11th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
God’s Faithful Promises
God’s people were still in exile when the Lord, through the prophet Ezekiel, promised them a great future. This future will start small and then slowly blossom. Thus, in today’s first reading, Ezekiel talked about a cedar whose shoot the Lord will plant and which will blossom to shelter others under the shade of its branches.
In our faith journey, most great things often start small and sometimes unrecognised. The same is true about our faith and the Kingdom of God which Jesus describes in this Sunday’s Gospel with the image of a mustard seed, the smallest of the seeds that grows into the biggest shrub with branches that shelter others. Grace is constantly at work in us to accomplish a divine purpose even when unnoticed. With a faithful submission to God’s promises and will, in God’s time, his promises come through.
When the appointed time came, God’s people returned to their land as God had promised. Through the noble shoot, Jesus Christ, God is gently working for our good and gathering all under the shadow of his mercy, into his Kingdom. So, when we do not feel God’s presence in our lives, may we patiently hold on to his promises, walking by faith and not by sight. God is faithful. Amen
You can access Fr Chinedu's full audio reflection on Purifying Word and on Spotify.
Happy Sunday
Fr Chinedu
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER (Book Now!)
The link is now up on our website for booking a space for yourself in our parish non-residential weekend Marriage Encounter. There are also some leaflets in the Church. Please take some and give to couples you think may benefit from the programme. “Love must be nourished and renewed… and communication is a decisive key at the heart of this nourishment.”
FATHER'S DAY
This Sunday is Father’s Sunday. We pray for all fathers and father figures in our lives. May Our Eternal and Loving Father, fill them with the Holy Spirit as they lay down their lives in love for their families and loved ones. Thank you for all you do. Happy Father’s Day.
DAY FOR LIFE
This Sunday is ‘Day For Life’ Sunday. There will be a retiring (second) collection at the end of the masses this weekend. As always, we are grateful for your generosity.
ABSENCES:
Frs Ufayissa, Paul and I will be away from Monday 24th to 28th June. We will be attending the Provincial Assembly in Dublin. However, Fr Malaku will cover most of the masses while we are away.
DOWNLOAD HERE FR CHINEDU'S FREE EBOOK ON BUILDING A BIBLE-READING HABIT
GIFT AID/ STANDING ORDER
Please, pick up a Parish Gift Aid /Standing Order Form from the back of the church if you would like to start using envelopes, please indicate in section 4 on the Gift Aid / Standing Order Form. If you would like to start paying by standing order, please complete sections 5 & 6 and if you are able to Gift Aid your donations, please complete section 2. Thank you for your continuing support.
DONA MACHINE
The Dona machine is now working and can now be used for offertory, payment and other donations. Please, feel free to use it. Thank you.
MISSIO BOX
Please, collect your red box from the back of the church.
Box 25/34 Holder: Please reach out to us to confirm your identity. Thank you.
JOB VACANCIES
For current vacancies in the Diocese, please visit https://jobs.rcdow.org.uk/
THE BIBLE SUMMIT
The Bible Summit will take place at St Patrick's Soho on the 22nd June 2024. Find out more and get a ticket at The Bible Summit - Dive into the inspired Word of God this summer (stpatricksoho.org)
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PARISH NEWSLETTER (TAKEHOMENEWS)
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SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL (SVP)
We plan to start a Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) here in our parish. So, if you have been a member of SVP in the past, and would like to be part of its formation in our parish; or if you would like to join the society for the first time and are happy to be part of it, please, speak with and give your names and contact number to the priests or stewards after the masses. Thank you.
DIOCESEAN PILGRIMIGE TO LOURDES
The Lourdes Pilgrimage takes place from 19th to 26th July. Join the pilgrimage as a pilgrim. Serve the pilgrimage by coming as a praying assisted pilgrim. Support assisted pilgrims by sponsoring the sick to join the pilgrimage and praying for them. For more information please go to https://rcdow.org.uk/pilgrimages/Lourdes/ or contact the Pilgrimage Office on 020 7798 9173
MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE PILGRIMAGES APRIL - OCT 2024
7 Nights Apartment B&B from €273 per person sharing. Airport transfer available on request. Contact us for details and book the dates that suit you. Tel. 020 3239 8662 or website www.med-irishcentre.com
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