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To read our weekly newsletter / bulletin simply click on the link below for the relevant week. If you have a problem opening the newsletter then you may have to download Adobe Acrobat Reader - you can do so by clicking on the highlighted link Adobe.com
Newsletters for the current month
- 25th July 2010
- 18th July 2010
- 11th July 2010
- 04th July 2010
JULY, 2010 - Overview for the Month
The month of July is dedicated to The Precious Blood of Jesus. The entire month falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time. The last portion of the liturgical year represents the time of our pilgrimage to heaven during which we hope for reward.
The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of July 2010
General: That Christians may contribute to alleviating the material and spiritual suffering of AIDS patients, especially in the poorest countries.
Missionary: For the religious who work in mission territories, that they may be witnesses of the joy of the Gospel and living signs of the love of Christ. (See also www.apostleshipofprayer.net)
Feasts for July
The feasts on the General Roman Calendar celebrated during the month of July are:
01. Bl. Junipero Serra (USA); St. Oliver Plunket, Opt. Mem.
03. Thomas the Apostle, Feast
04. Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
05. Anthony Mary of Zaccaria, Opt. Mem.
06. Maria Goretti, Opt. Mem.
09. Augustine Zhao Rong and companions, Opt. Mem.
11. Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
13. Henry, Opt. Mem.
14. Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha (USA), Memorial
15. Bonaventure, Memorial
16. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Opt. Mem.
18. Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
20. Apollinaris, Opt. Mem.
21. Lawrence of Brindisi, Opt. Mem.
22. Mary Magdalene, Memorial
23. Bridget, Opt. Mem.
24. Sharbel (Charbel) Makhloof, Opt. Mem.
25. Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
26. Joachim and Anne, Memorial
29. Martha, Memorial
30. Peter Chrysologus, Opt. Mem.
31. Ignatius of Loyola, Memorial
Focus of the Liturgy
The Gospel readings for the four Sundays in July are taken from St. Luke — all are from Year C, Cycle 2.
July 4th - 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Christ confers His mission on the seventy-two disciples.
July 11th - 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time
The Gospel relates the parable of the Good Samaritan.
July 18th - 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time
The Gospel tells the story of Martha and Mary.
July 25th - 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time
This Gospel contains Luke's rendition of the Our Father and Jesus teaching on prayer.
Highlights of the Month
July is usually hot and a time for relaxing. It is also the time when crops planted in the Spring are maturing and growing. Just as the crops are dependent upon summer rains not only to grow but to survive so our spiritual development is dependent upon our frequenting the sacraments and receiving the Blood of Christ.
The main feasts of this month are Bl. Junipero Serra (July 1), St. Thomas the Apostle (July 3), St. Maria Goretti (July 6), St. Augustine Zhao Rong (July 9), Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha (USA - July 14), St. Bonaventure (July 15), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (July 16), St. Mary Magdalene (July 22), St. Bridget (July 23), St. Sharbel (July 24), Sts. Joachim and Anne (July 26), St. Martha (July 29), St. Peter Chrysologus (July 30) and St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31).
The feasts of St. Elizabeth of Portugal (July 4), St. Benedict (July 11), St. Camillus (July 18) and St. James (July 25) fall on a Sunday so they are suppressed this year.
A Time of Regeneration
The Blood that coursed through the veins of Christ was a part of that Sacred Humanity made possible by the maternity of Mary, whose parents, St. Joachim and St. Anne are honored this month. (July 26). Our Lord's blood poured out on the Cross purchased our salvation, washed clean the robes of the martyrs, and gave birth to the Church as it flowed from his wounded side. The Precious Blood of Christ — now pulsing through his Mystical Body — continues its salvific work, preserving and purifying, repairing and providing nourishment for regeneration and renewal of its members.
July’s longer and warmer days also provide us with the opportunity for renewal, both interior and exterior. Schedules relax and pressures ease, inviting travel. But, whether we travel or not, like the missionary, Bl. Junipero Serra (July 1), we preach to others — by our conduct, our speech, even the clothes we wear. May we be modest in everything we do, imitating St. Maria Goretti, the young martyr for purity (July 6), and “preaching” Christ to everyone we meet.
The summer Readings of Ordinary Time remind us that our earthly pilgrimage is also a journey, a great adventure towards union with Christ, the Beginning and the End of our journey. Each Sunday with its Easter renewal becomes a mile marker along the way, linking where we have been with where we are going. May the Precious Blood of Jesus sustain us as we journey to our true home, with Mary and the angels as our companions on the way.
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not the sharing of the Blood of Christ?
Highlights
July 16 - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
The Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Simon Stock, holding in her hand a scapular, and directed him to found a Confraternity whose members should wear this scapular and consecrate themselves to her service. The Sabbatine privilege will then insure their early release from Purgatory on the Saturday after their death.
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Symbols
St. Anne - The mother of Our Lady, whose loving care of her daughter is shown by the silver border with black masonry. The lily refers to the girlhood of the Virgin.
St. Ignatius - The Founder of the Society of Jesus, and writer of the "Spiritual Exercises." "IHS" and rays, with the letters "AMDG" meaning "To the greater glory of God".
