Catholic Parish of Ash

WELCOME

Special Collection

Next Sunday, 27^th July, there will be a Special Collection A Day for Life

Liturgy

20th July 2014 (16^th Sunday of Year A
Theme:  Leave the Judgement to God

Ent:                  HA:  770   HF:  388 Lord the light of ..
Offertory:         HA:  967   HF:  570 O the love of my ..
Final Hymn: HA:  880   HF:  684 Tell out my soul

Responsorial Psalm: 16^th Sunday Year A

Information

YOUCAT (Youth Catechism)

A Parishioner has asked us to recommend the Youth Catechism Book known as YOUCAT which is not only beneficial to our young people but is also an easy to read Catechism for adults who have an enquiring mind and wishing to have questions answered.  This book answers many of those questions. (This book can be obtained from The Catholic Truth Society ISBN 978-1-86082-728-0)

100^th Anniversary of World War One Commemoration for our Two Churches: Monday 4^th August 7.30pm at Holy Angels Church (See website for further details)

MacMillan Cancer Support Charity Great Coffee Morning Friday, 26^th September.  Both Halls at Holy Angels and Holy Family are booked from 9.30am until 11.45am  for this event.  (Please see Father David, Deacon John or Rita in the Parish Office if you would like to help. Thank you

Youth Gather 2014:  Sunday, 28^th September, 2014 at St. Andrew’s School, Leatherhead.
Why not come and join in the fun from 10am-5pm. For young people, youth/Confirmation Groups, students, families, and anyone else interested, to come together to walk, talk, learn, eat and to engage in social action projects.  Led by Bishop Kieran. (See Church Notice Boards for more information)

Prayer Requests

For the sick: Deacon David Morgan, Newton Abrew and Michael Brandon.

Prayer Group:  The next Prayer Group for both Churches will take place once a month on a Tuesday at 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start.  Dates are: 9^th Sept. 7^th Oct. and 4^th November.

Holy Family

Please pray for the repose of the soul of a former parishioner, John Boyle, who recently died.  His funeral service will take place onWednesday, 23^rd July at 2.30pm in Holy Family Church.

Today’s Gospel

(Taken from a book by Flor McCarthy, SDB)

We go to Church, not because we are saints, but because we are sinners, sinners who know that we are sinners, but who are willing to strive for something better.  And God is patient with us, and lenient in his judgements.

 There have always been two views of the Church – one exclusive, the other inclusive.  The exclusive view holds that the Church is for good people, for the fully committed.  In the inclusive view, the Church must be open to all, to the hot, the cold and the lukewarm, to saints and sinners.  For some, the presence of sinner in the Church is a cause of scandal.  If they had their way, only saints would be admitted.  

The issue of sinners in the Church was a big one for the early Church too.  So how did they approach it?  Some were for weeding sinners out.  But others turned to the example of Jesus for guidance.

First of all, they had his practice to guide them.  Not only did he not exclude sinners, he welcomed them.  He declared that he had come, not to call the just, but sinners to repentance.  Then they had his teaching to guide them.  The parable about the field in which wheat and weeds grow together until the harvest was a response to this very question.

Human beings are complex.  They can’t be divided into the good and the bad, as though they were two completely separate classes of people.  There is no line you can draw which would neatly separate the good from the bad.  Any such line would go right through each human heart, for there is good and evil in every heart.

All of us are a mixture of good and bad. The people we call ‘good’ may have terrible things in them – mad moods of recklessness, assertion, jealousy, sin.  And so-called ‘bad’ people may have in them sorrow, repentance, pity, sacrifice.

So what should we do?  As far as ourselves are concerned, the best thing we can do is take a good look into our own field.  If we find some weeds there, as no doubt we will, there is no law against trying to rid ourselves of them.  If we try to do so, we will discover what a painful process this is.

As far as others are concerned, we should try to act towards them as Jesus acted.  Isn’t it strange that he who had no trace of weed in him could be so understanding towards those who failed to measure up? Why didn’t he weed out Judas. And why didn’t he weed out Peter?   He saw the weeds in Peter’s life, but he saw the wheat too.  He knew that with encouragement the wheat would prevail. And it did.

The Church can do no better than imitate its Founder. It has to be big enough and loving enough to hold sinners in the fold.  If it did not do so, it would not be the Church of Christ.

The Church is a temple with a hundred gates, and pilgrims enter from every angle.  Through every door, and from all kinds of paths, we enter the house of God on a Sunday morning.  Ours is not a Church for those who feel good, but for those who know they are not.

God is a lot more tolerant than we are.  Today’s First Reading says of God, ‘You are lenient to all .. mild in your judgement..you govern with great lenience.’

While we distinguish clearly between good and evil, we must aim at being as understanding and tolerant as God is.  The time for judgement is not yet.  The Kingdom of God is still at the growing stage.  Now is the time for conversion.  People change. We can change

WELCOME

Special Collection

TODAY there will be a Second Special Collection for the Apostleship of the Sea

Liturgy

13th July 2014 (15^th Sunday of Year A
Theme:  The seed that struggles to grow

Ent:                  HA: 685   HF:  27 All things bright ..
Offertory:         HA: 735   HF:  782 We plough the fields
Final Hymn: HA: 865   HF:  285 I the Lord of sea ..

Responsorial Psalm: 15^th Sunday Year A

Information

Confirmation 2015

If you will be 13 or over NEXT YEAR and would like to join the Confirmation Discovery Programme, please help yourself to a Confirmation Information leaflet at the back of the two Churches TODAY or speak to Fr. David, Deacon, John, Gloria or Hilary or call Rita at the Parish Office.  The Programme planners need to know as soon as possible to get a date for Confirmation. i.e. by the 1^st October, 2014.

Congratulations to the following adults who were confirmed at Holy Angels on Friday. Please remember them in your prayers:-

Jennifer Byers, Jon Clifford, Lisa DeJesus, Caroline Keogh, Gordon Veitch, Fleur Hollyer, Mary Maloney, Adriam Russell and David White

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2014-2015

 Application forms are now available at the back of each church for the First Holy Communion Programme 2014 -2015.

Your child must be in YEAR 3 or above to be considered for the programme and as a family you are requested to be registered with the parish. Location of classes alternates between Holy Angels, Ash and Holy Family, Heath End and all the children must attend all lessons (you will find the dates on the sheet attached to the application form). If you require further information please contact Amanda Watson (amandawatty@sky.com).

100^th Anniversary of World War One Commemoration for our Two Churches: Monday 4^th August 7.30pm at Holy Angels Church (See website for further details)

MacMillan Cancer Support Charity Great Coffee Morning Friday, 26^th September.  Both Halls at Holy Angels and Holy Family are booked from 9.30am until 11.45am  for this event.  (Please see Father David, Deacon John or Rita in the Parish Office if you would like to help. Thank you

Youth Gather 2014:  Sunday, 28^th September, 2014 at St. Andrew’s School, Leatherhead.
Why not come and join in the fun from 10am-5pm. For young people, youth/Confirmation Groups, students, families, and anyone else interested, to come together to walk, talk, learn, eat and to engage in social action projects.  Led by Bishop Kieran. (See Church Notice Boards for more information)

Prayer Requests

For the sick: Deacon David Morgan, Newton Abrew and Michael Brandon.

Prayer Group:  The next Prayer Group for both Churches will take place once a month on a Tuesday at 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start.  The next dates are – 9^th Sept. 7^th Oct. and 4^th November.

Two Parishes Fun Day

All our worries about the weather were unfounded!  The sun shone to welcome well over a hundred parishioners from babies to 90 year olds and it was so good to see people chatting, greeting old friends or making new ones and having a really great time.

The food was absolutely fantastic – the tables in the priest’s house were groaning beneath the weight of every kind of food imaginable and the home made deserts would tempt even the strongest of wills.

For the children there was the Bouncy Castle, hook-a-duck, face painting and lots of other games as well as the under 12’s singing and dancing competition (special thanks to our 11 year old DJ)

For the young people over 12 and their parents there was a Rounder’s Competition in the big field at the back of the Church, as well as singing to guitar accompaniment and other activities.  Thanks to our Youth Group for organising the FREE (yes free!) Raffle as a Thank you to the people of the Parish for their support over the past year.  The Fire Engine was a great hit – especially when the children had the opportunity to hose their dads down with the fire hose.  Thanks to the parents who were such good sports and entered so enthusiastically into the spirit of the occasion.

The day surpassed all we could have hoped for and we must give a HUGE VOTE OF THANKS to the organisers for without their hardwork and support we would not have had such a wonderful parish gathering.

Baptisms

If you have had a baby recently, congratulations.  If you are planning to have the baby baptised within the first twelve months of the birth, it is an easy process.  The procedure to help you is stated on both Church Notice Boards and on the Website.

If the child is rising two and has a mind of its own, you could have problems in that the child needs to be willing to co-operate in having water poured over its head.  Unfortunately, every year there are one or two children who refuse to have water poured over their head and this means that although we can change the Baptism into a service of Blessing the child, we are unable to baptise until the parents have managed to win the child’s confidence that there is nothing to fear and it will make them very special in God’s eyes.

Father David and Deacon John will do absolutely everything they can to support and assist you in preparing your child for baptism, but in the end, it is only you the parents, that will be able  in love and gentleness to overcome any problems there may be.

St. Don Bosco

Many years ago the Salesian Priests came to this area and established a School for boys at Farnborough and also established a number of our local Parishes.

They were following in the footsteps of St. Don Bosco, who although he never came to England had a great love for the worldwide mission of the Church and it is because of his life and work that we here have benefited from Salesian Priests coming to work in our area.

Masses of Thanksgiving for Don Bosco’s Life and Mission will be held  on the following dates:-

The Metropolitan Cathedral of St George, Southwark, London Saturday 20th September 2014, 2:00pm
Gathering and self catering space available from 12:00 noon.
Reception following until 5:00pm

The Metropolitan Cathedral of St Andrew, Glasgow
Saturday 25th October 2014, 1:00pmZ
Gathering and self catering space available from 11:00am Reception following until 4:00pm

Parishioners from Holy Angels and Holy Family are invited to attend if they can.  If they can’t there will be a Mass at Holy Angels on 26^th October at 11am.

Anonymous Donations to the Church
We have been approached by two parishioners who for very personal reasons wish to contribute occasionally totally anonymously so that even the Priest will not know what they have contributed.  I have spoken to the Bank and the Diocese and they have advised me that anyone can make a charitable donation anonymously if they wish to do so by paying in personally at a Bank and we will then record it as an anonymous donation.  Obviously the church will not be able to claim Gift Aid on anonymous donations, so you may wish to take thisinto consideration when making your decision.  Details required for an anonymous donations are available confidentially from Rita in the Parish Office.

We would like to thank all who generously support our two Churches in any way.

WELCOME

Special Collection

There will be a Second Special Collection next Sunday, 13^th July for the Apostleship of the Sea

Liturgy

6th July 2014 (14^th Sunday of Year A
Theme:  My yoke is easy

Ent:                  HA:  846  HF:  40 Amazing Grace
Offertory:         HA:  212  HF:  31 All ye who seek
Final Hymn: HA:  644  HF:  37 Alleluia sing to Jesus

Responsorial Psalm

Information

Prayer Group: The next Prayer Group for Holy Angels & Holy Family Churches will take place on Tuesday, 8^th July in the Parish Office at Holy Angels Church

Rededication of The War Memorial in Ash on Sunday 10^th August.  We are particularly keen to make contact with anyone who is related to any of the names of people mentioned on the Memorial. Should you require further details, please contact Cllr. Pat Scott or our Clerk to The Council, Mrs Carole Olive.

