Newsletter - 5/6 March
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, 5/6 March.
Tragedies command us to stop and think especially when innocent people are killed or injured. Why do bad things happen to good people? Events like the Asian Tsunami, 9/11, the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, terrorist attacks, a young person dying. We wonder what people had done to deserve this? Does God punish us in this way for wrongdoing? Jesus is asked these questions after Pilate ordered a brutal attack on worshippers who were offering sacrifices. Had they done wrong? Jesus is firm when he says no: they had not done anything wrong. We cannot know the "why" of such tragedies. But Jesus uses these pieces of "breaking news" as a warning to the people to repent. No-one is indestructible. Life is fragile. We have no idea what could be waiting around the corner for us.
The second part of the Gospel, the parable of the fig tree, could be seen as a warning: "repent or perish". The fig tree represents our response to God’s invitation to repentance. The owner of the fig tree, tired of waiting for the tree to bear fruit, suggests cutting it down. Jesus is not preaching about a God of revenge and punishment. This parable can also be read as a parable of mercy, love and compassion. We still have time. We still have opportunities to make the changes we need to make In our lives. If God comes looking for the fruit, what will he find? We are all asked to look at areas in our lives where we are not producing fruit. What can we do to make those changes? This is why we are asked to examine our lives regularly and especially during Lent to ask ourselves "how are we living"? Are we living simply? Are we living sustainably? In a world under threat from climate change, do we consider our own relationship with the planet?
No-one is exempt from the call to repentance and we have seen countless examples of this over the past few months in our own society, especially in the Church. We must acknowledge our struggle to better ourselves and live lives that encompass gospel values. Embrace the challenge.
Jane Mellett "Intercom"
Baptism Our next Baptism Preparation will take place on Sunday, 2nd May, 5 – 6 pm in the Prayer Room. If you would like your child baptised, please see Fr. Martin
First Holy Communion Our next session is on Saturday, 13th March between 11 am and 12 noon in the Church when the children will be making their First Reconciliation.
Confirmation A reminder our next session is on Monday 15th March at 7 pm in the Parish Centre. We look forward to seeing you all there.
Praying with your Chidlren at Home There is a newsletter full of ideas for you and your family to do during Lent, prepared by Sue Sanderson and the Diocese, at the back of Church. Please take a copy.
Thank you from Father Pat Kelleher of St. Patrick’s Missionary Society for your hospitality and generous response to his appeal. Please see notice board for poster and letter. Thank you also from SPUC for your "generous and much needed support".
Gift Aid In the past 12 months, the Parish has received £3,536 in Gift Aid payments from the Inland Revenue (HMRC). Are you a member of the scheme? We could get so much more if tax payers in the Parish completed a simple form and joined the envelope scheme or paid by Standing Order. Think about it and join. Speak to Father or David Shoubridge Tel: 262 1326.
Fairtade Shop Please visit our Fairtrade Shop in the Church Foyer and see what we have on sale. Our shop is well stocked and every purchase helps producers in the poorer countries support their families and make a living.
S. Patrick's Day – Wednesday 17th March. We are looking for volunteers to help with the catering and refreshments at the "get together" after Mass. If you would like to help, please see Father Martin or Mary in the Church Office.
We are also looking for donations for our raffle to be held at the St. Patrick’s Dance and also after the Mass on St. Patrick’s Day. Do you have any unwanted gifts lying around? If so, would you like to donate them as a raffle prize? All donations can be left at the Presbytery.
The collection taken at the St. Patrick’s Day Mass will go towards our new accessible toilet.
| Day | Date | Time | Meeting | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8 March | 7 pm | Carmelite Fellowship | Parish Centre Lounge |
| Monday | 8 March | 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm | RCIA | Prayer Room |
| Tuesday | 9 March | 7 pm | Legion of Mary | Prayer Room |
| Wednesday | 10 March | 7.30 pm | Eucharistic Ministers' Meeting | Prayer Room |
| Saturday | 13 March | 11 am – 12 noon | First Holy Communion – First Reconciliation | Church |
| Monday | 15 March | 7 pm – 8.15 pm | Confirmation – Service of Reconciliation | Church |
| Thursday | 18 March | 7.30 pm – 9 pm | Youth Group | Parish Centre |
| Monday | 22 March | 2 pm | Communications mtg | Presbytery |
| Wednesday | 24 March | 7.30 pm | Liturgy meeting | Prayer Room |
| Thursday | 25 March | 7.30 pm | Justice & Peace Meeting | Prayer Room |
| Wednesday | 31 March | 2 – 4 pm | Afternoon Club: Robert Gregory – Leicester Castle | Parish Centre |
| Wednesday | 7 April | 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm | Our Faith Journey | Prayer Room |
| Wednesday | 28 April | After 7 pm Mass | Spirituality Group | Prayer Room |
| Sunday | 2 May | 5 pm – 6 pm | Baptism Course | Prayer Room |
| Wednesday | 5 May | 7.30 pm | Parish Pastoral Council | Prayer Room |
| Wednesday | 19 May | 7.30 pm | Parish Centre Meeting | Prayer Room |
Parish AGM We had a very successful Parish AGM last week with many discussions and important issues raised. Out of the meeting, the following points were raised:- Our Parish Council is composed of members representing the various groups within our Parish and it was suggested that we invite two members of the Parish who do not belong to the groups to join the Parish Council. If you are interested in joining the Council, please see Father Martin. There was also a discussion as to how issues or questions could be raised by Parishioners. If you have any points you would like to bring to the attention of the Parish Council, please see Father Martin or Robert Murphy. It was also agreed to start a Spirituality Group to look at ways of exploring and deepening our spiritual life in the Parish. If you would like to be a member of this group, please see Father Martin, Jo Bradbury or Mary Fortey. There will be a meeting on Wednesday, 28th April after Mass to discuss ideas and plan a way forward.
