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A prayer for Ukraine, Russia and peaceO God, |
My Dearest Parishioners, Visitors, Friends – Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ
Jesus’ instructions on how to be ready for the coming judgment continue in the stories and sayings found in today’s Gospel. We are not to be like the greedy rich man in last Sunday’s Gospel who planned to store his great harvest in barns rather than share it. We are, rather, to share our wealth with those in need. The antidote for the anxiety brought on by the coming judgment is to relinquish our possessions and provide for the needs of others. Our treasure will be in heaven where it will not wear out or be destroyed.
The other major way to be ready for the coming judgment is to be watchful. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about watchfulness to begin making this point. We must be like servants waiting for the master’s return from a wedding banquet, which, even now, can last for a few days in the Middle East. We must be watchful so that even if the master comes after midnight, we will be ready for him. This is what the coming of the Son of Man will be like.
Peter asks if this parable is meant for the apostles or for the large crowd that has gathered to listen to Jesus. Without answering Peter’s question, Jesus responds with another parable about servants awaiting the return of their master. It begins with a question: “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?” This parable adds to the theme of watchfulness; it explains how to wait and reminds us of the reward for the faithful follower at the heavenly banquet after the judgment. If it is addressed to the apostles, then it could also be addressed to leadership in the early Church. Either way, the parables reminds us that we should be found doing our jobs when the master arrives. If we are doing our jobs, our reward will be great. But if we relax, neglect our duties, and begin to act like the greedy rich man—eating, drinking, and making merry—we will not have a place in the kingdom. Watchfulness means living in such a consistently moral and obedient way that we are always ready to give an account to God of how we have lived.
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with Blessings Father Simon |
HOLIDAYS:
Loving Father, during this time of rest and relaxation, please repair in me whatever is weary or broken, and revive my drooping spirit.
Let this holiday be a graced time of recollection and rejuvenation, of deeper self-awareness and eager self-giving.
May it be an occasion of refreshment and reinvigoration, a time to reclaim my friendship with Jesus Christ,
who is Lord now and for ever. Amen.
REFLECTION:
Opening Prayer: Thank you for the gift of this new day. Thank you for the gift of faith, which allows me to seek to live this day meaningfully. You know that I come into your presence filled with a desire to praise you and to receive the grace I need to glorify you by my life. Enlighten me, Lord, and strengthen me.
Encountering Christ:
Unexpected Arrival: Jesus makes clear that although we know that he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, we do not know when he will come. And so, we must always be ready: You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. Jesus invites us to a daily lifestyle marked by a keen awareness of life’s brevity and eternal trajectory. Either the second coming or our own death is always close by. This theme appears throughout the Bible, especially in the wisdom literature: As for man, his days are like the grass; he blossoms like a flower in the field. A wind sweeps over it and it is gone; its place knows it no more (Psalms 103:15-16). Is that how we live? Do we see ourselves, our work, our decisions, and our relationships from this perspective? A common exercise for a spiritual retreat is to sit down and write one’s own eulogy, what we would want to be said about how we lived when our earthly journey is complete. Taking time to reflect on our lives from this perspective can help us gain clarity and focus, enabling us to live each day more truly and more fully.
Eternal Repercussions: Jesus explains that our experience at the end of history–either our own personal history or the history of the world as a whole–will be directly affected by how we choose to live in history. If we live responsibly, loving God and neighbor by seeking and embracing God’s will day by day until the end, we will be blessed. But if we block out the eternal perspective and live only for self-indulgence and self-glorification, we will suffer for it. And the suffering will be in proportion to the level of awareness we had of our true responsibilities. Some commentators see in this passage an allusion to purgatory, since Jesus points out that those who are grossly irresponsible in this life–the ones who act irresponsibly even though they are fully aware of what God was asking of them–will be beaten severely, while those who acted similarly with less awareness will be beaten only lightly. There are degrees of suffering as well as degrees of glory on the other side. Jesus wants us to know this. Theologians can’t explain completely how exactly this works, but we can’t ignore Christ’s clear revelation that our choices here on earth will have eternal consequences. How much does this awareness affect my daily life? How much would Christ like it to affect my daily life? How would my daily life look different if I lived with a greater awareness of this truth?
Great Expectations: When Jesus summarizes his parable by saying, Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more, how do I react? An unhealthy reaction would be to think that I need to earn God’s love by putting on a good performance. Jesus doesn’t say that God’s love for us depends on our behavior. In fact, his love for us is complete and overflowing regardless of our “performance.” The mere fact of our existence is proof of this—if God didn’t love us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), he wouldn’t have created us in the first place. Another unhealthy reaction would be to turn away from God because he is too demanding, too authoritarian. Jesus is not being unreasonably demanding with us simply by encouraging us to live responsibly. In fact, being faithful and prudent stewards of the great gift of life, and all that goes with it, is merely the path to joy and fulfillment. Squandering our gifts may promise some immediate pleasures, but we are not made for those; we are made for lasting relationships and meaningful activity. And so, a healthy reaction to Jesus’s apparently stark answer to St. Peter’s question would be joyful relief. Jesus has designed the universe in such a way that the deepest longings of our hearts can actually be fulfilled, through living in friendship with him. This is a far cry from the emptiness and angst brought to us by the postmodern view of human life as a meaningless and hopeless blip on the universe’s epiphenomenal radar screen.
Conversing with Christ: Thank you, Lord, for giving me work to do for you in your Kingdom. Thank you for entrusting me with so much—with my life and talents, with the sacraments and faith itself, with the people around me and connected to me. I want to be a faithful and prudent steward of all your gifts. I want to live on the wavelength of glad gratitude, joyfully fulfilling my duties with the knowledge that in doing so I get to exercise my love for you and comfort your Sacred Heart.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will have a conversation with my spiritual director, or a trusted mentor of some sort, about how I use my time, and how I could use it more responsibly, for God’s glory and the advance of his Kingdom in my heart and in the hearts of those around me.
For Further Reflection: Read Father Robert Spitzer’s explanation of the Four Levels of Happiness.
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Download this week's Newsletter here: | Newsletter: 7th August 2022 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C |
Date | Location | links to readings and Services |
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Sunday 7th August 2022 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 07-08-2022 |
Monday 8th August 2022 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 08-08-2022 |
Tuesday 9th August2022 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 09-08-2022 |
Wednesday 10th August2022 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 10-08-2022 |
Thursday 11th August 2022 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 11-08-2022 |
Friday 12th August 2022 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today12-08-2022 |
Saturday 13th August 2022 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 13-08-2022 |
Sunday 14th August 2022 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 14-08-2022 |
Service Updates from Fr Simon
If you would like to book a Mass dedication for someone, please contact Father Simon or the parish office with the name and date.
Please be aware of the change of Daily Mass Times due to parish commitments,. As soon as Covid allows, I am hoping to leave the church open after Mass until 4pm each day, in order that people can return to private prayer.
Saturdays Mass will be at 9am and confessions will start after Mass at St Swithun and on Saturday evening in Our Lady of Lourdes from 17.15 – 17.45 or at any other time by appointment

