OUR NEED TO REST AND REFLECT

Fr. John writes:

This weekend we commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the landing of man on the moon.  Few of us will ever forget the voice of Neil Armstrong as he landed on the moon “One small step for man, one giant step for mankind”.  The advancement in science has made all this possible and made all of us more aware of the complexity of God’s creation of the Universe.

In today’s gospel we hear of the disciples, weary from their missionary efforts, return to report on their efforts to Jesus.  Sensitive to their needs, Jesus tries to take them away to a place of rest.  The crowds however wanted more and more from Jesus and His disciples and were not content with this.  Jesus has pity on the crowds and puts their needs ahead of their own needs for some time to rest.

Sunday is still considered a day of rest, but for all too many Sunday is a day to get so many things done.  This is a great pity.  We all need time to rest, to reflect, to renew ourselves both spiritually and physically. May I ask when and how you rest, reflect and do some inner work?  Summer school holidays begin this week—a time for all of us to take a long hard look at our lives and make some decisions.

 PARISH GET TOGETHER

Sunday 20th Sep. 12pm—4pm Springhill School

We ate a meal together, we sang, we danced, we had a go on the drums, we watched, we talked, we listened, we played, we shared, we laughed, we spoke Polish, we had a go at some art & arranging flowers, we prayed, we had fun, we drank tea and ate cakes, we had a lovely time together.  

Guess what? We are going to do it all again!

Please note in your diary / calendar our Parish Get Together—Sunday 20th September, not to be missed! Great plans are being made for this day.

TODAY  -  SUNDAY 19th JULY

DAY FOR LIFE—This day arranged by the Bishops is dedicated to celebrating the dignity of life from conception to natural death.  This year it will focus on the theme of suicide.  It will highlight why the church believes every life is worth living even when a person has lost all hope and feels suicidal.  It will look at the reasons why people contemplate suicide, including acute mental illness and the possible spiritual factors involved.  It will also point towards the support that the professional services can bring and hopefully help to reduce the stigma too often associated with mental illness and depression.  The Bishops hope that this year’s Day for Life will help raise awareness of the vital role played by families and a compassionate parish community in supporting and sustaining those who may be struggling to cope. 

SECOND COLLECTION—Catholic Care.

WELCOME RITES Saturday 6.15pm, Sunday 9am and Sunday 7pm.

BAPTISMS—We welcome into our faith community Michelle and Matilda Molubah, daughters of James and Katarzyna.  Eleanor Manning, daughter of Sarah.  Luis Ray, son of Nicholas and Janina who are to be baptised at 12.30pm in St. Edmund’s Church. 

FILIPINO CHOIR 7.00pm Mass, rehearsal 6.00pm.

RECENTLY DIED:

Elisabeth Barbara Robins of Osborn House, Grosvenor Square, Southampton.  Funeral Service Friday 24th July at 9.40am at the Crematorium. Our sympathy to her husband Michael and children, Katie, Phillip, Vicky & Fiona.

Lena Hewlett of New Forest Nursing Home (formerly of St. Basil’s).  Funeral Mass Tues. 28th July at 10am.  Burial

afterwards in St. Mary’s Extra.  Our sympathy to Noreen and all her friends. May they rest in peace.

NEXT WEEKEND

WEDDING BELLS: 

Christabel Nwosu to marry Buswayo Faturuti on Sat. 25th July at 12 noon in St. Edmund’s Church. 

Carmencina Muller to marry Raymond Gray at 2pm Saturday 25th July in St. Edmund’s Church.  

Our congratulations and best wishes to them both.

NO GOSPEL CHOIR SUNDAY 26TH JULY. 

NO MUSICIAN FOR 11AM MASS ON 26TH JULY.

NEXT WEEK

SUMMER EVENTS AT VERBUM DEI RETREAT CENTRE, CARISBROOKE, ISLE OF WIGHT

· ‘SANCTUARY’ Summer Camp 24^th-28^th July for teenagers 12-16. Time for games, chilling out, prayer, workshops (donation £50).  Call Jon 07786952434. 

· ‘Silent Retreat’ 31^st July-7^th Aug. (option to do 31^st-2^nd) Tel. Retreat Centre 01983 529554  or 07811107046.   www.fmverbumdei.com/uk/

EU WELCOME GROUP to meet on Tues. 28th July at 7.00pm at St. Edmund’s Presbytery.

WEDDING BELLS:

Jose Monserrat and Katherine Moorhead to marry at 1.30pm on Friday 31st July in St. Edmund’s Church.

Keiron Hall to marry Jennifer Taylor at 1.00pm on Sat. 1st August in St. Edmund’s Church.

GENERAL ITEMS

SALE OF ICON AND CHURCH ITEMS BY THE GREEK ORTHODOX SISTERS OF BELARUS—at the New Forest Show, Brockenhurst Tues. 28th July—Thurs. 30th July.  See Notice Board.

