Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B - 8th November 2009

Invitation

In the Letter to the Romans, Saint Paul asks, "How are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard; and how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him". This task of proclamation is the task of every Christian. It is the task that has been carried out for generations, throughout all the ups and downs of history. There has been a continuous chain of transmission of the faith in the name of Jesus from our past heritage to our present times. To interrupt that change would be to impoverish our future.

In 1998, Pope John Paul wrote "I sense the moment has come to commit all of the church's energies to a new evangelization and mission to all nations. No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church, no parish can avoid this supreme duty to proclaim Christ to all people". But we seem to be at a stand-still, holding back and failing to share the 'Good News' with others.

Today energy conservationists are highlighting how wasteful we are in regard to natural power. Perhaps equally sobering is the thought that we as individuals, and together as a Church, might be guilty of wasting a different sort of power: the power of God. 'You will receive power' said Jesus, 'when the Holy Spirit comes upon you'.

What Jesus envisaged was the power of the Spirit so flowing through us that we shall make a difference to the world we live in, changing lives through our work and witness. Some, of course, do just that, but, all too often, our efforts are devoted simply to keeping our own affairs ticking over. We look to our own journey of discipleship, our own relationship with Christ, and no further. As churches, we are focused on maintenance rather than mission.

New Evangelization calls for newness in ardour, method and expression, this means we cannot stay with the status quo. It challenges us to be courageous, creative.

On the 14th January 2010 we are launching our first Alpha Course and we need your help. The Alpha for Catholics is an introduction course to the basic truths of Christianity. It is a 10-week process with an emphasis on leading people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Alpha is primarily designed for non-churchgoers, new or inactive Christians and faith parishioners. I do hope that many of our faith parishioners do come, but I would also ask that you give serious thought to inviting a friend whom you would like to welcome into, (or welcome back into) our Church. To paraphrase St Paul "They will not come, unless they have been invited'.