Love that is only words, devoid of actions, is of little value. On the other hand, love put into action is finer than gold
Times and intentions for Holy Mass
Public Masses are indicated in bold print. (Evesham Masses in the Parish centre)
(E)= Evesham (B)= Broadway
Sat 8th 4.00pm(B) Ints of the Barker Family
Sun 9th 8.45am(E) People of the Parish
10.00am(E) Private intention(Fam)
Mon 10th 10.00am(E) Michael Devizio
Tues 11th 10.00am(B) Holy Souls
Wed 12th 10.00am(E) Pip Hewlett
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Thur 13th 10.00am(E) Residents of Homesmith
House (Recently Dec’d)
12.00noon(B) In Honour of St Anthony
7.00pm(E) People of the parish
Fri 14th 10.00am(E) Alan Cox
St Matthias
Sat 15th 10.00am(E) Audrey Burslem
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Sat 15th 4.00pm(B) People of the Parish
Sun 16th 8.45am(E) Holy Souls
10.00am(E) Irene Redfern
Confessions.
Confessions after Mass or please contact the presbytery
Volunteers
In order to have our Churches open for public Masses, it is essential that we have sufficient volunteers to act as stewards, cleaners and helpers. Those wishing to volunteer should. Contact Dominique in Broadway or in Evesham email your contact details to:
[email protected] We need as many volunteers as possible.
Private Prayer in Broadway:
Sunday Wednesday Friday 10;00-11.00am
Evesham Food Bank
Please phone 07721559387 in order to discover how and when to take any contributions
Catechism points and themes
Easter 6(numbers indicate paragraph number):
CCC 2746-2751: Christ’s prayer at the Last Supper
CCC 214, 218-221, 231, 257, 733, 2331, 2577: God is love
CCC 1789, 1822-1829, 2067, 2069: love of God and neighbour fulfils the Commandments
CCC 2347, 2709: friendship with Christ
Please pray
For the sick and housebound of our parishes
Of your charity
Pray for, the repose of the souls of Alan Cox Andy Barker and all who have died in recent days and Clifford John Sudlow Dennis Woodhouse Nigel Smith Maria Cerra whose anniversary of death falls at about this time.
From Fr Christopher
The word “love” is so often used and misused, that it has almost become devoid of meaning. Love is a word so frequently exploited in the media of songs and television, films, novels and small talk, that it has been reduced to almost, or next to, nothing.
Love that is only words, devoid of actions, is of little value. On the other hand, love put into action is finer than gold, more precious than diamonds, and a force that can move the world. Hence, for all its misuse and misapplication, we must not throw out the word “love,” for it is actually the basis of our religion, that is, our fundamental belief as Catholic Christians that “God is love.”
True love gives life, for genuine love is something generative, found, for example, in the sacrifice of spouses for each other or parents for their children, or children for their parents. We firmly believe that God, who is love, so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who gave himself in love, even to the extent of death on the cross, for the salvation of the human race.
The example of sacrificial self-giving of our Lord is the fullest expression of love we can imagine, which transforms lives and brings eternal life, and is being offered to us in Christ’s one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. In the Gospel, we hear Jesus say, “May my joy be in you and may your joy be complete.” Many today have an incorrect notion of Christianity, thinking that it is a sad religion, without happiness or joy. The Lord is constantly assuring us that he has come into the world precisely to bring us happiness, but not a superficial one that is shallow or fleeting, something that only makes us “feel good.” Rather, the happiness or joy offered to us by God is something that transcends feelings, is eternal and to be sought with all one’s heart, on good days and bad. Such happiness doesn’t begin or end in this life, but is from eternity and intended to last beyond this life, without limits in its origin, expression and endurance.
