Our Lady of Lourdes & St Swithun's

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Newsletter: 29th August 2021 – 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B


God's Commandment


Please Note Father Marcin is away on Pilgrimage and then holiday from Monday 12th July and will be back the 1st week in September. Therefore services will be changed during week days. (there will be no weekday masses during this time). The Saturday Vigil Mass at 6pm and the Sunday Masses (8:30am, 10:15am and 12:00noon ) will be covered by a visiting priest. The Polish mass at 12:00noon will be in English. Also the parish will not be able to stream any of these masses during this period. Let us prayer for our Parish Priest that he has a well deserved break.

The Parish Team – Please don’t forget to sponsor Fr Marcin if you can – details below

My Dearest Parishioners, Visitors, Friends – Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ

Today, the Word of the Lord helps us to discern that over and above our human usages we have to place God’s Commandments. In fact, as time goes by, it is easy for us to distort the evangelic advice and, willingly or not, replace the Commandments or engulf them in a punctilious meticulousness: “They eat anything when they come from the market without first washing themselves. And there are many other traditions they observe, for example, the ritual washing of cups, pots and plates…” (Mark 7:4). This is why plain people, with their typical common sense, paid little attention to the doctors of the Law or to the Pharisees, who were putting more emphasis on their human speculations than on God’s Word. To the religious hypocrite Jesus applies Isaiah’s prophetic complaint (“You, shallow people! How well Isaiah prophesied of you when he wrote: ‘This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me”: Mark 7:6).

When these last years, Saint John Paul II, in the name of the Church, expressed his sorrow for all the negative things that her children had done throughout history, he did it by saying that “we had separated from the Gospel”.

Jesus tells us: “Nothing that enters one from outside can make that person unclean. It is what comes out from within that makes unclean” (Mark 7:15). What comes out of a man’s heart, from a person’s conscious seclusion, is what can make us bad. This malice is what harms Mankind and us specifically. Religiosity does not consist precisely in washing our hands (remember Pilate who delivers Jesus Christ to be crucified!), but in keeping our heart pure.

Speaking positively, this is what St. Therese of Lisieux tells us in her Biographic Manuscripts: “Considering the mystical Body of the Church (…) I understood that the Church has a heart and that this heart was burning with love”. From a loving heart springs the well done deeds that help precisely those who really need help (“For I was hungry and you gave me food…”: Mt 25:35).

REFLECTION

Introductory Prayer: Lord God, I come from dust and to dust I shall return. You, however, existed before all time, and every creature takes its being from you. You formed me in my mother’s womb with infinite care, and you watch over me tenderly. I hope you will embrace my soul at my death to carry me home to heaven to be with you forever. Thank you for looking upon me and blessing me with your love. Take my love in return. I humbly offer you all that I am.

Petition: Lord, give me confidence in the power of your grace.

Look at the Real Dangers: Christ feared nothing. He wasn’t afraid of Satan. He wasn’t afraid of public opinion. He wasn’t afraid of the narrow road and hard path. Even though it would cause him to sweat blood, he wasn’t even afraid to fulfill his Father’s plan for him as the Suffering Servant. Through his words and way of life, he was constantly encouraging his followers to watch out for dangers and to pray not to be put to the test. He knows that there are real dangers out there: “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away” (Matthew 5:29). “Woe to him who scandalizes one of these little ones” (cf. Matthew 18:6). “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees” (Matthew 16:6). “Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat” (Luke 22:31). Christ will always point out for me the real dangers that exist in my life.

I Will Not Take Them from You: Christ clearly warns us, and our own experience confirms, that God normally will not remove these dangers from our lives. These dangers will usually remain whether they be exterior — “Father, I ask not that you remove them from this world” — or interior. When St. Paul would ask Christ to remove the thorn from his side, Christ simply replies, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9). In the thick of these sufferings, it is hard for us to understand why God would permit them. But maybe we can find some reason in Christ’s words today. May it never be said of a Christian: “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Suffering and hardship often keep our heart close to Christ.

I Will Give You the Grace to Overcome Them: Very much aware of both the internal and external dangers that would await them, Christ was not afraid to send his apostles out into the world. He sends us out as “sheep among wolves” (cf. Matthew 10:16) into a world that will “hate you as it hated me” (cf. Matthew 24:9). He distributes his divine word and precious grace to the world through us, fragile earthen vessels. Through his Vicar on Earth, he tells us, “Be not afraid.” Moreover, he expects us to produce one hundred-fold and give fruits that will last. What is the key to his confidence? The key is the humble person who is ever ready to look inwardly and purify his heart from the smallest attachment, the slightest impurity, making it an acceptable dwelling place for Christ. What…who…can separate us from the love of Christ? What is there to fear but those “evils that come from within and defile?”

Conversation with Christ: Thank you, Lord, for reminding me about the beauty of being your friend, and at the same time about the awesome responsibility that goes along with it. Please give me the generosity to live my role as your ambassador and help me to continually spread your message of love with all that I do.

Resolution: I will set aside some time today and ask Christ to help me identify any attachments to sin in my heart. I will write them down and look for concrete ways to purify my heart from them.

Service Times from Saturday Aug 28th 2021  until Sept 5th 2021 

Please Note Father Marcin is away on Pilgrimage and then holiday from Monday 12th July and will be back the 1st week in September. Therefore services will be changed during week days. (there will be no weekday masses during this time). The Saturday Vigil Mass at 6pm and the Sunday Masses (8:30am, 10:15am and 12:00noon ) will be covered by a visiting priest. The Polish mass at 12:00noon will be in English. Also the parish will not be able to stream any of these masses during this period. Let us prayer for our Parish Priest that he has a well deserved break.

The Parish Team


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    DateLocationlinks to readings and Services
    Sunday 29th August 2021 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle BSt Swithuns Click Link for Service details for today 29-08-2021
    Monday 30th August 2021St Swithuns Click Link for Service details for today 30-08-2021
    Tuesday 31st August 2021St Swithuns Click Link for Service details for today 31-08-2021
    Wednesday 1st September 2021St Swithuns Click Link for Service details for today 01-09-2021
    Thursday 2nd September 2021St Swithuns Click Link for Service details for today 02-09-2021
    Friday 3rd September 2021St Swithuns Click Link for Service details for today 03-09-2021
    Saturday 4th September 2021St Swithuns Click Link for Service details for today 04-09-2021
    Sunday 5th September 2021 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
    St Swithuns Click Link for Service details for today 05-09-2021

     

     Read today’s Readiings here

     

    Thoughts on Today's Gospel and Readings for the Week - 29-08-2021

    Thoughts on Today’s Gospel and Readings for the Week – 29-08-2021

    Fr. Mike asks if the bad things you think you don’t have the capacity to do are actually just things you don’t have the opportunity to do. A friend of Fr. Mike’s was recovering from an addiction, and this friend noticed how he was deceiving himself. He was telling himself “I would never …” when he should have been saying, “I haven’t yet ...” Many times the sins we avoid we have only avoided because we haven’t had the opportunity to commit them. Acknowledging that we may do something regretful if given the opportunity is a great—although difficult—exercise in self-knowledge that could prevent some serious sin in the future. This week, consider the benefits that come with strengthening your self-discipline. Make an extra attempt to reinforce a virtue that may help you combat the corresponding vice. This will go a long way in increasing your holiness. Background on the Gospel ...
    Read more here

    Children – Read today’s Holy Readings here again 29-08-2021

    Why rules? A fun Catholic reflection for kids based on the readings for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, cycle B. Support this channel on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/catholickidsm...​ Or on Venmo: @catholickidsmedia Catholic Kids Media In Sunday’s Gospel: Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23 Jesus teaches that it is that which comes from our hearts that defiles us. Children Reflect on today's readings: All those rules and Regulations - so ..Whose Law should we follow?  Man or Gods? Children , in today’s Gospel Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who imposed their interpretation of the Law on the Israelites. Keep in mind that the first Christians and the writers of the first Christian documents were all Jews, or at least people formed by a Jewish thought world. They made sense of Jesus in terms of what were, to them, the Scriptures. Jesus himself was an observant Jew, and the themes and images of the Holy ...
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    Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8; James 1:17-18,21-22,27; Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

    Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8; James 1:17-18,21-22,27; Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

    The theme of today’s readings is the nature of true religion. AFTER FIVE WEEKS of reflecting on the sixth chapter of John’s gospel and the theme of Jesus as the Bread of Life, we return today to continuing our readings from Mark’s gospel. The Law of Moses was very important for the people of Israel. They were rightly proud of the legal system they had developed in their desire to be God’s people. "What great nation is there that has its gods so near as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him? What other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this entire law that I am setting before you today?", Moses asks the Israelites in the First Reading. Through the Law they were expected to lead lives which were different, better than their ‘pagan’ neighbours. There was, then, great emphasis on the ...
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    Dr. Scott Hahn - Gospel Reflections 29-08-2021

    Dr. Scott Hahn – Gospel Reflections 29-08-2021

    Pure Religion: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Today’s Gospel casts Jesus in a prophetic light as one having authority to interpret God’s law. Jesus’ quotation from Isaiah today is ironic (see Isaiah 29:13). In observing the law, the Pharisees honor God by ensuring that nothing unclean passes their lips. In this, however, they’ve turned the law inside out, making it a matter of simply performing certain external actions. The gift of the law, which we hear God giving to Israel in today’s First Reading, is fulfilled in Jesus’ Gospel, which shows us the law’s true meaning and purpose (see Matthew 5:17). The law, fulfilled in the Gospel, is meant to form our hearts, to make us pure, able to live in the Lord’s presence. The law was given that we might live and enter into the inheritance promised to us—the kingdom of God, eternal life. Israel, by ...
    Read more here

     

    FIND A CATHOLIC CHURCH WHEN ON HOLIDAY www.Masstimes.org

    FIND A CATHOLIC CHURCH WHEN ON HOLIDAY www.Masstimes.org A great website for locating a church anywhere around the world and its Mass times. PLEASE NOTE WE HAVE UPDATED OUR TIMES ON THIS SITE TOO ...
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    The Reopening of Our Lady of Lourdes’ Church in Eastney Still Need Help

    Great News after recent Covid 19 announcements:

    Thank you for all those who have offered to participate in the deep clean of Our Lady of Lourdes church The proposed date for this is hopefully Tuesday 31st August. Our church of Our Lady of Lourdes’ in Eastney is going to be re-open on the first Saturday of September 2021, so the Vigil Mass of Sunday will take place there on the 4th September 2021 at 6.00pm. Please, help our secretary ...
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    Pope Francis urges people to get vaccinated against Covid-19

    The Pope has joined his voice to those of Bishops across North and South America to urge people to get jabbed against Covid-19. In a video message produced in conjunction with the Ad Council, Pope Francis praised the work of researchers and scientists in producing safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines. “Thanks to God’s grace and to the work of many, we now have vaccines to protect us from Covid-19,” he said in the video released on Wednesday. He added that ...
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    Philip Kosloski – Why St. Thomas the Apostle is the patron saint of Afghanistan

    According to legend, St. Thomas the Apostle spread the Gospel to regions of Afghanistan.

    The New Testament does not relate the complete adventures of St. Thomas the Apostle after the resurrection of Jesus. He is last mentioned in the Gospel of John and then he makes no more official appearances in the Bible. However, local tradition and ancient literature claim that St. Thomas the Apostle traveled to India and preached.This has led to a variety of areas becoming associated ...
    Read more here

    Jesus Culture

    Hymn for Today: I Will Follow You (Live) – Jesus Culture Music

    About Jesus Culture Jesus Culture is a global movement, awakening hearts to worship and demonstrate the love and power of God wherever we go. We are passionate to see campuses, cities and nations transformed and we have a mandate: to raise, equip, and mobilize those who were coming to fulfil the call of God on their lives. We do this through the ministry of conferences, events, worship, campus ministries, curriculums, resources and now a local church. Jesus Culture is continuing to grow in bringing young people into encounters with Jesus and equipping them to minister His heart to a broken ...
    Read more here

     



     

     

    Padre Pio

    Philip Kosloski – Padre Pio replied to John Paul II’s letter with a miracle

    John Paul II wrote a letter to Padre Pio asking for prayers and the saintly friar responded with a miracle. In 1947, newly ordained priest Fr. Karol Wojtyla (John Paul II) visited Padre Pio to meet the famous Capuchin friar. It was a brief visit, but Wojtyla didn’t forget it, as he later wrote a letter to Padre Pio asking for prayers. The letter was written (in Latin) in 1962, when Wojtyla was a bishop in Poland. The following is an excerpt of the letter fromthe book The Making of the Pope of the Millennium. Reverend Father, I ask you ...
    Read more here
    Philip Kosloski - John Paul II’s prayer to entrust the world to Divine Mercy

    Philip Kosloski – John Paul II’s prayer to entrust the world to Divine Mercy

    St. John Paul II believed the Divine Mercy devotion would be the spark that would prepare the world for Jesus' final coming. When visiting the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki, Poland, St. John Paul II desired that the whole world be enveloped by the Divine Mercy of God. This would be his final pilgrimage to Poland, and he spoke of his belief that the Divine Mercy devotion will pave the way for Jesus’ final coming. Today, therefore, in this Shine, I wish solemnly to entrust the world to Divine Mercy. I do so with the burning desire that the ...
    Read more here
    Children' Liturgy of the Word

    Volunteers Needed for Children’s Liturgy for 2021-22

    Volunteers Needed Please Children’s liturgy Prior to Covid, Children's Liturgy was running with a very small number of volunteers. Our children enjoy taking part in the Liturgy of the Word which is specially designed for them but we need more adult volunteers to continue running this. If we are to re-start Children's Liturgy, we need more people to come forward to help run the sessions. Volunteers will need to undergo DBS clearance and safeguarding training. If you can help, please contact Anne Worden on 02392 817586 ,via the parish office or contact then via the website contact form attached.. Thank ...
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    Do You Want to Hire our St. Swithun’s Hall Southsea?

    Do You Want to Hire our St. Swithun’s Hall Southsea?

    St. Swithun’s Hall is a great venue ! Did you know that our hall is hired out to different groups to help with the income for the parish. We have a number of different classes which may be of interest to you or perhaps you know a group who are looking to hire a hall with great facilities and a huge car park? Children’s parties; wedding receptions; engagement or Christmas parties. You can hire the hall for your party, and it is big enough to take a medium size bouncy castle. The hire cost is £19.50 per hour, and we ...
    Read more here
    Fr. Matthew Schneider - What is natural law?

    Fr. Matthew Schneider – What is natural law?

    The term "natural law" appears frequently in discussions of law and morality. But what does the Catholic Church mean by the phrase? In discussions on morality and legal issues, we often hear the term “natural law.” However, almost every time I’ve seen it used outside the context of academic Catholic philosophy and theology, I see people misunderstanding it. Unfortunately, most explanations I’ve seen likely go over many people’s heads. I hope to provide an explanation an average person can understand in three steps: 1) natural, 2) law, and 3) Church teaching. After that, I’ll take up some misunderstandings. A world of meaning ...
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    Fr. Mike Schmitz Answers – BECOMING HOPEFUL IN A HOPELESS WORLD

    Fr. Mike Schmitz Answers – BECOMING HOPEFUL IN A HOPELESS WORLD

    Q: How do I live with hope? This world seems so lost at times. Even more personally, my life seems so painful and senseless at times. It all just seems so pointless. A: Thank you so much for writing and asking this question. The very fact that you have asked this question is a sign that you have a certain degree of hope, because you have taken action in asking for an answer. And hope is almost always going to be connected to action. Years ago, I read Laura Hillenbrand’s phenomenal book Unbroken. It is the story of the life ...
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    Fr. Mike Schmitz Answers –  I BELIEVE…

    Fr. Mike Schmitz Answers –  I BELIEVE…

    Q: Do you believe everything that the Catholic Church teaches? A: Of course I do. I wouldn’t be Catholic if I didn’t! I mean that seriously; if I didn’t believe in the valid teaching authority of the Catholic Church, then I would have to go somewhere else. That just seems to make sense to me. No one “has to be” Catholic. It is a decision. And that decision is based off of the intellectual conclusion that it is true. In fact, I really like something C.S. Lewis wrote in his great book, Mere Christianity, “The only reason to believe something ...
    Read more here

     

     

    JOB VACANCIES IN THE DIOCESE OF PORTSMOUTH:

    VACANCY 2 Foundation Governors St Swithun’s Catholic Primary School

    Closing Date for applications: 30th September 2021 Two vacancies for Foundation Governors on the governing body have arisen and expressions of interests are being sought from practising committed Catholics for the ministry. The term of office is for four years from the date of appointment.

    Please Click on Document Below for full details

    Foundation Governor Advert Portsmouth Diocese

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

    Daily Devotion Tuesday 31st August 2021 The Blessed Sacrament & Immaculate Heart of Mary
    31 August 2021

    Daily Devotion Tuesday 31st August 2021 The Blessed Sacrament & Immaculate Heart of Mary

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    Daily Devotion Wednesday 1st September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    01 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Wednesday 1st September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Thursday 2nd September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    02 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Thursday 2nd September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Friday 3rd September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    03 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Friday 3rd September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Saturday 4th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    04 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Saturday 4th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Monday 6th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    06 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Monday 6th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Tuesday 7th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    07 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Tuesday 7th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Wednesday 8th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    08 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Wednesday 8th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Thursday 9th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    09 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Thursday 9th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Friday 10th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    10 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Friday 10th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Saturday 11th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    11 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Saturday 11th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Monday 13th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    13 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Monday 13th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Tuesday 14th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    14 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Tuesday 14th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Wednesday 15th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    15 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Wednesday 15th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Thursday 16th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    16 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Thursday 16th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Friday 17th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    17 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Friday 17th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Saturday 18th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    18 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Saturday 18th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Ascent Group Events 2021 – Alive in the Spirit
    18 September 2021

    Ascent Group Events 2021 – Alive in the Spirit

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    Daily Devotion Monday 20th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    20 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Monday 20th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Tuesday 21st September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    21 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Tuesday 21st September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Wednesday 22nd September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    22 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Wednesday 22nd September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Thursday 23rd September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    23 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Thursday 23rd September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Friday 24th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    24 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Friday 24th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Saturday 25th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    25 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Saturday 25th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Monday 27th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    27 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Monday 27th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Tuesday 28th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    28 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Tuesday 28th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Wednesday 29th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    29 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Wednesday 29th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Daily Devotion Thursday 30th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows
    30 September 2021

    Daily Devotion Thursday 30th September 2021 Our Lady of Sorrows

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    Scroll through to see all the events happening from the 29th August 2021 till the 30th September 2021

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

    THIS WEEK FOR ALL:  Through: https://www.facebook.com/Stswithuns.org.uk

    Date for your future diaries: These  will be back after the summer holidays in September

    Facebook Profile – in English (St Swithuns RC Church Southsea): ‘A GLASS OF WINE’ with Fr Marcin – Q&A of The Catholic Faith on:

    Date for your future diaries: These  will be back after the summer holidays in September

    Facebook Profile –in Polish (St Swithuns RC Kościół Southsea): ‘MORNING COFFEE WITH MYSTICS’ brewed by Fr Marcin on: 

    Date for your future diaries: These  will be back after the summer holidays in September

    Children Pray together via our Zoom Online Catholic School:

    Date for your future diaries: These  will be back after the summer holidays in September

    Your children can join us for our Zoom online Catholic School  (PLEASE NOT: REGISTRATION IS NEED – see the form below)

    FOR CHILDREN our ONLINE ‘ZOOM’ CATHOLIC SCHOOL will be back after the summer holidays – if You are interested – PLEASE, send Fr Marcin email message: mdrabik@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

    Other News

    St Swithun’s St Vincent de Paul Society - Can You Help?

    St Swithun’s St Vincent de Paul Society – Can You Help?

    You may be aware that a few of us from the parish are members of the St Vincent de Paul Society here at St Swithun's with Fr. Marcin as our spiritual advisor. We wanted to take this opportunity to tell you a little about what we do and to let you know we are always looking for new people to join or people that we may be able to help. History of St Vincent De Paul The Society of St. Vincent de Paul began in Paris, France, in 1833 when a young law student at the Sorbonne, Frédéric Ozanam, was ...
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    URGENT APPEAL - FOOD PARCELS FOR OUR HOMELESS NEEDED IN  PORTSMOUTH

    URGENT APPEAL – FOOD PARCELS FOR OUR HOMELESS NEEDED IN PORTSMOUTH

    Dear Friends, as You know – we try our best to help homeless (and the poor) in many ways. One of them, very important and popular is providing the lunch on Sundays, with an incredible generosity and sacrifice from St Vincent de Paul’s members of our Parish. We need your help in this difficult times, to make by yourself 45 packed lunches or to provide us with the products or donation, so we can make it by ourselves. Each packed lunch includes: - 2 sandwiches; - At least 1 fruit; - Something to drink (a juice, water) - Something sweet ...
    Read more here
    Ascent Group - Events 2021 Timetable

    Ascent Group – Events 2021 Timetable

    Dear Friends May you be blessed with a happy and hopeful New Year. Although we are still in the midst of illness and restrictions, there are signs of hope as vaccines begin to be rolled out. We thank God for the answers to prayers made right at the beginning of the pandemic, that vaccines would be developed quickly; and we continue to pray for those suffering and for an end to the global crisis. ADoRE monthly sessions will continue online for the foreseable future, and we are encouraged by many positive reactions already to our 2021 programme plans - see below ...
    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

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

    UPDATE ON FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME FOR THIS NEW YEAR 2021

    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 2021-22 programme is open only to children born on or before 31.8.2014)

    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 – August 2021 

    Pope Francis Prayer Intentions Aug 2021 – The Church

    Pope’s Intention for evangelization:

    Let us pray for the Church, that She may receive from the Holy Spirit the grace and strength to reform herself in the light of the Gospel.

    Prayer of the month – August 21

    Jesus Christ, master and head of the Church, who desires that she be faithful to you and modeled after you,
    we ask you that, without delay, our Church may proclaim the joy of the Gospel.
    Send your spirit over Her, making her obedient and available so that,
    through action, prayer, and discernment, she may navigate the true path of conversion,
    deepening her constant missionary vocation and reaching all places
    and all people with the light of the Gospel and the comfort of the Father’s love.
    Amen.

    Pray for those of our Own Parish:

    Please pray for those who are ill especially: Caroline Bennett, 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: 29th Aug 2021:  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/


    Parish Devotions this month

     

    Immaculate Heart of Mary

    Month of the Immaculate Heart

    The month of August (Overview - Calendar) is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart. Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of August is traditionally dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The physical heart of Mary is venerated (and not adored as the Sacred Heart of Jesus is) because it is united to her person and is the seat of her love (especially for her divine Son), virtue, and inner life. Such devotion is an incentive to a similar love and virtue. This devotion has received new emphasis in this century from the visions ...
    Read more here
    Immaculate Heart of Mary

    Consecration to the Immaculate Heart

    Pope Paul VI,, on the floor of the Vatican Council at the close of the third session, renewed publicly the consecration of the Church and the world to Mary's Immaculate Heart. He said that his thoughts turned to the whole world "which our venerated predecessor Pius XII . . . not without inspiration from on high, solemnly consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. . . . O Virgin Mary, Mother of the Council, to you we recommend the entire Church." When he visited Fatima on May 13, 1967, the same Pope recalled this"consecration which we ourselves have renewed on ...
    Read more here
    Our Lady of Fatima children

    Reparation to the Immaculate Heart

    Our very consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary calls upon us to make reparation for the offenses that we and others have committed against her. The Church, in inviting us to consecrate ourselves to her Immaculate Heart, implicitly calls upon us for this reparation. But more explicitly, and even before Fatima, Saint Pius X offered a plenary indulgence to all who on the first Saturday of the month would observe special devotions in honour of the Immaculate Virgin in a spirit of reparation for the blasphemies uttered against her. There is, however, an even more basic reason why each ...
    Read more here
    Sacred Heart

    August- The Blessed Sacrament & Immaculate Heart of Mary

    August is the month of the Blessed Sacrament and dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary. The month of August is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary. The entire month falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time. The last portion of the liturgical year represents the time of our pilgrimage ...
    Read more here
    August Month of the Blessed Sacrament

    August Month of the Blessed Sacrament

    We know, as Catholics, that we encounter Jesus whenever we go to Mass and experience the Consecration. When wine and bread are transformed into Body and Blood, and we receive Him, we are transformed. It grants a special grace to handle the trials of Christian living. Consecrated hosts are kept in a sacred container called a ciborum that is housed inside the tabernacle. The tabernacle is what we are to face when we genuflect at Mass. Some parishes have designated times where the prayerful contemplation called Eucharistic Adoration take place. This is a wonderful exercise for our spiritual muscle. Take ...
    Read more here
    A Time to Persevere

    A Time to Persevere

    The days of summer have provided a welcome change of pace. However, while vacations afford us the time to relax and refresh, the change of habits and routines can also have a negative impact on our spiritual lives. As if to re-ignite us, the Church offers us in the plethora of August feasts vivid examples of the virtue of perseverance: six martyrs — two who are named in Canon I of the Mass and two who were martyred during World War II; seven founders of religious congregations, as well as three popes and two kings; the apostle, St. Bartholomew; the ...
    Read more here
    Eucharistic World Miracles

    Eucharistic Miracles of the World

    Where: The parish of Saint Mary in Buenos Aires What happened: While both other miracles are definitely worth finding out about, the most interesting and comprehensive study was done with the 1996 Eucharist. It began bleeding when consecrated and part of it became human tissue. After several intense studies, it was found that the tissue was part of a heart, a muscle of the myocardium, the left ventricle, the muscle that gives life to the whole heart and body. The tissue revealed further that it belonged to a person who had gone through intense pain, experiencing extended periods of time ...
    Read more here

    Pope writes Apostolic New Papal Document on the Sacred Liturgy

    Pope writes Apostolic New Papal Document on the Sacred Liturgy

    Pope Francis has written an Apostolic Letter to the People of God about the sacred liturgy, in order to recall the profound meaning of the Holy Eucharist and to encourage better liturgical formation. Dated 29th June 2022, the Letter is called Desiderio Desideravi and you can read it by clicking ...
    Read More
    The Eucharist

    Blog Topic: The Eucharist is ‘the School of True Love for Us’

    14/06/2022
    Holy Trinity

    Blog Topic: “Mystery of the Holy Trinity”

    04/06/2022
    World Communications Day 2022 is on May 29th

    World Communications Day 2022 is on May 29th

    27/05/2022

     

    Missio Red Boxes

    Thank You so much for all the people of good will and merciful hearts, who – even in this difficult time continue to support missionaries around the world through their red boxes support. In 2020 our Parish raised over £1400, which was absolutely amazing.

    THIS is a time to bring your red boxes to be emptied again. Please, bring them to the sacristy or pass to our Dear Denis, who is an ambassador of this deed of mercy in our Parish. Thank You so much for your generosity.

     

     

    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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    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;
    • Safeguarding Minister: Teresa Rowe  tel: 023 92 818295;
    • Safeguarding Minister: Anne Worden  tel: 023 92 817586;
    • Parish Office Hours: Tues, Thurs, 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!
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    @St_swithun

    “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.

     

    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.

    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 29082021, Parish News & Events Feed, Resources, Resources Newsletters Tagged With: 22nd Ord, Father Marcin Drabik, Mark 7:1-8 14-15 21-23, Scott Hahn, St Swithun's RC Church

    August: Month of The Blessed Sacrament & Immaculate Heart of Mary "Hail Mary full of Grace,
    the Lord is with thee.
    Blessed are thou among women and
    blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.
    Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners
    now and at the hour of our death. Amen."


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