EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRETION OF THE … · without praying first without asking God to guide us...
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Father PJ writes: We are so accustomed to hearing of Jesus risen from the dead that we could say, “Oh yea…we know all about it” and miss the Grace of this Holy Season of Easter. But think about it, Jesus rose from the dead! Death is not the end. It is only the door to beyond. Let us not allow the resurrection of Jesus to have to fight for room in our lives; let Jesus’ death and resurrection be the centre of our lives. We had been waiting for this moment for thousands of years. The Old Testament shows us that history was working out God’s plan but the highpoint in God’s plan for us was the resurrection. Easter is the greatest celebration of the Church. Jesus’ resurrection reminds us that there is life beyond the grave. Jesus’ resurrection reminds us that there is more to each of us than meets the eye, that we have an immortal soul. Although our body will return to dust, our soul will live forever with God. What is the purpose of life? What is your goal in life? Where is your heart in life? Life has only one ultimate goal, to prepare for the next life, and if you are not preparing for your own resurrection you are like a train that has become derailed. What happens to a train that gets derailed? It goes nowhere. Can you take your house to heaven with you? Then why make such a fuss about your house? Can you take your car to heaven with you? Well then, why become so engrossed in your car? Can you take your bank account to heaven with you? Use your money for the spread of the Gospel. Why are you so busy that you have no time to pray to God every day? It is God you want to meet in the next life, isn’t it? I cannot understand anyone who says they believe in God but do not pray every day. It is a contradiction to say that you believe in God but do not pray. We have a wonderful future ahead of us. We will be resurrected like Jesus. The end of our second reading this weekend said, “But when Christ is revealed - and He is your life - you too will be revealed in all your glory with him.” Also think of what we heard in our second reading, “...the life you have is hidden with Christ in God...” Think of the glorious future that awaits each of us. Paul wrote to the Philippians, “For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the Saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and He will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of His glorious body.” (Phil 3:20) Just think of it, you will be transformed to become glorious like Jesus. Do you live like someone who believes in such a glorious future? If you do, surely everything in this world takes on a new perspective, so that, as I reflected earlier, we do not become possessed by our possessions. And since you will be transfigured, you will be glorious like the risen Jesus. The reason many of us have so many problems is because we often rush in without praying first without asking God to guide us – in short, we don’t pray enough. Pray, pray, pray. Again, what is life all about? John, in his first letter says something similar, “My dear people, we are already children of God, but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.” (1 John 3:2) Why can we expect such a glorious future? Because we are baptised. That is why baptism is so important. When we are baptised we are adopted by God as His very own sons and daughters. In the same letter John says, “Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God’s children; and that is what we are”(1 John 3:1). You were adopted by God as his son or daughter on the day you were baptised. We died to an old way of life on the day we were baptised, we died to living only for this life. Think of what happened to you on the day you were baptised. You were born again. You became a son or daughter of God. All the resurrection accounts are different and we cannot reconcile them. In the account from Mark 16 we read at the Easter Vigil three women came to the tomb. In the account from John we read on Easter Sunday morning, firstly Mary Magdalene and then Peter and John go to the tomb. One of the things all the resurrection accounts have in common is the stone rolled back from the entrance to the tomb. Have you allowed a stone to prevent you from meeting the risen Jesus? Have you allowed the stone of becoming engrossed in what you have and own and what others have and own to block your way to Jesus? You were adopted as God’s son or daughter on the day you were baptised. If you are not living like a son or daughter of God roll away the stone. If you are not happy, that is a sure sign that the stone needs to be rolled away in your life. If you knew the risen Jesus, you would have such joy in your heart, the kind of joy that nothing else could give you. EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD 1ST APRIL 2018 Year: B Weekday: Cycle 2 AND SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER 8TH APRIL 2018 Prayer of the Church: Psalter Week 1 and 2
Transcript of EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRETION OF THE … · without praying first without asking God to guide us...
Father PJ writes: We are so accustomed to hearing of Jesus risen from the dead that we could say, “Oh yea…we know all about it” and miss the
Grace of this Holy Season of Easter. But think about it, Jesus rose from the dead! Death is not the end. It is only the door to beyond. Let us not allow the resurrection of Jesus to have to fight for room in our lives; let Jesus’ death and resurrection be the centre of our lives. We had been waiting for this moment for thousands of years. The Old Testament shows us that history was working out God’s plan but the highpoint in God’s plan for us was the resurrection. Easter is the greatest celebration of the Church. Jesus’ resurrection reminds us that there is life beyond the grave. Jesus’ resurrection reminds us that there is more to each of us than meets the eye, that we have an immortal soul. Although our body will return to dust, our soul will live forever with God.
What is the purpose of life? What is your goal in life? Where is your heart in life? Life has only one ultimate goal, to prepare for the next life, and if you are not preparing for your own resurrection you are like a train that has become derailed. What happens to a train that gets derailed? It goes nowhere. Can you take your house to heaven with you? Then why make such a fuss about your house? Can you take your car to heaven with you? Well then, why become so engrossed in your car? Can you take your bank account to heaven with you? Use your money for the spread of the Gospel. Why are you so busy that you have no time to pray to God every day? It is God you want to meet in the next life, isn’t it? I cannot understand anyone who says they believe in God but do not pray every day. It is a contradiction to say that you believe in God but do not pray. We have a wonderful future ahead of us. We will be resurrected like Jesus. The end of our second reading this weekend said, “But when Christ is revealed - and He is your life - you too will be revealed in all your glory with him.” Also think of what we heard in our second reading, “...the life you have is hidden with Christ in God...” Think of the glorious future that awaits each of us. Paul wrote to the Philippians,
“For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the Saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus
Christ, and He will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of His glorious body.” (Phil 3:20)
Just think of it, you will be transformed to become glorious like Jesus. Do you live like someone who believes in such a glorious
future? If you do, surely everything in this world takes on a new perspective, so that, as I reflected earlier, we do not become possessed by our possessions. And since you will be transfigured, you will be glorious like the risen Jesus. The reason many of us have so many problems is because we often rush in without praying first without asking God to guide us – in short, we don’t pray enough. Pray, pray, pray. Again, what is life all about?
John, in his first letter says something similar, “My dear people, we are already children of God, but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.” (1 John 3:2)
Why can we expect such a glorious future? Because we are baptised. That is why baptism is so important. When we are baptised we are adopted by God as His very own sons and daughters. In the same letter John says, “Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God’s children; and that is what we are”(1 John 3:1). You were adopted by God as his son or daughter on the day you were baptised. We died to an old way of life on the day we were baptised, we died to living only for this life. Think of what happened to you on the day you were baptised. You were born again. You became a son or daughter of God. All the resurrection accounts are different and we cannot reconcile them. In the account from Mark 16 we read at the Easter Vigil three women came to the tomb. In the account from John we read on Easter Sunday morning, firstly Mary Magdalene and then Peter and John go to the tomb. One of the things all the resurrection accounts have in common is the stone rolled back from the entrance to the tomb. Have you allowed a stone to prevent you from meeting the risen Jesus? Have you allowed the stone of becoming engrossed in what you have and own and what others have and own to block your way to Jesus? You were adopted as God’s son or daughter on the day you were baptised. If you are not living like a son or daughter of God roll away the stone. If you are not happy, that is a sure sign that the stone needs to be rolled away in your life. If you knew the risen Jesus, you would have such joy in your heart, the kind of joy that nothing else could give you.
EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD 1ST APRIL 2018 Year: B Weekday: Cycle 2
AND SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER 8TH APRIL 2018 Prayer of the Church: Psalter Week 1 and 2
THE LENTEN APPEAL This year’s Lenten Appeal was in support of the Fareham Basics Bank. Monies raised to date include: With their time and ingredients donated by the UCM, £660
has been collected from the Thursday mornings Lenten ‘Early’ breakfasts. The Sacred Heart Church hall Tea and Coffee Mornings collected £378. This year’s Easter Chocolate Tombola and
Cake Stall has so far raised £325. Raffle tickets sales have raised £115. Will you be the winner of a delicious Easter Simnel cake made by Father PJ?Thank you to all those involved.
