Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of Blessed Virgin Mary

19th March 2023Mrs D Curtis
Saint Joseph was by birth of the royal family of David, but was living in humble obscurity as a carpenter when God raised him to the highest sanctity, and fitted him to be the spouse of His Virgin Mother, and foster-father and guardian of the Incarnate Word, Jesus. The Gospels tell us that Joseph was a “just” man. He was faithful to God and said yes to God’s plan for him to be Mary’s husband and Jesus’ foster father. He was faithful to Jesus, protecting him when he learned of King Herod’s plan to kill him and, when danger passed, helping Mary to raise Jesus with love in the small town of Nazareth.
Like Saint Joseph we must follow God’s plan for us. We must think well of others and have clean and positive thoughts. Bearing no malice or grudges against others. With a pure and trusting heart, God will help us to achieve our potential and guide us in our path.
Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God – Matthew 5:8
Saint Joseph – Pray for us

Today we celebrate Mothering Sunday

19th March 2023Mrs D Curtis
Mothering Sunday is a day of reflection and celebration. It is an important day where we return to our mother church and reflect on the healing nature the church provides for us. This day is also a celebration of our mothers and those who are like mothers, who have nurtured us. There is remembrance for those mother figures we have lost, through all means, and a thought to those who never had a positive relationship with their mothers. Let us be comforted by our heavenly mother, the Blessed Mary, and let her holy guidance move us through this day.
We are all part of God’s family and we have a responsibility to help others achieve their full potential. Like a mother, let us nurture and guide those who need it to become the best they can become. This day may you be compassionate to those in need, whether that be those without mothers or mothers without children. Check in on those who are alone this Mothering Sunday, spend time with them and let them know their value.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness – Proverbs 31:26-27

Today we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Lent

19th March 2023Mrs D Curtis
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.
– John 9:1
After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
His neighbours and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was.
Others say, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”
– John 9:6-9
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”
Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”
But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.
Then they turned again to te blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.”
The man replied, “He is a prophet.”
– John 9:13-17
To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
– John 9:34
Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him.
– John 9:38

Red Nose Day

17th March 2023Mrs D Curtis
Red Nose Day is a day of raising awareness of and putting an end to child poverty. We should prioritise these children as they are vulnerable to injustice. They are people created in God’s image and their life is sacred as is all human life.
Acts of compassion fuel our drive to help others. We should give to charity and defend those who need it. Red Nose Day encourages this compassion to raise funds for children in poverty. It is just that we defend these children and continue to campaign for a fair world and human rights. This combination of compassion and justice will make a difference to the world and the children struggling to grow up in it.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you – Matthew 7:12

Today we celebrate St Patrick’s Day

17th March 2023Mrs D Curtis
Saint Patrick of Ireland is one of the world’s most popular saints. He was born in Roman Britain and when he was fourteen or so, he was captured by Irish pirates during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. At the time, Ireland was a land of Druids and pagans but Patrick turned to God and wrote his memoir The Confession. In this, he wrote: “The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was roused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same. I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain.”
Saint Patrick’s participation within the teachings of God shaped his life in a difficult time and new land. As we also participate in God’s teachings let us act faithfully. We must love the world but let God be first. We must be constant in our love for God and others. We must communicate with God frequently. We must find time for reflection and to reconcile with God when we have done wrong.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me – Psalms 51:10
St Patrick – Pray for us

Today is Young Carers Action Day

15th March 2023Mrs D Curtis
Young Carers Action Day does more than raise awareness about the lives of young carers, it encourages action to be done to improve the livelihoods of young carers.  By looking past our own personal interests to those of others we are able to work towards the common good. This will help us to work towards changes to improve the lives of young carers and see what they need to help make things easier for them. Everyone should be able to participate in the decisions that affect their own lives. Due to their increased responsibility for those they care for, young carers may be limited in the life decisions they can make, such as moving away for university or attending after school classes to help with exams. Action to provide young carers with spaces designed to support them will not only allow them to make life decisions for themselves but also gives them an opportunity to be with a group of people that understand their life.
Young carers sacrifice a lot to help their loved ones in need. By acting we can help and support them through this. If we too put ourselves out to help others and act as Jesus would, society would be a kinder place for all. We can use our talents to help others and small acts of kindness can make a huge difference. Voluntary work at an organisation that supports young carers can help them to take time for themselves that they may not have otherwise. It may be a small act for one person but it can make a huge difference to a young person.
No greater love a man can have than to lay down his life for his friends – John 15:13

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

13th March 2023Mrs D Curtis
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is all about acceptance and celebration of difference. Each person exists in their own way. Being neurodiverse allows a person to perceive the world in a unique way. The talents and strengths neurodiverse individuals have should be celebrated by all. We are all part of one human family and we have a responsibility to help each person achieve their full potential. The loving acts that come with celebration allow us to glimpse God and understand how we can support and rejoice in one another’s joy.
This is a new commandment; love one another as I have loved you – John 13:34

Dementia Awareness Week

13th March 2023Mrs D Curtis
This week let us use our talents to help others. Small acts of kindness such as giving time to those who need it are important for all of us. These acts support the wellbeing of the vulnerable and acknowledge human dignity that all people possess. When we see the needs of others, we can defend those who need it, give charity and talk to those with no one to talk to.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient and bearing with one another in love”
– Ephesians 4:2

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of St John of God

8th March 2023Mrs D Curtis

St John of God was born in 1495 in Granada, Spain. He was a successful farmer, soldier, and merchant before he devoted his life to God at the age of 42. He founded the order of Brothers Hospiallers who devoted themselves to the service of the poor in body and soul. He is patron saint of booksellers, heart patients, hospitals, nurses, the sick, and firefighters.