Tag: euthanasia

Advent 2024

Commencing in October we have been bombarded with statements such as “This is…” This may be described as ADVERTS. On the other hand, what we now experience is a time of patient  and hopeful waiting to prepare for the main event – the The Birth of The Promised One and our celebration of that great moment, – called ADVENT.

This is marked by different signs – purple vestments, a new liturgical year with St Luke’s Gospel -Year C-the lighting of an Advent candle , some restraint,-no Gloria – and the opening of the new Lectionary to listen to the Prophets telling us of a Saviour, judging the “signs of the times”, we are encouraged to “straighten up, raise our heads, because your redemption is near at hand!”

The Assisted Dying Bill (Second Reading)

Thank you for making your views known . Before it can become Law there will be further opportunities to express belief in the value and dignity of human life.

Statement from the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales

Following the decision of MPs to vote in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at the Second Reading today (29 November), Bishop John Sherrington, Lead Bishop for Life Issues, said:

“We are disappointed that MPs have voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill progressing through parliament. We believe that this bill is flawed in principle and also contains particular clauses that are of concern. We ask the Catholic community to pray that members of parliament will have the wisdom to reject this bill at a later stage in its progress.

“In addition to being opposed to the principle of assisted suicide, we are particularly concerned with clauses in the bill that prevent doctors from properly exercising conscientious objection, provide inadequate protection to hospices and care homes that do not wish to participate in assisted suicide and allow doctors to initiate conversations about assisted suicide. We ask that these voices be heard in the next stages of the Bill to strengthen the deep concerns about this proposed legislation.

“We have expressed the view, during this debate, that genuine compassion involves walking with those who need care, especially during sickness, disability and old age. The vocation to care is at the heart of the lives of so many people who look after their loved ones and is the sign of a truly compassionate society. It is essential that we nurture and renew the innate call that many people have to compassionately care for others.

“It remains the case that improving the quality and availability of palliative care offers the best pathway to reducing suffering at the end of life. We will continue to advocate for this and support those who work tirelessly to care for the dying in our hospices, hospitals and care homes.”

A Statement from Bishop Richard

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

In the wake of the vote in Parliament earlier today, in favour of the “Assisted Dying Bill”, may I take this opportunity thank all those who have written to MPs in recent weeks, alerting them to the dangers inherent in a vote in favour of the Bill, calling for increased levels of support for resources for palliative care, and for protection for the dignity of every person, at every stage in life.

The passing of this Bill represents a significant and very sad moment in the history of this country, and I ask you all to continue your prayers for those in government. As the statement from the Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales states, this Bill is flawed in principle.

There is much that we can do before this Bill becomes law and continuing the call for compassion, proper availability and resourcing for palliative care, proper provision for conscientious objection for medical professionals, and protection for hospices and care homes, will be vital in the months ahead.

Let us keep in prayer all those who will be already feeling fearful as a result of this vote, their loved ones, and all who care for them.

Yours in Christ,

+Richard

New Sunday Missals

The missals which have been ordered have now arrived and are available for collection.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 1st December 10am 1st Sunday of Advent
  • Monday 2nd December 8:15am Weekday Advent Mass St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 4th December 9:30am Weekday Advent Mass
  • Friday 6th December 9:30am Weekday Advent Mass
  • Sunday 8th December 10am 2nd Sunday of Advent

The Word of Life

The leaflet for December is now in the entrance for you to help in your prayerful reflection on a verse from Scripture during Advent.

The New Lectionaries

The four lectionaries will be blessed at our Sunday Mass.

The translation of the Bible is called the ESV. CE -the English Standard Version – Catholic Edition – i.e. including the Old Testament Books not included by Protestants in the main parts of their Bibles. The Book of Psalms, 150 of them, is described as the Abbey Psalter.

Leaky Flat Roof Areas

Apologies that there is a leak in the Day Chapel dripping on the edge of the altar cloth, in the corner near Our Lady’s statue and in two other places.

The Pastoral Plan

A meeting was held last Thursday at which the Moderator of the future Parish of Brighton and Hove presented ad description of the role. You can read the text on the noticeboard.


Hark, the glad sound : the Saviour comes
The Saviour promised long:
Let every heart prepare a throne
And every voice a song.