ADORATION Please note that Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has finished for Easter last
Wednesday and begins again on Tuesday 3rd April.
CATHOLIC WOMENS LEAGUE The AGM of the local section of the Catholic Women's League will be on Wednesday 4th April, at 1.30pm, after the 12noon Mass at St John the Evangelist, Lee-on-the-Solent .
FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTIONS Friday 6th April 2018. Come and join us for these devotions at Sacred Heart, Fareham. Rosary at 9.00 followed by Mass and Adoration. The meditation will be: The Flagellation. Confessions will be heard after Mass, finishing at 10.30 with
Benediction. For more details ring 02392 381802.
WOMENS WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
The postponed Portchester Women's World Day of Prayer, cancelled due to snow, will now take place on Friday 6th April at 2.15pm at Portchester Methodist Church, Castle Street, Portchester.
FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS Saturday 7th April 2018 at St Mary’s Church, Gosport. PO12 1DF. Solemn Latin Mass at 9.30 am followed by Adoration, Rosary and a meditation on the Agony of Jesus in the Garden. The Ministry of Reconciliation is
available. For details, ring 02392 381802.
THE MARIAN GROUP From 12 midday to 3pm, on Saturday 7th April, the Marian Group meets; shared Agape lunch with catechism on Our Lady by one of the Friars.
EASTER OFFERING The Easter and Christmas offerings are the two times of the year the collection goes directly to the priests. It gives us an opportunity to express the gratitude for all the hard work both Fr PJ And Father Jude do through out the year. Please use the envelopes provided for your offering, if you already have gift-aid envelope you can use either. If you wish to gift-aid your donation please include your name and address.
PARISH OFFICE - EASTER BREAK Please note, that the Parish office has closed from last Thursday, until 10am Monday, 9th April. Thank you.
WEEKLY COLLECTIONS For parishioners who contribute on a weekly basis, have you considered changing to Direct Debit, Standing order or weekly envelopes? For those of you who are paying income tax, by completing a gift aid form and an uncomplicated bank authorisation our Church may be able to reclaim any tax paid on your contributions. Please call Ken Wilson 01329 847678 or 07583 895323.
FIRST WEDNESDAY DEVOTIONS to St Joseph: Wednesday 4th April, after Mass at St Philip Howard Church, Fareham. All welcome. For more details ring 02392 381802.
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPE SYSTEM Those parishioners who have received their envelopes, please can they write their names on the first envelope to be used on Sunday, 8th. April to allow cross checking of names and the issued envelope numbers.
NEXT UCM MEETING The next meeting will be on Monday, 9th April at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Church hall.
MICHAEL WALTHAM RIP Please pray for the repose of the soul of Michael Waltham RIP who has died
recently. May he rest in peace. Requiem Mass will be at 9.30am Friday 13th April at the Sacred Heart Church, Fareham.
BETTY(HILDA) DAVISON RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Betty Davison RIP who has died recently. May she also rest in peace. Funeral details to be advised.
THINKING OF BECOMING A CATHOLIC? If you feel moved to become a Catholic, or would like to know more about the Rite of Christian Initiation. Please speak to Lynne
Wall on 02392 503894
GOING INTO HOSPITAL? The Chaplaincy Team at Queen Alexandra (QA) Hospital hopes to be able to offer you appropriate spiritual and religious care during your stay in hospital. Tel. the Chaplaincy on 02392 286408
CATHOLIC MARRIAGE CARE Experiencing upset or difficulties? http://www.marriagecare.org.uk/
Tel. 0800 389 3801
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING
Do you work voluntarily with children or adults in the parish? Have you ever attended safeguarding training organised by the parish? All volunteers who work with children or vulnerable people are expected to attend safeguarding training. These two free local courses have just become available. To book a place please contact Soraya Ciccarone telephone 02392 836511 or email: [email protected] Saturday 16th June 2018: Vulnerable Adults Training, 10am to 12.30pm; Child Protection Training 1.30pm to 4pm; both at St Margaret Mary, Middle Road, Park Gate, Hampshire SO31 7GH. If you are not sure whether you should attend or not, speak to one of our local safeguarding reps (their details are below:) or phone Sue on 07739099000.
PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM The UCM is again going on pilgrimage to Walsingham
and would like to invite any members of the Parish to join this annual Pilgrimage on Tuesday 3rd July 2018. Leaving St Philip Howard church carpark Fareham at 04:30am and then a pick-up at the Sacred Heart Church, arriving back in Fareham approximately 10pm. If anyone is interested please give your name to Pauline Williams,
together with a £20 non-returnable deposit by 9th April. The cost of £50 per head covers travel, booklet & badge for Walsingham (your food is extra!). A Mobility bus, if required at Walsingham, needs to be booked separately at an extra cost of £2.50 per head. To book a place, please contact Pauline Williams via email [email protected] or telephone 01329 841960.
ROSARY ON THE COASTS There will be a gathering of people to pray on Sunday 29th April at 3.00 pm for the Rosary on the Coast at the church of St Mary's, Portchester Castle. We will pray the Rosary for Faith and Life: A National Day of Prayer for God's Protection in our nation, uniting us with
others all around the coast praying at this time. All are invited to join us. See the details on the website: www.rosaryonthecoast.co.uk or ring 02392 381802.
DIOCESAN CONFERENCE MAY 2018 On Saturday 5th May, the Diocese will be holding an event at the New Theatre Royal, Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth to prepare for the National Eucharistic Congress. The day’s theme will be the Eucharist and how it is our bread of life. It will be an opportunity to gather with others, to offer praise and worship and learn about the Eucharist. It
will involve guest speakers: Fr Stephen Wang author of ‘Meeting Christ in the Eucharist’; Pippa Baker a Catholic Missionary speaking about the Eucharist; and Bishop Philip Egan will be leading Adoration and Celebrating Mass for us. In the afternoon there will be the opportunity to participate in a workshop of your choice: either Mission & Eucharist, Creativity & Eucharist, Relationship & Eucharist, Theology & Eucharist. This really is not a day to be missed. Tickets are limited so please contact the parish office or phone 07780 221686 or email [email protected]
Parish Office: Monday to Friday from 10.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 15.00
41 Portland Street, Fareham PO16 0NF Tel: 01329 318869
The Parish website can be seen at: www.catholicchurchfareham.org.uk Parish Priest Fr PJ Smith: 01329 318869. Assistant Priest Fr Jude Mbonu 01329 318869
Fareham: Sacred Heart Church, Portland Street, Fareham, PO16 ONQ St. Philip Howard Church, Bishopsfield Road, Fareham, PO14 1ND Portchester: Mass celebrated at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Portchester Castle, PO16 9QW Wickham: The Chapel of St. Thomas More, Park Place Pastoral Centre, Wickham, PO17 5HA Safeguarding: Sue Field (07739 099000) Lorne Fry (01329 285779) Jim Gilhooley (07709 352813)
Vanessa Eastwood (07939 508338)
Diocesan Safeguarding: Angela McGrory [email protected] Tel: 02392 816396
Portsmouth Diocesan Trust - Registered Charity Number 246871
SIGNIFICANT WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Celebrating a 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th or over? If so Bishop Philip would like to invite you to a Mass of celebration at St Bede’s Church in Basingstoke on Saturday 30th June 2018. It is a wonderful occasion to celebrate and witness to Marriage. Please visit the
Diocesan website www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/anniversaries/ and complete the on-line form.
