 THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
EVANGELIUM VITAE by Pope John Paul II (Pt. 11)
23. The eclipse of the sense of God and of man inevitably leads to a practical materialism, which breeds individualism, utilitarianism and hedonism. Here too we see the permanent validity of the words of the Apostle: "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct" (Rom 1:28). The values of being are replaced by those of having. The only goal which counts is the pursuit of one's own material well-being. The so-called "quality of life" is interpreted primarily or exclusively as economic efficiency, inordinate consumerism, physical beauty and pleasure, to the neglect of the more profound dimensions-interpersonal, spiritual and religious-of existence.
In such a context suffering, an inescapable burden of human existence but also a factor of possible personal growth, is "censored", rejected as useless, indeed opposed as an evil, always and in every way to be avoided. When it cannot be avoided and the prospect of even some future well-being vanishes, then life appears to have lost all meaning and the temptation grows in man to claim the right to suppress it. Within this same cultural climate, the body is no longer perceived as a properly personal reality, a sign and place of relations with others, with God and with the world. It is reduced to pure materiality: it is simply a complex of organs, functions and energies to be used according to the sole criteria of pleasure and efficiency. Consequently, sexuality too is depersonalized and exploited: from being the sign, place and language of love, that is, of the gift of self and acceptance of another, in all the other's richness as a person, it increasingly becomes the occasion and instrument for self-assertion and the selfish satisfaction of personal desires and instincts. Thus the original import of human sexuality is distorted and falsified, and the two meanings, unitive and procreative, inherent in the very nature of the conjugal act, are artificially separated: in this way the marriage union is betrayed and its fruitfulness is subjected to the caprice of the couple. Procreation then becomes the "enemy" to be avoided in sexual activity: if it is welcomed, this is only because it expresses a desire, or indeed the intention, to have a child "at all costs", and not because it signifies the complete acceptance of the other and therefore an openness to the richness of life which the child represents.
In the materialistic perspective described so far, interpersonal relations are seriously impoverished. The first to be harmed are women, children, the sick or suffering, and the elderly. The criterion of personal dignity-which demands respect, generosity and service-is replaced by the criterion of efficiency, functionality and usefulness: others are considered not for what they "are", but for what they "have, do and produce". This is the supremacy of the strong over the weak.
24. It is at the heart of the moral conscience that the eclipse of the sense of God and of man, with all its various and deadly consequences for life, is taking place. It is a question, above all, of the individual conscience, as it stands before God in its singleness and uniqueness. 18 But it is also a question, in a certain sense, of the "moral conscience" of society: in a way it too is responsible, not only because it tolerates or fosters behaviour contrary to life, but also because it encourages the "culture of death", creating and consolidating actual "structures of sin" which go against life. The moral conscience, both individual and social, is today subjected, also as a result of the penetrating influence of the media, to an extremely serious and mortal danger: that of confusion between good and evil, precisely in relation to the fundamental right to life. A large part of contemporary society looks sadly like that humanity which Paul describes in his Letter to the Romans. It is composed "of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth" (1:18): having denied God and believing that they can build the earthly city without him, "they became futile in their thinking" so that "their senseless minds were darkened" (1:21); "claiming to be wise, they became fools" (1:22), carrying out works deserving of death, and "they not only do them but approve those who practise them" (1:32). When conscience, this bright lamp of the soul (cf. Mt 6:22-23), calls "evil good and good evil" (Is 5:20), it is already on the path to the most alarming corruption and the darkest moral blindness. And yet all the conditioning and efforts to enforce silence fail to stifle the voice of the Lord echoing in the conscience of every individual: it is always from this intimate sanctuary of the conscience that a new journey of love, openness and service to human life can begin. "You have come to the sprinkled blood" (cf. Heb 12: 22, 24): signs of hope and invitation to commitment.
To be continued.
THE ROMERO ROSARY by Archbishop John Wilson.
