St. Bart's RC Church, Norbury
  • Home
    • Latest News
    • Parish Newsletter
    • Parish Finances
    • Parish Calendar
    • Location
    • Safeguarding
    • Accessibility
    • Become a Catholic
    • In the event of death
    • Repository
    • Privacy Notice
  • About
    • Parish Clergy
    • Church History >
      • Previous Clergy
      • St Bartholomew's Gazette
    • St. Bartholomew
    • Parish AGM
    • Parish Pastoral Council >
      • PPC Agenda & Minutes
    • Church Hall + Hire
  • Contact
  • Prayers
    • Catholic Prayers >
      • Daily Prayers
      • Prayers to Our Lord
      • Prayers to Our Lady
    • Coronavirus Novena
    • Dedications
    • Divine Mercy Novena
    • Pentecost Novena
    • Prayer Requests for Priests
    • Thoughts
  • Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • Penance and Reconciliation
    • Eucharist >
      • Eucharistic Preparation
    • Confirmation
    • Matrimony
    • Holy Orders
    • Annointing of the Sick >
      • In the event of death
  • Music & Liturgy
    • Altar Servers
    • Hymn Choir
    • Plainchant Choir
    • Polyphony Choir >
      • Polyphony Choir Music
    • The Organ
    • Orchestra
  • Parish Groups
  • Synod
  • Events
    • Tanzania 2018
    • The Marriage Meter
    • Parish Mission 2019
    • Corpus Christi 2019
    • International Event 2019
  • Search
    • Links

Corpus Christi

1/6/2018

 
Last week, we celebrated the Three Divine persons in the One God, i.e. the Most Holy Trinity. Today we celebrate the Sacrament to which all the other Sacraments point the way, Holy Communion itself. Each time we receive Communion, we take to ourselves that same Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity which Christ first gave to His Apostles at the Last Supper and which, as our Risen Lord, He longs, every day, to give to us. This is not to be regarded as a reward for being good, but to strengthen us in our resolve to be good Catholics.
One of the descriptions of the Mass is ‘...a public act of worship…’ Another public proof of our adherence to the Fullness of the Faith is how we ‘…love one another…’. Many of us will recall, from our own childhood, that a prominent part of the celebration of Corpus Christi was a public procession around the neighbourhood of our church. Father, accompanied by the Parish First Communicants, their Families and other Parishioners, carried the Blessed Sacrament in the Monstrance, taking Our Lord out to those of all Faiths and none. This very ‘high-profile’ demonstration of our love for and devotion to the Bread of Life is taking place, after a gap of many years, in our Parish today.
Picture
The Corpus Christi Procession at St. Michael's Convent in 1982*
​Thanks to the present English translation of the text of the Mass, we can acknowledge, just before receiving Communion, our total unworthiness to have God come into our body and soul. We repeat the words of the Roman Centurion, declaring, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the Word and my soul shall be healed.” We not only admit to our fallen human nature, but we proclaim our firm belief that Christ can, in His Goodness, providing that we are truly sorry, drive out the sins which distance (and, sometimes) completely separate us from Him.
 
It is because Jesus, God the Son, actually comes to each of us personally that the Church insists upon our being in the State of Grace, i.e. free from Mortal Sin, requiring us to confess any such sins of which we are aware before approaching the Altar. She requires us, also, under normal circumstances, to fast for one hour (water and medicines are the only exceptions) before receiving Communion. Hopefully, realising the importance of the Food of our Souls, this is no big deal. Decades ago, the fast lasted from Midnight on Saturday; it was then reduced to three hours by Pope Pius XII in 1957, then to the present one hour by Pope Paul VI in 1964.
 
You might like to read the stories of Saint Tarcisius and Little Li, two children who gave their lives as Martyrs for love of the Holy Eucharist. They will inspire you and your children! Why not see how many more Saints of the Eucharist you can discover! If ever one goes unwillingly to Mass and Communion, one will do well to recall that in various parts of the world, our Brothers and Sisters are still risking their lives for this Privilege. Our Procession today will be a clear sign of our gratitude for the freedom we enjoy to practise our Faith in this country, and a sign of Solidarity with our persecuted Brothers and Sisters. Have a Holy and Happy Solemnity!
*The picture within the article above depicts the Corpus Christi Procession at St. Michael's Convent in 1982.

