Dear Friends in Christ

The Gospels over these Sundays in Ordinary Time are taken from the great Sermon on the Mount. Jesus says that His followers have to be salt and light to the world. This means that we have to be the presence of Jesus Christ by virtue of our example to all people at all time. Light and salt are necessary so that life is possible; without light we do not see, without salt there is no savour. The Christian is called upon to be both the illumination of the way forward in the world and give good flavour to life's situations. The teaching Jesus gives us is given so that we may have joy in this life and lead others by His, and our example, to life eternal.

Tuesday, 11th February is the Solemnity of Our Lady of Lourdes; Patroness of our Diocese and our Parish. This date commemorates the first of eighteen apparitions of Mary to St Bernadette in the course of 1858. It is a moment to remind ourselves again of the simple and direct message of Our Lady at Lourdes: pray and do penance. At Lourdes today, Mary points the way to her Son. This is never more true than in the many miracles that take place there - physical and spiritual - that occur daily. However, it is generally during the Eucharist Processions and Benediction of the Sick that these phenomena occur; telling us that Jesus gives these extraordinary graces at the behest of His mother, just as he worked the first miracle at Cana. This feast is a good day for us to renew our love of God’s Mother, prepare for the Rededication of England to her on 29th March, and pray for the intentions of our Diocese and Parish at this time. On Tuesday Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School will be at the Parish Mass at 9.30am; in the evening there will be a short liturgy of Rosary and Benediction at 8pm to honour Our Blessed Mother.

May God bless you!

Msgr Kevin Hale

Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
The Sunday Homily is available as a podcast at LourdesLeigh.org