As the last weeks of Easter lead us to Pentecost, ‘normality’ has not yet been declared. With the power of technology many events are trying to restart or at least open up new avenues to reach other audiences. Distance has become no longer a barrier to float an idea, or link with someone we’ve lost touch with. We can find a Mass anywhere in the world and in any language. We can join conversations in Australia or Canada just as easily as with our neighbours in the street we live on. Zooming is no longer ‘for da kids’ but many older generations can escape as well. Of course, it can be difficult, even trying at times to navigate the array of tools, apps and terms that proliferate in the Web.
Laudato Si’
One of the ways that we, as individuals or communities, can heed Pope Francis’ words about caring for the earth and tackling climate change, is to plant some trees.
In the UK the National Trust have pledged to plant twenty million trees in the next decade.
Reflections for the Month of April
As our journey towards the Celebration of Easter concludes we can experience the joy of Salvation and, hopefully, the tangible freedom of release from the strictures of the pandemic.
Tribute to Angela Mann
Angela Mary Mann was born on 9th July 1953 in Newington, Southwark, to parents George and Rosemary (Roma) Hooper. She was one of six children, along with siblings Deirdre, John, Paul, Pauline and Alison. She was educated at St Joseph’s Convent in Sidcup, and went on to a college in Lewisham to gain secretarial skills.
Year of St Joseph
Pope Francis declared a year devoted to St Joseph starting on 8th December 2020.
Parishioner Desmond Miller published a booklet “St Joseph: His Life and Mission” in 2017, which some of you will have read. For those who didn’t obtain a copy, here is a link to it: St Joseph Booklet.
St Stephen’s cannot celebrate this special year with a variety of services and activities due to the restrictions, however Canon Edward is pleased to be able to have a special Novena to St Joseph. The Novena Masses will begin on Wednesday 10th March at 7.00pm, and will continue daily until Friday 19th March, when we will celebrate the Feast of St Joseph. There will be a short reflection given by the Mill Hill Fathers, and the following prayer from the Pope’s Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart), will be prayed each day after Mass.