Category: Deacon Tony reflects

(Wisdom 18:6-9; Psalm 33; Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19; Luke 12:32-48)

Just over 100 years ago the soon to be Canonised Pier Giorgio Frassati wrote “The Faith given to me in baptism suggests to me surely: by yourself you will do nothing, but if you have God as the centre of all your action, then you will reach the goal“.[1] This short sentence sums up today’s scripture readings perfectly.

In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom we hear the confidence of faith in words like ‘known beforehand’, ‘sure knowledge’, ‘oaths in which they trusted’ ‘expected by your people’. These are not just words of hope these are words which demonstrate that these people believed in the promises of God and that they had certainty that God would deliver on His promises.

In the second reading we hear from the Letter to the Hebrews which outlines several acts of faith principally through the actions of Abraham and Sarah; all of these actions grounded in faith. The faith demonstrated by Abraham, is nothing short of remarkable. First of all, he believed God’s promise and set out on a journey not knowing where he was going. Do any of us know where our journey of faith will take us?  We know where we hope it will take us, but we have no idea of the adventures on the way. Next Abraham and Sarah trusted in God when they promised them an heir while they were elderly and that their offspring would number the stars in the sky and be as difficult to count as the grains of sand on the seashore. For man these things are impossible, but not for God, as Pier Giorgio said “by yourself you will do nothing, but if you have God as the centre of all your action, then you will reach the goal.”

However, it is in today’s Gospel; which picks up a theme from last week’s Gospel, where we heard about the wealthy man who built bigger barns to hoard his belongings; that we are reminded that where we see our treasure; that is where our heart will be. That will be where we focus our energies.

The disciples are urged to sell their possessions, to help them keep their whole focus on serving the Lord. They are encouraged to always be ready. This is not just a warning of not being caught out; this is a clear message to us to live out our faith. We are not meant just to come to Mass on Sunday and then go off and do whatever we please, this is not a ‘tick box exercise’.

If we look at ourselves carefully and honestly, can we really say that we are ready to face the Lord? I know that I need to work harder to be ready. Too often in the past and sometimes even now, I know that my focus has not been right. My attention is drawn to worldly things, possessions, gadgets, other ‘must have’ items, which do nothing to get me to my heavenly home. I can find myself wasting time by playing puzzles; time which could be better spent in prayer. I can fritter away time reading Facebook or Twitter; time which could be spent reading Scriptures. I wrote this last paragraph three years ago for these readings, and I’m sorry to say that I am disappointed to realise that I still have the same issues, maybe even worse. I need to work harder to put God at the centre of my life.

These things which drain time from my day are not life giving, I need to look at how I use my time and make changes.

Which activities drain time from your day?

Are any of these taking the place of time with Jesus or time with your loved ones?

Are these becoming the ‘treasure’ referred to by Jesus in the Gospel?

For me this is a wake-up call. I don’t seem to have made any headway in the last three years on this time wasting and I need to put my faith into action and develop my prayer life better. Jesus’ words towards the end of the Gospel reading ‘the servant who knew his master’s will but who did not get ready or act according to his master’s will’ and the last words ‘from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more’. Remind us that through our baptism we have been brought into God’s family, we have been entrusted with much. Through my marriage and ordination, I have been entrusted with even more.

Last week Pam and I were doing some work in the Garden, we had a plan and when what I thought was the only job was completed, Pam suggested starting another job. I was livid, thinking my day had been hijacked, but I kept the anger to myself, getting more and more frustrated and angry as the second job progressed. Pam couldn’t understand where this had come from, and eventually things came to a head. My anger and frustration was not life giving and was definitely not storing up treasure for me. This week just after I had completed my first draft of this reflection Pam asked me to help her with another job in the garden. Working on this reflection helped me to realise that Pam is one of my treasures and I need to make sure she knows I value her. The job this week was completed in a loving way, with nice conversations along the way instead of my cold silent anger from the week before. Maybe I am starting to learn.

If I am to live out my vocations fully, I need to make sure that I am prepared well for the day when the Bridegroom calls. For me this means using the time I have left more effectively.

When you hear God’s words today, what do you need to do to get ready to meet the Bridegroom?

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 144-149: the obedience of faith
CCC 1817-1821: the virtue of hope
CCC 2729-2733: prayer as humble vigilance of heart
CCC 144-146, 165, 2572, 2676: Abraham, a model of faith

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
• All those on holiday or who are travelling, that they have a safe trip and re-charge their batteries.
• Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
• Those waiting on the results of academic exams, that they may be rewarded for the work they have put in and that whatever the results are they can see the path God wants them to take.
• Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
• Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.
• Fr Stephen as he prepares to come to the pastoral area and for the parishioners and relationships he leaves behind
• For the ongoing success of the Alpha programme.
• That a way to feed the starving in Gaza can be found that is fair and does not pose a danger to those who are starving or the aid workers.

Deacon Tony

9^th August 2025.

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[1] The faith Pier Giorgio Frassati on Faith

(Ecclesiastes1:2, 2:21-23; Psalm 90; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21)

Today we are asked to consider ‘’what are the things in our life which are really important?’ The answer to this can be different depending on what stage of life we are in. For example, I remember years ago, when I was struggling financially hearing a fellow parishioner say that money was not important. Inside I was thinking that it isn’t important until you don’t have enough to pay the bills; then it becomes really important. But that parishioner was right, there are far more important things in life, than money. For example, currently in Gaza, the wealthy are starving just as much as the poor, money cannot help the people imprisoned in Gaza, they are all being starved to death. The people are being punished for the acts of the terrorists, and those who are dealing out the punishment seem incapable of mercy. CafOD have issued an urgent appeal[1] for aid to help those suffering. In their appeal they quote Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Patriarch of Jerusalem “Humanitarian aid is not only necessary — it is a matter of life and death,” he continued. “To refuse it is not merely a delay, but a sentence. Every hour without food, water, medicine or shelter inflicts profound harm.” They have also appealed directly to the Government to push for a ceasefire to allow the aid to be distributed.

In the first reading today, we hear the expression ‘vanity of vanities’, when I think of vanity I often think of pride, of admiring oneself or one’s achievements; but that is only part of what the author is trying to tell us. The word ‘vanity’ has been translated from the Hebrew word ‘hevel’ which means a breath or a vapour. Hevel is, in fact, one of several words the Hebrew Bible has for breath, including ruach (which also means wind and air) and neshama (breath of life, soul). But while ruach and neshama have profoundly positive connotations, referring to that which animates life and even God, heveldoes not. Instead, it highlights the negative qualities of breath — namely, its insubstantiality and transience.[2] For example in the Book of Genesis, the name given to Abel in Hebrew is Hevel, illustrating how short his life was when he was killed by his own brother. The reading is telling us that some of the things we worry about are so unimportant and short lived that we don’t need to worry about them; encouraging us to concentrate on what we need to do, to be closer to God.

Likewise in the second reading St Paul is encouraging us to think about things which lead us to Christ: to subdue earthly passions and desires, to be truthful with one another and to try and be like Jesus. We are urged to see each other as members of the Body of Christ. St Paul is saying it doesn’t matter where we started from, but it definitely matters how we finish.

In the Gospel we hear Jesus warn the voice in the crowd to ‘guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of one’s possessions.’ He is telling us not to be greedy and gives a parable of a wealthy man who when he had plenty decided to build additional stores to horde his wealth. Jesus highlights the folly of this when the wealthy man died that very evening and would never be able to enjoy his wealth. Jesus is telling us that wealth and possessions are hevel, temporary, gone in a breath.

One of the first thoughts I had when I read this week’s readings was of the adage of the man who plants a tree knowing that he will never sit in its shade. He is doing this for those who will come after him. His children or grandchildren will appreciate the shade and perhaps enjoy any fruit the tree bears. How much better the world would be if we all thought more about how we can help others than how we can help ourselves.

There are many things in our own lives which we would benefit from reviewing. What do we have that we no longer need and someone else could benefit from? How am I spending my time? Could I give some or more to others by volunteering or just lifting the phone to call a parishioner to see how their day, week or month is going? We often say that we don’t have the time to do something, yet I know from my own experience that it’s more about not making the time to do it! So from today, I encourage you to think on these readings, reflect and act on what you are prompted to do.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 661, 1042-1050, 1821: hope for a new heaven and a new earth
CCC 2535-2540, 2547, 2728: the disorder of covetousness

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
• All those on holiday or who are travelling, that they have a safe trip and re-charge their batteries.
• Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
• Those waiting on the results of academic exams, that they may be rewarded for the work they have put in and that whatever the results are they can see the path God wants them to take.
• Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
• Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.
• Fr Stephen as he prepares to come to the pastoral area and for the parishioners and relationships he leaves behind
• For the ongoing success of the Alpha programme and the Holy Spirit Day this Sunday.
• That a way to feed the starving in Gaza can be found that is fair and does not pose a danger to those who are starving or the aid workers.
• Fr John as he heads off to Medjugorje and Fr Paul as he returns from his break.

Deacon Tony

31^st July 2025.

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[1] Gaza Crisis Appeal

[2] “All Is Vanity!” How to Understand Ecclesiastes’ Famous Lament | My Jewish Learning

(Genesis 20-32; Psalm 138; Colossians 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13)

Our scriptures today are full of encouragement for us to pray to God for our needs and the needs of our neighbours. In the first reading from the Book of Genesis we hear Abraham earnestly pleading for any just men who happen to live in Sodom or Gomorrah. God listens to his pleadings and offers to relent on the planned punishment; if the required number of just men could be found. As we know the only ones saved from those cities were Abraham’s nephew and his daughters, there being no-one else found worthy of being saved by God. Abraham’s prayers for those cities were intercessions; we use intercessory prayers at Mass and during the prayers of the Church.

The responsorial psalm also highlights the success of intercessory prayer with the phrase ‘On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.’ The psalmist recognising that God acts based on our petitions and that God as The Creator can do anything, especially when those He loves, ask Him to.

In the Gospel today we hear the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. Jesus gives them the words of the Our Father, teaching them and us to call God our Father. I will come back to the words of the Our Father later, but to continue on the theme of intercessory prayer; Jesus encourages us to ask the Father for our needs, especially if we are asking for the Holy Spirit to come into our lives. He emphasises that the Holy Spirit is the greatest of gifts; by previously describing the everyday needs that ‘evil’ people give as good gifts.

I read an article earlier this week on Facebook from James Terna[1] who described a free for all at a reception a few years ago. This free for all resulted in people fighting over the food available, leaving many of the smaller members of that community hungry. James reflected that when God heard the cry of the Israelites in the desert, he made a rule, they were to take only what they needed that day. This was to prevent some taking more than they needed and to ensure that everyone received their need. God also made what was left spoil overnight so that the people had to trust that God would provide again the next day.

