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CHAPLAIN'S MESSAGE: Time for a rest!
In our Gospel this weekend we hear the parable of the Good Samaritan. One of the key features of this story is that when the Priest and then the Levite see the man lying at the side of the road, they rushed past him, whilst the Samaritan traveller, moved with compassion, cared for him and took him to the nearest inn, where he could recover. Many of us today might be like the Priest and Levite, not because we are nasty people, but because we are busy and feel we can't spare the time to stop for too long. London is a busy place; outside the Cathedral we easily get swept up in the crowds hurrying to and from Victoria Station. Everyone is in a rush somewhere for something, with their heads down and a schedule to keep. But in this season of summer and holidays, perhaps this is an important weekend to focus on an important, but far too frequently forgotten teaching of the Church: the importance of rest.
In the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church, there is a section dedicated to 'The dignity of work' and under this a sub-heading 'Rest from work'. This begins:
'Rest from work is a right. As God "rested on the seventh day from all the work which he had done" (Gen 2:2), so too men and women, created in his image, are to enjoy sufficient rest and free time that will allow them to tend to their family, cultural, social and religious life.' (284)
Primarily this points to the sanctity of the Sabbath as a day for resting from work, but it has wider implications. We live in a society where work is seen as a central part of our lives - much of our focus each day is on our work - and becomes something we must do above everything else. But here we need to look at the origins of the word 'work' itself. In the ancient world work was a form of 'non-leisure'. In Greek, the word for leisure is schole, and the word for business ascholia, which is the negative of schole. The same is true in Latin. The word for rest or leisure is otium. Its negative, negotium, means business or work.
In this summer season as things generally get quieter, let us see rest and leisure as a positive thing in our relationship with God and with each other. Let us remember the need to follow the example of God himself, and stop, spending time looking around us, so that like the Good Samaritan we can truly see what is important.
Fr Andrew Gallagher
See also: College of Chaplains
THIS WEEK'S DIARY
Friday	12 July	Feria
09.30	Hinsley Room	Fitness and Coffee Morning
19.00	Cathedral Hall	Charismatic Prayer Group
Saturday	13 July	Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday
10.00	Hinsley Room	Centering Prayer Group
16.00	Lady Chapel	Extraordinary Form Mass
Special Collection at the Vigil Mass: Apostleship of the Sea
Sunday	14 July	15th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Special Collection at all Masses: Apostleship of the Sea
09.30-13.30	Cathedral Hall	SVP Book Sale
13.00	Cathedral	Divine Mercy Prayer Group
16.45	Cathedral	Organ Recital: Michael Butterfield (London)
19.45	The Windsor Castle	Young Adults' Group
Monday	15 July	St Bonaventure, Bishop & Doctor
10.00	Hinsley Room	Mothers and Toddlers Group
11.30	Hinsley Room	Prayer Group
13.30	Clergy House Room 2	Legion of Mary Group 2
18.30	Hinsley Room	Christian Meditation Group
18.30	Cathedral	Guild of the Blessed Sacrament
19.00	Clergy House Room 2	Studying the Catechism Together
Tuesday	16 July	Our Lady of Mount Carmel
18.30	Cathedral	Guild of St Anthony
10.30am Mass cancelled. Confessions 12.15-1.45pm and 5-6pm only.
Thursday	18 July
10.30am Mass cancelled. confession 12.15-1.45pm and 5-6pm only.
18.30	Clergy House Room 2	Legion of Mary
Friday	19 July
Saturday	20 July
14.30	Cathedral	LMS High Mass: Bp Campbell
Sunday	21 July	SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
12.00	Hinsley Room	Catholic Grandparents' Association
14.00	Hinsley Room	Filipino Club
16.45	Cathedral	Organ Recital: Joseph Wicks, Truro Cathedral
VOLUNTEERS FOR THE CARDINAL HUME CENTRE
Cardinal Hume Centre is seeking new volunteers for their Homework Club and After School Clubs for the Autumn Term in September. Clubs are for local, disadvantaged primary school children and involves helping with maths and English and/or playing and supporting children in arts and crafts, cooking and games. Great opportunity for 16 and 17 year olds but all welcome. Email Ioanna at volunteering@cardinalhumecentre.org.uk.
