Our Lady of Lourdes & St Swithun's

You are here: Home / Archives for Parish News & Events Feed

Newsletter: 17th November 2019 – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

 

Download this newsletter in printer-friendly PDF format to read later. But all the posts and more can be found below with links , videos and much more if you like too.

Download this week’s Newsletter here:  Newsletter – XXXIII Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sunday 17th November 2019 Year C

 

My Dear Friends, Brothers & Sisters in Christ

In his message for the third World Day of the Poor, celebrated on 17 November 2019, Pope Francis reminds us that “the poor are not numbers, but people”, to be assisted, accompanied, protected, defended and saved. He recalled that this is not possible without the humility of listening, the charism of the whole, the courage of renunciation. He reminded us that to “follow the way of charity, of humility and of listening means lending an ear to the little ones”, because God reveals himself through them. And he asked us not to look down on anyone from above. “You can only look down at a person from above,” he insisted, “in order to help them get up”.

During his audience with delegates of the Caritas Internationalis General Assembly on 27 May 2019, the Pope called for serious action in this regard. He urged us to live our mission with a style of poverty, gratuitousness and humility. He insisted that we cannot live charity without having interpersonal relationships with the poor: living with and for the poor. He denounced any hypocritical and deceptive charity that merely gives alms, and acts as if to salve our worried conscience. For the Pope, charity is not to be equated with philanthropic effectiveness, planning efficiency or even an overstated and agitated organisation. He invited us to cultivate a personal encounter with Christ, in order to meet him in the poor (see Matthew. 25).

POPE MARKS COMING SUNDAY WORLD DAY OF THE POOR

Sunday of the Poor.

Why should we open our hearts to the poor? Why not just get on with our lives, look after self and famously and ignore the others? It’s what we do in many ways. The Pope highlights the cry of the poor each years on this Sunday. It is because of our family bond with God that we care “for those who are least, those whom society discards” (Evangelii Gaudium, 195). We care because the principal care of Jesus was for the poor. In Jesus God suffers with and for the poor, and through us all, wants to better their lot.

‘Scripture constantly speaks of God acting on behalf of the poor. He is the one who “hears” their cry” and “comes to their aid”; he “protects” and “defends” them; he “rescues” and “saves” them… Indeed, the poor will never find God indifferent or silent in the face of their plea. God is the one who renders justice and does not forget (cf. Ps 40:18; 70:6); he is their refuge and he never fails to come to their assistance (cf. Ps 10:14).’ Letter of Pope Francis for today, 2019.

God acts today through his people. He wants equality of opportunity and of the plenty of the world for all. Again the Pope’s letter for 2019: ‘The God that Jesus came to reveal is a Father who is generous, merciful, unfailing in his goodness and grace. He gives hope especially to those who are disillusioned and lacking in hope for the future.’ Only in the efforts in love of all of us, church and state can this become reality.

Lord, as you hear the cry of poor, may we also hear this cry and respond. May your will be done..

with Blessings and prayerful best wishes, Father Marcin Drabik

In this week’s Gospel we hear Christ’s Apocalyptic Discourse with the too familiar image of Nation fighting against nation, kingdom against kingdom, great earthquakes and plagues and famines in various places. These events which we witness everyday should draw our minds to the afterlife and be a reminder to us that we should always be prepared spiritually for the end of days, whether the world’s or just our own.

 

“Today” is the Day: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

It is the age between our Lord’s first coming and His last. We live in the new world begun by His life, death, Resurrection, and Ascension, by the sending of His Spirit upon the Church. But we await the day when He will come again in glory.

 

Summary of What’s on in Our Parish This Week

You can find more detail of what’s on in our parish this week by checking our events calendar. You will also find more details about the events themselves in our weekly newsletter sections. Here’s a quick summary for this week Go to our Parish Events Diary and search a specific date or event  here https://stswithuns.org.uk/events/ …
Read more here

Appeal – Our Parish Homeless Mission – Would you Survive?

Ever wondered how you would survive if you could not work through injury or trauma, were homeless, had no money, and no benefits? Whether disabling physical injury, family breakdown or human trafficking has led you to this state – how would you live? This is the situation of some of the Homeless that our Parish is trying to help. Additionally, some have come to the UK to find work and a better life some 10 plus years ago – …
Read more here

Pope Francis Message – 3rd World Day of the Poor 2019

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

THIRD WORLD DAY OF THE POOR

33th Sunday in Ordinary Time 17 November 2019

The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever

1. “The hope of the poor will not perish for ever” (Ps 9:19). These words of the Psalm remain timely. They express a profound truth that faith impresses above all on the hearts of the poor, restoring lost hope in the face of injustice, sufferings and the uncertainties of life …
Read more here

Appeal – Our Parish Homeless Mission – Updates from Lisa Butler

I have asked some of the volunteers from our Parish, who are involved in our ministry among those in need, poor, the homeless, so we can see the amount of work which has been done, and is continued all the time – because of your merciful hearts, hands, legs… Thank You so much in the name of all those, who – I’m sure would like to say THANK YOU to so many around us. Some report and news from …
Read more here

Pope Francis kicks off World Day of the Poor with free healthcare for disadvantaged

VATICAN CITY — To get an idea of what Pope Francis’ pontificate is all about, one need only drop by Saint Peter’s square this week. Within the embrace of the world-famous colonnade lies a 12-foot-tall bronze statue of immigrants of all genders, races and cultural backgrounds and a medical facility for the needy that Pope Francis inaugurated during the week leading up to the third annual World Day of the Poor (Nov. 17). “The marginalization painfully experienced by millions of …
Read more here

Pope to pilgrims in Lourdes for World Day of Poor: ‘God hears your prayers’

To mark the Third World Day of the Poor on Sunday, Pope Francis invites those who suffer want and are abandoned to remember that God loves them and hears their prayers. Pope Francis sends a video-message to participants of a 4-day gathering in Lourdes responding to his call for a ‘Poor Church for the Poor’.

By Vatican News
Marking the 3rd World Day of the Poor on 17 November 2019, the Fratello association has invited believers to spend four days in Lourdes with socially excluded …
Read more here

World Day of the Poor – Sunday 17th November Winchester

‘The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever’. On World Day of the Poor we are called to ensure that we are both hearing and responding to the voice of the poor. Caritas Portsmouth are holding an afternoon in Winchester where parishes and groups can come together to review current projects, share experiences and encourage new ideas on Sunday 17th November. It is recommended that you speak to those involved in groups/projects already established in your parishes, so that …
Read more here

Holy Souls – The November Mass list to Remember our Dead.

Beloved Dead The November Mass list: During November we offer Masses for the dead. If you would like to enrol a loved one on the Parish November Mass List, they will have Mass offered for them, they will be included in the Masses for the Holy Souls, and they will be prayed for (collectively) during the Intercessions each Sunday. Also – very day from Monday to Saturday all the names will be read loudly and prayed with Holy Rosary Prayer in …
Read more here

 

Hymn for Today: Lyrics - The Cry of the Poor - John Michael Talbot

Hymn for Today: Lyrics – The Cry of the Poor – John Michael Talbot

The Cry of the Poor  – John Michael Talbot BEHIND THE SONG –  Bringing Authentic Catholic Revival It all began with a vision. “God gave me a vision of itinerant ministry going from parish to parish in a time of great need in our culture. I believe that our current ministry is fulfilling that vision. The Catholic Church has nearly died in recent years, but God is raising us to new life in Christ if we will but accept it. We are rebuilding the church one parish at a time, and renewing hearts one life at a time!” The path our …
Read more here

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel and Readings for the Week – 17-11-2019

Background on the Gospel Reading In the context of Luke, today’s Gospel appears near the end of Jesus’ teaching in Jerusalem, just prior to the events that will lead to his crucifixion. His warnings and predictions are ominous but can be read in many ways. To those who first heard Luke’s Gospel, those may have been words of encouragement. The destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans was history (70 A.D.); Luke’s Gospel, Catholic scholars propose, was written between 80 and 90 A.D. His audience was probably Gentile Christians. Luke here tries to interpret the fall of Jerusalem for them and to locate it in God’s plans for humankind (salvation history). At the same time, Luke is suggesting to his audience that there will be a considerable elapse of time before Jesus’ final coming. Luke’s listeners have likely seen much upheaval and are anxious to know if these …
Read more here

Children – Read today’s Holy Readings here again 17-11-2019

Children, in this week’s Gospel: Luke 21:5-19  “When Things Fall Apart “- Jesus reminds us that as his followers, we will face many difficulties. Father Marcin and I have agreed that it would be good if the parish knew a little more about what is happening in school and the school community had the benefit of Fr Marcin’s thoughts on the week’s Gospel: Dear Families Hi Children imagine I have, here, some building blocks. And what I’m going to do is use these blocks to build a nice looking building. What do you think? It will look pretty good, don’t you think? But even though it looks pretty good, it’s not a long-lasting type of building, is it? What do you think will happen if I shake the board this is built on? You think it will fall over? Let’s find out! Yep, you were right. It was a pretty …
Read more here

Year of the Word: Workshops for Readers - St John's Cathedral

Year of the Word: Workshops for Readers – St John’s Cathedral

To mark the Year of the Word the Diocese of Portsmouth is launching Readers’ training workshops which are available for parishes to book. The training offered consists in two workshops of three hours each, each run on a separate day, for all church readers and aspiring readers. On completion of the two workshops, the participants are awarded a diocesan recognitio. The workshops offer Liturgical and Biblical formation, as well as practical training, to ensure that the Word of God is read with clarity and conviction. The training ends with a time of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. To find out more about the dates and venues and …
Read more here
Luke 4:18-19 Set Prisoners Free

Alton Day of Renewal – The Power of Forgiveness Nov 23rd 2019

Programme for 2019 Theme: “The Power of Prayer” Renewal and Mission The Church exists to evangelise. “The presentation of the Gospel message is not an optional contribution for the Church.” – Rt. Rev. Richard Moth, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton Diocese, will be the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of Alton Day of Renewal (ADoRE) one of the longest continually running retreat days of its type in he country. He will speak on “Praying the Scripture with Lectio Divina”, explaining how listening to and meditating on God’s word can empower our prayer and strengthen our faith. This topic will be the last in the 2019 …
Read more here
Ascent Group - Events Nov to Dec 2019

Ascent Group – Events Nov to Dec 2019

Robert Steward and his wife Eileen are the joint leaders of the Ascent Group (Life Ascending) and it will be our 10th year as such in 2020. There is printed blurb available on the Ascent Groups purpose but sufficient to say that it is a Catholic-Christian Fellowship Group for those in their later years for friendship, fellowship, interesting talks, outings and devotional readings, hymns and prayers. All of our group are pensioners and generally frequent daily mass attendees. The Table below show all our activity for a the rest of this year 2019 Our November the 25th meeting will have …
Read more here
St Swithun's and OLOL Christmas Fair

St Swithun’s and OLOL Christmas Fair

Our parish church will be holding their Christmas Fair on Saturday 30th November between 2 pm – 5 pm at St. Swithun’s Church, 105 Waverley Road.  There will be lots of different stalls and games, as well as different refreshment stalls. Father Christmas will also be making an appearance! Please do go along to support this event. If you would like to have a stall or if you have any donations for the bric- a-brac stall please phone the parish office 02392 828305. We want to tell you about our Christmas Fair 

Sunday School

Sunday School after 10:15am Mass for all Children and Parents

TO ALL PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN FROM 5 TO 12 YEARS OLD Sunday School this year for 2019  – give a chance to your children to enjoy their confidence in their faith. Because our special room will be open very soon, we’ll renew our SUNDAY SCHOOL for the children from 5 to 10 years old. We will start again after half term – on 10th November 2019. We’ll will always meet after The Holy Mass at 10.15am from 11.30am to 12.15pm. So ,after Mass at 10:15am, all the children who would like to participate in this special way of our …
Read more here
Parents Toddlers Group

St Swithun’s Parents and Toddlers Group 2019

Look forward to seeing you next Tuesday  Have you pre-school children? Why not come and join our happy Parent and Toddler Group which is held on Tuesday mornings (term time) from 9.15 to 11.15 am. Singing and playing for the children and a cup of tea for you the parent or carer. Look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays. Baby and toddler groups are a great place to meet mums with children your child’s age, and your child can make new friends too. The groups are run by volunteers and provide a great play opportunity for you child and a …
Read more here
Worship Together Programme - Healing and Prayer Ministry

Worship Together Programme – Healing and Prayer Ministry

On MONDAYS Our Parish has “OUR PRAISE & WORSHIP TIME” together in the church’s hall (from 7.30pm to 9.00pm) – See below for dates and full programme. These will be held in the Presbytery.  (105 Waverley Road). The Praise & Worship nights will be held every second week. IT WILL BE OUR PARISH’s ECUMENICAL TIME DURING OUR MONDAY’S EVENING OF WORSHIP, PRAYER AND HEALING   It IS THE best time to format a group of people with all the Christian Charisms to share, and to receive; to increase and to deepen. ALL ARE VERY WELCOME!!! . …
Read more here
Parish Youth Group & Confirmation Candidates Announcement - Important Dates

Parish Youth Group & Confirmation Candidates Announcement – Important Dates

With huge joy I would like to announce, that the renovation of the room for our Catholic Youth Club (and for other ministries and activities with the children and teenagers) is almost ready. Our Youth Club will meet every week, on Tuesdays – from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Meetings Dates to Note: Notes: The solemn opening the room took place after Holy Mass at 10.15am on Sunday 3rd November 2019. And the inauguration of the Catholic Youth Club in our Parish took place on Tuesday the 5th November at 4.00pm – there will take place our first meeting for all the …
Read more here
Eucharistic Adoration - New Start Time from 9:00am every Morning

Eucharistic Adoration – New Start Time from 9:00am every Morning

Dear Parishioners, Dear Friends – because we are involved in so many different activities at our Parish, and our ways of The New Evangelisation in this world all the time multiply, I would like to announce that we do increase the Eucharistic Adoration time in the mornings, before the Holy Mass. So, instead of a start at 9.30am, we will start at 9.00am, to be sure that we entrust everything who we are, and everything what do we do in Jesus’ Name, will come from Him, and will be Blessed by the Lord. So, please do not hesitate to step …
Read more here
Hear Gods Voice

Hear God’s Voice Tuesdays in the Presbytery – St Swithun’s Church

On Tuesdays, from 7.40pm to 9.00pm we are coming back to our SCRIPTURE MEETINGS – ‘HEAR GOD’S VOICE’. All of our meetings are shown in the table below This is a very special and different way to read God’s Word – we continue the journey with St Mark’s Gospel. We ask The Holy Spirit to lead us, to open us for the things which He would like us to notice, to focus on, to put into the action. ALL ARE VERY WELCOME. In the Presbytery – 105 Waverley Road, Southsea. There no registration no checking of lists. It’s a friendly …
Read more here

 

Keep up with what’s Happening in our Parish over this coming Year

Scroll through to see all the events happening from the 16th November 2019 till the 30th November 2019

Or Go to our Parish Events Diary and search a specific date or event  here https://stswithuns.org.uk/events/

Films about Jesus

 

Our next film for discussion during November with be “My Life” with Michael Keaton and Nicole Kidman.

Film Title
my life - cinema quad movie poster (2).jpg Click on this link to go to the event on our website

A glimpse of grace as two individuals restore each other’s souls with gifts of trust and love.

It seems that Bob Jones (Michael Keaton) has everything a man could want, namely a fulfilling job and a beautiful, pregnant wife, Gail (Nicole Kidman). But Bob’s life is turned upside-down when he is diagnosed with cancer and given four months to live — not even enough time to see his first child’s birth. To cleanse himself of demons in his remaining days, Bob makes a video diary, hoping to pass along some wisdom to his future child. Along the way, he discovers a lot about himself.

JOIN US IN ANOTHER WAY OF THE NEW EVAGELIZATION IN OUR PARISH

With a huge joy, I would like to announce that an incredible movie, based on the facts, will be shown at ODEON Cinema in Southampton On 18th November at 8.45PM Please, if it is only possible – use this opportunity.

“Love and Mercy: Faustina”, a docudrama on Divine Mercy and the mission of Sr. Faustina Kowalska, reveals previously unknown facts and recently disclosed documents that shed new light on the truth of the Divine Mercy message. As many know, the Divine Mercy is a devotion to Jesus Christ associated with the apparitions of Jesus to Sr. Faustina in Poland in the 1930s. Jesus urged Sr. Faustina to paint an image according to the pattern that she had seen, and requested to have the image venerated, first in the sisters’ chapel, and then throughout the world. The venerated image under this Christological title refers to what Sr. Faustina’s diary describes as “God’s loving mercy” towards all people, especially for sinners. Scientific analysis included in the film indicates that Sr. Faustina indeed saw the Lord Jesus. Cooperating with the Kondrat-Media team, a group of experts found letters of Fr. Michal Sopocko (Sr. Faustina’s confessor), and, while browsing forgotten archives, they found additional previously unknown documents. To a large extent, “Love and Mercy: Faustina” can contribute to fulfilling Jesus’ promise that “the spark that will prepare the world for My final coming” will come from Poland (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1732).

 
 

PLEASE NOTE – FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020 (See below for full programmes) 

Here’s the next session: Monday – 18th November from 5.30pm to 7.00pm – the session for the First Communion children and their Parents – Session VII -“SACRAMENTS, SACRAMENTALIA & DEVOTIONS” The Miraculous Medals of Our Lady

For our First Communion Preparation this year, we have 34 children, who would like to start their journey of faith. Please keep them and their Dear Parents in your prayers. At the same time our First Communion Children from THE LAST YEAR are very welcome to come and encourage the new children with their presence, and also to receive their special gifts from Fr Marcin, which he will bring from Assisi, from the place where Carlo Acutis is buried, their special friend from the last year’s preparation.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020:  The new programme is published below – You will need to book an appointment with Father Marcin as well as fill in a form which will appear on line shortly or can be got from the parish office.