Thirty Third Sunday In Ordinary Time

Proposed Legislation

What is being proposed is to enable people to end their own lives – in other words Assisted Suicide- that is causing one’s own death. It is not euthanasia which is one another person takes one’s life. The arguments put forward by groups claiming rights or by celebrities who, in ignorance, are claiming with a range of adjectives descriptions of dying which do not accord with pain relief, palliative care or Hospice provision. If there were true concern then the provision for such care would have a priority. You will read our Bishop’s message advising us how to react in opposition to the proposals.

Bishop Richard’s Weekly Message

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
 
With the publication of the “Assisted Dying Bill” to be debated on 29 November, I ask each and every one of you to pray earnestly that the dignity of human life is respected from the moment of conception to natural death – and to write to your MPs, asking that they vote against the Bill.
 
The great majority of us will have experienced the death of a loved one, and we know the importance of compassion for those who are facing the loss of someone they know and love. The last journey that we take is so often accompanied by illness, which can sometimes be long and, perhaps, marked by suffering.
 
The compassion that we are called to show – that “suffering with” that is a most precious gift to others – calls us, and all in our society, to show understanding and respect to all who are approaching their last days, to their loved ones, and to the healthcare professionals who give so much of themselves at these times.

The proposed legislation will bring anxiety to so many and, rather than offer “choice” – as has been suggested – will, instead, potentially impose significant pressure on people who are at a very vulnerable time in their lives, especially the elderly and those living with disabilities.

While the proposed legislation may offer assurances of safeguards, the evidence is clear that, in those countries such as Canada and Belgium (to take just two examples) where legislation approving “assisted dying” is in place, it takes little time before the criteria for “assisted dying” expand, often including those living with mental illness and others who do not have a terminal diagnosis. 

The relationship between patient and doctors, and other healthcare professionals is precious to patients and their loved ones. The pressure on doctors to recommend or enable such procedures will result in significant damage to this important relationship and, potentially, bring many who have devoted their lives to healthcare to feel unable to continue their vital work.

So, I ask you to write to your MP, urging them most strongly to vote against this proposed legislation. The outcome of the debate is by no means certain and every letter makes a difference, and proclaims the dignity of life and the need to protect the vulnerable.

If you are concerned about writing a letter yourself, postcards will be coming to all parishes, which will make this task easier.

If you are writing a letter, may I ask you to call for effective support and funding for our hospices and for end-of-life care. The healthcare professionals who work in our hospices, hospitals, and across the community, deserve our particular support and prayers at this time.

Pray for our MPs, that they may recognise that their first priority must be the protection and care for the most vulnerable in our society, and that supporting this legislation would result in a dangerous abrogation of this responsibility.

Pray, too, for those who are seriously ill, for those who are dying, for their loved ones and all who care for them, either at home or in our hospitals and hospices.

On the morning of 29 November, let us all come together in prayer – ideally for a Holy Hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, and redouble our prayer through fasting, that the dignity of life may be respected.

May the Lord Jesus, Whose love conquers all and in Whom we find life to the full, prompt our every action as we seek to defend and uphold the lives of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters.

With every blessing,
+Richard

Catholic Bishops of England, Wales, and Scotland unite in compassionate action to oppose Bill on assisted suicide

The Catholic Bishops of England, Wales and Scotland have issued a statement on Assisted Suicide ahead of the Second Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

In it, the bishops explain exactly what ‘compassion’ means at the end of life – caring for and accompanying people, particularly during times of suffering. Read more.

Not Dead Yet!

Post Cards to complete and send to Your MP will be handed out for signature and posting with a stamp.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 17th November 10am Mass
  • Monday 18th November 8:15am Mass (St Mary’s House)
  • Wednesday 20th November 9:30am Mass – The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • Friday 22nd November 9:30am Mass – St Cecilia
  • Sunday 29th November 10am Feast of Christ The King

Funeral Service

Monday St Thomas More’s for Dick Lock RIP 1pm followed by burial with Mary.

Sunday Missals Ordering

Please sign up if you wish to order a Sunday Missal this Sunday.

World Day Of The Poor

Pope Francis’ message for the World Day Of The Poor

The prayer of the poor rises up to God (cf. Sir 21:5). In this year dedicated to prayer in anticipation of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025, this expression of biblical wisdom is most fitting as we prepare for the Eighth World Day of the Poor, which will be observed on 17 November. Indeed, Christian hope embraces the certainty that our prayer reaches God’s presence; not just any prayer but rather the prayer of the poor! Let us reflect on this word and “read” it on the faces and in the stories of the poor whom we encounter daily, so that prayer can become a path of communion with them and a sharing in their suffering. Read more.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let perpetual light shine on them.
Amen.