July

In this month the Church asks us all to reflect on the “Precious Blood” of Jesus.

What an important part of our make-up is our blood; the red liquid that for every moment of our life is flowing around our body through our veins and arteries.

Our blood is essential to life and one of the greatest gifts we can give is to be prepared to shed it to save and protect someone we love.

In the story of the Passion, we read how Jesus was so terrified about what he was going to face he actually sweated blood through his pores. Copious amounts of this Precious Blood were shed for us as He was scourged, crowned with thorns, nailed to the cross and then pierced by a spear.

In normal times at every Mass, we commemorate this sacrifice, this shedding of blood for our sake, as we receive this Precious Blood in the form of wine. Let us pray that we will be able to do so again after 19^th.

August

On 15^th we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. We believe that Mary, the young woman who gave birth to the Son of God, cared for Him as a child and a young man, remained constantly near to him throughout his ministry, witnessed at first hand  his  sufferings and death; that when she died was given the unique privilege of being taken body and soul, straight to heaven.

We thank God that we are now able to join together in worship in Solemn High Mass every Sunday morning.

God Bless

 “O Sacred Heart, our home lies deep in Thee”

Our heart is the source of the blood that is pumped around our body to keep us alive but we also see it in another way as the source of love for one another. How often do we read the phrase “I love you with all my heart”?  There is heartache when we are separated from someone we love and so many are broken hearted when they lose someone dear to them. However, how much more than the love between couples and in families on earth is the love of Jesus for all mankind! We have in church the beautiful statue of the Sacred Heart with His arms spread wide to welcome us all.

On 6^th June we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ). We are so lucky to have the Blessed Sacrament reserved in St Hilda’s – this has been the case since 1929. The light permanently over the Sanctuary reminds us of this. We have the privilege, when not constrained by the lockdown, to be able to take the Blessed Sacrament to those unable to come into church.

To those of my generation we remember the 6^th June as “D Day” when our soldiers and their allies crossed the Channel at the start of the campaign in Europe that led to the defeat of the Nazis.

We also celebrate in this month, on 22^nd the feasts of Thomas More and John Fisher who died for their beliefs under Henry 8^th, on 24^th the baptism of John the Baptist and on 29^th Ss Peter and Paul.

Let us hope and pray that June lives up to its reputation and we get plenty of sunshine but also that 21^st brings us the news that we are all hoping for – the freedom to return to normal life!

God Bless.