Coffee Morning Towards Flowers at Easter On Sunday, 28th March after the 10.30 am Mass, we will be having a Coffee Morning and sale of cakes. There will be a raffle after all Masses to raise funds towards the decoration of the Church and the flowers for Easter. If you feel you can support us in any way by baking cakes or selling raffle tickets, all help will be gratefully received. We thank you for all the support you continue to give us. Mary M, Kath and Linda.
Easter Services Would you like to participate in any of our Easter Services or have your “feet washed” on Holy Thursday? If so, please sign the list at the back of Church.
Big Church Clean The third of our "Big Cleans" will be on Saturday, 20th March from 10.30 am. With so many volunteers we should be finished by midday. Thank you to all those people who volunteered and thanks in anticipation of your help on this occasion. If you didn’t sign up for “The Big Clean” and you would like to come along, you would be more than welcome. This is an equal opportunity venture so gentlemen would be very welcome.
"The Death of the Messiah" Reflections on the Passion Narratives in the four Gospels led jointly by Fr Eddy Jarosz and Rev. Chris Oxley. 7.30 pm – 9 pm (tea/coffee at 7 pm onwards) on Thursdays - 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th March at St. Anne’s, Letchworth Road, Leicester. Please see poster on notice board for further details.
Ratcliffe College Open Morning – Saturday, 13th March 10 am – 12 noon. Please see poster for further details.
Nottingham Pilgrimage To Lourdes – July 2010 If you are interested in joining this Pilgrimage, please see Mary in the Church Office for further details and a booking form.
28th March – Palm Sunday United Service Meet at 6.30 pm at St. Luke’s to proceed to
St. Patrick’s for service at 6.40 pm. 2nd April – Good Friday - Christ in the Centre 10 am – 12 noon St. Peter’s Square, Highcross and Humberstone Gate
St. Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham. Come and Sing Morning. Saturday, 20th March, 10.30 am – 12.45 pm, Cathedral Hall. You are invited to “come along and sing” with the Nottingham Diocesan Choir and members of the Cathedral Choir preparing music for the Chrism Mass. All that is required is your voice and bags of enthusiasm. Please see poster for further details. All musicians welcome
St. Patrick's Day Dance in the Parish Centre, 100 Beaumont Leys Lane, Leicester Tel: 0116 235 3329 Saturday, 13th March 2010 8 pm – late
Dancing to the sound of Cassidy’s Showband Admission by ticket only – price £7 Tickets available from Jo Edwards or the Church Office
St. Patrick's Day Mass Wednesday, 17th March at 11 am Celebrant: Fr. John-Joe Maloney. Afterwards refreshments and music by Con Ferns in the Parish Centre until 2.30 pm
Pilgrimage to Iona: 10th – 15th October 2010. If you would like to join the Blessed Sacrament Parish’s Pilgrimage to Iona this year, staying at the Columba Hotel in Oban, the cost will be £300 (single supplement £75). Travel will be by coach and there will be daily outings. Please ring 2858 795 for a booking form or speak to Fr. Maloney.
Leicester's 1st St. Patrick's Day Parde 13th March 2010 The parade will begin at the corner of Shires Lane and High Street at 11.30 am following a set route finishing at the big screen on Humberstone Gate. Come and join the parade – dress up, bring your flags or just clap along to the marching band. More details from The Irish Forum – 276 9186.
Medjugorhe Irish Centre - Grand Prize Every week for a year, we are giving away one week’s free apartment accommodation for up to 4 people. Text the word "pilgrim" followed by your name and country to 60777, or phone us and we can enter you into the draw for free. Special Introductory Offer Euro260 package Website: www.med-irishcentre.com Tel: 028 8224 1888 All Musicians welcome
Pilgrimage to Poland – 17th – 21st October 2010 Fr. Eddy Jarosz will be leading a Pilgrimage to Poland between the above dates. Flying from Stansted Airport to Krakow and staying 4 nights’ half-board in a 3 star hotel in the centre of the City. Full pilgrimage programme, including Daily Mass and visits to Chestochowa, Auschwitz, city tour of Krakow, Lagiewniki (Basilica of the Divine Mercy) and other places of interest. The cost will be approximately £500 (depending on of price of flight at time of booking). Single supplement £100.For further details and a booking form, please contact Fr. Eddy at St. Peter’s on: Tel 0116 251 9802.
Wanted Volunteers to help paint the inside of our Parish Centre. Can you wield a paint brush? Would you like to help? If you can’t spare the time – could you donate towards the cost of the paint? Please see Father Martin.
For Sake – Gloves, Hats and Bedsocks: £1 per pair. Knitted by members of the Afternoon Club. All proceeds will go to their charity of the year which is in aid of Alzheimers. Please see Kay Shorten or Mary Fortey (in the Church Office).
