This Sunday's first reading speaks of Wisdom, something that is echoed in the Psalm and the Second Reading. The Jewish idea of wisdom (Chokmah) was not, primarily, about cleverness, intelligence or being widely-read, though the Jews did, and do, greatly value all of these. For them, as for Jesus, wisdom was about knowing our place in the world. Wisdom, therefore, can be found in the most unlikely places and the most unlikely people, often in the ones that society looks down on or pushes aside. Wisdom is a balancing of truths; knowing that I am loved by God and that I am unique and irreplaceable but also that I am a creature with limitations and that others are unique and irreplaceable too. Wisdom means knowing that the world is for our benefit but that we are also stewards of creation. Wisdom means knowing that my experience matters but that others have experiences that differ from mine and that their experiences matter too. Above all, Wisdom means trying to see and judge events and people from God's point of view, and not just from my own. This past week held the feast-day of someone who understood this well, St John Henry Newman. May he guide and direct us in all wisdom. RECENTLY DECEASED Please remember in your prayers all who have died recently, especially;
Darren O'Carroll Natalino Vinciguerra Luisa Torreiro Sr Angela Heyden Margaret Ferrari Mary Wiley
and all those who have died during this time of pandemic. We continue to remember in our prayers all those who are sick and those who care for them. BISHOP JOHN SHERRINGTON We are delighted that Bishop John is planning to come to celebrate the 11am Mass with us this Sunday.
CHANGES IN THE PARISH OFFICE Melanie has decided, with my support, to reduce her working hours in the parish office from the beginning of November. She will work Tuesday-Thursday. That means that there will be a part-time job available in the office, working on Mondays and Fridays. If anyone is interested, they can find out more and apply on the rcdow.org.uk website. 'THE PASSAGE' ANNUAL COLLECTION the Passage, where Fr Chinedu works, has its annual opportunity to take up a public collection on the streets of Westminster on Tuesday, 19 October, from 7am to 6.30pm. To do this, they need more volunteer collectors on the day. If you are interested, please contact Andrew Hollingworth at andrew.h@passage.org.uk or 02075921886 LITTLE AMAL This 3.5m puppet of a refugee girl is walking from the border of Turkey/Syria to Manchester (8000km) in search of her mother. Having already travelled a great distance, and having met the Pope (picture above), she will be at Westminster Cathedral on Monday, 25th October, at 2 pm, where she will be welcomed by Cardinal Vincent. As it is during half-term, it could be both enjoyable and educational, and an opportunity to learn more about refugees and migrants. Further information at walkwithamal.org ST VINCENTS SCHOOL There are vacancies for Foundation Governors on the Board of St Vincent's School. Anyone who is interested can contact the parish office. Foundation Governors are appointed in the name of the Archbishop and form the majority of the governing body of a Catholic school. They have a legal duty to preserve and develop the Catholic character of the school and to ensure that the school is conducted in accordance with its trust deed. The ministry of Foundation Governor is an important one, because the Catholic character of our schools depends on committed Catholics being willing to undertake this service. A fuller outline of the roles and responsibilities can be found on the rcdow.org.ukwebsite.
ROSARY DURING OCTOBER As October is the month of the Rosary, we will be celebrating Rosary before Mass each weekday, Monday-Saturday. If you cannot join with us, perhaps you could consider offering a decade of the Rosary in private on some days during the month. SECOND COLLECTIONS: PRISONERS SUNDAY This year, especially, it is good to consider the situation of those in prison and their families. The retiring collection this week will be for PACT, the Catholic charity for prisoners and their families. If you wish to learn more or donate on-line, click here. MORNING PRAYER OF THE CHURCH On 28th November, First Sunday of Advent, the Church will begin its new year and, we hope, we will return to a more 'regular flow' of parish life. To mark it, we will return to the practice of saying Morning Prayer of the Church before daily Mass. To facilitate this, I have purchased the 'Shorter Morning and Evening Prayer' books. If anyone would like their own copy, for use at home as well, they can be purchased from the Parish Office for a knock-down price of £5. SUNDAY MASS REGULATIONS Thank you to everyone for your cooperation with the various changes. I hope that, by the beginning of Advent, we will be able to get into a more regular pattern. To any Harry Potter fans out there: remember that this coming week (16th) includes the feast of St Hedwig. With every blessings and good wish, Rev Eugene Curran CM