This annual event brought together clergy and parishioners from St. Bartholomew's Norbury, English Martyrs Streatham, St. Michael's Pollards Hill and St. Matthew's West Norwood - the convent, at the top of Streatham Common, was originally a mansion called Park Hill. Built in 1829 it was the home of Henry Tate from c.1880. It became a nursing home run by nuns of the the Congregation of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God in 1923. The nuns left the building in 1996 when the property was put onto the market. It was sold in 2002 and the site was developed as Henry Tate Mews. The Grade II* listed building (including the chapel) was sympathetically converted into apartments.

The Most Holy Trinity

25/5/2018

 
Blessed John Henry Newman wrote some beautiful Hymns and Prayers, one of which begins, “Firmly I believe, and truly, God is Three and God is One….”, very appropriate to herald today’s Celebration of the Three Persons in One God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Turn to number 962 in our hymn book.) Read more of Newman’s writings here.
This is, indeed, a mystery of Faith! The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which we considered last week, will help us to accept this fundamental Teaching of the Church. The Doctrine of the Blessed Trinity is, to our limited human minds, not the easiest Truth to comprehend. This, of course, is where the Gifts of Faith, Hope and Charity come into play; we believe and trust that God, Infinitely Perfect, in His Love for us, can never tell us anything which is untrue, and will not ask the impossible of us in terms of belief. We can be certain that He will bring us, if we do our best to love and obey Him, to Heaven.
Picture
Scutum Fidei (Shield of Faith) or The Shield of the Trinity
If you are looking to better understand this Truth, for your own knowledge or to explain it to others, then one of the clearest explanations of the Three-in-Oneness of God is to be found in Frank Sheed’s book, Theology for Beginners, chapter 5, The Three Persons. This can be further simplified in order to explain it to our children; they also have a right to the Truth, and we have a duty to do our best to teach them. It is vital to remember, though, that to simplify does not mean to water down or to omit truth.
 
For those who would postpone such teaching until children are ‘old enough’ (and who of us will ever be ‘old enough’ to fully understand this particular Doctrine?!), they would do well to heed the words of a renowned educational psychologist, Jerome Bruner, who said that “…anything can be taught to any one, at any age, as long as it is properly thought out first…”. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (whose Mother died when Thérèse was four years old) once asked her mother (Saint Zélie Martin) about our capacity for God and was shown two very different sized containers, each filled to the brim with water; as Zélie explained to her daughter, just as each vessel was completely filled, God fills us with His Grace according to our created capacity and our openness to it. Any preparation required to teach our precious young people will be very beneficial to teachers as well as their pupils.
 
Take heart in that if you find yourself pondering and puzzling over this Doctrine, so did the great Theologians! Only God can fully understand Himself! For a more detailed exposition of the subject we have, of course, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Section 2, the Profession of the Christian Faith) intended by the Teaching Authority (or Magisterium) of the Church as the ‘yardstick’ against which all publications claiming to be Catholic, including your children’s R.E. materials, must be assessed.
 
In this day and age, this Doctrine may be a stumbling block to be overcome in a journey of Faith. It takes Prayer and perseverance to break down barriers; we cannot allow our human limitations to be transferred to God. We have to make a ‘leap of faith’ over the barrier! Our loving Belief in and Witness to this fundamental and deep Truth will effectively help to overcome any doubts and objections which can be raised. Our lives must be permeated by this belief which we express, among other ways, in making the Sign of the Cross and in reciting the Creed every Sunday and Solemnity.

(Liturgical Year A - 27th Sunday)

6/10/2017

 
As we know, Our Father has created each us to know, love and serve Him, and so fulfil His Plan that we live eternally with Him in Heaven. As we also know, Adam and Eve, through disobedience, lost for themselves and us, original Innocence and the joy of going straight to Heaven. As we proclaim in the Creed, in His Infinite Love, God sent His Son, who took on Human flesh and was born of Mary. Perfect man, through total and loving obedience to the Will of His Father, while living on Earth, He founded the Catholic Church and died on the Cross to atone for sins committed since the beginning of the world and for all that will be committed until the end of time. Having perfectly paid the ‘debt’, Our Lord Rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven, having promised that He would be with us, ‘until the end of time..’.
 
