GRATITUDE

Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is surely one of the great ways of keeping everything in our lives in perspective. We all have to cope with our share of failures and disappointments, but if we can measure those against the joy that comes from the blessings we experience, then the Christian call to live as men and women of hope becomes possible. The Redemptorist General Council keeps reminding us that we are missionaries of hope and, of course, the same call to live in hope is at the heart of the Synodal vision to walk together with the Lord.

Like many others, I was delighted with the news that Fr Timothy Radcliffe has been named among the new Cardinals appointed by Pope Francis. The Pope entrusted him with the task of leading the retreats in preparation for the Synod sessions in Rome both last year and this year. In my opinion, he has a unique ability to acknowledge the reality of what is going on, accepting the tensions and disagreements that exist, but, at the same time, offering a vision of hope that we can walk together in peace if we are truly open to one another and are willing to listen and seek to understand one another. Even a cursory look at the history of the Church reminds us of how our Lord can use the seemingly most unlikely people to further the cause of his Kingdom.

It is in this spirit that I hope we can continue to seek the best way forward for our Parishes, for our Family of Parishes and for our Deanery in the months and years ahead. I have not been slow to point out the huge degree of uncertainty that surrounds even the immediate future, but alongside that I have been greatly encouraged by the surge of goodwill and the offering of support and help from so many of you.

So, let’s continue to listen to one another, trusting that the Spirit will indeed “lead us to the truth” and enable all of us to live as missionaries of hope.

RACIAL JUSTICE:  A MESSAGE FROM ARCHBISHOP MALCOLM

As we celebrate World Mission Sunday, Archbishop Malcolm invites us to reflect on diversity of the Universal Church and in our parishes and communities.  In his video message on racial justice, the Archbishop echoes the Pope’s message, “Go and invite everyone to the banquet!”, and shares some practical ways you can do this at a local level.  

CARDINAL NICHOLS ON ASSISTED SUICIDE

OCTOBER 2024'S CATHOLIC PICTORIAL

To access the electronic version of the Catholic Pictorial click here.

CARITAS - TAKE ACTION ON CHILD POVERTY

Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) has made the issue of child poverty, particularly the two-child benefit cap, a priority in its advocacy for 2024/2025.   You can learn more at Take Action on Child Poverty - Caritas Social Action Network - CSAN

If you wish to write to your MP visit https://www.cbcew.org.uk/contact-mp-two-child-cap/

CHILDREN’S LITURGY:

As we are coming to our fourth week of Children’s Liturgy, we ask that parents allow their children to go out with catechists to take part independently in the session.

Safeguarding requires we have only adults with a DBS for our parish to remain in the Fisher-More Hall during the Children’s Liturgy Session.

If you would like to become a helper, please get in touch with the parish office. 

REFLECTIONS - SEPT 2024 POEM

REFLECTIONS

The sun-yellow T-shirt

Slips easily over my head,

Enfolding me in the wonderful memories

Of our long, happy life together.

The sun shines in a blue, cloudless sky,

But not here!

We are sitting in the main square in Marbella,

Sipping iced, lemon drinks.

The air is redolent with the scent of Orange Blossom.

We smile as the sun casts highlights

On your new, yellow T-shirt.

All worries are cast aside.

The scene shifts.

Now, thousands of miles from home,

You lie beneath the welcome sunshade

Gently swinging in striped hammock,

Yellow T-shirt covering your shoulders,

Green sun-cap tilted over your eyes,

Lulled by the sound of waves lazily breaking

Over the sleeping, pebbled beach.

Overhead, swallows and swifts perform acrobatically

Above the domains of darting lizards.

What Turkish Delights are recalled!

So many images flit through the reminiscing mind.

We sit now in the scanty shade

At the top of the steep, winding path on Kolokitha, Crete,

The bright yellow now dulled

By our arduous three hour trek!

I see you, pre-dinner, as we relax.

We watch the magical transformation of day to night.

Distant rose-lilac cliffs rise

From mirror jade green depths

Until the wine-dark Homeric sea

Signals the close of another eventful day.

Treasured memories are woven

Into this sun-yellow T-shirt.

There is no separation –

We live on.

Eileen Murray © September 2024

A MESSAGE FROM SOUTH LIVERPOOL FOODBANK

Your church has done something truly incredible!

By collecting much needed food and essential items, you’ve ensured we can provide help and support to individuals in our community who are in crisis. We’re so grateful for your partnership and generosity.

Over the past 12 months, with your help, our foodbank supported 5,626 adults and 2,776 children across South Liverpool. This required over 145 tonnes of food and toiletries. We had to buy 33 tonnes of extra stock due to short falls in donations, which is increasingly putting pressure on our finances.

It's hard to believe that people in South Liverpool are going without food and other essentials, but sadly it's true. One in seven people face hunger across the UK because they simply don’t have enough money. Low levels of income combined with increasing costs are forcing people to have to turn to our foodbank.

One client who turned to us was local grandma ‘Elsa’. Due to a family crisis Elsa took over custody of her two grandchildren. She tried to cope but found it impossible to make ends meet and was struggling to put food on the table. We were able to provide Elsa with emergency food and offer practical guidance so she could access the support she needed to get back on track.

We believe that churches are vital partners in our current operations, and in achieving our goal of a UK where everyone can afford life’s essentials and foodbanks can close their doors for good. 

Read more: A Message from South Liverpool Foodbank / Harvest Appeal

 MELODIOUS YOUTH CHOIR

MELODIOUS YOUTH CHOIR – VOCALS BY LIBBY: Making music and singing accessible to children and youths. Sessions commence on Tuesday 3 September 5:00pm- 7:00pm at St Mary’s Parish Hall.  All children have a voice to be heard and these sessions will provide the opportunity for them to experience the empowerment that music brings. 

AN EXCERPT FROM THE PRESS RELEASE OF

THE PRESIDENTS OF CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ENGLAND CTE - (6 AUG 2024)

Press Statement, 6 August 2024

For Immediate Release

The Presidents of Churches Together in England, named below, have issued a statement calling on churches and communities to work together to end racism, division and disorder. Here is an excerpt of what they write…

“…. Regrettably, we have witnessed violent, racist attacks and intimidation on our streets. Mosques have been attacked, hotels housing people seeking asylum set on fire and individuals set upon simply because of the colour of their skin. Racism has no place on our streets or in society and should not be stirred up in communities or online. The police have faced unacceptable levels of violent disorder and rioting in their quest to keep the peace on the streets. We are grateful for the work of the emergency services who put themselves in danger to protect the public. We are grateful for communities who have come together to help with the clear up, demonstrating a determination to serve the good of all.

We are also grateful to the many local churches across the country who provide a place of worship and sanctuary for people and who help build stronger communities through action at the grassroots level, including initiatives like Street Pastors and Response Pastors. Let us all work together to put an end to this violent disorder, restore peace and heal our nation.

ENDS”