PAPAL MASS ON THE
SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL
FIRST VESPERS
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
Sunday, 28 June 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
With the celebration of First Vespers we enter the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul. We have the grace to do so gathered in prayer by the tomb of the Apostle to the Gentiles, in the Papal Basilica named after him. For this reason I wish to focus my brief reflection on the perspective of the Church's missionary vocation. The third Antiphon of the Psalter which we have prayed in addition to the biblical Reading is oriented in this direction. The first two Antiphons are dedicated to St Peter and the third to St Paul, and it says: "You are the chosen instrument of God, St Paul, Apostle, the preacher of truth in all the world". And in the brief Reading, taken from the opening address of the Letter to the Romans, Paul introduces himself as "apostle by God's call, set apart for the service of the Gospel" (cf. Rom 1:1). The figure of Paul his person and his ministry, the whole of his life and his hard work for the Kingdom of God is entirely dedicated to the service of the Gospel. In these texts one notices a sense of movement where the protagonist is not man, but God, the breath of the Holy Spirit, that impels the Apostle on the highways of the world to bring the Good News to everyone: the promises of the Prophets are fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, who died for our sins and was raised for our justification. Saul is no longer, instead there is Paul, indeed there is Christ who lives in him (cf. Gal 2:20) and wants to reach out to all people. Although the Feast of the Holy Patrons of Rome thus calls to mind the twofold aspiration to unity and to universality that is characteristic of this Church, the context in which we are gathered this evening calls us to give priority to the latter, letting ourselves, so to speak, be "drawn" by St Paul and his extraordinary vocation.
When, during the Second Vatican Council, the Servant of God Giovanni Battista Montini was elected Successor of Peter he chose to take the name of the Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul VI included in his programme for the implementation of the Council the convocation, in 1974, of the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme of evangelization in the modern world. About a year later, he published the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi, which begins with these words: "There is no doubt that the effort to proclaim the Gospel to the people of today, who are buoyed up by hope but at the same time often oppressed by fear and distress, is a service rendered to the Christian community and also to the whole of humanity" (n. 1). The timeliness of these words is striking. Paul VI's special missionary sensitivity can be perceived in them and, through his voice, the Council's deep yearning for the evangelization of the contemporary world. This yearning culminates in the Decree Ad Gentes but runs through all the documents of the Second Vatican Council and, even earlier, inspired the thoughts and work of the Council Fathers, convoked to represent, in an unprecedented, tangible way, the dissemination throughout the world achieved by the Church.
Words are useless to explain how Venerable John Paul II, in his long Pontificate, developed this missionary outreach that it should always be remembered corresponded with the very nature of the Church which, with St Paul, can and must always repeat: "If I preach the Gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!" (1 Cor 9:16). Pope John Paul II represented the Church's missionary nature "in the flesh" with his Apostolic Journeys and with the insistence of his Magisterium on the urgent need for a "new evangelization": "new" not in its content but in its inner thrust, open to the grace of the Holy Spirit which constitutes the force of the new law of the Gospel that always renews the Church; "new" in ways that correspond with the power of the Holy Spirit and which are suited to the times and situations; "new" because of being necessary even in countries that have already received the proclamation of the Gospel. It is evident to all that my Predecessor gave the Church's mission an extraordinary impetus, not only I repeat because of the distances he covered but above all because of the genuine missionary spirit that motivated him and that he left as a legacy at the dawn of the third millennium.
In receiving this legacy, I was able to state, at the beginning of my Petrine ministry, that the Church is young and open to the future. And I repeat this today, close to the tomb of St Paul. The Church is an immense force for renewal in the world. This is not, of course, because of her own strength but because of the power of the Gospel in which the Holy Spirit of God breathes, God Creator and Redeemer of the world. The challenges of the present time, the historical and social and, especially, the spiritual challenges, are certainly beyond the human capacity. It sometimes seems to us Pastors of the Church that we are reliving the experience of the Apostles when thousands of needy people followed Jesus and he asked them: what can we do for all these people? They were then aware of their powerlessness. Yet Jesus himself had shown them that with faith in God nothing is impossible and that a few loaves and fish, blessed and shared, could satisfy the hunger of all. However, there was not and there is not hunger solely for material food: there is a deeper hunger that only God can satisfy. Human beings of the third millennium want an authentic, full life; they need truth, profound freedom, love freely given. Even in the deserts of the secularized world, man's soul thirsts for God, for the living God. It was for this reason that John Paul II wrote: "The mission of Christ the Redeemer, which is entrusted to the Church, is still very far from completion", and he added: "an overall view of the human race shows that this mission is still only beginning and that we must commit ourselves wholeheartedly to its service" (Encyclical Redemptoris Missio, n. 1). There are regions of the world that are still awaiting a first evangelization; others that have received it, but need a deeper intervention; yet others in which the Gospel put down roots a long time ago, giving rise to a true Christian tradition but in which, in recent centuries with complex dynamics the secularization process has produced a serious crisis of the meaning of the Christian faith and of belonging to the Church.