Archbishop John Wilson has written a new book entitled The Romero Rosary. The Archbishops warmly invites everyone to the book launch on Wednesday 12 February 2025 at 6.00 for 6.30pm at Amigo Hall, adjacent to St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, London, SE1 7HY. See the poster in the porch for more information and buying details.
FEBRUARY SECOND COLLECTIONS.
2nd – Building Fund (this weekend)
16th – Racial Justice Sunday
23rd – Clergy Support Fund
INFORMATION FOR THE NEWSLETTER. Notices for the weekly parish newsletter need to be emailed by Tuesday evening to bostallpark@rcaos.org.uk.
LIVE STREAMING. This has now started and you will see notices in the church to guide you on filming areas. Please remember that all readers, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, sacristan’s and anyone who needs to enter the sanctuary must complete a consent form, which are in the porch, and given to Fr. Innocent or placed in the box in the porch. We cannot be held responsible if you knowingly appear on camera and have chosen to not sign a consent form. Please speak to Fr. Innocent for more information.
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WEEKLY CHURCH CLEANING.
The weekly clean of the church takes place each Friday morning after the 10am Mass. As a result of many people's efforts over the autumn there has been an improvement to the cleanliness and presentation of our parish church. Thank you to everyone who has offered to help in any way. The group consists of some UCM women who are available on Friday mornings and other parishioners who offer their help when they can. Sometimes there are fewer people, sometimes more, but most importantly it is something that has now become a regular session. If you have any spare time on Friday mornings please consider offering your help to maintain the cleanliness and the good presentation of our church. All help offered is always welcomed.
PARISH MASS BOOKS. The Lectionary has now changed. Due to this change, the Mass books that we have will need to be changed which comes at a large cost to the parish. We have purchased part 1 of cycle C but we still need donations for the remaining 5 books which will cover all 3 cycles. We have received £1,655.00 so far and donations can be made in the usual ways.
LUNCH CLUB.
The next meeting will be on the 6th February 2025 at 12.30pm in the hall.
PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE.Â
4th-11th August 2025. The full cost of the pilgrimage is £770. Deposits of £150 are due before 31st January to claim a discount of £30. After this date there will be no discount opportunity. Please feel free to share this information with friends & family, who may benefit from this and also enjoy the discount. Online & telephone details for deposit payments are below. If you prefer to pay by cheque, please contact Noeleen for postage details.
Please see the poster in the porch for more information.
https://marian-uk.com/onlineBooking1.asp?id =Medjugorje&tour=7028
Contact Noeleen on 0203 808 5156.
ST THOMAS MORE SOCIAL CLUB.
St Thomas More Social Club nights on Sunday evenings. Open to all very friendly atmosphere and a great way to get to know the parish community. We are also looking for new committee members and always need new bar staff. Please see the poster in the porch for more information.
DEATHS
Please pray for the souls of Kathleen Fitzpatrick who died recently, Tom McCormack who died on the 28th January & Mario Carrasco whose funeral was on the 30th December. May they rest in peace.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
Saturday 1st February
G Feria
No Morning Mass
THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORDÂ C
6 p.m. Daily Rosary
6.30 p.m. Zacarius Fernandes RIP
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Sunday 2nd February W
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Reagan & Natasha Pereira TG on their Wedding Anniversary
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Kathleen Fitzpatrick RIP
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Monday 3rd February
W St Laurence of Canterbury
No Public Mass Today
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 Tuesday 4th February
G Feria
9.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
10.00 a.m. Holy Souls in Purgatory
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Wednesday 5th February
R St Agatha
9.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
10.00 a.m. Alvaro Colaco RIP
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Thursday 6th February
R Ss’ Paul Miki & Companions
9.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
10.00 a.m. Holy Souls in Purgatory
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Friday 7th February
G Feria
9.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
10.00 a.m. Holy Souls in Purgatory
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 Saturday 8th February
G Feria
10.00 a.m. Holy Souls in Purgatory
FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEÂ C
6 p.m. Daily Rosary
6.30 p.m. Goes Family WB
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 Sunday 9th February G
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Zachary Nunes TG on his birthday
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Holy Souls in Purgatory