St Teresa & St John Southworth Churches, Cleveleys
Fr Chris Cousens—Phone: 853340
Rev Bernard Ward (Deacon) (Tel: 858346)
Enquiries for St John Southworth: Phone: 853340
11 September 2022
http://www.st-teresas-church.co.uk
Email: st.teresas.cleveleys@gmail.com
Lancaster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Registered Charity Number 23433
Sunday : The Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Contents: Gospel
Notices
Reflections for the coming week
Gospel: Luke 15:1-32
The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. “This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners, and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:
‘What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends, and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” he would say “I have found my sheep that was lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.
‘Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours? ‘Rejoice with me she would say “I have found the drachma I lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.’
Reflection : These words from Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, may express how many of us feel and think this weekend :
“On 21st April, 1947, on her twenty-first birthday, Princess Elizabeth said ‘I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.’ Now, seventy-five years later, we are so sad in our loss at her death, and so full of admiration for the unfailing way in which she fulfilled that declaration. Even in our sorrow, shared with so many around the world, we can be filled with an immense sense of gratitude for the gift to the world that has been the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
At this time, we pray for the repose of the soul of Her Majesty. We do so with confidence, because the Christian faith marked every day of her life and activity. In her Millennium Christmas message, she said, ‘To many of us, our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me the teachings of Christ, and my own personal accountability before God, provide a framework in which I try to live my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.’
This faith, so often and so eloquently proclaimed in the Queen’s public messages, has been an inspiration to me, and I am sure, to so many. The wisdom, stability and service which she consistently embodied, often in circumstances of real difficulty, are a shining legacy and testament to her faith.
Our prayer is that she is now received into the merciful presence of God, there to be reunited with her beloved Prince Philip. This is the promise of our faith, and our deep consolation. Queen Elizabeth II will remain, always, a shining light in our history. May she now rest in peace.
We pray too for King Charles III, as he assumes his new office, even as he mourns his mother. God save the King.”
We Remember In Our Prayers Vittorio Scannapieco whose Funeral Service was in the chapel at Poulton New Cemetery, on Friday 9th September at 1 pm, prior to burial in that cemetery. We remember him and his family, and all those whose anniversaries are at this time. May they be in God’s peace.
We Welcome Into The Family Of The Church Matteo Liuzzi who’s Baptism takes place at St. Teresa’s this Sunday.
This Weekend there is the annual Special Collection for the Catholic Education Services, which does so much to support all our Catholic Schools and Colleges in our local area and throughout the country. This support is always sorely needed in the world of educational responsibilities, and none more so than in our own time now.
Interested In The Catholic Faith? Have you ever asked yourself if you would like to know more about the Catholic Church, so that you can at least consider becoming a full member of our Church? In October we are going to begin meetings to help you, without any pressure, meetings where you will be made very welcome. The meetings take place in St. Teresa’s church sacristy, but are for anyone from St. John Southworth parish too, or any other local area. There is an introductory meeting to the whole programme, which we call ‘The Journey of Faith Programme’, on Wednesday 26th October at 7pm. If you are at all interested, or know of someone who is, please phone Fr. Chris – 01253 853340
Would You Like Transport To The Relics Of St. Bernadette At The Cathedral? Fr. Chris Loughran, the parish priest at St. John Vianney’s, has arranged a 70 seat coach which was the only one available. This means that there is 25 seat capacity for parishioners of other local churches. On Thursday 22nd September the coach will be departing (presumeably from St. John Vianney’s – ask) at 4 pm, and returning from the Cathedral at 8.30 pm. If you are interested please phone St. John Vianney parish office – 01253 762227 – during the morning of next Tuesday, 13th September. The timing of that phone call is very specific. The cost is £12.
The Sacrament of Confirmation for both St. Teresa’s and St. John Southworth parishes will take place on 11th November, at St. Teresa’s. This is for young people who will be in Year 8 in High School this September, and for anyone in the years above. There is an introductory meeting for the young people who wish to be Confirmed, and their parents, on Thursday, 6th October, at 6.30 pm in St. Teresa’s Church. Although contact is being made through Cardinal Allen R.C. High School, there may be other young people at other secondary schools who would like to be Confirmed. Would anyone wishing to be Confirmed please contact Fr. Chris (01253 853340).
Hiring St. Teresa’s Parish Hall : It is now possible to hire St. Teresa’s Parish Hall for some event of your own. For availability and advice please contact the Hall manager, Mike Holderness, on 01253 827230 or 07872 680645.
