Month: September 2015

Statement on Refugee Crisis by Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Cardinal-Vincent-Nichols-walks-prayerfully-with-a-lit-candleCardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops’ Conference, has made a statement on the refugee crisis.

“The Catholic Church in England and Wales will respond to Pope Francis’ challenge to be generous in supporting people who have been forced to flee their homes.

“We urge government to respond positively to this crisis and to provide the necessary resources and funding to ensure the effective reception and long-term resettlement of these desperate people. We will work with both government and other responsible authorities to meet this grave challenge.

“We invite all Catholics to respond in prayer and in real, practical action. It is my hope to join the prayer vigil which is taking place outside Westminster Cathedral tomorrow night (8 September 2015).

“Guidance will follow shortly on how the Catholic community in England and Wales can practically respond to this refugee crisis.”

Parish Pilgrimage Photos To Avila 2015

A “little” later than expected here are some of the photos which were taken on the parish pilgrimage to Avila. Please note they have been added in in random order (each time you refresh the page the images will change). And if you haven’t read the article – Penance and Partridge – the Parish Pilgrimage to Avila – we certainly recommend you do.

The Word his Week

CN-8IPJWgAIjsU9.jpg-largeWhat shows us the presence of God? In the Biblical world it was miracles – signs, which pointed towards the emergence of a new Kingdom, the Kingdom of God. This had been prophesied from of old: it was said that One would come, and also that certain things would be associated with this Messiah which would display the perfection of the Kingdom God wanted to establish. Jesus, in both his preaching and his miracles, proclaims that the Kingdom of God is at hand, in his own person. He fulfils the prophecies of the past, as he displays to the people of his own time, and to us, the nature of Gods Kingdom: in it all diseases and afflictions are abolished: so opening the man’s ears and eyes tells us two things: first that Jesus is God, present in our midst, and secondly that he calls us into a Kingdom where all is perfect.

Today’s Scripture

Psalter: Week 3

Isaiah 35: 4 – 7.
The ears of the deaf shall be unsealed and the tongues of the dumb shall be loosed.
Response: Psalm 145
It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever,
who is just to those who are oppressed.
It is he who gives bread to the hungry,
the Lord who sets prisoners free.

It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind,
who raises up those who are bowed down,
the Lord who loves the just,
the Lord who protects the stranger.

The Lord upholds the widow and orphan,
but thwarts the path of the wicked.
The Lord will reign for ever,
Zion’s god from age to age.

James 2: 1–5
God chose the poor to be the heirs to the kingdom.
Acclamation for the Gospel:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening: you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Mark 7: 31–37
He makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.

Prayer of the Faithful:
R/. Lord, come to save us.

Read Today’s Readings at Catholic Online