From this perspective, I have decided to create a new body, in the form of a "Pontifical Council", whose principal task will be to promote a renewed evangelization in the countries where the first proclamation of the faith has already resonated and where Churches with an ancient foundation exist but are experiencing the progressive secularization of society and a sort of "eclipse of the sense of God", which pose a challenge to finding appropriate to propose anew the perennial truth of Christ's Gospel.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, the challenge of the new evangelization calls into question the universal Church and asks us to continue with commitment our search for full Christian unity. An eloquent sign of hope in this regard is the custom of reciprocal visits between the Church of Rome and that of Constantinople for the Feast day of their respective Holy Patrons. Today, therefore, we welcome with renewed joy and gratitude the Delegation sent by Patriarch Bartholomaios I, to whom we address our most cordial greeting. May the intercession of Sts Peter and Paul obtain for the entire Church ardent faith and apostolic courage, to proclaim to the world the truth we all need, the truth that is God, the beginning and end of the universe and of history, the merciful and faithful Father, hope of eternal life. Amen.
SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL
FIRST VESPERS
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
Sunday, 28 June 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
With the celebration of First Vespers we enter the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul. We have the grace to do so gathered in prayer by the tomb of the Apostle to the Gentiles, in the Papal Basilica named after him. For this reason I wish to focus my brief reflection on the perspective of the Church's missionary vocation. The third Antiphon of the Psalter which we have prayed in addition to the biblical Reading is oriented in this direction. The first two Antiphons are dedicated to St Peter and the third to St Paul, and it says: "You are the chosen instrument of God, St Paul, Apostle, the preacher of truth in all the world". And in the brief Reading, taken from the opening address of the Letter to the Romans, Paul introduces himself as "apostle by God's call, set apart for the service of the Gospel" (cf. Rom 1:1). The figure of Paul his person and his ministry, the whole of his life and his hard work for the Kingdom of God is entirely dedicated to the service of the Gospel. In these texts one notices a sense of movement where the protagonist is not man, but God, the breath of the Holy Spirit, that impels the Apostle on the highways of the world to bring the Good News to everyone: the promises of the Prophets are fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, who died for our sins and was raised for our justification. Saul is no longer, instead there is Paul, indeed there is Christ who lives in him (cf. Gal 2:20) and wants to reach out to all people. Although the Feast of the Holy Patrons of Rome thus calls to mind the twofold aspiration to unity and to universality that is characteristic of this Church, the context in which we are gathered this evening calls us to give priority to the latter, letting ourselves, so to speak, be "drawn" by St Paul and his extraordinary vocation.
When, during the Second Vatican Council, the Servant of God Giovanni Battista Montini was elected Successor of Peter he chose to take the name of the Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul VI included in his programme for the implementation of the Council the convocation, in 1974, of the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme of evangelization in the modern world. About a year later, he published the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi, which begins with these words: "There is no doubt that the effort to proclaim the Gospel to the people of today, who are buoyed up by hope but at the same time often oppressed by fear and distress, is a service rendered to the Christian community and also to the whole of humanity" (n. 1). The timeliness of these words is striking. Paul VI's special missionary sensitivity can be perceived in them and, through his voice, the Council's deep yearning for the evangelization of the contemporary world. This yearning culminates in the Decree Ad Gentes but runs through all the documents of the Second Vatican Council and, even earlier, inspired the thoughts and work of the Council Fathers, convoked to represent, in an unprecedented, tangible way, the dissemination throughout the world achieved by the Church.
