Catholic Parish of Ash

WELCOME

Sacrament of Reconciliation:-

Holy Angels: 1st Friday in the Month following 12.00pm Mass and at Holy Family: 1st Thursday in the month following the 7.30pm Mass.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Wednesday at Holy Family @ 7.00pm (in Church Hall)

 (Parish Office Hours: 9.30am – 1.30pm)

                        Please note:  HF = Holy Family, Heath End, Farnham and HA = Holy Angels, Ash

Responsorial Psalm – 1^st Sunday of Lent: A

Liturgy

9th March – 9^th Sunday of Year A
Entrance:     HA:  846 HF: 40   Amazing Grace
Offertory:     HA:  934 HF: 143 Dear Lord and Father
Final Hymn:  HA: 756 HF: 801 When I survey

During Lent: Each Mass on Sunday will incorporate 3 Stations of the Cross in the Penitential Rite.

1^st Station: Kyrie Eleison (3 times)
2^nd Station: Christe Eleison (3 times)
3^rd Station: Kyrie Eleison (3 times)

Gospel Acclamation: 
Glory and praise to you, O Christ (3 times)
Cantor:  Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God
Glory and praise to you, O Christ (3 times)

Information. 

Collections for 2/3/2014

Holy Angels: £235.31 + Standing Orders
Holy Family: £258.60  + Standing Orders

Adult Confirmation sessions:  Sufficient interest has been shown. This will now definitely take place between Easter and Pentecost. On Wednesday’s 7th & 21st May & 4th June starting at 7:30 pm at Holy Angels Ash. All are welcome to come, even just to refresh your faith. More information from Deacon John.

Confessions: Next Sat.15^th March from 10.30am following the First Holy Communion children’s first confessions there is an opportunity during Lent to make your Easter Confessions when we have three visiting Priests,  Fr. Chris Whelan, Fr. Tony Sultana  and Fr. John O’Sullivan who will be hearing Confessions.

Prayer Group for Holy Angels and Holy Family Churches takes place once a month on a Tuesday.  The next date is Tuesday, 11^th March, 8^th April and 6^th May.  Coffee at 7.30pm for 7.45pm start. To be held in the Parish Office.

Youth’s French Ploughman’s:
Next Saturday 15th March 7pm – 10pm at Holy Family. Our Youth are hoping to raise funds for the Youth Retreat and chosen charities. Adult tickets £8 under 16s £4 – tickets available from Gloria Benson or Hilary Gray

Baptisms

Please see the Priest or the Deacon after Mass.

Prayer Requests

For the sick:  Deacon David Morgan, Newton Abrew, Paul Gibson’s Mother, Judy. Dan Connors and Michael Ward both who are seriously ill at this time.

Please pray for: Fr. Kevin Gaskin who died on Wednesday. May he rest in Peace.

Holy Angels

Gift Shop

Judy D’Sa now manages the gift shop at Holy Angels which is always open even if she is not actually present.  Just ask for the keys and place the money in the little money box for the item purchased.

Feel free to call her on 01252 324125 for any special items not available at the shop that you may require.  Catalogues are kept on the top of the display cabinet or visit the distributors’ website which is www.cbcdistributors.co.uk”

ADDITIONAL PARKING AT HOLY ANGELS – If there is space, please feel free to park in front of the Priest’s House – starting as far back as in front of the garage and old top entrance.

Holy Family

Mother and Toddler Group – Our Mother and Toddler Group meet every Thursday morning from 9.30am until 11.30am in the Church Hall.  Why not join us and have a chat over a cup of coffee whilst your children enjoy some playtime with other young children.

Father David’s Message

Ecumenical Lenten Activity: This year our Ecumenical Lenten activity with St. Mary’s Ash Vale and other Churches will be on Friday 4^th April at 7.30pm and will take the form of a mimed Passion Play with commentary and Music.  Weather permitting (this is England not the Holy Land!) in the Priest’s Garden at Holy Angels by members of the Youth Group and local Churches.  Volunteers are needed to help with the soundtrack, makeup, costumes etc. Any adults with experience of amateur dramatics, lighting, sound who would like to volunteer for this ‘one off’ event please contact Fr. David, Rev. Neil Lambert or Gloria Benson. A number of Churches including several Anglican Churches and the United Reformed Church as well as ourselves are joining together to make this project a really worthwhile and enjoyable experience for young people. Watch this space for further news.

