Our Lady of Lourdes & St Swithun's

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Newsletter: 11th October 2020 – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A


 


WE THANK GOD THAT WE ARE NOW ALLOWED TO CELEBRATE HOLY MASS IN OUR CHURCH

Please pray for all of our First Holy Communion children who will be making their First Confession and First Holy Communion this weekend. 


  • Service Times This Week: 

  • Click here: You can find the actual daily services here:
  • Click here: If you want the daily readings then go here:

Our Services resume as normal in St Swithun’s Church Southsea=  from Saturday October 10th 2020

Dates Time Service
Weekdays Monday to Friday 9:00am
9:30am
10:00am
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Devine Chaplet followed by Benediction
The Holy Mass
Weekdays Tuesdays and Fridays 7:00pm The Holy Mass
EVERY SATURDAY – Vigil Mass 6:00pm The Holy Mass
SUNDAY SERVICES 8:30am The Holy Mass
Sunday October 11th  2020 10:15am The Holy Mass
12:00 noon Mass in Polish
Every Friday on line only in October 6:00am Streamed only – Mass in Polish

 Download this week’s Newsletter here:  Newsletter – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A – Sunday 11th October


My Dear Friends, Brothers & Sisters in Christ

REFLECTION: Jesus makes the point that many in the nation will miss the opportunity to sit at the banquet table because they have priorities higher than responding to the host’s current offer. Rejection means that the invitation goes to others, who will flock in. The party will not be delayed, so now is the time to respond! Luke Luke 14:15-24

The parables say something to us on many levels. They tell us something about ourselves and about God; they also reflect realities of the world around us and the culture we live in. In today’s parable we find out something about the inclusiveness of God’s invitation to live with him always, now and into eternity.

People are invited to the banquet of God; some come, some do not. The story goes further that everyone at the crossroads was invited. In the culture of the time the crossroads was where people of all backgrounds gathered, like the village pump in Ireland. The invitation to those at the crossroads is the invitation to all God’s people.

It is also the invitation to each of us at crossroads in our own life. Whenever we are in crisis, in trouble, stuck at a crossroads to make a decision, God is nearby, part of our life’s process, offering the good things of a banquet.

As we look around in our lives, we can realise that all of us are invited. The danger of all religion is to narrow it down to ‘people of our own faith’. The people of God is the whole human race; the call is to sit down with God and be prepared to meet anyone with him.

Lord, may your kingdom come among us everywhere in our world.

 Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are present here as I turn to you in prayer. I trust and have confidence in your desire to give me every grace I need to receive today. Thank you for your love, thank you for your immense generosity toward me. I give you my life and my love in return.

Petition: Father, help me to prepare to be received into your heavenly kingdom.

1. A Banquet beyond Belief: In Palestine during Christ’s time, few festive celebrations rivaled any wedding banquet, let alone a royal one. A wedding was a joyous time, the greatest moment in the lives of the newlyweds. For a royal wedding, it was the greatest moment in the life of the whole kingdom. With his parable of the royal wedding banquet, Christ is giving us a sense of the heaven that he is preparing for us. He is telling each of us, “There is nothing greater than what I want to celebrate with you in eternity!” So if any of our ideas of heaven include something that doesn’t seem attractive or worth-while, we haven’t yet understood heaven. We should ask Christ to give us a glimpse of the joy he wants us to have with him in heaven.

2. Worthy Is as Worthy Does: The king sent invitations to many people, but the response was not what he had hoped for. They rejected his generosity, preferring their own less-than-stellar lives (one went off to his farm, another to attend to some business) over accepting the invitation and participating in the king’s rejoicing. Of course, none of them really deserved to be invited: They hadn’t made themselves worthy by some merit of their own. The king invited them out of his generosity. What made them truly unworthy was their lack of response to this generosity. Their “worthiness” was a gift given to them freely, and it was lost only when they refused the gift. We might ask ourselves, “Am I worthy of heaven?” If we are honest, we realize that the answer is “No.” But in Christ’s eyes, that’s not the important question. The real question is, “Am I responding to and accepting the gif ts he has already extended to me?”

3. Under-dressed for the Occasion: It is embarrassing for both host and guest when a guest arrives at an elegant banquet dressed in shorts and a t-shirt—thinking he was going to an outdoor pig roast or because he did not know any better. It is another situation altogether when the guest intentionally doesn’t dress up because he doesn’t care, or is presumptuous. Then the host is offended, not just embarrassed. In this parable the king is offended because the guest knew he needed to wear a wedding robe and chose not to. Living in God’s sanctifying grace and friendship is the wedding robe we need to wear to be received into the eternal banquet. Christ is warning us against the ultimate pride of presumption: showing up at heaven’s gate without the one thing we know we need to share in Christ’s joy. If we strive every day to please our Lord and to live in his grace, we’ll have our wedding gown ready for the banquet.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, the gift of heaven you have gained for me is beyond any merit of my own, but it shows me how great your generosity is. How can I not but thank you? How can I not but strive each day to respond to and accept with joyful humility all the graces you want to give me, even when it is most difficult for me?

Resolution: To respond to God’s love today, I will accept willingly any difficulty or hardship that comes my way.

with Blessings and prayerful best wishes, Father Marcin Drabik

 


Carlo Acutis 3

We do rejoice, that Carlo Acutis was beatified yesterday in Assisi – the best patron for those , who use the internet, and most of all such an inspiration and amazing patron of all the First Communion Children. Blessed Carlo Acutis we pray trough your intercessions to protect the children and lead their every Sunday to the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.


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

Beloved Dead November is the month we traditionally remember those who have died and gone before us. It is a work of mercy to pray for our dead. The Church commemorates all her faithful children who have departed from this life, but have not yet attained the joys of heaven. St. Paul warns us that we must not be ignorant concerning the dead, nor sorrowful, “even as others who have no hope … For the Lord Himself shall come down from …
Read more here

IN OCTOBER EVERY THURSDAY at 6PM – HOLY ROSARY FOR THE CHILDREN BY ZOOM

This week is the last one of the month of October. Our last Rosary Prayer with the Children through ‘ZOOM’ will be this Thursday 29th October, at 6.00pm. Please, access through the invitation published on our Facebook Profile on the day.
We pray the Holy Rosary every day from Monday to Saturday approx. 10.30am at the church.
Previous Messages:
During the month of October Father Marcin is inviting the children to join …
Read more here

One million children praying the rosary Oct 18th – 19th at 6pm

Aid to the Church in Need is coordinating a prayer campaign for a world in crisis. For unity and peace on 18th of October at 6.00pm All over the world, kids will be praying the Rosary on the 18th of October. If your child would like to join this special event, please be attentive and use my ‘ZOOM’ meeting invitation shared on Facebook profile on the day or email me with a request to send You an invitation to …
Read more here

St Swithun’s Tribute to Diana Clark -RIP and Funeral Arrangements for Our Homeless Mission Angel

Sadly our parishioner Diana Clark passed away recently. 

The message to all our Parishioners and Friends, and those who loved and still love our Dear Angel – Diana, who passed away last week. On 15th October (Thursday) we will receive Her body into the church at 4.30pm. And the Requiem Mass will be celebrated on 16th October (Friday) at 10.00am. So, I would like to ask You …
Read more here

Philip Kosloski – 3 Virtues we can learn from praying the Rosary

Holy Rosary

The Rosary can teach us the virtues of obedience, humility and detachment.

While the Rosary is primarily a method of prayer that brings us closer to God, it can also be called a “preacher,” teaching us virtues to imitate.

Fr. John Proctor in his book, The Rosary Guide for Priests and People, explains how the Rosary “is a preacher as well as a teacher. As a teacher it tells him what he is to believe; as …
Read more here

 

 

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Children – Read today’s Holy Readings here again 11-10-2020

Catholic Kids Homilies – The Parable of the Wedding Banquet – Ordinary Time 28A Dear Children, Sunday’s Gospel, Matthew 22:1-14 Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast. Being accepted as part of the in-group is very important to young people at this age. To receive an invitation to a party is a sign of acceptance. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches that we should not take for granted God’s invitation to the heavenly banquet. Scripture: Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. Matthew 22:1-3 Look what I have. It’s an invitation to a party. A friend of mine is having a birthday party and has invited me to …
Read more here
Thoughts on Today's Gospel and Readings for the Week - 11-10-2020

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel and Readings for the Week – 11-10-2020

In Matthew 22, Jesus gives the parable of the wedding feast where he describes a king who prepared a wedding for his son, but the people who were invited by his servants ended up killing the servants. Jesus then says that the king sent his troops and destroyed the murderers. Then the king sends servants out to invite all they could find in the streets to fill the wedding hall. Strikingly, the king comes across a man who is not wearing the proper attire at the wedding and has the man bound and cast into “the outer darkness” where men “weep and gnash their teeth.” What is Jesus talking about in the parable of the wedding feast? What does the wedding feast represent, as this is no ordinary wedding feast? Check out this video with Dr. Brant Pitre to learn more about this parable of wedding feast. Check out this …
Read more here
Dr. Scott Hahn - Gospel Reflections 11-10-2020

Dr. Scott Hahn – Gospel Reflections 11-10-2020

Dressing for the Feast: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Our Lord’s parable in today’s Gospel is again a fairly straightforward outline of salvation history. God is the king (see Matthew 5:35), Jesus the bridegroom (see Matthew 9:15), the feast is the salvation and eternal life that Isaiah prophesies in today’s First Reading. The Israelites are those first invited to the feast by God’s servants, the prophets (see Isaiah 7:25). For refusing repeated invitations and even killing His prophets, Israel has been punished, its city conquered by foreign armies. Now, Jesus makes clear, God is sending new servants, His apostles, to call not only Israelites, but all people—good and bad alike—to the feast of His kingdom. This an image of the Church, which Jesus elsewhere compares to a field sown with both wheat and weeds, and a fishing net that catches good fish and bad (see Matthew 13:24–43, 47–50). We have …
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Commentary on Isaiah 25:6-10: Philippians 4:12-14.19-20; Matthew 22:1-14

Commentary on Isaiah 25:6-10: Philippians 4:12-14.19-20; Matthew 22:1-14

WE HAVE TODAY ANOTHER PARABLE about the rejection of Jesus by the leaders of his own people. It is, as the others were, addressed to the “chief priests and elders of the people”, that is, the religious and civic leaders. The parable divides clearly into three distinct parts: a. two invitations sent out to the intended guests; b. a general call to all kinds of outcasts; c. some criteria set for taking part in the feast. People of the Kingdom This is a parable about the Kingdom of God and about the people who will eventually belong to it. It is seen here under the aspect of a marriage feast for a king’s son. In the First Reading from Isaiah we have a graphic description of the great banquet that the Lord will prepare for his people. There will be rich food and fine wines, there will be neither mourning …
Read more here


 

 

Tom Hoopes  - God’s freeing answer to “Who am I?”

Tom Hoopes  – God’s freeing answer to “Who am I?”

This question is more pressing than it used to be, and is in fact, a major stressor in our lives. Personal identity is in the news more than ever before. Worldwide, writers are worried about the impact of social media on personal identity. Philosophers wiling to describe personal identity are getting top billing. On one end of the spectrum, high-tech companies safeguard personal identity digitally. On the other end of the spectrum, immigrants are trying to understand who they are when they leave their homeland. The fact is, our confusion about who we are is a major stressor in our lives. There used to be a …
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Matt Paolelli  - St. Paul’s guide to using social media

Matt Paolelli  – St. Paul’s guide to using social media

The great apostle has some wise words for how we should conduct ourselves today on the internet. As I sat at Mass last weekend, fresh from a viewing of the much-buzzed-about documentary The Social Dilemma, I heard the familiar second reading from St. Paul to the Philippians: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then …
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Fr. Mike Schmitz Answers –  DEFENDING TRADITIONAL MARRIAGES MAKES ME A HATER?

Fr. Mike Schmitz Answers –  DEFENDING TRADITIONAL MARRIAGES MAKES ME A HATER?

Q: It seems like every time I try to explain the Church’s teaching regarding same-sex “marriage” I am accused of being a “bigot” or a “homophobe.” I am told that I “hate” and that it is a violation of a person’s civil rights to say that they cannot marry whomever they want. How do I respond? A: This is a cultural issue that will have serious consequences for generations to come. All thinking people must seriously consider the facts and the far-reaching implications of any change in legislation with regard to this issue. I am disheartened by the use of …
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Diana Clark

St Swithun’s Diana Clark -RIP – Homeless Mission Angel in the Local News

Sadly our parishioner passed away recently. Below is a story that went viral in the UK as she selflessly went about feeding our homeless in Portsmouth Thank you so much to our beautiful parishioner Diana Clark who was videoed by a passer by as she fed the homeless as she does every week as part of our St Swithun’s church Homeless Mission Team. To date her wonderful work has reach in excess of 250K views on facebook. (If you want to donate you can do it online – see links below) Portsmouth pensioner become an internet sensation after she is filmed …
Read more here

Our Lady of Fatima – The Miracle of the Sun

The Blessed Mother appeared to three small-town children in Portugal in 1917, calling on the world to repent and say the Rosary. 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, …
Read more here

 

 

 

 

WE are coming back to our evening meetings with a glass of wine (not necessary) for our Q&A of The Catholic Faith. This will happen every Tuesday at 8.00PM through our Facebook Profile: @Stswithuns.org.uk. Everyone is welcome to join, to send the questions about our Catholic Faith, or just join us to listen to, pray for each other and keep in touch.
So, we start every Tuesday 8:00pm
ALSO, we are coming back to our Morning Coffee (in POLISH). – Through our Facebook Profile for Polish Community: St Swithuns RC Kościół Southsea. These Mornings will happen every Thursday at 11.00am. All Polish speaking people are very welcome to send your questions or to join us to talk about the interesting things about our Catholic Faith.

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



Parish Devotion for Saturday 10th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Saturdays
10
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Saturday 10th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Saturdays

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Live Stream Details – Beatification of Carlo Acutis
10
October
2020

Live Stream Details – Beatification of Carlo Acutis

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Timetable for First Communion Children – First Holy Communion celebration
11
October
2020

Timetable for First Communion Children – First Holy Communion celebration

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Parish Devotion for Monday 12th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Mondays
12
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Monday 12th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Mondays

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Parish Devotion for Tuesday 13th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Tuesdays
13
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Tuesday 13th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Tuesdays

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ONLINE – Join Father Marcin for a Q&A and a Glass of Wine !
13
October
2020

ONLINE – Join Father Marcin for a Q&A and a Glass of Wine !

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Parish Devotion for Wednesday 14th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Wednesdays
14
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Wednesday 14th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Wednesdays

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Parish Devotion for Thursday 15th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Thursdays
15
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Thursday 15th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Thursdays

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ONLINE – Join Father Marcin for a POLISH Q&A !
15
October
2020

ONLINE – Join Father Marcin for a POLISH Q&A !

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HOLY ROSARY FOR THE CHILDREN BY ZOOM – October 2020 on Thursdays
15
October
2020

HOLY ROSARY FOR THE CHILDREN BY ZOOM – October 2020 on Thursdays

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Parish Devotion for Friday 16th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Fridays
16
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Friday 16th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Fridays

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Parish Devotion for Saturday 17th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Saturdays
17
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Saturday 17th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Saturdays

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One million children praying the rosary Oct 18th – 19th at 6pm
18
October
2020

One million children praying the rosary Oct 18th – 19th at 6pm

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Parish Devotion for Monday 19th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Mondays
19
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Monday 19th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Mondays

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Parish Devotion for Tuesday 20th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Tuesdays
20
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Tuesday 20th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Tuesdays

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First Holy Communion Programme – 2021
20
October
2020

First Holy Communion Programme – 2021

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ONLINE – Join Father Marcin for a Q&A and a Glass of Wine !
20
October
2020

ONLINE – Join Father Marcin for a Q&A and a Glass of Wine !

Find out more


Parish Devotion for Wednesday 21st October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Wednesdays
21
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Wednesday 21st October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Wednesdays

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Parish Devotion for Thursday 22nd October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Thursdays
22
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Thursday 22nd October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Thursdays

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ONLINE – Join Father Marcin for a POLISH Q&A !
22
October
2020

ONLINE – Join Father Marcin for a POLISH Q&A !

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HOLY ROSARY FOR THE CHILDREN BY ZOOM – October 2020 on Thursdays
22
October
2020

HOLY ROSARY FOR THE CHILDREN BY ZOOM – October 2020 on Thursdays

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Parish Devotion for Friday 23rd October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Fridays
23
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Friday 23rd October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Fridays

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Parish Devotion for Saturday 24th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Saturdays
24
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Saturday 24th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Saturdays

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Alton Day of Renewal – 2020 Programme – The God who speaks
24
October
2020

Alton Day of Renewal – 2020 Programme – The God who speaks

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BLURB – Breakthrough Workshop is a workshop to equip Married Couples
24
October
2020

BLURB – Breakthrough Workshop is a workshop to equip Married Couples

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Parish Devotion for Monday 26th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Mondays
26
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Monday 26th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Mondays

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Ascent Group -Events 2020 Timetable
26
October
2020

Ascent Group -Events 2020 Timetable

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Parish Devotion for Tuesday 27th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Tuesdays
27
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Tuesday 27th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Tuesdays

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ONLINE – Join Father Marcin for a Q&A and a Glass of Wine !
27
October
2020

ONLINE – Join Father Marcin for a Q&A and a Glass of Wine !

Find out more


Parish Devotion for Wednesday 28th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Wednesdays
28
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Wednesday 28th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Wednesdays

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Parish Devotion for Thursday 29th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Thursdays
29
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Thursday 29th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Thursdays

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ONLINE – Join Father Marcin for a POLISH Q&A !
29
October
2020

ONLINE – Join Father Marcin for a POLISH Q&A !

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HOLY ROSARY FOR THE CHILDREN BY ZOOM – October 2020 on Thursdays
29
October
2020

HOLY ROSARY FOR THE CHILDREN BY ZOOM – October 2020 on Thursdays

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Parish Devotion for Friday 30th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary –  Fridays
30
October
2020

Parish Devotion for Friday 30th October 2020 – Month of The Holy Rosary – Fridays

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Scroll through to see all the events happening from the 10th October 2020 till the 31st October 2020

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

Message from the Ascent Group due to Covid

Message from the Ascent Group due to Covid

Dear Ascent Group As you are aware we have not met as a group in St Swithuns church hall  since February this year due to the restrictions imposed by  the Corona virus situation. The full year,2020, had been booked for meetings and outings and it is considered that we may be able to pick up on this programme in the next year, 2021. This of course would be dependent on any imposed restrictions due to the continuation of the virus then! An encouraging email from Paula Conrad (Our Southwark Region Vice President) is in part reproduced below. ‘Dear All – …
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Update from St Swithun’s St Vincent de Paul Society 

Update from St Swithun’s St Vincent de Paul Society 

Dear Families, Thank you so much for your generous efforts toward making sure our homeless and vulnerable guests are provided with a takeaway meal each Sunday. They have been so gratefully received! However, to ensure that we are compliant with the Government’s regulations around food preparation for food made and distributed to members of the public, it is essential that at least one family member preparing the sandwiches has a Food Hygiene Level 2 Certificate. This can be obtained via an online course at https://www.thesaferfoodgroup.com/level-2-award-in-food-safety-catering.php Alternatively, you can provide the ingredients necessary for the takeaway packs and they will be …
Read more here
CELEBRATE Back to Basics 21st Sept - 14th December

CELEBRATE Back to Basics 21st Sept – 14th December

CELEBRATE Back to Basics 21st Sept – 14th December Lucy Sayer, a parishioner from St Swithun’s Southsea and a member of the Celebrate Southampton Leadership Team draws our attention to the forthcoming Celebrate Online event “Back to Basics” for ehich registration is now open… We are very excited about what the Lord has planned for CELEBRATE. Following our successful online conference in June, we are delighted that so many new people joined us on the CELEBRATE Facebook hub, for which we praise God. We believe that the Lord is now calling us to share the vision of CELEBRATE with all …
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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

 

CLICK HERE – NEW SECTION: LINK TO THE LATEST PORTSMOUTH DIOCESE E_NEWSLETTER

UPDATE ON FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2021 Programme 

Please pray for all of our First Holy Communion children who made their First Confession and First Holy Communion last weekend. 

ALL interested in the First Communion Preparation for the next year, please collect the Registration Form from the porch of the church, and give back to Fr Marcin, or to the office of the Parish by the 8th October 2020.

UPDATE ON BAPTISM REQUESTS 

  • 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;

 

Prayer of the Month – October 2020

Prayer of the Month – Pope Francis Prayer Intentions October 2020 – The Laity’s Mission in the Church

Pope Francis Jan 2019

Pope Francis Prayer Intentions October 2020 – The Laity’s Mission in the Church

The Laity’s Mission in the Church We pray that by the virtue of baptism, the laity, especially women, may participate more in areas of responsibility in the Church. October 2020 Prayer Intention of Pope Francis – The Laity’s Mission in the Church: We pray that by the virtue of baptism, the laity, especially women, may participate more in areas of responsibility in the Church. A busy, Sunday morning at our North London parish. A request between Masses. “Please give me permission, Father, to do this certain thing (exactly what must remain private) if the church allows it.” Another parishioner, known as a forthright …
Read more here

and for those in Our Own Parish…..

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: 11th October 2020:  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 

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/



“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.

 


Parish Devotions this month

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
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
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
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

Our Lady of Fatima – The Miracle of the Sun

The Blessed Mother appeared to three small-town children in Portugal in 1917, calling on the world to repent and say the Rosary. 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, … 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
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
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
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
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

 

POPE FRANCIS Message for 54th WORLD DAY OF PEACE Jan 1st 2021

POPE FRANCIS Message for 54th WORLD DAY OF PEACE Jan 1st 2021

The first day of the new year, 1 January 2021, is the Feast of Mary, Mother of God. It is also the 54th World Day of Peace: an opportunity to review Pope Francis’ messages for this annual celebration, from 2014 to 2021. MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE …
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Pope Francis-Christmas Message and “Urbi et Orbi” Blessing 25-12-2020

Pope Francis-Christmas Message and “Urbi et Orbi” Blessing 25-12-2020

26/12/2020
Nothing Separates us from God's Love

Blog Topic: “Come on a Great Adventure with Me and Come to Holy Mass”

12/12/2020
Pope Francis Message - 4th World Day of the Poor 2020

Pope Francis Message – 4th World Day of the Poor 2020

14/11/2020

 

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!

These weeks of lockdown are difficult for all of us, and we are particularly mindful of those whose jobs and lives are put on hold because of the pandemic. We want to be here for you during these difficult times. Even so, the Church in our Diocese of Portsmouth, its clergy, parishes and schools, is entirely dependent upon your generous charity. So that we can continue to provide the Liturgy of the Lord and our works, both centrally and from our parishes to the local community, I kindly ask all of the faithful who are able to do so, to continue their generous regular-giving to the Diocese and to their parish churches, which would otherwise lose vital income. You can donate via the button on the Parish website – or here 

Standing Order and  other useful Information

 Download Standing Order Form (PDF)

These are difficult times and if you are needing anything from me please message me on Facebook book, email or telephone the office. 02392828305

Lloyds Bank : sort code 30-93-04 ; Account number 01730453

Cheques mad payable to: PRCDTR Our Lady & St. Swithun

with Blessings Father Marcin Drabik

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Download Newsletter PDF 11-10-2020

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 – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A – Sunday 11th October

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

WELCOME BACK! To those who wish to return to Mass at a time when our Church is not crowded, it is recommended to come to the VIGIL MASS of SUNDAY – on Saturdays at 6.00PM or on SUNDAYS at 8.30AM when there is plenty of room in the body of the Church. Members of the congregation are well spaced out. Now that we have to wear masks, this is an additional precaution which prevents others being infected; however, some people have medical exemption. Sanitising hands on entry lessens the possibility of the virus being spread by touching surfaces.

There are signs on the floor indicating two metres so that we do not crowd up on one another.

TEST & TRACE: We will also take a contact number for all attendees. These details will be destroyed after 21 days according to data management regulations. Anyone is free to decline and still attend Mass but we encourage you to take part.

The Diocese has updated its Coronavirus guidance in the light of the latest Government instructions issued on 14th September 2020. There is a little more flexibility in some areas than previously, for example, in ministry to the sick and housebound, although great care must still be taken. The use of halls and the possibility of reinstating some group meetings are covered. There is limited scope for general socialising because the ‘Rule of 6’ has been imposed. Our churches are very COVID-safe, provided everyone is following the proper safety procedures. Our thanks as ever to clergy and parishioners who are working hard at this. One area, however, that remains a challenge is having sufficient volunteers (e.g. stewards and cleaners) to assist. If you are hale and hearty, please do offer to help– your assistance will enable many more people to return to Mass, thereby bringing them closer to Jesus Christ through His Church. Let us all pray for a speedy end to the pandemic.

Please remember the advice is to wear a mask inside closed areas and churches.

Click this link for any questions you might have found on our website.



Filed Under: Newsletter, Newsletter 11102020, Parish News & Events Feed, Resources, Resources Newsletters Tagged With: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Father Marcin Drabik, Scott Hahn, St Swithun's RC Church

January: Month of The Holy Name of Jesus In the Name of Jesus let every knee bow,
of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth
and let every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus Christ
is in the glory of God the Father.


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