JUSTICE AND PEACE / CAFOD GROUP to meet at 7.30pm on Thurs. 6th Aug. In St. Edmund’s Pres.  The group offers a special welcome to those who may be interested in exploring issues of Justice and Peace.  Pope Benedict’s recent encyclical (29.6.09) is all about Social Justice.

FAREWELL TO MAUREEN SHEEHY—This week Maureen and her husband return to their homeland, the USA.  Our thanks to Maureen for her very many hours of cleaning the brasses here at St. Edmund’s and for her personal ministry to our elderly community.  Maureen you have made a great contribution to our community and we will miss you!!  Our loss is the USA’s gain!!  God bless you.

HALF PINTS SUMMER PICNIC Thurs. 6 Aug. 11am Itchen Valley Country Park.  Meet at the little play area (nr. Café & toilets).  Bring a picnic, something to sit on and play.  Tel. Ruth 077 5250 8592.  NB:  Thurs. 16th July was the last Half Pints for summer, we start again Thurs. 10th Sep.

ORGAN RECITAL—Sunday 16th Aug.  St. Mary’s C of E Church, 3.30pm—Martin Hall and Tim Rogerson, Tickets £5.00.

SUMMER CAMP ‘Fanning the Flame’ 17th - 21st Aug. in St Dominic’s Priory, Sway, for young people,    10—25 yrs  - recommended.  Tel: 01590 681874.  See Notice Board. 

WELCOME FOR FR. PAUL LEONARD—Sun. 30th August in Stella Maris Centre after 10am Mass.  

PARISH GET TOGETHER  - Sunday 20th Sep. 12pm—4pm Springhill School.

FAREWELL FOR FR. GERRY— to take place after his holidays at 7.30pm on Saturday the 3rd October in St. Joseph’s Hall.

MUSIC AT MASS DURING HOLIDAYS—It is customary for the choirs to step down during the summer holidays, so a limited number of musicians are available at this time. Our thanks to many volunteers who play and sing for us at our Masses.

TWO APARTMENTS TO LET AT THE OLD PRESBYTERY 48 BUGLE STREET, SOUTHAMPTON CITY CENTRE:

· Flat 1—ground floor studio £350pm

· Flat 7—top floor - large 1 bedroom £550pm with stunning harbour views.

All recently renovated, possible car parking to be included.  Immediate occupation. Tel. 8098 8881, Martin & Co.

GIFT AID APPEAL—again we ask you to return the forms you have collected, my aim of 40 sign ups is looking a little shaky, please help me reach my target.  Gift Aid forms are available in the Sacristy or from the Parish Office.

APPEAL FROM SCRATCH—for good quality furniture & white goods, electric cooker, washing machine, fridge, fridge freezer, tumble drier, old mobile phones & used cartridges to recycle.  Items can be dropped off at Unit 3, 1—15 Hollybrook Road, Shirley or Tel. 023 8077 3132.  e-mail:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SECURITY AT MASS: Please do not leave your valuables unattended during Mass.  Ladies, please take your handbags up with you when receiving Holy Communion.

Stewardship Group Thought for the week:  See the good in others

VISIT OF RELICS OF ST. THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX:

16th Sep. 2009, St. John’s

Cathedral, Portsmouth. 

Programme: 

9.30am: Bishop Crispian welcomes the Relics of St. Thérèse to the Cathedral

11.00am  Bishop Crispian celebrates Liturgy with schools of the Diocese. 

2.00pm:  Mass with Anointing of the Sick. One person from each parish is invited to receive the Sacrament of the Sick accompanied by 3 others.  If you are interested please give your names to the parish office.

7.30pm  Mass of Thanksgiving, Canon John Udris (Dean of Northampton) Cathedral) to preach. Four parishioners from each parish to be invited.  If interested please give your name to the parish office.

10.00pm  Night prayers

10.30pm—6.30am:  Night Vigil with the Relics of St. Thérèse.  The night vigil will focus on the stations of the cross.  Our pastoral area has been invited to lead the half hour slot from 3.00am—3.30am.  If interested, again please contact the parish office

Leaflets available at the back of the Church.  Also, booklets now on sale in the CTS rack.

 APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA LONDON 10K RUN—Anne and Geraldine completed the race in 1 hour, 7 mins. if you sponsored, or would like to sponsor Anne, please give  your donations into the Parish Office by July 31st 2009.  Many thanks for your support & kind messages of encouragement.  Anne’s hips and knees are still functioning!!

STEWARDSHIP PRAYER

Father, all that we are and everything we have are your gifts to us.  We thank you for this abundance of blessings. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and help us to serve you as generous stewards of all that you have given us.

Help us to share all we have in our homes, our parishes and our schools, in our places of work and in our wider communities.

Help us to work together in recognising your gifts and your love in those with whom we share our lives.  Together, may we bear much fruit as disciples of your Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen