It is still early in Jesus’ public life when he stands preaching at the shore of the Lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee). He draws such a big crowd that he climbs into Simon Peter’s boat so the people can better see and hear him. We don’t know what he was teaching them about, but they seemed transfixed by his words. We don’t know what Peter and his companions were thinking when Jesus invited himself into their boat. But Peter is taken aback when Jesus tells him to go fishing again after he already fished all night with no luck. Maybe there’s something about the way that Jesus looks at him that makes Peter decide “Ok, if you say so...” The amazing catch of fish follows, and the realization hits Peter that Jesus is more than just a good speaker. Like Isaiah and Paul in the other readings today, Peter suddenly realizes he is in the presence of God, and he feels “unworthy.” Peter’s reaction isn’t unusual. The Bible includes stories of many people who were called by God to do a specific task or live a particular way. Usually, these people’s first reactions are of fear, unworthiness, or protest that they aren’t the right people for the job. We heard this in the first reading of Isaiah, and Paul mentioned it in the second reading today too.  Luckily for us, we get yet another example of God’s response to fear with the encouragement “Do not be afraid.” That is followed by the assurance that God can use anyone to do his good work in the world, no matter how unworthy we might think we are. Questions of the week  The Bible is full of examples of people who protest that they are too young, too old, not educated enough, etc. to be “called” by God. Have you ever felt this way?  When have you experienced an “amazing catch of fish” that led you to greater trust in God’s care for you?

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord today marks the trip that Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus made to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfil their duty according to Jewish Law. Observant Jews at the time of Jesus’ birth followed the tradition spelled out in Leviticus 12:2-8. A mother was considered “unclean” for seven days after giving birth to a son. For 33 days, she was not allowed to enter the sanctuary of the temple. After that, she was required to bring a lamb and a small bird as an offering to the priest. The priest would then sacrifice the animals as an atonement for her sins. Only then was she declared ritually pure again. Those who couldn’t afford a lamb and a bird, like Mary and Joseph, could bring two turtle doves or two pigeons instead. The language and rituals surrounding uncleanliness, impurity, sacrifice, and atonement might seem primitive and archaic to us thousands of years later. Rather than judge them or find fault with such practices, we can focus our attention on the points Luke was trying to make in passing on this story. He is telling us that Jesus was born into a poor family that doesn’t have a sheep to spare, nor the money to purchase one. However, this family worked hard to be faithful to their religious practices and to God as they understood him.  Whereas other Gospel writers focus almost all of their attention on male characters, Luke is careful to balance stories of men with stories of women in his life. Elizabeth and Mary were the “stars” of the first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel (not Zechariah or Joseph). When Jesus is presented in public for the first time, Luke makes a point of stating that a man and a woman, Simeon and Anna (whom he calls a “prophetess”), both recognise the baby for the extraordinary person he is - the hope of the Jews and a light to the Gentiles (all of whom were not Jewish). Questions of the week  Think about some of the Gospel stories featuring women. Which ones stand out for you? Why?  Simeon and Anna recognize Jesus as someone who will be a positive force for people across religious divides. Who in modern history can you say the same of? What was it about them that made them appealing to people of different backgrounds?

The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Quite a busy week for Fr D this time around (with many appointments and meetings not really Parish based but diocesan) . . . . . . On Monday, as he felt he couldn’t put it off any longer, Fr D sat at his desk and completed his Income Tax form before lodging it with the Inland Revenue. Very seldom do the calculations lead to him having any liability to pay but you have to do it and effectively send off a blank return each year! Of course doing it takes up a fairly large lump of time . . . . Following Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition on Tuesday Fr D was straight down to the diocesan offices in Crawley where there were some ‘exotic’ queries for him to attend to from people phoning in to the Tribunal since last week (- “How do I become unbaptised if I want to?). He then raced back home to be sitting by the telephone for someone who in the morning had to speak to him on the phone with something so important - he was disappointed as the phone call that was so urgent didn’t manifest itself! In the evening he was meeting with the parents of this year’s First Eucharist children to take them through the second section of the programme (the Liturgy of the Word) so that on Saturday they would be able to assist their child at the children’s session. This is what is known as ‘family-led’ catechesis, and is the preferred method of introducing children to the sacraments within the diocese. (Parents have promised to be the first and best of teachers to their child in the ways of faith at the child’s baptism - this means that it cannot be left to the school or the parish to do this. The parish provides the parents with the tools to teach their child. On Wednesday, after Morning Prayer and Mass Fr D was following up on a few things with Sarah in the Parish Office before meeting with the electrician concerning his front door bell and the battery back-up (used during fire alarms) for the roller-shutter in the Parish Centre kitchen. He is going to try and obtain a new battery for the kitchen and will be coming back to rewire the door bell as there appears to be a break in the wire (probably in the door/wall). In the evening Fr D had a zoom lecture on Recent Rotal (Rome) Decisions in Penal Cases. It was taking place in Canada, hence the strange timing.  After Morning Prayer and Mass on Thursday Fr D was ‘stuck-in’ to the Newsletter for this week before going to Notre Dame School where he was interviewed by people Inspecting the RE of the school . . . . . . .

