NOTES AND QUOTES
God is not a cosmic bellboy for whom we can press a button to get things done.
(Harry Emerson Fosdick)
God’s will is not an itinerary, but an attitude.
(Andrew Dhuse)
God’s gifts put man’s best dreams to shame.
(Elizabeth Barrett Browning)
DAY FOR LIFE (July 25th)
On the fourth Sunday of July each year we celebrate the Day for Life and recall our duty and efforts to support human life from womb to tomb. Leaflets explaining this year’s theme are available at the back of church.
To help us recognise the sacredness of life at each of its stages, and as it leads to eternal life, here are some words from Pope John Paul II:
“Men and women are called to a fullness of life which far exceeds the dimensions of their earthly existence, because it consists in sharing the very life of God. The loftiness of this supernatural vocation reveals the greatness and the inestimable value of human life even in its temporal phase. Life in time, in fact, is the fundamental condition, the initial stage and an integral part of the entire unified process of human existence. It is a process which, unexpectedly and undeservedly, is enlightened by the promise and renewed by the gift of divine life, which will reach its full realisation in eternity. At the same time, it is precisely this supernatural calling which highlights the relative character of each individual’s earthly life. After all, life on earth is not an “ultimate” but a “penultimate” reality; even so, it remains a sacred reality entrusted to us, to be preserved with a sense of responsibility and brought to perfection in love and in the gift of ourselves to God and to our brothers and sisters.”
JESUS’ GRANDPARENTS (July 26th)
Jesus’ grandparents, on his mother’s side, were Joachim and Anna. We are not told this in the bible but we learn it from several books that were written after Christ’s death but not included in the list of New Testament books.
One of the reasons they do not feature in the gospels is because they were probably already dead when Jesus was born. Tradition tells us that Anna was from the Levi tribe and that her family provided priests and Levites for the Temple worship. We are also told that she and Joachim were getting on in years and still had not been able to conceive a child. In their old age they gave birth to a daughter, Mary, and in turn she gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem. Their feast is celebrated today: a good day to pray for your own grandchildren?
SAMSON OF ??? (July 28th)
It seems that everyone wants to claim St Samson whose feast is celebrated today. Is he Samson of Wales, of York or of Dol in France?
We think he was born in Glamorgan, Wales, and studied under St Illtyd at the monastery of Llantwit in southern Glamorgan. When he is a bit older we come across him as a monk living with a community on Caldey Island, where he later became the abbot. He was joined there by his uncle, Umbrafel, and his father, Amon. After a visit to Ireland, Samson became a hermit with Amon whom he cured of a life-threatening illness. During a trip to Cornwall, he was consecrated a bishop and appointed an abbot. He then left England and went to Brittany where he spent the rest of his days as a missionary, even though his real wish was for solitude. He founded monasteries, including one at Dol and another at Pental, in Normandy. He was one of the chief evangelizers of his century and has long been venerated with enthusiasm in Wales and Brittany. So what about York? That was a different saint altogether!
PAPAL VISIT PRAYER
God of truth and love, your Son, Jesus Christ, stands as the light to all who seek you with a sincere
heart. As we strive with your grace to be faithful in word and deed, may we reflect the kindly light of
Christ and offer a witness of hope and peace to all. We pray for Pope Benedict
and look forward with joy to his forthcoming visit to our countries. May he be a witness to the unity and hope which is your will for all
people. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Lady, Mother of the Church, pray for
us. St Andrew, pray for us. St George, pray for us. St David, pray for us.
WISH YOU WERE HERE
God of all good things, you rested on the seventh day of creation and in your wisdom you invite us to have periods of rest and
recuperation on our long journey through life. May my holiday be truly restful, a vacation from the usual cares of everyday
life and a time to be renewed physically, mentally, and spiritually. Grant that this holiday may bring me a new awareness of the good things in
life, and an increased knowledge of your versatile creativity. May I experience safe travel through fascinating
places, and enjoy genuine leisure and revitalisation. May I refocus on my relationship with you and therefore on my true goals in
life. Bring me back to carry out my daily tasks with cheerfulness and goodwill,
and to the best of my strength and ability. Amen.