Starting School. If you have a child born between 1 Sept, 2015 and 31 Aug 2016 now is the time to apply for a place at a primary school for admission from Sept 2020 onwards. You must complete an application form available from the school admission team of the Local Authority. If your child has been baptised and you are applying for a Catholic school, you must also provide a copy of the baptism certificate. Closing date of 15th January, 2020.

Teachers can become Foundation Governors at Catholic schools and can make valuable contributions to the governing body of a different school from where they work. Contact bill.mcentee@cliftondiocese.com for more information about becoming a Foundation Governor.

All EU citizens after Brexit must apply for residency in UK. Otherwise there is a danger that if travelling abroad you might not be allowed re-entry to UK after 31^st October in the event of a “no-deal Brexit.” It is very advisable to make application before 31^st October.

Wellington Carnival: 28^th September, evening procession. It has been customary for a number of years to open the church for refreshments and other facilities. Anyone who is able to assist this year please see Julia Tucker.

I am writing to inform you that the Parish Retreat will be on 26^th October in Wiveliscombe. Details will be communicated to you when communications with the retreat preacher are complete.

Missio Masses for October: dates and venues on poster in porch.

Diocesan Youth Ministry Network: initial meeting for Taunton and Glastonbury deaneries on 8th October, 6.30 – 9pm at St George’s Centre. Representatives from each parish welcome. Please let Fr Ikeokwu know if you wish to attend.

Canonisation of John Henry Newman: 13^th October in Rome. This is a four day event, 12 – 15 October, @ £650 per person. Details on poster in porch.

Vocations discernment retreat: three-day retreat organised by Clifton diocese and Downside Abbey for Catholics aged 18 – 35, Friday 18 – Sunday 20^th October; all vocations will be considered. Venue: Downside Abbey. Cost including meals; £50 in shared accommodation; £70 in en-suite room; non-residential £40 for meals. Further information from rainabird@outlook.com

Celebrate Bristol: weekend conference at St Bede’s College, Bristol, 26 & 27 October. Full details on poster in porch.

Year of Communion: “Where two or three are gathered together” to prepare for the Year of Communion; 19^th October at St Brendan’s College, Brislington, 9.15am – 2.30pm. with Fr James Hanvey SJ who will introduce resources available from the end of November for use during the year.

We owe everything to God including the redemption we are offered in Christ and the promise of eternal happiness. If it were a matter of justice, there could be no possibility of us ever being able to pay off our debts. The saints and angels joyously live in eternal debt to God because God is the giver and we are the receivers. Only pride would make us resent this undeniable truth.

The unjust steward abused his master’s money, driven by his own self-interest. Yet it is mercy that is the wealth of God that we are to share with others. God is “generous with his mercy”. We are to forgive the debt of other people’s sins against us, because we are in such an enormous debt to God ourselves.

It is not the function of the Church to solve financial problems. At the same time there are often simple reasons behind economic turmoil: greed, dishonesty, pride. Such qualities are very much the concern of the Church. They are sins of the heart.

It is only grace that can resolve the knots which those sins make in people’s lives, and only grace can offer the mercy that God has asked us to share with all his people. Merciful people cut the knot, open the door, lead the way forwards and bring us to heaven. The best kind of economy is one of giving, and the best kind of giving is forgiving.

Year of Prayer –25^th Sunday in ordinary time

It would be easy for us to get caught up with the justices or injustices of today’s Gospel. At the heart of it is, however, a simple question which the Lord is asking us: What have we done with the many things and people that God has entrusted to us? In an ever-growing need for us to be accountable in our work, with our finances, in our families and parishes, we might forget that ultimately we are accountable to God for the many good things which we have been given – our gifts and talents and our material goods.

How do we use these? Do we hide them, or do we use them for the greater good of our families, our communities – the whole world? If we are intent on building the Kingdom of God, then we will want to share what we have. Stewardship at its very best is when we care enough about others that we want them to share what we have, with whoever has a need for what we have.