SUMMER HOLIDAYS

SUMMER HOLIDAYS:can be long for kids–see white A4 Small Talk newsletter in porch


RECOMMENDED FOR FAMILIES: The Faith, The Family, The Future
25th-26th October 2008 St. Albans. A w/e conference to nurture and give hope to families and young Catholics, focusing upon the beauty of the Church’s vision for love, marriage and the family, passing on the faith to the next generation. With programs specially tailored to each age group, & the opportunity for spiritual reflection & renewal. Email: faithandfamily2008@yahoo.co.uk & see www.faithandfamily.org.uk

TWO ANNIVERSARIES CONCERNING THE FAMILY: FOOD FOR THOUGHT

This weekend is the 40th anniversary of the Papal Letter Humanae Vitae which confirmed the 2,000 year old Catholic, Christian teaching that for the marital act to be able to form the couple in true union and generosity it must not actively be shut off from its procreative orientation. It is also the 30th anniversary of the birth of the first child conceived in a test tube by “In Vitro Fertilization”, whereby procreation is separated from the marital act – also against Catholic teaching. (“Fertility Care” offer a great natural alternative which has high success rate with couples told they were infertile in the NHS, as well as enabling deeper communication).

N.B.: Between 1991 and 2005 2,137,924 human embryos have been created to assist UK couples to have babies. During this period, the total of live babies born through IVF procedures was 109,469. What happened to the other 2,028,455 human embryos? According to ivf.net: “Unused embryos in clinics under UK law may by consent be discarded, frozen, donated to research or donated to other infertile couples…” and many embryos are transferred to the womb only to miscarry or to be selectively aborted.

Forty years ago Humanae Vitae stated that the widespread use of contraception would lead man to think that he had unlimited dominion over his own body. He also said it would "lead to conjugal infidelity and the general lowering of morality"; men will tend to-wards losing respect for "the woman” and may come to "the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment and no longer as his respected and beloved com-panion.” Is this true? N.B. the latest stage in this process is the Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill, which will very likely, among other things, allow cloning up to birth

POPE PLUS ‘A FEW’ YOUTH TAKE OVER SYDNEY

Last night probably towards one million young Catholics slept under the stars at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse. In the morning (midnight last night our time) the Pope arrived to celebrate the World Youth Day (WYD) Mass. Last Thursday officially over 500,000 people were greeted by Pope Benedict in Sydney Harbour. He spoke the words printed in the bottom left box inside this newsletter.

When I was with two million youngsters at the Millennium Year WYD in Rome (the biggest ever recorded gathering of human beings in Europe) the British press reported virtually noth-ing of the event. This time the approach appears to be to report it in conjunction with abuse cases from the past, and to report lower numbers. British broadsheets stated 200,000 as last Thursday’s figure. There were definitely 140,000 in the actual arena and the Pope made a special boat trip to greet the larger numbers outside. The Vocations Director for the Diocese of Southwark, Fr Stephen Langridge, who is there, wrote the following words two days ago.

“The big talking point today is the British media's response to what will probably be the best WYD ever. It's reported (in major Australian papers) that a war memorial was defaced (with “pro-Pope graffiti). It's true but there's no suggestion it was done by the youth who've come here. Much more likely to have been the small but vociferous opponents to the WYD celebrations. Cardinal Cormac is due to give a talk tomorrow but he's had to be warned that the British media are flying out a victim of abuse now living in Britain. Unbelievable as the locals are saying.
“On the ground things are fantastic! We had a superb opening Mass yesterday with a particularly warm welcome from the PM who really nailed his colours to the mast in defence of Christianity and the Christian - especially the Catholic - heritage of Australia. Cardinal Pell gave a heartfelt homily that touched the thousands of people present. The Mass was reverent and very prayerful - even allowing for the joyful enthusiasm of the young people.
“Sydney has been won over. Everywhere we go people wave and toot their horns, we are thanked for coming and welcomed warmly. The local response couldn't be better. So what's the local media saying? Well they found a taxi driver who isn't getting any trade. His response? "That's fine. I just like watching them. They are so good". And a woman sitting in 'Hungry Jacks' who is disturbed by a big group of young people & nuns -"They’re so cute”
“Whatever the British media might say, WDY Sydney 2008 is a massive success story. And having spent the afternoon in the prayer room and hearing confessions, I have seen that God's grace is touching hearts, breaking through barriers, and winning converts: Big Time!!!”

St Mary Magdalen: A TRUE LOVE STORY

Her feast is 22nd July. Our main celebration will be next Sun at 12 noon Mass, followed by a BBQ (1pm) at the Rising Sun, just along the road.
Please do come! And sign up at the back.