Children – Read today’s Holy Readings here again 07-08-2022
Read more here

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel and Readings for the Week -07-08-2022
Read more here

Dr. Scott Hahn – Gospel Reflections 07-08-2022
Read more here

Commentary on Wisdom 18:6-9; Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19; Luke 12:32-48
Read more here
DIOCESAN 10-YEAR PLAN

Read more here
CAFOD’s Step into the Gap

Read more here
Bishop Philip – Synod – National Synthesis Document Published

Read more here

Hymn for Today: Lyrics – Passion – Even So Come (Live) ft. Kristian Stanfill
Read more here

Bishop Philip Egan 10th Anniversary Mass
Read more here

Holy Communion from the Chalice?
Read more here

Mary’s Meals Appeal – Can you help with a donation?
Read more here

Relics of St. Bernadette to visit Diocese
Read more here

Fanning the Flame Catholic Mission – 15th- 19th August 2022
Read more here

Fr Simon asks for Volunteers – IF NOT YOU, WHO? IF NOT NOW, WHEN?
Read more here
CONFESSION TIMES: Saturday morning after Mass at 9.45am at St Swithun’s, and 5.15pm at Our Lady of Lourdes. Confession is available after most Masses in the morning if I am not otherwise engaged, or can be by appointment if you wish. I do not want anyone to think that there is no opportunity for this most healing of the sacraments.
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SKIP HIRE
It is my intention to book a skip for Saturday 6 August, 10.00am – 11.30am so that we can clear out the garages. PLEASE help us if you can, as many hands make light work. |
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SUSPICIOUS TEXTS
If you receive a text that purports to be from a Catholic priest asking for money or goods, please report this to the Action |
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MARRIAGE CARE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: volunteer@marriagecare.org.uk
ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED? Congratulations! Please note that you need to give a minimum of 12 months notice to the parish that you’d like to get married in. Father Simon Could you support the team at Marriage Care? They are looking for volunteer Marriage Preparation Facilitators to help prepare couples for marriage and Trustees to join the national board. Find out more about how you could help support couples: www.marriagecare.org.uk |
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UKRAINE:
The Diocese, through Caritas, is working to keep parishioners informed as to the current situation while we wait for the UK Government to clarify the role that faith organisations and other charities will play in the formal response to refugees entering the UK. Please look at the Caritas website for the latest news and updates on the crisis. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. Please look at the Caritas website https://caritasportsmouth.org.uk |
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DURHAM UNIVERSITY CENTRE FOR CATHOLIC STUDIES On Fire course 9 – 11 SEPTEMBER 2022
Two-day conference for adults. The Spirit of Evangelisation. Guest speakers, workshops and accommodation. See the poster at the back of the church. |
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WEEKDAY MASS: On summer holidays
As children are now on their holidays, why not encourage them to come to one of the weekday Masses with you? Let the Lord do the work. MASS INTENTIONS Please submit your Mass intentions well in advance of the date of celebration so that we can accommodate your requested date. Your support in this matter is much appreciated. Thank you. |
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL HALL USERS If you would like to book the Parish Hall for a group or event, please email the details to this address
southseaparish@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
TEA AND COFFEE Please can we have some volunteers to help with refreshments after Mass. Thank you.
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL HALL USERS: We are currently reviewing the hall calendar and would be grateful if any individuals or groups who have a regular or one-off booking make contact.
Please email the details of your booking to southseaparish@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
NOTE FOR THE DIARY Mrs M Thompson (our oldest parishioner) will be celebrating her 100th
birthday on Saturday 13 August, with Mass at 12.00pm. Please do come and celebrate this wonderful occasion if you can.
STILL COPING WITH COVID: Infections are once more on the rise. Please continue to wear a mask, if possible, whilst attending Mass. Thank you for your continued patience and support during this difficult time.
Keep up with what’s Happening in our Parish over this coming Year
Scroll through to see all the events happening from the 7th August 2022 till the 31st August 2022

Safeguarding Representatives in our Parish
Read more here

URGENT APPEAL – FOOD PARCELS FOR OUR HOMELESS NEEDED IN PORTSMOUTH
Read more here

GOING INTO HOSPITAL?
Read more here
CLICK HERE – NEW SECTION: LINK TO THE LATEST PORTSMOUTH DIOCESE E_NEWSLETTER

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME SCHEDULE – (New Schedule for 2022/2023 will appear here in Sept)
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2022: The Applications to register for the preparation for The First Sacrament of Confession & Holy Communion are available in the sacristy after Sunday Masses
Note the form will appear online shortly (The 2022-23 programme is open only to children born on or before 31.8.2015)
UPDATE ON BAPTISM REQUESTS & CLASSES
Baptism classes can be arranged with me via the parish office. Please call at front door at the front door of 105 Waverley Road. You can also email me at: streloar@portsmouthdicoese.org.uk
Please complete the baptism form and bring it to the parish office as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. Blessing Father Simon
- If you need a copy of Baptism certificate please contact the Parish Office.
- If you want to get someone baptised then feel free to make an appointment with father Marcin.
For those who would like to arrange a Baptism for their child:
– Please collect a Baptism Application Form from the porch of the church (or found on the Parish Website);
– Read carefully what is expected form the Parents and Godparents of a child for this Sacrament;
– Contact Parish Priest to arrange the very first meeting of getting now each other and to make the individual decision about the process of the preparation;

