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
17 November 2024
http://www.st-teresas-church.co.uk
Email: st.teresas.cleveleys@gmail.com
Lancaster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Registered Charity Number 23433
Sunday : 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Contents: Gospel : Mark 13:24-32
Notices
Reflection
Gospel :
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In those days after the time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will come falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory, then too he will send the angels to gather his chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the worlds to the ends of heaven.
“Take the fig tree as a parable as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. So with you, when you see these things happening know that he is near at the very gates. I tell you solemnly. Before this generation has passed away all these things will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away
“But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father.”
Confirmation : Please remember the ten young people who are being Confirmed by Bishop Paul this Monday 18th November, 7 pm at St Teresa’s. We ask you to support them as you normally do by attending this Mass, which is an important occasion in the life of both of our parishes.
We Remember In Our Prayers Teresa Steele whose Funeral was last week , and Caroline Chisnall, whose Funeral Service is at St. Teresa’s on Friday 29th November at 9.45 am. We remember them and their families, and those whose anniversaries are at this time. May God’s peace be with them all.
We Welcome Into The Family of the Church Alice Elizabeth Cook whose Baptism takes place this Sunday at St. Teresa’s
Please Note : There is no Morning Mass at St. Teresa’s this Monday, 18th November, nor on Friday, 29th November.
CAFOD World Gifts At Christmas : As in previous years, CAFOD have produced a catalogue of gifts which will help us remember not just our own families and friends at this time of year but also our brothers and sisters facing the injustice of
poverty around the world.These are now in the church porch for us to take and read at home. Please take one today, and see the instructions given.
Christmas Carol Concert St. Kentigern’s Singers are presenting a Christmas Carol Concert in St. Teresa’s Church on Sunday 8th December at 2.30 pm, with guest appearances of Anne and Denise Nolan. All are very welcome. Refreshments will be served after the Concert in the Parish Hall.
Preparing For Christmas With The Sunday Readings : Again this year we are being given an opportunity to prepare for Christmas spiritually not just shoppingly! This will take place at English Martyrs Church, High Cross, Poulton. 7-8 pm, on Wednesday 4 December, Wednesday 11 December, and Wednesday 18 December. Why not give yourself an hour to prepare with the Advent Sunday Readings leading up to Christmas. Each week we will look at the Readings for the following Sunday. We will read, reflect and share, in a peaceful, supportive atmosphere. Come for all or just one of the Wednesday evenings.
The Food Pantry, situated at the back of church at St. Teresa’s, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10.30 am – 12 noon, and on Wednesdays, 2.30 pm – 4 pm. We are so grateful for all the volunteers who work in the Pantry, and all those who donate contributions
Christmas Fayre :
The Christmas Fayre Raffle tickets continue to be on sale at the back of church
We are now looking for donation items for the Fayre, as in the past, including ‘good as new’ toys, bottles, raffle prizes, bric a brac, books and, nearer to the event, cakes
Any donation can be left in the church sacristy, or with any member of the Parish Council
The Church Shop, situated in the outer porch at St.Teresa’s, and is open before and after each weekend Mass, now has a large selection of Confirmation cards and gifts on sale. Also available are Advent Calendars, diaries, Christmas cards and gifts, Please feel free to call in and look around.
Another Parish/ Community Social is being organised by Becky and Steve Connor, and their friends from the previous Teresian Players. This is on Saturday 23rd November from 7 pm in St. Teresa’s Parish Hall and this time they are doing a Hoedown.
There will be entertainment, games and hot pot. Tickets can be purchased at the back of church on Sundays, price £10. Any money raised will be given to Brian House (the Children’s Hospice). and for St. Teresa’s Church (the recent very costly roof repairs).
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