Words are useless to explain how Venerable John Paul II, in his long Pontificate, developed this missionary outreach that it should always be remembered corresponded with the very nature of the Church which, with St Paul, can and must always repeat: "If I preach the Gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!" (1 Cor 9:16). Pope John Paul II represented the Church's missionary nature "in the flesh" with his Apostolic Journeys and with the insistence of his Magisterium on the urgent need for a "new evangelization": "new" not in its content but in its inner thrust, open to the grace of the Holy Spirit which constitutes the force of the new law of the Gospel that always renews the Church; "new" in ways that correspond with the power of the Holy Spirit and which are suited to the times and situations; "new" because of being necessary even in countries that have already received the proclamation of the Gospel. It is evident to all that my Predecessor gave the Church's mission an extraordinary impetus, not only I repeat because of the distances he covered but above all because of the genuine missionary spirit that motivated him and that he left as a legacy at the dawn of the third millennium.
In receiving this legacy, I was able to state, at the beginning of my Petrine ministry, that the Church is young and open to the future. And I repeat this today, close to the tomb of St Paul. The Church is an immense force for renewal in the world. This is not, of course, because of her own strength but because of the power of the Gospel in which the Holy Spirit of God breathes, God Creator and Redeemer of the world. The challenges of the present time, the historical and social and, especially, the spiritual challenges, are certainly beyond the human capacity. It sometimes seems to us Pastors of the Church that we are reliving the experience of the Apostles when thousands of needy people followed Jesus and he asked them: what can we do for all these people? They were then aware of their powerlessness. Yet Jesus himself had shown them that with faith in God nothing is impossible and that a few loaves and fish, blessed and shared, could satisfy the hunger of all. However, there was not and there is not hunger solely for material food: there is a deeper hunger that only God can satisfy. Human beings of the third millennium want an authentic, full life; they need truth, profound freedom, love freely given. Even in the deserts of the secularized world, man's soul thirsts for God, for the living God. It was for this reason that John Paul II wrote: "The mission of Christ the Redeemer, which is entrusted to the Church, is still very far from completion", and he added: "an overall view of the human race shows that this mission is still only beginning and that we must commit ourselves wholeheartedly to its service" (Encyclical Redemptoris Missio, n. 1). There are regions of the world that are still awaiting a first evangelization; others that have received it, but need a deeper intervention; yet others in which the Gospel put down roots a long time ago, giving rise to a true Christian tradition but in which, in recent centuries with complex dynamics the secularization process has produced a serious crisis of the meaning of the Christian faith and of belonging to the Church.
From this perspective, I have decided to create a new body, in the form of a "Pontifical Council", whose principal task will be to promote a renewed evangelization in the countries where the first proclamation of the faith has already resonated and where Churches with an ancient foundation exist but are experiencing the progressive secularization of society and a sort of "eclipse of the sense of God", which pose a challenge to finding appropriate to propose anew the perennial truth of Christ's Gospel.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, the challenge of the new evangelization calls into question the universal Church and asks us to continue with commitment our search for full Christian unity. An eloquent sign of hope in this regard is the custom of reciprocal visits between the Church of Rome and that of Constantinople for the Feast day of their respective Holy Patrons. Today, therefore, we welcome with renewed joy and gratitude the Delegation sent by Patriarch Bartholomaios I, to whom we address our most cordial greeting. May the intercession of Sts Peter and Paul obtain for the entire Church ardent faith and apostolic courage, to proclaim to the world the truth we all need, the truth that is God, the beginning and end of the universe and of history, the merciful and faithful Father, hope of eternal life. Amen.
As an ex-offender or someone who received a non-custodial sentence, the world can seem very different - as if you do not quite belong or fit in. Your family and friends may not understand what you have been through, let alone how difficult it is to cope with being out on licence or having a SOPO. We all make mistakes but at St. Wilfrid's we do not believe your mistakes define who you are. We believe very much in the power of God's grace to heal the wounds of the past and give us the hope of a bright future. Trying to reintegrate into society and face the future is difficult but you are not alone. We will give you a warm welcome and a listening ear. We will walk with you and do all that we can to support and encourage you in your journey to a brighter future. Don't forget, Jesus was in prison and considered an outcast as was St. Peter and St. Paul!