Date Time Programme Location
9TH September 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Preliminary session for ALL- We start at 5.30pm in the church with the short Exposition & Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament & Benediction.
At 6pm: we go to the hall to the Introduction Session 		St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
16th September 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session II- Session about “PRAYER” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
29th September 2019 SUNDAY 10.15am – Sunday Mass Inaugaration of the new Preparation for the First Communion Introduction the children to the Church’s Congregation St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
30th September 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session III- “ROSARY PRAYER” (NB. On the following Sunday 6th October at 10.15am Mass the special rosary beads are blessed and given to the children) St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
6th October 2019 SUNDAY 10.15am – Sunday Mass Receiving THE FIRST COMMUNION ROSARY BEADS St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
14th October 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session IV- “THE TEN GOD’s COMMANDMENTS” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
28th October 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session V- “Communion of Saints; Prayer for the deceased and the Holy Souls (Purgatory)” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
4th November 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session VI- “THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
18TH November 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session VII -“SACRAMENTS, SACRAMENTALIA & DEVOTIONS” The Miraculous Medals of Our Lady St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
8th December 2019 SUNDAY 10.15am – Sunday Mass Receiving The Miraculous Medals of Our Lady St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
16th December 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session VIII- “SACRAMENT of BAPTISM” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
13th January 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session IX- “SACRAMENT of CONFESSION” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27th January 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session X- “SACRAMENT of CONFESSION – practical guide” & “FIVE necessary conditions for a good Confession” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
10th February 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XI – “SACRED HEART DEVOTION – 9 First Fridays of the Month” “Behaving in the confessional”, “ways of confessing sins” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
24th February 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XII- “INSIDE THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST part 1 – (Measuring children for First Communion robes) St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
9th March 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XIII- “INSIDE THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST part 2” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
23rd March 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XIV-“Structure and the meaning of the particular parts of the Holy Mass”
Receiving and getting familiar with the Mass & Prayer Books which children receive during the session.

 St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27th March 2020 FRIDAY 6.15pm STATIONS OF THE CROSS IN THE CHURCH St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27th April 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XV – “The Holy Body & Precious Blood of Christ” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
11th May 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session only for parents/carers – Theology of the Body St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
31st May 2020 Sunday after 10:15am Mass Rehearsals of the First Confession & The First Holy Communion Celebration St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
7th June 2020 Sunday after 10:15am Mass Rehearsals of the First Confession & The First Holy Communion Celebration St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
12TH June 2020 FRIDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Final Rehearsal Followed by the Holy Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Benediction St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
13TH June 2020 Saturday 11.30am FIRST SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION FOR CHILDREN St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
14TH JUNE 2020 Sunday 11:45am FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASS St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
21ST June 2020 SUNDAY 10:15am Mass Receiving the Certificates of the Holy Communion St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
22ND June 2020 MONDAY 5.00pm to 6.30pm Session XVI – Following Jesus Christ & the ways to be involved St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
28TH June 2020 SUNDAY 10:15am Mass Thanksgiving Mass together with the previous year First Communion Children St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27TH September 2020 SUNDAY 10:15am Mass Inaugaration of the new Preparation for the First Communion. Thanksgiving Mass and receive a special gift from Fr Marcin St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea

SHORT REMINDER FOR THE PARENTS OF THE FIRST COMMUNION CHILDREN – Please, attend the sessions with your children, because they are organised on the way to make your life a little bit easier do not create another, separated sessions just with the Parents. All the Parents should stay for the sessions with the children, please, please.

The  next Baptismal Preparation Sessions for 2020 will appear here soon

Please, notice that it is expected from the Parents & God -Parents to practice their faith, which also means to attend Sunday Mass regularly.

 Download The Baptism Registration form here:

 

RCIA – (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults):

Next RCIA Meeting – (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) will be held on Friday 22nd November in the Youth Club room (church hall).

if You are and adult and think to be baptised in the Catholic Church, or You are baptised in another Christian denominations, but would like to become Catholic, or You wish to be confirmed, please contact Fr Marcin for more details.

 

Prayer of the Month – November 2019

Lord Jesus, you have come to us and you have chosen a specific land where you have shown everyone who you are, revealing the Father’s love for all his children. We pray for all those who live the drama of war, division and persecution and are discriminated against because of their faith in the Promised Land and in the countries where your Apostles announced the Gospel for the first time. May your Spirit touch the hearts of those who are capable of making the big decisions, to advance the path of dialogue and peace.

Pope’s November prayer intention: For dialogue in the Middle East

Pope’s November prayer intention: For dialogue in the Middle East

Pope Francis releases a video message accompanying his prayer intention for November, which is that interreligious dialogue and peace may reign in the Middle East. In his prayer intention for the month of November 2019, Pope Francis invites us to pray that “a spirit of dialogue, encounter, and reconciliation emerge in the Middle East.” It has become the custom of Pope Francis to release a video message detailing his prayer intention for each month. The full text of his intention is below: In the Middle East, concord and dialogue among the three monotheistic religions is based on spiritual and historic bonds. The …
Read more here
Pope Francis Nov 2019

Pope Francis Prayer Intentions November 2019 -Universal – Communication and Reconciliation

Universal – Communication and Reconciliation That a spirit of dialogue, encounter and reconciliation emerges in the Near East, where diverse religious communities share their lives together. Far too many wars, political divisions, conflicts and hostilities between the diverse religious communities within the Near East have left populations scared and crippled in moral, financial and spiritual ways. This race to dominate has led to vicious murders that have little regard or respect for one’s neighbour. Local leaders have manifested horrendous attitudes of greed and thirst for power leading to domination and autocratic decision-making, manifesting little interest in what is the best …
Read more here

and for those in Our Own Parish…..

Please pray for those who are ill especially:  Brian Girling, Shelia Langford; Catherine Morgan, Piam Brown Ward, for all the children suffering and their poor families with them Aidan Molloy, David Shields, Bob Guy, Ms Sini Chacko, Shirley Parker, Kathleen Jones, Heidi Badnell, Rosemary Devonald, Dominic, Carol Langsford, Patricia Ward, Pat Groom, Stan Whitnell, Patrick McCreesh, Eddie Coppani, Tony Denny, Betty Foster, Bobby, Eileen Stewart, Joan Smith, John Williams, Margaret Bager, Fred Vuksani, Tom & Lily, Greta Kemp, Magda K, Mary Wallis, Micheline Thompson, Pat Needham, Margaret Badger, Anne Sullivan, Jo Wheeler and Josephine Butler.

And all whose anniversaries occur at this time: 17th November 2019 :  Yvonne Tompkin , Douglas Simpson, Erwin Furtado, Winifred Alice Evans, Antonio de Carlo, Cormac O’Connell, Elizabeth (Bet) Jane Hilda Wood, Paul Ray, Maria Mifsud, Evelyn Paulyn Tearle, Mary Bridget Moth, Mary Edwards, Ellen Challacombe, Mr Gracias, Theresa Dorothy Anwin, Mabel Alice Fairall, James Michael William Moriarty, William Daniel Scott, Ian Curtis, Florence Zait, Eva Mabel Feeney, Maureen Margaret Kennedy, Marie Connie Evans, James Bailey, John Kelly, James Albert Elwood, Tom McAniney, Harry William Glover, Patricia Eileen Holmes, Margaret ‘Peggy’ Pearce, Mary Gertrude Chapman, Caroline Marcks, Thomas Joseph McAniney, Catherine Jones, Lucy Campbell, Amy Johnson, Leonard Albermarle Betsworth, Carole Ann Howlett, Violet Annie Mabel Moss, Annie Eleanor Cox, Anthony Toni-Flanagan, Elizabeth McAuliffe, Patrick James O’Doherty, Sally Ranger, Kevin Joseph Cotter, Marie Jeanne Sheppard,Lizzie and Patrick McSharry ,Gemma Litchfield and Jozef Michalczuk.

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen 

“CAN-DO CHRISTIANS” A MESSAGE FROM FATHER MARCIN

Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Dear Friends: I would like to share with You some things which are about our Parish and for our Parish.  I’m absolutely sure, that You have noticed how many things already happen in our Parish to help in our spiritual grow to love God more and more in His Word to us, in His Sacraments for us (which is His real presence among us). We also go out to meet those who still searching for God, or who were not so lucky to have personal contact with Jesus Christ.

Plug into Prayer

Morning Prayers by Text

THANK YOU SO MUCH to John Mason, who made for our church a beautiful rosary beads, which we can find hanging on the benches. They are used by many to pray the rosary, but also we are very welcome to take them, if we wish to use them in our daily life for this such powerful prayer through the intercessions of Our Lady, Mother of God. Because one of the resolutions for the New Year 2019 in our parish is to remember about Morning Prayer, it is good to know, that John also is active in this way for us, …
Read more here
going into hospital

GOING INTO HOSPITAL?

GOING INTO HOSPITAL? Due to strict data protection rules it is essential on entering hospital to indicate your details or those of your relative to be passed on to the Catholic Chaplain. Also state that you or your relative would like the Catholic Chaplain to visit you. Chaplains visit the wards during the week and provide an on-call service in case of emergency …
Read more here
homeless-600x450

St Swithun’s Homeless Mission

Our Roman Catholic Church of St Swithun’s and Our Lady of Lourdes two years ago decided that we had to start helping our homeless brothers and sisters along the Albert Road. Hence our Homeless Mission was born. A couple of volunteers Diana Clark and Lisa Butler started out by just making some sandwiches and some flasks of tea and coffee and taking these to the homeless they found on the street. We saw the increasing numbers of people sleeping rough in Portsmouth and Southsea, alongside other towns and cities in Britain. They are clearly visible in the doorways and car …
Read more here
helping the sick

HELPING THE HOUSEBOUND and SICK AT HOME

I would like to inform you about one of our very important Pastoral Works, which will be a connection between Jesus Christ’s altar and our home’s tables – if You are sick, elderly or housebound, or You have any family members or friends who are in such a state, I will be very happy to celebrate Holy Mass at their homes, flats if they only wish. Please, let me know and we will organise everything. Thanksgiving for the invitation and all the Family, who care of it and they going to be present there. God’s Blessings from Father Marcin …
Read more here
Children' Liturgy of the Word

Children’s Liturgy & Sunday School from Sept 2019

Children’s Liturgy St Swithun’s will run again our CHILDREN’S LITURGY for our Sunday Masses at 10.15am starting back on 8th of September. If any of the Parents would like to join a team of so dedicated people for this time with the smallest children during the Holy Mass, please be in touch with our Dear Anne Worden – 02392 817586, or email: anne.worden@port.ac.uk We need your help so much, so the children can be sure, that their special Liturgy will take place very Sunday. Children’s Liturgy Volunteers Our children enjoy taking part in the Liturgy of the Word which is …
Read more here

 

November Is Devoted To The Souls In Purgatory

November Is Devoted To The Souls In Purgatory

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us about the state of purification called purgatory (paragraph 1031). Nothing evil is allowed in Heaven. Jesus’ sacrifice is all transforming, not just a “cover up.” What I mean by this is that we believe that Christ’s sacrifice is not just making us appear to be pure, but when we really accept Him wholly we are transformed. We just need to receive Him. As imperfect, fallen humans, we might likely not enter into eternal life completely spotless, and that is why His love continues to purify us in the state of purgatory. What’s …
Read more here
Save a Soul

Indulgences

Indulgences By the practice of Indulgences, the Church places at the charitable disposal of the faithful the inexhaustible treasure accumulated, from age to age, by the superabundant satisfactions of the saints, added to those of the martyrs, and united to those of our Blessed Lady and the infinite residue of our Lord’s sufferings. These remissions of punishment she grants to the living by her own direct power; but she nearly always approves of and permits their application to the dead by way of suffrage, that is to say, in the manner in which, as we have seen, each of the …
Read more here

Offering Prayers and Sacrifices

Offering Prayers and Sacrifices The month of November is traditionally dedicated by the Church to offer suffrages for all the faithful departed and holy souls in purgatory. A suffrage is an intercessory prayer on behalf of someone, in this case, of our dear brothers and sisters who have gone before us. Through the communion of saints, we here on earth could “expedite” the entry into heaven of all our faithful departed brothers and sisters who are still in purgatory, purifying themselves from the temporal punishment left by their sins which were already forgiven in the Sacrament of Confession, by praying for …
Read more here

Duration of Purgatory

Purgatory is not eternal. Its duration varies according to the sentence pronounced at each particular judgement. It may be prolonged for centuries in the case of the more guilty souls, or of those who, being excluded from the Catholic communion, are deprived of the suffrages of the Church, although by the divine mercy they have escaped hell. But the end of the world, which will be also the end of time, will close for ever the place of temporary expiation. God will know how to reconcile His justice and His goodness in the purification of the last members of the …
Read more here
Polish_Cemetery_1

Holy Souls in Purgatory

November is dedicated to the Poor Souls in Purgatory The month of November is dedicated to the poor souls in purgatory. All souls day falls on November 2nd, which is when we commemorate all the faithful departed. The indulgences attached to this devotion are seven years and seven quarantines each day; plenary indulgence on any day of the month under the usual conditions. The Church commemorates all her faithful children who have departed from this life, but have not yet attained the joys of heaven. Saint Paul warns us that we must not be ignorant concerning the dead, nor …
Read more here

Pope Francis Message - 3rd World Day of the Poor 2019

Pope Francis Message – 3rd World Day of the Poor 2019

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS THIRD WORLD DAY OF THE POOR 33th Sunday in Ordinary Time 17 November 2019 The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever 1. “The hope of the poor will not perish for ever” (Ps 9:19). These words of the Psalm remain timely. They …
Read More
Pope Francis kicks off World Day of the Poor with free healthcare for disadvantaged

Pope Francis kicks off World Day of the Poor with free healthcare for disadvantaged

Blog Topic: “I was a Catholic once"

Blog Topic: “I was a Catholic once”

REPORT FOR BAMENDA SUNDAY

REPORT FOR BAMENDA SUNDAY

 

Our Parish Finances – we need your Help 17-11-2019

OFFERTORY:

Thank you for last Sunday’s Collection. The total amount was 1395.76 (64% gift aid).   As always, your generosity is much appreciated. Your donations make the life and work of the Parish possible.

Thank all of You who make our church, our Parish so beautiful and alive!

 

Download Newsletter PDF 17-11-2019

WE’RE SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS NEWS WITH YOU AND DON’T FORGET USE THE CONTACT FORMS ON OUR WEBSITE ! Download this newsletter in printer-friendly PDF format to read later.

Download this week’s Newsletter here:  Newsletter – XXXIII Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sunday 17th November 2019 Year C

Calendars

  Daily Services Calendars for all times

  Saints Calendar to learn about this weeks Saints

  Daily Reading Calendar for the prayers this week

  View All of our Parish Events Here

PARISH CONTACTS

  • PARISH PRIEST: Father Marcin Drabik tel: 02392 828305 email: mdrabik@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk 
  • Address: 105 Waverley Road, Southsea, PO5 2PL;
  • Pastoral Assistant: Sr Marie Elise tel: 07747 728734;
  • Safeguarding Representative: Mo Griffiths  tel: 023 92 737559;
  • Safeguarding Representative: Anne Worden  tel: 023 92 817586;
  • Parish Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 8.00am –12.30pm. tel: 02392 828 305
    email: southseaparish@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

HELP US SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

Let people know and come join in the conversation online!
LIKE/SHARE our Facebook Page: St Swithuns Page
FOLLOW us on Twitter: @FrMarcinD
@St_swithun

A big THANK YOU to our sponsors who contribute to our Parish costs

No posts found.

 

 

 

 

 

NEW SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE IF YOU JUST WANT TO SPEND SOME SPECIAL TIME WITH GOD

  Read More on our Renewal Pages here

Newsletter: 10th November 2019 – 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

 

Download this newsletter in printer-friendly PDF format to read later. But all the posts and more can be found below with links , videos and much more if you like too.

Download this week’s Newsletter here:  Newsletter – XXXII Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sunday 10th November 2019 Year C

My Dear Friends, Brothers & Sisters in Christ

Today, Jesus makes it clear his claim about resurrection and eternal life. Sadducees doubted, or even worse, they ridiculed the belief in eternal life after death, which was defended —instead— by the Pharisees and we also defend it.

The question the Sadducees asked to Jesus “On the day of the resurrection, to which of them will the woman be wife? For the seven had her as wife?” (Luke 20:33) let us catch sight of a possessive sort of juridical mindset, demanding proprietary rights over a person. Furthermore, the trap set up for Jesus raises an equivocal still existing today: imagining eternal life as an extension, after death, of the earthen existence. Heaven would, thus, consist of the transposition of the beautiful things we now enjoy.

To believe in eternal life is one thing, but to imagine what it will be like is another thing altogether different. When a mystery is not surrounded by respect and discretion, it risks being trivialized by curiosity and, finally, ridiculed.

Jesus’ answer has two parts. In the first one, He tries to make clear that the marriage institution has no reason to be in the other life: “those who are considered worthy of the world to come and of resurrection from the dead, there is no more marriage” (Luke 20:35). What does persists and reaches its maximum fullness is whatever we have sowed in this world as far as authentic love, friendship, fraternity, justice and truth… are concerned.

The second part of the answer leaves two certitudes with us: “For he is God of the living and not of the dead” (Luke 20:38). To trust in this God means to realize we are meant to be alive. And being alive consists of being with Him in a continuous manner, forever. Furthermore, “and for him all are alive” (Luke 20:38): God is the source of life. The believer, submerged in God through the Baptism, has been able to escape forever from the clutches of death. “Love becomes an accomplished fact, if it is included in a love that truly provides eternity” (Benedict XVI).

The Sadducees came to Our Lord with what they thought was a case against the resurrection … That if there was an afterlife, how would a widow of seven husbands on earth choose between them. Our Lord teaches them that all of us will rise to an eternal life very different from that on earth as we become spiritual “like angels”. Spouses exist to help one another, called to that vocation, get into Heaven.

with Blessings and prayerful best wishes, Father Marcin Drabik

To Rise Again: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Sadducees don’t believe in the resurrection because they can’t find it literally taught in the Scriptures. To ridicule this belief they fix on a law that requires a woman to marry her husband’s brother if he should die without leaving an heir (see Genesis 38:8; Deuteronomy 25:5).

But God’s Law wasn’t given to ensure the raising up of descendants to earthly fathers. The Law was given, as Jesus explains, to make us worthy to be “children of God”—sons and daughters born of His Resurrection.

Summary of What’s on in Our Parish This Week

You can find more detail of what’s on in our parish this week by checking our events calendar. You will also find more details about the events themselves in our weekly newsletter sections. Here’s a quick summary for this week Go to our Parish Events Diary and search a specific date or event  here https://stswithuns.org.uk/events/ …
Read more here

Why do we call it Mass?

“The dismissal of Mass marks the beginning of our mission.”

Have you ever wondered why we call what we do on Sunday “Mass”? We aren’t referring to a large amount of something nor to a scientific measure. It doesn’t matter how massive the crowd is, either. We get the word “Mass” from the very end of the liturgy, when the priest of deacon dismisses us.  He concludes after the blessing by telling us to go: “Go forth, the …
Read more here

Father Damien of Molokai and the Holy Face

It is a little-known fact that Father Damien labored to established perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament among his lepers.
There’s a beautiful little scene in the film about St. Damien of Molokai. The saint has volunteered to be the one priest to serve the lepers on the island colony of Molokai.
Knowing that he is likely to contract the disease, Father Damien sails to the island and enters the village. He finds the lepers are …
Read more here

Catholic Church takes the lead on UK foster home shortage

It is estimated that England is in need of 8,600 foster families. In a response to the rising demand for foster homes in the UK, the Catholic Church in England and Wales has started a campaign to encourage able families to open their doors to children in need. Catholic News Agency reports the campaign will be a joint effort between Marriage and Family Life Coordinators and Home for Good, an adoption charity that works with faith-based groups in the …
Read more here

Blog Topic: “I was a Catholic once”

“I was a Catholic once,” said the lady a few yards from me in the parking lot. “Now I’m a Christian and you can be one as well.” She preceded to hand a tract to a gentleman standing next to the opened trunk of his car. I couldn’t help it. “Excuse me,” I said to the lady “but could I too have a tract?” The lady’s face beamed. “Are you saved?,” she asked. “Of course I am; I’m a …
Read more here

Holy Souls – The November Mass list to Remember our Dead.