Mary of Magdalen was so called perhaps because she came from the army garrison town of Magdalen near Tiberius on the west shore of the Lake of Galilee. Some say her name comes from the Hebrew expression meaning ‘curling women’s hair’ which is another way of calling someone an ‘adulteress’!

In Luke’s Gospel she is mentioned among the women who accompanied and served Christ and it says of her that she had had seven devils cast out. Through her acquaintance with the seven deadly sins she had become open to the devil. Mary Magdalen was no saint before she met Jesus Christ. So what changed?

If we read between the lines of the gospels that speak about Mary Magdalen it soon becomes obvious that she was a person who had a string of relationships; she is like the Samaritan woman with the five husbands whom Christ meets at the well; she is like many of us who desire to experience unconditional love, but look for it in the wrong way.

Like the Samaritan woman Mary finally meets her ideal man, Jesus Christ! One in whom all her desires for love, meaning, truth, & beauty are fulfilled. This meeting heals her radically of her sins. She no longer has to sell herself short to gain affection from others. Instead amazingly she becomes the 1st evangelist who brings the Good News of Christ’s resurrection to the unbelieving apostles.

The Song of Songs describes her this journey to holiness: “ I have sought the love of my life, I sought but could not find him ! Barely had I passed the watchmen when I found him, the love of my life, I caught him and would not let him go.” (3:3-5) Mary Magdalen’s searching and desire for love had led her up many blind alleys. When she finally discovers Christ and his love for her, she is able to put her past behind her, begin a new life. She clings to her new love: Christ. In fact Christ has to ask her “not to cling” to Him so that he can ascend to heaven – she is holding things up! St Mary Magdalen pray for

TODAY IS THE DAY FOR LIFE

In 1995 Pope John Paul II wrote in Evangelium Vitae (‘The Gospel of Life’)

“… I propose that a Day for Life be celebrated each year in every country, as already established by some Episcopal Conferences. The celebration of this Day should be planned and carried out with the active participation of all sectors of the local Church. Its primary purpose should be to foster in individual consciences, in families, in the Church and in civil society a recognition of the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition. Particular attention should be drawn to the seriousness of abortion and euthanasia, without neglecting other aspects of life which from time to time deserve to be given careful consideration, as occasion and circumstances demand.” (n. 85)

This year we pray and reflect upon those suffering from mental health problems. We pray that their human dignity continue to be acknowledged, particularly by our society returning to acknowledging the dignity of our weak brothers and sisters at the beginning and end of their lives. See Green leaflets at back.

LATEST FROM RWANDAN CENTRE FOR HANDICAPPED & ORPHANED CHILDREN
Through our Lenten family fast day our parish recently helped send over £1,000 to this centre largely destroyed by a recent earthquake. From a letter from Sr Therese to Helen Leith of the St Boniface Secular Institute at the German Centre, who is making another visit there in August.

“The boys … are always thrilled to see you on the photo, as I have told them that it is thanks to you that the house is being rebuilt. Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have been able to buy 12 beds, 4 large tables, 4 benches, 11 bed-covers, 12 uniforms, and 5 ground-sheets which I have given to my neighbours who are still living out in the open. The situation for those who have lost their houses is getting worse. They have no means to rebuild, The State will re-build the infrastructures such as Hospitals, and Schools which were demolished. Please greet everyone from me, especially the parishioners of St. Mary Magdalene. Therese”

THE YEAR OF ST PAUL

Benedict XVI has declared 28th June 2008- 29th June 2009 the year of St. Paul in celebration of the 2,000th anniversary of the saint's birth. In his homily at St Paul’s Basilica he said: "This 'Pauline Year' will take place in a special way in Rome, where for 2,000 years under the papal altar of this basilica, lies the tomb that according to experts and undisputed tradition has conserved the remains of the apostle Paul. Also, in every part of the world, similar initiatives will be organized in dioceses, sanctuaries and places of prayer by religious institutions.

“The Apostle of the Gentiles, who dedicated himself to the spreading of the good news to all peoples, spent himself for the unity and harmony of all Christians, May he guide us and protect us in this bi-millenary celebration, helping us to advance in the humble and sincere search for the full unity of all the members of the mystical body of Christ."

