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
19 November 2023
http://www.st-teresas-church.co.uk
Email: st.teresas.cleveleys@gmail.com
Lancaster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Registered Charity Number 23433
Sunday : The 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Contents: Gospel
Notices
Reflections for the coming week
Gospel:
Matthew: 25:14-30
Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out.”
The man who had received the five talents promptly went out and traded with them and made five more. The man who he received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money,
“Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. “Sir” he said “you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made.”
His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant, you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.” Next the man with the two talents came forward, “Sir” he said “you entrusted me with two talents, here are two more that I have made.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant, you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.” Last came forward the man who had one talent. “Sir,” he said “I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you had not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back.” But his master answered him, “You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gathered where I have not scattered? Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have recovered my capital with interest. So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has five talents. For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even when he has will be taken away. As for this good for nothing servant, throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.”’
Gospel Reflection : Don’t Wait Till You’re Full – It May Be too Late
In the United States, three months after the owner of a small cross-roads store was appointed postmaster, not one piece of mail had left the village. Amazingly when concerned postal officials from Washington investigated, the postmaster explained : “It’s simple. The bag aint full yet!”
Our bag, our lives; don’t have to be full for us to share some of what we have – our gifts, our talents, ourselves – with others. If you think that your life isn’t full, that doesn’t matter.
So pass on what you have now. Share what God has generously given to you. Enrich the lives of others with what you already have, and what you already are.
We Remember In Our Prayers Margaret Dupont and Eileen Malnacs whose Funerals were last week, Mary McNullty whose Funeral is this Monday, 20th November, 10 am at Carleton Crematorium, Kevin Savage, whose Funeral is at Carleton Crematorium on Wednesday, 29th November at 12.30 pm, and Edward Hooker whose funeral is at Lytham Park Crematorium on Monday 4th December at 12.15 pm.
We remember them and their families, and those whose anniversaries are at this time. May they all be in God’s peace.
St. Teresa’s Christmas Fayre Is Next Sunday, 26th November, 10.00 am – 2.00 pm In The Parish Hall. Preparations are progressing well, and we thank you for your help and contributions so far. But, at this stage we would really welcome ‘good as new’ toys, good quality books, and Christmas decorations in good condition (if no longer needed), and, finally, cakes etc. brought on the day. If you can kindly help, you can leave what you are donating in the church sacristy, at the times when mass is celebrated there (9.30 am on Monday, Tuesday,Thursday and Friday), or can leave items at the back of church, but preferably when the Food Pantry is open there (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10.30 am – 12 noon, and 2 pm – 4 pm on Wednesdays). We hope you will pop in to the Hall next Sunday. You will be assured of a warm welcome and some festive cheer. If you are unable to attend, then please say a little prayer that the Fayre will be a Parish success. Thank you.
Each Year The Season of Advent Helps Us In Our Spiritual Preparation For Christmas. This year the first Sunday in Advent is on 3rd December, and we are fortunate in Cleveleys to be given the opportunity to help us in our preparation. Our Catholic parishes in the Fylde are organising a series of meetings where we can meet and reflect on the Readings for the three Sundays leading up to Christmas, and these are to take place at St. Teresa’s, in the church Sacristy. They are 7 pm – 8 pm, just one hour, on the Fridays 1st, 8th and 15th of December. Please don’t pass this good opportunity by, but think about coming to all or just one of these meetings. You will be very welcome. These details are on the notice board in the church porch.
St. Teresa’s Parish Pastoral Council Meets This Monday, 20th November, 7pm in the church sacristy. Please enter either through church or from the car park.
The Church Shop, In The Porch at St. Teresa’s, is open before and after each weekend Mass. Amongst many other things, Diaries, gifts and Christmas cards are on sale. You are very welcome to go in and browse.
The ‘Hub in the Hall’ Meetings take place in St. Teresa’s Church Hall each Wednesday, 2 pm – 4 pm. All are very welcome.
The Food Pantry At St. Teresa’s Church is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10.30 am – 12 noon, and on Wednesdays, 2.30 pm – 4 pm.
CAFOD “World Gifts” CAFOD have produced their new “World Gifts” Catalogue for this Christmas, and the following year. The gifts selected reflect some of the biggest issues facing communities around the world today – gifts that reach out to people living in remote locations who experience poverty, and injustice, especially women and children.