James also asked his readers to reflect on why people are hungry in the world today when there is enough food for everyone? Why are people homeless whilst there are empty houses? And why do children die from simple disease when medicines are stored in warehouses? This is only too evident when we see the pictures coming out of Gaza this week of children starving to death and those who are fit enough and brave enough to go to the food collection points scrambling for the meagre portions which might keep their family alive, whilst trying to avoid being attacked or murdered when doing so.

James quoted Mahatma Gandhi who said, “The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.” As someone with a weight problem I know I contribute to that. While we in the west look for ways to lose weight, those in the developing world are starving to death.

James suggests that even in our prayer life we can be greedy, asking for blessings that we would struggle to use. In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches us to ask God for our daily bread, not our weekly, nor our monthly bread, nor a lifetime’s supply. James says just today’s portion, enough to sustain us while we trust in God for the next day.

How much do we trust in God for our day-to-day needs?

This Sunday, being the Sunday closest to the feast day of St Joachim and St Anne is the fifth World Day for Grandparents and the elderly. In his first message for this day, Pope Leo says that the elderly are signs of hope and cites Abraham, Sarah, Zachariah, Elizabeth and Moses as Biblical references of hope. But he also says “Every parish, association and ecclesial group is called to become a protagonist in a “revolution” of gratitude and care, to be brought about by regular visits to the elderly, the creation of networks of support and prayer for them and with them, and the forging of relationships that can restore hope and dignity to those who feel forgotten. Christian hope always urges us to be more daring, to think big, to be dissatisfied with things the way they are. In this case, it urges us to work for a change that can restore the esteem and affection to which the elderly are entitled.”

As a Parish and Pastoral area, we need to ensure that the elderly are not excluded. Every parishioner has a role to play in making sure our older brothers and sisters are not forgotten about. Some of them are still very active in our Parish family, but what of those we don’t see very often nowadays? I’m sure they would welcome a phone call or a visit to just check in with them on how they are doing. This would be a start in making Pope Leo’s plan come to fruition. I would welcome any other ideas too. So why not have a chat with me after Mass or some time soon!.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 2634-2636: prayer of intercession
CCC 2566-2567: universal call to prayer
CCC 2761-2772: the Lord’s Prayer as a synthesis of Gospel
CCC 2609-2610, 2613, 2777-2785: turning to God with persistence and filial trust
CCC 2654: lectio divina
CCC 537, 628, 1002, 1227: buried and risen in baptism

Chapter five of Pope Benedict XVI’s book “Jesus of Nazareth” – The Lord’s Prayer  

James Terna’s article in full https://www.facebook.com/groups/St.Therese.English/permalink/10163502679496774/

Message of the Holy Father for the 5th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, 2025: Blessed are those who have not lost hope (cf. Sir 14:2) (27 July 2025) | LEO XIV

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
• Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
• Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
• Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.
• All the clergy in our diocese who have agreed to take up new responsibilities from September onwards and those still discerning.
• For the ongoing success of the Alpha programme
• Ryan Brown who was ordained to the priesthood last weekend Emmanuel Chitu & Richard Martin due to be ordained to the permanent diaconate this weekend.
• That a way to feed the starving in Gaza can be found that is fair and does not pose a danger to those who are starving or the aid workers.
• Reuben, Zion, Elena and Akwasi who are being baptised this weekend at St Bede’s.

Deacon Tony

25^th July 2025.

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[1] https://www.facebook.com/groups/St.Therese.English/permalink/10163502679496774/

(Genesis 18:1-10a; Psalm 15; Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42)

Last week in our Gospel we were taught to treat a stranger as a neighbour, ensuring their needs are met. Jesus did this through the parable of the Good Samaritan. This week, in the passage which immediately follows last week’s Gospel, we have Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is diligently looking after the needs of her visitors; Mary prefers to spend time with Jesus. Remembering that hospitality is not just about serving but also involves spending time with a guest, they were both being hospitable, just in different ways.

How easy it can be to fall into the trap of being busy, or of being too busy to miss important events going on around us. I can relate to this. Many years ago, as a young dad, I saw my main role as a provider. I volunteered for any overtime going at work, including Sundays. I would often seek out additional shifts in areas unrelated to my work and spend even more time away from my family. The result of this was missing some quality time with my family and missing out on the opportunity to be a good role model and take my children to church.

As Martha proves, even when you are serving the Lord you can miss out on what is really important. For me this is a Gospel which I can visualise. Mary sitting listening to Jesus and Martha rushing around, fussing and fretting. Martha eventually complains to Jesus, expecting him to encourage her sister to help her. Martha’s judgement of her sister is that she has abandoned her, perhaps accusing her of being lazy or at the very least inattentive to the work which she believes needs to be done. Jesus gently and lovingly rebukes her, note how He says her name twice, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’ Jesus wants us to spend time with Him; He doesn’t want us to be anxious or troubled. He wants us to give the best of ourselves, not the bit that is left over when we have done all the things we choose to do before spending time with Him.

Think back to the last week, have you chosen to be like Martha or Mary?

Do you put God first or do you choose to do other things before spending time with Him?

How might your choices change in the week ahead, having heard these readings today?

These readings were the readings used for the Mass when I was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate. For me, they speak of hospitality, ministry and service; with the added dimension of staying close to God. In the first reading Abraham provides hospitality and ensures his visitors are well looked after, he is also engaged in conversation with his ‘visitors’ and is able to hear the promise made to him and accepts the promise. In the second reading St Paul talks about the responsibility he has as a minister of the Church, of which he highlights ‘making the word of God fully known’, and in the Gospel, we have the conflict between two sisters one of whom serves and the other who basks in the presence of Christ.

