FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY

Dear Parishioners,

The Gospel today tells of the farmer going out to sow a crop. The parable is about the work that we are invited to carry out as followers of Jesus. All Jesus is asking of us is that we be RECEPTIVE to the seed of God’s word. He speaks about how we can produce the fruits of our labours, sometimes a hundredfold, sometimes sixty or even thirty. He is not over-anxious about results, he is more concerned about efforts and receptivity.

Jesus is very aware that sometimes we get very good results and other times less so. This is the story of our lives. We can’t stay in the ‘fast lane’ all the time. Jesus is always very patient with us and understands when we are struggling in life. Sometimes we really respond to the Word of the God, there are other times we are not ready and so less receptive.

You and I are the sower of today’s parable. We are all given special gifts. We carry the seeds of new life and new beginnings. Our families, our parish community need sowers; just as the seeds needs nourishment and water to grow, so too, we need to care for and protect and nourish each other.

FAREWELL: This is the weekend I say goodbye. Again, I thank you for all your support over the past 20 years as your parish priest. You have always been so supportive and generous in so many ways. I’ve always appreciated this. Just like today’s parable, there will be new beginnings; new possibilities and challenges. To repeat what I said last weekend: the greatest tribute you can pay to me is to support my successors, Fr. Jerome and Fr. Vincent; the Verbum Dei Community – Sr. Anabel and Sr Anne Marie; and all who have roles of responsibility in our parish.

People have been asking if I will re-visit you? Yes, I would wish to be able to make the occasional visit as and when invited. But I’m sure you will keep in mind, that I can’t respond to all invitations. Without prejudice, or favouritism, I will try to respond accordingly. There are many clergy who never return in case of offending some to whom they can’t respond. You know my intentions now.

My new address is: 2 New Peachey Lane, Cowley, Uxbridge UB8 3SU

FR. LOUIS PEREIRA: We welcome Fr Louis back again. I’ve asked him to do an outline of his ministry in Bangladesh. It is challenging working in a Muslim country as a Christian but most rewarding. (See Fr. Louis’ report today). If you can support his ministry in any way, he would be most grateful.

FR MARCEL KOFON: We welcome Fr Marcel once again. He is studying hard in Rome and will be with us through to the end of August, when the new priests arrive. We are most thankful to him for being here with us.

So, the close of a chapter as a new chapter begins.

God bless,

Fr Joe