Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today’s Gospel reminds us that we can always turn towards God and begin again. The son who initially refused his father’s request later “changed his mind and went” (Matthew 21:29). With God’s grace, our next step can be a better step – a kind word, a sincere apology, or a generous act of service. May our faith find expression in the way we care for one another.

Looking ahead, we warmly invite you to our Pet Blessing Mass on Sunday 4 October, when we shall give thanks for the companionship and joy our animals bring. Inspired by St Francis of Assisi’s love for creation, pets of all kinds are welcome. The mass will be outdoor.

If you cannot bring your pet, please still come and join us. Give your pet’s name and your prayer intentions to the welcome team on arrival. During the Mass, we shall pray especially for all our pets, their needs, and the families who care for them. You can also collect the holy water after the mass for those pets we have prayed for.

As we shall be gathering outdoors, please wear warm clothes and bring an extra layer so that you can remain comfortable throughout the celebration.

Let us come together with grateful hearts, celebrating God’s creation and the many ways his love touches our lives.

Fr James Raj, Parish Priest (jamesraj@rcaos.org.uk)

Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Homily

27^th September 2026

My dear brothers and sisters,

Let me take you back more than 800 years, to a town in Italy called Assisi.

There lived a young man named Francis. His father was a wealthy cloth merchant, and Francis grew up surrounded by comfort and opportunity. He enjoyed fine clothes, celebrations and the company of his friends.

He had dreams too. He wanted to become a knight, to achieve something great and to be admired.

We can recognise those hopes today: a successful life, a comfortable home, a respected name.

But Francis’s plans were interrupted. He went to war, was taken prisoner and suffered illness. When he returned home, a gradual change began within him. He started searching more deeply for what God wanted of his life.

And during that search, Francis had to face something within himself.

He was frightened of people suffering from leprosy. In those days, people with this illness were often rejected and left isolated. Francis found it difficult even to approach them.

Then, one day, according to the traditional account, he was riding his horse when he encountered a man with leprosy.

His first instinct was to turn away.

But he stopped.

He climbed down from his horse, walked towards the man and embraced him.

His first reaction was fear. His next step was love.

That encounter helped change the direction of his life. Francis began caring for the people he had once avoided.

Later, when his father opposed his new way of living, Francis surrendered his possessions, even returning his clothes. The Bishop of Assisi covered him with his own mantle. Step by step, Francis was learning to place his life in God’s hands.

Now listen again to today’s Gospel.

A father asks his son to work in the vineyard. The son answers, “I will not.” But afterwards, “he changed his mind and went.”

The other son agrees to go, but never does.

One allows his actions to become better than his first answer. The other leaves his good words unfulfilled.

My dear friends, we can recognise both sons within ourselves.

Perhaps someone at home asks for our attention, and we answer sharply: “Can’t you see I’m busy?”

But later, we notice their disappointment. We can return and say, “I’m sorry. Tell me what happened.”

Perhaps we have promised to visit someone who is lonely. Days become weeks. This week, we can make that visit.

Perhaps we have said, “I will never forgive.” Through prayer, we may become ready to take a first step towards healing.

Our first response need not be our final response.

St John Henry Newman wrote: “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” We grow by remaining open to God’s grace.

Jesus himself grew within a family. St Luke tells us that he “was obedient to them” – Mary and Joseph – and grew in wisdom. Our ordinary relationships are places where love can mature.

St Paul gives us our direction: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” His humility and love can shape our next decision.

As we approach the Eucharist, let us bring one needed change before the Lord.

Francis stepped towards someone he feared.

The son stepped towards the vineyard.

Where is God asking us to take our next step?

Lord Jesus, help us to think again, to begin again, and to make our next step a better step.

Amen.