How was this promise carried out? The immediate answer is through the Church He established, passing His Godly Power and Authority to the Apostles, the first Pope, Bishops and Priests, commanding them to teach and make people holy, bringing Grace to us through the Mass and the Sacraments and ever proclaiming Truth and correcting error. The Bishops had the power to ordain men who would carry on this mission on His behalf until the end of time. Pope Francis, Archbishop Peter and Bishop Pat are part of an unbroken line reaching back to the Apostles at the Last Supper, back, therefore to God Himself. Every Priest has that link with the Saviour; he is ordained to be an alter Christus (another Christ) especially when, at Mass, with Christ’s Power, he re-enacts the once-for-all Sacrifice of Calvary and, in Confession when he absolves (forgives) us from our sins.
 
Since Holy Mother Church was founded, She has celebrated countless men and women who, through their example and, sometimes through sacrificing their lives, have given great lessons in living the Faith. We also celebrate the Angels, spirits created to serve God (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church 325ff). The following is a summary, given in the hope that it will provide a stimulus for research.
 
Friday, 29th September. Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels: Michael (Revelation 12:7), credited with leading the Angels obedient to God against the rebellion of Satan. Those who came to be known as fallen angels, in refusing to serve God, literally sent themselves to that eternal separation from the Creator we call Hell. Pope Leo XIII composed the prayer seeking his intercession (‘Holy Michael Archangel….’). Very sorely needed today, you can find the full text in the prayer section of our Parish Website. Gabriel (Luke 26ff) brought Mary the news of her Vocation to be Mother of our Redeemer. Raphael appears in the Old Testament book of Tobit.
 
Saturday, 30th September: Saint Jerome a Doctor (particularly, a teacher of Theology or Doctrine) of the Church who, most notably, translated the Bible, a lot of it originally written in Greek and, perhaps Hebrew, into Latin, still the language of the Universal Church.
Picture
Guardian Angel painted in 1656 by the Italian artist
Pietro da Cortona (1596-1669)
Monday, 2nd October. The Holy Guardian Angels: Although not formally defined as Catholic Doctrine, the Church holds that, at creation, each of us is given an Angel who is exclusively there to watch over us, another helper in the struggle to live a Christian life. Pope Francis has spoken warmly on this subject. This beautiful prayer, essential for children and adults alike, is also to be found through the prayers link on our Website.
 
Wednesday, 4th October. Saint Francis of Assisi: From Italy, originally the son of wealthy parents, he renounced money and possessions, content to trust in God and Christian Charity to provide for his needs and those of his followers, now making up the Worldwide Franciscan order.
 
Saturday (traditionally a day dedicated to Our Lady), 7th October. Our Lady of the Rosary: Saint Pius V established this feast in 1573, in order to thank God for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto. The Rosary which, time and again, Mary has called on her children to say, presents us with an overview of the History of Salvation in the New Testament. Saint John Paul II (Read his Rosarium Virginis Mariae) added the Luminous Mysteries, meditating on Christ’s adult life from His Baptism in the Jordan to His institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.

(Liturgical Year A - 21st Sunday)

27/8/2017

 
Today, we Hear Christ Who, having chosen and begun to form His 12 Disciples to be His Apostles (those who are sent), living, teaching and working miracles among the Chosen People for some time, asks these men closest to Him who He is thought to be by those they have encountered on their mission. They tell him that some wonder if He is John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or another Prophet, come back to life!
 
Jesus then challenges them: “But you….who do you say that I am?” Simon has no hesitation in declaring his belief that Our Lord is, indeed, the Christ (Anointed One), the Redeemer, promised since Adam and Eve’s fall. Jesus, acknowledging this Act of Faith, a Gift of His Father, renames Simon, ‘Peter’ (the Rock), charging him with leading the Apostles who will, from Pentecost, begin to carry out in earnest the Mission to ‘teach all Nations…’ restoring our fallen Race to its true purpose, that of journeying to eternal Life in Heaven. He promises that, as His visible representatives to Mankind, they will teach only Truth, and formulate rules of life with his Authority.
Picture
The statue of Saint Peter in St. Peter’s Square beside the steps up to St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. Pope Pius IX (1846-78) decided to replace older statues of Ss. Peter and Paul with the current larger ones at Easter in 1847. The previous pope, Gregory XVI (1831-46), had commissioned Giuseppe De Fabris (1790-1860) to sculpt this statue for St. Paul Outside-the-Walls from 1838-40.
By Lure - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
Infallibility, per se, covers the formal definition of a Doctrine, which we must believe, by the Pope, in his Office of Supreme Pastor and Teacher of all the Faithful. This gift is extended to the College (or Body) of Bishops who, perhaps in an Ecumenical Council, in union with the Pope, propose, as coming from God, a Doctrine for our belief. For a more detailed explanation of Infallibility, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 890-892. See also the Vatican Council document, Lumen Gentium, 25.

