Pentecost Reflection
Which gift of the Holy Spirit is utterly necessary? All of them. But let us mention the gift of Wisdom this year.
Being a human is quite a complicated business. The human heart is full of emotions, some of them contradictory, conflicting, and very diverse. Feelings of restlessness, keenness, emptiness, nostalgia, longing, alienation, gentleness, violence, peace, hate, anger, love… The events of every day and most especially our relationships with other people, stir up in us all sorts of feelings. The result, unless we are very clear about what is happening, can be a great deal of inner conflict, frustration, and confusion.
At the root of all these feelings is the lonely make up of the human heart, a loneliness that no human love can ever completely overcome. Neither the best of friendships, nor the most loving of marriages and family life, can ever totally cure this loneliness.
If we understand and accept this fact, it can help us to put into perspective all the tension we find deep within us. However, if we fail to understand and accept this fact, then our feelings can lead to the ruin of our relationships, the end of our friendships, and it can even lead to the breakup of a marriage. When we fail to understand and accept this fact, we are in danger of asking for something that no one can ever give us; total fulfilment. And then, when they disappoint us, and fail us, we can plunge into a crisis of deep anger or into the vain search for the perfect relationship.
All of us must discover the Wisdom that Saint Augustine discovered; that God has made us for himself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in him. This wisdom can be a great gift. A grace of the Holy Spirit to have discernment over our human condition. Wisdom makes us free to give ourselves without begging for love. It helps us to live at peace with the limitations and defects of the people we love. We do not ask them to be God for us. And this gift of the Holy Spirit, that we all ask for on this Pentecost feast, leads us to spiritual, emotional, and mental health.
Fr Juan
Quick Links
Times of Mass and Devotions for the week beginning Sunday 19th May 24
Saturday 9.30 am Mass
Easter feria 6.00 pm Vigil Mass of Pentecost
followed by Confessions
Sunday 19th May 8.30 am Mass
Pentecost Sunday 10.00 am Family Mass
11.30 am Solemn Mass followed by Confessions
6.30 pm Mass
Monday 6.00pm Mass
Mary, Mother of the Church followed by Adoration and Benediction
Tuesday
feria 6.00 pm Mass followed by Rosary
Wednesday 6.00 pm Mass
feria
Thursday 9.00 am Mass
Our Lord Jesus Christ, followed by Rosary
the eternal high priest
Friday 9.00 am Mass
feria followed by Divine Mercy Prayers
Saturday 9.30 am Mass
St Bede 6.00 pm Vigil Mass of Pentecost
followed by Confessions
Sunday 26th May 8.30 am Mass
The Most Holy Trinity 10.00 am Family Mass
11.30 am Solemn Mass followed by Confessions
6.30 pm Mass
Announcements This Week
The Month of May is dedicated in a special way to Our Lady. Gifts of flowers to adorn her shrine are welcome throughout the month.
Pentecost Sunday, 19th May - international Lunch in Parish Centre at 1.00 pm
The Coming of the Holy Spirit gave the church the power
to preach the Gospel to all nations!
To celebrate the international nature of the Church – and of our Parish – there will be an International Lunch at 1.00 pm in the Parish Centre,
• All are invited to come
• we invite you to contribute a national dish
• If you wish, do wear national dress.
This coming Tuesday we start a course on the Bible at 6.30pm in the parish centre. We will have the opportunity to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ revealed through Holy Scripture. The course will continue at the same time on Tuesday 28th May and 4th June. We may continue on following Tuesdays, depending on attendance. You are all invited to come and learn more about the Bible and how to pray with it
A large candle will be lit for the Parish in Lourdes during the Society of Our Lady of Lourdes Pilgrimage, led by Fr Richard, in the last week of the month. Donations towards this are welcomed, especially in €. Petitions, within a sealed envelope marked 'Lourdes Petitions' to be placed in the grotto in Lourdes, may be put through the presbytery letter box. Do not put your donations in these envelopes, as they remain unopened.
Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
We are walking the Portuguese Camino towards Compostela, with the young people of the parish. There are still vacancies for over 15s who may want to come. Please contact Fr Juan if you are interested. Thank you to all benefactors who have contributed so far to help reduce the cost.
YEAR OF PRAYER AT HOLY TRINITY BROOK GREEN
SEMINARS ON THE ‘OUR FATHER'
SEMINAR 3 – Wednesday 5th of June at 6.30 pm in Church
'GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD’ ‘FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES,
'AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINTS US’
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION’ 'BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL'
Given by Fr Juan
Our next Collection of Non-Perishable Foodstuffs for the Hammersmith & Fulham Foodbank will take place on Saturday evening 15th/Sunday 16th June. Specially needed are coffee, jam, biscuits and shower gel. The need for help from the foodbank is ever-increasing, so we will try to increase our support!
Holy Trinity Cine Club: for children in Year 7 to Year 9, and Year 10 to 12 on a Friday evening once a month. Quality ‘surprise’ movie followed by discussion and pizza. All are welcome, suggested donation of £5 towards running costs. Contact cineclubbg@gmail.com. See poster in the church porch.
Please note: The next session on 10th May has moved to Friday 24th May. Contact cineclubbg@gmail.com.
SACRAMENTS
Welcome to the children & families who celebrate First Holy Communion at 10.00am. Mass TODAY. Thank you to all those who prepared the church & worked with the children to help them be ready for this special day.
First Holy Communion will be celebrated at 10.00am next Sunday 26th May. Sunday 9th June: Thanksgiving Mass for First Holy Communion followed by party in the parish centre. Children come in their Holy Communion outfits & sit in the front with their families behind them.
Post-Confirmation programme for our youth: for those who have recently been confirmed and for those aged 15 to 18. The next meeting is a day out on 8th June. All are strongly encouraged to come because in these monthly meetings our young people will be able to share their faith, continue their formation, enjoy some outings and grow in a bond of Christian friendship with one another. Contact Fr Juan if you are not already on his email list:juansola@rcdow.org.uk
Monthly devotion on Saturday 1st of June at 2PM will be dedicated to The Sacred Heart of Jesus for the first hour, and followed by 30 minutes Silent Adoration with Benediction. All are welcome.
Preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism: If you have a child for Baptism under 5 years old please email us for an application form. You will be contacted once the form has been received. A copy of one of the Catholic parents’ baptism certificate will be required. Baptisms can only take place on Saturdays at 11am. The next baptism preparation course is on 22nd June.