God’s Grace, according to Sacred Scripture, is life and light itself. We are called to share in that same light and life, without fear, regret or limit. When we do so, we are truly joyful, for we possess all that we need in this life and the next. Love that comes from God is without cost, of course, but to really possess such a great thing as God’s love, we are asked to fulfil God’s commandments, which are summed up in the beautiful words of our Lord, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
To give oneself in love for others may at times seem to be an act of futility. What’s the point, we may ask, when the recipients don’t seem to care that they are being loved or refuse to love us in return? Perhaps, we are more comfortable with the familiar philosophy of “every one for him or herself,” or “tend your own garden,” or “look out for number one.” However, that is not the way of the Gospel precepts or in accord with the call to know and possess Christ’s love.
“Love one another as I have loved you,” is difficult to do, this we cannot deny, but it is not beyond our abilities. It is a challenge, to be sure, but is not impossible. We call God “Father” because God is a person, not an idea, but one who acts in tenderness toward his children.
Our love for one another, asked of us by Christ, is an extension of God’s great love which in fact calls us into being, sustains us and brings us everlasting life. When we love we are carrying on God’s creative work.
In a loving and uncompromising way, we must invite Love, that is, God, into our lives. When we do so, we are on the path to becoming whom we are meant to be, a child of God, participating in God’s life, which never ends, even when we die.
By our love for one another, we extend the love we have received in Jesus Christ, to all those we meet.
In describing the goal of the monk, Saint Augustine of Hippo, who lived from 354 to 430 AD, the great Church Father, said something that is applicable to all who follow Christ. Of the monk, Augustine says: “He is, he sees, he loves. The eternity of God is his life, the truth of God is his light, the goodness of God is his joy.”
A few thoughts on the Sacraments
The Sacraments of First Confession First Holy Communion, Confirmation and indeed Holy Baptism must be understood and indeed can only be understood within a life of Faith centred around prayer and the worship of God. This life of faith finds its focus in the participation at Holy Mass (at least on Sundays and Holy Days throughout our lives. Obviously this was impossible from March to July last year and for a short time last November, Clearly an on-going catechetical program was impossible during this period..
It is my hope that catechesis will begin in the autumn but it cannot do so until and unless we are back in to the habit of participating in Sunday Mass on a regular basis. As a result of experience in recent years the preparation for both First Holy Communion and Confirmation will be extended over a longer period and the age for the reception of these sacraments raised. It is absolutely essential that the reception of the sacraments is not perceived as something which happens automatically or that it is merely a “process” which having been completed allows us to return to a way of behaviour apart from the normal life of faith which is expected in the Catholic Church.
Gift Aid (Evesham)
If any parishioners would like envelopes for the coming year or would like a record of their donations for the last tax year, please contact the parish Gift Aid organiser, Sally Morgan
First Holy Communion Group
On Sunday 6th June a few children from last year’s First Holy Communion group will receive the Blessed Sacrament for the first time in Broadway at 12.00noon. This week please use the you tube channel to look at “Preparation for First Holy Communion on 14th March (1)”
Coming to Church and Parking cars.
A few changes have been introduced by the Government which impact on our coming to church. A new QR poster will be in place during this week which I would encourage everyone to use where possible. Also in order to prevent bottlenecks could parishioners bring completed slips with them to church? Use either the ones which are available or the one on the bulletin. Please do not park up against the “exit” door in Evesham as this also creates difficulties for people exiting the building at the end of Mass
Need for Volunteers
Without our volunteers who have given of their time in this regard it would not have been possible to celebrate the Holy Mass with the participation of the people. Apart from the brief period of lockdown in Advent it has been possible to do so since July of 2020. We understand that this has required a great deal of commitment. It is particularly important that as many as possible make this commitment to our parishes, Please consider volunteering for this work. The more volunteers we have the easier it will be. Please give your name to James Doherty if you are willing to do this work. (Guiding parishioners to their seats and sanitising the building after Mass))
Broadway Information
Flower Rota
This is available at the door
Track and Trace Slip
(This may be used in Broadway and Evesham
Name:
Contact Number:
Size of Group
Date attended