For me these three readings highlight the life of a Permanent Deacon. We are called to be a deacon of the altar, a deacon of the Word and a deacon of charity. Like Abraham, we are close to the table [in our case the altar] as God becomes present. Like Paul, we are called to proclaim the Word of God to those we meet and in Martha, we are called to serve those in need and like Mary; we must ensure that the reason we do all this is to be close to Jesus, to form a relationship with Him and to listen when He speaks so that we have the Spiritual energy to serve in the way He has called us.

One last observation to share with you. I was at the St Bede’s Leavers Mass on Friday; a Mass I always find emotional. The first Mass after my ordination and my first Mass as a deacon at St Bede’s was the school leavers Mass. During this particular Mass on Friday, they played the hymn On Eagles Wings. I was reminded of one of my ordination gifts from a very dear couple; one of whom has now gone to the Lord. I know I can’t do what I do without being raised on eagles’ wings, my thoughts during the Mass reminded me of that couple and all of the others who have supported me during formation and since I was ordained.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 2571: Abraham’s hospitality
CCC 2241: welcome the stranger
CCC 2709-2719: contemplation
CCC 618, 1508: sharing in Christ’s sufferings for his Body
CCC 568, 772: “the hope of glory” in the Church and in her sacraments

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
• Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
• Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
• Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.
• All the clergy in our diocese who have agreed to take up new responsibilities from September onwards and those still discerning.
• For the families due to complete the Baptism preparations sessions this weekend.
• For the ongoing success of the Alpha programme
• Ryan Brown due to be ordained to the priesthood this weekend Emmanuel Chitu & Richard Martin due to be ordained to the permanent diaconate next weekend

Deacon Tony

18^th July 2025.

(Deuteronomy 30:10-14; Psalm 69; Colossians 1:15-20; Luke 10:25-37)

This is probably one of the best-known parables, one which we with 21^st century knowledge view as one of the key aspects of Christian teaching, but one which would no doubt have shocked those who heard the exchange between the learned lawyer and the [as far as the Scribes were concerned] layman Jesus. The lawyer is appearing to be polite in calling Jesus, ‘Teacher’, but no doubt there would have been some sarcasm in his tone. The lawyer would also have been delighted to be given the chance to demonstrate his knowledge when Jesus asked him to answer his own question. He had good ‘head knowledge’ of the law, but Jesus wants more than that. Jesus wants us to live out the law from our heart and not adapt the laws to suit our circumstances.

The lawyer, emboldened by Jesus’ reaction to his initial answer, tries to test Jesus further –‘who is my neighbour?’ A simple enough question on the face of it, but the lawyers or scribes had been discussing this very question over a long period of time. They applied limits upon who they would view as their neighbour, and these limits varied between the various factions.

The parable Jesus taught them showed up their hypocrisy. The priest and the Levite ignored the victim not because they were inhumane or callous, but because they would have made themselves ritually unclean to be able to fulfil their responsibilities in the temple which dealt with sacrificial victims. They left a man for dead; so that they could sacrifice animals on behalf of the community to atone for their sins or as thanksgiving sacrifices. The person who did attend to the needs of the victim, was someone who the lawyers and scribes would all have agreed was not to be considered as a neighbour. Samaritans had nothing to do with the Jews, and the Jews had a pretty low opinion of them. However, the Samaritan did everything he possibly could, going above and beyond what would normally be expected to assist the stranger in need. The fact that Jesus was giving the Jews a Samaritan as a role model must have astounded his listeners.

Jesus simply asks the lawyer, which of the three travellers proved to be a good neighbour to the victim? The lawyer was compelled to answer that it was the one who showed him mercy [he couldn’t even say the word Samaritan]. Jesus simply said that we were to do likewise.

How do you measure up to the Good Samaritan?

Have you taken advantage of all of the opportunities God has sent your way in the last week, or the last month?

Do we see those in need as Jesus? Remembering what Jesus said about separating the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46, if you did this to the least of my brothers then you did it to me.

When I look at this parable, I am forced to examine my own behaviours when I encounter people in need. Part of my role is visiting people who are sick whether they are at home, in a Care facility or in hospital. I often find myself with very long lists, which inevitably means I can be rushing at times. I need to look at my behaviour and ensure that I am meeting the needs of those I visit and not my own needs. It isn’t their fault that I have a lot of people to visit, I need to try harder to make sure they don’t feel I am rushing them and that I give them all of the time they need. I was reminded of this earlier this week whilst reading the biography of Father Mychal Judge, the Fire Brigade Chaplain who died at the Twin Towers on 9-11. He seemed to have time for everyone, and he was a great listener, something which I also need to get better at. In addition to his work with the Fire Department in New York he ministered to people suffering from HIV when they were literally treated like lepers. He once said “If you descend into somebody else’s private hell and stand there with them, it ceases to be hell.”[1] Showing compassion to others is like that, we let the other person know they are not alone, that we care. We can’t always fix whatever the problem is, but knowing they don’t have to face it alone is how we can demonstrate our love for God and for our neighbour.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 299, 381: man created in the image of God; the first-born
CCC 1931-1933: viewing neighbour as another self
CCC 2447: corporal works of mercy
CCC 1465: the priest as Good Samaritan in the sacrament of Penance
CCC 203, 291, 331, 703: the Word and creation, visible and invisible

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
• Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
• Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
• Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.
• All the clergy in our diocese who have agreed to take up new responsibilities from September onwards and those still discerning.
• For the families due to begin the Baptism preparations sessions this weekend.
• For the ongoing success of the Alpha programme
• For those due to be ordained to the priesthood and permanent diaconate in the coming weeks

Deacon Tony

11^th July 2025.

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[1] Michael Daly, The Book of Mychal, [St Martin’s Press, New York, 2008] 90.

Last Monday evening, I attended a Parish meeting at St Oswald’s in Burghfield Common along with other members of the Pastoral Area Senior Leadership Team. We were there to share Fr John’s vision for the Pastoral Area and the Mission Plan as we start the process of merging the Pastoral Area into a single Parish in the years ahead. The meeting was fairly well attended and the Parishioners from St Michael’s in Tadley and St Oswald’s in Burghfield Common raised some very good questions and some points which will need to be carefully considered going forward. As a Senior Leadership Team*, we were energised by the response from those who attended the meeting and discussed it at length during our weekly Leadership meeting on Wednesday.

The energy we felt may be similar to the joy the disciples shared on their return from their mission. Jesus had sent them out with strict instructions; they were to carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals and ignore other travellers. They were sent out as sheep among wolves and were totally dependent on providence. They must have set out with some trepidation but step out they did; in faith. The message they were sharing was one of peace. They were tasked with healing the sick and announcing the kingdom of God to those they met. Through our Baptism we are all called to evangelise, we are called to share Christ’s peace and to take the essence of Christ out into the world.

Are you a messenger of peace?

Dare I ask if you are the disruptor of peace?

When did you last enjoy a real deep peace? How did it feel?

I wonder if it felt anything like how the disciples felt.

The result for the disciples was that they were filled with joy at how the people reacted to the message and the healings they were able to facilitate in Christ’s name.

The local mission plan is a way of our Pastoral Area to implement the bishop’s 10-year plan ‘You will be my witnesses’.[1] There are three main focuses: the first is that we are to be a Christ centred Church; everything we do has to have Christ at the centre, this includes our liturgy, which should be inspiring, uplifting and devotional; there has to be ongoing formation for every Church member and evangelisation has to be led at local levels; local people know locals needs and have more encounters within the Community to evangelise in their everyday lives.

The second part of the strategy is focussed on Mission; we all have a duty to take Jesus beyond the walls of the Church. This doesn’t mean studying the Bible and knowing chapter and verse, although knowledge of Scripture is important, taking Jesus out into the world is about love, how do we show love to our neighbour? Using the words from today’s Gospel – how have I taken Christ’s peace out into the Community this week? Maybe for a moment, you can ask yourself the same question.

The third part of the strategy is perhaps the one which has attracted the most attention; it is about careful stewardship of our resources. Many people have honed in on this because, quite rightly, it focuses in on the blindingly obvious; our priests are getting older, there are not as many men in formation as there are priests due to retire in the next few years, so there will have to be some changes to the way our parishes are run. There will need to be more collaborative ministry with clergy and laity. Some priests will be covering more than one church. The details of all of these changes in structure will be mostly decided at a local level, where possible.

In the first reading Isaiah is urging those exiled in Babylon to continue to trust in the Lord. He paints a picture of God caring for each of us in the same way as a loving mother who knows what is best for her children; again, they are asked to trust in God’s providence. Isaiah tells them that God will extend peace to them and gives them hope that they will return to Jerusalem. God provides.

In the second reading we hear St Paul stating the only thing he will boast of is his relationship with Jesus. This allows him to have peace of mind and he says that all who walk with Jesus will have peace and mercy.

Do we accept that if we walk with Jesus that we will experience His peace and His mercy?

When I started to prepare this reflection towards the end of the week, I was highlighting that the people of St Michael’s and St Oswald’s Parish have a lot on their minds at the moment; amongst other things there were concerns about whether the bishop would have been able to appoint a new priest when Fr Patrick retires. I was delighted to hear on Friday that the bishop has found a priest for the area and I look forward to working with him to serve the needs of the Parish and work with the Pastoral area to help us all to become Missionary disciples.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 541-546: the Kingdom of God is at hand
CCC 787, 858-859: the Apostles, united to the mission of Christ
CCC 2122: “the labourer deserves his food”
CCC 2816-2821: “Your kingdom come”
CCC 555, 1816, 2015: the Cross as the way to follow Christ

*The Senior Leadership Team have been chosen by Fr John to support him to implement the Pastoral Area Plan. As Fr John said at the meeting on Monday, its membership is not cast in stone, but is based on the model used by Christ, of an inner circle. While Christ had the disciples and the apostles, he chose a few members of the apostles to be closer to him. I was surprised to be asked to be part of this, but I’m relishing the challenge. There is plenty of debate amongst the group and we are developing a deep respect for one another as we try to support Fr John with his mission.

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
• Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
• Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
• Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.
• All the clergy in our diocese who have agreed to take up new responsibilities from September onwards and those still discerning.

Deacon Tony

5^th July 2025.

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[1] You Will be My Witnesses – Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth

(Acts 12:1-11; Psalm 33; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18; Matthew 16:13-19)

With the election of our new Pope, Pope Leo still freshly in our minds the words in today’s Gospel have a fresh significance. Pope Leo has been chosen by the Conclave, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as the successor of Peter. The responsibility of the Office he now holds is summed up in the words we hear Jesus speak today “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” When Simon [Peter] heard those words spoken by Christ, the infant Church had maybe a few hundred followers by the most optimistic of guesses; today there are more than 1.4 billion Catholics and around another 1.2 billion other Christians in the world. The Christian population is expected to reach 3.3 billion in the next 25 years. [1]

In this digital age, the recent conclave seemed to be everywhere; on the news and social media. One of the many learning points for me was the name of the anti-chamber where the newly elected Pope changes from his red cardinal clothing to the white worn by the Holy Father. This is known as the room of tears.[2] This is a room where the newly elected have started to realise the enormity of what they have just given their consent to. For example, in 1878 Pope Leo XIII is reported to have wept because at the age of 67 he thought he was too old for the job. (He lived to be the second-oldest pope and died at the age of 93).[3]

This solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul bringing the two great apostles together on the same day is a great day for those of us who struggle with our faith. St Peter the ‘rock on which the Church was built’ denied Jesus three times at a time when most observers would think he needed to provide support. St Paul’s first mention in the Gospel was under the name of Saul, where he, as a persecutor of the Church, approved of the stoning of St Stephen [one of the first deacons]. But as we know from Scriptures, neither of these acts brought condemnation from Jesus. After the Resurrection Jesus sought out Peter on the shore and over breakfast allowed Peter to revoke his denials and profess his love for Christ three times.  St Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and was called to turn his zeal for capturing Christians for punishment into a zeal for capturing souls for Jesus.

These two apostles gave their lives for Jesus; they dedicated their life to spreading the Good News and gave up their souls as martyrs of the early Church. The growth of the Church from a few members into billions started with the work of these men and their fellow apostles under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Church continues to have people give up their lives for Jesus. The tragic events in Damascus last week where at least 25 Christians were martyred[4] and in the previous week in Nigeria where at least 218 Christians were martyred[5] demonstrates that Church members are still being persecuted today; because they love and follow Jesus.

The friends and families of those left behind have also had to endure their own room of tears. Whilst they weep locally, the world outside their immediate vicinity seems to go on with barely a mention on the main broadcasts of mainstream media or perhaps a byline in the inner pages deep within the published news media. Christian lives do not seem to matter to those who bring us the news; is it any wonder that Christian voices are often ignored when major issues like abortion or assisted suicide are debated by legislators with laws being passed in the past few weeks which herald a new age in our country under a culture of death. These new laws allow the slaughter of innocent babies right up to birth and will irrevocably change the relationship between doctors and patients when people are diagnosed with life limiting conditions and the doctors, instead of looking at treatments to preserve quality of life or to manage pain, will be asked to start conversations with their patients; asking them about ending their life. Sadly, the MPs which represent the majority of our Pastoral Area voted in favour of both of these laws; which is shameful.

The feeling of being ignored can lead us to either give up or to knuckle down and work harder to get our message across. The two great apostles, Peter and Paul did not let imprisonment, shipwrecks, violence or the loss of colleagues deter them. They worked for the Lord until their last breath. Every one of us, who have been baptised, have been baptised as priest prophet and king; it is our Baptismal duty to share the Good News, even if those who we are speaking to appear to be deaf to our voice.

Are you prepared to do this, with the help of the Holy Spirit?

[The further reading this week has a passage which allows every Christian to contemplate their own Room of tears, you may find it useful].

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

June 29: The Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul

CCC 153, 424, 440, 442, 552, 765, 880-881: Saint Peter
CCC 442, 601, 639, 642, 1508, 2632-2633, 2636, 2638: Saint Paul

The Room of Tears: Where the Holy Spirit Speaks in Silence – Catholicus.eu English

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
• Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
• Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
• Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.
• Sophia and Freya who will be baptised this weekend in St Bede’s.

Deacon Tony

26^th June 2025.

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[1] Global Christian Population Projected to Reach 3.3 Billion by 2050 – Good Faith Media

[2] The Room of Tears: Where the Holy Spirit Speaks in Silence – Catholicus.eu English

[3] The Room of Tears: Where new popes go right after their election – EWTN Great Britain

[4] Syria: Suicide bombing at Damascus church kills 25 – BBC News

[5] Attack on Nigerian Christians prompts urgent global response – Mission Network News

(Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11b-17)

It will come as little surprise to those who know me well, that many of the memories I have involve food. I have some great memories of my Grandparents, my parents and of growing up, and the prominent ones involve me being fed. I am sure I am not the only one this applies to. Jesus, being true God and true man understood our human nature. We are people who like to live in communities, most of us would struggle if we had no other human contact. Jesus also recognised the importance of eating and drinking together and many of the landmark events in our family lives are marked by getting together to share a meal and fellowship.

This is also true of our Church family, we gather round the table of the Lord to do the same thing. In our first reading the eternal priest Melchizedek brought out bread and wine and bestowed a blessing on Abram; who became Abraham; our Father in faith. Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything, teaching us that we have to provide for our Church.

St Paul shares with the people of Corinth the news that after Jesus had been betrayed, He took bread and wine, blessed it gave thanks to God and encouraged us to eat and drink this bread as His Body and the wine as His Blood. Jesus taught his disciples to do this “as often as you drink, in remembrance of me.”  To quote a dear priest who has now gone to the Lord [Fr Frank O’Sullivan] “The Eucharist is not just a memorial. Jesus becomes present, as the head of the Church family, at our family meal, the Eucharist.”[1]Jesus, Son of God, became man so that when we receive His Body in the form of bread, so that we as humans can become like God. The prayer offered quietly when the drop of water is being added to the wine at the Offertory in Mass states “By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.” By sharing in the Eucharist we become like God; we are receiving a share in His divinity.

