My Name Sake...St Peter

St Peter Simon Peter or Cephas

The first Pope, Prince of the Apostles, and founder, with St. Paul, of The See of Rome.

Feast Day 29^th of June

Simon was born in Bethsaida in 1 BC a son to Jonah and brother to Andrew, (Jesus first Disciple) who introduced Peter to The Messiah, and like his brother was a Fisherman on Lake Genesareth.

When Simon met Jesus he was living with his wife and Mother in Law who Jesus Healed after the Sermon on The Mount and The Miracle of The curing the son of the centurion

29 And immediately going out of the synagogue they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 And Simon's wife's mother lay in a fit of a fever: and forthwith they tell him of her. 31 And coming to her, he lifted her up, taking her by the hand; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

(Mark1:29-30)

On meeting with Jesus, Peter accompanied him throughout Galilee attending The Wedding in Cana and therefore one of The Disciples who witnessed Jesus’ first miracle

Eventually becoming one of Christ’s Disciples

16 And passing by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother, casting nets into the sea for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them: Come after me; and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And immediately leaving their nets, they followed him.

(Mark 1: 16-18)

Simon Peter and His role as a Disciple within The Gospels.

"little faith"

²⁹   Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

³¹Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Matthew 14:29-31

²³Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

Matthew 16

Jesus calls Simon Peter and according to some theologians names him as head of The Church

¹⁵He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

¹⁶And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

¹⁷And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

¹⁸And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

¹⁹And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

²⁰Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Matthew 16:15-20

It may be interesting to note at this point two foods for thought

1)      The Eastern Orthodox Church see this passage of Scripture as Peter's position as representative of the Apostles. The word used for "rock" refers to "a small detachment of the massive ledge” not to a massive boulder. Thus, Orthodox Sacred Tradition understands Jesus' words as referring to the Apostolic Faith.

2)      The Name Simon means to listen...the name Peter means Rock...I have to wonder whether it was something to do with Peter’s personality that Jesus called Peter The Rock...was it a joke because he was a little bit stubborn from time to time...who knows???

Peter also played a prominent part in The events that would lead up to Jesus’ eventual trial, execution and resurrection

Again in The Gospels, and at The Last Supper, Peter initally refused to allow Jesus to wash his feet but when Jesus responded:

 "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me", Peter replied: "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head".

John 13:9

When Jesus was arrested one of his companions cut off the ear of a servant of the High Priest.^[18] The Gospel of John names Peter as the swordsman and Malchus as the victim.

During the Last Supper, Jesus stated that Peter would deny him three times before the following cockcrow.

Peter’s first denial when a female servant of the high priest spots Simon Peter, saying that he had been with Jesus

Peter’s second denial was when he had gone out to the gateway, away from the firelight, where a servant told the bystanders he was a follower of Jesus.

The Third denial came when Peter's Galilean accent was taken as proof that he was indeed a disciple of Jesus.

And apart from The Women and John Jesus Beloved Disciple, Peter is the only Disciple to check for himself and witness the empty tomb,

Peter’s Role within the early church

Luke the author of The Acts of The Apostles places Peter as an extremely important figure within the early Christian community, Peter delivered open-air sermon during Pentecost.

According to the same book, Peter also took the lead in selecting a replacement for Judas Iscariot.

About halfway through, the Acts of the Apostles turns its attention away from Peter and to the activities of Paul, and the Bible is fairly silent on what occurred to Peter afterwards.

his later work and mission took him to work to establishing the church of Antioch and preaching to scattered communities of believers. Eventually Peter went to Rome.

With The Western Catholic Tradition, Peter is said to have founded the church in Rome (and although they didnt really seem to get on for in an incident in Antioch Paul rebuked Peter for treating Gentile converts as inferior to Jewish Christian. And at the council of Jerusalem (c. 50), where Peter was successful in opposing the Christian Pharisees who insisted on circumcision and the rest of the Mosaic law) alongside with St Paul

And it is claimed that he held the Sacerdotal Chair for 25 years.

As with his brother, at the hand of Nero, Peter is said to have been put to death by Crucifixon.

St Peter’s Role Today

Many People of Faith visit and pray before the Tomb of St. Peter

Peter’s as with all The Apostle’s legacy for the Church is stemmed from The Great Commission to The Disciples,

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20

The Great Commission is the end of a Gospel and yet the beginning of faith in action for all Christians. As Christian’s we all have a responsibility to show love to our neighbour, help the poor and heal the sick. As with St Peter and St Andrew (Jesus’ first disciple brother of Peter) and founders of The Roman and Eastern Catholic Church we build a life of Faith within our hearts proclaiming the Good News of Christ, where we may all be able to witness for a better life working and ministering both lay and ordained within that which is called the Kingdom of God

The Apostle Philip

St Philip

The 5^th Disciple of Christ

Feast Day

The Roman Church 3^rd of May

Anglican Church 1^st of May

The Eastern Orthodox Church November 14^th

Philip was also born in Bethsaida, and was probably a friend to Andrew and Peter

Not much is known about Philip’s early life, only that when Andrew and Peter introduced Philip to Jesus he was a married man with several daughters, one of whom was married. However on seeing The Messiah he left his family behind and followed him

Philip was the Apostle approached by the Hellenistic Jews from Bethsaida to introduce them to Jesus. Just before the Passion,

Philip was portrayed as the Disciple who at the last supper asked Jesus about The Father

Which gave Jesus the chance to preach to his disciples about the unity between The Father and The Son.

He also introduced The Disciple Nathaniel (Bartholomew) to Jesus

Beyond his listing among the Apostles awaiting the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room. According to tradition he preached in Greece and was crucified upside down at Hierapolis under Emperor Domitian.

Freedom of Religon

A message to all independent and free thinking believers - we have a moral and constitutional right to exercise our faith, a spiritual birthright that hasn't been destroyed in this country, some people need to be reminded!

http://www.abouthumanrights.co.uk/religious-freedom--right-believe-what-you-want.html

St Andrew First Disciple of Christ

St Andrew

Feast Day 30^th of November

First Disciple of Christ

Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah." And he brought him to Jesus. (John 1:40-42)

Being Christ’s first disciple, Andrew’s Feast Day is centred around Advent Sunday, making him the first Saint to be celebrated in The Christian Calendar every year

Patron Saint of Scotland and Russia and fishermen.  

I find it quite amazing that the 1^st Apostle’s life I have the opportunity of sharing with you has played a very significant role within my life.

The First Church that I ever attended as a baby in arms was dedicated to St Andrew (pictured Below)

The first Hospital I ever worked in was St Andrew’s Hospital in Northampton (Pictured below) Which incidentally was built on the former site of St Andrew’s Priory in Northampton

So who was this guy who played so much a part of my life?

Andrew a Greek Name which means Manly, and popular within The Jewish Community between the second and third Century BC, was a born in Bethsaida Galilee (Which simply means Place of Fishing)

Between 5AD-10AD, son of Jona and Joanna, brother of Simon Peter and Jona. He would have been educated at synagogue school, and studied The Hebrew Scriptures, Astrology and Arithmetic.

Eventually Andrew became a fisherman, alongside his Business Partner Zebedee his Brother Simon Peter and Zebedee’s sons James and John

He was originally a disciple of John The Baptist who’s testimony on seeing Jesus ‘Behold The Lamb of God’ lead Andrew and John The Evangelist to become Christ’s first disciple.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John The Baptist had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.

John 1:40-42

It was also Andrew who brought the boy to Jesus instituting the Miracle of The feeding of the 5000

One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him:  "There is a boy here that has five barley loaves and two fishes. But what are these among so many?"

 John 6:8-9

He is considered to be the founder of The See of The Byzantine Church and the Patriarchate of Constantinople regard Andrew as Their Patron Saint (His Brother Peter was the founder of The See of The Roman Catholic Church)

His preaching Ministry took him to Asia Minor and along the Black Sea to Volga and Kiev.

Andrew was Martyred during the reign of Nero by Crucifixion in Patras Greece. Like his brother Andrew chose not to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus, so he was tied to his Cross by rope, not nailed, and left to hang there for several days, where he continued to preach until he eventually died on 30^th of November AD60.