Education Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Lancaster LA1 3BT on Friday, 7th October at 6.30 pm : All parishioners are invited to join Bishop Paul at the annual Diocese of Lancaster Education Mass. This invitation extends in a special way to all those involved in education and faith information – teachers, including those who teach outside the Catholic sector, catechists, youth workers, deacons and priests. The celebration gives us the opportunity to express our thanks and acknowledge the contribution made by all those in the Diocese involved in the work of education and formation in the faith. Together we also ask God’s blessing on the mission of education and formation in our Diocese. Please put the date in your diaries.
Daily Reflections for this week
Monday (Elizabeth Fry)
My friends, remember that we have to deal with a compassionate Father, who pities his children, who knows our frame, who remembers that we are dust, who sees us not as man sees us, who judges us not according to appearance, but according to the heart. We have a High Priest who is touched with the sense of our infirmities. How consoling is it to remember that there is no desire however feeble toward himself but he is willing to strengthen it. Therefore, you humble, broken-hearted, contrite and afflicted ones, lift up your hearts and put your trust in him who suffered for you.
Scripture (Psalm 51:1-4,10-12)
Have mercy on me, O God, in your faithful love, in your great tenderness wipe away my offences; wash me more and more from my guilt, purify me from my sin. For I am well aware of my offences, my sin is always before me. Against you, you alone, I have sinned, I have done what you see to be wrong. God, create in me a pure heart, renew within me a steadfast spirit, do not thrust me away from your presence, do not take away from me your spirit of holiness. Give me back the joy of your salvation, sustain in me a generous spirit.
Tuesday (Julian of Norwich)
Some of us believe that god is all powerful and may do everything; and that he is all wise and can do everything; but as for believing that he is all love and will do everything, there we hold back. In my view nothing hinders God’s lovers more than the failure to understand this. As by his courtesy God forgives our sins when we repent, even so he wills that we should forgive our sin, and so give up our senseless worrying and faithless fear. If we fall we are to get up quickly; for the worst pain a soul can have is to let sin take it away from God.
Scripture (Luke 15:4-7)
Which one of you with a hundred sheep, if he lost one, would fail to leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not take it joyfully on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours saying to them, “Rejoice with me, I have found my sheep that was lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner repenting than over ninety-nine upright people who have no need of repentance.
Wednesday (Henri Nouwen)
When God asked Adam, ‘Where are you?’ Adam answered, ‘I was hiding.’ He confessed his true condition. This confession opened him to God. When we pray, we come out of our shelters and not only see our own nakedness but also see that there is no enemy to hide from, only a friend who likes nothing better than to clothe us with a new coat. Certainly praying takes some admissions. It requires the humble recognition of our condition as broken human beings. However, prayer does not lead us to shame, guilt or despair but rather to the joyful discovery that we are only human and that God is truly God.
Scripture (Ezekiel 18:21-23,30-32)
‘If the wicked renounce all the sins they have committed, respect my laws and are law-abiding and upright, they will most certainly live; they will not die. None of the crimes they have committed will be remembered from then on. Would I take pleasure in the death of the wicked – says the Lord – and not prefer to see him renounce their wickedness and live? Shake off all the crimes you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. I take no pleasure in the death of anyone – says the Lord – so repent and live!’
Thursday (Source Unknown)
A wise old man used to meditate under a large tree on the banks of a river every morning. One day, a scorpion swept along by the current became caught in the roots of the tree and began to struggle to free itself. The old man reached out to rescue the drowning scorpion but each time he touched it, the animal jerked and stung him. Instinctively, the man withdrew his hand, but having regained his balance, once again reached out to the scorpion. The scorpion repeatedly stung him so that his hand became bloody and his face distorted with pain. A passerby watched and shouted, ‘Hey, stupid old man! What’s wrong with you? Why risk your life for a useless, ungrateful animal?’ The old man replied, ‘Friend, it is in the scorpion’s nature to sting. Why should I give up my own nature to save?’
Scripture (Romans 5:8-11)
So it is proof of God’s own love for us that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. How much more can we be sure, therefore, that, now we have been justified by his death we shall be saved through him from the retribution of God. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more can we be sure that, now being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. We are filled with exultant trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation.
Friday (A New Catechism)
The sin of the world came to a climax in the crucifixion of Christ. This is the Fall In the most radical sense: the killing of the most uniquely good, the expulsion of God. Everybody takes part in it. Those who carried out the sentence and handled the hammers knew perhaps less of what they were doing than many of us. All mankind has a hand in it. This, the greatest of all sins, was redemption on the part of God. The most brutal No was answered by God with the incomprehensible Yes. The flood of sin was surpassed by the greater flood of grace.
The Lord is tenderness and pity, slow to anger and rich in faithful love; his anger does not last forever, nor his resentment last for all time; he does not treat us as our sins deserve, nor repay us as befits our offences. As high as the heavens are above earth, so strong is his is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far from us does he put our faults. As tenderly as a father treats his children, so the Lord treats those who fear him.
Martin Bennett