Related links: Email for Cardinal Hume Centre
THE PASSAGE GARDEN PARTY - FRIDAY 19TH JULY
Please support the excellent work which The Passage does for homeless people in Central London, by attending the annual Garden Party in the beautiful and historic College Garden at Westminster Abbey on Friday 19 July, from 6pm to 8pm. Tickets, at £45 each, include wine, soft drinks, buffet supper and live music. Tickets are available online through Eventbrite:
(https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-passage-garden-party-2019-tickets-59008227196)
or from The Passage, St Vincent's Centre, Carlisle Place, London SW1P 1NL. Tel: 020 7592 1856.
Email: tickets@passage.org.uk. It will not be possible to purchase tickets at the Abbey. All proceeds are in aid of The Passage.
Related links: Link for Tickets Email for Tickets
SUMMER EDITION OF OREMUS NOW AVAILABLE
The July and August edition of Oremus, the Cathedral Magazine, is now available for collection from the stand at the back of the Cathedral, with the usual interesting mix of articles, information and images. Oremus is free, but your donations in appreciation of it are much appreciated and assist with the costs of publication. It is also available to read on Issuu. Please see below for the link to access a digital copy.
Related links: Link for Oremus July and August Edition
For parents with children at the end of Year 2 or older, and who would like to make their first communion next year, please collect a form from Clergy House Reception. Details on the course, the expectations of the Cathedral and instructions on returning the forms will be provided with the form.
CATHEDRAL SUMMER FAIR - SATURDAY 3RD AUGUST
Our annual Summer Fair will be held on Saturday, 3 August from 11am to 3pm in Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue. Please save the date and come along and support us. There will be the usual range of stalls selling gifts, jewellery, toys, books and much more. We will also have delicious food provided by our Filipino and Nigerian community among others, so no need to eat before you come! There will be a Pimms stall too and music and dancing displays by members of our popular Filipino Club.
However, in order to help make the event a success and try to raise funds for the Cathedral, we need all of you to help too. You can do this by donating good quality items for us to sell on the stalls such as unwanted or unused Christmas and birthday presents. Homemade jams and preserves, cakes and handicrafts are always popular and sell well. Plus, please do not forget bottles for the tombola stall. Offers of help on the day would be welcome. Donations may be left at Clergy House, 42 Francis Street, for Mary Maxwell. Raffle tickets are now available!
MOTHERS AND TODDLERS GROUP
Croissants and Christianity: coffee morning with faith and fellowship for those with bumps, babies and toddlers. Join us on Monday morning from 10am to 11.30am in the Hinsley Room off Morpeth Terrace. We have a cup of tea and chat while children play, enjoying an opportunity to pray the rosary together, share common concerns and lend each other spiritual support in an informal and friendly context, often benefiting from input from one of the Cathedral priests. It is free and runs during term time and occasionally during school holidays. The Hinsley Room is on the left as you walk down Morpeth Terrace to Francis St, accessed via an iron gate and up a path alongside the little garden.
SUMMER CHARITY TEA DANCE - SUNDAY 18TH AUGUST
The Filipino Club will be holding their Summer Charity Tea Dance on Sunday, 18 August from 2pm to 5pm in Cathedral Hall. There will be dancing all afternoon with light refreshments and a grand raffle draw at the end of the day. Tickets are available at the door. Entrance fee is £5 and Raffle Tickets £1 each. The Club never sells tickets on line so please only buy at the door or from a Club Member. All are welcome.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM - SUNDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER
Once again we will be taking part in the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham. This takes place on Saturday, 21 September. We will be leaving the Cathedral at 6.30am and returning at approximately 7pm. The cost will be £21.00 per adult and £11 per child. To book, please leave the required money, in an envelope clearly marked with your name and contact details, at Clergy House Reception.
AMERICAN FRIENDS
American taxpayers can receive a US income tax deduction for their contributions to support the work and heritage of the Cathedral by directing their contributions to American Friends of Westminster Cathedral, Inc., a non profit 501(c)(3) Organization (EIN # 13-2983174).
They will also enjoy special events and receive newsletters about Cathedral activities. Donations may be made through bequests and charitable trusts.
Contact Ms. Una Chang, President, American Friends of Westminster Cathedral, Inc., P.O. Box 92, New York, New York 10185-0092, e-mail UChang1@aol.com
Related links: Click here for email
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
This takes place in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel every Monday to Friday following the 1.05pm Mass until 4.45pm.
© Westminster Cathedral 2019 Registered Charity Number 233699
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