(Refreshments  will be available after the event. Please put this date in your diary.)

Reading for Lent: A selection of books is available on the window ledge in the porch at Holy Angels. Please write your name, Tel. No and the Title of the book on the slip board if you borrow a book for Lent.

God Bless you all,       

Father David

WELCOME

Sacrament of Reconciliation:-

Holy Angels: 1st Friday in the Month following 12.00pm Mass and at Holy Family: 1st Thursday in the month following the 7.30pm Mass.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Wednesday at Holy Family @ 7.00pm (in Church Hall)

 (Parish Office Hours: 9.30am – 1.30pm)

                        Please note:  HF = Holy Family, Heath End, Farnham and HA = Holy Angels, Ash

Responsorial Psalm – 8^th Sunday Year A

Liturgy

1^st March – 8^th Sunday of Year A
Theme: God’s love overshadows us all

Entrance:  HA: 801  HF: 398 Love Divine (2^nd Tune called Blenwern)
Offertory:  HA: 967 HF:  570 O the Love of my Lord
Final Hymn:  HA: 807 HF:  602 Praise my soul

Information. 

Collections for 23/2/2014

Holy Angels: £302.80+ Standing Orders
Holy Family: £195.00 + Standing Orders

Confessions: on Sat.15^th March from 10.30am following the First Holy Communion children’s first confessions there is an opportunity during Lent to make your Easter Confessions when we have three visiting Priests,  Fr. Chris Whelan, Fr. Tony Sultana  and Fr. John O’Sullivan who will be hearing Confessions.
Adult Confirmation – If you are over 18 and have missed out on Confirmation for any reason and would like to receive the Sacrament please speak to Father David or Deacon John. (Please see letter from Deacon John on our Church Notice Boards. Also Leaflets available at back of Church.

Prayer Group for Holy Angels and Holy Family Churches takes place once a month on a Tuesday.  The next date is Tuesday, 11^th March, 8^th April and 6^th May.  Coffee at 7.30pm for 7.45pm start. To be held in the Parish Office.

Help for Flood Victims.
St Vincent De Paul (S.V.P) food collections for Flood Victims:  A Box will be available at the back of both Holy Angels and Holy Family Churches  for any (see items for donation on Church Notice Boards)

Baptisms

Please see the Priest or the Deacon after Mass.

Prayer Requests

For the sick:  Deacon David Morgan, Newton Abrew, Paul Gibson’s Mother, Judy. Dan Connors and Michael Ward both who are seriously ill at this time.

Please pray for: Mrs. Madeleine Patricia McAllister from Normandy  who died on Friday 7th Feb.. Funeral at Holy Angels Church on Wed.12^th March at 1pm with committal at Ash Cemetery at 2pm.

Holy Angels

Women’s World Day of Prayer – Friday, 7th March at  7.30pm at St. Paul’s Church,Tongham. (Refreshments will be served after the service).

Holy Family

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: Holy Family will be hosting this interdenominational service on  Friday, 7 March at 2.00 p.m (Refreshments will be served after the service).

I would like to thank the ladies who clean Holy Family church (you are in a real sense God’s Housekeepers and do a great job)  No matter how good you are I accept the point that some of you have made, that there are parts of the Church that are even too high for you to reach.  The dust from recent building work and the spiders who have enjoyed complete freedom at great heights in the roof for at least the last 30 years are far beyond the reach of your dusters and brooms!

We have asked a maintenance contractor to spring clean the roof and high ledges and to repaint three of the walls (the back and side walls).

Father David’s Message

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of St. David, Patron of Wales. St. David was born about 500 and was Bishop of Menevia (which is part of Wales) during the 6^th Century.  St. David was renowned as a teacher and preacher.  He encouraged his priests to drink only water and eat only bread flavoured with salt and herbs.  Although St. David’s holiness and spirituality are admired by many today – especially in Wales – his dietary recommendations for Priests seem to have found few if any followers even in Wales!
In his last Sermon before he died, he asked the people to “Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd” which for the few who will not be Welsh speakers in the Church means:  “Do the little things in life well.”  St. David was recognised as a Saint not just in Wales but in the UniversalChurch by Pope Callixtus in 1120.

Lent begins this week on Wednesday.  Ashes will be Blessed and given at all Masses on Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday is a Day of Fasting and Abstinence from meat for all who are able as a mark of respect for the Passion of Christ.
A set of Stations of the Cross for personal use will be handed out with the Newsletter today.

During Lent HA’s Church will be open every weekday from 9.30am to 1pm and on Saturdays from 9.30am to 5pm for those who wish to make the Stations of the Cross personally or come in for private prayer during Lent.  If you prefer to pray “out of doors” please feel free when the Church is open to make use of the Priest’s House Garden at Holy Angels which has an outdoor Cross and a Statue of the Good Shepherd 1975 by Mora Rendell (use either the white car park gate or the green courtyard gate for access)

This year our Ecumenical Lenten activity with St. Mary’s Ash Vale and other Churches will be on Friday 4^th April at 7.30pm and may take the form of a mimed Passion Play with commentary and Music.  Weather permitting (this is England not the Holy Land!) in the Priest’s Garden at Holy Angels by members of the Youth Group at local Churches.  Refreshments will be available after the event. Please put this date in your diary.
Reading for Lent: A selection of books is available on the window ledge in the porch at Holy Angels. Please write your name, Tel. No and the Title of the book on the slip board if you borrow a book for Lent.
Altar Stone & Relics from St. Mary’s, Normandy

In 2013 the old Altar Stone and Relics of the Saints from the Altar at St. Mary’s Church, Normandy were incorporated into the new Weekday Altar at St. Mary’s Hall at Holy Angels, Ash.

God Bless you all,         

Father David

WELCOME

Sacrament of Reconciliation:-

Holy Angels: 1st Friday in the Month following 12.00pm Mass and at Holy Family: 1st Thursday in the month following the 7.30pm Mass.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Wednesday at Holy Family @ 7.00pm (in Church Hall)

 (Parish Office Hours: 9.30am – 1.30pm)

                        Please note:  HF = Holy Family, Heath End, Farnham and HA = Holy Angels, Ash

Liturgy

23rd February: 7^th Sunday of Year A
Theme:  Love your enemies as well as your friends

Entrance:      HA: 934  HF: 143 Dear Lord and Father
Offertory:      HA: 898  HF: 478 Make me a channel
Final Hymn:  HA: 849  HF: 209 God forgave my sin

Responsorial Psalm: 7^th Sunday Year A

LAST YEAR’S PALM CROSSES – Please can you bring your palm crosses next Sunday, 2^nd March to be used for Ashes on Ash Wednesday. Thank you.

Information

Youth’s French Ploughman’s: Saturday 15th March 7pm – 10pm at Holy Family. Our Youth are hoping to raise funds for the Youth Retreat and chosen charities. Adult tickets £8 under 16s £4 – tickets available from Gloria Benson or Hilary Gray. 

Confessions: on Sat.15^th March from 10.30am following the First Holy Communion children’s first confessions there is an opportunity during Lent to make your Easter Confessions when we have three visiting Priests,  Fr. Chris Whelan, Fr. Tony Sultana  and Fr. John O’Sullivan who will be hearing Confessions.

Adult Confirmation – If you are over 18 and have missed out on Confirmation for any reason and would like to receive the Sacrament please speak to Father David or Deacon John. (Please see letter from Deacon John on our Church Notice Boards. Also Leaflets available at back of Church.

Prayer Group for Holy Angels and Holy Family Churches takes place once a month on a Tuesday.  The next date is Tuesday, 11^th March, 8^th April and 6^th May.  Coffee at 7.30pm for 7.45pm start. To be held in the Parish Office.

The Holybourne Singers performing Vivaldi’s Gloria and Handel’s Dixit Dominus on Saturday, 29th March at 7.30pm, in St Lawrence Church, Alton.  Tickets: £10 (under 12′s free) from Waterstones in Alton or from  hsboxoffice@gmail.com or £12 on the door. (Please see posters on Church Notice Boards for more information)

Help for Flood Victims.
From:  Community Care Wardens, Ash
You are all aware of the terrible problems that have been caused throughout the country by the heavy rainfalls.  You may also be aware of people who have suffered and seen pictures on the TV/Newspapers of the terrible conditions people are coping with.
Some of the people who have been experiencing problems are not that far away from us in Chertsey, Staines, Egham and Shepperton.  St Vincent De Paul (S.V.P. ) which is a world wide organisation, have a local group based within the Bagshot and Camberley community, and they want to try and gather ‘Aid’ for the flood victims, then distribute it to Rest Centres using their big white S.V.P. van. 

