3rd Sunday of Lent 2011

There are plans for a new scripture study group at Sacred Heart. The idea is that a group will meet to discuss the Sunday Gospel readings, ahead of the service. The first get-together is on Friday April 1st at 1.30pm in the church hall.

Father Ted sings the Exultet

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Several of our parishioners are involved in charity fundraising activites. Paul Hulme is taking part in the Great Swim Series, starting on July 3 in the Victoria Docks, London. He is seeking sponsorship in aid of Zoe's Place Baby Hospice due to open in Coventry.
Greg Floyd is doing a sponsored cycle ride in aid of Cancer charities. Hugh Potter and Maciek Hulme are raising funds for the World Challenge. Please support all these good causes.
Diary dates - Youth Worship service on Sunday May 23rd at 6pm in the hall. All ages welcome.
Parish Musical Evening - Saturday May 22nd at 7.30pm in the church, featuring Rugby Male Voice Choir, The Withered Arm and the Youth Worship Band. Tickets £5, now on sale.

First Communion

Six young parishioners made their First Communion today at Sacred Heart. In addition, Ruby Lewis was baptised into the Christian Catholic faith. Congratulations to them all.

Second Sunday of Advent

The second candle was lit on the Advent crown as we reflected on the role of John the Baptist in the Christmas story. We sang a new chant, Come to Us, O Emmanuel written by Marty Haugen.
This afternoon, senior parishioners have their Christmas Party. There will be a tradecraft stall after both masses next wekend.
Don't forget the family Christingle Service on Sunday December 20th at 4pm followed by mince pies. Next Sunday, Rose Anderson will be showing us all how to make Christmas Cribs after mass. Don't miss it!
We were sad to hear of the death of Myra McNulty, wife of Mike McNulty. Please pray for her and all wh mourn her. May she rest in peace.

Christmas Liturgy at Sacred Heart

Here is the Christmas Liturgy to be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, Bilton, Rugby.


Christmas Eve, December 24th, (Carol Service from 8.30pm, Mass at 9pm)
O come O come Emmanuel
The Angel Gabriel

Flame of Hope (music group)
Like a Candle Flame
The Nativity Carol (music group)
Every star shall sing a carol
A Child is Born in Bethlehem (music group)
O Little Town of Bethlehem
On Christmas Night All Christians Sing

The First Mass of Christmas
O Come All Ye Faithful!
Penitential rite: Taize
Gloria: Sacred Heart
Psalm: Today a Saviour is born to us
Gospel: Celtic (Walker)
Preparation of the Gifts: In the bleak midwinter
Sanctus: Inwood
Memorial acclamation: Traditional
Doxology and Great Amen: Lourdes
Lamb of God: Inwood
Communion: Gift of God...
Silent Night
Once in Royal David's City
Going forth: Hark the Herald Angels Sing  

Christmas Day, December 25th, (Carol Service from 9.15am, Mass at 9.30am)
Earth lies spellbound
Do you hear what I hear?
Calypso Carol
O come all ye faithful
Ding Dong Merrily

Christmas Day Mass
Come and join the celebration
Penitential rite: Benedict
Gloria: Benedict
Psalm: Today a Saviour is born to us
Gospel: Celtic (Walker)
Preparation of the Gifts: Away in a manger
Sanctus: Burntwood (CJM)
Memorial acclamation: Burntwood (CJM)
Doxology and Great Amen: Lourdes
Lamb of God: Inwood
Communion:
Gift of God
Silent Night
Once in Royal David's City
Going forth: Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Feast of the Holy Family (Sunday December 27th 2009)
Gathering: Ding Dong Merrily
Penitential Rite: Burntwood
Gloria: Milton
Psalm: O blessed are those who fear the Lord
Gospel Acclamation: Taize
Gifts: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Holy holy: Burntwood
Acclamation: Traditional
Lamb of God: Burntwood
Communion: In the Lord I'll be ever thankful
Away in a manger
Going forth: See amid the winter's snow