• 25-31 July (by air) • 24 July-1 August (by coach/Jumbulance) Our pilgrimage to Lourdes is one of the most significant pastoral events in our annual Diocesan calendar. Pope Francis has declared 2025 is a Jubilee year, the Lourdes theme is ‘With Mary, Pilgrims of Hope’. We are invited to set out on our pilgrimage journey with our Lady and St Bernadette, in the ‘hope born of grace, which enables us to live in Christ and to overcome sin, fear and death.’ (Pope Francis, Spes non Confundit 2025) Lourdes is a place of renewal, a place where our relationship with Christ is deepened. Unlike tourists, visiting a popular attraction, we are pilgrims, making the journey together and staying together, entering a space in which we can be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in ways that, perhaps, we would never have thought possible before. A priority for our pilgrimage is that we support the sick and vulnerable to travel and experience Lourdes alongside us, for this purpose we need others to volunteer their time and skills every day in Lourdes. Because of this, the allocation of transport and accommodation puts the assisted pilgrims and their supporters as a priority. Travel is inevitably a challenge when planning a pilgrimage. The flights and coach bookings that are available to us will vary in time and location. Our first Mass, with the opening ceremony, is held on Saturday to ensure all are all together in our first celebration of Mass in Lourdes. More Information and Bookings: www.abdiocese.org.uk/lourdes/home

Luke reminds us that Jesus is from the town of Nazareth, a backwater village of about 500-1,500 people, most of whom were poor and illiterate. As part of the immensely powerful Roman Empire spread across the Mediterranean, Nazareth would barely have registered on the radar of the rulers of the day. No wonder that the world was shocked to hear about an itinerant preacher from there who was attracting a great following. In John’s Gospel, we hear how incredulous this seems. When Philip told Nathanael about Jesus for the first time and mentioned he was from Nazareth, Nathanael burst out, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (Jn. 1:46)  But here is Jesus, already gaining fame and respect in the area, reading from the Old Testament scroll. (He’s from Nazareth, and he knows how to read!) He was not from the priestly class, yet by the time he comes back to Nazareth on this particular day, Jesus had already assumed the role of a religious teacher by speaking in the local synagogues. Then he reaches beyond that role and announces he is the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy about the anointed one sent by God. This happens very early in Luke’s Gospel, and Jesus is starting off with a bold proclamation, unapologetic about his back ground and upbringing. He is setting the tone for the work he has come to do. Questions of the Week  Who do you know from a back ground of no reputation who has made a positive impression or impact on you? Maybe they were from a tiny town, or went to a little known college, or didn’t go to college at all, or in some way rose above their station.  Which of Jesus’ lines about what he was anointed to do strikes you as most exciting or hopeful? Why?

John Bosco’s theory about education could well be used in today’s schools. It was a preventive system, rejecting any corporal punishment and placing students in situations removed from the likelihood of committing sin. He promoted frequent reception of the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist; combining catechetical training and fatherly guidance, seeking to unite the spiritual life with work, study and play. Encouraged during his youth in Turin to become a priest so he could work with young boys, John was ordained in 1841. His service to young people started when he met a poor orphan in Turin, and instructed him in preparation for receiving the Eucharist. He then gathered apprentices and taught them catechism. After serving as chaplain in a hospice for working girls, Don Bosco opened the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales for boys. Several wealthy and powerful patrons contributed money, enabling him to provide two workshops for the boys, teaching shoemaking and tailoring. By 1856, the institution had grown to 150 boys and had added a printing press.  In 1854, John’s followers informally banded together, inspired by St Francis de Sales. With Pope Pius IX’s encouragement, John and seventeen men founded the Salesians in 1859. Their activity involved both education and mission work. Later, he organized Sisters to assist in girls education.

