Biggleswade Chronicle-Village News

30-09-2012, 19:59Permalink

St.Peter’s Catholic Church,Biggleswade.

In last Sunday’s gospel from Mark (9:30-37) Jesus reveals yet again that he will suffer, die and rise again. The Disciples become embarrassed when they were caught in a power struggle by Jesus. They fail to understand what Jesus is preaching nor comprehend that their Messiah, the Son of God should suffer so badly and then die. This begs the question why didn’t the Disciples just ask Jesus to explain? Why did they allow a greater understanding to elude them? Perhaps they didn’t want to be perceived as ignorant, confused or clueless. Today some 2000 years later we still seem afraid to ask hard questions about our Faith and prefer to sidestep these difficult issues. Yet if we feel unable to ask these questions out loud then maybe we could ask Jesus directly in Prayer? After all, if the Disciples had had the courage to ask Jesus these difficult questions then maybe their relationship with Jesus could have become more empowered. Neither less this part of the gospel concludes with the symbol of purity, innocence, gullibility and total trust by a child allowing Jesus to embrace them. Jesus then tells the Disciples that ’Anyone who welcomes one of these children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’ In hope that his action would communicate His desires where words seem to have failed.

Sunday 30th September

Please support - All Parishioners are invited to walk under the Banner of ‘St. Peter’s on Sunday 30^th September for the Diocesan Procession of Faith lead by Bishop Peter. To leave St.Peters at 12.15 to gather at 13.00 for 13.30 start at St.Josephs Church, Midland Road, Bedford. To be concluede with outdoor Benediction in Bedford Park.

Sunday 7th October

Churches Together joint service 6pm Baptist Church, London Road.

Anonymous

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Pat Smith - The way of St James

27-09-2012, 11:16Permalink

Pat Smith is walking the full 500 miles of the Camino Del Santiago.

His pilgrimage takes 33 days to complete the walk – trudging c15 miles per day - every day.
He began his journey yesterday Wednesday 26th and would have arrived in St Jean de Port (in France) lat last night and he expects, God willing, to collect his certificate on 3rd November in Santiago Compostella.
He starts this his ascent of the Pyrenees this morning from St Jean de Port (in France) and finishes at Santiago de Compostela in north west Spain. So please keep Pat in your prayers and thoughts during this time.
Pat is doing this to help the Kasiisi Porridge Project by raising funds for a huge water tank that will help make the project self-sustaining. If you'd like to sponsor him in his quest then click here to go to his JustGiving page.
Should you wish to follow his journey you'll find his blog (that he hopes to update) http://kasiisiporridge.org/category/pats-walk-2012/

Alban

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Biggleswade Chronicle Village News

23-09-2012, 17:31Permalink

The gospel last week Mark 8:27-35, has deep implications for our faith. When we asked about our faith we often assume anonymity as it is more convenient to repeat things previously learnt rather than expose our true understanding. Hence we become like the disciples in this scripture because when they were asked ’who I am’ by Jesus was they replied by repeating previous learnt, often incorrect statements. A personal reply would have consisted of experience, critical and profound thinking often perceived as threatening by others. The Lord has not just asked us to imitate His examples or practice His teachings, He would rather we were able to understand ‘why’ we should do so, and that Faith and Works are indeed inseparable. In this era there were not surveys and systematically evaluations to record what people believed. Peter was the only disciple who had the courage to give a personal response to Jesus’ question by saying “you are the Christ”. (Greek term Christ in Hebrew means Messiah, meaning Saviour). Jesus knew that the Disciples were looking forward to the coming of the Saviour; who was seen as a political leader and liberator. So, He seized the occasion to make a conscious decision to correct their wrong idea by presenting them with the image of a suffering Messiah which was rejected by all elders. Unfortunately Peter reacted negatively to this and looked for an easier path, and in turn Jesus had to confront and oppose his views as to fulfil God’s plan. Today we could compare this to being upset by family member who opposes our view, later to only realizing they were right and then we are grateful for their integrity.

Sunday 30th-Please support - All Parishioners are invited to walk under the Banner of ‘St. Peter’s on Sunday 30^th September for the Diocesan Procession of Faith lead by Bishop Peter. To leave St.Peters at 12.15 to gather at 13.00 for 13.30 start at St.Josephs Church, Midland Road, Bedford. To be concluede with outdoor Benediction in Bedford Park.

Carmelites in Beds-next meeting is on Wednesday 26^th September start 6.30 pm. Guest speaker Canon John Udris speaking about Therese of Lisieux.

Congratulations to Andrew for completing the sponsored Bike n’ Hike, sponership money now being collected.

Anonymous

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Minister Lists

18-09-2012, 17:09MinistriesPermalink

I have restored the pages for Readers and Eucharistic Ministers. Sue Laing, the Parish Secretary has taken over organising the lists after the sad death of Jenny Frodsham.

I hope that Sue has not taken on too much . . .

Chris

St Peter's Parish, Biggleswade

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Biggleswade Chronicle Village News

14-09-2012, 10:23Permalink

St Peter’s Catholic Church. Biggleswade. Just when Great Britain starts to celebrate the most successful Paralympics Games, this week’s gospel (Mark 7:31-37) tells us how Jesus heals a disabled man. Jesus was very precise in choosing his words as he prayed to God to heal the man who stood before him. This man was hearing impaired and without speech. He chose the word ‘ephphatha’ which means ‘be opened’, in this instance Jesus requested that God opened this man’s ears to sound and opened the pathway in his mouth so he could speak clearly. We all know of stories of the tragic cases of how some disabled people are walled in solitude. We can also be placed in solitude as we become closed to the words of Jesus, to become deaf to His message by ignoring His preaching and ignoring his request to communicate with God and with each other. This can result in a loss of trust that often destroys our relationships with God and each other. We often hear of relationships where people do not understand each other or no longer speak to each other. Some people have reviewed their perception of the world because of Paralympics and by adjusting to the reality of disability they are now seeing a disability in a totally different way. Jesus would like us to open our ears and loosen our tongues so that like the people who have learnt from the Paralympics we can remove barriers to commence a dialogue of salvation. Sacrament of Confirmation; If you would like to be considered for this Sacrament please complete the form in the church porch and return them to the Parish Office (in the Presbytery).16^th September .6pm, St.Swithens Church Sandy. Invite everyone to a Songs of Praise as apart of their Diocesan Vision for Living Gods Love. Carmelites in Beds-next meeting is on Wednesday 26^th September start 6.30 pm. Day for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist- 22nd September in Luton please contact the Parish Office for further details. Diocesan Procession of Faith Sunday 30^th September lead by Bishop Peter. For information please see Church Porch for details.

Please not that it is likely that the Harvest Super will be postponed, further information after the Social Club meeting on the 13^th.

Anonymous

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