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Today’s Liturgy Celebrating in the Church we concertina all the events in Jesus’ earthly life into our calendar year. We have only just celebrated Christmas and now we celebrate Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan by John. This Baptism took place when Jesus was 30 years old. John tried to dissuade Jesus, but Jesus was eager to conform to the custom. It wasn’t a Baptism forgiving sin, because Jesus had no sin. It was symbolic. It was fitting there was a public investiture of Jesus as Messiah, Son of David, King of Israel. The Father witnessed that he was his Son. The Holy Spirit descended like a dove, reflecting Genesis when God’s Spirit ‘hovered over the water’. Jesus’ Baptism was the beginning of a new world, the kingdom of God. The Father’s voice resounded, You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased. The Jewish people were filled with expectation the Messiah was imminent. A herald, perhaps Elijah, would anoint the Messiah. Some thought John the Baptist, whose ministry began in 27AD, might be the anointed one. John answered emphatically he was not the Christ but only the herald. Someone greater than he would reveal the wonders of a new Baptism. By our Baptism we are made the Father’s children chosen to bring the good news to the world. The same Holy Spirit who came down on Jesus came down on us at our Baptism. We must all and always be people in whom God is well pleased. Our Baptism is the gateway to eternal life. The Holy Spirit within us must be the driving force in our lives to work for Christ.
Pax Christi (Peace Sunday) is next weekend 18/19 Jan. It is an international Catholic peace movement founded in France in 1945 to promote reconciliation after World War II. It’s mission is to transform the world shaken by violence, terrorism and insecurity The theme which Pope Francis has chosen is Forgive us our trespasses. Prayer cards will be available. The 2nd Collection next week will be for Pax Christi.
Journey in Faith continues on Mon 13 Jan in the Centre 7.30pm. Topic this week: FAITH. Please read in advance St Matthew’s Gospel 13. vv 4-9 18-33 and St John’s 1st Letter 5. vv 1-12.
Christian Unity Week, when Christians pray earnestly for a coming together of all who accept and believe in Christ, is 18-25 Jan. All welcome to pray together at Baptist Church, New Rd. B60 2JD on Sun 19 Jan 4pm. Come along!
Sanctuary Lamp If you would like it to burn for a particular intention, please, write it down put it in an envelope with a £10 donation and place it in the 200 Club Box. This week the lamp burns in prayer for Phil Parsons’ Intentions.
Receiving Holy Communion In the 1960s the more ancient custom of receiving the Sacred Host in the hand was reintroduced. When approaching, the priest/minister holds the Host in front of the communicant and says Body of Christ, to which the communicant answers Amen. The priest/ minister places the Sacred Host on the hand of the communicant. While still standing in front of the priest/minister the communicant places the Sacred Host in their mouth. Under no circumstances should the communicant move away from in front of the priest/minister before placing the Sacred Host in their mouth. Please do not feel rushed.
Important Commas Today in Isaiah (Ch 40) we read the correct version. A voice cries, in the wilderness prepare a way. John the Baptist and other religious sects did just that. They went in the wilderness to prepare. The Synoptic Gospels omit the comma and record a voice cries in the wilderness. This loses the sense of Isaiah.
200 Club Week 1049 £100 win for Jean Rands (No 43)
Sick Lord, place your healing hands on all who are sick. Fill their lives with the warmth of your love: Pope Francis, Fr Tony Rohan, Gabriel Brown, Frank Campbell, Bernard and Jean Chadwick, Jill Davies, Eileen Derrington, Tim Donovan, Judy Grant, Jim Griffith, Meg Hart, Andrew Joyce, Patrick Maddox, Ian Mounter, Eileen Murphy, Ellen Paine, Lily Rahim, David Sapier, Carol Spooner, Yvonne Telford, all those in hospitals, Care Homes and the housebound. Bring healing to all who are sick. Strengthen and support all who care for the sick. Make haste to come to their help. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.
Deceased Lord, bring all who have died to the joy and peace of your eternal home. We remember especially, Bob Cowen, who died recently. Be mindful of those whose anniversaries occur this week: Helen Weston(1945), Bernard Wilson (1949), Elizabeth Bauckam(1979), John Hughes(1998), Dorothy Latham(2005), Bill Hagan(2007), Margaret Barrett (2016) and Margaret Thompson(2017). Remember all those killed in the wars taking place in so many countries in our troubled world. Lord, lead all who have died into your heavenly kingdom. Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord. Amen.
Jubilee Year 2025 The first Jubilee Year was declared by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300 AD. In 1470 AD Pope Paul II set the time lapse of 25 years between each Holy Year. Some of us remember the Holy Year of 1950, which Pope Pius XII called 5 years after the end of World War II. All were called to pray together and forgive each other. That was the year when Our Lady’s Assumption was defined as an Article of Catholic Faith. Some of our parishioners travelled to Rome for the more recent Holy Year of 1975. During 2025 about 32 million pilgrims are expected to visit Rome. Those who have been to Rome may have seen the Holy Door into St Peter’s Basilica, which is usually kept closed and locked, but it is opened to mark the beginning of a Holy Year. Pope Francis unlocked and opened St Peter’s Holy Door on Christmas Eve 2024. There are 3 other Holy Doors in Rome. They are in the Basilicas of St John Lateran, St Mary Major and St Paul’s behind the Walls (of the ancient city of Rome). All these Holy Doors are opened in a Holy Year. They symbolise the ‘ opening of the door of salvation’ through which all people are invited and welcome to pass through. Let all of us at St Peter’s use this opportunity of grace to come back into a right relationship with God…..tbc
Pax Christi (Peace Sunday) is next weekend 18/19 Jan. It is an international Catholic peace movement founded in France in 1945 to promote reconciliation after World War II. It’s mission is to transform the world shaken by violence, terrorism and insecurity The theme which Pope Francis has chosen is Forgive us our trespasses. Prayer cards will be available. The 2nd Collection next week will be for Pax Christi.
Journey in Faith continues on Mon 13 Jan in the Centre 7.30pm. Topic this week: FAITH. Please read in advance St Matthew’s Gospel 13. vv 4-9 18-33 and St John’s 1st Letter 5. vv 1-12.
Christian Unity Week, when Christians pray earnestly for a coming together of all who accept and believe in Christ, is 18-25 Jan. All welcome to pray together at Baptist Church, New Rd. B60 2JD on Sun 19 Jan 4pm. Come along!
Sanctuary Lamp If you would like it to burn for a particular intention, please, write it down put it in an envelope with a £10 donation and place it in the 200 Club Box. This week the lamp burns in prayer for Phil Parsons’ Intentions.
Receiving Holy Communion In the 1960s the more ancient custom of receiving the Sacred Host in the hand was reintroduced. When approaching, the priest/minister holds the Host in front of the communicant and says Body of Christ, to which the communicant answers Amen. The priest/ minister places the Sacred Host on the hand of the communicant. While still standing in front of the priest/minister the communicant places the Sacred Host in their mouth. Under no circumstances should the communicant move away from in front of the priest/minister before placing the Sacred Host in their mouth. Please do not feel rushed.
Important Commas Today in Isaiah (Ch 40) we read the correct version. A voice cries, in the wilderness prepare a way. John the Baptist and other religious sects did just that. They went in the wilderness to prepare. The Synoptic Gospels omit the comma and record a voice cries in the wilderness. This loses the sense of Isaiah.
200 Club Week 1049 £100 win for Jean Rands (No 43)
Sick Lord, place your healing hands on all who are sick. Fill their lives with the warmth of your love: Pope Francis, Fr Tony Rohan, Gabriel Brown, Frank Campbell, Bernard and Jean Chadwick, Jill Davies, Eileen Derrington, Tim Donovan, Judy Grant, Jim Griffith, Meg Hart, Andrew Joyce, Patrick Maddox, Ian Mounter, Eileen Murphy, Ellen Paine, Lily Rahim, David Sapier, Carol Spooner, Yvonne Telford, all those in hospitals, Care Homes and the housebound. Bring healing to all who are sick. Strengthen and support all who care for the sick. Make haste to come to their help. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.
Deceased Lord, bring all who have died to the joy and peace of your eternal home. We remember especially, Bob Cowen, who died recently. Be mindful of those whose anniversaries occur this week: Helen Weston(1945), Bernard Wilson (1949), Elizabeth Bauckam(1979), John Hughes(1998), Dorothy Latham(2005), Bill Hagan(2007), Margaret Barrett (2016) and Margaret Thompson(2017). Remember all those killed in the wars taking place in so many countries in our troubled world. Lord, lead all who have died into your heavenly kingdom. Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord. Amen.
Jubilee Year 2025 The first Jubilee Year was declared by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300 AD. In 1470 AD Pope Paul II set the time lapse of 25 years between each Holy Year. Some of us remember the Holy Year of 1950, which Pope Pius XII called 5 years after the end of World War II. All were called to pray together and forgive each other. That was the year when Our Lady’s Assumption was defined as an Article of Catholic Faith. Some of our parishioners travelled to Rome for the more recent Holy Year of 1975. During 2025 about 32 million pilgrims are expected to visit Rome. Those who have been to Rome may have seen the Holy Door into St Peter’s Basilica, which is usually kept closed and locked, but it is opened to mark the beginning of a Holy Year. Pope Francis unlocked and opened St Peter’s Holy Door on Christmas Eve 2024. There are 3 other Holy Doors in Rome. They are in the Basilicas of St John Lateran, St Mary Major and St Paul’s behind the Walls (of the ancient city of Rome). All these Holy Doors are opened in a Holy Year. They symbolise the ‘ opening of the door of salvation’ through which all people are invited and welcome to pass through. Let all of us at St Peter’s use this opportunity of grace to come back into a right relationship with God…..tbc