While our sexuality does not define us, it is an important part of who we are. While we know that God created us in His image and likeness, and God does not make mistakes, we can often struggle to reconcile who we are with our faith. At St. Wilfrid's we believe that Jesus calls, embraces and supports us as we are. In order to be holy we have to accept ourselves as we are - wholeness - and then, with God's grace, we can achieve the seemingly impossible. Pope Francis reminds us that the Church is a field hospital where wounds are healed and people are made strong. As a family we love and support each other and do our best to help each person to be the image of Christ in the world. If you are struggling, do not suppress or hide your feelings. Hear the voice of Christ calling Lazarus from the dark tomb of death to life; listen closely, because it is you he is calling.
If I had a physical wound it would be so much easier for people to understand. Some people think I am odd or stand-offish, others think I am lazy and don't care. But living with depression or a mental illness can be like walking through a dark cloud. There is nothing to look forward to; at times I wonder what the point of life is. There are days when it takes all my energy to get up and wash. The thought of going out to the shop to get a carton of milk will play on my mind all day until finally, just before it closes, I get there - another days work completed! Anxiety seems to come from nowhere. I am convinced others are talking about me or looking in a judgemental way. I would talk to my therapist but it takes months to get an appointment. At St. Wilfrid's I find people who listen and care. What I like most is I am not the centre of attention and they just treat me like everyone else. I often find myself telling jokes or encouraging someone else who suffers the same way I do - I am certainly not alone! When I pray, I often think of Our Lady at the foot of the cross going through mental agony and feeling every wound Jesus endured - she knows what I am going through.
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St Wilfrid's Parish is part of the Roman Catholic Church. The head of the Church is Jesus Christ who we believe to be both God and Man. During his earthly life Jesus established the One True Church and endowed it with authority to teach, and grace to administer the sacraments - seven signs of God's love. The earthly head of the Church is the successor of St. Peter, Pope Francis. Together with the College of bishops, Pope Francis continues the mission entrusted by Our Lord to the Apostles. The centre of our faith is the belief that at every Mass, through the action of an ordained priest, the bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood, soul and divinity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Mass makes present the one perfect sacrifice of Calvary, the action of Christ at the Last Supper and his glorious resurrection.
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- Church Services
Sunday Mass Adoration & Benediction
Saturday 5pm (Quiet Mass/little singing 40 min) Thursday 6.00pm - 6.25pm
Sunday 10am (Family Mass/Sung 1 hour) Friday 10.20am - 10.50am
12 (noon) (Quiet Mass/little singing 40 min) Saturday 10.20am - 10.50am
Confessions- upon request &: Mass Holy Days of Obligation
Sunday 9.30am - 9.50am 10am & 7pm
11.30am - 11.50am
Thursday 6.00pm - 6.25pm
Friday 10.30am - 10.50am
Saturday 10.30am - 10.50am
4.30pm - 4.50pm
Weekday Mass Rosary
Monday 10am Monday 9.30am
Tuesday 10am Tuesday 9.30am
Wednesday No Mass
Thursday 6.30pm Thursday 6.00pm
Friday 10am Friday 9.30am
Saturday 10am Saturday 9.30am
4.30pm
Sunday 9.30am
Baptism
Adults, and children over the age of 7, go through a period of instruction. Children meet on Saturday mornings at 11am. Adults meet on Saturdays at 12 noon in a group known as: RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). The priest will meet with you first to discern what period and type of preparation would be suitable. The preparation covers: delving into the scriptures; focusing on important historical events in the life of the Church; the sacraments; the mystery of the Church; the moral life; the spiritual life and combating evil. Adults, and young people over the age of 13, who have not been baptised, will be prepared for the reception of: baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation, at the Easter Vigil.
The baptism of children under the age of 7 is by appointment; this can be arranged by speaking with either the priest or the deacon.
First Holy Communion
Children who are either entering year 3, or in higher years at primary school, are eligible for enrolment in the First Holy Communion Program. The group meets on Saturday mornings at 11am. The children look at: important aspects in the life of Our Lord; the ten commandments; the Church; prayer; confession & the Holy Mass. The sessions are led by a trained catechist who is also a primary school teacher. She works closely with the Parish Priest who is actively involved in the children's preparation. Children attending secondary school and adults, follow a similar program on Saturday mornings at 12 noon.
Confirmation
Young people who are either entering year 9, or higher years at secondary school, are eligible for enrolment in the Confirmation Program. The group meets on Saturdays at 12 noon. The young people look at the: scriptures; the Church; the sacraments; the moral life; prayer and avoiding evil. Adults, who have not been confirmed, follow a similar program.
