23rd January, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Friends,
Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth in today’s reading from St. Luke, this is where he was reared, and no doubt played with the local children and worshipped with Mary and Joseph in the synagogue on the Sabbath “as he usually did”. Jesus is now an adult of about thirty years which given the average life span at that time would be beyond his middle years. By this time, he had been fasting in the desert, tempted by Satan, and baptised by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. They hand him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah and there he reads the passage: “The Spirit of the Lord had been given to me for he has anointed me.” For what purpose? “To bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight…to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour”.
This was a comprehensive task indeed. It leaves a lot to the imagination and yet it is hard to see how we can find a loophole because it addresses all the needs people have. The Spirit does not do parts of the needs that exist in ourselves or others, all things are covered. Can we say that of our own lives and approach to life?
GOOD NEWS indeed: Our small groups began this week; and I am delighted to relate to you, people embraced the challenge and look forward to further meetings. To share our faith and values is a great blessing, to hear at first hand that others have issues with the church is a statement of fact and a consolation and affirmation that we are seeking to do our best. You may still join a group if you wish. Sign up – do not feel excluded.
Synod
Parish Small Groups
Sign up this weekend and we shall get started.
The text of today’s readings can lift us up and reflect on our lives. 1Corinthians 12:12-30 and Luke 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21.
Each group will have its own dynamic.
Start small and grow. Spread the good news.
Groups continue this week.
1pm Tuesday 25th January in the parish room. Leader: Monica Lyons
7:30pm Wednesday 26th January on Zoom. Leader: Jan Paciorek
1pm Wednesday 26th January in the parish room. Leader: Alan Jenkins
You are always welcome to join. Please put your name in the basket in the church porch.
We can grow from this if you wish.
Thank you to you all for your kind birthday wishes.
Finally: A traffic cop hands a speeding ticket to the motorist and tells him, “Keep it safe.” Why should I?”, enquired the motorist? “Well, after 3 more you will be riding a bicycle”, was the reply.
God Bless You All,
Fr John
Mass Intentions
Sat 22nd Jan 6.00pm Zenobia Kaczorowska (Good Health) (Yola and Teresa)
Sun 23rd Jan 8.30am Gabriel Oh RIP (Anniv.) (Oh Family)
10.30am John McDonagh RIP (Brenda and Brian Smith)
5.30pm Elizabeth O. Ugowe RIP (Linda)
Mon 24th Jan 7.30pm Bernadette Menezes RIP (Jolene Carvalho)
Tue 25th Jan 10.00am Liturgy of the Word & Eucharist
Wed 26th Jan 10.00am Megan Horn RIP (Maricar)
1.15pm Funeral: Irene Mary Woodger RIP
Thu 27th Jan 10.00am Clarence & Eve Vallint RIP
Fri 28th Jan 10.00am John O’Dea RIP (Fiona Molloy)
Marie Gibbons RIP (Anniv) (Linda Gibbons-Ruane)
Sat 29th Jan 6.00pm Edward Plocharz RIP (Yola)
Sun 30th Jan 8.30am Raphael & Elizabeth’s Union
10.30am Bernard Forward RIP (Connelly)
5.30pm Thomas Stokes RIP (5th Anniv)
More Volunteer Stewards Needed for Weekend Masses
We need more volunteers to act as stewards during Mass at the weekends.
Volunteering as a steward would involve:
- Greeting people when they arrive.
- Directing people when to move forward for Communion.
- Cleaning the main part of the church afterwards on a rota basis.
If you are able to help, then please email Helen at frimley@abdiocese.org.uk
Your kind help would be greatly appreciated.
Evening Prayer for Divorced, Remarried and Separated
2.45pm on Sunday 6th February at St John the Evangelist Church, Horsham
All those in our Parish communities who may be separated, divorced, or who have married again, are invited to come together to meet Bishop Richard for conversation. We will conclude with evening prayer followed by tea and cake. If you are interested, please do go to the Diocesan website www.abdiocese.org.uk and search events where you will find the spot to sign up.
Collections for Weekend 15th/16th January
Offertory Collection £256.08
Gift Aid Collection £57.00
Standing Orders (Weekly Average) £1192.00
Total £1505.08
Please pray for all those who have died recently:
Irene Woodger, Josephine Azzopardi, Bernard Forward, Elsie Wong Chau Lin.
May they rest in peace.
Please pray for all those who are sick at this time:
Marie Bellizzi, Maureen Bowers, Pauline Brookman, Veronica Brown, Joe Buttaci, Bill Cable,
Anthony Cheah, Lally Clarke, Eileen Cookson, Pat Farrell, Hermanthe Fernando, Leo Gibson, Mary Higton, Irene Hole, Gill Kirwin, Georgia Mackinlay, Luz Martin, Miriam McDonnell, Helen McLachlan, Eric Miller, Maura Morris, Andrei Penkov, Wilson Rabanos, Aurora Ramirez, Claire Rayner, Donal Reidy, Milo Reiske, Moira Seed, Sherry Small, Ralph and Pauline Smith, Godelieve Vandersloten, Patricia Van Kuyk, Alfonsa Varghese, Mark Wardell, Deborah Wright and all those named on the noticeboard in Our Lady’s Shrine.
May they find consolation in their suffering.
Alton Day of Renewal Prayer Requests
We will pray for anyone feeling isolated, anxious, depressed, or physically ill. We will help you draw close to the love of Jesus, who said “come to me all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest”. On weekdays 10.00am-4.00pm tel 07579 824523. Full details at www.altonrenewal.com/prayer_request
Last Sunday's Mass
Contact Information
Call 01276 504876, or email frimley@abdiocese.org.uk
The Church is located at 111 Portsmouth Road, Frimley, GU16 7AA. It is on the opposite side of the A325 Portsmouth Road to Frimley Park Hospital. When facing Frimley Park Hospital, the Church is behind you to the left.
Daily Liturgy
