Fr. Aaron Writes :23rd January 2022

Dear Friends,

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Theme for 2022 - “We saw His star in the East” – As we celebrate this special week for prayer for the Unity of Christians, I draw your attention to this year’s theme for prayer and reflection and I also encourage parishioners to join other Christians at the joint service at St Mary’s in the Causeway this Sunday evening at 6pm. 

The story of the Magi visiting the Holy Family in Bethlehem is one very familiar to us. The Magi have sometimes been seen as a symbol of the world’s diversity – different religions and cultures – that comes to pay homage to the Christ-child. The story might therefore represent the unity of all created that God desires.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2022 has been prepared by the churches of the Middle East, the history of which was, and still is, characterised by conflict and strife, tainted with blood and darkened by injustice and oppression. The Christians of the Middle East offer these resources conscious that the world shares many of the travails and much of the difficulties that it experiences, and yearns for a light to lead the way to the Saviour who is the light that overcomes darkness.

Serving the Gospel today requires a commitment to the human being, especially the poorest, the weakest and those marginalised. It requires from the churches transparency and accountability in dealing with the world, and with each other. This means churches need to cooperate to provide relief to the afflicted, to welcome the displaced, to relieve the burdened, and to build a just and honest society. This is a call for churches to work together so that young people can build a good future according to God’s heart, a future in which all human beings can experience life, peace, justice, and love.

To find prayer resources and other information, please visit the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website: www.cabinet.org.uk

First Holy Communion Preparation – our Programme for 2022 was launched last weekend. The Programme will prepare your children for First Confession and for First Holy Communion. You will find all the information you need, including the application form and timetable, on our website. You can also pick up an application form from the back of the Church or from the Parish Office. The window for submitting applications closes on Sunday 6^th February, so please get your completed form back to the Parish Office as soon as possible. I look forward to welcoming you and your children to the Programme.

It is an expectation from me that the children with their families practice the Catholic Faith and attend Holy Mass on Sundays, know the basic prayers such as the Sign of the Cross, Hail Mary and the Our Father before joining the program.

10am Mass this Sunday – This Mass will be particularly busy this weekend as there will be a number of babies and children celebrating the Rite of Welcome into the Church as part of their preparations for Baptism. There will also be three children making their First Holy Communion. So, you may want to consider attending a less busy Mass at 8:30am or 11:30am this week.

A Prayer for the Synod – We are invited to pray this prayer as we continue the listening phase of the Synod of Bishops.

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. 

With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it. 

We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. 

Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. 

All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.

Synod of Bishops on Synodality – I would warmly encourage as many of you to join in our parish meetings that continue this week. There have been very stimulating contributions and discussions in all three groups. Do come and bring a friend, we want to hear your views and opinions!

Please note anyone can submit their own contributions to the diocese, the parish meeting facilitators will submit a parish contribution.

The meetings will take place in the hall on the following dates:

Sunday 23^rd January, meeting after 11:30am Mass at 12:45pm. Monday evening 24^th , meeting at 7pm. Friday 28^th, meeting after the 12 Noon Mass at 12:45pm.

The basic question for us to prayerfully consider: “What is the Holy Spirit saying to our Church today?”.

The topics for consideration over the three week ‘Listening Phase’ are Communion, Participation and Mission. The practice of living as a synodal church means:

• The conversations lead to conversion to Christ and commitment to active participation in the Mission given by Christ – Communion
• The people of God talk with one another and listen to one another about questions that matter – Participation
• The communion exists for a common purpose; mission flows naturally from the experience of communion – Mission.

These gatherings will not only feed into Synod of Bishops meeting with Pope Francis but will assist us all in our parish mission, ministry and outreach as we come out of the pandemic and consider the existence of our parish in the future for future generations!

Seminarian Barnabas Mercer – is with us until the beginning of February. Do in take the opportunity to invite him out for a meal or a coffee, it will be good for him to meet as many parishioners as possible.

Parish Pastoral Council (PPC): Thank you to those who have kindly agreed to serve on the new Parish Pastoral Council. I have asked Mike Newman to be Chairman of the PPC, we will convene and inaugurate the new Parish Council in February once the Synod Meetings are concluded.

In Memoriam – Please pray for Laurie Harding RIP. We keep Nuala and all the family in our prayers at this sad time. Laurie’s Requiem Mass will take place on Friday 28^th January at 10am here at St. John’s.

With my very best wishes and prayers for you all.

Fr Aaron