St Gertrude’s Church, South Croydon
46 Purley Road
South Croydon CR2 6EY
Tel; 020 8688 5002
Parish Priest : Fr Martin McCarthy
Saturday
6.30pm: Anne O’Reilly RIP. PMB page 138
Sunday
8.30am: Jose Vazquez RIP
10am: Annabelle Rayner & Christine Hodgson RIP
11.30am: Winifred Irene Phillips RIP
Monday
NO MASS
Tuesday
10am: Bertha Smith RIP
Wednesday St Michael
10am: Duncan Paul Nicholson RIP
Thursday
10am : Martin Forkan Rec Dec
Friday
10am: for the sick
Saturday
6.30pm: Parish
Sunday
8.30am: Dec’d Parishioners (Ellis)
10am: Frank Wilkinson RIP
11.30am: Val and Danny McCrea and family
The Readings are challenging to say the least. I said that last week. It’s the Holy Spirit again. The prophet working again. And prophets operate beyond the bounds of the Catholic Church ! Moses explains that when some people got upset that the Spirit fell upon others who were outside the camp. This is expressed again in the gospel. Jesus is tolerant of others who do great things, miracles, exorcisms, healings in his name. John and the apostles got upset. Jesus is saying that there is tremendous good everywhere and that the Holy Spirit does what he wants. Jesus is tolerant but firm. We must do radical things so that our lives conform with that of Christ. The metaphor is severe but it does not advocate literally amputating our limbs, organs, body parts if they cause us to fall away from God’s grace. It means take spirituality and eternal salvation seriously. So easy to become slack. There is a war on. There is evil inside and outside. And yet there really is so much good in the world and this should prevent us from despair. Think of some of the great leaders in traditions other than our own. Gandhi who worked, struggled for justice and equality. Martin Luther King who heralded the cause of opponents of the evil in USA. A bit nearer to home - think about Marcus Rashford who campaigned for children to have food to eat because he cared and knew something about hunger. Greta, the young Swedish climate change activist who really has had a massive influence over so many millions - helping, literally, to change the face of the earth.
First Sacraments I look forward to welcoming those parents whose children are due for First Holy Communion. To be eligible your child must presently be in year 4 or over and must reside in this parish and attend Mass regularly. No hurry.
Confirmation. I am looking forward to seeing our young people at Mass so that we can proceed with the administration of the Sacrament. It will be necessary for a short refresher course and I am happy to undertake this myself. Again, I would stress that there really is no need to hurry.
CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day 1 October. The collection is 9/10 October, envelopes distributed the week before. CAFOD local experts are helping people all over the world to adapt to climate change and protect our common home. The pandemic has pushed more people into poverty and increased inequality. Your donation will help communities worst affected by climate change. As harvests fail, forests burn, and flooding continues, millions of vulnerable people are struggling to survive. Donate online or by using CAFOD envelope. You can also easily give by texting Text 70580, donating your chosen amount. Please HELP those most in need. Have a look at the second reading today “On earth you have had a life of comfort and luxury”. We are invited by James to consider what we do with our wealth. “Start crying, weep for the miseries that are coming to you” Thanks in advance for your generosity. Justice and Peace Group.
Creation Sunday Pope Francis has called Catholics to a new way of thinking about the world and take an active part in renewing troubled societies and in doing so address the causes of poverty, inequality and the climate change emergency. It is a call to participate both individually and collectively in building a more dignified and sustainable world after the pandemic and to make every effort to safeguard our creation. This can be done initially in three ways. Firstly, reclaim nature so that everyone can breath clean air and protected from the threat of climate disasters. Secondly, land needs to be more evenly distributed so that all can live in dignity. Finally, that everyone can be involved in decision making and have control over their own lives. Let us pray that the world continues to create and to look after everyone. Justice and Peace Group