The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Again a slightly less hectic week around The Presbytery this time around . . . . On Sunday evening Fr D was present along with other parishioners at the annual Christian Unity Week united service which this year took place at St Andrew’s Anglican church in Downside Bridge Road. Although a very cold evening Fr D was delighted to see a reasonable turn-out of Sacred Heart regulars for this important event in the calendar. Most of Monday, even though it was technically his day off Fr D was working for most of the day on a ‘non-marriage’ case for Bishop Richard. Following Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition, Fr D was again working on an important case for Bishop Richard until it was time to go for lunch once again with Fr Ruslan from Walton-OnThames. They have now made their lunch dates a regular occurrence - so much do they enjoy their time together - meeting on ‘neutral ground, in Esher. In the evening Fr D was meeting with the Parish Finance Committee for the first of four meetings they have during the course of the year. This time they were looking back at last year’s figures and setting the budget for the coming year. After Morning Prayer and Mass on Wednesday morning Fr D has a meeting with the diocesan IT Advisor concerning the telecommunications project in the Parish that they have been working on over the past nine months. We seem now to be ready to move away from BT and on to another quality provider as part of the scheme in order to futureproof our basic set-up and reduce overall costs. We will now be researching the offerings of these other providers to get the most appropriate deal. In the afternoon Fr D began sorting out his parts of the newsletter as he knew that he could not be around on Friday to get anything done then. Straight after Morning Prayer and Mass on Thursday Fr D was off in the car and down to the Diocesan Offices at Crawley where is was ‘crossing the last t’s and dotting the last i’s’ of his case for the Bishop, ready for a meeting on Friday.  In the evening Fr D was meeting with a young couple who are presently preparing for the Baptism of their third child. The baptism will be taking place before the season of Lent begins, as except for emergencies Baptisms are not celebrated during Lent . . . .

Almost nothing is historically certain about St Sebastian except that he was a Roman martyr, venerated in Milan even in the time of St Ambrose and was buried on the Appian Way, probably near the present Basilica of St Sebastian. Devotion to him spread rapidly, and he is mentioned in several of the martyrologies as early as 350. The legend of St Sebastian is important in art, and there is a vast iconography. Scholars now agree that a pious fable has Sebastian entering the Roman army because only there could he assist the martyrs without arousing suspicion. Finally he was found out, brought before Emperor Diocletian and given over to Mauritanian archers to be shot to death. His body was pierced with arrows, and he was left for dead. But he was found still alive by those who came to bury him. He recovered, but refused to flee.  One day he took up a position near where the emperor was to pass. He accosted the emperor, denouncing him for his cruelty to Christians. This time the sentence of death was carried out, and Sebastian was beaten to death with clubs. He was buried on the Appian Way, close to the catacombs that bear his name.

The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Slightly less of a busy week around The Presbytery this time around as things begin to settle after Christmas, New Year and schools returning . . . . . Last weekend saw two liturgical sacramental celebrations at our Sunday Masses. At our 09.00 Mass our candidates for First Eucharist in June were enrolled into the programme, with their parents they renewed the baptismal promises made by their parents for them at their baptism and our community promised to pray for them as they take this important step in their life of faith. At our 11.00 Mass the community took note via the Rite of Welcome of the presence of an infant whose parents and godparents are preparing for baptism just before Lent begins. Fr D had a parishioner from Reigate Parish come over to take him out for lunch. Monday was Fr D’s monthly Ministry to Priest’s Support Group day; this time he was off down to his old Parish on the coast where one of his group has retired to. They met in the local church for an hour’s prayer before the Blessed Sacrament before retiring to a local hostelry for lunch. In the latter part of the afternoon they were able to share life experience from the past month in their respective parishes before finishing the day with Evening Prayer of the Church and making their way home. After celebrating Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Fr D was off in the car down to Crawley where he had several decrees from various cases awaiting his signature. In the evening Fr D was meeting with prospective candidates and their parents in the Parish Centre for the launch of this year’s Confirmation Programme. Normally this would have been done back at the end of the Autumn but the Bishop had not released the date of Confirmation until the middle of December.  Following Morning Prayer and Mass on Wednesday morning Fr D made a start on this week’s Newsletter (his bits anyway), glad to be back to Ordinary Time (green) once more. Having noticed that Waitrose had Easter Eggs, somewhat previously, on their shelves on 27 th December, he was mortified that in the early part of the week he had received flyers and emails concerning Easter Goods for the church - Palm Leaves, Paschal Candles, and Wax Motifs! In the afternoon he set about working out where best value was to be found in these items and placed orders accordingly (but with a heavy heart) . . . . .