Beloved Dead The November Mass list: During November we offer Masses for the dead. If you would like to enrol a loved one on the Parish November Mass List, they will have Mass offered for them, they will be included in the Masses for the Holy Souls, and they will be prayed for (collectively) during the Intercessions each Sunday. Also – very day from Monday to Saturday all the names will be read loudly and prayed with Holy Rosary Prayer in …
Read more here

 

Hymn for Today - Matt Redman - One Day (When We All Get To Heaven)

Hymn for Today – Matt Redman – One Day (When We All Get To Heaven)

One Day (When We All Get To Heaven) // Matt Redman // New Song Cafe Behind the Song: It will truly be a glorious day when we are reunited with our Father in Heaven. All of our pain will be gone and there will be nothing left to fear. The Lord made the ultimate sacrifice for us when He sent His only Son to die for our sins. And because of that amazing sacrifice, we are now all forgiven. We are free of our chains and all our sins have been washed away. One day every question resolved Every anxious …
Read more here

Children – Read today’s Holy Readings here again 10-11-2019

Children, in this week’s Gospel: Luke 20:27-38 Jesus answers a question from some Sadducees about the resurrection of the dead. Father Marcin and I have agreed that it would be good if the parish knew a little more about what is happening in school and the school community had the benefit of Fr Marcin’s thoughts on the week’s Gospel: Dear Families What is heaven like? Sometimes we say things like “This dessert is heaven!” or “I’m in heaven” when we are lying on a warm sunny beach. Often heaven is pictured as a place up in the sky in the clouds with big pearly gates. Two of our readings this coming Sunday talk about “the end of time” or heaven. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that in heaven we will be like angels. “Awesome” you think, “How do I get there?” Some people believe that all you have to …
Read more here

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel and Readings for the Week – 10-11-2019

Background on the Gospel Reading In today’s Gospel, we hear about an encounter between Jesus and some Sadducees. The Sadducees were a party of Judaism active in Jesus’ time, descended from the priestly family of Zadok. They were literal interpreters of the written Law of Moses, which means that they were in disagreement with the position of the Pharisees, who offered an oral interpretation of the Law of Moses. The Sadducees are described in this Gospel as opponents to the belief in resurrection. In the dialogue presented here, we see an example of the means of disputation that was common in first century Judaism. The Sadducees use the example of Levirate marriage, found in the Law of Moses, to disprove belief in the resurrection. According to Deuteronomy 25:5-10, if a man died without producing an heir, the man’s brother should marry his wife and the offspring of this union would …
Read more here

Happy Birthday Bishop Philip Egan

Happy Birthday Bishop Philip Egan

On 14th November (Thursday) our Bishop Philip celebrates his Birthday. We wish Him a lot of spiritual & physical strength and many graces form The Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Whom He dedicated His ministry among us. May Our Lady protect him with Her blessings on the way of Christ’s salvation. Blessed Birthday Dear Bp Philip. If you wish to send Him any cards, here is His address: His Excellence Bishop Philip Egan, Bishop’s House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth, Hants PO1 3HG. E-mail address: bishop@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk …
Read more here
Year of the Word: Workshops for Readers - St John's Cathedral

Year of the Word: Workshops for Readers – St John’s Cathedral

To mark the Year of the Word the Diocese of Portsmouth is launching Readers’ training workshops which are available for parishes to book. The training offered consists in two workshops of three hours each, each run on a separate day, for all church readers and aspiring readers. On completion of the two workshops, the participants are awarded a diocesan recognitio. The workshops offer Liturgical and Biblical formation, as well as practical training, to ensure that the Word of God is read with clarity and conviction. The training ends with a time of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. To find out more about the dates and venues and …
Read more here
Celebrating our Cultural Heritage!

Celebrating our Cultural Heritage!

At St Swithun’s Primary School, we offer a broad curriculum, giving all the children the opportunity to shine and use the talents God has given them. Recently, our year 3 children, our school orchestra and our guitarists joined in Ceilidh Week at the Irish Club. It is great to help keep these cultural traditions alive, for the musicians to have a real audience to play to and for the dancers to really enjoy themselves with other children from schools across the city. It was great fun and the children learned that you don’t have to be brilliant at everything to …
Read more here
Extra-Ordinary Ministers of The Holy Communion - November 11th at 6:30pm

Extra-Ordinary Ministers of The Holy Communion – November 11th at 6:30pm

All the Extra-Ordinary Ministers of The Holy Communion are asked to come for our Formation Meeting on Monday 11Th November 2019 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in St Swithun’s church. Your mission given by Bp Philip is going to expire, so we need to renew our will and ask for the next 3 years period of this very special mission. This meeting will gather also our candidates who were asked to consider becoming one of us. Please, do everything to attend this extremely important meeting …
Read more here
Luke 4:18-19 Set Prisoners Free

Alton Day of Renewal – The Power of Forgiveness Nov 23rd 2019

Programme for 2019 Theme: “The Power of Prayer” Renewal and Mission The Church exists to evangelise. “The presentation of the Gospel message is not an optional contribution for the Church.” – Rt. Rev. Richard Moth, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton Diocese, will be the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of Alton Day of Renewal (ADoRE) one of the longest continually running retreat days of its type in he country. He will speak on “Praying the Scripture with Lectio Divina”, explaining how listening to and meditating on God’s word can empower our prayer and strengthen our faith. This topic will be the last in the 2019 …
Read more here
Ascent Group - Events Nov to Dec 2019

Ascent Group – Events Nov to Dec 2019

Robert Steward and his wife Eileen are the joint leaders of the Ascent Group (Life Ascending) and it will be our 10th year as such in 2020. There is printed blurb available on the Ascent Groups purpose but sufficient to say that it is a Catholic-Christian Fellowship Group for those in their later years for friendship, fellowship, interesting talks, outings and devotional readings, hymns and prayers. All of our group are pensioners and generally frequent daily mass attendees. The Table below show all our activity for a the rest of this year 2019 Our November the 25th meeting will have …
Read more here
St Swithun's and OLOL Christmas Fair

St Swithun’s and OLOL Christmas Fair

Our parish church will be holding their Christmas Fair on Saturday 30th November between 2 pm – 5 pm at St. Swithun’s Church, 105 Waverley Road.  There will be lots of different stalls and games, as well as different refreshment stalls. Father Christmas will also be making an appearance! Please do go along to support this event. If you would like to have a stall or if you have any donations for the bric- a-brac stall please phone the parish office 02392 828305. We want to tell you about our Christmas Fair 

Sunday School

Sunday School after 10:15am Mass for all Children and Parents

TO ALL PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN FROM 5 TO 12 YEARS OLD Sunday School this year for 2019  – give a chance to your children to enjoy their confidence in their faith. Because our special room will be open very soon, we’ll renew our SUNDAY SCHOOL for the children from 5 to 10 years old. We will start again after half term – on 10th November 2019. We’ll will always meet after The Holy Mass at 10.15am from 11.30am to 12.15pm. So ,after Mass at 10:15am, all the children who would like to participate in this special way of our …
Read more here
Parents Toddlers Group

St Swithun’s Parents and Toddlers Group 2019

Look forward to seeing you next Tuesday  Have you pre-school children? Why not come and join our happy Parent and Toddler Group which is held on Tuesday mornings (term time) from 9.15 to 11.15 am. Singing and playing for the children and a cup of tea for you the parent or carer. Look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays. Baby and toddler groups are a great place to meet mums with children your child’s age, and your child can make new friends too. The groups are run by volunteers and provide a great play opportunity for you child and a …
Read more here
Worship Together Programme - Healing and Prayer Ministry

Worship Together Programme – Healing and Prayer Ministry

On MONDAYS Our Parish has “OUR PRAISE & WORSHIP TIME” together in the church’s hall (from 7.30pm to 9.00pm) – See below for dates and full programme. These will be held in the Presbytery.  (105 Waverley Road). The Praise & Worship nights will be held every second week. IT WILL BE OUR PARISH’s ECUMENICAL TIME DURING OUR MONDAY’S EVENING OF WORSHIP, PRAYER AND HEALING   It IS THE best time to format a group of people with all the Christian Charisms to share, and to receive; to increase and to deepen. ALL ARE VERY WELCOME!!! . …
Read more here
Parish Youth Group & Confirmation Candidates Announcement - Important Dates

Parish Youth Group & Confirmation Candidates Announcement – Important Dates

With huge joy I would like to announce, that the renovation of the room for our Catholic Youth Club (and for other ministries and activities with the children and teenagers) is almost ready. Our Youth Club will meet every week, on Tuesdays – from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Meetings Dates to Note: Notes: The solemn opening the room took place after Holy Mass at 10.15am on Sunday 3rd November 2019. And the inauguration of the Catholic Youth Club in our Parish took place on Tuesday the 5th November at 4.00pm – there will take place our first meeting for all the …
Read more here
Eucharistic Adoration - New Start Time from 9:00am every Morning

Eucharistic Adoration – New Start Time from 9:00am every Morning

Dear Parishioners, Dear Friends – because we are involved in so many different activities at our Parish, and our ways of The New Evangelisation in this world all the time multiply, I would like to announce that we do increase the Eucharistic Adoration time in the mornings, before the Holy Mass. So, instead of a start at 9.30am, we will start at 9.00am, to be sure that we entrust everything who we are, and everything what do we do in Jesus’ Name, will come from Him, and will be Blessed by the Lord. So, please do not hesitate to step …
Read more here
World Day of the Poor - Sunday 17th November Winchester

World Day of the Poor – Sunday 17th November Winchester

‘The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever’. On World Day of the Poor we are called to ensure that we are both hearing and responding to the voice of the poor. Caritas Portsmouth are holding an afternoon in Winchester where parishes and groups can come together to review current projects, share experiences and encourage new ideas on Sunday 17th November. It is recommended that you speak to those involved in groups/projects already established in your parishes, so that you can come prepared with any questions or concerns you might have with starting or maintaining a project. It is also helpful …
Read more here
Hear Gods Voice

Hear God’s Voice Tuesdays in the Presbytery – St Swithun’s Church

On Tuesdays, from 7.40pm to 9.00pm we are coming back to our SCRIPTURE MEETINGS – ‘HEAR GOD’S VOICE’. All of our meetings are shown in the table below This is a very special and different way to read God’s Word – we continue the journey with St Mark’s Gospel. We ask The Holy Spirit to lead us, to open us for the things which He would like us to notice, to focus on, to put into the action. ALL ARE VERY WELCOME. In the Presbytery – 105 Waverley Road, Southsea. There no registration no checking of lists. It’s a friendly …
Read more here

 

Keep up with what’s Happening in our Parish over this coming Year

Scroll through to see all the events happening from the 10th November 2019 till the 30th November 2019

Or Go to our Parish Events Diary and search a specific date or event  here https://stswithuns.org.uk/events/

Films about Jesus

 

Our next film for discussion during November with be “My Life” with Michael Keaton and Nicole Kidman.

Film Title
my life - cinema quad movie poster (2).jpg Click on this link to go to the event on our website

A glimpse of grace as two individuals restore each other’s souls with gifts of trust and love.

It seems that Bob Jones (Michael Keaton) has everything a man could want, namely a fulfilling job and a beautiful, pregnant wife, Gail (Nicole Kidman). But Bob’s life is turned upside-down when he is diagnosed with cancer and given four months to live — not even enough time to see his first child’s birth. To cleanse himself of demons in his remaining days, Bob makes a video diary, hoping to pass along some wisdom to his future child. Along the way, he discovers a lot about himself.

JOIN US IN ANOTHER WAY OF THE NEW EVAGELIZATION IN OUR PARISH

With a huge joy, I would like to announce that an incredible movie, based on the facts, will be shown at ODEON Cinema in Southampton On 18th November at 8.45PM Please, if it is only possible – use this opportunity.

“Love and Mercy: Faustina”, a docudrama on Divine Mercy and the mission of Sr. Faustina Kowalska, reveals previously unknown facts and recently disclosed documents that shed new light on the truth of the Divine Mercy message. As many know, the Divine Mercy is a devotion to Jesus Christ associated with the apparitions of Jesus to Sr. Faustina in Poland in the 1930s. Jesus urged Sr. Faustina to paint an image according to the pattern that she had seen, and requested to have the image venerated, first in the sisters’ chapel, and then throughout the world. The venerated image under this Christological title refers to what Sr. Faustina’s diary describes as “God’s loving mercy” towards all people, especially for sinners. Scientific analysis included in the film indicates that Sr. Faustina indeed saw the Lord Jesus. Cooperating with the Kondrat-Media team, a group of experts found letters of Fr. Michal Sopocko (Sr. Faustina’s confessor), and, while browsing forgotten archives, they found additional previously unknown documents. To a large extent, “Love and Mercy: Faustina” can contribute to fulfilling Jesus’ promise that “the spark that will prepare the world for My final coming” will come from Poland (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1732).

 
 

PLEASE NOTE – FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020 (See below for full programmes) 

Here’s the next session: Monday – 18th November from 5.30pm to 7.00pm – the session for the First Communion children and their Parents – Session VII -“SACRAMENTS, SACRAMENTALIA & DEVOTIONS” The Miraculous Medals of Our Lady

For our First Communion Preparation this year, we have 34 children, who would like to start their journey of faith. Please keep them and their Dear Parents in your prayers. At the same time our First Communion Children from THE LAST YEAR are very welcome to come and encourage the new children with their presence, and also to receive their special gifts from Fr Marcin, which he will bring from Assisi, from the place where Carlo Acutis is buried, their special friend from the last year’s preparation.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020:  The new programme is published below – You will need to book an appointment with Father Marcin as well as fill in a form which will appear on line shortly or can be got from the parish office.

Date Time Programme Location
9TH September 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Preliminary session for ALL- We start at 5.30pm in the church with the short Exposition & Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament & Benediction.
At 6pm: we go to the hall to the Introduction Session 		St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
16th September 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session II- Session about “PRAYER” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
29th September 2019 SUNDAY 10.15am – Sunday Mass Inaugaration of the new Preparation for the First Communion Introduction the children to the Church’s Congregation St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
30th September 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session III- “ROSARY PRAYER” (NB. On the following Sunday 6th October at 10.15am Mass the special rosary beads are blessed and given to the children) St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
6th October 2019 SUNDAY 10.15am – Sunday Mass Receiving THE FIRST COMMUNION ROSARY BEADS St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
14th October 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session IV- “THE TEN GOD’s COMMANDMENTS” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
28th October 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session V- “Communion of Saints; Prayer for the deceased and the Holy Souls (Purgatory)” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
4th November 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session VI- “THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
18TH November 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session VII -“SACRAMENTS, SACRAMENTALIA & DEVOTIONS” The Miraculous Medals of Our Lady St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
8th December 2019 SUNDAY 10.15am – Sunday Mass Receiving The Miraculous Medals of Our Lady St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
16th December 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session VIII- “SACRAMENT of BAPTISM” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
13th January 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session IX- “SACRAMENT of CONFESSION” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27th January 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session X- “SACRAMENT of CONFESSION – practical guide” & “FIVE necessary conditions for a good Confession” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
10th February 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XI – “SACRED HEART DEVOTION – 9 First Fridays of the Month” “Behaving in the confessional”, “ways of confessing sins” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
24th February 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XII- “INSIDE THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST part 1 – (Measuring children for First Communion robes) St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
9th March 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XIII- “INSIDE THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST part 2” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
23rd March 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XIV-“Structure and the meaning of the particular parts of the Holy Mass”
Receiving and getting familiar with the Mass & Prayer Books which children receive during the session.

 St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27th March 2020 FRIDAY 6.15pm STATIONS OF THE CROSS IN THE CHURCH St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27th April 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XV – “The Holy Body & Precious Blood of Christ” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
11th May 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session only for parents/carers – Theology of the Body St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
31st May 2020 Sunday after 10:15am Mass Rehearsals of the First Confession & The First Holy Communion Celebration St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
7th June 2020 Sunday after 10:15am Mass Rehearsals of the First Confession & The First Holy Communion Celebration St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
12TH June 2020 FRIDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Final Rehearsal Followed by the Holy Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Benediction St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
13TH June 2020 Saturday 11.30am FIRST SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION FOR CHILDREN St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
14TH JUNE 2020 Sunday 11:45am FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASS St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
21ST June 2020 SUNDAY 10:15am Mass Receiving the Certificates of the Holy Communion St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
22ND June 2020 MONDAY 5.00pm to 6.30pm Session XVI – Following Jesus Christ & the ways to be involved St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
28TH June 2020 SUNDAY 10:15am Mass Thanksgiving Mass together with the previous year First Communion Children St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27TH September 2020 SUNDAY 10:15am Mass Inaugaration of the new Preparation for the First Communion. Thanksgiving Mass and receive a special gift from Fr Marcin St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea

SHORT REMINDER FOR THE PARENTS OF THE FIRST COMMUNION CHILDREN – Please, attend the sessions with your children, because they are organised on the way to make your life a little bit easier do not create another, separated sessions just with the Parents. All the Parents should stay for the sessions with the children, please, please.

The  next Baptismal Preparation Sessions for 2020 will appear here soon

Please, notice that it is expected from the Parents & God -Parents to practice their faith, which also means to attend Sunday Mass regularly.

 Download The Baptism Registration form here:

 

RCIA – (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults):

Next RCIA Meeting – (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) will be held on Friday 22nd November in the Youth Club room (church hall).

if You are and adult and think to be baptised in the Catholic Church, or You are baptised in another Christian denominations, but would like to become Catholic, or You wish to be confirmed, please contact Fr Marcin for more details.

 

Prayer of the Month – November 2019

Lord Jesus, you have come to us and you have chosen a specific land where you have shown everyone who you are, revealing the Father’s love for all his children. We pray for all those who live the drama of war, division and persecution and are discriminated against because of their faith in the Promised Land and in the countries where your Apostles announced the Gospel for the first time. May your Spirit touch the hearts of those who are capable of making the big decisions, to advance the path of dialogue and peace.