How does this freedom from error in the Teaching of Catholic Dogma work? We know, for example, how certain changes have been made to the outward way (i.e. the language and actions) that Mass has been offered. The essence of the Mass, however, is unchanged. Acting in the person of Our Lord, who commanded, “Do this in memory of Me”, Father, our priest, still re-enacts the once-and-for-all Saving Sacrifice of Calvary for our participation; he changes bread and Wine into Jesus Himself, offers Him for us all to the Heavenly Father, Who Himself offers Jesus to us in Holy Communion.

Picture
Oil on wood painting of St. Augustine by Joos van Wassenhove (1410-80) dating from c.1474. The picture currently hangs in the Musée du Louvre, Paris
We must never forget, however, that Our Lord guaranteed, not that our Shepherds would lead saintly lives (they, as do we, have a fallen Nature and Free Will) but that Catholic Doctrine will always be clearly taught, leaving no room for doubt. He stated that, “Whoever hears you (the Pope, Bishops and Priests) hears Me!” Pope Francis (who is the 266th Successor of Saint Peter) may well be mistaken if, for example, he tells us that ‘it will rain tomorrow’ but he will not err in matters determining our Eternity! We too have a certain responsibility. Love of Neighbour demands of us that, should Teachings concerning Faith and Morals be challenged or disregarded, we are bound to counter, as best we can, such errors.
 
The Holy Father (as do our Bishops and Priests) needs our Prayers daily as he strives to be the Rock. On the right hand of the main porch, facing the Sanctuary, you will find a monthly list of clergy to pray for, each with a special day allocated to them. Why not take a look at that list and undertake to pray for all clergy?
During the coming week we will recall two other great defenders of the Truth: Monday, Convert and Theologian, Saint Augustine of Hippo; Tuesday, Saint John the Baptist, beheaded for publicly defending God’s Laws regarding Marriage. Then, on Wednesday, comes the memorial of Saints Margaret Mary Clitherow, Anne Line and Margaret Ward, three of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, all of whom were put to death for hiding, sheltering and protecting Catholic Priests. May their Prayers strengthen all who are called to be our Shepherds!

The Solemnity of The Assumption (Liturgical Year A - 19th Sunday)

