Xaverian Missionaries: Preston
“Making the World a Single Family"
News posts other than Sunday Reflections
You all know how it is necessary to take a break from time to time?
Well, that time has come for me. I am going off, with my camping gear on a 600 mile cycling adventure.
It is not clear how long the ride will take but it is clear that it will be awkward to update the website using a mobile from the very tiny tent.
Back soon….
Although some of the group are on holiday, a good few met virtually to share their thoughts on the Gospel.
Read what they came up with here.
Apologies to those who tried to open the video in the reflection on Trinity Sunday. I have now updated the link. To see the video please go here.
With the good news of vaccine coverage and the hope that restrictions will be lifted towards the end of June, I thought it would be a good idea to update you on the Centre here on Sharoe Green Lane. So far, most of the community have received doth doses of a Covid vaccine and we are in good physical and mental health. However, with regard to the opening of the Centre, the community have some hesitancy, at this moment.
As you know, at present The Centre is closed to groups and currently there have been a few enquiries for bookings. From a financial point of view, the past year has been a challenge, with no income from the Centre and our other usual sources, but on going costs for maintenance and upkeep have had to be covered.
If The Centre re-opens in the near future, it is the fear of the community that we will not have enough bookings to cover the cost of bringing staff back from furlough. There is also the uncertainty about guidance for groups and how this will impact on the various groups that use the Centre. The summer is also a time when our bookings are fewest.
As a community, we feel that it would be prudent to remain closed while the furlough scheme is in place until September. We are taking a cautious approach both here in Preston and in Coatbridge and hope to have further news at the end of this summer.
I realise that this is not the news you wished to read, and it is not the news that we Xaverians wished to share. Our hope is that you keep us in your prayers as we reflect on the presence here in Preston as we pray for those who have been our supporters and friends in these past years. We also hope to take this opportunity to visit friends now that restrictions have been eased.
Yours
Patrick Duffy, sx on behalf of the Community
Our Lectio Divina group met this Friday on Zoom to look at the readings for the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity Year B.
Mt 28:16-20 Baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
You can read the thoughts they have kindly shared with us here.
A rather depleted group met on Zoom on Wednesday 26th May to discuss the works of DH. Lawrence. You can read the pieces here.
We yearn to return to our social meetings at the Xaverian Spirituality Centre.
We will meet on the 23rd June to discuss ” Boy” by Roald Dahl.
Enjoy the sunny weekend.
Regards Mike
A reminder that we meet by Zoom next Wednesday 26th May at 1.30 to discuss the works of DH Lawrence.
You can select either a poem or an extract of a story.
If you let me have your selection for Tuesday evening I can collate them ready for our discussion.
New members are always welcome. For details on how to join the club please click here and fill in the form at the bottom of the page.
Our Lectio Group have been looking over the Gospel for Pentecost. You can read the thoughts they kindly share with us here.
In addition one of the group has shared this with us.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit of God, we commit ourselves to take up more fully the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ entrusted to us at baptism.
We reject everything to do with self-indulgence and narrow self-interest.
We commit ourselves to the destruction of poverty, injustice, fear, suffering and isolation.
We commit ourselves to witness Christ in every moment and every aspect of our lives by living in hope, trust, confidence, gentleness and self-control.
This way the Spirit will be our life, and we will fulfil our mission of service in our world.
Filled with the Holy Spirit we will grow in love for each other, in wisdom, courage, knowledge, perseverance, understanding, perception and in wonder at God’s presence and action in the world.
May God, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to fulfilment through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
This Friday our Lectio Group met as normal on Zoom and took the Gospel for this coming Sunday, the 7th Sunday in Easter Year B.
John 17:11-19 That they may be one like us!.
Have a look at the thoughts they have shared with us.
PS: The Solemnity of The Ascension of the Lord was on Thursday for Catholics, while on Sunday the 16th it will be the 7th Sunday of Easter.
If anybody that wants to try the Gospel for Solemnity of The Ascension, it is: Mark 16:15-20 He was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place.
Our faithful and thoughtful Lectio Group have been looking over the Gospel for the 6th Sunday in Easter Year B.
Jn 15:9-17 A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.
You can read their reflections here. See how scripture speaks to people in their context.