Pope’s November prayer intention: For dialogue in the Middle East

Pope’s November prayer intention: For dialogue in the Middle East

Pope Francis releases a video message accompanying his prayer intention for November, which is that interreligious dialogue and peace may reign in the Middle East. In his prayer intention for the month of November 2019, Pope Francis invites us to pray that “a spirit of dialogue, encounter, and reconciliation emerge in the Middle East.” It has become the custom of Pope Francis to release a video message detailing his prayer intention for each month. The full text of his intention is below: In the Middle East, concord and dialogue among the three monotheistic religions is based on spiritual and historic bonds. The …
Read more here
Pope Francis Nov 2019

Pope Francis Prayer Intentions November 2019 -Universal – Communication and Reconciliation

Universal – Communication and Reconciliation That a spirit of dialogue, encounter and reconciliation emerges in the Near East, where diverse religious communities share their lives together. Far too many wars, political divisions, conflicts and hostilities between the diverse religious communities within the Near East have left populations scared and crippled in moral, financial and spiritual ways. This race to dominate has led to vicious murders that have little regard or respect for one’s neighbour. Local leaders have manifested horrendous attitudes of greed and thirst for power leading to domination and autocratic decision-making, manifesting little interest in what is the best …
Read more here

and for those in Our Own Parish…..

Please pray for those who are ill especially:  Brian Girling, Shelia Langford; Catherine Morgan, Piam Brown Ward, for all the children suffering and their poor families with them Aidan Molloy, David Shields, Bob Guy, Ms Sini Chacko, Shirley Parker, Kathleen Jones, Heidi Badnell, Rosemary Devonald, Dominic, Carol Langsford, Patricia Ward, Pat Groom, Stan Whitnell, Patrick McCreesh, Eddie Coppani, Tony Denny, Betty Foster, Bobby, Eileen Stewart, Joan Smith, John Williams, Margaret Bager, Fred Vuksani, Tom & Lily, Greta Kemp, Magda K, Mary Wallis, Micheline Thompson, Pat Needham, Margaret Badger, Anne Sullivan, Jo Wheeler and Josephine Butler.

And all whose anniversaries occur at this time: 10th November 2019 :  Yvonne Tompkin , Douglas Simpson, Erwin Furtado, John Murphy, Barbara Aitchison, Annie Waller, William Gill, Lucie Julienne Benjamine McFarlane, Joseph Walsh, Suzanne Florin Gabriel Baines, Mary Ellen Ford, Alice Hudson, Mary Chadwick, Marguerita Rowden, Frederick Ball, Hilda Ross-Cameron, Elizabeth Jeffrey, Anna Gajlewicz, Frederick Peter Pappa, Francis Vella, James Gilbert Manning, Albert Davis, Peter Gordon-Smith, Ronald Edward Erridge, John Cronin, Edna Francis Treagus, Joseph Edmund McFaul, Edith Croucher, Claire Ellen Burbidge, Lucy Eleanor Stringer, Thomas Joseph Blake, Helen Margaret Wilson, Margaret Giles, Jayne McLuckie, Lena Sheppard, Frederick William Sedgwick, Nora Preston, Kaz Longford, Doris Porter, Bronislaw Szabunio, Stanley John Mason, Thomas Frederick Farrelly, Thomas Michael Muldowney, MihcaWilliam John McLoughlin, Michilina Tluszcz, Michael Kelly, Edward Mallin, Monica Lillian Amos, Michael Hogan, Michael Andrew Unwin, Kitty Whiting,Lizzie and Patrick McSharry ,Gemma Litchfield and Jozef Michalczuk.

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen 

“CAN-DO CHRISTIANS” A MESSAGE FROM FATHER MARCIN

Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Dear Friends: I would like to share with You some things which are about our Parish and for our Parish.  I’m absolutely sure, that You have noticed how many things already happen in our Parish to help in our spiritual grow to love God more and more in His Word to us, in His Sacraments for us (which is His real presence among us). We also go out to meet those who still searching for God, or who were not so lucky to have personal contact with Jesus Christ.

Plug into Prayer

Morning Prayers by Text

THANK YOU SO MUCH to John Mason, who made for our church a beautiful rosary beads, which we can find hanging on the benches. They are used by many to pray the rosary, but also we are very welcome to take them, if we wish to use them in our daily life for this such powerful prayer through the intercessions of Our Lady, Mother of God. Because one of the resolutions for the New Year 2019 in our parish is to remember about Morning Prayer, it is good to know, that John also is active in this way for us, …
Read more here
going into hospital

GOING INTO HOSPITAL?

GOING INTO HOSPITAL? Due to strict data protection rules it is essential on entering hospital to indicate your details or those of your relative to be passed on to the Catholic Chaplain. Also state that you or your relative would like the Catholic Chaplain to visit you. Chaplains visit the wards during the week and provide an on-call service in case of emergency …
Read more here
homeless-600x450

St Swithun’s Homeless Mission

Our Roman Catholic Church of St Swithun’s and Our Lady of Lourdes two years ago decided that we had to start helping our homeless brothers and sisters along the Albert Road. Hence our Homeless Mission was born. A couple of volunteers Diana Clark and Lisa Butler started out by just making some sandwiches and some flasks of tea and coffee and taking these to the homeless they found on the street. We saw the increasing numbers of people sleeping rough in Portsmouth and Southsea, alongside other towns and cities in Britain. They are clearly visible in the doorways and car …
Read more here
helping the sick

HELPING THE HOUSEBOUND and SICK AT HOME

I would like to inform you about one of our very important Pastoral Works, which will be a connection between Jesus Christ’s altar and our home’s tables – if You are sick, elderly or housebound, or You have any family members or friends who are in such a state, I will be very happy to celebrate Holy Mass at their homes, flats if they only wish. Please, let me know and we will organise everything. Thanksgiving for the invitation and all the Family, who care of it and they going to be present there. God’s Blessings from Father Marcin …
Read more here
Children' Liturgy of the Word

Children’s Liturgy & Sunday School from Sept 2019

Children’s Liturgy St Swithun’s will run again our CHILDREN’S LITURGY for our Sunday Masses at 10.15am starting back on 8th of September. If any of the Parents would like to join a team of so dedicated people for this time with the smallest children during the Holy Mass, please be in touch with our Dear Anne Worden – 02392 817586, or email: anne.worden@port.ac.uk We need your help so much, so the children can be sure, that their special Liturgy will take place very Sunday. Children’s Liturgy Volunteers Our children enjoy taking part in the Liturgy of the Word which is …
Read more here

 

November Is Devoted To The Souls In Purgatory

November Is Devoted To The Souls In Purgatory

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us about the state of purification called purgatory (paragraph 1031). Nothing evil is allowed in Heaven. Jesus’ sacrifice is all transforming, not just a “cover up.” What I mean by this is that we believe that Christ’s sacrifice is not just making us appear to be pure, but when we really accept Him wholly we are transformed. We just need to receive Him. As imperfect, fallen humans, we might likely not enter into eternal life completely spotless, and that is why His love continues to purify us in the state of purgatory. What’s …
Read more here
Save a Soul

Indulgences

Indulgences By the practice of Indulgences, the Church places at the charitable disposal of the faithful the inexhaustible treasure accumulated, from age to age, by the superabundant satisfactions of the saints, added to those of the martyrs, and united to those of our Blessed Lady and the infinite residue of our Lord’s sufferings. These remissions of punishment she grants to the living by her own direct power; but she nearly always approves of and permits their application to the dead by way of suffrage, that is to say, in the manner in which, as we have seen, each of the …
Read more here

Offering Prayers and Sacrifices

Offering Prayers and Sacrifices The month of November is traditionally dedicated by the Church to offer suffrages for all the faithful departed and holy souls in purgatory. A suffrage is an intercessory prayer on behalf of someone, in this case, of our dear brothers and sisters who have gone before us. Through the communion of saints, we here on earth could “expedite” the entry into heaven of all our faithful departed brothers and sisters who are still in purgatory, purifying themselves from the temporal punishment left by their sins which were already forgiven in the Sacrament of Confession, by praying for …
Read more here

Duration of Purgatory

Purgatory is not eternal. Its duration varies according to the sentence pronounced at each particular judgement. It may be prolonged for centuries in the case of the more guilty souls, or of those who, being excluded from the Catholic communion, are deprived of the suffrages of the Church, although by the divine mercy they have escaped hell. But the end of the world, which will be also the end of time, will close for ever the place of temporary expiation. God will know how to reconcile His justice and His goodness in the purification of the last members of the …
Read more here
Polish_Cemetery_1

Holy Souls in Purgatory

November is dedicated to the Poor Souls in Purgatory The month of November is dedicated to the poor souls in purgatory. All souls day falls on November 2nd, which is when we commemorate all the faithful departed. The indulgences attached to this devotion are seven years and seven quarantines each day; plenary indulgence on any day of the month under the usual conditions. The Church commemorates all her faithful children who have departed from this life, but have not yet attained the joys of heaven. Saint Paul warns us that we must not be ignorant concerning the dead, nor …
Read more here

Pope Francis Message - 3rd World Day of the Poor 2019

Pope Francis Message – 3rd World Day of the Poor 2019

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS THIRD WORLD DAY OF THE POOR 33th Sunday in Ordinary Time 17 November 2019 The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever 1. “The hope of the poor will not perish for ever” (Ps 9:19). These words of the Psalm remain timely. They …
Read More
Pope Francis kicks off World Day of the Poor with free healthcare for disadvantaged

Pope Francis kicks off World Day of the Poor with free healthcare for disadvantaged

Blog Topic: “I was a Catholic once"

Blog Topic: “I was a Catholic once”

REPORT FOR BAMENDA SUNDAY

REPORT FOR BAMENDA SUNDAY

 

Our Parish Finances – we need your Help 10-11-2019

OFFERTORY:

Thank you for last Sunday’s Collection. The total amount was £1403.92 (64,36% gift aid).   As always, your generosity is much appreciated. Your donations make the life and work of the Parish possible.

Thank all of You who make our church, our Parish so beautiful and alive!

 

Download Newsletter PDF 10-11-2019

WE’RE SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS NEWS WITH YOU AND DON’T FORGET USE THE CONTACT FORMS ON OUR WEBSITE ! Download this newsletter in printer-friendly PDF format to read later.

Download this week’s Newsletter here:  Newsletter – XXXII Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sunday 10th November 2019 Year C

Calendars

  Daily Services Calendars for all times

  Saints Calendar to learn about this weeks Saints

  Daily Reading Calendar for the prayers this week

  View All of our Parish Events Here

PARISH CONTACTS

  • PARISH PRIEST: Father Marcin Drabik tel: 02392 828305 email: mdrabik@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk 
  • Address: 105 Waverley Road, Southsea, PO5 2PL;
  • Pastoral Assistant: Sr Marie Elise tel: 07747 728734;
  • Safeguarding Representative: Mo Griffiths  tel: 023 92 737559;
  • Safeguarding Representative: Anne Worden  tel: 023 92 817586;
  • Parish Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 8.00am –12.30pm. tel: 02392 828 305
    email: southseaparish@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

HELP US SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

Let people know and come join in the conversation online!
LIKE/SHARE our Facebook Page: St Swithuns Page
FOLLOW us on Twitter: @FrMarcinD
@St_swithun

A big THANK YOU to our sponsors who contribute to our Parish costs

No posts found.

 

 

 

 

 

NEW SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE IF YOU JUST WANT TO SPEND SOME SPECIAL TIME WITH GOD

  Read More on our Renewal Pages here

Newsletter: 3rd November 2019 – 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

 

Download this newsletter in printer-friendly PDF format to read later. But all the posts and more can be found below with links , videos and much more if you like too.

Download this week’s Newsletter here:  Newsletter – XXXI Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sunday 3rd November 2019 Year C

 

My Dear Friends, Brothers & Sisters in Christ

Zacchaeus was up a tree. Why? Practically speaking, he was up a tree because he was short and he wanted to see Jesus as Jesus passed by. But the symbolism reveals far greater meaning.

The first thing we must note is that Zacchaeus was a wealthy and well respected man. In the eyes of the world he was successful. But despite his wealth, it appears there was something missing. He heard about Jesus and desired to know Him. This passage is fascinating because it must have been an unusual sight to see a wealthy and successful man climbing a tree in the presence of a large crowd. In fact, it was so unusual that Jesus immediately noticed it.

Jesus also noticed Zacchaeus because of something far more significant than a grown man climbing a tree. Zacchaeus was noticed by Jesus primarily because Jesus was able to perceive the desire and openness of his heart. Zacchaeus, this wealthy and successful man, was missing something and he was zealous to obtain it. He longed for Jesus and this desire is fulfilled by the compassion of our Lord.

Regardless of whether or not you are “successful” from a worldly point of view, it’s essential that you, too, recognize the unfulfilled desire of your heart. That “unfulfilled desire” refers to any way that God is not fully the centre of your life. Some people try to fulfil this desire in many worldly ways. But those who are like Zacchaeus will realize that Jesus is the answer. And when someone recognizes this fact, they will go to any length necessary to see Him and be with Him.

Reflect, today, upon a simple question: How far am I willing to go to see Jesus? Are you willing to do anything you have to so as to see Him, hear Him and be with Him? It may take an act of humility and you may have to act in a radical way. Doing so will call out to the heart of our Lord and He will respond to you with much generosity just as He did to Zacchaeus.

Lord, I desire to choose You above all things. May I never be drawn to the things of this world more than I am drawn to You. Increase my desire for You and give me the courage I need to be faithful to You always. I love You, dear Lord. Please increase my love. Jesus, I trust in You.

May Dear Lord Jesus Christ bless them all.

with Blessings and prayerful best wishes, Father Marcin Drabik

Lover of Souls: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our Lord is a lover of souls, the Liturgy shows us today. As we sing in today’s Psalm, He is slow to anger and compassionate toward all that He has made.

In His mercy, our First Reading tells us, He overlooks our sins and ignorance, giving us space that we might repent and not perish in our sinfulness (see Wisdom 12:10; 2 Peter 3:9).

In Jesus, He has become the Savior of His children, coming Himself to save the lost (see Isaiah 63:8–9; Ezekiel 34:16).

Summary of What’s on in Our Parish This Week

You can find more detail of what’s on in our parish this week by checking our events calendar. You will also find more details about the events themselves in our weekly newsletter sections. Here’s a quick summary for this week Go to our Parish Events Diary and search a specific date or event  here https://stswithuns.org.uk/events/ …
Read more here

November Is Devoted To The Souls In Purgatory

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us about the state of purification called purgatory (paragraph 1031). Nothing evil is allowed in Heaven. Jesus’ sacrifice is all transforming, not just a “cover up.” What I mean by this is that we believe that Christ’s sacrifice is not just making us appear to be pure, but when we really accept Him wholly we are transformed. We just need to receive Him. As imperfect, fallen humans, we might likely not enter …
Read more here

The great abbey of St. Augustine marked the rebirth of Christianity in England

It functioned as a Benedictine monastery from its foundation in 598 until the English Reformation.

Built in the year 598 by the famous missionary St. Augustine of Canterbury, the “Apostle to the English,” one of the fathers of the English Church and the first bishop of Canterbury, the Abbey of St. Augustine marked the rebirth of Christianity in Southern England.Augustine was the prior of a monastery in Rome when Pope Gregory the Great sent him as the leader of a mission (historically …
Read more here

REPORT FOR BAMENDA SUNDAY

For almost three years of socio-political and cultural unrest in the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda, which equally is the administrative regions of the North West and South West, ‘The Anglophone Regions’, the Local Church and the entire Christian Community have been greatly challenged in the evangelical and prophetic mission to the distressed persons. The application of the cardinal principles of the Catholic Social Teaching (Respect for human dignity, Respect for human life, Preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, …
Read more here

Holy Souls – The November Mass list to Remember our Dead.

Beloved Dead The November Mass list: During November we offer Masses for the dead. If you would like to enrol a loved one on the Parish November Mass List, they will have Mass offered for them, they will be included in the Masses for the Holy Souls, and they will be prayed for (collectively) during the Intercessions each Sunday. Also – very day from Monday to Saturday all the names will be read loudly and prayed with Holy Rosary Prayer in …
Read more here

Bamenda Sunday 2019- Bamenda and Portsmouth

Bamenda Sunday

Bamenda Sunday – 3rd November

Mary Lee from the Portsmouth-Bamenda committee writes…
This weekend, the Portsmouth Diocese celebrates Bamenda Sunday, when we pray especially for our brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, Cameroon. The dioceses have been twinned for 45 years, enjoying a strong eccesial partnership: originally Portsmouth sent out priests to work in Bamenda, now Portsmouth enjoys the benefit of six priests on loan from Bamenda: Fr George in New Milton, Fr Bern in Bournemouth, …
Read more here

 

Who Am I Casting Crowns

Hymn for Today: Lyrics – Casting Crowns – Who Am I

Casting Crowns – Who Am I BEHIND THE SONG  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 1 Corinthians 5:17  Casting Crowns is one of my favorite Christian Band.  This band is a Grammy Award and Dove Award winning Contemporary Christian/Christian Rock band. They started in 1999 by youth pastor Mark Hall at First Baptist Church in Downtown Daytona Beach, Florida. Mark Hall is the lead vocalist of Casting Crowns.  This song, Who Am I,  really tells a story about you and me relating to our relationship with  God,  our Father Almighty. The lyrics are penned in a layman’s perspective and was recorded beautifully to emphasize nuggets …
Read more here

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel and Readings for the Week – 03-11-2019

Background on the Gospel Reading In Jesus’ day, tax collectors were not popular people. They were collaborators with the Romans and were despised by many Jewish people. The tax system allowed them to charge more than what was required so that they could make a profit for themselves. Thus, they were considered sinners by their countrymen. Observers in the crowd that day grumble because Jesus dines with a sinner. Throughout Scripture, Jesus’ choice of dinner companions set him apart from other observant Jews of his time. In first century Jewish culture, to dine together was to show a bond of fellowship and peace among those at the table. Observant Jews did not generally dine with foreigners and sinners. Yet, Jesus chooses to honor the tax collector, Zacchaeus, by staying at his house. Even before Jesus comes to his home, Zacchaeus shows himself to be someone in search of salvation. Zacchaeus, …
Read more here

Children – Read today’s Holy Readings here again 03-11-2019

Children, in this week’s Gospel: Luke 19:1-10 Salvation comes to the house of Zacchaeus Father Marcin and I have agreed that it would be good if the parish knew a little more about what is happening in school and the school community had the benefit of Fr Marcin’s thoughts on the week’s Gospel: Hi Children! What exciting day happened this past Thursday? That’s right – Halloween! Did you get dressed up for Halloween? Sounds exciting! Just for a moment, now, I want you to think about the costume you wore this year and all the other costumes that you’ve worn on Halloween. Can you think of at least one costume you’ve had that you would not want to wear every day? What are some of those costumes you wouldn’t want to wear every day? Thank you for sharing some of your costumes that you wouldn’t want to wear all the time …
Read more here