A Box will be available at the back of both Holy Angels and Holy Family Churches  for any items (listed below) that you may like to donate:-

coffee, tea, hot chocolate, sugar, squash, biscuits, long life packaged cakes, liquid soap, washing up liquid, anti-bacterical sprays, toilet paper, tissues, kitchen roll, kitchen cloths, tea towels, toothpaste, new toothbrushes, nappies, wet wipes, nappy sacks, sanitary items, towels, blankets, spare phone chargers, disposable gloves, plastic bags of all sizes

Baptisms

To help parents prepare for the Baptism of their children we run an information evening for parents as and when needed.  Please see Father David or Deacon John so that they can set the date for the next Course.   If your child is more than 2 years old in addition to the information evening both parents and the child will need additional preparation to ensure that the child is happy to be baptised.

Prayer Requests

For the sick:  Deacon David Morgan, Newton Abrew, Paul Gibson’s Mother, Judy. Dan Connors and Michael Ward both who are seriously ill at this time.(If you would like prayers for friends or family members, please first check with that person that they are happy for their name to be mentioned in the weekly Newsletter)

Holy Angels

Gift Shop: Judy D’Sa now manages the gift shop at Holy Angels which is always open even if she is not actually present.  Just ask for the keys and place the money in the little money box for the item purchased.

Feel free to call her on 01252 324125 for any special items not available at the shop that you may require.  Catalogues are kept on the top of the display cabinet or visit the distributors’ website which is www.cbcdistributors.co.uk”

Women’s World Day of Prayer – Friday, 7 March at  7.30pm at St. Paul’s Church, Tongham.  This year the service has been prepared by the Christian women of Egypt and the theme is ‘Steams of the Desert’.  All are welcome to attend, men and women and people of all ages. (If you are hoping to attend name tags are available from Rita in the Parish Office which is a good way of showing your participation in this event).

Holy Family

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: Holy Family will be hosting this interdenominational service on  Friday, 7 March at 2.00 p.m.  This year the service has been prepared by the Christian women of Egypt and the theme is ‘Steams of the Desert’.  All are welcome to attend, men and women and people of all ages.  (Refreshments will be served after the service).

Gift Aid

Good News for Tax Payers and the Church

If you are a Christian and you support your local church the Government recognises that part of your income on which you have already paid tax is supporting the church and its charitable work. They recognise that you do not benefit personally from the money you generously give to charity.
The Government is therefore willing to return the tax you have paid on your donations to the church.
If you pay income tax the Government will return 25p paid in tax for every £1 you donate to the Church;  this arrangement is called GIFT AID.
As your tax and personal circumstances can change at any time you can cancel your GIFT AID declaration at anytime and restart it as a later date if you wish.
If you have supported the work of the church in the past while you were a tax payer and you did this through a Standing Order the Government is prepared to accept a ‘restrospective claim’ for the return of the tax under the GIFT AID scheme for as long as four years.  You may, however, prefer to start from this year.
If you would like to discuss confidentially the Government’s GIFT AID plan to reclaim tax for the parish please call the parish office, 01252 321422, Monday-Friday 9am – 1pm and Rita, our parish secretary will arrange for our Gift Aid Volunteer to call you back.  You will not be asked to sign up to the GIFT AID PLAN immediately but left with time to think things over and respond, if you should wish to, when or if the circumstances are right for you.
Should you wish to join the GIFT AID ARRANGEMENT straight away an application form is available from the Parish Office.
Thank you for taking the time to consider the GIFT AID Tax refund plan.

PLEASE NOTE:
Gift Aid Envelopes will be available shortly.

WELCOME

Sacrament of Reconciliation:-

Holy Angels: 1st Friday in the Month following 12.00pm Mass and at Holy Family: 1st Thursday in the month following the 7.30pm Mass.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Wednesday at Holy Family @ 7.00pm (in Church Hall)

 (Parish Office Hours: 9.30am – 1.30pm)

                        Please note:  HF = Holy Family, Heath End, Farnham and HA = Holy Angels, Ash

Second Collection

There will be a Second Collection TODAY for the Catholic Education Service.

Liturgy

16^th February:  The most important Law:  To love one another

Entrance:      HA: 920  HF: 4 A new commandment
Offertory:      HA: 888  HF:  800  When I needed .
Final Hymn:  HA: 960  HF:  233 Guide me O ..

Responsorial Psalm is said this week.

