Dear friends in Christ

The words of Our Lord in the Gospel of this Sunday offer us two considerations: firstly He tells us that there is a vast harvest of souls in the world that need to be brought to God. The harvest is rich but the labourers are few. The apostolic work of the Church on earth is huge. We must constantly remember that each one of us is an apostle, placed in the midst of the world, where we live and work, in order that we may bring about the greatest amount of good. We do this by the simple example of our lives; lives lived in fidelity to Christ and His teaching. Our lives are but a very short time for doing good; let us resolve as we hear these words at Mass this weekend, to live our Faith to the full, and be sowers of goodness and truth wherever we go.

The other consideration is how Jesus sent forth the seventy-two disciples to announce the coming of the Kingdom of God. Wherever they went miracles occurred time and again: the blind recovered their sight, lepers were cleansed, sinners moved to repentance. Wherever they went they carried with them this peace of Christ. This is because the charge they are given is: Whatever house you enter, first say,’Peace be to this house”. And as a son of peace lives there, your peace will rest upon him…The Church will repeat this message until the end of time. Today there is a pressing need for the world to experience this peace. It begins with ourselves: being at peace in our hearts, living in peace with our family and friends, and doing all we can to be sowers of peace and harmony wherever we go.

The Flower Festival in the church this weekend is a celebration of the glory of God, expressed in the beauty of His creation. We thank all those who helped to organise, and those who contributed, to a glorious display of colour to the glory of the Almighty.

This Friday—feast of Saint Benedict, Patron of Europe—The Campion School Schola will visit the Parish and sing at the midday Mass. This is the third time the School have visited our Parish (previously on a Sunday) and their musical zeal and enthusiasm greatly enhances and dignifies the celebration of Holy Mass.

We continue to remember all those affected by the tragedy in Chalkwell Park last Saturday afternoon. We pray that Christ, the Good Shepherd, will bring those families His healing and consolation at this time.

May Christ, the Prince of Peace, bless you all and keep you in His peace.

Msgr Kevin Hale