11/8/2017

 
This coming Tuesday, we shall celebrate, as a Holy Day of Obligation, (i.e. we are obliged to go to Mass as we are on a Sunday) the Assumption of our Blessed Mother, Mary, body and soul into Heaven, at the end of her life on Earth. This Truth, to be believed by the Faithful Worldwide, was officially proclaimed by Pope Pius XII on 1st November 1950, in the Apostolic Constitution, Munificentissimus Deus, although, as research will show, this Privilege of Our Lady had been celebrated by the Faithful in various parts of the world for a long time prior to this.
What are we to understand in talking of this event in Mary’s life? As we know, since Original Sin, committed by Adam and Eve, every human soul created has been marked with the consequence of this first decision by man that he ‘knew better’ than to obey his Creator. The immortal soul of every one of us, from conception, is marked by Original Sin until, through Baptism, we are restored to the State of Grace. However, just as we may be cured from a serious bodily illness but be, ever after, more susceptible to relapses, our Human Nature is now in a fallen state, weakened. And we can choose to sin, thereby lessening or, indeed, driving God's Grace from our Soul. From Baptism onwards, Faith must be nurtured, first and foremost through the efforts of Parents and Godparents, until the young person is personally capable of reason and can take responsibility for their own Salvation.
Picture
Painting of The Assumption by the Italian artist Annibale Carracci (1560-1609)
How does today’s Solemnity relate to this? As we know, God did not abandon our First Parents as they clearly deserved. He promised that, in the fullness of time, He would send his Son, in human form, through a Virgin Mother, to live among us, undo the consequences of man’s sin and so lead us back onto the ‘road’ to Heaven, that destiny which Original Sin had denied us. In order that His Son would ‘take flesh’ the Father chose and prepared a very special Mother. As a member of the Human Race Jesus would, as are all babies, be conceived (in His case through the Power of the Holy Spirit rather than through a human father) and grow in His Mother’s Womb for nine months. As Perfect God-made-man, Our Lord would come to us through a Perfect human Mother. Those of us who are familiar with the history of Mary’s appearances to Saint Bernadette in Lourdes, in 1858, will recall that Our Lady, when asked by Bernadette for her name, replied, “I am the Immaculate Conception”. This Teaching had, at the time, only recently been formally proclaimed by Pope Pius IX, on 8th December 1854, in the papal bull, Ineffabilis Deus, as an article of Faith, to be believed by us all. Put simply, it means that from the very moment she was conceived through the love of her human Parents, Saints Joachim and Anne, the stain of Original Sin was prevented from touching her soul. God, being Infinite, seeing past, present and future, applied the Saving Merits of Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection to Mary’s soul at its creation; she was, from the very start of her existence, ‘Full of Grace’ as Adam and Eve had been in their state of innocence, before they sinned. What Mary never lost, we regain through Baptism. The Church also holds that, in addition to her perfection of soul and freedom from any inclination to sin from conception, Mary, endowed as we all are, with Free Will, never committed any personal sin throughout her life.
​
We all live, grow old (please God) and die. Our body, through burial or cremation, returns ‘to the dust of the Earth’. Our soul, if we die in the State of Grace, enters Heaven, usually by way of purification in Purgatory (unless we die as Saints!). The Church teaches that, at the end of time, our bodies, then perfect, will be restored to us. As Perfect Mother of God, Mary was not to have to wait for her bodily glorification until the end of time; Through today’s Solemnity, the Church continues to teach that Mary, at the end of her earthly life, however that end actually came, was Assumed (or taken, body and Soul) into Heavenly Glory. This Solemnity of the Church is sometimes referred to as the ‘Dormition’ (or ‘falling asleep’) of Mary.
​
Mary watches over us, her children, ever calling us to, “Do whatever He tells you”.
“O Mary, Conceived without sin, Pray for us who have recourse to thee!”

God’s Grace and our Effort

21/7/2017

 
God, as we know, loves us as only He, our Creator, can. The reason for our continued existence, from the moment of our conception, is that He holds us, constantly, in His Mind; in fact, everything that exists, whether animal, vegetable or mineral, down to the smallest undiscovered particle, exists because it is ever in the Mind of God. Even the most loving and conscientious of earthly parents cannot have this infinite view of the Life of their offspring or see clearly how and when we will come to face Eternity. Small wonder then, that the Church, founded by Our Lord to protect and guide us in His stead, is very definite in Her Teachings. As any loving parent will direct their children’s lives towards Good and train them to perceive and avoid what is (even if outwardly attractive) evil and, therefore, harmful, so the Church makes very clear to us what must be done and indeed what must be avoided if we are to reach Heaven as planned.

God’s creatures are, as Matthew underlines in his Gospel, a ‘mixed bunch’. Due to the Original Sin of our First Parents, Adam and Eve, we do not, naturally, incline to Good. We can become very worldly, in danger of coming to believe that our destiny is entirely our own affair and that, whatever we do or do not do in this life, ‘everything will come right in the end’, seemingly believing that we know better than God!
God has given us Free Will; we can learn what (and why) things are good or evil and so choose the way we will go. Chillingly, this means that we can choose not to go to Heaven although, thank God, we cannot do this by mistake! The Parable of the Harvest is a graphic illustration of our continual struggle, torn between Good and evil, i.e. our life on Earth. This freedom of choice will exist until, at the end of time, the entire Human Race will appear at its Judgement before God.
 
At harvest time, anything which would spoil the crop sown by the farmer, or perhaps render it harmful to consumers, will be removed, leaving the pure product intended in the first place. In the same way shall we be judged. This is something which, sadly, may be glossed over or even dismissed on the grounds that, ‘God Loves us too much to send us to Hell’; the truth is very sobering. God 'sends' us nowhere. In His infinite Love for us, He treats us as the intelligent, rational beings we are. He sets clearly before us what must be done (and, conversely, not done) if Heaven is truly our goal, providing us with the Grace of the Sacraments, including His own Son's Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, to enable us to strive against evil.
Picture
This reflection on the Parable of the Harvest was painted by the Italian artist Domenico Fetti (1589-1623) in c.1622. It currently hangs in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid
God, unlike His creatures, cannot change. Our love for Him cannot be forced; it must freely come ‘from the heart’. However, all is not ‘doom and gloom’. As the psalmist says, God knows us ‘…through and through…’. Unlike the often subjective media, He truly sees our good points and our bad; more importantly, He sees our intentions in making decisions and whether it is through ignorance or wilful rejection of the truth that any of us depart from the, ‘...straight and narrow way…’. God will keep calling us to Him until our earthly life is over. Let us continually beg Him, challenging though life may well be, for the Grace to enable us to stay on (or get back on) the road to Eternal Happiness!

