TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY

Dear Parishioners,

In today’s Gospel, three times, Jesus tells us: “Do not be afraid”. Here is Jesus, who was in fear of his life many times – beginning with Herod who wanted him killed and in his ministry he was threatened with being stoned to death; being arrested and we know what finally happened. So, Jesus in his life know what it was to live in fear. That is why he is able to speak about trusting in God and not our own devises. While we do what we can to live and survive, in the end we can but place our trust in a loving God who knows us and is concerned for us.

We worry and fret about so many things. Yes, they are of real concern in our lives and we have responsibilities. But over-worrying does not help! There are so many fears and concerns.

We fear the unknown. We fear what we cannot control. We fear what others think of us or say about us; we fear arguments and loss of friendship; we fear about paying bills and high food prices; we fear illness and diseases; many live in fear in war, violence and starvation; we fear what tomorrow may bring; we fear death. Yes, there are so many things in life and our world that leads to fear.

Being told by Jesus, “Do not be afraid” does not sound like a remedy for our fears. But the Lord is watching over us. He loves us as we are. We are his treasure. He does not abandon us in our hour of need. You will remember the prayer” Footprints”. This tells our story. We need to express our faith in God. He is our Father, we are members of His family, the Trinity.

Note: Just in case some people missed out on last weekend’s announcement about our new parish priests, the Verbum Dei Community and my own arrangements – here is a brief account:

Fr. Jerome Dukiya CSSp is our new parish priest and Fr. Vincent Nnatuanya CSSp is assistant priest. Both belong to the Spiritans (Congregation of the Holy Spirit). They are at present in New Southgate and Enfield, respectively. They will reside at what is the ‘old presbytery’. There are now 6 parishes in the Westminster diocese under the care of the Spiritans and 8 parishes in the Diocese of Southwark.

The Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity Community will move into No:10 Vincent Road. This means that their Spirituality Centre will close but all other ministries will continue. Sr. Anabel will continue as Catechetic director and university Chaplain and Sr. Ann Marie will be involved in parish support. Both will continue with spiritual direction and other ministries.

I will be residing in Uxbridge in a home left to the diocese by Fr. George Dangerfield for retired clergy. I am very lucky and delighted with how the Diocese has been such a support to me. You may even wish to visit me there!

Fr. Marcel Kofon and Fr. Louis Pereira are going to join us in July and will look after the parish while I make a visit to Ireland.

Hopefully, … keeps up to date with developments.

Have a good week, God Bless

Fr Joe