You may be in the church
building, but are you in Christ? Your name is on the parish records, but is it
in the book of life? You may be in the Church, but is Christ in you? Being in a
classroom does not make you a teacher. Being in a surgery doesn’t make you a
doctor. And being in a church building doesn’t make you a disciple!
Jesus preaches in such a way that we either
get on board or abandon ship. Either we will follow Christ or forsake him.
Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. He is making his way to the cross. He is on
his way to betrayal, flogging, mocking, scourging, and beating. His own people
have rejected him. He is on his way to Jerusalem to die for the very people who
will murder him. They have called him Beelzebub. They have accused him of
breaking the law. They have numbered him with the publicans and sinners. Jesus
knows his disciples will suffer the same fate and only a true disciple can
endure such persecution.
Before you decide to buy that new home cinema
system you have to sit down and work out whether you have enough money to pay
for it, whether in cash or instalments. And it’s the same thing when it comes
to being a disciple of Christ. There is a cost involved.
Jesus never tried to get big crowds. In fact,
he said things that would put the faint-hearted off. To follow him, he said,
you must love your family but never let them get in the way of your responding
fully to God’s call. Those who appreciate the wisdom of God’s plan are prepared
to give up wealth, reputation, security and even their own lives if it is
demanded. This does not come cheap. It’s easy to say that we would do all this
for God, but how well are we faring in the ordinary things of life, the little
demands that are put upon us? This is a good guide to how much we are being
true to our calling as disciples.
Being a Christian means accepting all our
family and social responsibilities but giving Christ top priority. There can be
no part-time Christians.
This weekend:
Visitation by Archbishop Patrick Kelly at the 5.30 pm and 7.00 pm
Masses.
CAFOD Second Collection for Pakistan.
Sunday after 11.00 am Mass: Tea, coffee and homemade cakes will be
served in the Church Hall. All proceeds to Marie Curie Cancer Care.
This week:
Wednesday: Standish
Churches Men's Fellowship meeting at the Globe Inn at 8.00 pm. Cost £6.00. Phone
Joe Fairhurst 402185.
Thursday: 9.15 am Mass
will be attended by schoolchildren from St Bernadette’s for their beginning of
term Mass.
Thursday: Concert in St.
Marie's Church as part of the Standish R.B.L. celebrations of the 70th
anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Tickets (£5) from Bill McCracken
(422867).
Next Weekend:
Visitation by Archbishop Patrick Kelly at the 9.30 am and 11.00 am
Masses.
Saturday:
Car boot sale at St Bernadette's
school, 9.00 am until 12 noon. Setting up from
7.00 am. In aid of Parish funds and local charities.
Sunday after 11.00 am Mass: Tea and coffee in the Church Hall.
Thank you for
your offerings
St Marie’s £866.86
St Bernadette’s £721.74
Bonus Ball
No.27 - MMH - £17
Church
Development Fund
Subs may be
paid at Masses at St Marie’s this weekend.
Here I am
Lord
The monthly
discernment meeting for those considering a vocation to the Priesthood and
Religious Life will resume on Friday 24 September at St Bede’s Presbytery,
Appleton Village, Widnes, WA8 6EL. Archbishop Patrick Kelly will be present.
The meeting
will begin with the celebration of Mass at 7.00 pm, followed by a talk or
discussion, a meal and concludes with Night Prayer. For more information
contact Fr. James Preston, 0151 424 2738.
Questions of faith and liturgy
Q. What is the Pope’s full title?
A. Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus
Christ, Successor of St Peter, Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pastor of the
Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman
Province, Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City.
APF Mill
Hill Missions
Mission
books are available for collection at both churches.
Baptism
We welcome a
new member to our community this weekend when Harlen Christian Smith is
baptised during the 9.30 am Mass. Congratulations!
Youth Group
For the last three years a
Youth Group has been held on Wednesday evenings during term-time at St Marie's
Church Hall for 11 to 15 year old parishioners. This relies on volunteer
helpers on a rota basis, for whom relevant clearance needs to be obtained
through the Archdiocese.
It is hoped to re-launch
the group soon, and open up the membership to those who have recently become
11, or others who are aged 11 to 15 who have not attended before. However,
there is a limit to how many can be looked after, and we need to have enough
helpers to manage this. At present we have too few cleared volunteers to
re-start, some still being in the clearance process.
To get an idea of
interest, both for members, and any adults willing to help, please complete the
list at the back of church. Once we have a clear picture of numbers, and
hopefully enough helpers cleared through the Archdiocese, arrangements can
begin to re-start the Group.
Magnificat
Prayer book
of liturgies and events of the visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XV1 to the
United Kingdom is available as you leave church. A suggested donation of £2.00
will help defray the costs of its production and distribution.
We look
forward with great joy to the Pope’s visit. Please pray that the visit of the
Holy Father will renew the hope and strengthen the faith of the people of the
United Kingdom.
Recovering
and moving on after divorce
The Pastoral
Formation Department offers a series of six weekly meetings on recovering and
moving on after divorce to support divorced and separated Catholics and those
experiencing the breakdown of a long-term relationship. Christians of other
denominations, or none, are welcome. The next series starts on Monday, 11
October 7.30 pm until 9.00 pm in the Aigburth area, Liverpool 17. To book a
place (essential) or for further details, contact Frances Trotman on 0151 727
2195. The groups are small, confidential and free of charge.
There will
also be a ONE DAY MEETING on Saturday, 18 September for those who are unable to
attend the six meetings.
St Bernadette’s 200 Club
Thank
you to all who supported the ‘200’ club during 2009/10.The total amount raised
after deductions for prizes was £1136.00 which will be used for St Bernadette’s
church funds.
Subscriptions are now due for 2010/11 and
will be collected at the weekend Masses at St Bernadette’s starting 4/5 Sept.
We have several numbers available for anybody wishing to join or for anybody
else who might like to purchase additional numbers. The total cost for the year
is £12 a number and this can be paid either in full, monthly, quarterly or half
yearly. The monthly prizes are £50, £20, £15, £10. The draw at Christmas is
£100, £20, £15, £10.
Heart Gives
Unto Heart
The Catholic radio
station, Heart Gives Unto Heart, will broadcast between 7.00 am until midnight
on Tuesday 14 to Monday 20 September providing a positive media voice to
promote the Catholic Faith during the Papal visit. The station will broadcast
programmes on a range of topics designed to appeal to a wide audience,
including daily prayers and Masses, and some live coverage of the Papal visit.
There will also be music from Catholic bands, singers & choirs. Visit www.heartgivesuntoheart.co.uk
or www.gerrycoates.com. or phone Gerry Coates on 0208 974 6590 or 07906 073376.