Our Response to God’s Call (Liturgical Year A - 15th Sunday)

14/7/2017

 
Today’s Entrance Antiphon anticipates the Joy which will be ours when, following a life of faithfulness to God, we come before Him at our Judgement and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant….”. Today we consider how God provides us, through the Pope, Bishops and Priests, the Teachings of the Church and the Sacraments, with the means to reach Eternal Life and our fundamental responsibility to make use of these means.
 
Isaiah compares weather conditions, which nurture growing crops, with God’s Word, which stimulates our spiritual growth. Of course, just as crops cannot grow and flourish without the farmer’s efforts in conjunction with the weather so, to attain Eternal Happiness, we must ‘take on board’ and act upon God’s Truth, aided by His Grace.

The Responsorial Psalm might be read as a ‘companion piece’ to the Gospel, talking lyrically of God the Creator’s limitless Love which provides for us in this life, seeks our willing response, and, so, brings us to live forever in Eternal Joy once our time on Earth is over.

Saint Paul, writing to the Romans, acknowledges that our life journey may well, at times, be somewhat arduous, perhaps involving suffering but, again, he points to the goal of all earthly life, which is the indescribable happiness of an Eternity with our Creator. However, due to our fallen Human Nature, the result of Original Sin, life will rarely be a smooth journey; we will be faced by temptations and, as we know, outright opposition to the Truth but, by the Grace of God we will struggle, ‘walk in the Light’ and so achieve His Purpose for us.
 
Our Lord, in the familiar Parable of the Sower, gives us overviews of different responses to His Call. Some people, sadly, will hear the Truth but fail to understand just how crucial it is to ultimate fulfilment in life and head, instead, for apparent success and happiness in the here and now. Others, initially eager in their practice of the Faith, will, on encountering challenges, such as hostility towards the Faith, or fear of persecution, turn away from the Church, embracing what they see as an ‘easier option’.
Picture
Le Semeur (The Sower), painted by the French artist James Tissot (1836-1902)
A major stumbling block for some could be the growing materialism and declining moral standards of the world, so clearly in opposition to our Creator. Satan, knowing as he does that God will, in the end, triumph over evil, nevertheless does not give up tempting souls to join him. Temptations will only cease when we enter Eternity.
 
Of course, Good Shepherd that He is, God does not cease to love, watch over and call each and every one of us to Himself until the day we die. Those who drift away may, please God, in time, return to the practice of their Faith. It is an act of Charity (certainly not judgmental) to pray for the return of our lapsed Brothers and Sisters, sometimes nicknamed ‘resting Catholics’. It is exceedingly unwise, however, to gamble one’s Eternity by putting off a return to the Church on the basis that ‘God won’t let me be lost’. Saint Augustine reminds us that God created us without our co-operation but makes our Salvation totally dependent upon that co-operation throughout our life. God knows (but we can rarely be certain) when we shall die and come before Him, but to love Him and go to Heaven is a choice He will not force upon us. Love must come freely from our heart in return for His Love, as we meditated more deeply in June.
 
Christ’s parable, of course, ends on a ‘high-note’; countless souls will hear, be inspired and live by the Church’s Teachings, thereby coming, as planned, to be happy with God forever in Heaven, the “…glory…which is waiting for us”, as Saint Paul writes.

Corpus Christi

16/6/2017

 
Following the Solemnity of The Most Holy Trinity, we celebrate Holy Communion itself; the precious treasure (His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity) which Christ first gave to His Apostles at the Last Supper and which He longs, every day, to give to us, not as a reward for being good, but to assist us in actually becoming good.

Thanks to the present English translation of the text of the Mass, we can clearly ponder, just before Communion, the fact that, in ourselves, we are totally unworthy to have God come into our body and soul. Indeed, echoing the words of the Centurion, we declare, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed”. In this profound prayer, we not only admit our fallen human nature, but we proclaim our firm belief that Christ can, in His Goodness, providing that we are truly sorry, drive out sin.


