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DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY/SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
SUNDAY 27TH APRIL 2025
Archbishop John’s message to the Archdiocese on Pope Francis
Dear friends, the outpouring of sorrow at the death of Pope Francis, not just within our Church, but across the world, demonstrates the impact the Holy Father had. The reason for Pope Francis's profound impact is simple to explain, but it is one which can be challenging to emulate. The Holy Father was one of the world's great witnesses to the Gospel and to the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. In a troubled world, which can sometimes appear to be so at odds with the values of our faith, it can feel difficult or even scary to be a witness to the Gospel.
But in Pope Francis we saw not only how it can be done, but also the difference it will make. Not only to our lives, but to the lives of all those we encounter too. To my brother priests, his legacy of love for Christ and His people should be one we seek to emulate every day in our ministry.
Last year, in a message to priests, Pope Francis called on us to become the “Veronica of every face, of every tear”. But how do we do this? By being a “true icon of Jesus”, he said.
The Holy Father said this constantly means seeing every man, woman and child “as a member of the Mystical Body of Christ”. It is by putting the love of the Lord Jesus for us all at the centre of our ministry, that we can be the true icons of Jesus we are called to be.
So unite yourself to the Lord in prayer. With every person you encounter, especially those who are suffering or on the margins: love them as Jesus loves them. Be Veronica and wipe away their tears and pain. Guide them to the Lord Jesus. Pray for them and be a true icon of Jesus, A true witness to the Gospel in this troubled world. To my baptised brothers and sisters, you too are called to emulate Pope Francis and be a witness to the truth of the Gospel and the promises of Christ our Lord. The Holy Father provided us with valuable insight into how we are called to live our lives as followers of the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus, Pope Francis said, always sided with the least, teaching his disciples to do the same. This is how we need to be in our lives, in our parishes, in our families, and in our work. Always siding with those on the margins as the Lord Jesus called us to. The Lord Jesus, the Holy Father made clear, never hesitated to speak the truth. Pope Francis said, Christ did this even at the cost of “not being understood” and “of becoming unpopular”, even to the “point of dying on the Cross”. In our lives, we are called to carry the cross of our Lord, and never be afraid to speak the truth of his Gospel. Never with force or anger, but with the love and mercy of the Lord Jesus. As Pope Francis often did, he also used the Blessed Virgin Mary to help us understand how we are called by the Lord. The Blessed Mother, Pope Francis said, is the Mother who takes us by the hand to Jesus. This is why we are called to turn to our Lady ourselves entrusting ourselves to her and imitating her yes to the Lord.
Mary's yes, Pope Francis said, represents the “pinnacle of every religious attitude before God”. Let us say yes to the Lord. Say yes to his call to love our brothers and sisters. Say yes to the Lord's call to be witnesses to the Gospel. So my call to all Catholics in our Archdiocese, to my brother priests, deacons, religious and consecrated persons is this:
Let Pope Francis's legacy be a legacy of love. A love for all we encounter. Show people the love and mercy of Christ. Welcome them into our parishes. In everything you do, be a witness to the Gospel, a witness to the love and mercy of Christ, and never be afraid to speak the truth of the Lord Jesus and his saving Gospel with compassion. Please continue to pray for Pope Francis and may God bless you and keep you. Amen.
Prayer for Francis.
O God, faithful rewarder of souls,
grant that your departed servant Pope Francis,
whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church,
may happily enjoy for ever in your presence in heaven
the mysteries of your grace and compassion,
which he faithfully ministered on earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
PARISH NOTICES
POPE FRANCIS RIP.
In his message to the Archdiocese, following the death of Pope Francis, Archbishop John Wilson called on us to imitate the Holy Father and be witnesses to the Gospel. The Archbishop said “let Pope Francis's legacy be a legacy of love” and called on us to be like the Holy Father by being “a witness to the Gospel, a witness to the love and mercy of Christ, and never be afraid to speak the truth of the Lord Jesus and his saving Gospel”. The parish website includes prayers, statements and information relating to the death of Pope Francis.
LEGION OF MARY.
Now every Monday at 6pm in the church. New members welcome.
LUNCH CLUB.
Meeting on 1st May at 12.30pm in the hall.
MONTHLY COFFEE MORNINGS in the porch after each Mass on Sunday starting the 4th May. Speak to Dorothy Nikkoi if you are able to help.
FINANCE SUNDAY.
Next Sunday will be our annual finance Sunday at all Sunday Masses.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP.
Meeting every Thursday in the church at 7pm. All are welcome.
UCM ENROLMENT MASS.
Enrolment Mass followed by buffet lunch for invited guests, members & close family of members will be taking place on the 11th May at 11am.
Thank you to everyone who will be attending the Mass and joining the UCM.
DEATHS.
Please pray for the souls of:
Tom McCormack
Elizabeth Woodward
Rita Fernandes
Norma Marshall whose funeral will be on the 14th May
Ignatius Pereira whose funeral will be on the 2nd May at 11.30am.
May they rest in peace.
JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE
UPCOMING EVENTS
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK