OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE

Much of the spiritual life, and therefore real life, is to do with right desire. We can be dictated to by our desire, which may lead us away from God and into conflict with others, or we can (as our first reading at Mass declares) make a right choice by having a right desire. In our freedom we can exercise choice, to do the right thing or the wrong thing. Our freedom may be impaired or restricted by any number of things - addiction, habit, ignorance, coercion or force to name a few. To have true freedom and right desire is our life's work and so that we might keep the commandments of God. The same commandments can either be a springboard into freedom or the limits of wrongdoing. Jesus, who is the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets, comes not to set us free from the commandments but to liberate us from the consequences of breaking them. He enables us to keep them and more. Not to be limited by them but to keep them and go beyond them - in spirit. Jesus makes us truly free so that we may want the right desire, which is to be like Him and with Him. This journey of self-discovery is part of our Lenten journey that brings us to deeper knowledge of God by knowing Jesus and spending more time with Him, that He might minister to us more deeply and heal us from old wounds. Our healing gives us freedom from where we can make a choice, a desire to love Him more. With my prayer for you for a blessed Lent. May God bless you.  Fr Graham

When we celebrate Mass, we are united with the worship of Heaven.  We join the angels and saints around the altar of the "Lamb of God." We end the Preface (the first part of the Eucharistic Prayer) with the Sanctus: "Holy, Holy, Holy" - the hymn of the angels. We include the names of our parish patron saints (St Peter, Saint Cuthman and Blessed Peter Vigne) or the saint of the day in the prayers after the Consecration as they join us in adoring Jesus present on the altar.

“Come to my café to support St Peter’s Catholic Primary School. There will be cakes, biscuits, and a bunch of different drinks. The date is 15th February and the time is 12pm in the Cuthman Room next to CTK”.

We have not started Lent yet, but we are in the Sundays before Ash Wednesday, and the readings are preparing us for the season. Isaiah echoes the voice of God when he tells us the sort of fast that God wants and is most effective for prayer. Fasting strengthens prayer. Justice and mercy are the fruits of fasting. A fast or Lenten discipline is not for us, to make us feel better, but for others. Then our souls will have been cleansed in the sight of God as "love cancels out many sins." Food for thought as we prepare for our observance. Just as pilgrims in Lourdes hold up their lighted candles in procession, we are invited to be open about our faith and emit the light of Christ around us. Not to be intimidated by what people might think of us. We are preparing to allow our souls to be illuminated and to increase in lumens. We will try to keep Lent so that we will not be part of the crowd and be bland or anonymous but seasoned with the Spirit that our souls may be appealing to a lost world. To stand out and offer hope to those disillusioned by the falseness and deceit of power. Jesus shows us true power in His weakness. We do not rely upon our own strength or wisdom but upon our weakness in the presence of the crucified Christ. May God complete that good work that He has inspired and begun in us through the Holy Spirit. With my daily prayer for you. May God bless you.  Fr Graham

It is not too early to think about Lent. The three Sundays before Lent begins have traditionally been a time of preparing for the Lenten fast. To ease us into the season gently. Septuagesima, Sexagesima and Quinquagesima are Sundays that mark roughly 70, 60 and 50 days before Easter. It is a good practice to continue at least to begin to think about what our Lenten fast or rule might look like. Don't wait until Ash Wednesday. It might help to look at what the Church has done through the ages: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We will have opportunities and resources available. We can find support with shared endeavours especially if we are struggling. The purpose is to grow closer to the Lord as a disciple and a parish, not closer to self. Prayer is not always words, fasting is not always food and alms is not always money.  Remember the Lord looks at the heart.

We are honoured to be the first parish in 2026 to host a visit of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, along with the Relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco. This is a wonderful opportunity to have an insight into Fatima. There will be mass, rosary, meditation, confessions, divine mercy, films and items to buy. 9.45am until 4.45pm (please bring a packed lunch; tea & coffee will be available). To learn more, email: patsydaniels@gmail.com , or see poster/flyers in the porch.

"What do you want to do when you grow up?" A question often asked of children or young students. A list of jobs or careers may ensue. Education ceases to be whole if its framework is focussed upon employment. Perhaps an alternative question might ask: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Who we are is the foundation of what we do. How would we answer this latter question? The readings today give an insight to what God calls us to be. Jesus describes the attributes of the Kingdom of God in the Beatitudes: meekness, righteousness, purity, peace, mercy. It is difficult to live this way in our modern society with worldly standards. It will lead to persecution. History shows us that Jesus was right and still is. It is necessary to hide in Him when all around us seems angry. God sees who we are. He knows not only what we are like as a human race and a Church but also our individual traits and weaknesses. He died to remedy them. But He also knows our God given gifts and graces received. He gives them to us through nature and the Holy Spirit. The reality is that we only know ourselves by seeing ourselves in relation to God in Jesus. How important it is then that we "Seek the Lord" with all our heart as if our life depends on it - because it does. So, what is a good answer to the better question? What do we want to be when we grow up? Humble. With my prayer. May God bless you.  Fr Graham

People have a Mass said for someone as a powerful form of prayer, offering the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for a specific intention, whether for the deceased (for their soul's purification in purgatory), the living (for healing, birthdays, anniversaries, or general well-being), or in thanksgiving, serving as a deep spiritual gift and expression of love for both the living and departed. What is the significance?  Most Perfect Prayer: The Catholic Church considers the Mass the highest and most powerful form of prayer, uniting believers with Christ’s sacrifice.  Act of Love: Requesting a Mass is seen as a profound gift, offering spiritual benefits beyond measure.  Universal Application: Masses can be offered for anyone, living or dead, Catholic or non-Catholic, and for any worthy cause. Speak to Fr Graham or Antonia in the office if you would like to have a mass said. You can also read more here: The Greatest Gift.

The Bible Group meet on Saturday mornings at St Peter’s (on weeks when there is a 10.00am mass). We are currently watching a new set of programmes set in the Holy Land with a new positive take on Christology. This will take us through Lent onto Easter and the last film called the Resurrection. All are welcome, whether you have been before or not.