100^th Anniversary of World War One Commemoration for our Two Churches: Monday 4^th August 7.30pm at Holy Angels Church (See website for further details)

MacMillan Cancer Support Charity Great Coffee Morning Friday, 26^th September.  Both Halls at Holy Angels and Holy Family are booked from 9.30am until 11.45am  for this event.  (Please see Father David, Deacon John or Rita in the Parish Office if you would like to help. Thank you

Youth Gather 2014:  Sunday, 28^th September, 2014 at St. Andrew’s School, Leatherhead.
Why not come and join in the fun from 10am-5pm. For young people, youth/Confirmation Groups, students, families, and anyone else interested, to come together to walk, talk, learn, eat and to engage in social action projects.  Led by Bishop Kieran. (See Church Notice Boards for more information)

ADVANCE NOTICE:  Harvest Thanksgiving this year will be on Saturday, 4^th/Sunday, 5^th October at Holy Angels and Holy Family.  (CAFOD Fast Day is on  26^th September) Please put this date in your diary and give some thought on how we may decorate our churches to celebrate this event.

SUCADO (Sussex Christian Doctor’s Network) is an informal support network for Doctors of all religious traditions.  (Further information from susan.obrien@dabnet or Telephone: 01293 651161)

Prayer Requests

For the sick: Deacon David Morgan and Newton Abrew.

Holy Angels

Choir and Music at Holy Angels:
Music and choir volunteers list:

Organist: Elena Naylor

@: elena.naylor@yahoo.com

Tel: 01252-327064.

Choir co-ordinator and Cantor: Christina Allgood

@: allgood30@hotmail.com, christina.allgood@surreycc.gov.uk;

Tel: 01252-679551.

Choir administrator: Mrs Cathy Watkins

@: cckrwatkins@ntlworld.com
Choir members:

Sopranos: Mrs Maddalena Gosney, Mrs Cathy Watkins.

Altos: Mrs Frances Merry, Mrs Coleen Rutter

Tenors: Mr Philip Gosney

Junior choir: Bonnie, Beatrice.

Our activities

Choir practice:

Choir practice is currently taking place every other week before the 11am Sunday Mass at Holy

Angels. We gather in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for about half an hour, during which we

learn new hymns as well as practising with our current repertoire.

Choir practice calendar for the forthcoming weeks:

Sunday 6th July, from 10.15 to 10.45.

Sunday 20th July, from 10.15 to 10.45.

Sunday 3rd August, from 10.15 to 10.45.

Repertoire:

We aim to sing soon for our community:

- Turn to me (n. 786 in our hymn book)

- On Eagle’s Wings , by M. Joncas (n. 952 in our hymn books)

- This is the day, by M. Joncas (n. 257 in our hymn books)

- Salve Regina, Gregorian melody (n. 367 in our hymn book)

- Missa De Angelis (n.497 to 509 in our hymn books);

As we are an enthusiastic and committed group, we would like to experiment and innovate by

introducing more challenging projects, such as:

- introducing a repertoire for the Junior Chorus.

-singing in descant for four voices;

Our Projects:

However, we really need to enlarge our group! Please do not feel shy and join us, age range spans

between 5 and 95! We would love to have you as part of our singing family!

We aim to invite you for a relaxed and friendly music and singing open morning. Food and

beverages will be available, as well as company and enjoyment. Further details will follow soon..

A Reflection on today’s Gospel

At times all of us find life burdensome.  But Jesus invites us to bring us burdens to him and he will give us rest.  Let us come to him now in a spirit of love and trust.

Let us pray to the God who is faithful in all his works and compassionate to all his creatures.

For those who are burdened with responsibility of office
For those who are burdened with hardship
For those who are burdened with anxiety
For those who are burdened with loneliness
For those who are burdened with a need to gossip
For those who are burdened with failure
For those who are burdened with bitterness
For those who are burdened with guilt
For those who are burdened with grief
For those who are burdened with illness
For those who are burdened with old age and infirmity
For those who are burdened with the feeling that they are a burden to others.
For those who ae burdened with a need to run the lives of others.

For our own special needs.

God of love and mercy, grant us in all our tasks your help, in all our doubts your guidance, in all our weaknesses your strength, in all our sorrows your consolation, and in all our dangers your protection.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.

WELCOME

Special Collection

 There will be a Special Collection TODAY for Peter’s Pence.

Liturgy

29th June 2014
Ent:                  HA: 371  HF:  176 For all the Saints
Offertory:         HA:  862 HF:  248He who would valiant
Final Hymn: HA:  837 HF:  156 Faith of our fathers

Responsorial Psalm

 Holy Angels and Holy Family FREE Parish Fun Day will take place on Sunday, 6^th July, 2014 following Mass and the buffet lunch will be available from 1pm until 5pm at Holy Angels Church, Ash. If you have any special dietary requirements, as an alternative, you are welcome to bring a picnic lunch. We have had a good response from HA’s and are sure we will from Holy Family. There will be lots of fun with games, face painting, we will even have a Fire Engine on site for the children.( If you are able to help with getting the garden ready on the Saturday, eg. erecting gazebos etc. please give Rita in the Parish Office a call.)

Information

First Holy Communion Day – Thank you……As our First Holy Communion programme comes to an end this year, we would like to say thank you to those who helped us on the First Holy Communion day and for those who have helped with one off tasks of whom there are too many to mention here, but your help has been greatly appreciated.

Thank you to Father David and Deacon John for carrying out the FHC masses at both churches and thank you to Rita for being our efficient point of liaison in the office.

As part of helping the FHC days to run so smoothly we would like to thank Chris Mann; Altar Servers (Gloria Benson, Regan Woods, Lara Rawnsley, Claire Hobbs, Oliver Hobbs, Thomas Howarth-Edwards and Christina Edwards); the Eucharistic Ministers, the Organists and Christina Allgood for her super singing during both of the services. We would like to thank the team of flower ladies at both churches for providing such wonderful flower arrangements. A big thank you to Maggie Bachelor for assisting us throughout the FHC programme and also on the day.

Thanks to Maria Kellock for making communion cakes for both churches and thank you to all of the parents from last year’s First Holy Communion group for providing the Communion Breakfast and pouring out teas and coffees etc ( ably coordinated by Suzanne Anderson and Magdalena Jackson).

Finally, thank you to Lynn Strathdee, who has been one of the First Holy Communion Catechists for the past 2 years. Lynn will be stepping down from this role, but her input into the FHC lessons and work she has done with the children has been invaluable – THANK YOU LYNN!!

St Polycarp’s School Summer Fair on Saturday 5th July from 11:00-2:30 pm. All are warmly welcome to come along.

Adult Confirmation Mass:  Will take place at 7.30pm. on Friday, 11^th July at Holy Angels Church, Ash.

Rededication of The War Memorial in Ash on Sunday 10^th August.  We are particularly keen to make contact with anyone who is related to any of the names of people mentioned on the Memorial. Should you require further details, please contact Cllr. Pat Scott or our Clerk to The Council, Mrs Carole Olive.

100^th Anniversary of World War One Commemoration for our Two Churches: Monday 4^th August 7.30pm at Holy Angels Church (See website for further details)

MacMillan Cancer Support Charity Great Coffee Morning Friday, 26^th September.  Both Halls at Holy Angels and Holy Family are booked from 9.30am until 11.45am  for this event.  (Please see Father David, Deacon John or Rita in the Parish Office if you would like to help. Thank you

Youth Gather 2014:  Sunday, 28^th September, 2014 at St. Andrew’s School, Leatherhead.
Why not come and join in the fun from 10am-5pm. For young people, youth/Confirmation Groups, students, families, and anyone else interested, to come together to walk, talk, learn, eat and to engage in social action projects.  Led by Bishop Kieran. (See Church Notice Boards for more information)

ADVANCE NOTICE:  Harvest Thanksgiving this year will be on Saturday, 4^th/Sunday, 5^th October at Holy Angels and Holy Family.  (CAFOD Fast Day is on  26^th September) Please put this date in your diary and give some thought on how we may decorate our churches to celebrate this event.

