Thought for the week
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Bishop Richard's Reflection for The Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Bishop Richard's Video Podcast for The Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear brothers and sisters,
This month, October, is the month of the Rosary – a time when we are encouraged to make a particular effort to pray the Rosary each day, at home and in our parish communities. It is a month when our parishes will hold October Devotions, calling us all to seek the intercession of Mary, our Mother, for the needs of the world.
This present time must, surely, call us to prayer – for peace in the world, especially in Ukraine; for our own society in what is a troubled time economically bringing challenges to so many; for vocations to priesthood and diaconate; for vocations to religious life; for vocations to marriage; for loved ones who have died.
This prayer is the foundation for our action – bringing the Gospel to make its impact on the world. This is the Lord’s work, and He calls each one of us to engage in it.
This year, October brings a particular blessing, for the Relics of St Bernadette come to our Diocese. On the 21st October, the visit begins in Woking. The Relics then move to the Cathedral on the 22nd and to Worth Abbey on the 23rd, before leaving the Diocese on the 24th. It is so appropriate that we receive the Relics in this month – for the Rosary is an intrinsic part of the pilgrimage to Lourdes – and Lourdes has a special place in the life of our Diocese.
These three days will enable us to, as it were, experience Lourdes at home, with the Rosary, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, the opportunity for the Sacrament of the Sick, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and the celebration of Mass at these three pilgrimage sites.
I look forward to seeing you all during the course of the visit of St Bernadette’s Relics, and ask you to prepare for these three days by praying the Rosary in this month of October.
With every blessing,
+ Richard
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Bishop Richard's Reflection for the 2nd October 2022 - The Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time