STJuly 3. St Thomas,   The members of the BBT (Born before Technology) club sometimes invited a priest to offer Mass for them on facebook.   In their sharing afterwards Paulina said, “when Father raises up the host at the consecration I always say those words, ‘My Lord and My God.’  They are words of worship but for me there is also that matter of belief.  I pray that God will increase my faith.”  George added, “not having an opportunity for Mass face to face for us oldies these days is a real challenge to my faith.”  Jess laughed and said, “Talking of seeing and believing. as my sight has almost gone when I walk around I can hardly see and I do certainly have to go “by faith and trust.”

Scripture: Jesus said to Thomas,” put your finger here and see my hands, and put out your hand and place it in my side.  Do not be faithless but believing.”   Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “You have believed because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”  John20: 24-29.  Pope Francis. A family marked by loving trust come what may helps its members to be themselves and spontaneously reject deceit, falsehood and lies. AL:115.  Each year sees the disappearance of thousands of plant and animal species, which we will never know, which our children will never see, because they have been lost forever.  The great majority become extinct for reasons related to human activity.  LS33.   JUBILEE. “I believe in life everlasting”.  So our faith professes. Christian hope finds in these words an essential foundation. For hope is “that theological virtue by which we desire eternal life as our happiness”.  The Second Vatican Council says of hope that, “when people are deprived of this divine support, and lack hope in eternal life, their dignity is deeply impaired, as may so often be seen today.   SNC19.  Act and pray. For the spiritual and physical needs of families, especially grandparents and the elderly. Pray “Lord help me to look for, see and respond to the needs of the elderly