[

Extra-Ordinary Ministers of The Holy Communion - November 11th at 6:30pm

Extra-Ordinary Ministers of The Holy Communion – November 11th at 6:30pm

All the Extra-Ordinary Ministers of The Holy Communion are asked to come for our Formation Meeting on Monday 11Th November 2019 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in St Swithun’s church. Your mission given by Bp Philip is going to expire, so we need to renew our will and ask for the next 3 years period of this very special mission. This meeting will gather also our candidates who were asked to consider becoming one of us. Please, do everything to attend this extremely important meeting …
Read more here
Luke 4:18-19 Set Prisoners Free

Alton Day of Renewal – The Power of Forgiveness Nov 23rd 2019

Programme for 2019 Theme: “The Power of Prayer” Renewal and Mission The Church exists to evangelise. “The presentation of the Gospel message is not an optional contribution for the Church.” – Rt. Rev. Richard Moth, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton Diocese, will be the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of Alton Day of Renewal (ADoRE) one of the longest continually running retreat days of its type in he country. He will speak on “Praying the Scripture with Lectio Divina”, explaining how listening to and meditating on God’s word can empower our prayer and strengthen our faith. This topic will be the last in the 2019 …
Read more here
Ascent Group - Events Nov to Dec 2019

Ascent Group – Events Nov to Dec 2019

Robert Steward and his wife Eileen are the joint leaders of the Ascent Group (Life Ascending) and it will be our 10th year as such in 2020. There is printed blurb available on the Ascent Groups purpose but sufficient to say that it is a Catholic-Christian Fellowship Group for those in their later years for friendship, fellowship, interesting talks, outings and devotional readings, hymns and prayers. All of our group are pensioners and generally frequent daily mass attendees. The Table below show all our activity for a the rest of this year 2019 Our November the 25th meeting will have …
Read more here
“Pasta and Pilgrimage: Saturday 9th November. 7.30pm Hall"

“Pasta and Pilgrimage: Saturday 9th November. 7.30pm Hall”

An evening to enjoy Italian food and wine together with a presentation of experiences from the recent Eucharistic Pilgrimage”. Bring something Italian to share eg food/wine!! We need some indication of numbers. Please let know: Fr Marcin or Brian McCreesh (02392786986 or b.mccreesh@ntlworld.com). …
Read more here
St Swithun's and OLOL Christmas Fair

St Swithun’s and OLOL Christmas Fair

Our parish church will be holding their Christmas Fair on Saturday 30th November between 2 pm – 5 pm at St. Swithun’s Church, 105 Waverley Road.  There will be lots of different stalls and games, as well as different refreshment stalls. Father Christmas will also be making an appearance! Please do go along to support this event. If you would like to have a stall or if you have any donations for the bric- a-brac stall please phone the parish office 02392 828305. We want to tell you about our Christmas Fair 

Adore Group Please Pray for Fr Nicholas Broadbridge RIP

Adore Group Please Pray for Fr Nicholas Broadbridge RIP

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Dom Nicholas Broadbridge osb, a monk and priest of Douai Abbey, who died on 22nd October 2019. Aged 90, Fr. Nicholas had been a monk for 65 years and a priest for 59 years. He became widely known in his later years because of his work in healing ministry. He was a member of our diocesan Healing Advisory Group and the author of several books on healing, notably Our God Heals. To Set Free those who are Oppressed. His funeral is on Wednesday 6th November. May he rest in peace. Here is the …
Read more here
Sunday School

Sunday School after 10:15am Mass for all Children and Parents

TO ALL PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN FROM 5 TO 12 YEARS OLD Sunday School this year for 2019  – give a chance to your children to enjoy their confidence in their faith. Because our special room will be open very soon, we’ll renew our SUNDAY SCHOOL for the children from 5 to 10 years old. We will start again after half term – on 10th November 2019. We’ll will always meet after The Holy Mass at 10.15am from 11.30am to 12.15pm. So ,after Mass at 10:15am, all the children who would like to participate in this special way of our …
Read more here
Parents Toddlers Group

St Swithun’s Parents and Toddlers Group 2019

Look forward to seeing you next Tuesday  Have you pre-school children? Why not come and join our happy Parent and Toddler Group which is held on Tuesday mornings (term time) from 9.15 to 11.15 am. Singing and playing for the children and a cup of tea for you the parent or carer. Look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays. Baby and toddler groups are a great place to meet mums with children your child’s age, and your child can make new friends too. The groups are run by volunteers and provide a great play opportunity for you child and a …
Read more here
Worship Together Programme - Healing and Prayer Ministry

Worship Together Programme – Healing and Prayer Ministry

On MONDAYS Our Parish has “OUR PRAISE & WORSHIP TIME” together in the church’s hall (from 7.30pm to 9.00pm) – See below for dates and full programme. These will be held in the Presbytery.  (105 Waverley Road). The Praise & Worship nights will be held every second week. IT WILL BE OUR PARISH’s ECUMENICAL TIME DURING OUR MONDAY’S EVENING OF WORSHIP, PRAYER AND HEALING   It IS THE best time to format a group of people with all the Christian Charisms to share, and to receive; to increase and to deepen. ALL ARE VERY WELCOME!!! . …
Read more here
Parish Youth Group & Confirmation Candidates Announcement - Important Dates

Parish Youth Group & Confirmation Candidates Announcement – Important Dates

With huge joy I would like to announce, that the renovation of the room for our Catholic Youth Club (and for other ministries and activities with the children and teenagers) is almost ready. Our Youth Club will meet every week, on Tuesdays – from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Meetings Dates to Note: Notes: The solemn opening the room took place after Holy Mass at 10.15am on Sunday 3rd November 2019. And the inauguration of the Catholic Youth Club in our Parish took place on Tuesday the 5th November at 4.00pm – there will take place our first meeting for all the …
Read more here
Eucharistic Adoration - New Start Time from 9:00am every Morning

Eucharistic Adoration – New Start Time from 9:00am every Morning

Dear Parishioners, Dear Friends – because we are involved in so many different activities at our Parish, and our ways of The New Evangelisation in this world all the time multiply, I would like to announce that we do increase the Eucharistic Adoration time in the mornings, before the Holy Mass. So, instead of a start at 9.30am, we will start at 9.00am, to be sure that we entrust everything who we are, and everything what do we do in Jesus’ Name, will come from Him, and will be Blessed by the Lord. So, please do not hesitate to step …
Read more here
World Day of the Poor - Sunday 17th November Winchester

World Day of the Poor – Sunday 17th November Winchester

‘The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever’. On World Day of the Poor we are called to ensure that we are both hearing and responding to the voice of the poor. Caritas Portsmouth are holding an afternoon in Winchester where parishes and groups can come together to review current projects, share experiences and encourage new ideas on Sunday 17th November. It is recommended that you speak to those involved in groups/projects already established in your parishes, so that you can come prepared with any questions or concerns you might have with starting or maintaining a project. It is also helpful …
Read more here
Hear Gods Voice

Hear God’s Voice Tuesdays in the Presbytery – St Swithun’s Church

On Tuesdays, from 7.40pm to 9.00pm we are coming back to our SCRIPTURE MEETINGS – ‘HEAR GOD’S VOICE’. All of our meetings are shown in the table below This is a very special and different way to read God’s Word – we continue the journey with St Mark’s Gospel. We ask The Holy Spirit to lead us, to open us for the things which He would like us to notice, to focus on, to put into the action. ALL ARE VERY WELCOME. In the Presbytery – 105 Waverley Road, Southsea. There no registration no checking of lists. It’s a friendly …
Read more here

 

Keep up with what’s Happening in our Parish over this coming Year

Scroll through to see all the events happening from the 2nd November 2019 till the 30th November 2019

Or Go to our Parish Events Diary and search a specific date or event  here https://stswithuns.org.uk/events/

Films about Jesus

 

Our next film for discussion during November with be “My Life” with Michael Keaton and Nicole Kidman.

Film Title
my life - cinema quad movie poster (2).jpg Click on this link to go to the event on our website

A glimpse of grace as two individuals restore each other’s souls with gifts of trust and love.

It seems that Bob Jones (Michael Keaton) has everything a man could want, namely a fulfilling job and a beautiful, pregnant wife, Gail (Nicole Kidman). But Bob’s life is turned upside-down when he is diagnosed with cancer and given four months to live — not even enough time to see his first child’s birth. To cleanse himself of demons in his remaining days, Bob makes a video diary, hoping to pass along some wisdom to his future child. Along the way, he discovers a lot about himself.

JOIN US IN ANOTHER WAY OF THE NEW EVAGELIZATION IN OUR PARISH

 

PLEASE NOTE – FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020 (See below for full programmes) 

Here’s the next session: Monday – 4th November from 5.30pm to 7.00pm – the session for the First Communion children and their Parents – theme: ‘THE 7 HOLY SACRAMENTS’.

For our First Communion Preparation this year, we have 34 children, who would like to start their journey of faith. Please keep them and their Dear Parents in your prayers. At the same time our First Communion Children from THE LAST YEAR are very welcome to come and encourage the new children with their presence, and also to receive their special gifts from Fr Marcin, which he will bring from Assisi, from the place where Carlo Acutis is buried, their special friend from the last year’s preparation.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020:  The new programme is published below – You will need to book an appointment with Father Marcin as well as fill in a form which will appear on line shortly or can be got from the parish office.

Date Time Programme Location
9TH September 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Preliminary session for ALL- We start at 5.30pm in the church with the short Exposition & Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament & Benediction.
At 6pm: we go to the hall to the Introduction Session 		St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
16th September 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session II- Session about “PRAYER” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
29th September 2019 SUNDAY 10.15am – Sunday Mass Inaugaration of the new Preparation for the First Communion Introduction the children to the Church’s Congregation St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
30th September 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session III- “ROSARY PRAYER” (NB. On the following Sunday 6th October at 10.15am Mass the special rosary beads are blessed and given to the children) St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
6th October 2019 SUNDAY 10.15am – Sunday Mass Receiving THE FIRST COMMUNION ROSARY BEADS St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
14th October 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session IV- “THE TEN GOD’s COMMANDMENTS” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
28th October 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session V- “Communion of Saints; Prayer for the deceased and the Holy Souls (Purgatory)” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
4th November 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session VI- “THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
18TH November 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session VII -“SACRAMENTS, SACRAMENTALIA & DEVOTIONS” The Miraculous Medals of Our Lady St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
8th December 2019 SUNDAY 10.15am – Sunday Mass Receiving The Miraculous Medals of Our Lady St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
16th December 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session VIII- “SACRAMENT of BAPTISM” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
13th January 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session IX- “SACRAMENT of CONFESSION” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27th January 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session X- “SACRAMENT of CONFESSION – practical guide” & “FIVE necessary conditions for a good Confession” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
10th February 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XI – “SACRED HEART DEVOTION – 9 First Fridays of the Month” “Behaving in the confessional”, “ways of confessing sins” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
24th February 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XII- “INSIDE THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST part 1 – (Measuring children for First Communion robes) St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
9th March 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XIII- “INSIDE THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST part 2” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
23rd March 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XIV-“Structure and the meaning of the particular parts of the Holy Mass”
Receiving and getting familiar with the Mass & Prayer Books which children receive during the session.

 St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27th March 2020 FRIDAY 6.15pm STATIONS OF THE CROSS IN THE CHURCH St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27th April 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XV – “The Holy Body & Precious Blood of Christ” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
11th May 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session only for parents/carers – Theology of the Body St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
31st May 2020 Sunday after 10:15am Mass Rehearsals of the First Confession & The First Holy Communion Celebration St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
7th June 2020 Sunday after 10:15am Mass Rehearsals of the First Confession & The First Holy Communion Celebration St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
12TH June 2020 FRIDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Final Rehearsal Followed by the Holy Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Benediction St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
13TH June 2020 Saturday 11.30am FIRST SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION FOR CHILDREN St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
14TH JUNE 2020 Sunday 11:45am FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASS St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
21ST June 2020 SUNDAY 10:15am Mass Receiving the Certificates of the Holy Communion St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
22ND June 2020 MONDAY 5.00pm to 6.30pm Session XVI – Following Jesus Christ & the ways to be involved St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
28TH June 2020 SUNDAY 10:15am Mass Thanksgiving Mass together with the previous year First Communion Children St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27TH September 2020 SUNDAY 10:15am Mass Inaugaration of the new Preparation for the First Communion. Thanksgiving Mass and receive a special gift from Fr Marcin St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea

SHORT REMINDER FOR THE PARENTS OF THE FIRST COMMUNION CHILDREN – Please, attend the sessions with your children, because they are organised on the way to make your life a little bit easier do not create another, separated sessions just with the Parents. All the Parents should stay for the sessions with the children, please, please.

Thank You so much for the last session with ALL THE SAINTS:

Last week the Children, The Parents and The Catechists all came dressed like their favourite Saint, or their Saint Patron from Baptism. We had a ‘SAINT’S COMPETITION’ based on the best look, the best knowledge about the saint they represented.

The  next Baptismal Preparation Sessions for 2020 will appear here soon

Please, notice that it is expected from the Parents & God -Parents to practice their faith, which also means to attend Sunday Mass regularly.

 Download The Baptism Registration form here:

 

RCIA – (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults):

Next RCIA Meeting – (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) will be held on Friday 22nd November in the Youth Club room (church hall).

if You are and adult and think to be baptised in the Catholic Church, or You are baptised in another Christian denominations, but would like to become Catholic, or You wish to be confirmed, please contact Fr Marcin for more details.

 

Prayer of the Month – November 2019

Lord Jesus, you have come to us and you have chosen a specific land where you have shown everyone who you are, revealing the Father’s love for all his children. We pray for all those who live the drama of war, division and persecution and are discriminated against because of their faith in the Promised Land and in the countries where your Apostles announced the Gospel for the first time. May your Spirit touch the hearts of those who are capable of making the big decisions, to advance the path of dialogue and peace.

Pope’s November prayer intention: For dialogue in the Middle East

Pope’s November prayer intention: For dialogue in the Middle East

Pope Francis releases a video message accompanying his prayer intention for November, which is that interreligious dialogue and peace may reign in the Middle East. In his prayer intention for the month of November 2019, Pope Francis invites us to pray that “a spirit of dialogue, encounter, and reconciliation emerge in the Middle East.” It has become the custom of Pope Francis to release a video message detailing his prayer intention for each month. The full text of his intention is below: In the Middle East, concord and dialogue among the three monotheistic religions is based on spiritual and historic bonds. The …
Read more here
Pope Francis Nov 2019

Pope Francis Prayer Intentions November 2019 -Universal – Communication and Reconciliation

Universal – Communication and Reconciliation That a spirit of dialogue, encounter and reconciliation emerges in the Near East, where diverse religious communities share their lives together. Far too many wars, political divisions, conflicts and hostilities between the diverse religious communities within the Near East have left populations scared and crippled in moral, financial and spiritual ways. This race to dominate has led to vicious murders that have little regard or respect for one’s neighbour. Local leaders have manifested horrendous attitudes of greed and thirst for power leading to domination and autocratic decision-making, manifesting little interest in what is the best …
Read more here

Requiem Mass THURSDAY 7th November:

Dear Parishioners We are going to celebrate the Requiem Mass & Funeral of our dear Parishioner: + Nora Florence Herrity RIP. Please remember her in your prayers.

and for those in Our Own Parish…..

Please pray for those who are ill especially:  Brian Girling, Shelia Langford; Catherine Morgan, Piam Brown Ward, for all the children suffering and their poor families with them Aidan Molloy, David Shields, Bob Guy, Ms Sini Chacko, Shirley Parker, Kathleen Jones, Heidi Badnell, Rosemary Devonald, Dominic, Carol Langsford, Patricia Ward, Pat Groom, Stan Whitnell, Patrick McCreesh, Eddie Coppani, Tony Denny, Betty Foster, Bobby, Eileen Stewart, Joan Smith, John Williams, Margaret Bager, Fred Vuksani, Tom & Lily, Greta Kemp, Magda K, Mary Wallis, Micheline Thompson, Pat Needham, Margaret Badger, Anne Sullivan, Jo Wheeler and Josephine Butler.

And all whose anniversaries occur at this time: 3rd November 2019 :  Yvonne Tompkin , Douglas Simpson, Erwin Furtado, George O’Farrell, Annie Sims, Douglas Atkinson, Joshua Atkinson, Wanda Anderson, Vincent “Raymond” Fisher, Michael Richard Gaizly, Grace Evelyn Stagg (Peggy), Dorothy Alice Hutchinson, Michael Corr, Laura Thornilly, Michael Campbell, Louise Peyton, Peggy Dorothy Sexton, Eleonora Jones, Marjorie Payne, Ernest McCann, Louise Noakes, Rosa Tincombe, Edwin Leggatt, Kathleen Cheeseman, Monica Pinnington, Kathleen Greaves, Patricia Wallage, Mary “Monica” Glover, Albert Franz Sparkman, Walter Britten, Dennis Canavan, Lilian Lennon, Eileen Rojghan, Albert Morris, Florence May McErlane, Julia Simmonds, Alan Holt, Norman Day, Kate Ellen Nelthorpe, William “Bill” Halley,Lizzie and Patrick McSharry ,Gemma Litchfield and Jozef Michalczuk.

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen 

“CAN-DO CHRISTIANS” A MESSAGE FROM FATHER MARCIN

Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Dear Friends: I would like to share with You some things which are about our Parish and for our Parish.  I’m absolutely sure, that You have noticed how many things already happen in our Parish to help in our spiritual grow to love God more and more in His Word to us, in His Sacraments for us (which is His real presence among us). We also go out to meet those who still searching for God, or who were not so lucky to have personal contact with Jesus Christ.

Plug into Prayer

Morning Prayers by Text

THANK YOU SO MUCH to John Mason, who made for our church a beautiful rosary beads, which we can find hanging on the benches. They are used by many to pray the rosary, but also we are very welcome to take them, if we wish to use them in our daily life for this such powerful prayer through the intercessions of Our Lady, Mother of God. Because one of the resolutions for the New Year 2019 in our parish is to remember about Morning Prayer, it is good to know, that John also is active in this way for us, …
Read more here
going into hospital

GOING INTO HOSPITAL?

