Newsletter - 4 / 5 September
Our parish Newsletter is published weekly and carries our parish news plus items from around the Deanery and Diocese, along with the weekly Mass intentions and rotas. There are always copies available at the back of the church.
Extracts from this weeks newsletter, 4 / 5 September.
This week’s Gospel gives us a pause for thought. Here is a direct and serious message from Jesus about the personal cost of discipleship. Perhaps one of the real issues we need to deal with as Christians is the comfort and ease of our Christianity and our discipleship? How many of us actually feel like we are being addressed as a member of the crowd gathered before Jesus? How many of us actually feel a personal cost of discipleship? Do we even perceive ourselves as ‘disciples’ of Jesus? Or have we handed over responsibility for that role to the ‘professionals’: clerics and religious? Do we think that people who live out the conditions set before us in this Gospel are a bit zealous, a bit fanatical, the ‘lunatic fringe’. Have there been any consequences of my discipleship?
For many of us, Christianity is an easy religion, with few demands beyond gestures of charity and kindness. If we were to find ourselves on a hillside listening to Jesus and we felt moved to make a conscious decision to be his disciple, here and now, what would that look like? What would that mean for our lifestyle?
Our attitudes to the consumer culture, to environmental exploitation and pollution, the human cost behind the production of cheap clothing, gadgets and food differ little from those of no religious persuasion. Jesus’ challenge in today’s Gospel is to stop and consider what changes we are prepared to make, how committed we are to his call, for it is radical, it has consequences and it is not easy. It demands a conscious choice for an alternative lifestyle lived out of sync with the prevailing culture. It requires a change in mindset and a deep grounding and confidence that one can withstand the scorn and contempt of our closest family and friends. It means less ‘Facebook’ and more ‘face time’, less spent on clothing, possessions, gadgets, recreation and more spent on the poor and preserving the planet.
Amanda Dillon ‘Intercom’
Talk on Cardinal John Henry Newman – Life and Teachings – in preparation for his beatification and Papal visit – by Fr. Robbie O’Callaghan
Wednesday, 15th September 2010 7.00 pm Mass followed on by talk at 7.30 pm Refreshments afterwards in Prayer Room Everyone welcome.
Congratulations to English Martyrs’ Year 11 Students who have achieved a GCSE Level 2 pass rate of 81% 5 A* - C for the second consecutive year. There were many excellent individual performances at all levels. Thank you to Teachers, support staff and families for all the support given to the students and to all parishioners for their prayerful and practical support for the school.
Thank you to Father Daniel for his care over the past two months. We have enjoyed having him here. He will be returning to Ghana on Wednesday and we wish him a safe journey home.
After 10.30 am Mass on the 12th September, there will be a MacMillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning in the Parish Centre. There will be tea, coffee and cake. Donations in our box will be gratefully accepted. If people could make cakes or donate raffle prizes, these would be much appreciated.
Community Picnic, Richard Hallam School, 1 pm Saturday, September 11th. Everyone welcome
Bring your own picnic. Light refreshments available to purchase.
Would you like to join a rota of volunteers to help setting up (putting chairs out, putting up gazebos, etc. and general fetching and carrying) and then clearing away afterwards? Please see Kate Wadkin or turn up at 11 am on the day.
| Day | Date | Time | Meeting | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 5 September | 5-6pm; | Baptism Preparation | Prayer Room |
| Monday | 6 September | 7 pm | Carmelite Prayer | Prayer Room |
| Tuesday | 7 September | 7 pm | Legion of Mary | Prayer Room |
| Wednesday | 8 Sept | 7.30 pm | Finance Committee | Presbytery |
| Wednesday | 15 September | 2 – 4 pm | Afternoon Club: Mr. Darch - Garden Flowers | Parish Centre |
| Wednesday | 15 September | 7.30 pm | Parish Centre Meeting | Prayer Room |
| Wednesday | 22 September | 7.30 pm | Justice & Peace Meeting | |
| Monday | 27 September | 2 pm | Communications Meeting | Presbytery |
| Tuesday | 28 September | 7.30–9.30 pm | CAFÉ | Parish Centre |
| Wednesday | 29 September | 7.30 pm | Liturgy Meeting | Prayer Room |
| Thursday | 30 September | 7.30 pm | Parish Pastoral Council | Prayer Room |
| Wednesday | 13 October | 7.30 pm | Spirituality Group | Prayer Room |
| Wednesday | 1 December | 7.30 pm | Eucharistic Ministers’ Meeting | Church |
NB: Carmelite Prayer changed from Sunday 5 Sept to Monday 6 Sept & Eucharistic Ministers changed from 24 Nov to 1 Dec.
Annual Mass for all Alter Servers – with Bishop Malcolm - St. Barnabas Cathedral, Saturday, 9th October for Mass at 12 noon Meet and vest in Cathedral Hall from 11 am onwards and bring a picnic lunch for afterwards. If you would like to go, please see Mark Boland. We would like to invite more young people to become Altar Servers. If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Fr. Martin or Mark Boland – Tel: 233 9262.
