Webmaster • February 19, 2023
AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED are sending aid to Syria at the moment to support those affected by the earthquake. You may have seen the reports on the news of the difficulties of getting help and assistance into Syria. As they work through the Church they can get aid into Syria while others are struggling to do so. Aid to the Church in Need | Syria Emergency Appeal (acnuk.org) gives a video from Syria (Aleppo) which you may find interesting, while the other: Aid to the Church in Need | SYRIA: Charity appeals for help for earthquake victims (acnuk.org) tells more of the story and includes what a project partner in Aleppo, Sr Annie, has experienced and heard from the people affected.
To make a donation, go to https://acnuk.org/news/syria-charity-appeals-for-help-for-earthquake-victims/ Please see poster on the notice board.
We are pleased to welcome Fr Gregory Knowles as our new Parish Priest, accompanied by his pet snake plus 2 cats, Vincenzo and Bethlehem. He will be well known to some of our longer standing parishioners having served as curate here when Fr Barrie was the Parish Priest. He joins us after a number of years serving as the Parish Priest of Saint Cuthbert and First Martyrs in Bradford and is looking forward to meeting Parishioners new and old. For email contact please use his Diocese of Leeds address Gregorius.Knowles@dioceseofleeds.org.uk Please note that Father Gregory’s first Mass with us will be this coming Wednesday 17th September at 12 noon.
In John’s Gospel, Jesus’ death on the cross as well as his resurrection and return to the Father are one event. For him, the cross is a sign of exaltation. The serpent that Moses lifted in the desert to offer healing to those injured by snake bites prefigures Jesus’ being lifted up on the cross, bringing salvation. The eternal life God offers through Jesus is not life without end, but life lived in the unending presence of God. That is why it can begin now in this life. The world to which God sends the Son is not a place but those people who are at odds with Jesus and God. Jesus is sent to this world as a gift. Only believers accept the gift. Finally, God’s judgment on the world is not a future cosmic event but a present reality. God sent the Son out of love for the world. However, the world must decide to accept him. Those who accept him have eternal life at the moment of the decision. Those who reject him don’t.
September is traditionally SVP Awareness Month. There are many of our local neighbours who face poverty, loneliness and isolation and the SVP can make a difference by offering a friendly visit or much needed practical support. More members are needed to ensure that this work continues to grow and flourish. If anyone has some time to offer, however small, please consider working with the SVP by becoming a volunteer. If you were unable to come along to ‘Tea with the SVP’ last Saturday and are interested in learning more about us, there is information on the display board in the parish centre or you can leave a message on the SVP dedicated mobile 07526 099523.
Pathways Bereavement Café: Due to low numbers the Bereavement Cafe will no longer meet on the first Sunday of the month. Please be assured that Bereavement support is still available from the Bereavement Team on an appointment only basis via the Parish Office. If you need any support surrounding grief of any kind please do not hesitate to get in touch.
The Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill is expected to have its Second Reading in the House of Lords on Friday 12 September . Right To Life UK has launched an Easy action tool to help you write to a few Peers with a tailored message to highlight key concerns with the Bill. Please take action now and visit www.righttolife.org.uk/aspeers to ask Peers to oppose assisted suicide - it takes just 30 seconds!
The Annual Leeds Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham will take place this year on Saturday 27th September . 12:00Noon Angelus and the celebration of Holy Mass, 2:30pm Solemn Procession into the village of Walsingham, 3.30pm Vespers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the grounds of the Ancient Shrine. Bring a picnic lunch!
As St Francis of Assisi’s memorial, who was a deacon, is on Saturday 4th October , Bishop Marcus will be celebrating the 12.00 Mass at Leeds Cathedral in thanksgiving for the permanent diaconate in our Diocese. Clergy and lay faithful are invited to attend this celebration, especially men who may be discerning their possible vocation to the diaconate. Let us take this opportunity to pray for our permanent deacons and for vocations to the diaconate in our diocese.
: Time for prayers, questions, input from a priest and social time. There are two groups meeting simultaneously; under 18s and over 18s. Fridays 6.30pm-8.15pm: 19th September (Hinsley Hall), 17th October (Hinsley Hall), 14th November (Cathedral Hall), 19th December (Hinsley Hall). Under 18 participants must complete and return a permission form prior to attending. For permission forms and to notify of attendance (all participants) please contact Vocations Promoter, Fr Simon Lodge simon.lodge@dioceseofleeds.org.uk .
As part of St. Austin's contribution to Heritage Week 2025 there will be a display and talk entitled "200 Years of St. Austin's in 60 images" in the St. Austin's parish centre on Friday September 19th . Display from 6:30pm with the talk 7:00 - 7:30pm. There is free parking on the terrace and surrounding roads after 6:00pm. The display will also be available for viewing on Saturday 20th September 11:00am - 3:00pm when guided tours of the church will be available. All are welcome.
In chapter 14 of Luke's Gospel, Jesus is speaking to people gathered at the table about the difficulties of following him. This group of people is suspicious about Jesus, looking to catch him doing something wrong. Jesus speaks to them in parables, emphasizing that although there is a right way to be a disciple and enter the kingdom of his Father, it is a difficult path to follow. Many, even some of the guests at the table, reject the invitation. So, Jesus turns to the crowds and speaks to them of discipleship. Jesus explains that, when it comes to making a choice for the Kingdom of God, nothing can get in the way. When Jesus describes “hating” one's father and mother, he is not talking about feelings. Rather, he is emphasizing very strongly that choosing to be a disciple means that everything else—family, money, your own life— must come second. In Matthew's version of this story (Matthew 10:37), Jesus refers not to “hating” father or mother, but to loving them more than Jesus. Jesus makes it very clear that being a disciple is not easy. It means to bear one's own cross. These difficult sayings of Jesus are followed by two brief parables (a person constructing a tower and a king marching into battle) that make an obvious point— don't start what you cannot finish. Discipleship is difficult and is something we can commit to only if we are prepared to put the Kingdom of God before everything else.