From people living on the front lines of the climate crisis, through refugees fleeing conflict, to families who live on one meal a day, every gift you buy through CAFOD’s “World Gifts” helps real people in real situations, and makes a massive positive difference.
The Catalogues are on the tables in the outer church porch. Please take a look, and even better, take one home if you can help.
Daily Reflections for this week
Monday (Thomas Merton)
Charity makes me seek far more than the satisfaction of my own desires, even though they be aimed at another’s good. It must also make me an instrument of God’s Providence in their lives. I must become convinced and penetrated by the realisation that without my love for them they may perhaps not achieve the things God has willed for them. My will must be the instrument of God’s will in helping them create their destiny. My love must be to them the “sacrament” of the mysterious and infinitely selfless love God has for them. My love for them must be the minister not of my own spirit but of the Holy Spirit. The words I speak to them must be no other than the words of Christ who deigns to reveal Himself to them in me.
Scripture (Jonah 3:1-5)
The word of Yahweh was addressed to Jonah a second time. “Up!” he said “Go to Nineveh the great city, and preach to it as I shall tell you.” Jonah set out and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of Yahweh. Now Nineveh was a city great beyond compare; to cross it took three days. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city and then proclaimed “Only forty days more and Nineveh will be overthrown.” And the people of Nineveh believed in God.
Tuesday (Source unknown)
It was a chilly, overcast day when the horseman spied the little sparrow lying on its back in the middle of the road. Reigning in his mount he looked down and inquired of the fragile creature “Why are you lying upside down like that?” “I heard the heavens are going to fall today” replied the bird. The horseman laughed. “And I suppose your spindly legs can hold up the heavens?” “One does what one can” said the little sparrow
Scripture (Jeremiah 1:4-8)
The word of the Lord came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I appointed you as prophet to the nations.” I then said, “Ah, Ah, ah, Lord; you see, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” But the Lord replied, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child,’ for you must go to all whom I send you and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of confronting them, for I am with you to rescue you” the Lord declares.
Wednesday (Martin Luther King)
Detachment is the best word to describe some people. No one is permitted to enter into their lives and they refuse to enter into the lives of others. Such persons give up the struggle of life, lose their zest for living, and attempt to escape by lifting their minds to a transcendent realm of cold indifference. Too unconcerned to love and too passionless to hate, too detached to be selfish and too lifeless to be unselfish, too indifferent to experience joy and too cold to experience sorrow, they are neither dead nor alive; they merely exist.
Scripture (Mt.25:14-15,24-27)
“It is like the man about to go abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one, each according to their ability. When he returned, the man who had the single talent said “Sir, I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you had not sown and gathering where you had not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back.” But his master answered him “you wicked and lazy servant!”
Thursday (St. Oscar Romero)
History will not fail; God sustains it. That is why I say that insofar as historical projects attempt to reflect the eternal plan of God, to that extent they reflect the kingdom of God. The great task of Christians must be to absorb the spirit of God’s kingdom and, with souls filled with the kingdom of God, to work on the projects of history. It’s fine to be part of any group, as long as you are a Christian who carries the reflection of the kingdom of God and tries to establish it where you are working. My dear Christians, I have always told you that the true liberators of our people must come from the people of God.
Scripture (Matthew 25:20-24)
The man who had received five talents came forward bringing five more. “Sir,” he said, “you have entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have shown you are trustworthy in small things; I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness. Next, the man with two talents came forward. “Sir,” he said,” You entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made.” He was praised in exactly the same way.
Friday (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
The call of Jesus makes the disciple community the light of the world; their activity is visible. Note that he said ‘You are the light of the world,’ not ‘You are to be the light of the world’; they are already the light because Christ has called them. Nor does Jesus say: ‘You have the light.’ The light is not an instrument which has been put into their hands, such as their preaching. It is the disciples themselves. The same Jesus who, speaking of himself, said, ‘I am the light’, says to his followers; ‘You are the light in your whole existence, provided you remain faithful to your calling. And since you are the light, you can no longer remain hidden, even if you want to.’
Scripture (Mt. 5:14-16)
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on a lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way, your light must shine in people’s sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven.
Martin Bennett
Thank you.