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A prayer for Ukraine, Russia and peaceO God, |
My Dearest Parishioners, Visitors, Friends – Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ
It is good to remember that Jesus’ contemporaries lived lives of immense hardship, under very harsh social and political conditions. Famine or land appropriation were a constant threat for subsistence farmers, suffering under excruciating taxation practices. In this situation, the landowner who stored his surplus crop, instead of helping to feed and support poorer farmers, would not have won the sympathy of Jesus’ listeners. They will have enjoyed this simple reminder that even unscrupulous people like this landowner will die, and his grand plans will look very foolish.
The parable is told as a warning against greed, but Luke is offering a deeper theological meaning. What are the ways in which I am ‘rich toward God’? The rich man has a ‘me, me, me’ complex. He does not come across as wicked or evil but as selfish, greedy, preoccupied with himself to the exclusion of others. Lord, do I get caught in the unholy trinity of ‘Me, Myself and I?’
One could argue that the rich man is not foolish because he makes provision for the future. But his own future is his only concern, not that of others. He does not think to use his abundance to help others. Lord, make me a grateful person, aware that all that is good in my life comes from you, and is held I trust, for others.
Saint Ignatius was a mystic who had very enriching ideas about God and about ourselves. He saw God as the great lover and ourselves as God’s beloveds. He saw too that God gives us everything and even wants to give his very self to us, so far as he can. Lord, make us grounded enough to want only to love and humbly serve others as best we can.
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with Blessings Father Simon |
HOLIDAYS:
Loving Father, during this time of rest and relaxation, please repair in me whatever is weary or broken, and revive my drooping spirit.
Let this holiday be a graced time of recollection and rejuvenation, of deeper self-awareness and eager self-giving.
May it be an occasion of refreshment and reinvigoration, a time to reclaim my friendship with Jesus Christ,
who is Lord now and for ever. Amen.
REFLECTION:
Opening Prayer: Holy Spirit, take away from me now everything that distracts me from praying. I am here, and I am yours.
Encountering Christ: The Desire to Possess Things: When a person faces a good of any kind–an object, a value, another person–he or she not only experiences the desire to enjoy it, but to possess it. It seems that this is related to the human capacity for reaching out beyond the present moment into the future. I call that projection. We understand ourselves not simply in the light of what is, but, at least as much, in the light of what will be. That is why people build barns: to guarantee that they will be able to rejoice in their goods in the future. The Gospel prompts us to reflect about our tendency to look ahead. Quite compellingly, Jesus points out that our future is really not as much in our control as we like to believe it is. I don’t think he wants us to be indifferent about the future. On the contrary, the capacity to project is crucial when it comes to living our lives and becoming who we are called to be. But, on the other hand, we have to check our urge to indiscriminately grab and store up the goods put before us. What barns have I built for the future and what kinds of things am I storing there?
The Temptation to Greed: God often presents us with goods that he wants us to share, invest, or even give up. Putting everything into a dark barn may feel safe for the moment, but it’s only appropriate if that’s what God has intended for us to do with it. We have to be discerning regarding our drive for possession. What feels “right” can be deceiving, and can turn into greed, compromising the goods that we were hoping to protect. We’re called to recognize that everything we have comes from God, and that we are merely stewards of these gifts. “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
Life Does Not Consist of Possessions: We can all sometimes fall prey to the desire to measure our self-worth by our possessions. In the culture, we often idolize those with great wealth. Wealthy people seem to have it all. But Christ warns us in the Gospel to reject this assumption. Life does not consist of possessions. What matters is how well we love. As Mother Teresa told us, “There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love” (A Simple Path). Our ultimate success will be measured by the love we share with others. “If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3).
Conversing with Christ: Jesus, my life is filled with goods. Above all, I want to thank you for this “bountiful harvest.” I realize that many of these gifts are fundamental for my life, and I also acknowledge that none of them are guaranteed to last. In fact, what of it will last for eternity, Lord? My heart relishes the goods that make me happy. My nature urges me to continue to provide for that happiness. And yet I know nothing can guarantee it but you. I beg you, yes, I beg you, Lord: Fill me with the theological virtue of hope, so that I really rely completely on you when it comes to the future. I hope in you and that means you alone are what I want to hold on to. I want to fill the barns of my heart with your goods alone.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will look over my possessions and ask: “Among everything that I have received, what is the most precious in the light of eternity?”
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Download this week's Newsletter here: | Newsletter: Sunday 31st July 2022 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C |
Date | Location | links to readings and Services |
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Sunday 31st July 2022 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 31-07-2022 |
Monday 1st August 2022 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 01-08-2022 |
Tuesday 2nd August2022 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 02-08-2022 |
Wednesday 3rd August2022 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 03-08-2022 |
Thursday 4th August 2022 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 04-08-2022 |
Friday 5th August 2022 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 05-08-2022 |
Saturday 6th August 2022 | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 06-08-2022 |
Sunday 7th August 2022 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C | St Swithuns | Click Link for Service details for today 07-08-2022 |
Service Updates from Fr Simon
If you would like to book a Mass dedication for someone, please contact Father Simon or the parish office with the name and date.
Please be aware of the change of Daily Mass Times due to parish commitments,. As soon as Covid allows, I am hoping to leave the church open after Mass until 4pm each day, in order that people can return to private prayer.
Saturdays Mass will be at 9am and confessions will start after Mass at St Swithun and on Saturday evening in Our Lady of Lourdes from 17.15 – 17.45 or at any other time by appointment

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel and Readings for the Week -31-07-2022
Read more here

Children – Read today’s Holy Readings here again 31-07-2022
Read more here

Dr. Scott Hahn – Gospel Reflections 31-07-2022
Read more here

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:2,2:21-23; Colossians 3:1-5.9-11; Luke 12:13-21
Read more here
Pope writes Apostolic New Papal Document on the Sacred Liturgy

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

Read more here

Hymn for Today: Lyrics – JJ Weeks Band – Fools Gold
Read more here

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

DIOCESAN 10-YEAR PLAN
Read more here

10 Key quotes from the Pope’s apostolic letter ‘Desiderio desideravi’
Read more here

Relics of St. Bernadette to visit Diocese
Read more here

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

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

Safeguarding Representatives in our Parish
Read more here

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

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

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

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

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

Fr. Simon – Baptism Preparation Programme 2021-22
Read more here
Universal intention – For the elderly
We pray for the elderly, who represent the roots and memory of a people; may their experience and wisdom help young people to look towards the future with hope and responsibility.
Prayer of the Month – July 2022
Dear Lord, Father of young and old alike, teach us to honor those of our brothers and sisters who began their walks of faith before us and who continue on their journeys home to You. Guide us to see every person, regardless of age, as your precious and beloved child.
Give us the grace to reach out to those quietly in need among us and to be Your hands and feet for them. Through prayer and acts of service, help us to see Your face in the elderly in our families, neighborhoods, and churches. Help us to slow our pace of living and to appreciate the gift of these lives. We know that You make all things new, and so we ask that You call us to new friendships whose fruit will last.
You have given each of Your children gifts with which to serve You. May we recognize these gifts in ourselves and in others, so that together, we can build Your kingdom.
St. Anna, St. Simeon, Sts. Anne and Joachim, pray for us.
Amen.
Please pray for those who are ill especially: Robert & Eileen Steward, Louie Muscat, Tony & Julie Duffy, Brian Girling, Shelia Langford; Catherine Morgan, Pam Brown Ward, for all the children suffering and their poor families with them Aidan Molloy, David Shields, Bob Guy, Ms Sini Chacko, Kathleen & Kevin Jones, Heidi Badnell, Rosemary Devonald, Dominic, Carol Langsford, Patricia Ward, Stan Whitnell, Patrick McCreesh, Eddie Coppani, Tony Denny, Betty Foster, Bobby, Eileen Stewart, Joan Smith, John Williams, Margaret Bager, Fred Vuksani, Tom & Lily, Greta Kemp, Magda K, Mary Wallis, Micheline Thompson, Pat Needham, Margaret Badger, Anne Sullivan, Josephine Butler.
And all whose anniversaries occur at this time: 31st July 2022: Caroline Bennett, Diana Clark, David Best,Eileen Inkpen, Mary Hehir, Jo Wheeler, Shirley Parker, Dennis William Johnson, Carmen Muscat, Simon Paul Urwin, Mary Denny, Sheila Merrett, George Cowley, Bernard Donaghy, Bridget Nolan, Terry Kendal, William Lynch, Isabella Graham, Michael Collins, Anne McGowan, Wanda Gant, Suzanne Severs, Rosanna Schofield, Winifred Tripp, Catherine Henney, Johanna Davis, Leonard Hayles, Davina Cameron, Charles Cummins, Frank Hilton, Charles William Rolph, Patrick John Tyrrell, William Deary, Frances Barrett, Albert Brain, Jane Lattan, Gladys Whittle, Mary Young, May Flood, Miriam Keane, Ellen Gray, Janice Margaret Johnson, Archbishop John Henry King, William Smith, Eileen Orme, Herbert Diemer, Ann Mary Froggatt, Mary Patricia Tovey, Christine Ann Hogan (Ann), Bridget Hanvery, Florence Ellen Healey, Annie Evison, Albert Mensell, Elizabeth Mary Hawkins, Nora Parker, Lugrezia (Grace) Veronica Tynan, James Madigan, William Morgan, David Calder, Ellen Green, Percy Spicer, Hilda Clifton, Anne Woolfe, James Patrick Madigan, John Stephen Feeley, John Young (Frank), Ethel Penwell, Florence Casey, Alice Whiles, Mary Diver, Eileen Field, Mary Shute, Antoni Brown, Beatrice McIver, Hilda Lowe and Christina Perseltic Carter., ,Lizzie and Patrick McSharry ,Gemma Litchfield , Ivy Rouse , Stan Pickering and Jozef Michalczuk
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen
Community Pray:
House of Prayer Portsmouth have been praying for the city and feel that God is asking for the churches in the city to prayer walk their boundaries. We would like to invite you as a congregation to walk the boundary of your parish to pray God’s blessing and bring hope, healing and awakening to the area. The Holy Rosary is absolutely perfect for this initiative. You can join the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/937798273059418/


