St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church Norbury (Streatham) SW16 5DE
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How well do you know YOUR Parish Church? - 2

26/1/2018

 
Just as a church building is an inanimate object without its parishioners, so Faith, a Gift of God, is not merely something we ‘do’ on Sundays and Holy Days. Faith is not just a set of facts to be learned from the Catechism or in lessons, but it is something which must be accepted and practised, i.e. ‘taken on board’ and have a definite effect on our day-to-day life if it is to live and grow in us and spread to those among whom we live. Faith, in a ‘compartment’ of the mind that means little or nothing to one is rather like a plant which, once in the soil, is then neglected and, in time, attacked by frost, insects and the sun, will either be stunted in growth or even shrivel and die, whereas plants which are watered, fertilised, pruned and carefully nurtured flourish, producing flowers, fruit, seeds and further growth round the garden. Cuttings can spread this bounty far and wide. Who knows how many ‘seeds of Faith’ God will plant and how many ‘cuttings’ He will transplant through our efforts?
As with productive gardening, considerable effort ‘growing’ Faith is required on our part, perhaps more than ever in today’s world which would seem to be governed by outward principles such as reputation, pleasure and material success; a world which, at times, might appear to be run according to the whims of pressure groups who, most decidedly, do not accept the Will of God, but strenuously oppose it!
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In very early times the Christian message was, of course, spread by word of mouth and, of course, through example! Throughout the ages, until literacy became more widespread and before written and printed matter were more readily available and understandable, other ways were essential to teach and recall the Truths of the Faith. The Rosary, for example, was originally developed from the prayers of the Psalter (book of psalms), having 150 beads corresponding to the 150 psalms; in this way even the uneducated could, through prayers, counted on their beads, join in the Prayer of the Church, truly a demonstration of one’s equality before God which transcends all buildings and borders, and which does not depend on one’s academic qualifications!

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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.
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  • Home
    • Latest News
    • Parish Newsletter
    • Parish Finances
    • Planned Giving
    • Parish Calendar
    • Location
    • Safeguarding
    • Accessibility
    • Become a Catholic
    • In the event of death
    • Repository
    • Privacy Notice
  • About
    • Parish Clergy
    • Church History >
      • Previous Clergy
      • St Barholomews 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 >
      • Confirmation Preparation
      • Confirmation Blog 2020 >
        • Confirmation Blog 2019
      • Confirmation Downloads
    • Matrimony
    • Holy Orders
    • Annointing of the Sick >
      • In the event of death
  • Music & Liturgy
    • Altar Servers
    • Children's Liturgy
    • Hymn Choir
    • Plainchant Choir
    • Polyphony Choir >
      • Polyphony Choir Music
    • The Organ
    • Music Rota
    • Orchestra
  • Parish Activities
    • Adults >
      • Barts Seniors
      • Church Flowers
      • Knights of St. Columba
      • Legion of Mary
      • MISSIO
      • RCIA
      • St. Vincent de Paul Society
      • Social Committee
      • SPUC
      • Teams of Our Lady
      • Union of Catholic Mothers
    • Young People >
      • Brownies
      • Scouting
    • Events >
      • International Event 2019
      • Parish Mission 2019
      • The Marriage Meter
      • Tanzania
  • Search
    • Links