MASS TIMES AND EVENTS Saturday 31st
March EASTER VIGIL Sacred Heart, Fareham 20:00 Elizabeth Boniface RIP
Sunday 1st April Sacred Heart, Fareham 09:00 People of the Parish
EASTER SUNDAY OF THE
RESURRECTION OF THE
LORD
St Philip Howard, Fareham 11:00 Peter and Hilda Coonan
RIP (F)
Monday 2nd April
within the Octave of Easter Sacred Heart, Fareham 09:30 Mr. Petit Demange RIP
Tuesday 3rd April
within the Octave of Easter Sacred Heart, Fareham 09:30 Canon John Rea RIP (F)
Wednesday 4th April
within the Octave of Easter St Philip Howard, Fareham 09:30
50th. Wedding Anniversary
of Cary And Jane Pinto
Thursday 5th April
within the Octave of Easter Sacred Heart, Fareham 12:00
Michael & Hazel Larkin RIP
(F)
Friday 6th April
within the Octave of Easter Sacred Heart, Fareham 09:30 Anne and The Family
Saturday 7th April Sacred Heart, Fareham 09:30 Mary RIP
Saturday 7th April St Mary’s, Portchester 18:00 Desmond Walsh RIP
Sunday 8th April Sacred Heart, Fareham 09:00 Winifred Coughlin RIP
SECOND SUNDAY OF St Philip Howard, Fareham 11:00 Elena and Lewis Waller RIP
(F)
EASTER of divine mercy St Philip Howard, Fareham 18:00 People of the Parish
Monday 9th April
of the Second Week of Easter Sacred Heart, Fareham 09:30 The Holy Souls
Tuesday 10th April
of the Second Week of Easter Sacred Heart, Fareham 09:30 Maureen Porter RIP
Wednesday 11th April
St. Stanislaus, Bishop, memorial St Philip Howard, Fareham 09:30 John Osborn RIP (F)
Thursday 12th April
of the Second Week of Easter Sacred Heart, Fareham 12:00 Denis Hodgetts RIP (F)
Friday 13th April
of the Second Week of Easter Sacred Heart, Fareham 09:30
Requiem Mass for Michael
Waltham RIP
Saturday 14th April
of the Second Week of Easter Sacred Heart, Fareham 09:30
For God's Blessing in
Running A Business
Saturday 14th April St Mary’s, Portchester 18:00
The Pinto Family, in
Thanksgiving
Sunday 15th April Sacred Heart, Fareham 09:00 Lilo Thompson RIP
THIRD SUNDAY St Philip Howard, Fareham 11:00 Granddaughter Emily
Rosella Saines RIP
OF EASTER St Philip Howard, Fareham 18:00 Michele Edwards RIP
SUNDAY 1st April EASTER SUNDAY Sunday Mass: 09:00 SH Sunday Mass: 11:00 SPH Please note - No 6pm Mass today
MONDAY 2nd April EASTER BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY
Daily Mass: 09:30 SH
TUESDAY 3rd April Daily Mass: 09:30 SH
WEDNESDAY 4th April First Wednesday Prayer Group: 10:00 SPH after Mass R.C.I.A Weekly Meeting: 19:30 SHH
THURSDAY 5th April Daily Mass: 12:00 SH
FRIDAY 6th April First Friday devotions: 09:00 SH Daily Mass: 09:30 SH Wedding Service Katie Pyrzewski: 13:00 SPH
SATURDAY 7th April Daily Mass and Reconciliation (Confessions): 09:30SH
SUNDAY 8th April DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY Faith and Light Group Meeting: 15:00 SPHH
MONDAY 9th April
UCM Meeting: 19:30 SHH
TUESDAY 10th April
WEDNESDAY 11th April R.C.I.A Weekly Meeting: 19:30 SHH
THURSDAY 12th April ‘Let the Drama Loose in You’: 19:30 SHH
FRIDAY 13th April Requiem Mass for Michael Waltham RIP: 09:30 SH
SATURDAY 14th April Daily Mass and Reconciliation (Confessions): 09:30SH
SUNDAY 15th April
MONDAY 16th April SVP Monthly Meeting: 19:30 SHH
Next Two Weeks’ Meetings and Events