It is because Jesus, God the Son, actually comes to each of us personally that the Church insists upon our being in a State of Grace, i.e. free from Mortal Sin. She requires us, also, under normal circumstances, to fast for one hour (water and medicines excepted) before receiving Communion. Hopefully, realising the importance of the Food of our Souls compared to earthly food, this is no big deal. We might also remember that, decades ago, the fast lasted from Midnight on Saturday; it was then reduced to three hours by Pope Pius XII in 1957, until eventually being reduced to the present one hour by Pope Paul VI in 1964.
Picture
Should we feel that our desire for Holy Communion is not as strong as it ought to be, then two child-martyrs, Saint Tarcisius and a Chinese girl, Little Li, who both gave their lives for the Holy Eucharist in times of persecution, will help us to re-kindle our love for the closest union with our God before He embraces us in Heaven.
 
Read the story of Saint Tarcisius here and that of Little Li here. Remember, too, that in various parts of the world, our Brothers and Sisters are still risking their lives for the Privilege of going to Communion. Wonderful stories, here, to inspire you and your children! Happy Feastday!

The Blessed Trinity

12/6/2017

 
Blessed John Henry Newman wrote some beautiful Hymns and Prayers, one of which begins, “Firmly I believe, and truly, God is Three and God is One….”, very appropriate for the Celebration of the Three Persons in One God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Read more of Newman’s writings here.

​This is, indeed, a mystery of Faith! The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which we thought about last week, help us to accept this fundamental Teaching of the Church. The Doctrine of the Blessed Trinity is, to our limited minds, not the easiest Truth to even begin to comprehend. This, of course, is where the Gifts of Faith, Hope and Charity come in; we believe and trust that God, in His Love for us, will never tell us anything which is not totally true and will not ask the impossible of us in terms of belief. We can be certain that He will bring us, if we do our best to love and obey Him, to Heaven.
Picture
If you are looking to better understand this Truth, perhaps to explain it to others, then one of the clearest explanations of the Three-in-Oneness of God is to be found in Frank Sheed’s book, Theology for Beginners, chapter 5, The Three Persons. This can be further simplified in order to explain it to our children; they also have a right to the Truth and we have a duty to do our best to teach them. For those who would postpone such teaching until children are ‘old enough’ (and who of us will ever be ‘old enough’ to understand it?!), you would do well to heed the words of a renowned educational psychologist, Jerome Bruner, who said that anything can be taught to anyone at any age as long as it is properly thought out first. Such forethought will be very beneficial to teachers as well as those being taught.

In this day and age this Doctrine may be a stumbling-block to be overcome in a journey of Faith. It takes Prayer and perseverance to break down barriers; we cannot allow our human limitations to be transferred to God. We have to make a ‘leap of faith’ over the barrier!


The image is 'The Holy Trinity' a miniature from the Grandes Heures of Anne of Brittany, Queen consort of France (1477-1514).
God the Father is depicted on the left, God the Son (Jesus) on the right, holding a book with seven seals open to the Alpha and Omega passage, and the Dove of God The Holy Spirit in the centre. The animal symbols of the Four Evangelists are depicted in the corners.