When Jesus encouraged the disciples to feed the people themselves, Jesus was not only preparing them for a miracle, but He was also preparing them for a life of service. Men look to what they know and understand, the disciples knew they only had a small amount of food; unlikely to be sufficient to feed the disciples and Jesus, never mind the multitude before them. Until that time, they did not know the full extent of Jesus’ powers. Jesus could make what is small into large amounts. Those called to serve, are called to make themselves small in the eyes of men and will be viewed as giants in the eyes of God.

Jesus is our Servant King. He gave and continues to give His all, so that we who follow Him, will continue to be satisfied. Only Jesus can satisfy us. All other sources of satisfaction are time limited and full of empty promises. Jesus gives eternal satisfaction; in return we are asked to give ourselves to Jesus and to serve Him by loving God and our neighbour.

Last Thursday I went into Bishop Challoner School with my wife to support their Vocations Day. The young people were given a short presentation by people from various vocations; there was a priest, two religious sisters, a religious brother, a seminarian and my wife and I all talking about our vocations. As we talked to the classes they were encouraged to ask us questions and also to think about what purpose God has for their lives and what they are called to do as a result.

This calling is not restricted to young people. God calls everyone of us to a distinct purpose. As St John Henry-Newman said “God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work.” [2]

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ this Sunday, perhaps we can ask God to help us to see the work He has committed to us when we receive the Eucharist this Sunday. Through this Sacred Mystery we are the Body of Christ, through this mystery may we take Christ out to others; who will never get to know Christ unless we help them through our words and deeds.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

CCC 790, 1003, 1322-1419: the Holy Eucharist
CCC 805, 950, 2181-2182, 2637, 2845: the Eucharist and the communion of believers
CCC 1212, 1275, 1436, 2837: the Eucharist as spiritual food

St John Henry Newman – John Henry Newman

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
• Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
• Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
• Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.
• All the couples; including my wife and I; who are celebrating Significant Wedding Anniversaries at a Mass at St Bede’s this Saturday.
• Eloise, Daniella, Leonardo and Arthur who will be baptised this weekend in St Bede’s and Leon who will be baptised at St Michael’s this weekend.

Deacon Tony

20^th June 2025.

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[1] Fr Frank O’Sullivan, I am with you Vol 3, [Two in One Flesh, Caterham, 2012]143.

[2] St John Henry Newman – John Henry Newman

(Proverbs 8:22-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15)

Have you ever wondered how often you have made the sign of the cross? Think about it for a moment, how many times a day do we bless ourselves? Every time we start and finish prayers, at the beginning and end of every Mass, some people bless themselves when they pass a Church, we bless ourselves with Holy Water when we enter and leave a church, others bless themselves when they see an ambulance and maybe offer a silent prayer. Every time we bless ourselves, we are praying and stating that what we are either about to do or what we have just done, is done in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Today is a day which celebrates the three persons in the One God. Today is a crucial component in our Christian Faith.

For me, this is such a part of my life that there is a risk that sometimes I say and make the Sign of the Cross without fully appreciating the meaning of what I am saying and doing.

When we are baptised, we are baptised in the name of the Trinity. When Jesus commissioned the Disciples, He instructed them to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” [Mat 28:19]. This commission has been passed down through Apostolic succession for 2000 years and is still in effect today. Although we bear the name of Christ; the Son; in our title as Christians, we are Baptised in the name of all three persons of God. The use of the Sign of the Cross goes back to the earliest days of Christianity; in the Roman times slaves were branded by the mark of their owners on their foreheads. In our baptism the celebrant traces the Sign of the Cross on our forehead, turning what was a shameful execution into a sign to be proud of, we proudly profess our faith as Christians by using the Sign of the Cross.

The readings today give a brief insight into all three parts of The Holy Trinity. In the first reading we hear how before anything was created God was there and how God delighted in what and who He created. The words ‘delight’ and ‘rejoicing’ are present; a very positive sense of enjoyment on God’s part in the whole process of creation and in the ongoing sustainment of creation.^[1]

Many people struggle to understand the concept of the Trinity; One God with three distinct parts; in today’s Gospel Jesus tells us not to worry about the things we cannot understand, He will send the Spirit of truth to lead us to the ‘complete truth’. This should give us great hope; Jesus is promising us that He will send His Spirit to lead us back to Him.

The idea of hope which is evident in John’s Gospel is fully supported by the passage from St Paul in his address to the Romans. He tells us that through suffering, endurance and character our hope is real because God has made it so. This stems from the love of God which has filled our hearts through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. By knowing God, fearing Him and loving Him; we have proof that the Holy Spirit has already entered into our mind and heart; this confirms that our hope is real.

Today’s readings invite us not to struggle with complex theological concepts, but rather to contemplate the truth of God actively present and ‘delighting to be with the sons of men’; this is you and me.

