"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven."

Following on from yesterday's Gospel, Jesus speaks to his disciples about material possessions.

As the rich young man went away 'sad' the disciples looked on with sorrow in their hearts. Jesus chose that very moment to say to the disciples, 'it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven' and He repeats it saying, 'it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.'

If we fill our hearts with the material things of this world it is impossible to have a real and meaningful relationship with Christ. Material possessions may help us to reach Christ but we cannot make our possessions our god.

'Our hearts are restless until they rest in Christ.'

Do I value the needs of my soul more than the needs of my body?

"Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

The scene pictured in today's Gospel is when a young man comes and kneels before Jesus and asks that question, 'Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'

This rich young man had a desire to give himself, to love more . . . maybe he was unhappy with his life.

Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, and the young man replies that he has obeyed them, and asks what he is lacking. This is indeed the question that many people ask when they recognise that something is missing in their lives.

Jesus is instructing the young man to leave behind all of his possessions, that is the invitation to empty his heart of its possessions and to fill it with things of God; in other words to exchange a love of worldly possessions for love of Christ.

But the young man was not generous and went away sad; he chose to keep his riches which he could enjoy for a few years and lost his opportunity to have Jesus whom he would have forever.

Jesus meets us very often at the pathways of life, He asks a lot from us so as to give us more.

It may happen that Our Lord will invite us to follow Him more closely, without leaving our position in this world. Our Lord asks us to give of our best at all times no matter what our vocation.

Vocation is the most important aspect of our lives. When we've found our vocation it should occupy all our energies with the help of God's grace.

Letter to a Non-Believer . . .

Thanks to Family Publications for asking me to review this book by Fr Thomas Crean OP, 'Letter to a Non-Believer'.

In this book Fr Crean offers basic facts, precise and clear arguments and much common sense; he deals with the Catholic aspects of Christian belief; namely, Christ's death, his Resurrection, the question of evil, suffering and man's free will and finally, the need for the Church and the Sacraments.

If you have read his best seller, 'A Catholic Replies to Professor Dawkins', then you will enjoy this excellent book.

Fr Crean is a Dominican friar, a hospital chaplain and a tutor at Maryvale Institute.

'Letters to a Non-Believer' can be purchased from Family Publications and is available now at £9.95

Demolition - Day 3 . . .

It's amazing how quickly the demolition men have achieved their task. In just two days we have gone from this . . .

to this . . .

Or to put it another way, 'Now you see it . . . Now you don't'

Feast of St John Vianney . . .

Today we celebrate the Memorial of St John Vianney, patron saint of all priests.

Once again, I would like to quote from St John Vianney himself taken from the little booklet, 'A Curé of Ars Prayer Book'

"St Bernard tells us that everything has come to us through Mary; and we may also say that everything has come to us through the priest; yes, all happiness, all graces, all heavenly gifts. If we had not the Sacrament of Holy Orders, we should not have Our Lord. Who placed Him there, in that tabernacle? It was the priest. Who was it that received your soul, on its entrance to life? The priest. Who nourishes it, to give it strength to make its pilgrimage? The priest. Who will prepare it to appear before God, by washing that soul, for the last time, in the blood of Jesus Christ? The priest - always the priest. And if that soul comes to the point of death, who will raise it up, who will restore it to calmness and peace? You cannot recall one singly blessing from God without finding, side by side with this recollection, the image of the priest."

Please pray for me and all parish priests,

Lord, we give thanks for priests who bring You to us.

We give thanks for all the graces and gifts we have received

through their ministry during our lives.

Grant us holy priests, entirely devoted to the service of souls,

in teaching the faith and ministering the Sacraments,

so that we may be led to your heavenly Kingdom.

Amen.

Demolition - Day One . . .

In days gone by, there was a flourishing Scout Group in the parish. Sadly, however, gradually over recent years the numbers in the various groups have dwindled and when I arrived in the parish, Scouting had ceased in the parish.

It can't have escaped your notice that the building was in a sorry state and indeed many have commented on the condition of the Scout Hut and it's 'tilt'! After much discussion, and having reached the conclusion that the Hut was beyond economical repair, it was decided to demolish it, and work began today.

We hope to replace it in the not too distant future with meeting rooms for small parish groups which is something that the parish lacks and is sorely needed.

Here are a few photos of day one - more to follow later.

A Bevy of Beautiful Babies for Baptism . . .

Today we had plenty to celebrate at St Ann's. It is the feast of St Joachim and Ann as I've already mentioned, but we also had three baptisms - what a lucky coincidence that these three families had chosen our parish feast day to present their babies for baptism.

In the picture you can see the Magill family whose daughter Eloise Mary was baptised by our Deacon Kevin during the 10 O'clock Mass. Eloise's parents, Daniel and Claire, also celebrate their wedding anniversary today, so yet another celebration - no wonder there were smiles all round.

Shortly afterwards at midday, I baptised Joseph Mario Cirillo and Isabella Paciolla - more smiling faces!

Please keep all these families in your prayers at this special time. We ask for the intercession of St Joachim and Ann, a perfect example of Christian parenthood,

St Joachim and Ann, pray for us.