THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY OF YEAR A
11th/12th November 2017


Dear Parishioner,

Today's Gospel reading from Matthew 25:1-13 is a story which urges us to stay awake because we do not know the day nor the hour of the Lord's coming. Every Christian is meant to be a lamp-carrier - a bearer of the light of Christ to a darkened world. But like the foolish bridesmaids in today's Gospel, we sometimes allow the precious light of Christ to grow dim, or even to go out altogether.

The foolish have no oil in their lamps. They burn themselves out through a life of self-seeking and dedication to worldly cares and vanities. They do not even think of the Lord, much less wait for his coming. The wise, on the other hand, have oil in their lamps. They are detached from themselves and from the cares of the world, and are full of charity. They are waiting for the Lord and desire nothing else but his coming. Let us keep our minds alight with faith, our souls alight with hope, and our hearts alight with love, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Today is Remembrance Sunday when we remember in our prayers those who made and continue to make heroic efforts, achievements and sacrifices in wars past and present.

Please pray for Fr. Sabu, Fr Varghese (Fr P. G.) and myself.

Your servant in Christ,

Kevin
Parish Deacon.


Prayer for Priests

Please say a prayer for all priests daily. For our parish priests and assistants, the priests who hear our confessions and the priest who give us Holy Communion.

"Send 0 Lord, Holy Apostles into your Church"

A Daily Prayer for November

'May He support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy may He gives us a safe lodging, and a holy rest and peace at the last.'

TEACHING ON THE SACRAMENT OF THE SICK The anointing of the Sick is one of the seven Catholic sacraments. According to Catholic doctrine, this sacrament serves as a channel for special graces from God that comfort and heal, physically and spiritually, people who are seriously ill and danger of death. In the essential rite of the sacrament a priest lays his hands on the sick person's head. Then he anoints the sick person on the forehead and palms of the hands with the oil of the sick, a holy oil that been blessed by the Bishop at the Chrism Mass. During the anointing the priest says the words 'Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.'


Notices:

Please remember to pray for:

The sick and housebound

Those who have recently died

Years Mind:
Tuesday: Terry Proudfoot, Fr Terence Howes
Wednesday: Fr James Allis
Friday: Frank and Louise Stratham, Fr (Dick) Richard Ashton
Sunday: Fr John Harden


Next Sunday - THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF YEAR A

First Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31
A perfect wife - who can find her?

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Let not the Day of the Lord overtake you like a thief.

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30
You have been faithful in small things; come and join in your master's happiness.