Month of the Precious Blood of Jesus

The Old fulfilled in the New Covenant

The Devotion to the Precious Blood

The Symbol of the Precious Blood

The Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Pope writes Apostolic New Papal Document on the Sacred Liturgy
Read More
OFFERTORY: Thank you for last Sunday’s Collection.
Electronic offertory: If you have not managed to set up your electronic giving yet, please can you do so as soon as possible.
The Parish Bank Account details are: Account Name (Lloyd’s Bank’): PRCDTR Our Lady of Lourdes’ & St Swithun Church Sort Code: 30-93-04; parish Account no: 01730453.
Financial assistance: If you are able to increase your usual weekly offering (during this time of uncertainty) it will be a huge help to the parish. Even the slightest increase will be a help – THANK YOU!
You can donate via the button on the Parish website – or here
Standing Order and other useful Information
Download Standing Order Form (PDF)
Lloyds Bank : sort code 30-93-04 ; Account number 01730453 (Cheques mad payable to: PRCDTR Our Lady & St. Swithun)
with Blessings Canon Simon Treloar
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Thank you as always for all the gifts, food and toilets for our HOMELESS people, who our Parish minister for. Thank You for all your care and generosity. Please, leave your gifts and donations in the sacristy of the church. Thank You. |
Download Newsletter PDF -31-07-2022
WE’RE SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS NEWS WITH YOU AND DON’T FORGET USE THE CONTACT FORMS ON OUR WEBSITE !
Download this newsletter in printer-friendly PDF format to read later.
Download this week’s Newsletter here: Newsletter: Sunday 31st July 2022 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
PARISH CONTACTS
- PARISH PRIEST: Canon Simon Treloar
- tel: 02392 828305 – please leave a message
- email: streloar@portsmouthdicoese.org.uk
- Address: 105 Waverley Road, Southsea, PO5 2PL;
- Safeguarding Minister: Teresa Rowe tel: 023 92 818295;
- Safeguarding Minister: Anne Worden tel: 023 92 817586;
- Parish Secretary: Mrs Kathleen Jones
- Parish Office Hours: Tues, Thurs and Friday, 8.00am –12.30pm. tel: 02392 828 305
email: southseaparish@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk - Parish website: http://www.stswithuns.org.uk
- Facebook Profile: @Stswithuns.org.uk
NEW SECTION ON OUR WEBSITE IF YOU JUST WANT TO SPEND SOME SPECIAL TIME WITH GOD
Read More on our Renewal Pages here
Updated Coronavirus Safety Guidelines
Track and trace: code. Please use the QR Code (on the back of the church). Simply hold your camera app over the code and follow the instructions. This would be helpful should a local outbreak of the virus be detected.
Ventilation:In order for us to comply with regulations and therefore be considered a ‘COVID secure environment’ the doors must be left open. As the temperature drops in the weeks ahead it will be important to wrap-up warm for Mass! Please do bear this in mind.