Feast of the Epiphany (Sunday January 3rd 2008)
Gathering: The First Nowell
Penitential Rite: Rugby
Gloria: Bilton
Psalm: All nations shall fall prostrate before you
Gospel Acclamation: Taize
Gifts: The Coventry Carol
Holy holy: Ballantyne and Kelly
Acclamation: Traditional
Lamb of God: Farrell
Communion: As with gladness men of old
God rest ye merry
Going forth: We Three Kings

33rd Sunday of Year B

The sun shone after yesterday's torrential rain and high winds. It was Prisoners' Sunday and Deacon John preached about his career in the police service.
A number of big events are in the offing. Next Sunday, we celebrate 50 years of parish life with a special mass at 11am followed by a share lunch. Former parish priest Father Paul Chamberlain will be returning for the service.
The UCM Mince Pie evening is always well supported and that will be on Wednesday November 25th from 7.30pm. Tickets are now available.
The Parish Concert, last Saturday, raised about £150 for the parish toilets fund. Well done to everyone involved. You can see pictures from the night by looking at the parish website front page. The picture above is also from the concert.
A new acting headteacher, Phyllis Collins, has been appointed for St Marie's Junior School. She takes up her position in January and takes over from Stuart Hallahan who has been acting headteacher since September.

Feast of All Saints, Year B

The weather was not good - howling winds and pouring rain greeted parishioners this morning. However, our spirits were high as we sang 'the Kingdom of Heaven' and 'Saints of God in Glory'. We also had a new penitential rite to enjoy today.
Father Ted was today's preacher, talking about the real meaning of holiness and looking back to his days in the novitiate.
The parish concert takes place next Saturday and about 80 tickets have been sold so far. Orders are also being taken for the parish Christmas cards, and people are being invited to put their names down for the parish senior citizens' Christmas party. The picture is Father Ted at last year's parish concert.

30th Sunday of Year B

There was a slightly lower attendance this week - a little strange because we had put the clocks back last night giving every an extra hour! There were prayers for Shiobhan Day who sadly died during the week. Please pray for her mother Maureen and all who mourn her. Also, congratulations to Pat McGreevy, one of the founding members of our parish, who will be 90 years old this week.
Wednesday is a special day for the UCM who will be celebrating their 30th anniversary with a Mass and shared table from 7pm. Bruce Kent will be visiting the parish on Thursday to give a talk in our Living Faith series. Tickets are still available from 810886.
Tickets are selling well for the parish concert on November 7th. About 60 tickets have been sold so far, with more on sale after both masses next weekend.
The icon of peace will remain in the church for a few more days. Please try and get to see it.

Icon of Peace visits Sacred Heart

Here are some images from the Pax Christi Icon of Peace which is currently visiting Sacred Heart Church. The icon was created at the Monastery of St John in the Desert near Jerusalem and was given to Pax Christi in 1999. Prayer cards and information are available from the church. The icon is very impressive (much better than these pictures suggest!).

The Gospel of St Luke

Here is the text of Brian Davies' lecture (pictured) on St Luke, giving to the Living Faith evening at Sacred Heart Church hall in October.

Luke’s Good News of Reconciliation

A. Background on Luke

• His Gospel was probably written just before 70 AD at Antioch (some 40 years after the resurrection of Jesus). Then a second book (Acts). [According to some scholars Acts came first]. Some argue for an earlier date; others put it even as late as 80 AD.

• He draws on Matthew(Aramaic), Sayings, but especially Mark.

Meanwhile Matthew(Greek) wrote his Gospel at same time in Palestine.

• Luke was a cultured Greek-speaking Gentile (the only NT non-Jew). He tells his story in a world context (rather than Jewish). He is a great & stylish story- writer.

• Other NT writers had some contact with Jesus first and then saw the Church emerge. Luke comes to know Jesus through his experience of Church (Acts); he discovers Jesus (just as we do). In this sense Luke is closer to us than the other NT writers.

