Message from Fr Jim
In the account of the Road to Emmaus from the Gospel of Luke (24:13–35), we see very clearly that God’s grace is freely given, and that we are free to participate in it. The two disciples are walking away from Jerusalem, discouraged and confused, their hopes shaken. They are not searching for Christ in that moment, yet He comes to them, walks with them, and begins to speak with them. This is grace: unearned, unasked for, and already at work before they even recognise it.
As they walk, Jesus explains the Scriptures to them, and something begins to change within them. Later they will say, “Were not our hearts burning within us?” Even before they know it is Him, grace is already stirring their hearts. This reminds us that God is often at work in our lives in ways we do not immediately see understand. His grace does not wait for perfect faith or full clarity; it meets us where we are.
Yet this grace does not force itself upon them. At a certain point, Jesus acts as if He is going further. He does not impose. Instead, He allows space for their freedom. This is a crucial moment in the story, because it shows that while grace is freely given, it also invites a response. God does not override our freedom; He calls it forth. The turning point comes when they say, “Stay with us.” This simple invitation is their free response to the grace already present. They choose to welcome Him, to remain with Him, to deepen the encounter. And it is only then, in the breaking of the bread, that their eyes are opened and they recognise Him. Grace was already with them on the road, but it is in their participation that it becomes fully transformative.
Newsletter
This week’s newsletter can be viewed here
If you wish to know as soon as the next newsletter is published (and you are on facebook) then please like our facebook page.
Vatican News
The Vatican news widget is now onsite so the latest news from the Vatican can be accessible from the right hand side of this page under the menu, or alternatively click here for a larger display
Contributions to Sacred Heart & St Anne
Donations can be made via the collection plate in Church or direct from your bank account, the details of which can be found here
If you pay tax please consider adding gift aid to your contribution which would enable the parish to claim an extra 25% courtesy of the taxman at no cost to yourself. If this is something you would like to consider please contact me here with your phone and email address and I will ask Margaret, our gift aid co-ordinater, to get in touch.
Current gift aid donors can ignore this paragraph as we will pick up the information from their names if they donate online.
Easter Wedding at Sacred Heart
Congratulations to George and Kate who were married on Easter Tuesday.
Click here to see images from the Church service
Details from this and other recent events and memories from much longer ago can always be found on our History & Archive pages
Parish Facebook
In order to be able to keep parishioners informed whenever Father Jim makes any communications or when the website is updated with newsletters etc we have created a Parish Facebook page.
If you have a facebook account please visit and like the page so that you will then be automatically notified whenever this website is updated otherwise please visit this page periodically to check for any updates
For those parisioners without a facebook account I have embedded a feed from it below so everyone will be able to access the latest 5 postings to the page
(Please note not all browsers will display the feed)
