EVANGELIUM VITAE by Pope John Paul II (Pt. 10)
21. In seeking the deepest roots of the struggle between the "culture of life" and the "culture of death", we cannot restrict ourselves to the perverse idea of freedom mentioned above. We have to go to the heart of the tragedy being experienced by modern man: the eclipse of the sense of God and of man, typical of a social and cultural climate dominated by secularism, which, with its ubiquitous tentacles, succeeds at times in putting Christian communities themselves to the test. Those who allow themselves to be influenced by this climate easily fall into a sad vicious circle: when the sense of God is lost, there is also a tendency to lose the sense of man, of his dignity and his life; in turn, the systematic violation of the moral law, especially in the serious matter of respect for human life and its dignity, produces a kind of progressive darkening of the capacity to discern God's living and saving presence.
Once again we can gain insight from the story of Abel's murder by his brother. After the curse imposed on him by God, Cain thus addresses the Lord: "My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me this day away from the ground; and from your face I shall be hidden; and I shall be a fugitive and wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will slay me" (Gen 4:13-14). Cain is convinced that his sin will not obtain pardon from the Lord and that his inescapable destiny will be to have to "hide his face" from him. If Cain is capable of confessing that his fault is "greater than he can bear", it is because he is conscious of being in the presence of God and before God's just judgment. It is really only before the Lord that man can admit his sin and recognize its full seriousness. Such was the experience of David who, after "having committed evil in the sight of the Lord", and being rebuked by the Prophet Nathan, exclaimed: "My offences truly I know them; my sin is always before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done" (Ps 51:5-6).
22. Consequently, when the sense of God is lost, the sense of man is also threatened and poisoned, as the Second Vatican Council concisely states: "Without the Creator the creature would disappear ... But when God is forgotten the creature itself grows unintelligible".17 Man is no longer able to see himself as "mysteriously different" from other earthly creatures; he regards himself merely as one more living being, as an organism which, at most, has reached a very high stage of perfection. Enclosed in the narrow horizon of his physical nature, he is somehow reduced to being "a thing", and no longer grasps the "transcendent" character of his "existence as man". He no longer considers life as a splendid gift of God, something "sacred" entrusted to his responsibility and thus also to his loving care and "veneration". Life itself becomes a mere "thing", which man claims as his exclusive property, completely subject to his control and manipulation.
Thus, in relation to life at birth or at death, man is no longer capable of posing the question of the truest meaning of his own existence, nor can he assimilate with genuine freedom these crucial moments of his own history. He is concerned only with "doing", and, using all kinds of technology, he busies himself with programming, controlling and dominating birth and death. Birth and death, instead of being primary experiences demanding to be "lived", become things to be merely "possessed" or "rejected".
Moreover, once all reference to God has been removed, it is not surprising that the meaning of everything else becomes profoundly distorted. Nature itself, from being "mater" (mother), is now reduced to being "matter", and is subjected to every kind of manipulation. This is the direction in which a certain technical and scientific way of thinking, prevalent in present-day culture, appears to be leading when it rejects the very idea that there is a truth of creation which must be ac- knowledged, or a plan of God for life which must be respected. Something similar happens when concern about the consequences of such a "freedom without law" leads some people to the opposite position of a "law without freedom", as for example in ideologies which consider it unlawful to interfere in any way with nature, practically "divinizing" it. Again, this is a misunderstanding of nature's dependence on the plan of the Creator. Thus it is clear that the loss of contact with God's wise design is the deepest root of modern man's confusion, both when this loss leads to a freedom without rules and when it leaves man in "fear" of his freedom.
By living "as if God did not exist", man not only loses sight of the mystery of God, but also of the mystery of the world and the mystery of his own being.
To be continued.
THE ROMERO ROSARY by Archbishop John Wilson.
Archbishop John Wilson has written a new book entitled The Romero Rosary. With introductory chapters about St Oscar Romero and the rosary, this beautiful and creative new book contains reflections on the traditional mysteries of the rosary (Joy, Light, Sorrow & Glory) and the NEW Romero Mysteries (Charity, Compassion and Mercy, & Justice and Peace) - all illumined for reflection and prayer by the words of St Oscar Romero. The Archbishops warmly invites everyone to the book launch on Wednesday 12 February 2025 at 6.00 for 6.30pm at Amigo Hall, adjacent St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, South London. SE1 7HY. See the poster in the porch for more information and buying details.
FATHER INNOCENT'S ANNUAL LEAVE - 30th December 2024 to 30th January 2025.
In his absence, Masses will be supplied by the Friars at Erith; namely Rev Krzysztof Przybylski and Rev. James Boner. We appreciate their help and warmly welcome them to our parish.
Masses remain as usual except there will be no Masses on Saturday mornings only.
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.
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 £1,645.00 so far and donations can be made in the usual ways.
INFORMATION FOR THE NEWSLETTER.
Notices for the weekly parish newsletter need to be emailed by Tuesday evening to
ST THOMAS MORE SOCIAL CLUB.
The St. Thomas More Social Club is open in the church hall every Sunday evening.
Come along with your friends and family and enjoy a drink from the bar in a friendly atmosphere.
Open to all parishioners.
If you are interested in joining the club committee or would like to work behind the bar, please contact Tony on 07833707016.
LUNCH CLUB.
The next meeting will be on the 6th February 2025 at 12.30pm in the hall.
MASS INTENTIONS. Please place mass intention requests in an envelope stating clearly the intention, preferred date and name of person offering the mass. A suggested donation of £10 per mass intention can be placed in the envelope and if a white envelope from the porch is being used, please fill out the gift aid declaration on the back if you are able to gift aid your donation. Envelopes can be handed to Fr. Innocent or put through the letterbox of the house.
FEBRUARY SECOND COLLECTIONS.
2nd – Building Fund (next weekend)
16th – Racial Justice Sunday
23rd – Clergy Support Fund
DEATHS.
Please pray for the souls of Kathleen Fitzpatrick who died recently, Mario Carrasco whose funeral was on the 30th December, Antonio Zachariah Fernandes whose funeral was on the 11th December & Carol James whose funeral was on the 19th December.
THIRD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
Saturday 25th January
W The Conversion of St Paul
No Morning Mass
THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C
6 p.m. Daily Rosary
6.30 p.m. Lucy Murphy RIP
Sunday 26th January G
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Dominick Mancuso WB
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. People of the Parish
Monday 27th January
G Feria
No Public Mass Today
Tuesday 28th January
W St Thomas Aquinas
9.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
10.00 a.m. William Hart RIP
Wednesday 29th January
G Feria
9.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
10.00 a.m. Gino & Grita Family Blessing
Thursday 30th January
G Feria
9.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
10.00 a.m. Zubie TG on her Birthday
Friday 31st January
W St John Bosco
9.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
10.00 a.m. Paul & Val Yeates Daughters & Grandchildren
Saturday 1st February
G Feria
No Morning Mass
The Presentation of the lord C
6 p.m. Daily Rosary
6.30 p.m. Zacarius Fernandes RIP
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