Sunday January 6th. 2008

Letter from Bishop Moran for Justice and Peace Sunday

"In his days, justice shall flourish, and peace till the moon fails”

(The response to the psalm from today’s mass)

 

The Wise Men came to the new-born king. They came to acknowledge his dignity.

But in today's Gospel we hear how the Wise Men themselves were exploited by Herod.

And in last Sunday's Gospel we heard how their visit forced the Holy Family into exile.

 

In today's world, millions of people are in exile from their own country. Some move for better wages or conditions - the migrants. Some move in desperation - the refugees. Some move because of danger and terror - the asylum-seekers.

Migrants are at risk of being exploited. If Herod could exploit the Wise Men, how much easier to exploit strangers who don't speak the language.

 

At Bethlehem, hardly anybody recognised the dignity of the baby in the stable: migrants today can so easily lose their dignity.

We recognise the Christ-child as our King. We claim to be citizens of his kingdom.

"In his days, justice shall flourish, and peace till the moon fails."

Many parishes in Scotland have Justice and Peace groups. They work for Fair Trade, for an end to the Nuclear Threat, for Justice for refugees, and other urgent causes.

Nationally, the Justice and Peace Commission promotes the same aims. Today, as its President, I appeal to you particularly for the dignity of those in exile and those who are exploited. The contributions you make in today’s collection will go towards helping these people who are now found in every city, towns and even in villages in the rural areas. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ, and I ask you to be kind to them, as I am sure you are already, and to acknowledge them, even with a smile, when you meet them in shops and restaurants. Our Justice and Peace Commission here in Scotland is doing all it can to make these exiles feel welcome, and try to ensure that they are treated justly and fairly by their employers.

Justice and Peace has to start within us if it is to have any success at all. We must all strive to promote justice wherever we are, , for where there is justice there is also peace.

Bishop Peter Moran

President of the Justice and Peace Commission.

 

Tom Mackintosh

Kenny phoned at the weekend to say that Tom is now making progress, although he has still a very long way to go. The physiotherapists hope to get him up this week, and start work on his muscles to get them moving again.

I told Kenny to assure Tom that he is very much in the prayers of the whole parish and that he is also remembered regularly at mass.

 

Deanery Meeting

We have a monthly deanery meeting of the priests of the Lochaber area from October to Easter, and the clergy are meeting this month in Roy Bridge on Wednesday at 12 noon.

We recite part of the breviary, discuss a spiritual topic on the agenda, and then have lunch. It is good just to meet one another, relax and have a chat afterwards.

Catechism

We intend to get the catechism classes under way this coming week, and the parents will be contacted about the most suitable day for the children. It will be after school for 40 minutes from 3.15 p.m. to 3.55 p.m.

 

Remember….Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 6th, just  four weeks away. It hardly gives us time to clear up after Christmas!
Lent will also be a help with our diet this year coming so soon after all our Christmas excesses!

Easter Sunday is as early as it can possibly be—March 23rd.