Faith in Focus:
WONDER OR WHATEVER?
It's a marvellous sight to watch a child's face light up when they see something that captures their imagination. Their eyes sparkle, their lips curl upwards and their whole being shows their pleasure. They squeal with delight.
Adults too can have this sense of glee, the sensation of being taken over by the greatness, cleverness or sheer delight of something. But somehow as adults we find it harder to experience this enjoyment than children do. Maybe we have become jaded and thick-skinned in our old age. Today we hear the scriptures asking us whether we can know what God's mind is or not. Can we fathom God's intentions? Can we work out God's will? The answer, of course, is no. God is so great, so beyond our way of thinking, that we can't even come close. God is so completely "other", quite different from anything we have ever experienced.
So how do we react to God? Like the child whose whole body shakes with delight, or like some tired being that is no longer roused by anything? Faced with the grandeur of God do I respond with the enthusiasm of wonder or the indifference of "whatever"?
This "wonder/whatever" mentality shows itself in the way we worship. If we come to worship with a listening ear, waiting to be fed by what God has to say in his word, thankful for how God is working in our daily lives, then we will respond with praise. We will be full of wonder at what God has done for us and what he promises to keep doing. "O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hand hast made… How great thou art!" Wonder produces worship. But if we have let ourselves become dulled to what God is doing in our lives then our attitude to worship will be "whatever". We'll come to church, listen to the scriptures and the sermons, sing the hymns and put our money in the collection, but our hearts will not be enthused by the wonders of our God. We'll endure whatever is thrown at us.
What about you? Are you lost in awesome wonder or is the whole thing just "whatever"?
Parish News
DEDICATION OF OUR LADY OF PEACE
Next Sunday marks the 48th anniversary of the Solemn Dedication of the Church of Our Lady of Peace. We shall mark the occasion at the 9.45 a.m. by blessing the new banner that John Forya will be carrying at Hyde Park for the Papal visit.
DECEASED PRIEST
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Benjamin Camilieri, a retired priest of the diocese, who died in Malta last week, May his soul and the souls of all the Faithful Departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
MASSES AT ETON WICK
There will alas be no Mass this weekend at St Gilbert's, but from September 12th onwards, all being well, there should be Sunday mass until the end of the year.
THINKING OF BECOMING A CATHOLIC?
We shall be starting a programme for those interested in the Autumn, Please phone Sheila at the Presbytery to join the list of those coming. (01628 605764)
PARISH FINANCES
Loose and envelopes £940, Standing Orders £250, Total £1190. Many thanks. This Sunday there will be a retiring collection for the National Catholic Fund.
15th OCTOBER 2010, DON'T MISS IT!
Save the date, mark your diaries, whatever you do - you won't want to miss a very special concert taking place at Our lady of Peace on Friday, 15th October 2010 at 8.00pm. Bring your family, bring your friends! All funds raised will be donated towards the continued upkeep of our church. The programme is almost complete and more details will be announced in the coming weeks - however, we can tell you right now that the line-up is outstanding and you won't be disappointed. Aptly named 'A Night in October' it will be a very special night indeed!
For more information on how you can purchase tickets please contact Bob Bryant on 07979 820064 or 01628 543650. If you would like to discuss sponsorship opportunities please call Anna Goldberg on 07532 338874.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR
ST BERNARD'S, ST JOSEPH'S & ALTWOOD
If you wish me to countersign your child's application to any of the above Schools you should come to the Presbytery at Our Lady of Peace on Tuesday 21st September between 3.30 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. Please don't ring to make an appointment. Just turn up, bringing the forms with you.
CWL
Next meeting Monday, 6th September at 7:30 pm at OLOP with a slide show 'Fiesta in Valencia'. Everybody welcome.
CONGRATULATIONS…
- to Daniel McGuckian and Jennifer Thompson who married at Our Lady of Peace on Friday. We wish them every blessing.
PAPAL VISIT
Holy Hour: Our Lady of Peace
-
this Tuesday 7 Sept at 7:30 pm for the success of the Pope's visit and in thanksgiving for the Grace of Beatification of Cardinal Newman. Followed by a cup of tea at the back of the church and a chance to discuss the visit, arrangements and any new information that may have come through. All welcome to join, especially Pilgrims to Hyde Park.
HYDE PARK VIGIL - ARRANGEMENTS SO FAR…
The passes and Pilgrim Packs for Hyde Park will be issued on Friday 17th Sept at OLOP from 7pm - 9pm. Everyone must pick them up individually - you are required to produce an ID as your Pilgrim pack must be handed to you personally and signed for so that information is sent back to the diocese for the security services.
Two coaches will depart from OLOP at 8:30 am on Saturday 18th - Every pilgrim needs to be checked in before boarding, so early arrival starting around 8.00 a.m. is important.
We are told those not travelling by our coach can now enter Hyde Park without the presence of the Pilgrim Leader (but with their Pilgrim Pack). They should carry photo ID on the day.
You will need to bring folding seats/chairs and suitable clothing. You can bring food and drink. There are toilets and refreshment stands in the arena. Coaches will be parked in numbered bays.
