Father Sean says ...
Last weekend in St Peter’s Square Pope Francis canonised ten new saints. Quite a mixture of women and men—priests, lay people and religious sisters. In his homily, Pope Francis said that holiness doesn’t consist of heroic gestures, but ‘many small acts of daily love’. He then went on to challenge the congregation, ‘Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Tell me, are you in a position of authority? Then be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain. This is the path to holiness, and it is so simple! To see Jesus always in others. As we face so many major issues in our world today, let us strive always to see Jesus in the face of others and to be holy by daily acts of love!
Fr Sean is in Rome this week for a re-union of priests who studied at the Venerable English College in Rome. Fr Shyju has very generously agreed to help with Masses over the next few days but do check times because there will be some variations.
Congratulations to our children who have made their First Holy Communion this weekend! We continue to pray for: Sofia Ferrara, Sophia Jakes, Elia Greenwood-Pallares and Eliana Lewis that they will grow daily in their knowledge and love of Christ. Many thanks to our catechists—Christine Murray, Don and Anne Cameron and Di Morrish. As always they have worked amazingly hard to prepare the children for this important moment in their lives of faith.
Thursday is the Feast of the Ascension. The obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and Feast days is being re-introduced by the Bishops of England and Wales, starting on Pentecost Sunday. So this Ascension Thursday, there will be a Vigil Mass at 7:30pm on the Wednesday evening and two morning Masses—9:30am at St Dunstan’s and 10:30am at St Teresa’s, on Thursday, but no evening Mass that day.
Praying for the sick: At both St Teresa’s and St Dunstan’s we have re-introduced the list for names of those who are sick and need our prayers. Please add names before Mass starts.
Rite of Welcome: At the 8:45am Mass at St Teresa’s, we welcome Chloe Margaret Domeney and her parents Stephen and Kristy. Chloe will be baptised next weekend.
Congratulations: To Finley Daniel Lewis and his parents Daniel and Lindsay. Finley will be baptised this Sunday afternoon at St Teresa’s!
Afternoon Tea to honour Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee and raise funds for Mongu: On Saturday, 4th June, an Afternoon Tea will take place in the Parish Centre from 3.30-5.30pm. Tickets cost £10 per person or £15 with a glass of Prosecco and are now on sale after each Mass and from the Parish Office. Volunteers are sought to assist with baking and setting up on the day. For further details, please contact Debbie on 07342 641235 or Rebecca on 07748 112371.
CAFOD Quiz Night: Friday the 1st of July at 7:30pm at St Teresa’s Parish Centre Beaconsfield. Tickets are now on sale for £10 each including a fish supper or a vegetarian option. Beer and wine will be on sale. We welcome donations of any unwanted Christmas presents for raffle prizes. A maximum of 8 per team. Tickets are available from Margaret Wellington at St Dunstan’s on 07756 640620 or Michael Duffy at St Teresa’s on 07757 014487.
Lighthouse Beaconsfield 2022: Are looking for volunteers who can help with sound or be part of the band or willing to lead the 10 year plus age group. Or perhaps you would like to join the trustee/operations team. See lighthousecentral.org for more information or email Matt at matt.jones@hopebeaconsfield.co.uk
Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine in Ireland: 25th July 2022 at £699 pp sharing which include flight from Luton or Stanstead, 4 nights full board, entertainment and excursions & day trips included. For more information contact Patricia on 01268 762278 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com.
Youth Worship Night: Friday the 24th of June from 6:30-8:30pm. Hope Church Beaconsfield. Join us for an evening of worship, fellowship and fun with hotdogs and games. For more information, please email alice.early@hopebeaconsfield.co.uk
CAFOD are asking us to respond to Pope Francis’ call to play a part in ‘transforming food systems for the benefit of people and the planet’ by emailing Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary. The UK Government committed itself to support agricultural systems that tackle the climate crisis and put local communities first. See the CAFOD website for information: www.cafod.org.uk
Fr Shyju’s Farewell: Thank you all who have signed up to join us next Saturday the 28th of May at 7pm to bid Fr Shyju farewell. You are most welcome to bring a dish of your choice if you don’t indulge in curries. It promises to be an evening of culinary delight! The Second Collection this weekend is for Fr Shyju.
St Teresa’s Fete: In aid of Mongu. The Fete will be taking place this year on July 16th! Sign up sheets are available this weekend—please think about helping even if only for a limited time!
A Sewing Soiree: In aid of Wycombe Womens Aid will be held on the 16th of June at 7:30pm in St Teresa’s Parish centre. Beaconsfield WI are hosting Mark Francis from TV’s Great British Sewing Bee. Mark will share his love of sewing and his experience of being on the show. Tickets are £10 and includes a drink & nibbles. Please contact Christine on 07807 557070/677000 for information.
Beaconsfield based The Garden Players’: Our summer production of Macbeth in aid of Child Bereavement UK will take place at Stubbings House near Maidenhead from 14th—18th June 2022. A number of parishioners from St Teresa’s and St Dunstan’s are in the cast this year. Tickets can be purchased online www.thegardenplayersweb.co.uk or by calling Ros Hazeldine on 01628 476963.
The Catholic Post: The May edition of the Post is now available at a donation of £1 per copy.
Money Matters: Last weekend’s offertory collection (not including weekly & monthly standing orders) amounted to: £447.63 plus £100.00 via electronic giving totalling £547.63 at St Teresa’s and £268.30 at St Dunstan’s. The collection for The Missionaries of St Paul came to £1801.20 and Fr Eugene also received a generous donation of £1000 from a parishioner! A truly amazing response! Thank you for your generosity!
Digital Giving at St Teresa’s: You are now able to make electronic payments for: Parish (offertory), Mongu, Holy Souls, Votive candles, Books & papers, Retiring collections, SVP and Donations. You could also opt for Gift Aid to increase your donation by 25%. If you are a UK taxpayer, then donating with Gift Aid means that we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 received.
Covid Restrictions: Whilst all restrictions have now been removed and we are able to resume all social activities, we are still urged to take steps to reduce the risk of catching and spreading the virus. Please do wear face masks in crowded areas and be sensitive to the needs of others around you. Sanitising and good ventilation is still encouraged so doors may be left open where necessary from time to time.
Best wishes,
Fr Seán, Fr Shyju, Deacon Brent and Sister Winifred.