Communicants
11.30am Mass Intentions of Jim Scott
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Summary of Amoris Laetitia - The Joy of Love:
Chapter six: “Some pastoral perspectives” (199-258)
In the sixth chapter the Pope treats various pastoral perspectives that are aimed at forming solid and fruitful families according to God’s plan. The chapter use the Final Reports of the two Synods and the catecheses of Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II extensively. It reiterates that families should not only be evangelized, they should also evangelize. The Pope regrets “that ordained ministers often lack the training needed to deal with the complex problems currently facing families” (AL 202). On the one hand, the psycho-affective formation of seminarians needs to be improved, and families need to be more involved in formation for ministry (cf. AL 203); and on the other hand, “the experience of the broad oriental tradition of a married clergy could also be drawn upon” (AL 202).
The Pope then deals with the preparation of the engaged for marriage; with the accompaniment of couples in the first years of married life, including the issue of responsible parenthood; and also with certain complex situations and crises, knowing that “each crisis has a lesson to teach us; we need to learn how to listen for it with the ear of the heart” (AL 232). Some causes of crisis are analysed, among them a delay in maturing affectively (cf. AL 239).
Mention is furthermore made of accompanying abandoned, separated or divorced persons. The Exhortation stresses the importance of the recent reform of the procedures for marriage annulment. It highlights the suffering of children in situations of conflict and concludes: “Divorce is an evil and the increasing number of divorces is very troubling. Hence, our most important pastoral task with regard to families is to strengthen their love, helping to heal wounds and working to prevent the spread of this drama of our times” (AL 246). It then touches on the situations of a marriage between a Catholic and a Christian of another denomination (mixed marriages), and between a Catholic and someone of another religion (disparity of cult). Regarding families with members with homosexual tendencies, it reaffirms the necessity to respect them and to refrain from any unjust discrimination and every form of aggression or violence. The last, pastorally poignant part of the chapter, “When death makes us feel its sting”, is on the theme of the loss of dear ones and of widowhood.
Cont’d next week …