GOING INTO HOSPITAL? Due to strict data protection rules it is essential on entering hospital to indicate your details or those of your relative to be passed on to the Catholic Chaplain. Also state that you or your relative would like the Catholic Chaplain to visit you. Chaplains visit the wards during the week and provide an on-call service in case of emergency …
Read more here
homeless-600x450

St Swithun’s Homeless Mission

Our Roman Catholic Church of St Swithun’s and Our Lady of Lourdes two years ago decided that we had to start helping our homeless brothers and sisters along the Albert Road. Hence our Homeless Mission was born. A couple of volunteers Diana Clark and Lisa Butler started out by just making some sandwiches and some flasks of tea and coffee and taking these to the homeless they found on the street. We saw the increasing numbers of people sleeping rough in Portsmouth and Southsea, alongside other towns and cities in Britain. They are clearly visible in the doorways and car …
Read more here
helping the sick

HELPING THE HOUSEBOUND and SICK AT HOME

I would like to inform you about one of our very important Pastoral Works, which will be a connection between Jesus Christ’s altar and our home’s tables – if You are sick, elderly or housebound, or You have any family members or friends who are in such a state, I will be very happy to celebrate Holy Mass at their homes, flats if they only wish. Please, let me know and we will organise everything. Thanksgiving for the invitation and all the Family, who care of it and they going to be present there. God’s Blessings from Father Marcin …
Read more here
Children' Liturgy of the Word

Children’s Liturgy & Sunday School from Sept 2019

Children’s Liturgy St Swithun’s will run again our CHILDREN’S LITURGY for our Sunday Masses at 10.15am starting back on 8th of September. If any of the Parents would like to join a team of so dedicated people for this time with the smallest children during the Holy Mass, please be in touch with our Dear Anne Worden – 02392 817586, or email: anne.worden@port.ac.uk We need your help so much, so the children can be sure, that their special Liturgy will take place very Sunday. Children’s Liturgy Volunteers Our children enjoy taking part in the Liturgy of the Word which is …
Read more here

 

November Is Devoted To The Souls In Purgatory

November Is Devoted To The Souls In Purgatory

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us about the state of purification called purgatory (paragraph 1031). Nothing evil is allowed in Heaven. Jesus’ sacrifice is all transforming, not just a “cover up.” What I mean by this is that we believe that Christ’s sacrifice is not just making us appear to be pure, but when we really accept Him wholly we are transformed. We just need to receive Him. As imperfect, fallen humans, we might likely not enter into eternal life completely spotless, and that is why His love continues to purify us in the state of purgatory. What’s …
Read more here
Save a Soul

Indulgences

Indulgences By the practice of Indulgences, the Church places at the charitable disposal of the faithful the inexhaustible treasure accumulated, from age to age, by the superabundant satisfactions of the saints, added to those of the martyrs, and united to those of our Blessed Lady and the infinite residue of our Lord’s sufferings. These remissions of punishment she grants to the living by her own direct power; but she nearly always approves of and permits their application to the dead by way of suffrage, that is to say, in the manner in which, as we have seen, each of the …
Read more here

Offering Prayers and Sacrifices

Offering Prayers and Sacrifices The month of November is traditionally dedicated by the Church to offer suffrages for all the faithful departed and holy souls in purgatory. A suffrage is an intercessory prayer on behalf of someone, in this case, of our dear brothers and sisters who have gone before us. Through the communion of saints, we here on earth could “expedite” the entry into heaven of all our faithful departed brothers and sisters who are still in purgatory, purifying themselves from the temporal punishment left by their sins which were already forgiven in the Sacrament of Confession, by praying for …
Read more here

Duration of Purgatory

Purgatory is not eternal. Its duration varies according to the sentence pronounced at each particular judgement. It may be prolonged for centuries in the case of the more guilty souls, or of those who, being excluded from the Catholic communion, are deprived of the suffrages of the Church, although by the divine mercy they have escaped hell. But the end of the world, which will be also the end of time, will close for ever the place of temporary expiation. God will know how to reconcile His justice and His goodness in the purification of the last members of the …
Read more here
Polish_Cemetery_1

Holy Souls in Purgatory

November is dedicated to the Poor Souls in Purgatory The month of November is dedicated to the poor souls in purgatory. All souls day falls on November 2nd, which is when we commemorate all the faithful departed. The indulgences attached to this devotion are seven years and seven quarantines each day; plenary indulgence on any day of the month under the usual conditions. The Church commemorates all her faithful children who have departed from this life, but have not yet attained the joys of heaven. Saint Paul warns us that we must not be ignorant concerning the dead, nor …
Read more here

Pope Francis Message - 3rd World Day of the Poor 2019

Pope Francis Message – 3rd World Day of the Poor 2019

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS THIRD WORLD DAY OF THE POOR 33th Sunday in Ordinary Time 17 November 2019 The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever 1. “The hope of the poor will not perish for ever” (Ps 9:19). These words of the Psalm remain timely. They …
Read More
Pope Francis kicks off World Day of the Poor with free healthcare for disadvantaged

Pope Francis kicks off World Day of the Poor with free healthcare for disadvantaged

Blog Topic: “I was a Catholic once"

Blog Topic: “I was a Catholic once”

REPORT FOR BAMENDA SUNDAY

REPORT FOR BAMENDA SUNDAY

 

Our Parish Finances – we need your Help 03-11-2019

OFFERTORY:

Thank you for last Sunday’s Collection. The total amount was £1228.3 (61,4% gift aid).   As always, your generosity is much appreciated. Your donations make the life and work of the Parish possible.

This weekend THE SECOND COLLECTION will be dedicated for BAMENDA.

 

Download Newsletter PDF 03-11-2019

WE’RE SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS NEWS WITH YOU AND DON’T FORGET USE THE CONTACT FORMS ON OUR WEBSITE ! Download this newsletter in printer-friendly PDF format to read later.

Download this week’s Newsletter here:  Newsletter – XXXI Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sunday 3rd November 2019 Year C

 

Calendars

  Daily Services Calendars for all times

  Saints Calendar to learn about this weeks Saints

  Daily Reading Calendar for the prayers this week

  View All of our Parish Events Here

PARISH CONTACTS

  • PARISH PRIEST: Father Marcin Drabik tel: 02392 828305 email: mdrabik@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk 
  • Address: 105 Waverley Road, Southsea, PO5 2PL;
  • Pastoral Assistant: Sr Marie Elise tel: 07747 728734;
  • Safeguarding Representative: Mo Griffiths  tel: 023 92 737559;
  • Safeguarding Representative: Anne Worden  tel: 023 92 817586;
  • Parish Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 8.00am –12.30pm. tel: 02392 828 305
    email: southseaparish@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

HELP US SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

Let people know and come join in the conversation online!
LIKE/SHARE our Facebook Page: St Swithuns Page
FOLLOW us on Twitter: @FrMarcinD
@St_swithun

A big THANK YOU to our sponsors who contribute to our Parish costs

No posts found.

 

 

 

 

 

NEW SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE IF YOU JUST WANT TO SPEND SOME SPECIAL TIME WITH GOD

  Read More on our Renewal Pages here

Newsletter: 27th October 2019 – 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Download this newsletter in printer-friendly PDF format to read later. But all the posts and more can be found below with links , videos and much more if you like too.

Download this week’s Newsletter here:  Newsletter – XXX Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sunday 27th October 2019 Year C

 

My Dear Friends, Brothers & Sisters in Christ

Introduction: The main theme of today’s Gospel is that true humility and repentance for our sins must be the hallmark of our prayers. However, the central focus of today’s parable is not on prayer itself, but rather on the evil of pride, the need for true humility and the role of God’s grace in our salvation.

Life messages:

1) Let us evict the Pharisee and revive the publican in each of us. We become the proud Pharisee when we brag about our achievements giving no credit to God, when we seek praise and recognition from others for our accomplishments, and when we degrade others with insensitive comments, hurting their feelings. In today’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to imitate the humble publican (tax collector) by acknowledging our total dependence on God and His grace for all our achievements and blessings; by confessing to God daily our sinfulness and asking for His pardon and forgiveness; by praying for God’s continued daily support through His grace; by asking God for strengthening through the daily anointing of His Holy Spirit living within us; and by becoming more sensitive to the needs and feelings of others, serving Jesus in them as best as we can.

2) Let us include all the necessary ingredients in our prayers. Our personal prayers must include our request for pardon and forgiveness for our sins; our thanksgiving for the numerous blessings we receive daily from God; our praise and worship of God as we surrender to Him our lives and all our activities completely and unconditionally; our acknowledgement of our weakness and of our total dependence on God, and finally, in our presentation of our needs and petitions, accompanied by the fervent request for God’s strengthening of us in our weakness and temptations by the daily anointing of His Holy Spirit. Let us pray every day: “Be merciful to me, a sinner.”

3) Let us rid ourselves of self-justification: It is a tragedy that those who justify themselves leave no room to receive grace. Morally they may be living exemplary lives, yet their self-justification leaves no room for the grace of God to take hold. God cannot give grace to them because they are not ready to receive it; they are too full. If we are proud and complacent, there is not much room for God. On the other hand, if we are truly humble, we will find grace, mercy and peace. There must be a space in our lives for grace to enter and work its miracle. One lesson of the parable for us is that we must keep our focus entirely on God and our relationship with Him, recognizing that we are constantly in need of His mercy and forgiveness.

4) Let us ask for God’s unconditional love, forgiveness and mercy during the Holy Mass. When we participate in the Holy Mass, let us first admit our sinfulness before God by saying “I have greatly sinned … through my most grievous fault and let us beat our breasts with sincere repentance. Let us ask for God’s mercy as the publican did by saying, “Lord, have mercy! Christ have mercy! Lord, have mercy!” Later in the Mass, when we pray the “Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world,” let us passionately cry out, “have mercy on us, have mercy on us, and grant us peace!” Today’s Gospel is about God’s Divine Mercy. The tax collector saw this clearly: “Be merciful to me, a sinner.” We repeat this phrase at the Holy Mass and in the Divine Mercy Prayer: “Eternal Father, we offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.”

This is why we are gathered together every Sunday. We tell God that we offer Him His dearly beloved Son in atonement for our sins. Let us conclude with the Divine Mercy Prayer: “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us, and on the whole world.”

May Dear Lord Jesus Christ bless them all.

with Blessings and prayerful best wishes, Father Marcin Drabik

No Favorites: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Lord is our guardian, beside us at our right hand, interceding for us in all our spiritual battles. In today’s Psalm we’re told to lift our eyes to the mountains, that our help will come from Mount Zion and the Temple—the dwelling of the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Joshua and the Israelites, in today’s First Reading, are also told to look to the hilltops. They are to find their help there—through the intercession of Moses—as they defend themselves against their mortal foes, the Amalekites. Notice the image: Aaron and Hur standing on each side of Moses, holding his weary arms so that he can raise the staff of God above his head. Moses is being shown here as a figure of Jesus, who also climbed a hilltop, and on Mount Calvary stretched out His hands between heaven and earth to intercede for us against the final enemy—sin and death (see 1 Corinthians 15:26).

Parish Youth Group & Confirmation Candidates Announcement – Important Dates

With huge joy I would like to announce, that the renovation of the room for our Catholic Youth Club (and for other ministries and activities with the children and teenagers) is almost ready. Our Youth Club will meet every week, on Tuesdays – from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Meetings Dates to Note: Notes: The solemn opening the room took place after Holy Mass at 10.15am on Sunday 3rd November 2019. And the inauguration of the Catholic Youth Club in our …
Read more here

Reminder All Saints Day 1st November is a Holy Day of Obligation

Holy Day of Obligation: A reminder that All Saints Day (1st November) is a holy day of obligation where (just like a Sunday) all Catholics are obliged to attend Mass. Mass times will be: On Friday 1st November ALL SAINTS day: Friday 1st November ALL SAINTS day: St Swithun’s church: at 10.00am (we would like to welcome all St Swithun’s Catholic School), Friday 1st November ALL SAINTS day: St Swithun’s church: at 8.15pm (in Polish), Friday 1st November ALL …
Read more here

3 Mistakes we make in prayer; and 3 times we get it right

Happily, the Church does a really good job of helping us find the right attitudes

Jesus has good news and bad news for religious people this Sunday.Jesus points to two examples of prayer this Sunday, the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. The bad news is that we often make the same prayer mistakes the Pharisee makes in his story — but the good news is, the Church has made sure we also often imitate the tax collector …
Read more here

How to Free Your Kids From Screen Addiction

The minds and hearts of our children are palaces, worth infinitely more than any mere home. Matt D’Antuono
In the first part of this blog I contrasted the use of technology with authentic encounter, for which we were made and by which we develop most fully as humans. In this second part, I want to respond to a couple of common objections my wife and I have heard from our friends in support of giving their children cellphones. Parents …
Read more here

The first Halloween began with an exorcism

The origins of Halloween are rooted in a massive exorcism performed in the 7th century.

The word “Halloween” is a Scottish shortening of the phrase “Allhallow-even,” literally meaning “All Holy Evening” and dates to the 18th century. The English have a similar phrase, “All Hallows’ Eve,” with the same meaning. Both words denote the night before All Saints Day, November 1, and refer to the celebration of the holy men and women who are recognized in the Catholic Church as …
Read more here

Catholics and Halloween

Halloween and Catholics The origin and traditional customs associated with Halloween require no other explanation than that they are examples of the kinds of festivity that served as a means of celebrating the various holy days of the Catholic Liturgical Year. This includes everything from masquerades, feasting, and the associations of a given day of the year with supernatural or spiritual truths. I would draw a distinction between the violent, macabre imagery that characterizes the modern appropriation of Halloween as a kind …
Read more here

Parish Mission of St Swithuns and Our Lady of Lourdes

Our ‘why’ we do what we do:

“We are here to make Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament better known, loved, honoured, worshiped and adored. All of our efforts in this parish will be geared towards helping every individual to discover the Lord waiting for them to approach Him in the tabernacle”. “We are here to make Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament better known, loved, honoured, worshiped and adored. All of our efforts in this parish will be geared …
Read more here

 

Hymn for Today: Cry For Humility- Christ Our Life

Hymn for Today: Cry For Humility- Christ Our Life

BEHIND THE SONG Song by “Christ Our Life” (Used with permission.) Sunset pics 1, 3, 7, 11, 12 in order by Per Ola Wiberg, XYO, Tony Hisgett, Mike Baird, Tony Hisgett. JACOB GEORGE1 year ago Jesus has frugality, humility and compassion.This are the virtues I follow. Marian PG6 years ago Beautiful! Thank you so much for creating these God-centered songs that are a form of worship to our Lord. Angel Que6 years ago our humanity is incomplete without humility Cry For Humility Lyric Video – “Christ Our Life” Psalms 19:12-13; Jer 2:19 Lord I Cry For Humility Crush the …
Read more here

Children – Read today’s Holy Readings here again 27-10-2019

Children, in this week’s Luke 18:9-14 The tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified. Jesus teaches us to be HUMBLE. Father Marcin and I have agreed that it would be good if the parish knew a little more about what is happening in school and the school community had the benefit of Fr Marcin’s thoughts on the week’s Gospel: Children, I’d like to tell you a brief story aboiut 2 girls called called Sarah and Lottie. There once were two girls and neither one of them could play football. They were awful at it. But Sarah thought she COULD play soccer and that she could play it well. She’d walk around talking about how she was the best football player in the world and how she was better than everyone else and no one knew football better than she did. She would say that she was so good that she …
Read more here

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel and Readings for the Week -27-10-2019

Background on the Gospel Reading The second parable that Jesus tells in Luke 18 addresses attitude in prayer. In contrasting the prayer of the Pharisee with the prayer of the tax collector, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray in humility before God. Jesus again surprises his listeners by showing the tax collector as the example of faith, rather than the Pharisee. Remember that Pharisees were members of a sect of Judaism active in Jesus’ time. They taught an oral interpretation of the Law of Moses as the basis for Jewish piety. If anyone would be a model for prayer, a Pharisee was a likely candidate. In contrast, Jesus offers the tax collector as a model for prayer. Tax collectors were collaborators with the Roman authorities in a system that allowed the tax collectors to line their own pockets by charging in excess of the defined taxes. Yet, in this parable, …
Read more here

Our Dear Children from St Swithun’s Catholic Primary School - special ‘homework’, after their Holy Mass

Our Dear Children from St Swithun’s Catholic Primary School – special ‘homework’, after their Holy Mass

Our Dear Children from St Swithun’s Catholic Primary School had a special ‘homework’, after their Holy Mass on Friday 18th October. It was the Feast of St Luke, the Evangelist, who did not leave St Paul alone in his trial, as others did. So, the students could write a short letter to the lonely person. Here are results: Dear lonely person, I am sorry to hear you are lonely but I am writing with good news – prayer can help you! Tell God all of your worries and troubles and you won’t feel lonely anymore. Before long, your heart will …
Read more here
“Pasta and Pilgrimage: Saturday 9th November. 7.30pm Hall"

“Pasta and Pilgrimage: Saturday 9th November. 7.30pm Hall”

An evening to enjoy Italian food and wine together with a presentation of experiences from the recent Eucharistic Pilgrimage”. Bring something Italian to share eg food/wine!! We need some indication of numbers. Please let know: Fr Marcin or Brian McCreesh (02392786986 or b.mccreesh@ntlworld.com). …
Read more here
St Swithun's and OLOL Christmas Fair

St Swithun’s and OLOL Christmas Fair

Our parish church will be holding their Christmas Fair on Saturday 30th November between 2 pm – 5 pm at St. Swithun’s Church, 105 Waverley Road.  There will be lots of different stalls and games, as well as different refreshment stalls. Father Christmas will also be making an appearance! Please do go along to support this event. If you would like to have a stall or if you have any donations for the bric- a-brac stall please phone the parish office 02392 828305. We want to tell you about our Christmas Fair 

Sunday School

Sunday School after 10:15am Mass for all Children and Parents

TO ALL PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN FROM 5 TO 12 YEARS OLD Sunday School this year for 2019  – give a chance to your children to enjoy their confidence in their faith. Because our special room will be open very soon, we’ll renew our SUNDAY SCHOOL for the children from 5 to 10 years old. We will start again after half term – on 10th November 2019. We’ll will always meet after The Holy Mass at 10.15am from 11.30am to 12.15pm. So ,after Mass at 10:15am, all the children who would like to participate in this special way of our …
Read more here
Parents Toddlers Group

St Swithun’s Parents and Toddlers Group 2019

Look forward to seeing you next Tuesday  Have you pre-school children? Why not come and join our happy Parent and Toddler Group which is held on Tuesday mornings (term time) from 9.15 to 11.15 am. Singing and playing for the children and a cup of tea for you the parent or carer. Look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays. Baby and toddler groups are a great place to meet mums with children your child’s age, and your child can make new friends too. The groups are run by volunteers and provide a great play opportunity for you child and a …
Read more here
Worship Together Programme - Healing and Prayer Ministry

Worship Together Programme – Healing and Prayer Ministry

On MONDAYS Our Parish has “OUR PRAISE & WORSHIP TIME” together in the church’s hall (from 7.30pm to 9.00pm) – See below for dates and full programme. These will be held in the Presbytery.  (105 Waverley Road). The Praise & Worship nights will be held every second week. IT WILL BE OUR PARISH’s ECUMENICAL TIME DURING OUR MONDAY’S EVENING OF WORSHIP, PRAYER AND HEALING   It IS THE best time to format a group of people with all the Christian Charisms to share, and to receive; to increase and to deepen. ALL ARE VERY WELCOME!!! . …
Read more here
Parish Youth Group & Confirmation Candidates Announcement - Important Dates

Parish Youth Group & Confirmation Candidates Announcement – Important Dates

With huge joy I would like to announce, that the renovation of the room for our Catholic Youth Club (and for other ministries and activities with the children and teenagers) is almost ready. Our Youth Club will meet every week, on Tuesdays – from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Meetings Dates to Note: Notes: The solemn opening the room took place after Holy Mass at 10.15am on Sunday 3rd November 2019. And the inauguration of the Catholic Youth Club in our Parish took place on Tuesday the 5th November at 4.00pm – there will take place our first meeting for all the …
Read more here
Eucharistic Adoration - New Start Time from 9:00am every Morning

Eucharistic Adoration – New Start Time from 9:00am every Morning

Dear Parishioners, Dear Friends – because we are involved in so many different activities at our Parish, and our ways of The New Evangelisation in this world all the time multiply, I would like to announce that we do increase the Eucharistic Adoration time in the mornings, before the Holy Mass. So, instead of a start at 9.30am, we will start at 9.00am, to be sure that we entrust everything who we are, and everything what do we do in Jesus’ Name, will come from Him, and will be Blessed by the Lord. So, please do not hesitate to step …
Read more here
Beloved Dead

Holy Souls – The November Mass list to Remember our Dead.

