July 2021
My friends,
Jesus said, 'Come away to a lonely place'. (Mark 6: 30-34)
The disciples return full of enthusiasm, ready to give an account of the ministry Jesus had entrusted to them. Jesus knows their mission can be sustained only by prayer and reflection. He is also aware that they have been so busy that they have scarcely had time to eat. His message here is clear – the disciples must take care of their physical and spiritual life if their mission is to be successful.
This is an important lesson for us too. We are often distracted by many cares and the feeling that we must always be busy. But that is not sensible. We need time to rest and pray, to go to our own “lonely place” and recharge our spiritual batteries.
And yet, arriving at this lonely place, Jesus and his disciples found that their followers had got there ahead of them. Jesus took pity on them. He saw their hunger for the compassion of God in their lives and he seized the moment to tell them about God’s love.
We, too, can use unexpected opportunities to preach the Good News and to bring hope and healing to others when we see them struggling. However, we must be careful not to neglect our own prayer and spiritual life. It is from this that we gain our strength to bring the Good News to everyone we encounter.
Future Events.
As I write, somewhat late this month, we are anticipating the release of Coronavirus restrictions next week. To mark this we are celebrating with a Festal Choral Evensong on the 25th at 6:00pm, we really hope you will join us and bring your family an friends, especially as we hoe to be able to sing again. Our planning is in the light of massively rising infection rates and hospitalisations. We must be careful and we will take every precaution to protect each other.
We are are planning, together with Julian and the choir, a couple of major events in early Autumn. The inaugural St Cyprian's Festival concert will take place on Saturday 18th September featuring the Brahms Requiem. The following month on Saturday 23rd October we will be holding a Hymnathon in order to raise money for the purchase of choir robes - more details on how to get involved and sponsor your favourite hymn will be published in due course. In the meantime please put these two exciting events in your diaries!
North Paddington Food Bank
We are restarting our collection for the Food Bank. If you are able to donate dried or tinned produce or toiletries that would be greatly appreciated. Please help.
Climate Change.
The catastrophic storms this week serve to stress how important it is to tackle climate change as governments put their economies before the future of the planet. Please take action!! Please do something, lobby your MP, reduce power consumption by turning off unnecessary lights, only boil the required amount of water. Small things that could make a difference or as the Tesco lady says, 'Every little helps'.
Your Priest and Friend,
Fr Michael
Into our busy lives, O God, bring your peace and tranquillity, your love and compassion, so that we, in turn, may bring the joy of the Good News to all and show the caring face of God to others through our actions.
Amen.
My friends,
Jesus said, 'Come away to a lonely place'. (Mark 6: 30-34)
The disciples return full of enthusiasm, ready to give an account of the ministry Jesus had entrusted to them. Jesus knows their mission can be sustained only by prayer and reflection. He is also aware that they have been so busy that they have scarcely had time to eat. His message here is clear – the disciples must take care of their physical and spiritual life if their mission is to be successful.
This is an important lesson for us too. We are often distracted by many cares and the feeling that we must always be busy. But that is not sensible. We need time to rest and pray, to go to our own “lonely place” and recharge our spiritual batteries.
And yet, arriving at this lonely place, Jesus and his disciples found that their followers had got there ahead of them. Jesus took pity on them. He saw their hunger for the compassion of God in their lives and he seized the moment to tell them about God’s love.
We, too, can use unexpected opportunities to preach the Good News and to bring hope and healing to others when we see them struggling. However, we must be careful not to neglect our own prayer and spiritual life. It is from this that we gain our strength to bring the Good News to everyone we encounter.
Future Events.
As I write, somewhat late this month, we are anticipating the release of Coronavirus restrictions next week. To mark this we are celebrating with a Festal Choral Evensong on the 25th at 6:00pm, we really hope you will join us and bring your family an friends, especially as we hoe to be able to sing again. Our planning is in the light of massively rising infection rates and hospitalisations. We must be careful and we will take every precaution to protect each other.
We are are planning, together with Julian and the choir, a couple of major events in early Autumn. The inaugural St Cyprian's Festival concert will take place on Saturday 18th September featuring the Brahms Requiem. The following month on Saturday 23rd October we will be holding a Hymnathon in order to raise money for the purchase of choir robes - more details on how to get involved and sponsor your favourite hymn will be published in due course. In the meantime please put these two exciting events in your diaries!
North Paddington Food Bank
We are restarting our collection for the Food Bank. If you are able to donate dried or tinned produce or toiletries that would be greatly appreciated. Please help.
Climate Change.
The catastrophic storms this week serve to stress how important it is to tackle climate change as governments put their economies before the future of the planet. Please take action!! Please do something, lobby your MP, reduce power consumption by turning off unnecessary lights, only boil the required amount of water. Small things that could make a difference or as the Tesco lady says, 'Every little helps'.
Your Priest and Friend,
Fr Michael
Into our busy lives, O God, bring your peace and tranquillity, your love and compassion, so that we, in turn, may bring the joy of the Good News to all and show the caring face of God to others through our actions.
Amen.