Gifts of The Spirit Goodness

Fruits of The Spirit

Goodness

If I am honest, after the events of today, I wanted to abandoned tonight’s posting on ’Goodness,’ because within the last 8 hours or so, I have really had my faith tested.

To keep these posts positive, (although it would be easier not to,) I don’t want to go into the events of the day. I feel that whenever Christians are persecuted for their faith, are we not just following in Jesus’ footsteps.

Goodness is an act from one person to another

When we say ‘Good God’ is it symbolic wording of Praising God

Goodness can take place, and be a part of society, if we are prepared to go out from behind our closed doors and share acts of love with our neighbour and friends.

In the story of the passion, Jesus was crucified on Good Friday...a day that Christians remember for his act of goodness to set his people free from sin.

Three days later, Jesus  rose triumphant from the dead, enabling us, alongside other Christians, strong in their faith, from this and past generations, to go out into the world and proclaim ‘The Good News’ of The Gospel Message, to whoever wishes to hear it.

‘Let your light so shine before men that they may see your ‘good’ deeds, and praise your father who is in heaven’ (Matt5 :16)  

  

Gifts of The Spirit Love

The Gifts of The Spirit


Love

Bishop Pete

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Matthew 22.36-40

The Message of The Gospel moves from generation to generation, and the quote above from Matthews Gospel is a clear message...and one that anyone past or present can adapt into their everyday lives.

Each of us has within us the power to pray, for a closer relationship with God, for our own lives, our family, friends and for others around us within our local community.

We also can make time to have a real presence within our local community, making sure an elderly or lonely neighbour is ok, by saying hello or simply giving a smile to a passing neighbour, anything to bring care back into our local communities.

Adoramus is a very much a Eucharistic based, Spirit and prayer led community...which is seeking to find a way forward together as a community to bring the message of The Gospel alive through a modern approach to Catholicism to our local communities in Rotherham, Swindon and Derby, and beyond, valuing the communities where we live and minister to.

As we approach 10 years of Ministry within The Old Catholic Movement we are planning many events over the next year to bring the message of The Gospels back to the people of our local areas, sharing the power of The Love of God within our local communities.

The Eulogy

For the first time in many years, i have embarked upon a programme of study, The CCRS Course...with the first module being based on 'Christology.'

Most of my friends and colleagues know that, i have a ministry here in Derby and throughout The East Midlands working with The Bereaved, within the context of Christian Celebration of Life Style Services, reflecting on the person, their life, their personality.

Whilst i was reflecting and taking time to pray during my study this afternoon...I Found myself wondering what would i say to the congregation, in the guise of a celebration of life tribute, if i was asked to conduct The Funeral Service of Jesus at our local Cemetery with a 20 minute service slot...and I came up with the following

I doubt whether there will be many of you present that will be able to cast your minds back to Bethlehem during 4BC, when Jesus first came into this world a son to Mary and The Holy Spirit.


He would be brought up by his Mother Mary and Step Father Joseph, and from an early age would grow up in Nazareth, alongside his brothers James, Joses, Simon and Judas, and his sister Salome.

His Step Father Joseph was a carpenter by trade, so alongside his Dad, Jesus would work in nearby Sephoris (a City being rebuilt between 3BC and 12 AD,) and according to Jesus's close friend Fr Murphy O'Connor, 'Jesus's youth was spent in The Cosmopolitan world of a Major Construction Site' (quoted from an article in The Sunday Times 24.12.88)

After being baptised in The River Jordon by John The Baptist, Jesus, continued to work in a Ministerial capacity preaching about 'The Kingdom of God' firstly in Judaea, and then following the arrest of his Cousin John The Baptist, Jesus preached in Galilee.

Although Jesus was never blest with any children of his own, he did have very close friendships with his 12 best friends first, Simon (Known to you all as Peter) his brother Andrew; James, and his brother John; Philip, Bartholomew; Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, and i am sure that those of his friends who are present today will remember some of those special times that they have spent with Jesus over the past few years.

So we have spent some time speaking of Jesus's early life, his family and career, but to gather more of a picture for him I would like to ask you all a question. What were the things that made him happy the things that made Jesus smile?