1^st Reading:  (Eccles 15:15-20). God has given us the freedom to choose to do good or evil, to choose life or death.
2^nd Reading: (1 Cor. 2:6-10). True wisdom comes from God, and reveals the wonderful things God has prepared for those who love him.
Gospel: (Mt. 5:17-37). Jesus proposes new standards of goodness for his disciples.

Information

Prayer Group for Holy Angels and Holy Family Churches takes place once a month on a Tuesday.  The next date is Tuesday, 11^th March, 8^th April and 6^th May.  Coffee at 7.30pm for 7.45pm start. To be held in the Parish Office.

Volunteers Needed: We are looking for people from the Parish to join the First Holy Communion Catechist Team as we are loosing two members in August 2014. Please see Church Notice Boards for further information. (If you are interested in helping please contact:
amandawatty@sky.com; teresa.woods28@sky.com; lynnstathdee@btinternet.com; sussiesimms@hotmail.co.uk

Confessions: Extra opportunity during Lent to make your Easter Confessions on Sat.15^th March from 10.30am following the First Holy Communion children’s first confessions when we have two visiting Priests,  Fr. Chris Whelan, Fr. Tony Sultana  who will be hearing Confessions.
Adult Confirmation – If you are over 18 and have missed out on Confirmation for any reason and would like to receive the Sacrament please speak to Father David or Deacon John. (Please see letter from Deacon John on our Church Notice Boards. Also Leaflets available at back of Church.

Baptisms

To help parents prepare for the Baptism of their children we run an information evening for parents as and when needed.  Please see Father David or Deacon John so that they can set the date for the next Course.   If your child is more than 2 years old in addition to the information evening both parents and the child will need additional preparation to ensure that the child will co-operate in being baptised.

Prayer Requests

For the sick:  Deacon David Morgan, Newton Abrew, Paul Gibson’s Mother, Judy. Dan Connors and Michael Ward both who are seriously ill at this time.

(If you would like prayers for friends or family members, please first check with that person that they are happy for their name to be mentioned in the weekly Newsletter)

Holy Angels

Practice for Choir/Singers – fortnightly on Sundays at 10am before the 11.00am Mass beginning Next Sunday, 23^rd Feb. (Coffee and tea will be available and all welcome).

The Cross on the Mound in front of Presbytery
Many people have commented on the Cross on the grass mound at Holy Angels.  A local photographer who works for a National Magazine heard that there are the remains of a World War Two Air raid shelter under the mound and they suggested that the symbolism – a Cross rising above on an old air raid shelter was very iconic and they would like to use it for a magazine article on the Second World War.  If anyone has any photos or reference to the Air raid Shelter that they would permit us to copy for our historical records and possibly the magazine article please see Father David or Deacon John.

Holy Family

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

Quiz Evening  - Friday 21st February  (Ploughman’s Supper) 6:45 for 7pm start at Hale Institute Village Hall, Wings Road, Farnham, GU9 0HD   £10 per person  Farnham ASSIST 01252 717710 (Please bring your own drink and glass) proceeds go to ASSIST

Father David’s Message

The News this week has been dominated by the floods; first in Somerset and now very much nearer to home.  We have been lucky in Ash and Farnham in that we have had no serious floods, but our hearts go out to the elderly, handicapped and infirm in other parts of the country where they have been faced with real problems which are not over yet.

Tragedy can bring out the best in people and the worst in people.  It can also make us realise that life and good friends are more important than money and possessions.  In some areas people have met their neighbours for the first time and spent some time with them – sometimes at a flood relief centre.  There has also been the sadness of opportunists looting empty houses, giving no thoughts for the sadness and tragedy that their victims have already experienced through the flood waters.

Christ calls us to be fully human, and being fully human means not only getting to know and love God but also discovering the real meaning of being a good neighbour.  We can only wonder at what the world would be like if the love for our neighbours and care for those in need lasted beyond the tragedy.  In our Parish community we try to create and encourage at all times the love for each other that we see elsewhere in times of tragedy and which Jesus calls us to in the Gospel.

Private Prayer 

WELCOME

Sacrament of Reconciliation:-

Holy Angels: 1st Friday in the Month following 12.00pm Mass and at Holy Family: 1st Thursday in the month following the 7.30pm Mass.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Wednesday at Holy Family @ 7.00pm (in Church Hall)

 (Parish Office Hours: 9.30am – 1.30pm)

                        Please note:  HF = Holy Family, Heath End, Farnham and HA = Holy Angels, Ash

Second Collection

There will be a Second Collection next week for the Catholic Education Service.