• Luke was a travelling physician (who accompanied Paul), was aware of the world and diagnosed it as seriously sick. Healing is by stimulating something within (to a large extent the body heals itself). Jesus is seen as someone who affirms goodness where-ever he finds it.

• Luke is amazed by communities he meets living an alternative lifestyle: he discovers the ‘Spirit of Jesus’ (Acts 16:7) – as we do – in ordinary people, living in communities formed around the memory of Jesus. Individuals experience the Spirit of Jesus in their lives, empowering them to overcome evil. Hence the joy.

• But he is also aware of failure. Out of 32 sinful situations in the Gospels & Acts he has 27 – but the emphasis is on the goodness in people and reconciliation possible for everyone.

• The Gospel has been variously described as ‘the Gospel of the Poor’, ‘the Gospel of Universal Salvation’, ‘the Gospel of Women’, ‘the Gospel of the Spirit’. Luke describes many meals and there is joy everywhere (50 times). While Luke’s Gospel mentions kingdom 38 times and church not at all, Acts has church 19 times but not kingdom.

• Luke's Gospel gives a good idea of his character as one who loved the poor, who wanted the door to God's kingdom opened to all, who respected women, and who saw hope in God's mercy for everyone.

• The two books of Luke have ‘journey’ as a central theme: Jesus’ journey up to Jerusalem (Gospel); the journey of the Church from Jerusalem to ‘the ends of the earth’ (Acts). Acts ends with the Gospel being proclaimed in Rome, the end of the known world.

B. Peace & Reconciliation

Luke 1&2. The Infancy Narrative is not primarily stories to entertain children, but a prologue (using midrash) with deep theological meaning to all that follows. God visits his people, which is good news to the poor and brings joy to the world. It ends with the ascent to Jerusalem where the Christ must suffer to enter his glory with the Father.

Luke 3. The Baptism of Jesus is quite unlike the other accounts. The ‘Spirit ‘ comes to Jesus, not while being baptised, but afterwards while privately at prayer. Luke indicates how everyone can discern that Spirit. [cf. JPII: Dominum et Vivificantem].

Luke remains faithful to his ‘pagan’ roots: he traces Jesus’ ancestry back, not just to David and Abraham, but to ‘Adam, son of God’. The Gospel outreach is universal.

Luke 4. Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue of Nazareth, his hometown. They knew “the lord’s Year of Favour” meant Jubilee (Leviticus 25). Jesus makes clear: the message of liberation (for the poor, the blind, the oppressed...) was being fulfilled there and then ie he proclaimed ‘Jubilee’. According to Luke, he won the approval of all – even though it refers to his being anointed (ie Christ) & the spirit being given to him. Yet the same congregation a few verses later wanted to put Jesus to death. So what had happened? Jesus had referred to God’s favour outside of Israel. Jubilee is for everyone, not just for them but for all humankind; and for all time. They just couldn’t accept this message of universal peace &reconciliation.

Ultimately the issue is about how far God’s Spirit is accessible to everyone. Jesus’ final conflict is with the priestly caste and he dies for this.

This passage (4:16-21) amounts to a programme, like a political manifesto.

Luke addresses both rich and poor

(a) Good News for the poor; grim news for the rich

• He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.

The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away. (1:52-53)

• How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God (6:20)

But alas for you who are rich; you are having your consolation now. (6:24)

• For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,

And the man who humbles himself will be exalted. (14:11 & 18:14; cf. 13:30)

• Dives and Lazarus (16:19-31)

(b) Jesus doesn’t condemn riches as such (7:36, 11:37, 14:1&7). He tells us what to do with riches (8 times). The rich are condemned for greed and unwillingness to share.

He accepts help from the rich 8:3, 5:10, 23:50-53

But money can be a hindrance: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. (18:25)

(c) Luke mentions the abuse of ownership by the powerful 18 times.

The poor or miserable (πτοκοι) are mentioned15 times. In Acts these are called needy (ενδηας) and the community responds to their need.