Holy Orders
All of us are called by God - that is what we mean by a vocation. Some boys and men feel that God might be calling them either to the Sacred Priesthood or to the Permanent Diaconate. In order to discern God's will, the Parish Priest acts as a guide to walk with the person on their journey. Sometimes God is simply calling the person to deepen their prayer life and learn more about their faith, however, if you are being called to Holy Order do not ignore it; God's call never ceases. Have a chat with your Parish Priest. Remember, God does not call us because we are saints, he calls us as we are and gives us the grace to strive for sanctity.
The Religious Life
Some boys and girls, men and women, experience an overwhelming desire to give their whole life to God. This desire is realised by entering the religious life (a religious order such as the: Franciscans, Dominicans, Benedictines etc) and consecrating your whole being to God through solemn vows. Religious usually live in communities and dedicate their time to prayer and good works. Those who tend not to go into the world are known as monks and nuns; those who work in the world are known as sisters and brothers. These zealous souls might well be considered the Church's power house of prayer. Have a chat with a priest or deacon or a religious to find out if God might be calling you to this incredible way of life. Remember, you are called to be a saint through the support of the religious community you join - you do not have to be a saint before you join!
Weddings
You must give a minimum of six months notice if you wish to marry, even in another Church. A Catholic is, ordinarily, bound to marry before a Catholic priest or deacon and two witnesses. A Catholic invalidly attempts marriage by marrying in a non-Catholic Church or registry office. If you find yourself in this situation, do not worry, just speak to a priest or deacon.
Become a Catholic?
It is a bit like falling in love, you cannot always explain the attraction or the desire to be with someone, it just feels right to be with them; you feel complete. Every human being is created in God's image and likeness. We each have a capacity for God in our soul - a bit like a plug socket which will only take a particular plug. While every man and woman is a member of God's human family, God calls each one of us to be part of his heavenly family, the Church.
The benefit of being a member of the Church on earth, is that we can eat from the family table - we call this food the sacrament of Holy Communion. This sacred meal (The Mass) makes present: the perfect sacrifice which Jesus offered on the cross, the fruits of the Last Supper, and the glory of His resurrection.
In order to sit down for a meal, we must first wash to make sure we are clean. So, the first step to becoming a Catholic is baptism - a washing away of sin. Baptism is the first of seven sacred signs which Jesus left to his Church, we call these sacred signs sacraments. To be a Catholic is not easy. We have to forgive others; which does not mean we ignore the pain which we have suffered. We have to be honest and truthful, kind and loving. Now Jesus knew this would be difficult for us so, to strengthen us in our mission in the world, he sent the Holy Spirit down on the Church to strengthen us. We receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of confirmation.
If we sin after baptism, we go to the sacrament of confession. Jesus works through the priest and absolves us of our sins. There is NO sin which cannot be forgiven. Because we are speaking directly to Jesus, the priest can never reveal or act on what we tell him in confession - Never! No matter how bad it is.
Jesus is always with His Church, he never abandons her. In every Catholic Church you will see a box like object called a tabernacle. The Sacred Host from Mass (usually round and made from unleavened bread) is placed by the priest in the tabernacle. The Sacred Host is the body and blood of Jesus. He is alive and waiting for us in the tabernacle. Obviously, as God, Jesus is everywhere but, as the God/Man, he is in heaven and in the tabernacle.
So, to help us through life Jesus gives us spiritual guides who are successors to Jesus' Apostles, these guides are called bishops. They become bishops through the sacrament of Holy Orders. Now bishops can't be everywhere so they ordain Priests to help them to look after a particular area. Now, the priest can't do everything so the bishop ordains deacons to help the priests.
Most men and women enter into the sacrament of marriage but those in Holy Orders tend not to marry in order to dedicate themselves to looking after the people of God. That is why when you are sick, and send for the priest, he can come straight away and strengthen you with the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.
I know you may have mixed feelings about taking the next step to becoming a Catholic. Everyone always feels the same way. Just go and have a chat with your priest or deacon; what have you got to lose!
Now, I will let you into a secret. Those seven sacred signs were given by Jesus to the Church for you. Yes, I mean you. It is your spiritual inheritance, your right. So when you go and see the priest or deacon do not be shy and timid, have confidence and go and claim what is rightfully yours. It will fill that gap and make your life complete.