Liturgy

9^th February:  We are a light for Christ in the World

Entrance:      HA: 883  HF: S10 or 891 Longing for…
Offertory:      HA: 865  HF:  285 Here I am Lord ..
Final Hymn:  HA:  771  HF: 914 The Spirit lives ..

Information

Adult Confirmation

If you are over 18 and have missed out on Confirmation for any reason and would like to receive the Sacrament we are proposing to run a short course of 6 modules over 3 meetings which would lead to Confirmation. The sacrament of Confirmation completes the initiation of Catholics and unwraps the power of the Holy Spirit. We would encourage any of you who have missed out to think about it. Especially if you are thinking about getting married, the Church prefers you to be Confirmed, or have children about to be Baptised or make their first communion. If you are interested please speak to Father David or Deacon John. There is also a large print copy of a letter on Confirmation from Deacon John on our Church Notice Boards and letter below.  (Leaflets available at back of Church)

Churches of the Holy Angels, Ash and the Holy Family, Farnham 

CONFIRMATION

 Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 In this third catechesis on the Sacraments, we will reflect on Confirmation or Cresima, which is understood in continuity with Baptism, to which it is connected in an inseparable way. These two Sacraments, together with the Eucharist, make up one salvific event — “Christian initiation” –, with which we are inserted in Jesus Christ dead and risen and become new creatures and members of the Church. This is why originally these three Sacraments were celebrated at the same time, at the end of the catechumenal journey, normally during the Easter Vigil. Thus the course of formation was sealed and a gradual insertion in the Christian community, which could last even several years. It was done step by step to arrive at Baptism, then to Confirmation and the Eucharist.

 Ordinarily one speaks of the Sacrament of “Cresima,” a word which means “anointing.” And, in fact, through the oil called “sacred Chrism” we are conformed, in the power of the Spirit, to Jesus Christ, who is the only true “Anointed One,” the “Messiah,” the Holy One of God.

 The term “Confirmation,” therefore, reminds us that this Sacrament brings a growth of Baptismal grace: it unites us more firmly to Christ; it brings to fulfilment our bond with the Church; it gives us the special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith, to confess the name of Christ and never to be ashamed of His cross (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1303).

 “For this reason it is important to care that our children, our young one have this sacrament. We all must take care that they be baptized: and this is good, but perhaps we don’t care so much if they receive Confirmation: they remain half-way and do not receive the Holy Spirit,  which is very important in Christian life, because it gives us the strength to go forward!

 Let us think, each one of us: do we, truly care that our children and our young ones receive Confirmation? This is important, it is important! And if you have children in your home, young ones who have not received it yet and are of age to receive it, do everything possible to bring to fulfilment this Christian initiation and that they may receive the strength of the Holy Spirit. It is important!

 Of course it is important to give the candidates for Confirmation a good preparation, which must seek to lead them to personal adherence to faith in Christ and to awaken in them the sense of belonging to the Church.

 Confirmation, like every Sacrament,  is not the work of men but of God, who takes care of our life in order to mould us to the image of His Son, to make us capable of loving like Him. He does so by infusing in us His Holy Spirit, whose action pervades the whole person and the whole of life, as shining through the seven gifts that Tradition, in the light of Holy Scripture, has always evidenced. These seven gifts: I do not wish to ask you if you remember the seven gifts. Maybe you all do…But I will say them in your name. What are these gifts? Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of God. And these gifts are given to us by the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Confirmation.  I intend to dedicate to these gifts the catecheses that will follow those of the Sacraments.

 When we receive the Holy Spirit in our heart and allow Him to act, Christ Himself makes Himself present in us and moulds our life. Through us, it will be He who prays, who forgives, who infuses hope and consolation, who serves brethren, who makes Himself close to the needy and the least, who creates communion, who sows peace. Think of how important this is: through the Holy Spirit, Christ Himself comes to do all this in our midst for us. For this reason it is important that children and young ones receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

 Dear brothers and sisters let us remind ourselves that we have received Confirmation! All of us! Let us remember it first of all to thank the Lord for this gift, and then to ask Him to help us to live as true Christians, to walk always with joy according to the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

 Submitted by: Deacon John

Baptisms

To help parents prepare for the Baptism of their children we run an information evening for parents.  Please see Father David or Deacon John for details of the next course.  If you child is more than 2 years old the information evening will be a one to one with the parents and the child and the Priest needs to see that the child is happy to be baptised.

