Perceiving Human Dignity by Sandra Feldman
Do good,
Don’t harm others.
Love, Nature
And protect it.
Respect all life
Without exception.
True human perception,
Coming to us,
Charitably, naturally.
Helping those in need
Not using others
To promote our greed,
Perceive the Beauty
Of our Planet blue,
And please, respect it
Lovingly, too.
Do not try to control
The innocent,
With lie after lie
And above all,
Spread love and kindness,
Do not make others cry.
The Wedding at Cana
The mother of God spoke to her son as the laughter and singing began to die
(Though the feast had hardly just begun) and the guests began to sigh.
“These people are waiting for something more” She whispered to him.
“These people pine to drink as they’ve never drunk before—
They have no wine.”
“Oh woman”, the Son of Man replied, “What is that to me? It is not my hour.”
But his mother still stood there by his side and spoke a little lower.
“The singing and dancing have almost ceased and the bride is shame-faced.
Oh, son of mine, the guests have come to the wedding feast
And have no wine.”
And, looking down on his princely face, she remembered what Simeon prophesied
As he held the child in the holy place: A sword shall pierce your side.
“Oh blood of my blood” the Virgin said, “The drink they thirst for is yours and mine.
They came to see a bridegroom wed
And they have no wine.”
Can I join our Capuchin Brothers in thanking everyone for the kindness and generosity at Christmas. I am very grateful to you all. Our services at Christmas were well attended, especially our Vigil Masses, which seem increasingly the preferred choice of many.
A new year is upon us now. New challenges. Exciting challenges, too! A new generation of younger parishioners are now stepping up to ensure the marvellous commitments of their elders is continued, and built on. Let’s support each for a Peaceful and Healthy New Year.
“And so it seems certain to me that the Church is facing very hard times. The real crisis has scarcely begun. We will have to count on terrific upheavals. But I am equally certain about what will remain at the end: not the Church of the political cult, which is dead already, but the Church of faith. It may well no longer be the dominant social power to the extent that she was until recently; but it will enjoy a fresh blossoming and be seen as man's home, where he will find life and hope beyond death.”
Pope Benedict XV1
Bishop Stephen has restructured the Diocesan Vicariates into larger Deaneries, with Deans taking a more responsible role. Fr Andrew Downie will now be the area Dean with responsibility for what was the old vicariate. Our prayers and best wishes are with Fr Andy, and the rest of the Diocesan Deans. Also, rather than one Vicar General, Bishop Stephen has appointed two. Fr Mark Milward is now VG for the southern part of the Diocese, and Fr Jeff Dodds for the northern part. Again, prayers and best wishes to both.
