To the Parish of Our Lady and St Patrick's
with St Mary & St John Southworth (Samlesbury)
in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford, England
Serving Walton-le-Dale,
near Preston, since 1855
ALL SAINTS
“A huge number, impossible to count” – that is the picture this Solemnity creates. In every age there have been men and women who have followed the Lord faithfully, and who now rejoice in the Liturgy of Heaven, as they stand before the throne of the Lamb. These are the “anonymous” saints, whose names we don’t remember ‑ but even though their names are not on our lips, their memory, inspiration, example and prayers are set before us today, so that we too can be encouraged in our own “journey of perfection”. What does it take to be a saint? Surely the Gospel that is appointed for today (the Beatitudes) shows us that it is in the small things that we triumph: gentleness, mercy, making peace, faithful mourning, purity of heart, poverty in spirit ‑ these are not grand, public ways to sanctity. They are domestic, and homely, to be practised and perfected with those closest to us. We sometimes exalt the ”named” saints to the degree that we can feel they are distant from us. Today’s feast, as well as celebrating the memory of the many whose name we do not know, also prompts us to see holiness as within our grasp.
ALL SOULS
Yesterday our Second Reading ended by saying “...everyone who entertains this hope must purify himself.” Today we remember the faithful departed, still on the path of purification, as they approach the glory we glimpsed yesterday. Today’s mood is not necessarily only one of mourning, though that will certainly be present. The readings that are suggested in the Lectionary speak of hope and expectation ‑ looking forward to a day when the long journey of separation and grief will be over. The tone is all about what will be, and we can talk like this with confidence, because “our hope is not deceptive”. The tone of hope and confidence, even in the face of death, is emphasised by the suggested Gospel: if all we wanted to do was to mourn and grieve, then we would stop the story of Jesus’ death after the words of the centurion. But to do that would be to deny the very central fact of our faith: the Gospel must continue to end with the words of the angel: “He has risen.” And our faith (and hope) tells us: as he has risen, so shall we.
31st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)
An awkward set of readings to sit through as a priest today! The more responsibility we have for the flock of God, the more is demanded of us. But for all God’s people, there is the need for constant vigilance, to be on guard against hypocrisy and complacency, the two greatest threats to our living God’s way and not our own, self-serving way. This is a prelude to the end: for the next three weeks we will think about the end of the world and the judgement that awaits. This Sunday’s readings should begin to encourage us not to fear and dread that day, but to look forward to it, by putting our lives in order and living as the Lord showed us.
ST PATRICK’S PARISH LOTTERY OCTOBER RESULTS
1st £50 Tom Holsworth (56)2nd £30 Paul Brown (81)3rd £20 Clive Loffler-Thompson (143)4th £15 Steve & Margaret Williams (02)
THE PERU MISSION
See the most recent "CAST YOUR NETS" (John 21:6) Newsletter here
ST PATRICK’S PARISH LOTTERY OCTOBER RESULTS
THE PERU MISSION
See the most recent "CAST YOUR NETS" (John 21:6) Newsletter here
THE BEST WAY TO FAST
Fast from anger/irritability and be gentle and patient.
Fast from pessimism/negativity and be hopeful.
Fast from worrying and trust in God.
Fast from complaining and live a calm simple life.
Fast from pressure and be prayerful.
Fast from sadness/bitterness and have a happy heart.
Fast from selfishness and be understanding.
Fast from non-forgiveness and seek reconciliation.
Fast from talking and be silent and listen.
Every effort is made to provide a safe and comfortable environment at Our Lady & St Patrick's church, please, do all you can personally to keep yourself and those around you safe.
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- Higher Walton Road
- Walton-le-Dale
- Preston
- Lancs
- PR5 4HD
01772 253709
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