Volunteer

To serve God and others and is the greatest form of charity:  the pure love of Christ.  Jesus Christ said, “I give you a new commandment:  love one another:  you must love one another just as I have loved you.”          (John 13:34)

We are looking for people from the Parish to join the First Holy Communion Catechist Team.  The current team are loosing two members in August 2014 and more volunteers ae needed to ensure that there will be another program for this Parish in 2014-2015 and thereafter.

The First Holy Communion programme involves working with children in school year 3 (age 7-8) on a once a month basis between Sept – June.  The classes are 1.50 hours on a Saturday moring & a Sunday Mass.  The classes alternate between Holy Family & Holy Angels.  You can volunteer to join the team on a full or part time basis.  No training is necessary – although a CRB check will be required (which will be organised through the Parish).

Please discuss with the team what you can offer based on the exciting, well developed programme currently being delivered.  You may choose to work with the children on the chapters through their book delivering a well structured lesson plan, teach them church etiquette while practicing their readings for Mass, supervise a lesson based craft – or a mix of all three.

You can choose to assist at either just Holy Family or Holy Angels – although the program is evenly spread across the two churches.

Any volunteers will be welcomed.  Don’t hesitate – enquire now!

Amanda: amandawatty@sky.com
Teresa: teresa.woods28@sky.com
Lynn:  lynnstathdee@btinternet.com
Susie: susiesimms@hotmail.co.uk

Prayer Requests

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

It is with regret that we announce the death of Father Tom Mulvey who died in Castlepollard, Westmeath on Monday, 3^rd February 2014.

Mgr Canon Jeff Scott who also died on the 3rd Feb in St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey. Funeral: Mon. 17^th Feb. 11.30am at St. Dunstan’s, Woking.

Please pray for the repose of their souls and  may they rest in peace.

 (If you would like prayers for friends or family members, please first check with that person that they are happy for their name to be mentioned in the weekly Newsletter)

Holy Angels

Practice for Choir/Singers – fortnightly on Sundays at 10am before the 11.00am Mass beginning on 23^rd February.  Coffee and tea will be available and all welcome.

Prayer Group for Holy Angels and Holy Family Churches takes place once a month on a Tuesday.  The next date is Tuesday, 11^th February 2014.  Coffee at 7.30pm for 7.45pm start. To be held in the Parish Office

Holy Family

Quiz Evening  - Friday 21st February 2014 (With Ploughman’s Supper)6:45 for 7pm start at Hale Institute Village Hall, Wings Road, Farnham, GU9 0HD   £10 per person Tables of 6 or 8.   Farnham ASSIST 01252 717710 (Please bring your own drink and glass) All proceeds go to Farnham ASSIST

Father David’s Message

On Friday we celebrate the Feast of St. Valentine as well as St. Cyril and Methoduis.  There will be a Mass at Holy Angels at 12 mid-day to ask God’s Blessing on all the couples in our two Churches and also to pray for those who will be married in Holy Angels and Holy Family this year.  This year the number of weddings at Holy Angels has increased by over 300% so marriage is definitely not going out of fashion and there still seems to be plenty of romance around in Ash.

Next Sunday there will be prayers at both Churches for those who are married and those preparing for marriage and anyone celebrating a special anniversary this year can come to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel after the 11am Mass.  Please let Father David know if you are going to ask for a Marriage Blessing after the Mass.

St. Polycarp’s School Census Forms

Thank you to all the parents who completed the Census Form for St. Polycarp’s School this year.  Copies of the Census will be handed to the School for their records and for calculating the Parish Levy towards the Governors Maintenance Fund.

God Bless you all,                Father David

A Meditation of today’s Gospel

 By Father Flor McCarthy

The most important thing about each of us
is our capacity for goodness.
We can be a source of light. 
We have hands that can care,
eyes that can see,
ears that can hear,
tongues that can speak,
feet that can walk,
and above all hearts that can love.
Unfortunately, through laziness, selfishness,
and cowardice, our light can be dimmed,
so that we become shadows of the people we could be.  Lord, help us to believe in our own goodness,
and to let the light of that goodness shine.
On seeing this light others find their way,
and you will be glorified.