Newsletter - October 25th
Timothy
Good news! Registrations for the Timothy+ weekend, taking place on 5–6 December, are now open! But do you know where the name comes from?
Timothy was one of St Paul’s companions and is mentioned in 10 of the apostle’s 13 letters. He was a young man with strengths and weaknesses, and we may find that we can relate to him in many ways.
We know that he came from a mixed Greek-Jewish background by his parents. He seems to have suffered from stomach problems - but more importantly, he found himself caught between two roles: being one of St Paul’s closest co-workers and a newly appointed leader in the Church, all while having a great need for support himself.
In his Second Letter to Timothy, St Paul writes from prison in Rome, towards the end of his life. He urges Timothy not to be ashamed of him, to remain faithful to his calling as a disciple of Jesus, and to guard against the influence of false teachers. He encourages him to remain rooted in the life of Jesus and in the Scriptures, so that he can bear witness to the truth that Jesus’ resurrection is not merely an event in the past, but a living reality that continues to transform the world.
We can see here the opening of a new chapter in the history of the Church, as leadership passes from the first generation to a new generation of disciples. Timothy was not Paul, and he did not have the same stature or gifts. He was not perfect, exceptionally wise or particularly experienced, and he was not immune to temptation. Yet Jesus had called him, and he was willing to make himself available for the work of the Kingdom. God loved him and worked through him just as he was, helping him through St Paul’s words and example.
So, if we feel that God may be calling us today to know Him more deeply, to serve Him in a new way or to follow Him more closely, just as we are, perhaps we too could follow Timothy’s path through Scripture study, teaching, prayer and community life experiences.
That is what the Timothy+ weekends are all about! You can come as a family, as a couple or on your own. Whatmatters most is the desire to “rekindle the gift of God that is within you” (2 Timothy 1:6).
Anne-Charlotte Rambaud
Focus of the week
Parish 90th Anniversary celebration
Saturday 21 November
The celebration will begin with 5.30pm Vigil Mass.
We will then have a toast in the hall followed by an evening of musical entertainment.
Feel free to drop in anytime or stay for the whole evening.
The small hall will offer a calmer space.
Light refreshments will be available.
Notices of the Week
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