Living Theology Summer School at Loreto, Llandudno, 28th to 30th June 2024

Come and hear a wonderful range of speakers at the annual Living Theology Summer School – set in the beautiful coastal location of Llandudno!

Message sent on behalf of Sr Eva Bem IBVM

Living Theology has been organised by Jesuits and their associates in venues across the country for over 50 years. The courses continue to provide opportunities for Christians of all denominations to deepen their understanding of the Christian faith, and develop their personal reflection on Christian living and belief. No prior theological knowledge is required, just an open mind and willingness to engage! Please see the attached flyer and booking form for more details.

Friday 28th June – Sunday 30^th June 2024

Loreto Centre, Abbey Road, Llandudno LL30 2EL

Keynote Speaker:

Karen Eliasen: Old Testament Listening Ideals

With a choice of workshops led by:

Fr Michael Barnes SJ: God East and West

Ethna Regan CHF: Liberation Theology: Origins and Enduring Relevance

Josette Zammit-Mangion IBVM: ‘Who do you say that I am?’ Exploring New Testament Christologies

For more information, please see http://www.loretocentre.org.uk email loretocentre@yahoo.co.uk or call the Loreto Centre on 01492 878031

lt-24-brochureDownload

lt-24-booking-formDownload

living-theology-loreto-llandudnoDownload

An Advent invitation from St Beuno’s Outreach

‘Longing for light, we wait in darkness’

Come and join St Beuno’s Outreach by Zoom on Sunday 10 December 2023 at 7-8.30 pm (UK time) for our Advent presentation, ‘Longing for light, we wait in darkness‘. This is a chance to reflect and pray quietly together as we patiently watch and wait, preparing to celebrate Jesus’s coming into the world. Please email stbeunosoutreach@beunos.com for the Zoom link. All are most warmly welcome.

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 19th November 2023

‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’

The readings in this final week of Ordinary Time, Year A, remind us again of the need to be always prepared for the coming of Christ by the way we live our lives.

In the First Reading, the writer extols the virtues of the perfect wife. Although using language which reflects the practice and culture of biblical times, the passage speaks powerfully of the value and dignity of manual work, the importance of charity, and respect for all, whatever their role in life.

The Psalm speaks again of the dignity of work, of being self-sufficient, providing for one’s family, and living in awe of the Lord.

St Paul reminds us in the Second Reading that if we live our lives in the light of Christ, we have no need to fear the coming of the reign of God.

In the Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the talents to show the importance of making best use of what we have been given for the benefit of others.

This week, we might pray for those who struggle to realise where their own talents lie, and those who lack the opportunity to be recognised, valued and celebrated. We also continue to pray for peace across the world.

prego-sunday-33-ota-2023-1Download

prego-plus-33rd-sunday-ota-2023Download

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 12th November 2023

‘He is here!’

Running throughout the readings this Sunday are themes of longing, seeking, and purposeful attentiveness. We are encouraged to remain alert to the presence of the Lord, who comes to us in every moment, and to be ready to welcome his second coming.

The First Reading describes how the spirit of Wisdom is eager to enter into our lives. She is always close by, sitting at our gates, waiting for us to greet her, so that she may richly bless our lives.

Today’s Psalm is a joyful prayer of desire for the Lord. The love of the Lord is better than life itself, and those who seek the Lord will be filled forever, as with a banquet.

In the Second Reading, the Christian community is reassured that our hope in the resurrection is not in vain. The longing and desire that we feel for God will be fulfilled both in life and in death.

Jesus uses a cautionary yet humorous parable to stress the importance of remaining prepared and hopeful for the coming of the Lord into our lives (Gospel). We are all invited to the banquet of the Lord, and yet we can become complacent about the abundant richness that our faith can bring. God is here with us now, but sometimes we may not be ready or do not have the light to see his presence amongst us.

This week, let us pray for a spirit of hopeful, joyful longing for the Lord, so that we may be fully ready to greet him when he comes into our life. We also continue to pray for peace and justice across our suffering world.

prego-sunday-32-ota-2023Download

prego-plus-32nd-sunday-ota-2023Download

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 5th November 2023

‘Did not one God create us?’

In our readings today, we hear how easy it is for human pride and laxity to diminish or even falsify God’s message. Instead, let us follow the invitation to honour God in humility, sincerity and truth.

In the First Reading, the prophet Malachi does not mince his words.
His message is hard-hitting: the priests are reproached for their spiritual negligence and failure to instruct the people properly, as well as for their half-hearted service of God.

Religious leaders are also criticised in the Gospel. Jesus castigates their hypocrisy: they are more concerned with drawing attention to themselves and exploiting their social position, rather than committing themselves to the message they preach. This type of self-aggrandisement and pride is the exact opposite of what the followers of Jesus should aspire to. Jesus himself is our role model: he teaches us that the route to leadership is through service of God in all things.

In contrast, the Second Reading presents Paul as a truly devoted pastor: enthusiastic, hard-working, full of love for his people; endlessly sharing the living word of God with this community. 

To follow Christ is to serve him humbly; and humility, together with complete trust in God, is the theme of today’s Psalm.

Let us pray this week: Lord God, you are both Father and Mother to us. We beg you: help us to be sincere and joyful in our practice of faith and prayer; to serve you in our daily lives; and to be even more alert and awake to your presence in nature all around us. We also pray with all our hearts for that peace which this world cannot give.

prego-sunday-31-ota-2023Download

prego-plus-31st-sunday-ota-2023Download

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 29th October 2023

‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind’

The readings for this week invite us to consider how to live as followers of Jesus in our communities and in our world. 

