Newsletter - 9 June
Parish Pilgrimage to Medjugorje
I joined fellow parishioners and others in faith to visit Medjugorje in May 24. A pilgrimage which surpassed our expectations. Medjugorje is a small town in Herzegovina where since June 1981 Our Lady the Mother of Jesus, given the title Our Lady of Medjugorje, Queen of Peace, has appeared to six children ‘the visionaries’ (now adults) to reveal ten secrets, which will be made known at a later date.
Our Blessed Mother appeared to a visionary on 25 May, whilst we were in Medjugorje, and her message was as follows:
‘Dear Children In this time of grace, I am calling you to prayer with the heart. Little Children, create prayer groups where you will encourage each other to the good and grow in joy. Little children. You are still far away. That is why continue to convert anew and choose the way of holiness and hope so that God may give you peace in abundance. Thank you for having responded to my call’ (May 2024).
Our pilgrimage leadership comprised of Gail Hewett, Julie our local Croatian guide and Fr Angelus. We were blessed to have such a kind, knowledgeable, passionate & spiritual team with us.
We spent much time in prayer and adoration at the beautiful parish of St James and the surrounding area. We also visited places where the apparitions took place - one of the visionary’s homes, the beautiful Blue Cross where Our Lady first appeared, the top of Apparition Hill and the more able amongst us climbed to the top of Cross Mountain, being the highest point. We visited other beautiful churches such as the Devine Mercy Chapel, where the icon of the Devine Mercy used to beatify St Faustina hung behind the altar and the first-class relics of St Faustina and second-class relics of Pope John Paul II were displayed and venerated.
Our Lady’s desire of us is summarised by 5 stones (which is with reference also to the five stones that David used as weapons in his sling against Goliath):
1. Prayer with the Heart – Pray the Rosary drawing yourself into the mysteries.
The Rosary is the most powerful weapon we have
2. Eucharist – the beating heart of Jesus, which we are blessed to receive at the Holy Mass, as we make our thanksgiving to God
3. Holy Bible – To read the gospels and make the bible available for everyone in the family to read. ‘The Word’ feeds our soul
4. Fasting (except for those who are sick) – Fast every Wednesday and Friday
5. Monthly confession – To make a simple, humble and complete confession
We thank Our Queen of Peace for the beautiful gift of Medjugorje and I leave you with the message that Our Lady left for everyone –
I AM YOUR MOTHER AND I LOVE YOU!
Christine Wright
Focus of the Week
Day for Life
‘The Lord is my shepherd – Compassion and Hope at the end of life'
On Sunday 16 June 2024 we celebrate the Day for Life. This year's focus is on the theme of compassion and hope at the end of life as well as the reasons why the Church opposes the proposal to introduce assisted suicide or euthanasia. The Bishops' Conference has a dedicated section of their website on this topic.
www.cbcew.org.uk/day-for-life/
The second collection on that day will provide financial assistance to organisations working to support the Church’s mission to protect human life from conception to natural death. For more information, please visit: