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
25th December 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 Nativity of the Lord
Contents: Gospel
Notices
Gospel Reflection
Gospel: John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word: The Word was with God
And the Word was God.
He was God in the beginning.
Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him.
All that came to be had life in him
And that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower.
The word was the true light
That enlightens all men;
And he was coming into the world.
He was in the world that had its being through him, and the world did not know him.
He came to his own domain
And his own people did not accept him.
But to all who did accept him
He gave power to become children of God, to all who believe in the name of him
Who was born not out of human stock
Or urge of the flesh
Or will of man
But of God himself.
The Word was made flesh, He lived among us, and we saw his glory,
The glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Gospel Reflection : God Is With Us, So That We might be With Others :
Christmas has come, and maybe for some of us there is still so much to be done, because Christmas celebrates the heart of our Faith. God becoming a human being calls us to take time to reflect, and do something practical. The early Christian teachers imagined that the whole of creation waited with bated breath to see if Mary would agree to become the mother of the Saviour. Christmas celebrates Mary’s generosity when she did agree, without knowing where it would lead. In doing so she put in jeopardy her own personal plans, and ran the gauntlet of possible rejection by Joseph and being the butt of harsh and unforgiving village gossip. The season that is now with us, and indeed the rest of our lives, are dripping with the spirit of generosity, God’s generosity, Mary and Joseph’s generosity, and our own.
This is the season for us all to be generous to all. It’s the season to be compassionate to those who are less fortunate, forgotten and in need of meaningful help. It’s the season to reach out and help a neighbour carry their load. If we ourselves have more than enough to enjoy Christmas, it won’t hurt to be generous and give some of it away to those who have less or nothing at all to cheer them up.
Christmas is not just about me. It’s about us all together, rich, and poor, givers and receivers – all helping one another to carry the burden of our lives together. So, let’s slow down these days, and try sensing and feeling the pain of others, putting flesh upon our nice words about love, by taking some practical action. God so loved the world, and felt for the world, that he sent his only Son.
We Remember In Our Prayers Kathleen Taggart and Kathleen Hikes, whose Funerals were last week, Joe Guiney whose Funeral Service is at St. Teresa’s on Thursday, 29th December at 1.45 am, Scarlett Clegg whose Funeral is at St. Teresa’s on Tuesday, 3rd January at 1.45 pm, Margaret Gladwin, whose Funeral is at St. Teresa’s on Wednesday, 4th January at 11.30 pm, and Dennis Greer whose Funeral Service is at Lytham Park Crematorium on Monday, 9th January at 2.45 pm. We remember them and their families, and all those whose anniversaries are at this time. May they all be in God’s peace.
We Also Keep In Our Prayers Our Deacon Bernard who, after an operation in Blackpool Victoria, is now doing well in Intensive Care, (even doing jigsaws with Sue!), and hopes to be home soon. When home, Bernard will not be able to resume his ministry for a couple of months or so.
St. Georges Avenue Food Pantry @ St.Teresa’s Are you, or someone you know, struggling to meet the cost of living? Members of our Community are committed to helping anyone who finds themselves at this point of need. We, at St. Teresa’s, have created a small ‘Food Pantry’ in the church kitchen, which is capable of providing basic foods, for individuals, couples or families. Please do contact us in advance on this dedicated mobile number 07841 610655 to talk about how best we might be able to help you, OR visit us at the back of church between 10.30 am and 12 noon Monday. Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, or Wednesday, 2.30 pm – 4 pm. A volunteer will be able to put together a bag(bags) of food to help see you through the week. Alternatively, we would be happy to deliver a free food parcel to peoples’ doorstep on a weekly basis. The types of food we give out depend partly on what our church members donate. We have plenty of pasta and pasta sauces, cereals, rice, biscuits, tinned goods, i.e. soup, veg, fruit, long-life milk, and a small selection of toiletries, and even pet food.
The Food Pantry is closed this Monday and Tuesday (26th & 27th) but you can phone up anytime for delivery (07841 610655)
‘Warm Space’ In St. Teresa’s Hall on Wednesdays 2. pm – 4 pm. All are very welcome to call in, and spend some time with others in a safe, warm environment, where you can enjoy a hot drink and a snack.