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Funeral Mass Readings https://salisburycatholics.org/suggested-funeral-mass-readings
Saints John Fisher and Thomas More (22 June)
The lives of St Thomas More and St John Fisher are very closely linked and therefore it is quite appropriate that the Church celebrate their feasts together. They are both renowned Englishmen, martyred within two weeks of each other for the same cause of defending religious liberty, the sanctity of marriage and Papal authority against State usurpation. They were both associates of King Henry VIII before his apostasy, and it was at by his authority that they both suffered martyrdom. For more and a reflection by Bishop Robert Barron please click on the image in the ‘Top News’ box or click here
The Nativity of St John the Baptist (24 June)
Celebrating the birth of St John the Baptist is a feast that is relevant to all of us today. Just like St John, we would do well to “leap” with joy in announcing Jesus to all those we encounter in our world. We can do this in everything we do – not just by words, but by actions. Asking for the intercession of St John on this Feast of his birth, we can draw the strength necessary to proclaim our Lord to others. For more on this Feast and a video of the story of St John, please click on the image in the ’Top News’ box or click here.
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - 24 June
Devotion to the wounded heart of Jesus has its origins in the eleventh century, when pious Christians meditated on the Five Wounds of Christ. There grew up among the faithful prayers to the Sacred Heart - devotions which helped Christians to focus on the passion and death of Christ, and thus to grow in love for our Saviour who had suffered and died for us. For more and a short video on this devotion, click on the image in the ‘Top News’ box or click here.
The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is normally celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas. This feast developed at the beginning of the 19th century in Canada and then spread to the entire Church in 1920. At first, it was celebrated on the Sunday after Epiphany. It is a Feast that seeks to portray the Holy Family of Nazareth as the “true model of life” (cf. Opening Prayer) from which our families can draw inspiration and know where to find help and comfort.