Newsletter - 3rd July 2022
Dear brothers and sisters,
On Wednesday 29 June we celebrated the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Why do we celebrate them together? These apostles are often referred to as two columns of the Church, yet they could hardly be more different.
Peter knew Jesus intimately during his lifetime. They met at the start of Jesus’ public life and they remained close to the end. Peter was with Jesus during most of his ministry and even witnessed the transfiguration. Paul had no experience with Jesus during his lifetime.
He met the Lord in a dramatic way only after his death and resurrection. He turned from being an ardent opponent to Christian faith to be a fervent and dedicated apostle.
Peter wrote only a few letters to Christian communities. Paul, on the other hand, wrote many letters to the churches in places like Corinth, Philip, Ephesus, and Galatia. These letters remain precious to the present time for the transmission of faith. Generally speaking, Peter and Paul were very different in their approach to people. They even disagreed from time to time - for example, on the way pagans and Gentiles should be welcomed to the faith.
Fr Pascal Sullivan ccn
But both had an intimate relationship with Jesus, they recognised him as their God and Saviour. We can also say that the Lord needed both of them and chose both to build the Church during the unique foundation period. No matter if their paths were very different, as well as their characters, tempers and points of view. The Lord asked much from both of them. And today, some 2000 years later, we still celebrate them together.
We should not be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, that the Lord asks us to collaborate with people who are very different from us - different backgrounds, education and points of view. This is the Lord’s way of doing things and it is good because it is what the Lord chooses. We sometimes dream of a Church where we would all have the same opinion and agree easily on all matters. But this is seldom the case and it is good that way.
The Lord needs people who are different to spread his Word, for humanity is varied and multiple. Let us rejoice for all the servants the Lord has chosen for us to work with, hand in hand.
Focus of the Week
Sunday Evening Mass
Sunday 10 July 5.30-6.30pm
This mass will have an informal atmosphere with music followed by refreshments at the ‘Cockfosters Parish Pub’.
These evening masses will resume in September on the third Sunday of every month at 5.30pm.