The late Pope, Pope Francis challenged us on Holy Trinity Sunday in 2022 to “think of the names of the divine Persons, which we pronounce every time we make the sign of the cross: each name contains the presence of the other. The Father, for example, would not be such without the Son; likewise, the Son cannot be considered alone, but always as the Son of the Father. And the Holy Spirit, in turn, is the Spirit of the Father and the Son. In short, the Trinity teaches us that one can never be without the other. We are not islands; we are in the world to live in God’s image: open, in need of others and in need of helping others. And so, let us ask ourselves this last question: in everyday life, am I too a reflection of the Trinity? The sign of the cross I make every day — the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit — is that sign of the cross we make every day a gesture for its own sake, or does it inspire my way of speaking, of encountering, of responding, of judging, of forgiving?”[2]

I will do my best to think upon this when I make the Sign of the Cross going forward.

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

CCC 202, 232-260, 684, 732: the mystery of the Trinity
CCC 249, 813, 950, 1077-1109, 2845: the Trinity in the Church and her liturgy
CCC 2655, 2664-2672: the Trinity and prayer
CCC 2205: the family as an image of the Trinity

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
• Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
• Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
• The people killed in the aeroplane crash in India, their relatives and all of the emergency workers who responded to this tragedy.
• Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.

Deacon Tony

13^th June 2025.

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Inspired by Robert Draper, Breaking the Word Pastoral Review Vol 18 Issue 2, (The Tablet Publishing Company Ltd, Twickenham,2022)82-3.

[2] Angelus, 12 June 2022 | Francis

(Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 103; Romans 8:8-17; John 14:15-16,23-26)

I think I have lost count of the number of times my wife has asked me “Did you pray about it?” To add to my frustration; because she usually asks when I have had an issue with something or I’m worried about something, my answer is often, ‘No’. I have taken part in online courses reminding us to pray and reminding us that we can’t always do things under our own power; and that we need to ask for God’s help.

In fact, if we listen to today’s second reading from St Paul’s letter to the Romans, we hear that we ‘have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry ‘Abba! Father!’’ As children of God, we are expected to stay in close communion with the Father; by loving the Son and allowing the Spirit to guide us.

We also hear Jesus in the Gospel, telling us that if we love Him then we will keep his commandments and that He will send the Holy Spirit to teach us and to help us to remember what He has shared with His disciples.

How often do you call on the Holy Spirit to help us?

How often do you try to do things under our own power?

I remember just a few short years ago, on my ordination day, one of the priests saying to me to call on the Holy Spirit during the service to help calm my nerves. I seemed to spend much of the first part of the Mass saying over and over again, ‘Come Holy Spirit!’. For months afterwards I experienced a period of calm; the likes of which I had never experienced before or since. Things which would normally stress me or get me angry just didn’t touch me. That day I know I was blessed with special grace from the Holy Spirit.

In our Scripture readings today, we hear how the Holy Spirit first came on the apostles and those gathered with them in the Upper Room. The Spirit didn’t come gently that day, He came with so much power that He drew all those visiting the City to their vicinity. The apostles were transformed by the Holy Spirit from fearful men hiding together in the upper room into men filled with evangelical zeal. The Spirit allowed the apostles to obey Jesus and go out to the whole world and share the Good News.

This is not something reserved for apostles, popes, bishops, priests or deacons. This is something which every Christian is called to do. Last week Pope Leo addressed a seminar and said that Christian families are called to be “missionaries of the Gospel to new generations”. He added that “it is the responsibility of the Church – bishops and the laity – to reach out to families who are spiritually distant from us and become ‘fishers of families’, fishers of couples, young people, children, women and men of all ages and circumstances, so that they may encounter the one Saviour”. He added that “through baptism each one of us has been made a priest, king and prophet for our brothers and sister and a living stone [1Pt 2:4] for the building up of God’s house.” As a Christian Community we need to engage with God to discern what He needs us to do in our community. Just like St Peter listened to Jesus when He was instructed to cast his net in a specific place, we need to listen and cast our net outside of the Church building; where the Spirit leads us; and become the type of fisher which Pope Leo is reminding us we need to be.

Pope Leo also asked us “all to join in the work of the Church in seeking out those families who no longer come to us, in learning how to walk with them and to help them embrace the faith and become in turn ‘fishers’ of other families.” He added that “spreading the ‘gospel of the family’ is a mission that can only be sustained by prayer and an encounter with Christ. Consequently, if we want to help families experience joyful paths of communion and be seeds of faith for one another, we must first cultivate and renew our own identity as believers.” He then encouraged us to seek the guidance of the “Holy Spirit in discerning criteria and methods that support and promote the Church’s efforts to minister to families and to let us help families to listen courageously to Christ’s words of encouragement.”

So, the next time Pam asks me if I’ve prayed about something, my sincere intention is to be able to say that I have and to be able to tell her in what ways he has supported me to do whatever it is I’ve had to do. Of course, this isn’t just for me, it’s for you too, so over to you to call on the Holy Spirit yourself more often, and if you don’t normally do this, I strongly encourage you to give it a go; you’ll be amazed what happens when you become more conscious of how He works in our lives. It’s as easy as it sounds…’Come Holy Spirit’

Further Reading

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Solemnity of Pentecost

CCC 696, 726, 731-732, 737-741, 830, 1076, 1287, 2623: Pentecost
CCC 599, 597,674, 715: apostolic witness on Pentecost
CCC 1152, 1226, 1302, 1556: the mystery of Pentecost continues in the Church
CCC 767, 775, 798, 796, 813, 1097, 1108-1109: the Church, communion in the Spirit

Please keep in your prayers this week

• Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
• Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need or alleviate their fears.
• Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
• Fr Patrick in Tadley as he celebrates his 75^th birthday this week.
• Those starting the Alpha course this week.

Deacon Tony

5^th June 2025.