OUR LADY & ST EDWARD'S
4 Marlborough Drive, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9UE
29 SUNDAY A 19 OCTOBER 2008
WORLD MISSION DAY
My Dear Parishioners, 29 Sunday A 19 October 2008
FEASTDAY CELEBRATIONS
Last Sunday was very special when we celebrated our Parish Feastday with inspiring Masses. Thanks to all who came to celebrate
630 (202,147,281) Our thanks to the children who read at each Mass and the leaders and members of the troops who took part in the parade at 10.30am. Thank you for your offerings £993.
Cafod offerings may be handed in any time.
Next Parade: 10.30am Remembrance Sunday 11 November
MISSION SUNDAY - MISSION IS LOVE
Pope Benedict says, 'God, who is love, leads the Church towards the frontiers of humanity and calls evangelists to drink from the original source, Jesus Christ. Only from this source, can care, tenderness, compassion, hospitality, availability and interest in people's problems be drawn.'
BAPTISM
We welcome Mikko Sebastian Robinson
who is to be baptised at 10.30am Mass this Sunday 19 October.
NUTRITION (contributed by a parishioner)
After an exhaustive review
of the research literature, here's the final word on nutrition and health:
1 Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
2 Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
3 Chinese drink little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
4 Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks
than us.
5 Germans drink beer and eat lots of sausages and fats, and suffer fewer heart
attacks than us.
6 The French eat foie-gras, full fat cheese and drink red wine, and suffer fewer
heart attacks than us
Conclusion
Eat and drink what you like;
speaking English is apparently what kills you!
SUNDAY READINGS
Two kings are mentioned in today's readings - Cyrus King of Babylon, Caesar Roman Emperor.
Cyrus conquered the Babylonian Empire and, remarkably, helped fulfil the prophecies, by allowing the Jews to return to their native land - God's mission can find a way even when powerful leaders oppose him.
'For the sake of Israel, my chosen one, I have called you by name, conferring a title on you. Even though you do not know me. I arm you so that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun, apart from me, all is nothing.'
The Psalm continues the theme - 'Proclaim to the nations: 'God is king.'
Caesar's rule tried to suppress the teaching of Jesus. Jesus claimed to be a King; the crowd shouted, 'We have no king but Caesar.' Pilate acknowledged his claim with the title on the cross - 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.' So, really, three kings are mentioned in today's readings.
Gospel (Based on Dom Henry Wansbrough reflection)
The Pharisees must have thought they had really caught Jesus out. If Jesus said that he paid taxes, it would mean that he was recognising the rule of the Emperor. If he said he didn't pay, he would be saying he was being disloyal to Rome rule. Jesus turns the question back on the Pharisees.
Firstly he makes them admit that they themselves recognise Rome as overlord by carrying a Roman coin, a coin that carried the Emperor's head. Next, he asked them a question about they considered to be due to Caesar. Finally he goes beyond their question, so that he can interrogate their ultimate loyalty. He was really asking, 'What is due to God?' At one level this seems a just a little verbal tussle in which Jesus outwits his opponents. But the story was remembered, reported and passed on to Christians, not because of Jesus' cleverness, but because, at a deeper level, it is a question which Jesus puts to each of us. Just where do our loyalties lie - money, respect, fame, holidays, comfort, power?
Jesus is not a dictator who imposes his will; he just asks the question and leaves us to give our own answer. To those who question Jesus, he often replies with another question which each has to try to answer.
JESUS LOOKED AT THE COIN AND SAID,
'RENDER TO CAESAR WHAT BELONGS TO CAESAR AND TO GOD WHAT BELONGS TO GOD.'
Sat 6.00pm Joan Swarbrick Sun 8.30am Margaret Curran 10.30am Parishioners
Mon - Sat 9.00am Mass (Friday 9.00am Carol Seymour)
Rosary 8.45am weekdays during October - month of the Holy Rosary
Feasts Mon (Fintan) Thurs (John of Capistrano)
Mission Sunday 19 October; Retiring collection for the Missions.
We are urged to stress how important this is and to request you to be especially generous.
Message from Kevin Gilchrist: 'You may have seen that Bishop Patrick was mentioned in the local news media regarding the decision of the Catholic Caring Service to accept same sex partnerships in the adoption of children. Unfortunately, and as is normally the case with the news media, only part of the story was told, and hence the wrong impression was gained. The Bishop sent a letter to the Catholic Caring Trustees, which released to the Media last week and Parish Council Chairs. I have placed copies in the porch. I particularly wish to guide you towards the parts on pages 3 & 4, highlighted in red, which give the Catholic Caring Services legal advice on how to remain within the law and to continue with heterosexual marriage adoptions.
Parish Walk: Sunday 19 Oct Kendal - Scout Scar; new walkers always welcome;
further details from Bernard Walmsley 863493 & Tony Drainey 864342.
Ladies Group 8.00pm Thurs 23 Oct Quiz £1; money for Christmas Party (£17) due.
Spiritual Day 10.30am - 2.30pm Sat 1 Nov Parish Centre on Discipleship and Prayer led by Fr Tim Calvert, Dominican Prior, Edinburgh, who trained as a Deacon in this parish; all welcome; please put names on list in porch.
Little Sisters: Autumn Fayre 2.00 - 5.00pm Sat 1 Nov £1
A Night to Remember presented by St Leonard's Society Gilbert & Sullivan Society 7.30pm 6 Nov £5
Parish Dance 8.00pm Sat 15 Nov Peter Wild; £3;
proceeds for Derian House Children's Hospice
St Clare's Two part-time posts - 1. Housekeeper 2. Secretary. Details from Fr C Loughran frloughran@saintclares.co.uk or 719604
New Diocesan Website lancasterdiocese.org.uk Wishing you the riches of many blessings, Patrick McMahon
Website www.pat.fulwoodpreston.org
Email pat@fulwoodpreston.org
Parish Priest Patrick McMahon 01772 862437
Deacon Peter Williams 01772 863444
Lancaster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees - Charity Number: 234331