THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
EVANGELIUM VITAE by Pope John Paul II (Pt. 7)
15. Threats which are no less serious hang over the incurably ill and the dying. In a social and cultural context which makes it more difficult to face and accept suffering, the temptation becomes all the greater to resolve the problem of suffering by eliminating it at the root, by hastening death so that it occurs at the moment considered most suitable. Various considerations usually contribute to such a decision, all of which converge in the same terrible outcome. In the sick person the sense of anguish, of severe discomfort, and even of desperation brought on by intense and prolonged suffering can be a decisive factor. Such a situation can threaten the already fragile equilibrium of an individual's personal and family life, with the result that, on the one hand, the sick person, despite the help of increasingly effective medical and social assistance, risks feeling overwhelmed by his or her own frailty; and on the other hand, those close to the sick person can be moved by an understandable even if misplaced compassion. All this is aggravated by a cultural climate which fails to perceive any meaning or value in suffering, but rather considers suffering the epitome of evil, to be eliminated at all costs. This is especially the case in the absence of a religious outlook which could help to provide a positive understanding of the mystery of suffering.
On a more general level, there exists in contemporary culture a certain Promethean attitude which leads people to think that they can control life and death by taking the decisions about them into their own hands. What really happens in this case is that the individual is overcome and crushed by a death deprived of any prospect of meaning or hope. We see a tragic expression of all this in the spread of euthanasia-disguised and surreptitious, or practised openly and even legally. As well as for reasons of a misguided pity at the sight of the patient's suffering, euthanasia is sometimes justified by the utilitarian motive of avoiding costs which bring no return and which weigh heavily on society. Thus it is proposed to eliminate malformed babies, the severely handicapped, the disabled, the elderly, especially when they are not self-sufficient, and the terminally ill. Nor can we remain silent in the face of other more furtive, but no less serious and real, forms of euthanasia. These could occur for example when, in order to increase the availability of organs for transplants, organs are removed without respecting objective and adequate criteria which verify the death of the donor.
16. Another present-day phenomenon, frequently used to justify threats and attacks against life, is the demographic question. This question arises in different ways in different parts of the world. In the rich and developed countries there is a disturbing decline or collapse of the birthrate. The poorer countries, on the other hand, generally have a high rate of population growth, difficult to sustain in the context of low economic and social development, and especially where there is extreme underdevelopment. In the face of over- population in the poorer countries, instead of forms of global intervention at the international level-serious family and social policies, programmes of cultural development and of fair production and distribution of resources-anti-birth policies continue to be enacted.
Contraception, sterilization and abortion are certainly part of the reason why in some cases there is a sharp decline in the birthrate. It is not difficult to be tempted to use the same methods and attacks against life also where there is a situation of "demographic explosion". The Pharaoh of old, haunted by the presence and increase of the children of Israel, submitted them to every kind of oppression and ordered that every male child born of the Hebrew women was to be killed (cf. Ex 1:7-22). Today not a few of the powerful of the earth act in the same way. They too are haunted by the current demographic growth, and fear that the most prolific and poorest peoples represent a threat for the well-being and peace of their own countries. Consequently, rather than wishing to face and solve these serious problems with respect for the dignity of individuals and families and for every person's inviolable right to life, they prefer to promote and impose by whatever means a massive programme of birth control. Even the economic help which they would be ready to give is unjustly made conditional on the acceptance of an anti-birth policy.
To be continued.
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.
CRIB OFFERINGS.
This year the parish’s crib offerings will be going to the Catholic Children’s Society. Donations can be as cash or contactless using the ‘Crib’ option.
INFORMATION FOR THE NEWSLETTER.
Notices for the weekly parish newsletter need to be emailed to bostallpark@rcaos.org.uk by Tuesday evening.
PARISH MASS BOOKS.
The Lectionary, which is the book that contains the Scripture readings for Mass and the Sacraments, 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 £1,305.00 so far and donations can be made in the usual ways.
LUNCH CLUB.
The next meeting will be on the 9th January 2025 at 12.30pm in the hall.
FOOD BANK.
Donations can be placed in the signed crate in the porch and will be delivered on Monday Mornings to the Food Bank.
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.
Southwark Archdiocese Rosary Prayer Project. Everyone is warmly invited to join this Archdiocese-wide prayer initiative, praying a decade of the Rosary each day for priests and parishes in their deanery. For details see the poster on the noticeboard, pick up an invitation leaflet at the back of church or email southwarkrenewal@gmail.com.
ALTAR SERVER RECRUITMENT. We are looking for more altar servers so if your son/daughter has received their First Holy Communion, please encourage them to consider serving at Mass. No experience necessary. Please complete an altar server form in the porch and place it in the box. Fr. Innocent will then be in touch regarding training.
DEATHS.
Please pray for the souls of Mario Carrasco who died recently, his 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 and Muriel D’Souza whose funeral was on 27th November. May they rest in peace.
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Saturday 4th January
R The Beatified Martyrs of the Diocese
No Morning Mass
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD C
6 p.m. Daily Rosary
6.30 p.m. Wellbeing of the Fernandes & Scard Families
Sunday 5th January W
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Christian Pereira TG on his 10th Birthday
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Pat Lee RIP
Monday 6th January
W Feria of Christmas Time
No Public Mass Today
Tuesday 7th January
W Feria of Christmas Time
9.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
10.00 a.m. Gino & Grita Petrozzi
Wednesday 8th January
W Feria of Christmas Time
9.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
10.00 a.m. Wellbeing of the Ryan Family
Thursday 9th January
W Feria of Christmas Time
10.00 a.m. Matthew Thomas RIP
Friday 10th January
W Feria of Christmas Time
10.00 a.m. Rebecca Onuora RIP
Saturday 11th January
W Feria of Christmas Time
No Morning Mass
THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD C
6 p.m. Daily Rosary
6.30 p.m. Joaquim D’Souza TG
Sunday 12th January W
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Vaishali Patel-Health WB
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. People of the Parish