(d) Luke’s solution is for the rich to befriend the poor and eat together (great equaliser).

Jesus is shown at meals with the rich (5:29-32, 7:36-50, 14:1-24, 19:5-10).

He also hosts meals (9:10-17, 22:14-20, 24:13-35, 24:36-42).

Luke 15. The Prodigal Son – maybe should be called The Prodigal Father

This is the wonderful story of a father’s unconditional love. We might have expected it of a mother but even more powerful of a father. And the attitude of the other son makes it even more of a human story. The son’s motives are mixed but the father forgives before he hears a word. It is all about love, reconciliation and joy.

Luke 19. Zacchaeus – the humorous story of Z’s conversion – written off by others (and maybe by himself). He is amazed that Jesus wants to be his guest. Jesus flushes out the goodness left in him, saying: he too is a son of Abraham, causing Z to go over the top in his conversion and consequent promises.

Luke 23. Jesus dies, though he had done no wrong, quite simply because he was a good man (cf. the witness of the good thief and the centurion). He dies to bring about the dream of bringing all nations together; through him we are reconciled with the Father. [Luke formulates a quite different redemptive theology to that of Mark, Matthew and John].

26th Sunday of Year B

The sun was shining for the beginning of the autumn season and there was a good attendance at Sunday mass. Father Ted was today's preacher and he discussed the role of bankers in the recent recession.
This week, the Living Faith talks will begin on Thursday night. Unfortunately the scheduled speaker Ken Collins is ill, so Brian Davies will be filling in with a talk on the same theme. Tickets are still available.
Tickets will also soon be available for the parish concert which is on Saturday November 7th.
Friday is family fast day so please make a donation to Cafod with the envelope provided.
Last week's collection gathered £418 for the parish, £36 for Cafod, and £94 for Case.
The picture is from last year's parish concert.

25th Sunday of Year B

For some strange reason, our numbers were a little depleted this week, especially in the music group which was down to about five people from the usual dozen or so. We still enjoyed a good and prayerful celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.

Today we listened to a pastoral letter from Bishop Kenny about the importance of Father Hudson's society which will be having a collection next week.

It is not long until the start of the Living Faith talks and places are still available. Bruce Kent is one of the speakers. Contact Brian Davies for more details.

Also, the parish concert will be taking place in the church hall on Saturday November 7th. It may be near bonfire night, so let's hope it goes with a bang! If you can contribute an act, the organisers would like to hear from you. Please see John Howes or Greg Floyd.

The UCM tea and cake evening raised £280 for the parish toilets refurbishment. Last week's collection raised £382 for the parish and £37 for Cafod, and £100 for Racial Justice.

The picture shows Father Ted from last year's parish concert.

24th Sunday of the Year

There was a good-sized congregation for this Sunday. Deacon John was our preacher and it was good to welcome back Father Ted from his holiday. We had a couple of new pieces of music to learn to refresh the parts of the mass. These seemed to go well - thanks also to a big turnout from the music group.

It is not long now until the Living Faith talks return. Brian Davies spoke to the congregation at the end of mass, saying tickets were still available. The theme this year is Peace and Reconciliation and there is an impressive list of guest speakers.

The parish council meets again this Thursday at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome to attend. Last week's collection raised £534 with a further £40 for Cafod.

The midweek tea and cakes evening organised by the UCM was a success with profits going towards the parish toilets fund.

The picture shows part of the jubillee display currently in the parish hall and narthex.

22nd Sunday of the Year

It is almost the end of the summer holidays, and numbers were starting to get back to normal at Sunday mass this week. Father Ted was today's celebrant and preacher and we had a strong music group. Hugh Potter provided drum solo for the Peruvian Gloria led by Richard Potter.

Next week, the children's liturgy will be beginning again and the newsletter will return to normal. Don't forget the UCM tea and cake evening on Thursday September 10th, and the series of Living Faith talks beginning on Thursday nights in October. Speakers will include Bruce Kent, pictured.