» Click here for the Guide to the Hyde Park Vigil
» Download/view the Papal Visit Magnificat (479 pages, 5.9MB, pdf)
» Click here to find out more about the Papal Visit
Popemobile Routes through Central London
Friday 17th September
At around 17:00 the Pope will travel in the popemobile from Lambeth Palace across Lambeth Bridge and along Millbank, the Pope arrives at the Palace of Westminster at around 17:15. There will be limited space along this route and limited vantage points from which to see the Pope.
Saturday 18th September
At 18:00 the Pope will travel in the popemobile along Horse Guards Road, The Mall, Constitution Hill and Hyde Park Corner before arriving at Hyde Park for the Prayer Vigil at around 18:30.
Information sourced from www.thepapalvisit.org.uk
» Download/view The Pope in the UK document (32 pages, pdf)
» Watch videos: Bishops' Faith Stories from the Heart
» View the official itinerary timeline
» View the locations on the Papal Visit itinerary
» Visit the official online store
» Rail & Tube travel information for the Papal Visit
» Raphael: Cartoons and Tapestries for the Sistine Chapel; 8 Sept to 17 Oct 2010 at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (Free ticketed admission)
NEW PARISH PRIEST
Fr David Barrett will be taking over as Parish Priest on November 1st and Fr Michael will be moving to St Peter's Marlow. Please keep them both in your prayers.
SHEILA FREEMAN TO RETIRE AS
PARISH SECRETARY
Sheila (pictured) is taking the opportunity of the move to bring to an end her time as Parish Secretary. She will carry on living here as a parishioner. We thank her for all she has done during her seven years in post.
DOWRY OF MARY WALSINGHAM PILGRIMAGE
Sunday 12th Sept. See poster in porch.
ST GILBERT'S LUNCHES
- start again on Tuesday.
CHARLIE'S ANGELS
- open up again on Friday 17th from 6.30 - 8.00 p.m. There are at present 4 vacancies. Phone Mary McCarthy on 01753 863037.
CHARISMATIC DAY OF RENEWAL FOR THE DIOCESE
Sat Oct 2nd at St Augustine's Milton Keynes. 9.30 - 4.00 P.M. Speaker Jenny Baker. Bring packed lunch. Drinks provided.
DIVINE MERCY DAY
Bridgettine Convent, On Saturday 11th Sept. 11 am - 4 pm, at Fulmer Common Road, Iver Heath, Bucks, SLO 0NR.
11 a.m. |
Divine Mercy Procession & Enthronement |
11.30 a.m. |
Talk on Divine Mercy - Merciful Jesus |
12 Noon |
Holy Mass |
1.15 p.m. |
Picnic Lunch (Bring a packed lunch & chairs) |
2.15 p.m. |
Talk on Divine Mercy |
3 p.m. |
Divine Mercy Hour |
3.45 p.m. |
Veneration of Relic of St Faustina |
All Welcome.
» The Bridgettine Order website (contact details for Iver Heath)
Mass Times, Places & Intentions
4TH SEPTEMBER - 12th september
Saturday 4th September (vigil)
6.00 p.m. Our Lady of Peace - In Thanksgiving (Stewart)
Sunday 5th September - TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
9.00 a.m. St Gilbert - N.B. Service of the Word and Holy Communion
9.45 a.m. Our Lady of Peace - John Walsh RIP
11.30 a.m. St Andrew's - Dec'd of Seston family
6.00 p.m. Our Lady of Peace - People of the Parish
Monday 6th September
9.30 am Our Lady of Peace - Nan Fennessey RIP
Tuesday 7th September
9.30 a.m. Our Lady of Peace - Margaret Irwin RIP (Vera McLaughlin)
7.30 p.m. Our Lady of Peace - HOLY HOUR: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday 8th September
9.30 a.m. Our Lady of Peace - Regina D'Souza RIP
Thursday 9th September | OUR LADY'S BIRTHDAY
9.30 a.m. Our Lady of Peace - Service of the Word and Holy Communion
11.00 a.m. St Andrew's - N.B. Paddy Brown RIP (Freda Harman & family)
Friday 10th September
9.30 a.m. Our Lady of Peace - James Jordan RIP (Brophy family)
Saturday 11th September
9.30 a.m. Our Lady of Peace - Service of the Word & Holy Communion
6.00 p.m. Our Lady of Peace - Nancy Sheehy RIP
Sunday 12th September | DEDICATION OF OUR LADY OF PEACE
9.00 a.m. St Gilbert's - Joe Murray RIP
9.45 a.m. Our Lady of Peace - People of the Parish
11.30 a.m. St Andrew's - Noreen Hennigan RIP (Gates family)
6.00 p.m. Our Lady of Peace - Dec'd of Parsons family
At Our Lady of Peace, Morning Prayer of the Church is said at 9.15 on weekdays and Saturdays, and the Rosary after the morning mass on weekdays. Do come and join us!
CONFESSIONS
Saturdays 5.15 -5.45 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace.