Here you may recall, that Jesus loved to be close to creation, for he loved spending time walking from town to town with his Disciples. He also loved water...especially when he was walking on it

He also enjoyed going out socialising, and some of you may remember Jesus Changing water in wine at his friends wedding in Canaan of Galilee

Thoughts today could be of Jesus spending time with his friends in The Upper Room breaking bread and sharing Wine.

In quieter moments memories may be of Jesus in The presence of his father spending time in prayer'

Memories may simply be, that although from time to time Jesus was known to lose his temper...and perhaps today isn't the time or place to mention the time he visited The Temple, and that he was prone to make some enemies, which lead to his eventual torture and his sentence to death by Crucifixion, at The hands of The Roman occupying forces in Jerusalem.

He was a well liked man by those who choose to follow and accept his teachings, and i am sure that he will be deeply missed by those who have come to know him over the years.

The above is the funeral eulogy which would have been used if he had been buried the same day...in England it can know take up to 10 days to bury a loved one, so Fortunately, this eulogy would never been read, for as we know Jesus Rose again on The Third Day, Alleluia!!!

Power of Prayer

For those of you who are struggling with their faith,
for those of you that feel that you are just dregging through the mud
keep your chin up, and remember the words of scripture taken from The Gospel of Matthew 7.7

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Prayer is the most powerful tool we have as Christians, and can come in all sorts of different ways...through music...through stillness...going to our favourite spot in creation...by reading our favourite daily office.. even shouting or being angry at God is not a bad thing.

To advance our spiritual journey within Adoramus we must as a community believe in the power of Prayer. Today, I sat for an hour in the middle of our local Eagle Centre Market and prayed...prayed for the people who walked past...for the growth of our ministry, and for the best way forward to serve our local community here in Derby.

We may not always get what we want....we may not always get our desires striaght the way...we ,may even be led into the unknown, but by the power of The Sacraments and being a Spirit led Community Adoramus is encouraging its Priests and Laity to take time out in prayer every day, to listen to that still small voice of calm to guide us all through our ministry, remembering that the ministry of Adoramus does not belong to us, but to God.

Adoramus ICM is back

Every now and again, i have to look with sadness with the way in which Church Officals treat each other people of faith...always wanting to condem or make judgement on what other jurisdictions are doing and refusing to work together for the greater good of The Message of The Gospels.

Brother Richard the true founding member celebrates 10 years of Priesthood later this year, therefore Adoramus celebrates 10 years of Ministry in November. We as a jurisdiction from 'All Saints Day,' aim to have a real time of celebration. Anyone who has worked and trained for ministry with us during the past ten years, (some of whom are now Bishops} are welcome to join with us for these celebrations.

We shall continue to grow from strength to strength...from our websites you will be able to see that our vision of 10 years ago is still as strong today as it was then, as we continue to offer a complete and inclusive ministry to everyone...Bishop Pete, Brother Richard, Fr Mark and Fr Barry are all striving to get The Message of The Gospel out to the people...meeting people (Yes and that may mean in pubs, town centres and being totally inclusive gay bars as well) where they are nurturing the faithful with their spiritual growth and personal walk of faith...encourageing those who have been damaged by 'The Established Religion' to seek and find one more time...we are not a church that sits behind our laptops or computers creating false empires or trying to damage another Churches work...we are a spiritual and prayer lead community, with a modern approach to a living Faith within The confines of The Seven Sacraments, bringing the faith alive using the riches of Liturgy, Music and Prayer to the people of God.

Adoramus is back...we are going to be a true presence within The Old/Independent Catholic Community...we are not going to be a community of closeted bishops that just like to dress up ordain and then cause trouble through there own ignorance for the rest of Christodom, we are a community that will grow with priests and religious reaching out to people with true faith bringing light and the love of Christ back to the people within our local communities.

New to this

Hi everyone...well here's my first ever attempt at blogging...today has been a very interesting day for me...I have enrolled onto a course, celebrated the Mass and reflected and created a meditation on today's Gospel Reading through intercessory prayer.

The really annoying thing is...I can't remember what i said....one day i will record my relflections and share them with you on here

My Prayers tonight are with The Ministry of Adoramus Christian Ministries...its Clergy and those with whom we are associated with.

Grace and Peace