St. Thomas - The patron of builders. He is said to have built a Church with his own hands in East India. The spear refers to the instrument of his martyrdom.
St. Martha - St. Martha is mentioned as serving Christ with refreshment. A covered table with cloth, cups, pitcher and bowl containing fruit — all symbols of St. Martha's service.
taken from http://www.catholicculture.org/
May, 2010 - Overview for the Month
The month of May is dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary. The entire month falls within the liturgical season of Easter, which is represented by the liturgical color white — the color of light, a symbol of joy, purity and innocence (absolute or restored).
The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of May 2010
General: That the shameful and monstrous commerce in human beings, which sadly involves millions of women and children, may be ended.
Missionary: That ordained ministers, religious women and men, and lay people involved in apostolic work may understand how to infuse missionary enthusiasm into the communities entrusted to their care. (See also www.apostleshipofprayer.net)
Feasts for May
The feasts on the General Roman Calendar celebrated during the month of May are:
1. Joseph the Worker, Opt. Mem.
2. Fifth Sunday of Easter, Sunday
3. Philip and James, Feast
9. Sixth Sunday of Easter, Sunday
10. Bl. Damien Joseph de Veuster, priest, Opt. Mem.
13. Solemnity of the Ascension; Our Lady of Fatima, Solemnity
14. Matthias, Feast
15. Isidore the Farmer (USA), Opt. Mem.
16. Solemnity of the Ascension, Sunday
18. John I, Opt. Mem.
20. Bernardine of Siena, Opt. Mem.
21. Christopher Magallanes and companions; Eugene de Mazenod (Canada), Opt. Mem.
22. Rita of Cascia, Opt. Mem.
23. Pentecost; Whitsunday, Sunday
25. Bede the Venerable; Gregory VII; Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, Opt. Mem.
26. Philip Neri, Memorial
27. Augustine of Canterbury, Opt. Mem.
30. Trinity Sunday, Solemnity
31. Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Feast
Focus of the Liturgy
The Gospel readings for all the Sundays in May are taken from St. John and St. Luke and are from Year C, Cycle 2.
May 2nd - 5th Sunday of Easter
This Gospel is taken from Christ's discourse at the Last Supper.
May 9th - 6th Sunday of Easter
In this Gospel Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit.
May 16th - Ascension
This Gospel relates Christ's Ascension into heaven.
May 23rd - Pentecost
In this Gospel Jesus gives His disciples the power to forgive sins.
May 30th - Trinity Sunday
Jesus says the Spirit of truth will come and that everything the Father has is His.
Highlights of the Month
As Spring blossoms forth and we are surrounded by new life, we spend this month full of the joy of our Easter celebration and in anticipation of the coming of the Holy Spirit, our Consoler and Advocate.
The saints that we will focus on this month — those who have already shared in the rewards of the Resurrection — are St. Joseph the Worker (May 1), Sts. Philip and James (May 3), Our Lady of Fatima (May 13), St. Matthias (May 14), St. Isidore the Farmer (May 15), St. Bernadine of Siena (May 20), St. Christopher Magallanes (May 21), St. Rita of Cascia (May 22), St. Bede, St. Gregory VII and St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi (May 25), St. Philip Neri (May 26) and St. Augustine of Canterbury (May 27) and the Visitation (May 31). The feast of St. Athanasius (May 2), falls on a Sunday, so it is suppressed this year. The Solemnity of the Ascension (May 13) is celebrated on May 16 (Sunday) in most dioceses in the United States.
A Time of Grace
The world is resplendent with Spring's increased light and new growth. It is Mary’s month in the Easter season and all of nature rejoices with the Queen of heaven at the Resurrection of the Son she was worthy to bear. During the remainder of Easter time, let us endeavor through the prayers of the Holy Liturgy and the Holy Rosary to deepen our gratitude for the mystery of our Baptismal rebirth in Christ.
Pentecost, the birth of the Church, is also among the celebrations of May. Though sprung from the side of Christ on the Cross, the Church marks as her birthday the descent of the Holy Spirit on Mary and the Apostles. At the 'birth' of the world, the Holy Spirit — the Breath of God — was the "mighty wind [that] swept over the waters" (Gen 1:2); at the birth of the Church He is present again "like the rush of a mighty wind" to recreate the world in the image of Christ through His Church (Acts 2:2).
We, the members of Christ’s Mystical Body, are the present-day disciples sent by the Holy Spirit to bring Christ to the world. May we go forth as did Mary, who set out in haste to assist St. Elizabeth (feast of the Visitation, May 31). Come upon us, O Holy Spirit, so that, with Mary, we may proclaim the greatness of the Lord who has done great things for us — for his mercy endures forever!
"In the hierarchy of holiness it is precisely the 'woman', Mary of Nazareth, who is the 'figure' of the Church. She 'precedes' everyone on the path to holiness; in her person 'the Church has already reached that perfection whereby she exists without spot or wrinkle'". — JOHN PAUL II Mulieris Dignitatem, 1988
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