SUCADO (Sussex Christian Doctor’s Network) is an informal support network for Doctors of all religious traditions.  (Further information from susan.obrien@dabnet or Telephone: 01293 651161)

Prayer Requests

For the sick: Deacon David Morgan and Newton Abrew.

Please remember in your prayers George Terzis who died on Thursday.  Please remember also his wife, Sophie and his family who now have to face the loss of a much loved husband and Father.

Please remember in your prayers Father Michael Benjamin who has died, giving thanks for his priestly ministry and praying for vocations to the Priesthood.

Please also remember Sister Marguerite who recently retired as Chaplain of All Hallows School, as her mother is now seriously ill and Sister Marguerite has been asked to return to her home in Malaysia.  Please remember Sister and her mother and family in your prayers at this time.

Please remember in your prayers Lysabeth Baker who has recently died and was the grandmother to two of our children who recently took their First Holy Communion. We pray for the family at this very sad time.

Holy Family

TODAY  the Children from Holy Family who made their First Holy Communion last Saturday join us formally at Mass TO THANK God for all at Holy Family who have helped them prepare for this very special event in their life.  They will receive Holy Communion first.

Holy Angels

Holy Angels Health and Safety:  The Diocese has asked us to review our arrangements for Health and Safety at both our churches.  (They are asking every Parish in the Diocese to do this).  If you would be able to advise Father David on what needs to be done at Holy Angels, please see him after Mass or contact Rita at the Parish Office as soon as possible.  Holy Family already have arrangements in place for Health and Safety.

Prayer Group: The next Prayer Group for Holy Angels & Holy Family Churches will take place on Tuesday, 8^th July in the Parish Office at Holy Angels Church.

Message from Father David

Request for Mass Intentions:  The Inland Revenue and the Diocese have instructed Priests to keep a written record of all Donations for Mass Intentions and to include them in the Annual Returns.  If you would like a Mass to be said at Holy Angels or Holy Family, you need now not only to see the Priest personally as before, but also fill in a “Request for a Mass Intention” so that the Priest has a record for the Annual Returns.

Father David would like to add his words of thanks to all involved in the FHC programme and especially, team leaders, Amanda, Teresa, Lynne and Susie.

Thank you and God Bless,     Father David

WELCOME

Special Collection

There will be a Special Collection next Sunday, 29^th June for Peter’s Pence.

Liturgy

22^nd June 2014 – Corpus Christi

Ent:                  HA: 663   HF:  674 Sweet Sacrament ..
Offertory:         HA:  629  HF:  272 I am the bread of life
Final Hymn: HA: 960  HF:  233 Guide me O ..

Responsorial Psalm

Holy Angels and Holy Family FREE Parish Fun Day will take place on Sunday, 6^th July, 2014 from 1pm until 5pm at Holy Angels Church, Ash. We have had a good response from HA’s and are sure we will from Holy Family. (Please see the list at the back of the Church)There will be lots of fun with games, face painting, we will even have a Fire Engine on site for the children. (see poster for more details)

Information

Adult Confirmation Mass: 

Will take place at 7.30pm. on Friday, 11^th July at Holy Angels Church, Ash.

