Pope Francis’ on Thought for the Day for climate change
Dear BBC listeners, Good Morning.
“Climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic have exposed our deep vulnerability and raised numerous doubts and concerns about our economic systems and the way we organise our societies.
“We have lost our sense of security and are experiencing a sense of powerlessness and loss of control over our lives.
“We find ourselves increasingly frail and even fearful, caught up in a succession of “crises” in the areas of health care, the environment, food supplies and the economy, to say nothing of social, humanitarian and ethical crises. All these crises are profoundly interconnected. They also forecast a “perfect storm” that could rupture the bonds holding our society together within the greater gift of God’s creation.
“Every crisis calls for vision, the ability to formulate plans and put them rapidly into action, to rethink the future of the world, our common home, and to reassess our common purpose.
“These crises present us with the need to take decisions, radical decisions that are not always easy. At the same time, moments of difficulty like these also present opportunities, opportunities that we must not waste.
“We can confront these crises by retreating into isolationism, protectionism and exploitation. Or we can see in them a real chance for change, a genuine moment of conversion, and not simply in a spiritual sense.”
This last approach alone can guide us towards a brighter horizon. Yet it can only be pursued through a renewed sense of shared responsibility for our world, and an effective solidarity based on justice, a sense of our common destiny and a recognition of the unity of our human family in God’s plan for the world.
All this represents an immense cultural challenge. It means giving priority to the common good, and it calls for a change in perspective, a new outlook, in which the dignity of every human being, now and in the future, will guide our ways of thinking and acting. The most important lesson we can take from these crises is our need to build together, so that there will be no longer be any borders, barriers or political walls for us to hide behind. Some days ago, on 4 October, I met with religious leaders and scientists to sign a Joint Appeal in which we called upon ourselves and our political leaders to act in a more responsible and consistent manner. I was impressed by something said by one of the scientists present at that meeting. He told us: “If things continue as they are, in fifty years’ time my baby granddaughter will have to live in an unliveable world”.
We cannot allow this to happen!
It is essential that each of us be committed to this urgent change of direction, sustained by our own faith and spirituality. In the Joint Appeal, we spoke of the need to work responsibly towards a “culture of care” for our common home, but also for ourselves, and the need to work tirelessly to eliminate “the seeds of conflicts: greed, indifference, ignorance, fear, injustice, insecurity and violence”.
“Humanity has never before had at its disposal so many means for achieving this goal. The political decision makers who will meet at COP26 in Glasgow are urgently summoned to provide effective responses to the present ecological crisis and in this way to offer concrete hope to future generations. And it is worth repeating that each of us – whoever and wherever we may be – can play our own part in changing our collective response to the unprecedented threat of climate change and the degradation of our common home.”
Pope Francis will not be attending COP26, so this message for the BBC could constitute a significant part of his public intervention on the summit.
Under the Gaze of God
Fr David Williams C.P. (who lives in Otley) has written a book which may be of interest to our parishioners. It is available from Amazon books.
Fr Michael – “A Golden Priest”
Fr Michael – “A Golden Priest”
We at SS John Fisher and Thomas More are one of the lucky ones. We have the privilege and joy of celebrating a priest’s Golden Jubilee.
Congratulations Fr Michael!
Leeds receiving his Shamrock from Bishop Communion.
John Carmel Heenan on St Patrick’s day.
Bishop David and Fr Michael.
You can view our celebration of Mass with Fr Michael who was ordained 50 years ago on 7th March 1971. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6ADzOUBjXjZFevJEP2bXA
A poem to celebrate Fr Michael’s golden jubilee
From Us to You
The Lord asked you to follow Him and serve with grace and love
To minister to those in need of blessings from above
To watch His flock and guide us and to teach us how to pray
To understand the Gospels and to follow in His way
This task accepted graciously without a question why
The Lord chose you to share the love that comes from God on high
Most faithful servant of Our Lord for us the time has come
To thank you from within our hearts for all that you have done
The lives you’ve touched, the comfort and the sacraments you’ve shared
From births to deaths and in between you’ve showed how you’ve cared
Your gentle, calm and caring words, your quiet listening ear
The strength and wisdom you impart enables us to bear
Both joy and pain and suffering, all gifts from God above
Our parish priest, advisor, friend – We’d like to show our love
The Lord chose well when choosing you and fifty years now done
So many lives have prospered and in faith how they have grown
Thank you Fr. Michael, you’ve served so willingly
Congratulations, love and prayers, today enjoy your Jubilee
From your Parish Family
Youth take part in Father Michael’s Golden Jubilee Mass celebration
At Mass, on Sunday 7th March at SS John Fisher & Thomas More church Burley-in-Wharfedale, we gave thanks for and celebrated the Golden Jubilee of a Golden priest. Exactly 50 years ago, Father Michael Mahady was ordained a priest at St Patrick’s Church, Leeds on a wet Sunday in Lent. Father Michael celebrated his Golden Jubilee on a sunny Spring morning in the company of his Family and members of the Parish Family including students of St. Mary’s.
Many of you will know Father Michael as he has served at St Joseph’s Huddersfield; St Mary’s, Selby; St Joseph’s, Bradford; Sacred Heart, Sowerby Bridge; ss Peter and Paul’s Wakefield; St Francis, Morley; St Columba’s and St Malachy’s, Halifax and now as Parish Priest at ss John Fisher & Thomas More he has come to know and love the Students and Staff of St. Mary’s.
Father Michael is well-known for his sense of humour, love of Leeds United and other sports especially Cricket and Golf. He always finishes his Week-end masses with a joke and during Lock- down this has continued as a Sunday Message which can be found in the Parish Bulletin, on the Church’s website.
On Sunday, after Mass Father Michael made very special mention of the Young People who had attended his Golden Jubilee Mass; he was so very happy they were taking such a full part, reading, helping with presentations and technical support. As a Parish we would like to thank Dale, Emily, Harriet and Rory for their generous service and smiles on many occasions.
After Mass we presented Father Michael with a Golden Jubilee Album full of messages, cards, drawings and photographs; together with love and thanks and all his special care and advice. As you know Father Michael is a great friend, advisor and wonderful to all he meets; Sacred Heart school children had made a booklet of messages using their hand and IT skills and our final gift was a Golden envelope! We hope one sunny day in the Summer to celebrate with the great party Father Michael deserves and we look forward to seeing many Young People with us.
More about the Golden Jubilee celebration will be on the parish website by next weekend.
Sue Rix Chair of Pastoral Parish Council.
Catholic Care – Annual Review
Catholic Care’s 2020 annual review has been published, you can read it here. This is Bishop Marcus’ summary of its amazing work.
“Despite all the phenomenal challenges and restrictions of the last year, the leadership, staff and volunteers of Catholic Care have diligently continued to provide an outstanding range of services and support to people of all ages across our Diocese. I am in awe of what has been achieved.
This review will give you a flavour of the diverse projects that Catholic Care has delivered during this pandemic and the help given to improve the quality of life for so many individuals who would otherwise have been isolated or left in desperate emotional or material need.
Truly, Catholic Care has been not only Christ’s hands and feet during this crisis but also an expression of the love of His Most Sacred Heart for all those who are poor, vulnerable, or marginalised. Let us pray that the Lord will continue to bless Catholic Care in the years ahead and protect with his Grace all who support it and benefit from its work.”
Rt Rev Marcus Stock Bishop of Leeds
Fairtrade Fortnight
Fairtrade Fortnight starts on Monday 22nd February. Unfortunately, this year we will not be able to have a stall as we would usually do but can I encourage you to change one of your store cupboard items to Fairtrade, whether it is your tea/coffee, biscuits, honey, rice or toilet roll and there’s more!! This year the focus is Climate Change, and the growing problems this poses to farmers and workers within the Fairtrade community. It is a huge challenge for them and you can find out more on the Fairtrade Foundation website where there are lots of events, activities and resources you can access. (Free Online Festival: Choose The World You Want | Fairtrade Foundation). As always, if you wish to buy any Fairtrade items (food or crafts) then do feel free to contact me and I can come to you. 07811385589. Thank you for your support.
Hilary
World Day of Prayer Service – 5th March 2021
The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical woman led movement. This years’ service, written by women from Vanuatu (a group of islands in the South Pacific) should have been held in the Salem Church.
As we are not able to meet together the Burley/Menston committee have compiled a service on-line. To participate, log onto St Mary’s home page www.burleyparishchurch.org.uk . The service will be on-line from 5th March for a week, but it would be wonderful if as many as possible could access it at 10.30am on the 5th – as part of our wave of prayer. Children’s resources are also available on-line.
Copies of the order of service will distributed by committee members and will be available in St Mary’s church. The service booklet explains more about Vanuatu but it is not essential to follow the on line celebration. We hope as many as possible are able to be part of this service which gives an insight into life in a very different environment.
If you wish to have a service booklet or need any further information please phone Rosalia 01943 864968.
Lenten Activities
It’s always hard to think of things to do for Lent and, if you are struggling, we have attached some ideas for you here. You can cut them up and put them in a jar and draw one out each day or each week. There is something there for everyone. Don’t worry if you can’t achieve them all as long as you are trying and doing something in Lent based on the themes for Lent of prayer, fasting and giving. Remember we also added another one this year, of looking out for each other. Good Luck! Remember to let us know what you are doing and how you are getting on. Send your progress, photos etc to ssfishermore@gmail.com
CAFOD – A special Lenten fast
Give up harsh words: use generous ones.
Give up unhappiness: take up gratitude.
Give up anger: take up gentleness and patience.
Give up pessimism: take up hope and optimism.
Give up worrying: take up trust in God.
Give up complaining: value what you have.
Give up stress: take up prayer.
Give up judging others: discover Jesus within them.
Give up sorrow and bitterness: fill your heart with joy.
Give up selfishness: take up compassion for others.
Give up being unforgiving: learn reconciliation.
Give up words: fill yourself with silence, and listen to others.
Anonymous, Latin America