Newsletter - 29 June 2025
Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
This Sunday, June 29th, we celebrate the feast of these two apostles. Each is deserving of his own feast day, but by a long-standing tradition, Peter and Paul are commemorated together. In the 4th century, St Augustine noted: “both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one.” At first glance, the two appear to be very different – Peter, a fisherman, Paul, a learned Pharisee; Peter, the Church’s founder among Jewish disciples, Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. On at least one occasion, they strongly opposed each other. At moments both fell far short of their apostolic vocation - Peter denied Jesus three times, Paul, before his conversion, persecuted the church. In what sense then are the two “one”? And why is this “oneness” of such significance for the church? Three moments in their lives bound them together in an inseparable unity.
1) both were called by Jesus and experienced a major conversion of life signified by receiving a new name – Jesus renamed Simon as Peter, the rock; Saul, the persecutor of Christians, became Paul, which means “small” or “humble.” Both left an old life – Peter, his boat and nets; Paul, the circle of Pharisees - for a new life with Jesus
2) both were sent to proclaim the gospel – Peter to the people of Isreal; Paul to the Gentiles. Both were apostles, which means “those who are sent,” authorized by Jesus to take the Gospel to the world – Peter during Jesus own lifetime; Paul by his encounter with the risen Jesus.
3) both gave their lives as martyrs in Rome during the persecutions of the emperor Nero some time between the years 63 and 67. Martyr” means “witness.” It was by their common witness that Peter and Paul are regarded as co-founders of the church in Rome, the mother of all churches throughout the world.
It was by this common call to apostleship and martyrdom that the two became a symbol of the unity that makes the church one, despite its diversity and even its numerous disputes and divisions. Pope Benedict says Peter and Paul are inseparable because “together, they represent the whole Gospel of Christ.” The heart of the Gospel, to which these two men gave such enduring witness, is that in Christ we find unity. As St Paul so clearly put it “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28).
Ted Wood ccn
Focus of the week
Parish Summer Celebration
Sunday 6 July – 12.15 – 3pm
Parishioners are welcome to come along for a Thank You and Farewell Presentation to Ted & Nancy.
This will be followed by a ‘Bring and Share’ Buffet in the hall.
Please bring your donations of food to the small hall between 10.30am – 12.30pm
For allergy considerations it is kindly asked that Nuts and Sesame are omitted from your recipes. Thank you.
Please sign up on the "Helpers List" in the entrance hall if you can spare a couple of hours to help out. Thank you.
Beverages will be served throughout the afternoon.
An opportunity for everyone to get together with fun activities for the children.
No 11am Mass on Saturday 28 June
There will be no 11.00am Mass this Saturday 28 June.
All are welcome to attend the ordination to the priesthood of Deacon Sean Power, from Potters Bar. This will take place at 10.30am in Westminster Cathedral.