Next Sunday is Racial Justice Sunday, the theme of which is Migration - Building Bridges or Barries? Racial Justice Sunday offers us a unique opportunity to reflect on the fact that we are all members of the human family, bound together by our common humanity. As such, we should be working together to build bridges of all sorts with each other and to eliminate any preventable barriers. For those who would like to help the work of Catholic Association for Racial Justice there will be a basket at the back of Church after all Masses for donations.
Vision Discerment Afternoon – Franciscan Sisters Minoress Young women – wondering about God’s call for you? You are welcome to join others in finding out what religious life is. On 4th September and the first Saturday of each month 2 pm – 5 pm at St. Clare’s Convent, Clay Cross. Contact: fsmsisters@googlemail.com.
Papel Visit – 16th – 19th September. There are booklets at the back of Church – "Magnificat" – which chronicle the events of the visit and contain the liturgies for the visit and prayer services in preparation. Please take a copy. You are invited to offer a donation of £2 towards the cost of printing these booklets. If you are going on the pilgrimage to Cofton Park, you will need to take a copy of this booklet with you.
Watermead Retreat St. Joseph’s Church, Uppingham Road, Leicester, led by Fr. John Daley
Saturday, 21st August ‘Summer Saints’ 11.30 am in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (drinks from 11 am in the Hall), finishing around 4 pm. Please bring a packed lunch.
Wednesday, 22nd September "The Lord’s Apostles" 7 pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The evening will finish around 8.45 pm with a hot drink.
A donation of £2 for the evening retreat & £3.50p for the day retreat is asked to cover expenses. No booking is necessary but it would be helpful if you could let them know if you are going, by telephoning 220 7881 or e-mail: watermead-apostolate@hotmail.com
Seafares Christmas Shoe Boxes There is a box in the Church foyer for you to provide articles for the shoe boxes which were so gratefully received by the men last year.
There is a list at the back of the Church with suggestions to put in the box and also knitting patterns for hose of you who would like to.
Do you drink semi-skimmed milk. We are collecting the green tops from these. Please put washed tops in box at back of Church.
PARISH BREAK AND PRAYER & REFLECTION time at Gerleve Benedictine Abbey To include trips to Christmas Fairs at Munster & Krefeld. Wednesday, 23rd November – Saturday, 27th November Cost: approx. £250 Accommodation and travel. If you are interested please see Fr. Martin
IRISH SOCIETY DANCE at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre Saturday, 18th September 2010 8 pm til late Dancing to Ally Harron & Marian Curry Tickets £7 on the door
The Dowry of Mary Pilgrimage Walsingham Preparing for the visit of Pope Benedict to the UK ‘Heart speaks unto heart’ Sunday, 12th September 2010 Led by H.E. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor See notice board for details
C.A.F.E. "Knowing God Better" 7 weeks starting Tuesday, 28th September 2010 7.30 – 9.30 pm in the Parish Centre Does God really care about me? Why should I pray? Can my faith make a real difference? Is forgiveness possible? Is the Mass really relevant? Is inner peace possible? What happens when I die? Can faith help my family? Why do I keep making the same mistakes? Am I ready to find the answers? Knowing God Better is a fun and stimulating 7-talk video series by David Payne. Everyone welcome – bring a friend. (Please sign list at back of Church if you are coming)
Fairtrade Shop Open after all Masses every weekend. Please have a look – we have lots of stock and every purchase helps producers and their communities in poorer countries.
1/2 price sale on goods just past their sell by date
Piklgrimage to Walsingham Saturday, 25th September. We are running a pilgrimage to Walsingham which will include time spent at the Slipper Chapel, the Shrine and the village of Walsingham. We will then travel on to Wells for a look at the sea and a bite to eat before leaving for home. We will be departing St. Patrick’s at 8.30 am and leaving Wells at 5.30 pm. If you would like to join this trip please write your name, address and telephone number together with the number of seats required on the coach. The cost is £12 per seat, payable by 29th August. This is non-refundable as we have to pay the cost of the coach. For further details please see Fr. Martin or Mary Fortey in the Church Office.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) Starting in September. Are you interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church? Or maybe you have already thought about being received into the Catholic Church? Then this group is for you. We will look at Prayer, Faith, Spirituality, Catholic teaching and many more themes. If there is a member of your family, a friend or someone you know who might be interested why not give them some encouragement and contact Jo Bradbury or Father Martin.
CAFOD invites you to "Understanding CAFOD" on Thursday, 9th September and Thursday, 23rd September at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Ashby Road, Loughborough – 7 pm – 9.30 pm. See Justice & Peace Notice Board for further details.
Christian Meditation: Saturday 25th September, Liz Watson, UK Co-ordinator of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) will lead a day on the theme “Deepening your Meditation” at Sacred Heart Church, Carlton, Nottingham, from 11 am – 4 pm. The day is suitable for people who have never meditated before, as well as those who have been meditating for a while. A donation of £3 will be invited to cover costs. For more details, contact Peter Short on 0115 961 6534
Christian Praise: Tuesday, 26th October – Rachel Hickson will bring an inspirational message on the amazing results and power of prayer. Wednesday, 27th October – Stephen Gaukroger will present the good news of Jesus Christ. To be held at the De Montfort Hall, doors open 7 pm for a prompt start at 7.30 pm. Tickets: £12 from "Christian Praise" Box Office, 115 Station Road, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8GS or through Christian bookshops.