Fr. Simon – First Communion Programme 2021-2022 Schedule
Read more here

Fr. Simon – House Bound and Communion of the Sick:
Read more here

Fr. Simon – Baptism Preparation Programme 2021-22
Read more here
Universal intention – For small businesses
We pray for small and medium sized businesses; in the midst of economic and social crisis, may they find ways to continue operating, and serving their communities.
Prayer of the Month – August 2022
For all small businesses struggling to survive in the aftermath of the pandemic.
May God bless the employers and the employees of small businesses so they can continue to prosper through these difficult times.
We ask for the intercession of Saint Joseph the Worker to renew our small businesses and their employees,
that we can continue to honor our vocation to work as was given to us by our Creator,
that we may continue a path to growth, be fair and just to our employees
so that all may be granted a dignified life through our work.
Amen.
Please pray for those who are ill especially: Robert & Eileen Steward, Louie Muscat, Tony & Julie Duffy, Brian Girling, Shelia Langford; Catherine Morgan, Pam Brown Ward, for all the children suffering and their poor families with them Aidan Molloy, David Shields, Bob Guy, Ms Sini Chacko, Kathleen & Kevin Jones, Heidi Badnell, Rosemary Devonald, Dominic, Carol Langsford, Patricia Ward, 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, Josephine Butler.
And all whose anniversaries occur at this time: 7th August 2022: Caroline Bennett, Diana Clark, David Best,Eileen Inkpen, Mary Hehir, Jo Wheeler, Shirley Parker, Dennis William Johnson, Carmen Muscat, Simon Paul Urwin, Mary Denny, Sheila Merrett, George Cowley, Bernard Donaghy, Bridget Nolan, Terry Kendal, William Lynch, Isabella Graham, Michael Collins, Anne McGowan, Wanda Gant, Suzanne Severs, Rosanna Schofield, Winifred Tripp, Catherine Henney, Johanna Davis, Leonard Hayles, Davina Cameron, Charles Cummins, Frank Hilton, Charles William Rolph, Patrick John Tyrrell, William Deary, Frances Barrett, Albert Brain, Jane Lattan, Gladys Whittle, Mary Young, May Flood, Miriam Keane, Ellen Gray, Janice Margaret Johnson, Archbishop John Henry King, William Smith, Eileen Orme, Herbert Diemer, Ann Mary Froggatt, Mary Patricia Tovey, Christine Ann Hogan (Ann), Bridget Hanvery, Florence Ellen Healey, Annie Evison, Albert Mensell, Elizabeth Mary Hawkins, Nora Parker, Lugrezia (Grace) Veronica Tynan, James Madigan, William Morgan, David Calder, Ellen Green, Percy Spicer, Hilda Clifton, Anne Woolfe, James Patrick Madigan, John Stephen Feeley, John Young (Frank), Ethel Penwell, Florence Casey, Alice Whiles, Mary Diver, Eileen Field, Mary Shute, Antoni Brown, Beatrice McIver, Hilda Lowe and Christina Perseltic Carter., ,Lizzie and Patrick McSharry ,Gemma Litchfield , Ivy Rouse , Stan Pickering and Jozef Michalczuk
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen
Community Pray:
House of Prayer Portsmouth have been praying for the city and feel that God is asking for the churches in the city to prayer walk their boundaries. We would like to invite you as a congregation to walk the boundary of your parish to pray God’s blessing and bring hope, healing and awakening to the area. The Holy Rosary is absolutely perfect for this initiative. You can join the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/937798273059418/


Month of the Immaculate Heart
Read more here

Consecration to the Immaculate Heart
Read more here

Reparation to the Immaculate Heart
Read more here

August- The Blessed Sacrament & Immaculate Heart of Mary
Read more here

August Month of the Blessed Sacrament
Read more here

A Time to Persevere
Read more here

Eucharistic Miracles of the World
Read more here

Pope writes Apostolic New Papal Document on the Sacred Liturgy
Read More
OFFERTORY: Thank you for last Sunday’s Collection.
Electronic offertory: If you have not managed to set up your electronic giving yet, please can you do so as soon as possible.
The Parish Bank Account details are: Account Name (Lloyd’s Bank’): PRCDTR Our Lady of Lourdes’ & St Swithun Church Sort Code: 30-93-04; parish Account no: 01730453.
Financial assistance: If you are able to increase your usual weekly offering (during this time of uncertainty) it will be a huge help to the parish. Even the slightest increase will be a help – THANK YOU!
You can donate via the button on the Parish website – or here
Standing Order and other useful Information
Download Standing Order Form (PDF)
Lloyds Bank : sort code 30-93-04 ; Account number 01730453 (Cheques mad payable to: PRCDTR Our Lady & St. Swithun)
with Blessings Canon Simon Treloar
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Thank you as always for all the gifts, food and toilets for our HOMELESS people, who our Parish minister for. Thank You for all your care and generosity. Please, leave your gifts and donations in the sacristy of the church. Thank You. |
Download Newsletter PDF – 07-08-2022
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: 7th August 2022 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
PARISH CONTACTS
- PARISH PRIEST: Canon Simon Treloar
- tel: 02392 828305 – please leave a message
- email: streloar@portsmouthdicoese.org.uk
- Address: 105 Waverley Road, Southsea, PO5 2PL;
- Safeguarding Minister: Teresa Rowe tel: 023 92 818295;
- Safeguarding Minister: Anne Worden tel: 023 92 817586;
- Parish Secretary: Mrs Kathleen Jones
- Parish Office Hours: Tues, Thurs and Friday, 8.00am –12.30pm. tel: 02392 828 305
email: southseaparish@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk - Parish website: http://www.stswithuns.org.uk
- Facebook Profile: @Stswithuns.org.uk
NEW SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE IF YOU JUST WANT TO SPEND SOME SPECIAL TIME WITH GOD
Read More on our Renewal Pages here
Updated Coronavirus Safety Guidelines
Track and trace: code. Please use the QR Code (on the back of the church). Simply hold your camera app over the code and follow the instructions. This would be helpful should a local outbreak of the virus be detected.
Ventilation:In order for us to comply with regulations and therefore be considered a ‘COVID secure environment’ the doors must be left open. As the temperature drops in the weeks ahead it will be important to wrap-up warm for Mass! Please do bear this in mind.