Pope Benedict clearly believes that St Paul is still an important guide for our times. In some way, we may therefore be able to receive inspiration during this ‘Pauline Year’ and find renewed guidance and protection in our faith. In his letter to the Roman’s Paul wrote “All things work for good for those who love God.” (Rm 8:28) This was shown in his own life which was dedicated to the persecution of Christians and which was converted by God’s grace to become a shining witness of missionary love for Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Let us not be discouraged in any way on our path toward God, for He can indeed use ‘all things’ to ‘work for good’. We may feel we are too small or weak to be part of God’s plan for the whole human race. Under the powerful example of St Paul however, we can be confident that it is precisely through us in these days that the Good News of the Gospel is to be brought to the world around us.

STOP PRESS: This Saturday the Cardinal will inaugurate the Year with a Mass in the Cathedral at 3:30 pm. He will bless the icon of St Paul which is to tour the diocese throughout the Jubilee Year.

THE YEAR OF ST PAUL

Benedict XVI has declared 28th June 2008- 29th June 2009 the year of St. Paul in celebration of the 2,000th anniversary of the saint's birth. In his homily at St Paul’s Basilica he said: "This 'Pauline Year' will take place in a special way in Rome, where for 2,000 years under the papal altar of this basilica, lies the tomb that according to experts and undisputed tradition has conserved the remains of the apostle Paul. Also, in every part of the world, similar initiatives will be organized in dioceses, sanctuaries and places of prayer by religious institutions.

“The Apostle of the Gentiles, who dedicated himself to the spreading of the good news to all peoples, spent himself for the unity and harmony of all Christians, May he guide us and protect us in this bi-millenary celebration, helping us to advance in the humble and sincere search for the full unity of all the members of the mystical body of Christ."

Pope Benedict clearly believes that St Paul is still an important guide for our times. In some way, we may therefore be able to receive inspiration during this ‘Pauline Year’ and find renewed guidance and protection in our faith. In his letter to the Roman’s Paul wrote “All things work for good for those who love God.” (Rm 8:28) This was shown in his own life which was dedicated to the persecution of Christians and which was converted by God’s grace to become a shining witness of missionary love for Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Let us not be discouraged in any way on our path toward God, for He can indeed use ‘all things’ to ‘work for good’. We may feel we are too small or weak to be part of God’s plan for the whole human race. Under the powerful example of St Paul however, we can be confident that it is precisely through us in these days that the Good News of the Gospel is to be brought to the world around us.

STOP PRESS: This Saturday the Cardinal will inaugurate the Year with a Mass in the Cathedral at 3:30 pm. He will bless the icon of St Paul which is to tour the diocese throughout the Jubilee Year.

ARE YOU READY FOR SUMMER?

The weather is getting warmer–it might even stay that way for a while! Do your thoughts turn to having fun in the sun? Or is summertime a bit of a stressful time for you?
However you feel towards summer, the long evenings and summer breaks give you a great opportunity to relax, reflect on important things, and make time and memories with old or new friends and family. It doesn’t have to be extravagant and costly. Whatever your situation there’s something for you below.

Making the most of… friendships
Think of something you and your friends would really enjoy doing together – e.g. watching sport (eg:Olympics, Wimbledon, European football), or go camping or hill walking. Kenwood House (Hampstead Heath) is free, with great paintings, furnishings, gardens and grounds.
It’s good to talk and it’s good to pray, especially with your actual (or possible) spouse. If you’re more action oriented, use the evenings to undertake projects together with your other half. Everything from gardening through to painting a room can be more fun done to-gether. Achieving a goal together can bring us closer. How about a day trip to the shrine at Aylesford, or even Walsingham, by coach, or to a famous London Church to say the rosary?

Making the most of… your children, grandchildren, nephews or nieces
Stay up late to watch a meteor shower.The Perseids are visible from mid-July each year, with the greatest activity between 8 and 14 August. During the peak, meteors flash across the sky at about one a minute. The best way to see meteors is on a moonless night, away from streetlights. Activity starts slowly in the evening but picks up by 11 pm.
Go back in time. There are a number of TV documentaries about life in the early 20th century. Watch one as a family, and then try to live like that for a day. No TV. No internet. No phones. No electric lights. See if you can borrow a camp stove or barbecue instead of a modern oven, and cook a meal where you have to prepare all the ingredients. (You might want to make a concession about the indoor flushing toilet, though!)
Take part in an awareness week How about having no baths or showers in Plughole Week (7-13 July), or digging up the back garden in National Archaeology Week (12-20 July)? Or, get into wildlife in time for European Bat Weekend (22-24 August), or encourage youngsters to come on one of the FAITH summer camps in our newsletter-for 11-30 yr olds.

Whatever you do this summer, remember, it’ll fly by. Winter will come soon enough – so resolve to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. Adapted from Care for the Family website.