Parish News

Our church offertory income consists of monthly standing orders, cash in numbered envelopes, and cash handed in at the collection during mass. All cash received is counted after the 10.30 Sunday mass and taken to the bank. Cash will always be an available option for making contributions, but it would be very helpful if those who can do so move to setting up a monthly standing order instead of using cash . If you donate using either a standing order or cash in numbered envelopes, and are paying UK income tax , as the church is a charity we are able to claim gift aid income from the government at no cost to you . All that is needed is the completion of a gift aid declaration. Please consider completing a declaration if you haven't already done so. Standing order and gift aid forms are available at the back of church on your way out and someone will be there to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your support in supporting our wonderful parish.  Fr Chris

These are a series of workshops where you learn to pray and you learn to live, they are every Thursday in the meeting room at St Urban’s from 7:00pm to 9:00pm (please note the new time) . For more information see www.tovpil.org or contact Vincenzo on 07367150001, Solange on 07446004352 , or Francis on 07940856029.

You are invited to our Harvest Festival Shared Lunch on Sunday 14th September in the meeting room at St Urban’s at 12 noon. Everyone is welcome regardless of what Sunday Mass you attend. Those who come are encouraged to bring food to share with other s. There is no list of what to bring but it always works out well with a very varied selection of food, and there is no obligation to bring food as there is always more than enough to share both savoury and sweet. If you can bring your own crockery this would be helpful as we only have a small amount. We welcome anyone who would like to volunteer to help organise this – even if you can just help setting up or clearing away. There is a sign-up sheet at the back of both churches , thank you to those who have already volunteered.

Our first draw is this week . The 200 Club raises money towards the upkeep of both of our churches. It costs £10 for a 10-week session. The prizes are £30 and £20 each week, and, for the final draw on week 10, the prizes will be £100 and 2 x £50 prizes. There are plenty of spare numbers and it is not too late to sign up. The chances of winning are very high and it is a great way to support the parish.

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 .

Bishop Marcus will confer the sacrament of Confirmation in our Deanery on the 25th of November with the venue to be confirmed. As usual preparation for the sacrament for year 6 children will take place in our schools. There may be children who do not attend our schools who have already made their first reconciliation and communion who also need confirmation. If you know of anyone in this position, please do get in touch with me this week. Thank you. Fr Chris

GETTING TO KNOW YOU: We meet at the Meanwood Tavern for a drink and some pizza. It's a great opportunity to meet new people in the parish and catch up with others. We walk up after Tuesday evening Mass, or you can meet us there at around 7.45pm. For any questions, or to join the WhatsApp group for reminders, please get in touch with Joaquim Messa on 07454 678034  or Sarah Messa on 07952723416.

WELCOME BACK to those of you have been away during the summer break. I hope that you all had a good and relaxing time. Our schools and colleges started their new year last week and I want to assure you of my daily prayer for the needs of their children  and young people, also their families and staff. I look forward to catching up with you concerning your summer adventures. God bless you all. Fr Chris

We are all born with free will through which we make decisions. The life of faith is also the life of reason; free will, faith and reason, all are gifts from God. Throughout history every human being has been invited, in one way or another, to choose, to decide to have a relationship with God. We are the living stones that come together to make God’s house, one people all in different ways sharing the ministry of Jesus of priest, prophet and king. We follow what the ancient Romans called the “cursus honorum”, a way of honour, in our case the way to eternal life. In inviting people to follow him Jesus is always totally, even painfully, truthful and honest about what this involves. In this Sunday's gospel he cannot be clearer about the price of discipleship. It is a hard and stark message. Discipleship means giving to God our first loyalty. Jesus, as he often does, exaggerates to make a point, to make an impact, to make us stop and think. Today he says that to be a follower we must reject even hate what is closest to us. But Jesus’ way is the way of love, not hatred. There is no place for hatred in his teaching. The term “hate” in the gospel in its original context means to “love less”. Jesus means that the love that his follower will have for God will be so great that all earthly loves will in some way pale by comparison. This the way of honour is not an easy path, or a triumphal procession as in ancient Rome, but it is the way of the cross. In Jesus’ time the cross was the ultimate in pain, degradation and humiliation. Despite what we see in images of the crucifixion, people were often left literally naked on the cross, which was especially humiliating to Jews. Given this, associating the cross with discipleship would have been deeply shocking to Jesus’ listeners and it still unsettling for us. Very few of us invite the burden of the cross into our lives, but cross-bearing is the essence of discipleship. In my own life I have seen how a cross can positively transform a person in their life of faith and in some mysterious way draw a person, and those around them, into a deeper intimacy with God. Jesus does not want us to be deceived or for us to deceive ourselves about discipleship. Jesus does not want followers who rush into things without thinking about what is involved. Witnessing to Jesus by our words and actions in the world is not easy, we need God's help. Jesus is always with us he has already saved the world by his life death and resurrection; his very name means “the one who saves” and he will save us, save you, too. Stay close to Jesus in the life of faith; nothing can separate you from the love of God except yourself. As always please be assured of my daily prayers for your needs and intentions. Fr Chris