The New Saints of Fatima

19/5/2017

 
Picture
Lúcia Santos (left) with her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto, 1917
On 13th May, 2017, the 100th Anniversary of Our Blessed Mother Mary’s first appearance to the three little shepherd children, Lúcia dos Santos, Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, canonised Blessed Francisco Marto (died, aged 10, in April, 1919) and Blessed Jacinta Marto (died, aged 9, in February, 1920), the two youngest children. They are the youngest non-Martyrs ever to have been Canonised, that is, declared Saints in Heaven, and, therefore, listed in the Litany of the Saints and worthy of worldwide public veneration. The eldest of the children, Lúcia, was told by Mary that she was to remain on earth in order to spread devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. She became a Religious Sister, first of all with the Dorothean Sisters, in Spain and died, aged 98, Sister Lúcia of Jesus, a Carmelite Nun, at Coimbra, Portugal, on 13th February, 2005. Her many writings are essential and inspiring reading.
These children showed very clearly what it is to truly love God and offered sacrifices in atonement for those who, sadly, had deserted Him. They were, in spite of their tender years, persecuted for their faith, even being put in prison and threatened with death if they did not reveal certain secrets told to them by Mary; to read of these secrets, see www.catholicexchange.com/three-secrets-fatima-revealed, among many other websites. Through their steadfast love for, and trust in God and His Mother, who told them that they would, indeed, go to Heaven, they refused to be coerced into revealing anything. God would do this in His own Good Time. As a result of this courage they are, among other things, Patrons of people made fun of for showing their piety, i.e. loving reverence, towards the Faith. Today, as we know, around the world, there are many literally still giving their lives for their faith. However, even if one is not called upon to die (and most of us will probably not), one must be prepared, these days, to encounter anything from misunderstanding to concerted opposition for publicly upholding the teachings of the Church, particularly in the area of Morality; some of our Brothers and Sisters round the world have been known to risk their livelihoods because they have ‘dared’ to stand firmly with God. Saints Francisco and Jacinta are to be heartily recommended as Patrons for adults and children alike! God grant us Courage to live Holy lives! Mother Mary, protect us! Saints Francisco and Jacinta, pray for us!
 
If you cannot, physically, visit Fátima, you can, via the internet, join in with the Pilgrims; there is a live feed from the Capelinha (Chapel of the Apparitions) www.fatima.pt/en/pages/online-transmissions. Mass, is often offered there, in languages from around the world; The Rosary is said at 6:30pm every day except Sunday, when it is at 4pm. Very often, particularly on the 13th of the Month, the ‘major’ liturgies are televised; see them online or via satellite on EWTN. It is heartening, too, in an increasingly Godless age, to see often extensive coverage of these liturgies on the Portuguese National Channel, RTP1, also available via internet and satellite. Mind you, Our Lady did tell the children that the Faith would always be kept in Portugal
<<Previous

    From St. Bart's

    Thoughts on the traditional teachings, devotions, seasons and matters of the Catholic Church

    Categories

    All
    Advent
    Christmas
    Church Feasts
    Church Teaching
    Eastertide
    God & Jesus
    Lent
    Mary
    Ordinary Time
    Other Religions
    Our Church
    Prayer
    Sacraments
    Saints
    The Mass
    Triduum

    Archives

    November 2019
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017

    RSS Feed

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark
A Registered Incorporated Charity - CIO No. 1173050
Accessibility - St. Bartholomew's does its utmost to accommodate those with additional needs. Whilst the main body of the church is wholly accessible to people with mobility disabilities, the choir gallery is both approached by stairs and the seating is then stepped by design. The church has a wheelchair-accessible toilet, and baby-changing facilities. There is a Loop System (AFIL) in place in the church.
​
​St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church cannot be held responsible for the content of links to external sites. To contact the church directly, click here. For Website-related matters only, click here.
Picture
Website Copyright © St. Bartholomew's Roman Catholic Church and/or the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark 2016 - 2022
  • Home
    • Latest News
    • Parish Newsletter
    • Parish Finances
    • Parish Calendar
    • Location
    • Safeguarding
    • Accessibility
    • Become a Catholic
    • In the event of death
    • Repository
    • Privacy Notice
  • About
    • Parish Clergy
    • Church History >
      • Previous Clergy
      • St Bartholomew's Gazette
    • St. Bartholomew
    • Parish AGM
    • Parish Pastoral Council >
      • PPC Agenda & Minutes
    • Church Hall + Hire
  • Contact
  • Prayers
    • Catholic Prayers >
      • Daily Prayers
      • Prayers to Our Lord
      • Prayers to Our Lady
    • Coronavirus Novena
    • Dedications
    • Divine Mercy Novena
    • Pentecost Novena
    • Prayer Requests for Priests
    • Thoughts
  • Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • Penance and Reconciliation
    • Eucharist >
      • Eucharistic Preparation
    • Confirmation
    • Matrimony
    • Holy Orders
    • Annointing of the Sick >
      • In the event of death
  • Music & Liturgy
    • Altar Servers
    • Hymn Choir
    • Plainchant Choir
    • Polyphony Choir >
      • Polyphony Choir Music
    • The Organ
    • Orchestra
  • Parish Groups
  • Synod
  • Events
    • Tanzania 2018
    • The Marriage Meter
    • Parish Mission 2019
    • Corpus Christi 2019
    • International Event 2019
  • Search
    • Links