In the First Reading, God speaks to the people of Israel about how they should treat the oppressed and down-trodden, in order to please God.

The Psalm reminds us that we can only live the lives that God wants by relying on him: he is our rock, our strength, our saviour, our mighty help.

St Paul writes to the Thessalonians that we should all be imitators of the Lord, in the joy of the Holy Spirit (Second Reading).

In the Gospel, Jesus asks us to express the love of God that fills our hearts, our souls and our minds, by treating others as we would want to be treated ourselves. We find in others the image of the God who is love.

This week, we pray for and with our sisters and brothers in so many parts of the world who yearn for peace and justice. We ask especially that God will help us to grow in love of him and of one another, and that we might more and more recognise Christ Jesus in our midst, especially in those who are suffering.

prego-sunday-30-ota-2023Download

prego-plus-30th-sunday-ota-2023Download

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 22nd October 2023

‘Give to God what belongs to God’

Today’s readings concentrate on God as ruler over all the world.

The First Reading teaches us about the relationship between God and Cyrus, one of the most powerful earthly rulers. Even though Cyrus did not know God, God works through him, giving Cyrus all that he needs to help accomplish God’s plans.

The Psalmist calls us to speak of the Lord’s greatness and glory throughout the world, and to pay him worship and honour.

In the Second Reading, St Paul gives thanks to God and prays for the Christian community in Thessalonica. Chosen and loved by God, the community – aided by the power of the Holy Spirit, and strengthened by its faith and hope in God – continues in its work.

The Gospel message is that we belong completely to God and are therefore called to offer God our entire selves. Jesus is aware that the Pharisees and Herodians are trying to trip him up when they ask if Jewish people should pay taxes to the Romans. Although he confirms that this is reasonable, at the same time he also affirms that our first duty is to serve God, and to give God what is due.

This week, maybe we can pray for the rulers and leaders of our world, particularly during these difficult times. We ask that God will work through them towards justice and peace. We pray too that the Holy Spirit will guide each of us in how we can serve God best.

prego-sunday-29-ota-2023Download

prego-plus-29th-sunday-ota-2023Download

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 15th October 2023

‘I have my banquet all prepared. Come to the wedding!’

As the end of the liturgical year gradually approaches, the readings begin to focus on the kingdom of heaven and the era beyond the end of time. This week, both the First Reading and the Gospel invite us to think of sharing in the great feast that God prepares for us.

Isaiah explains how the Lord is preparing a banquet to which everyone will be welcome. There will be no more suffering or death. (First Reading)

In contrast, the Gospel parable speaks of guests who are invited by the king to a great wedding feast, but fail to attend. As a result, the king gets his servants to ask everyone they can find, good and bad alike, to replace those who have made excuses.

The Psalm reminds us that the Lord will see to all our needs so that we shall not want.

In the Second Reading, Paul writes to the Christian community in Philippi. Despite imprisonment and a probable death sentence, Paul has achieved a calm and accepting attitude to life through total trust and faith in the Lord.

This week, we might want to reflect on the way we respond when the Lord invites us to join him, and how we treat his messengers. In turn, perhaps we might feel called to invite those who seem to have been left by the wayside … good or bad.

prego-sunday-28-ota-2023Download

prego-plus-28th-sunday-ota-2023Download

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 8th October 2023

‘The Vineyard of the Lord is the House of Israel’

The image of the people of God as a vineyard is familiar in the Scriptures. We can rejoice in seeing the Church as the vineyard of the Lord, but we also need to respond to God’s gifts and use them well.

In Isaiah’s ‘Song of the Vineyard’, God has made the people of Israel his vineyard (First Reading). He lovingly cares for it, but sadly the people fail to respond.

The Psalm picks up the same theme. It is an appeal to God to turn again and visit the vine he has planted.

The vineyard appears in the Gospel too, but here the tenants are reproached. Not only are they not profitable, but they murder the owner’s son.

St Paul writes that the peace of God is ours if we can only trust in him (Second Reading). We are to pursue all that is good and pure, and produce the fruit worthy of the Lord.

This week, may we be full of thanksgiving for all that we have received, and always turn to the Lord in prayer.

prego-sunday-27-ota-2023Download

prego-plus-27th-sunday-ota-2023Download

Twenty-sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A, 1st October 2023

Christ obedient unto death

This week’s readings call us to turn to the Lord, modelling our actions and words on Christ Jesus.

The First Reading, from the prophet Ezekiel, gives hope. Those who think better of their situation and renounce it are given life.

The Psalm reveals the heartfelt prayer of someone turning away from their sin and embracing the gift of new life.

The apostle Paul shows what it is to give up sin and take on the mind of Christ (Second Reading). The Church at Philippi was on the whole a source of joy for Paul, but here he appeals for greater unity. This is reached only by imitating the humility of Christ, who became obedient even unto death. Out of love for us, Christ even gives up his divinity, freely and without reservation. 

Amidst growing tension following the overturning of the money changers’ tables in the Temple, the religious leaders confront Jesus, demanding to know the source of his authority. Jesus tells the parable of the two sons, and poses a question, causing the chief priests to reflect on the difference between putting self or others first.  By answering correctly, thereby aligning themselves to the boy who said he would do his Father’s will but then doesn’t, they convict themselves (Gospel).

This week, let us keep close to Christ, who obeyed the Father perfectly in word and deed.  And let us remember that it is never too late for us to turn to God and follow God’s will.

prego-sunday-26-ota-2023Download

prego-plus-26th-sunday-ota-2023Download