The November Mass list: During November we offer Masses for the dead. If you would like to enrol a loved one on the Parish November Mass List, they will have Mass offered for them, they will be included in the Masses for the Holy Souls, and they will be prayed for (collectively) during the Intercessions each Sunday. Also – very day from Monday to Saturday all the names will be read loudly and prayed with Holy Rosary Prayer in St Swithun’s church about 10.35am. November Mass offering envelopes are available in both churches this week or so. Dear Brothers and …
Read more here
Ascent Group - Jackie Baynes on here New Book 28-10-2019

Ascent Group – Jackie Baynes on here New Book 28-10-2019

The next Ascent Group meeting will be on Monday the 28th of October in St Swithuns Church Hall from 2-15pm. The guest Speaker will be Jackie Baynes who will talk on the subject of her new book entitled ‘Guns and Roses, the story of Lumps Fort and Canoe Lake Park’. This should be of great interest to all Southsea Residents. All Welcome A talk by local historian Jackie Baynes. Using period and contemporary photographs, this light-hearted presentation will cover the history and development of Lump’s Fort and the ever-popular Southsea attractions in and around the site of the Fort – …
Read more here
World Day of the Poor - Sunday 17th November Winchester

World Day of the Poor – Sunday 17th November Winchester

‘The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever’. On World Day of the Poor we are called to ensure that we are both hearing and responding to the voice of the poor. Caritas Portsmouth are holding an afternoon in Winchester where parishes and groups can come together to review current projects, share experiences and encourage new ideas on Sunday 17th November. It is recommended that you speak to those involved in groups/projects already established in your parishes, so that you can come prepared with any questions or concerns you might have with starting or maintaining a project. It is also helpful …
Read more here
EMM - EXTRA ORDINARY MONTH OF MISSION OCTOBER

EMM – EXTRA ORDINARY MONTH OF MISSION OCTOBER

“BAPTIZED AND SENT: THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ON MISSION IN THE WORLD” 2019 – Mission Sunday Mass: As you have already heard from Our Bishop Philip, Holy Father Pope Francis declared October 2019 ,being the Extra Ordinary Month of Mission (EMM) to commemorate Pope Benedict XV`s apostolic letter Maximum illud issued on 30 November 1919 and this has “ the aim of fostering an increased awareness of the Missio ad Gentes and taking up again with renewed fervour the missionary transformation of the church`s life and pastoral activity, and to help their communities grow in missionary and evangelizing zeal.” As …
Read more here

 

Keep up with what’s Happening in our Parish over this coming Year

Scroll through to see all the events happening from the 27th October 2019 till the 30th November 2019

Or Go to our Parish Events Diary and search a specific date or event  here https://stswithuns.org.uk/events/

Films about Jesus

 

Our next film for discussion during November with be “My Life” with Michael Keaton and Nicole Kidman. More of this next week

 

JOIN US IN ANOTHER WAY OF THE NEW EVAGELIZATION IN OUR PARISH

 

PLEASE NOTE – FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020 (See below for full programmes) 

For our First Communion Preparation this year, we have 34 children, who would like to start their journey of faith. Please keep them and their Dear Parents in your prayers. At the same time our First Communion Children from THE LAST YEAR are very welcome to come and encourage the new children with their presence, and also to receive their special gifts from Fr Marcin, which he will bring from Assisi, from the place where Carlo Acutis is buried, their special friend from the last year’s preparation.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020:  The new programme is published below – You will need to book an appointment with Father Marcin as well as fill in a form which will appear on line shortly or can be got from the parish office.

Date Time Programme Location
9TH September 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Preliminary session for ALL- We start at 5.30pm in the church with the short Exposition & Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament & Benediction.
At 6pm: we go to the hall to the Introduction Session 		St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
16th September 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session II- Session about “PRAYER” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
29th September 2019 SUNDAY 10.15am – Sunday Mass Inaugaration of the new Preparation for the First Communion Introduction the children to the Church’s Congregation St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
30th September 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session III- “ROSARY PRAYER” (NB. On the following Sunday 6th October at 10.15am Mass the special rosary beads are blessed and given to the children) St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
6th October 2019 SUNDAY 10.15am – Sunday Mass Receiving THE FIRST COMMUNION ROSARY BEADS St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
14th October 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session IV- “THE TEN GOD’s COMMANDMENTS” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
28th October 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session V- “Communion of Saints; Prayer for the deceased and the Holy Souls (Purgatory)” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
4th November 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session VI- “THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
18TH November 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session VII -“SACRAMENTS, SACRAMENTALIA & DEVOTIONS” The Miraculous Medals of Our Lady St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
8th December 2019 SUNDAY 10.15am – Sunday Mass Receiving The Miraculous Medals of Our Lady St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
16th December 2019 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session VIII- “SACRAMENT of BAPTISM” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
13th January 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session IX- “SACRAMENT of CONFESSION” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27th January 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session X- “SACRAMENT of CONFESSION – practical guide” & “FIVE necessary conditions for a good Confession” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
10th February 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XI – “SACRED HEART DEVOTION – 9 First Fridays of the Month” “Behaving in the confessional”, “ways of confessing sins” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
24th February 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XII- “INSIDE THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST part 1 – (Measuring children for First Communion robes) St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
9th March 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XIII- “INSIDE THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST part 2” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
23rd March 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XIV-“Structure and the meaning of the particular parts of the Holy Mass”
Receiving and getting familiar with the Mass & Prayer Books which children receive during the session.

 St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27th March 2020 FRIDAY 6.15pm STATIONS OF THE CROSS IN THE CHURCH St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27th April 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session XV – “The Holy Body & Precious Blood of Christ” St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
11th May 2020 MONDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Session only for parents/carers – Theology of the Body St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
31st May 2020 Sunday after 10:15am Mass Rehearsals of the First Confession & The First Holy Communion Celebration St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
7th June 2020 Sunday after 10:15am Mass Rehearsals of the First Confession & The First Holy Communion Celebration St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
12TH June 2020 FRIDAY 5.30pm to 7.00pm Final Rehearsal Followed by the Holy Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Benediction St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
13TH June 2020 Saturday 11.30am FIRST SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION FOR CHILDREN St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
14TH JUNE 2020 Sunday 11:45am FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASS St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
21ST June 2020 SUNDAY 10:15am Mass Receiving the Certificates of the Holy Communion St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
22ND June 2020 MONDAY 5.00pm to 6.30pm Session XVI – Following Jesus Christ & the ways to be involved St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
28TH June 2020 SUNDAY 10:15am Mass Thanksgiving Mass together with the previous year First Communion Children St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea
27TH September 2020 SUNDAY 10:15am Mass Inaugaration of the new Preparation for the First Communion. Thanksgiving Mass and receive a special gift from Fr Marcin St Swithun’s RC Church Southsea

SHORT REMINDER FOR THE PARENTS OF THE FIRST COMMUNION CHILDREN – Please, attend the sessions with your children, because they are organised on the way to make your life a little bit easier do not create another, separated sessions just with the Parents. All the Parents should stay for the sessions with the children, please, please.

Our First Communion Children and their Parents, are very welcome for our next Formation Meeting on Monday 28th October at 5.30pm – in Sy Swithun’s church hall. This time – all of us: The Children, The Parents and The Catechists are asked to come dressed like their favourite Saint, or their Saint Patron from Baptism. We will have ‘SAINT’S COMPETITION’ – the best look, the best knowledge about the saint You will represent. So, please try your best to find out something more about your Saint Patron, and come to introduce him/her to us by your dress and by your knowledge about their life.

The  next Baptismal Preparation Sessions for 2020 will appear here soon

Please, notice that it is expected from the Parents & God -Parents to practice their faith, which also means to attend Sunday Mass regularly.

 Download The Baptism Registration form here:

 

RCIA – (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults):

if You are and adult and think to be baptised in the Catholic Church, or You are baptised in another Christian denominations, but would like to become Catholic, or You wish to be confirmed, please contact Fr Marcin for more details.

Our first meeting on Thursday 31st October at 7.00pm to the Presbytery (105 Waverley Road, Southsea)

 

Pope Francis Prayer Intentions October 2019 -Evangelization – Holy Spirit

Pope Francis Prayer Intentions October 2019 -Evangelization – Holy Spirit

Evangelization – Holy Spirit That the breath of the Holy Spirit engender a new missionary “spring” in the church. Each year, the Holy Father asks for our prayers for a specific intention each month. We are invited to answer the Holy Father’s request and to join with many people worldwide in praying for this intention each month. October’s Prayer Intention of the Holy Father coincides with the church’s Extraordinary Mission Month. At its heart there is the fervent prayer intention for a “Missionary Spring – that the breath of the Holy Spirit engender a new missionary ‘spring’ in the church” …
Read more here

and for those in Our Own Parish…..

Please pray for those who are ill especially:  Shelia Langford; Yvonne Tompkin, Catherine Morgan, Piam Brown Ward, for all the children suffering and their poor families with them Aidan Molloy, David Shields, Bob Guy, Ms Sini Chacko, Shirley Parker, Kathleen Jones, Heidi Badnell, Rosemary Devonald, Dominic, Carol Langsford, Patricia Ward, Pat Groom, Stan Whitnell, Patrick McCreesh, Eddie Coppani, Tony Denny, Betty Foster, Bobby, Eileen Stewart, Joan Smith, John Williams, Margaret Bager, Fred Vuksani, Tom & Lily, Greta Kemp, Magda K, Mary Wallis, Micheline Thompson, Pat Needham, Margaret Badger, Anne Sullivan, Jo Wheeler and Josephine Butler.

And all whose anniversaries occur at this time: 27th October 2019 :  Douglas Simpson, Norah Florence Herrity,Marion Barcock, Beatrice Boorah, Bishop William Timothy Cotter, Borus Kesi, Mary Casey, Lily Fuller, Mary Spary, Mary Prior, Reginald Edward George Gilbert, Joseph Andrews, Jane Jones, Germain Naie Scadden, Mary Margaret Holt, Eileen Huddleston, Canon Patrick McSwiney (PP), Henry McAllister, Minnie Griffin, Margaret Downing, Anthony Micallef, Dorothy Ginn, John Williams, Joan Brown, Shaun McAuliffe, Thomas Stockbridge, Patrick Davison, Winifred “Una” Hughes, Ena Egerton, Percy Tiller, Kate Mutton, Beatrice Wilkins, Marjorie Sullivan, Jane Young, Mildred Watkins, Dorothy Marjorie Herd, Janet Archer Graham Crane, Phyllis Mary Minskell, Freda Dulcie Hudson, William Atkin, Ellen Moran, Kathleen Tanter, Alfred Henry Bioletti Harman, Derek Vernon Thomas Norris, James Bradley, Roland Madden, Jack Bailey, Margaret Farr, Carmen Hainey, Ethel Frances Softly, Peter Hubert Gray, Lilian Ralph, Patrick Crawley, Christina Boullin, Marian Johnson, Albert Cook, Christina Dinner, Giovanna Vella, Alfred Ernest Hutchings,,Lizzie and Patrick McSharry ,Gemma Litchfield and Jozef Michalczuk.

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen 

“CAN-DO CHRISTIANS” A MESSAGE FROM FATHER MARCIN

Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Dear Friends: I would like to share with You some things which are about our Parish and for our Parish.  I’m absolutely sure, that You have noticed how many things already happen in our Parish to help in our spiritual grow to love God more and more in His Word to us, in His Sacraments for us (which is His real presence among us). We also go out to meet those who still searching for God, or who were not so lucky to have personal contact with Jesus Christ.

Plug into Prayer

Morning Prayers by Text

THANK YOU SO MUCH to John Mason, who made for our church a beautiful rosary beads, which we can find hanging on the benches. They are used by many to pray the rosary, but also we are very welcome to take them, if we wish to use them in our daily life for this such powerful prayer through the intercessions of Our Lady, Mother of God. Because one of the resolutions for the New Year 2019 in our parish is to remember about Morning Prayer, it is good to know, that John also is active in this way for us, …
Read more here
going into hospital

GOING INTO HOSPITAL?

GOING INTO HOSPITAL? Due to strict data protection rules it is essential on entering hospital to indicate your details or those of your relative to be passed on to the Catholic Chaplain. Also state that you or your relative would like the Catholic Chaplain to visit you. Chaplains visit the wards during the week and provide an on-call service in case of emergency …
Read more here
homeless-600x450

St Swithun’s Homeless Mission

Our Roman Catholic Church of St Swithun’s and Our Lady of Lourdes two years ago decided that we had to start helping our homeless brothers and sisters along the Albert Road. Hence our Homeless Mission was born. A couple of volunteers Diana Clark and Lisa Butler started out by just making some sandwiches and some flasks of tea and coffee and taking these to the homeless they found on the street. We saw the increasing numbers of people sleeping rough in Portsmouth and Southsea, alongside other towns and cities in Britain. They are clearly visible in the doorways and car …
Read more here
helping the sick

HELPING THE HOUSEBOUND and SICK AT HOME

I would like to inform you about one of our very important Pastoral Works, which will be a connection between Jesus Christ’s altar and our home’s tables – if You are sick, elderly or housebound, or You have any family members or friends who are in such a state, I will be very happy to celebrate Holy Mass at their homes, flats if they only wish. Please, let me know and we will organise everything. Thanksgiving for the invitation and all the Family, who care of it and they going to be present there. God’s Blessings from Father Marcin …
Read more here
Children' Liturgy of the Word

Children’s Liturgy & Sunday School from Sept 2019

Children’s Liturgy St Swithun’s will run again our CHILDREN’S LITURGY for our Sunday Masses at 10.15am starting back on 8th of September. If any of the Parents would like to join a team of so dedicated people for this time with the smallest children during the Holy Mass, please be in touch with our Dear Anne Worden – 02392 817586, or email: anne.worden@port.ac.uk We need your help so much, so the children can be sure, that their special Liturgy will take place very Sunday. Children’s Liturgy Volunteers Our children enjoy taking part in the Liturgy of the Word which is …
Read more here

 

Saint Dominic Guzman and the Holy Rosary

Saint Dominic Guzman and the Holy Rosary

Saint Dominic Guzman and the Holy Rosary The Rosary is attributed to Saint Dominic Guzman in the 1200’s. Saint Dominic Guzman was an Augustian priest and worked for clerical reform. By age 26, Saint Dominic Guzman was fighting the Albigensian Heresy, which taught that there are two Gods, marriage is a sin, and denied the Trinity, incarnation and redemption. While many others had failed to stop the spread of the heresy, Saint Dominic Guzman succeeded. In 1208, Saint Dominic Guzman knelt in the little chapel of Notre Dame de La Prouille and asked Mary, the Mother of God, to save …
Read more here
Holy Rosary

The Mysteries of the Rosary

The Mysteries of the Rosary Until about the 15th century hundreds of mysteries were part of the Rosary devotion then the 15 mysteries that we know today were definitively fixed as “the Mysteries of the Rosary.” Pope John Paul II, in his encyclical, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, in 2002 added the five Luminous Mysteries. Through the meditations of the complete Rosary one recalls and has impressed on his mind, the Popes tell us, “the chief mysteries of the Christian religion,” “the mysteries of our Redemption,” “the great mysteries of Jesus and His Mother united in joys, sorrows, and triumphs.” The twenty mysteries are …
Read more here
Pope John Paul II prays the Holy Rosary

The Rosary and the Popes

The Rosary and the Popes No form of extra-liturgical devotion to Mary is more widely practiced among the faithful or found by them to be more satisfyingly complete than the Rosary, which has come to be regarded as the very badge of Catholic piety. No form of extra-liturgical devotion to Mary has been recommended more warmly or frequently by the Popes. With perhaps two exceptions, all the Sovereign Pontiffs from Sixtus IV in 1478 down to John XXIII, especially Leo XIII (in 23 documents, ten of them encyclicals entirely on the Rosary) and his successors, have extolled this form of …
Read more here
Pope John Paul II and the Holy Rosary

The Rosary and the Liturgical Year

The Rosary and the Liturgical Year The Rosary had its origin in the liturgical mentality of former ages. Even at the present time it is called “Mary’s Psalter.” There still are Catholics who consider the 150 Hail Marys a substitute for the 150 psalms for those persons who neither have the time, the education, nor the opportunity to pray the Hours of the Divine Office. Thus “Mary’s Psalter” is a shortened, simplified “breviary” — alongside the common Hour-prayer of the Church. — The Church’s Year of Grace, Dr. Pius Parsch The Rosary is Christocentric setting forth the entire life of Jesus …
Read more here
15 Promises of reciting the Holy Rosary

The Fifteen Promise of Our Lady of the Rosary

Thus, I implore all of you to pray the Rosary as Our Lady, Mother Mary, asked of us. Please make it part of your daily prayers. Remember and truly contemplate the 15 promises of Mary to those that pray the Rosary:

  1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.
  2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary.
  3. The rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
  4. It will cause virtue and good works to …
    Read more here

Our Lady of Fatima – The Miracle of the Sun

On October 13, 1917, Mary appeared again to the three children at Fatima and said, “I want to tell you that a chapel is to be built here in my honour. I am the Lady of the Rosary. Continue always to pray the Rosary every day. The war is going to end, and the soldiers will soon return to their homes.” By then there were thousands of witnesses. Mary also said, “Do not offend the Lord our God any more, because He is already so much offended.” At that, the Miracle of the Sun was witnessed by 70,000 people as …
Read more here
Our Lady of Fatima Pray for Us

Our Blessed Lady at Fatima – “I am the Lady of the Rosary”

Our Blessed Lady at Fatima – “I am the Lady of the Rosary” On May 13, 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima and continued to appear on the 13th of each month until October of 1917. On the first day the children saw “a lady, clothed in white, brighter than the sun, radiating a light more clear and intense than a crystal cup filled with sparkling water, lit by burning sunlight.” Mary’s request was clear, “I have come to ask you to come here for six months on the 13th day of the month, at …
Read more here
MARY IN OUR LIFE Fr. William Most

Mary in our Life by Fr. William G. Most

Mary in our Life by Fr. William G. Most “Today, when dangers far greater than those of the ancient Turks threaten not only Christianity but all civilisation, we are urged by our Blessed Mother to turn again to the Rosary for help. If men in sufficient numbers do this, and at the same time carry out the other conditions that she has laid down, we have the greater reason for confidence that we will be delivered from our dangers.” —  We are all called to be children of the One True God. And, the disappointing thing in our world is that …
Read more here
The Rosary is the weapon for these times Padre Pio

Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina – “The Rosary is a Weapon”

Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina – “The Rosary is a Weapon” How true! With the Rosary, we can fight the powers of Satan, which foster sin, hatred, and war. The Rosary is the weapon of the Church in proclaiming unity and peace. All mankind is called to be part of the One, Universal Faith, and we are called to pray together. The Rosary has been called the second greatest prayer, second only to the Holy Mass. “The Rosary is the scourge of the devil,” wrote Pope Adrian V. …
Read more here
October Month of the Holy Rosary

OCTOBER: The Most Holy Rosary

October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which is celebrated each year, commemorates the great navy victory of the Christians over the Turks in 1571. At that battle, the Battle of Lepanto, sixty-five thousand men prayed the Rosary for three hours and took part in the Sacraments and Traditional Devotions. And, the Christian army prevailed that day against the Turks, although they were outnumbered by a 3:1 ratio. Following the colossal victory of the Christians, the Turks never fully recovered and never again threatened the Mediterranean Sea. Pope Pius V established the …
Read more here

Pope Francis Message - 3rd World Day of the Poor 2019

Pope Francis Message – 3rd World Day of the Poor 2019

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS THIRD WORLD DAY OF THE POOR 33th Sunday in Ordinary Time 17 November 2019 The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever 1. “The hope of the poor will not perish for ever” (Ps 9:19). These words of the Psalm remain timely. They …
Read More
Pope Francis kicks off World Day of the Poor with free healthcare for disadvantaged

Pope Francis kicks off World Day of the Poor with free healthcare for disadvantaged

Blog Topic: “I was a Catholic once"

Blog Topic: “I was a Catholic once”

REPORT FOR BAMENDA SUNDAY

REPORT FOR BAMENDA SUNDAY

 

Our Parish Finances – we need your Help 27-10-2019

OFFERTORY:

Thank you for last Sunday’s Collection. The total amount was £1174.28 (64% gift aid).   As always, your generosity is much appreciated. Your donations make the life and work of the Parish possible.

NEXT weekend THE SECOND COLLECTION will be dedicated for BAMENDA.

 

Download Newsletter PDF 27-10-2019

WE’RE SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS NEWS WITH YOU AND DON’T FORGET USE THE CONTACT FORMS ON OUR WEBSITE ! Download this newsletter in printer-friendly PDF format to read later.

Download this week’s Newsletter here:  Newsletter – XXX Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sunday 27th October 2019 Year C

Calendars

  Daily Services Calendars for all times

  Saints Calendar to learn about this weeks Saints

  Daily Reading Calendar for the prayers this week

  View All of our Parish Events Here

PARISH CONTACTS

  • PARISH PRIEST: Father Marcin Drabik tel: 02392 828305 email: mdrabik@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk 
  • Address: 105 Waverley Road, Southsea, PO5 2PL;
  • Pastoral Assistant: Sr Marie Elise tel: 07747 728734;
  • Safeguarding Representative: Mo Griffiths  tel: 023 92 737559;
  • Safeguarding Representative: Anne Worden  tel: 023 92 817586;
  • Parish Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 8.00am –12.30pm. tel: 02392 828 305
    email: southseaparish@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

HELP US SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

Let people know and come join in the conversation online!
LIKE/SHARE our Facebook Page: St Swithuns Page
FOLLOW us on Twitter: @FrMarcinD
@St_swithun

A big THANK YOU to our sponsors who contribute to our Parish costs

No posts found.

 

 

 

 

 

NEW SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE IF YOU JUST WANT TO SPEND SOME SPECIAL TIME WITH GOD

  Read More on our Renewal Pages here

Newsletter: 20th October 2019 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Download this newsletter in printer-friendly PDF format to read later. But all the posts and more can be found below with links , videos and much more if you like too.

Download this week’s Newsletter here:  Newsletter – XXIX Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sunday 20th October 2019 Year C

 

My Dear Friends, Brothers & Sisters in Christ

Two weeks ago, the students of St Swithun’s Primary School came for their Class’ Holy Mass on Friday (11th October), on the memorial of Saint Pope John XXIII, who was a pope from 1958-1963 and was known as “The Good Pope’’. I love reading other people’s resolutions and their personal commandments, and I was very interested to read for the children the daily decalogue of St Pope John XXII. The pupils have had their homework (for those who wanted) to choose 1 of 10 Saint Pope’s resolution as the most inspiring for them.

Here are ten tips from Pope John XXIII about how to live a better life, day to day

(the number on the side represents a number of the students, who were inspired by and put into the action the commandment):

1. Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once. (8)
2. Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behaviour; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself. (4)
3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one. (4)
4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes. (0)
5. Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul. (9)
6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it. (11)
7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices. (8)
8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision. (0)
9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world. (1)
10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for 12 hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life. (7)

Which of the ten rang most true for you?

Thanksgiving to their wonderful Teachers for their dedicated work. Last Friday – the children from the School have celebrated with us The Feast of St Luke, and they were given another homework – let’s see next Sunday’s Newsletter, what were they asked to do?

May Dear Lord Jesus Christ bless them all.

with Blessings and prayerful best wishes, Father Marcin Drabik

Hope from on High: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Lord is our guardian, beside us at our right hand, interceding for us in all our spiritual battles. In today’s Psalm we’re told to lift our eyes to the mountains, that our help will come from Mount Zion and the Temple—the dwelling of the Lord who made heaven and earth. Joshua and the Israelites, in today’s First Reading, are also told to look to the hilltops. They are to find their help there—through the intercession of Moses—as they defend themselves against their mortal foes, the Amalekites.

Parish Youth Group & Confirmation Candidates Announcement – Important Dates

With huge joy I would like to announce, that the renovation of the room for our Catholic Youth Club (and for other ministries and activities with the children and teenagers) is almost ready. Our Youth Club will meet every week, on Tuesdays – from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Meetings Dates to Note: Notes: The solemn opening the room took place after Holy Mass at 10.15am on Sunday 3rd November 2019. And the inauguration of the Catholic Youth Club in our …
Read more here

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS FRANCIS FOR WORLD MISSION DAY 2019

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS FRANCIS FOR WORLD MISSION DAY 2019

Baptized and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in the World

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

For the month of October 2019, I have asked that the whole Church revive her missionary awareness and commitment as we commemorate the centenary of the Apostolic Letter Maximum Illud of Pope Benedict XV (30 November 1919). Its farsighted and prophetic vision of the apostolate has made me realize once again the importance of renewing the Church’s …
Read more here

World Mission Sunday 201 – India: Together we are Mission

Shorti and Vandoosha* with Sr Clara today World Mission Sunday is on 20 October. As our global Church comes together on this special day, Missio asks the faithful of England and Wales to support the missionary work of the Church in India and throughout the world, through your prayers and financial support. Please donate to World Mission Sunday>> ‘Give them confidence that Jesus loves them’

Every single day, all over the world, countless young girls are exploited. Often stolen from their families or sold against …
Read more here

Parish Mission of St Swithuns and Our Lady of Lourdes

Our ‘why’ we do what we do:

“We are here to make Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament better known, loved, honoured, worshiped and adored. All of our efforts in this parish will be geared towards helping every individual to discover the Lord waiting for them to approach Him in the tabernacle”. “We are here to make Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament better known, loved, honoured, worshiped and adored. All of our efforts in this parish will be geared …
Read more here

 

Hymn for Today: Lyrics - Our Father - Hillsong Worship

Hymn for Today: Lyrics – Our Father – Hillsong Worship

Behind the Song: – Our Father – Hillsong Worship Hannah Hobbs talks about the song ‘Our Father’ from the Hillsong Worship album ‘No Other Name’. This song is inspired by the Lord’s Prayer. In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus teaches us how to pray — when we sing this song, we’re actually reminding ourselves to pray like Jesus instructed us! Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done I love that we can gather in church together to sing in unity, to declare our adoration for our God. There’s plenty of great songs that are …
Read more here

Children – Read today’s Holy Readings here again 20-10-2019

Children, in this week’s Gospel: Luke 18:1-8 In parable of the unjust judge Jesus is saying that we need to prayer often’ Father Marcin and I have agreed that it would be good if the parish knew a little more about what is happening in school and the school community had the benefit of Fr Marcin’s thoughts on the week’s Gospel: In today’s story, Jesus is trying to help his disciples be better at praying. And, surprisingly, what Jesus has to say about prayer sounds a lot like paying attention and timing. Jesus tells a story to his disciples about a woman who wants a judge to help her out. But the judge isn’t a very good judge and doesn’t ever try to help people. The judge just does whatever he wants to do. But the woman keeps talking to the judge. Every day, she shows up and never stops talking …
Read more here

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel and Readings for the Week -20-10-2019

Background on the Gospel Reading This is the first of two parables that Jesus tells in Luke 18 about prayer. (The second will be read at Mass next Sunday.) This first parable is a lesson in persistence in prayer. (Next Sunday’s parable will address attitude in prayer.) While the parable seems to present prayer as nagging God for what we want, such a reading misses the point. God is not like the judge in the parable, worn down by requests and coerced to respond. The key is found in the description of the judge as corrupt and unjust. Since God can be neither, we must understand Jesus to be saying that if even an unjust judge responds to the persistence of the widow, how much more so will God listen to our prayers. God truly wants to hear our needs and respond generously. It is the final lament of Jesus that gets …
Read more here


 

 

Adore Group Please Pray for Fr Nicholas Broadbridge RIP

Adore Group Please Pray for Fr Nicholas Broadbridge RIP

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Dom Nicholas Broadbridge osb, a monk and priest of Douai Abbey, who died on 22nd October 2019. Aged 90, Fr. Nicholas had been a monk for 65 years and a priest for 59 years. He became widely known in his later years because of his work in healing ministry. He was a member of our diocesan Healing Advisory Group and the author of several books on healing, notably Our God Heals. To Set Free those who are Oppressed. His funeral is on Wednesday 6th November. May he rest in peace. Here is the …
Read more here
Sunday School

Sunday School after 10:15am Mass for all Children and Parents

TO ALL PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN FROM 5 TO 12 YEARS OLD Sunday School this year for 2019  – give a chance to your children to enjoy their confidence in their faith. Because our special room will be open very soon, we’ll renew our SUNDAY SCHOOL for the children from 5 to 10 years old. We will start again after half term – on 10th November 2019. We’ll will always meet after The Holy Mass at 10.15am from 11.30am to 12.15pm. So ,after Mass at 10:15am, all the children who would like to participate in this special way of our …
Read more here
Parents Toddlers Group

St Swithun’s Parents and Toddlers Group 2019

Look forward to seeing you next Tuesday  Have you pre-school children? Why not come and join our happy Parent and Toddler Group which is held on Tuesday mornings (term time) from 9.15 to 11.15 am. Singing and playing for the children and a cup of tea for you the parent or carer. Look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays. Baby and toddler groups are a great place to meet mums with children your child’s age, and your child can make new friends too. The groups are run by volunteers and provide a great play opportunity for you child and a …
Read more here
Worship Together Programme - Healing and Prayer Ministry

Worship Together Programme – Healing and Prayer Ministry

On MONDAYS Our Parish has “OUR PRAISE & WORSHIP TIME” together in the church’s hall (from 7.30pm to 9.00pm) – See below for dates and full programme. These will be held in the Presbytery.  (105 Waverley Road). The Praise & Worship nights will be held every second week. IT WILL BE OUR PARISH’s ECUMENICAL TIME DURING OUR MONDAY’S EVENING OF WORSHIP, PRAYER AND HEALING   It IS THE best time to format a group of people with all the Christian Charisms to share, and to receive; to increase and to deepen. ALL ARE VERY WELCOME!!! . …
Read more here
Parish Youth Group & Confirmation Candidates Announcement - Important Dates

Parish Youth Group & Confirmation Candidates Announcement – Important Dates

With huge joy I would like to announce, that the renovation of the room for our Catholic Youth Club (and for other ministries and activities with the children and teenagers) is almost ready. Our Youth Club will meet every week, on Tuesdays – from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Meetings Dates to Note: Notes: The solemn opening the room took place after Holy Mass at 10.15am on Sunday 3rd November 2019. And the inauguration of the Catholic Youth Club in our Parish took place on Tuesday the 5th November at 4.00pm – there will take place our first meeting for all the …
Read more here
New Group - The St Vincent de Paul Society - 21-10-2019

New Group – The St Vincent de Paul Society – 21-10-2019

Thank You, so, so much for so many of You, who came for the introduction of the Society of St Vincent de Paul Meeting, and with a huge joy I would like to announce that already 11 of us are very keen to establish the Conference within our Parish. For all those who decided to take a part and for all those who would like to join this way of the small merciful deeds, which make a huge difference in others (and ours) lives, we have a good message – our first meeting will be held on Monday 21st October …
Read more here
Eucharistic Adoration - New Start Time from 9:00am every Morning

Eucharistic Adoration – New Start Time from 9:00am every Morning

Dear Parishioners, Dear Friends – because we are involved in so many different activities at our Parish, and our ways of The New Evangelisation in this world all the time multiply, I would like to announce that we do increase the Eucharistic Adoration time in the mornings, before the Holy Mass. So, instead of a start at 9.30am, we will start at 9.00am, to be sure that we entrust everything who we are, and everything what do we do in Jesus’ Name, will come from Him, and will be Blessed by the Lord. So, please do not hesitate to step …
Read more here
Beloved Dead

Holy Souls – The November Mass list to Remember our Dead.

The November Mass list: During November we offer Masses for the dead. If you would like to enrol a loved one on the Parish November Mass List, they will have Mass offered for them, they will be included in the Masses for the Holy Souls, and they will be prayed for (collectively) during the Intercessions each Sunday. Also – very day from Monday to Saturday all the names will be read loudly and prayed with Holy Rosary Prayer in St Swithun’s church about 10.35am. November Mass offering envelopes are available in both churches this week or so. Dear Brothers and …
Read more here
Ascent Group - Jackie Baynes on here New Book 28-10-2019

Ascent Group – Jackie Baynes on here New Book 28-10-2019

The next Ascent Group meeting will be on Monday the 28th of October in St Swithuns Church Hall from 2-15pm. The guest Speaker will be Jackie Baynes who will talk on the subject of her new book entitled ‘Guns and Roses, the story of Lumps Fort and Canoe Lake Park’. This should be of great interest to all Southsea Residents. All Welcome A talk by local historian Jackie Baynes. Using period and contemporary photographs, this light-hearted presentation will cover the history and development of Lump’s Fort and the ever-popular Southsea attractions in and around the site of the Fort – …
Read more here
Radio Immacula

TUNE INTO “Radio Immaculata” – The meaning of the Holy Mass

The meaning of the Holy Mass Fr Serafino Lanzatta tells us about a new series of podcasts available on Radio Immaculata… In a series of catechesis featured by Radio Immaculata, Fr Serafino M. Lanzetta explains the meaning of the Holy Mass as the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross made for our Redemption. From this Sacrifice – ‘sacrum facere’, to make something sacred, set apart for God – we can understand also the notion of “Banquet” and derive the correct meaning of “Holy Communion”. The talks lead the listener to meditate upon the spirituality of the Holy Mass as …
Read more here
World Day of the Poor - Sunday 17th November Winchester

World Day of the Poor – Sunday 17th November Winchester

‘The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever’. On World Day of the Poor we are called to ensure that we are both hearing and responding to the voice of the poor. Caritas Portsmouth are holding an afternoon in Winchester where parishes and groups can come together to review current projects, share experiences and encourage new ideas on Sunday 17th November. It is recommended that you speak to those involved in groups/projects already established in your parishes, so that you can come prepared with any questions or concerns you might have with starting or maintaining a project. It is also helpful …
Read more here
Ofsted Inspection of St Swithun's Primary Last Week

Ofsted Inspection of St Swithun’s Primary Last Week

As you are aware, Ofsted inspected our school last week. The very brief report will be published either just before or just after half term, which I hope you will find reassuring. The inspector did ask me to thank the parents who completed the survey and those of you he spoke to on the playground. There are different types of inspections; ours was a Section 8, which does not change the judgement grade, so our school will remain a ‘good’ school. The criteria Ofsted use to judge schools changed at the start of this school year; St Swithun’s was the …
Read more here
EMM - EXTRA ORDINARY MONTH OF MISSION OCTOBER

EMM – EXTRA ORDINARY MONTH OF MISSION OCTOBER

“BAPTIZED AND SENT: THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ON MISSION IN THE WORLD” 2019 – Mission Sunday Mass: As you have already heard from Our Bishop Philip, Holy Father Pope Francis declared October 2019 ,being the Extra Ordinary Month of Mission (EMM) to commemorate Pope Benedict XV`s apostolic letter Maximum illud issued on 30 November 1919 and this has “ the aim of fostering an increased awareness of the Missio ad Gentes and taking up again with renewed fervour the missionary transformation of the church`s life and pastoral activity, and to help their communities grow in missionary and evangelizing zeal.” As …
Read more here
Hear Gods Voice

Hear God’s Voice Tuesdays in the Presbytery – St Swithun’s Church

On Tuesdays, from 7.40pm to 9.00pm we are coming back to our SCRIPTURE MEETINGS – ‘HEAR GOD’S VOICE’. All of our meetings are shown in the table below This is a very special and different way to read God’s Word – we continue the journey with St Mark’s Gospel. We ask The Holy Spirit to lead us, to open us for the things which He would like us to notice, to focus on, to put into the action. ALL ARE VERY WELCOME. In the Presbytery – 105 Waverley Road, Southsea. There no registration no checking of lists. It’s a friendly …
Read more here

 

Keep up with what’s Happening in our Parish over this coming Year