Youth Gather 2014:  Sunday, 28^th September, 2014 at St. Andrew’s School, Leatherhead.
Why not come and join in the fun from 10am-5pm. For young people, youth/Confirmation Groups, students, families, and anyone else interested, to come together to walk, talk, learn, eat and to engage in social action projects.  Led by Bishop Kieran. (See Church Notice Boards for more information)

A & B Diocesan Festival: Sunday, 29^th June 2014 from 10am – 4pm at St. Wilfrid’s School, Crawley.

100^th Anniversary of World War One Commemoration for our Two Churches: Monday 4^th August 7.30pm at Holy Angels Church (See website for further details)

Farnham Foodbank: Is looking for a new Volunteer Warehouse Manager – If you have recently retired and would like a new worthwhile focus in your life – Contact: Rose Williamson on info@farnham.foodbank.org.uk for further information and an application form or tel: 01252 737586.  Last date for applications: 1^st July 2014.

ADVANCE NOTICE:  Harvest Thanksgiving this year will be on Saturday, 4^th/Sunday, 5^th October at Holy Angels and Holy Family.  (CAFOD Fast Day is on  26^th September) Please put this date in your diary and give some thought on ho we may decorate our churches to celebrate this event.

SUCADO (Sussex Christian Doctor’s Network) is an informal support network for Doctors of all religious traditions.  (Further information from susan.obrien@dabnet or Telephone: 01293 651161)

Prayer Requests

For the sick: Deacon David Morgan, Newton Abrew, Paul Gibson’s Mother, Judy.

We pray for Robert Schofield  a teacher at Farnborough Hill who was killed tragically in a road traffic accident last week.  Robert was due to get married in August.

Prayer Group

The next Prayer Group for Holy Angels & Holy Family Churches will take place on Tuesday, 8^th July in the Parish Office.

Holy Family

Our thanks to Richard Beard who with his brother-in-law Pawel have during the last two weeks been panting the walls of the church.  Richard and Pawel have done an excellent job and were very sensitive in accommodating the various activities in the church.  Their telephone number is available from Rita in the Parish Office should you need it.

Holy Angels

We have received a lot of thankful comments and letters from people who were invited to the First Holy Communions last Saturday and we would just like to thank all those ladies who helped prepare the children for their special day and for those who helped with the lovely flower decorations in the Church.

Frances Richards who used to live in Ash and was a Parishioner at Holy Angels but moved away about 20 years ago has sadly died.  Her Cremation has taken place in the North and there will be a Memorial Service followed by the burial of Ashes for family and friends at Holy Angels on Friday, 25^th July at 10.30am. Past neighbours and friends are welcome to attend

Corpus Christi

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, a time when we honour the true presence of our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion.  In their introduction to celebrating the Mass the Bishops of England and Wales remind us that “For Catholic’s now, as in the past, the Eucharist is the source and summit of the whole Christian life.  It is the vital centre of all that the Church is and does, because at it’s heart is the real presence of the crucified, risen and glorified Lord, continuing and making available his saving work among us”.

Regular reception of Holy Communion is important because the further we are away from practicing our faith the further we are from the sacramental presence of Christ.

Christ’s presence in Holy Communion is not just for us as a private treat from God but is something which we share with others taking the love of Christ out from the Church into our local community and the world.  To symbolise this there will be a short Corpus Christi Procession at the end of each Mass this weekend when Holy Communion will be placed in a special container and carried in procession out of the Church symbolizing  each of us taking Christ out from the Mass into the world.

Iraq:  There are reports on facebook from Christians in Iraq that the Islamic Forces (ISIS) have ordered the destructions of all Churches in the areas they have taken over.  This also implies that the lives of Christians are at serious risk. Please remember our fellow brothers and sisters in this part of the world who will be facing these frightening challenges because of their love of Christ and their faith.

In view of the current unrest and dangerous situation in the Middle East you may find the following Prayer useful:-

Grant, O Lord, for the sake of those whose lives are lost in war, and for the sake of the generations to come, that the Nations of the world may learn your way of peace;  and that all may have a chance to enjoy the life you have given them, free from war, tyranny and oppression.

Amen.