THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (C)
23rd June 2019
Dear Parishioner,
The last two precious gifts given to us by Jesus are the Holy Eucharist as our spiritual food on Holy Thursday and
Jesus' mother Mary as our spiritual Mother on Good Friday. Corpus Christi is the celebration of the
abiding presence of a loving God as Emmanuel - God-with-us - in order to give collective thanks to our Lord
for his living with us in the Eucharist.
We believe in the "Real Presence" of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist because 1) Jesus promised it after
miraculously feeding the 5000. 2) Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist during his Last Supper. 3) Jesus commanded his
disciples to repeat it in his memory. 4) "Nothing is impossible for God."
We explain the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist by: the term "transubstantiation" which means
that the substance of the consecrated bread and wine is changed to the substance of the risen
Jesus' glorified Body and Blood by the action of the Holy Spirit, while its accidents (like colour, shape,
taste etc.), remain the same.
Today's Gospel describes Jesus' miraculous feeding of five thousand people by multiplying five loaves of bread
and two fish. Theologically, this feeding is a prefiguring of Jesus' gift of the Eucharistic bread that would
spiritually nourish those who believe in him.
Let us therefore appreciate the "Real Presence" of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, by receiving Him with true
repentance for our sins, due preparation and reverence and spending time adoring him in the Blessed Sacrament.
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
-
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2019/2020
As you can appreciate forward planning is essential for the First Holy Communion Programme. I enclose herewith our
annual guidelines for this Sacramental Programme commencing in the autumn.
- That your child is eligible (8 years of age by 31st August 2020)
- That you are a practising Catholic and have been attending the Springfield Parish for at least the past year.
- If you have been attending another parish, that you obtain a letter of reference from the Parish Priest.
- This is a serious commitment by parents and children.
- If these guidelines have been observed please pick up an enrolment form from Cath Lyons and return forms to Fr.
Sabu by the 20th July 2019.
-
THANKS FROM DEACON KEVIN A special thanks to the parishioners who attended my celebration of thirty
years ordination last Saturday. It was wonderful to see you and to receive your kind gift. For me it has been a
pleasure to be able to serve the community. Please pray for me as I pray for you that we work together for the glory
of God. Deacon Kevin.
-
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES IN NEED Next weekend the SVP will be making a fundraising appeal for
summer activities for families in need. You are always extremely generous. You can gift aid donations and we will
have spare envelopes at the back of the church. Thank you in anticipation of your very much appreciated donations.
-
SUMMERTIME PEACE AND TRANQUILLITY FOR ADULTS at Abbotswick enjoy a long weekend in the beautiful
setting of Walsingham House at Abbotswick, on either 9th-12th or 23rd-26th August. Fully catered, with daily Mass,
Adoration, Morning and Evening prayer, as well as 14 acres of grounds in which to stroll, read, pray and reflect. For
more details
click here to Email, call 01277 373959 or look at https://bcys.net/events/quiet-residential-retreats-adults-august-2019/
-
THE PASSAGE ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY in the beautiful and historic College Garden, Westminster Abbey on
Friday 19 July, from 6pm to 8pm. Tickets at £45 each, include wine, soft drinks, buffet supper and live music.
Please support the excellent work which The Passage does for homeless people in Central London, by attending. Tickets
are available online through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-passage-garden-party-2019-tickets-59008227196. It will not be
possible to purchase tickets at the Abbey. All proceeds in aid of The Passage.
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died
Years Mind:
Sunday: Fr Edward Thomas
Wednesday: Canon James Dacey
Saturday: Fr James Hawes
Next Sunday: SS PETER & PAUL
First Reading: Acts 12:1-11
Now I know the Lord really did save me from Herod.
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18
All there is to come is the crown of righteousness reserved for me.
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19
You are Peter and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.