Catholic Parish of Ash

WELCOME

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions)
Holy Angels, Ash: First Friday of month after 12pm Lunchtime Mass
Holy Family, Farnham:  First Thursday of month after 7.30pm Evening Mass
Special Services with Confessions at both Churches for Advent and Lent

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on 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

Holy Trinity

Entrance:  HA:  708  HF: 257  Holy God we praise thy ..
Offertory:  HA:  720   HF:   72 Be still for the presence
   Final:        HA:  468   HF: 259 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God

One of the most popular songs of recent times has come from the animated film The Lion King. It’s called “The Circle of Life”.  The song celebrates the fact that there is an inter connectedness between every aspect of life and creation.  It also tells of how we will probably never be able fully to appreciate that: “From the day we arrive on the planet and, blinking, step into the sun, there’s more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done.”  In short, the song helps us appreciate that life and our being are a mystery that cannot be easily explained.  There will always be more than we can see, touch or understand.

As a working definition, this would be a good one for the word “mystery”.  A mystery is not an unfathonable puzzle; rather it is a thing to be lived and experienced.  The whole of life is therefore a mystery, a wonderful unfolding of things not immediately apparent or obvious.  God, the creator of life, is certainly a wonderful mystery and that’s what we celebrate today.

Information

Corpus Christi:   Next Sunday Angelika Bydlinski will be making her First Holy Communion. We will be celebrating the transferred Feast of Corpus Christi.  Last years First Holy Communion children are invited to come to church in their First Holy Communion dresses or suits and join the Priest in the entrance procession and sit together at the front of the Church to celebrate the First Anniversary of their First Holy Communion.  Some of the children may have the opportunity to read a Bidding Prayer – whichever Mass you go to, 5.30pm, 9.15am or 11am.  If you are celebrating the First Anniversary of your First Holy Communion go to the Sacristy before Mass for the procession.  If you would like to read a Bidding Prayer see Fr. David or Deacon John this Sunday.

Congratulations:  to the young people from Holy Angels Church and Holy Family church who received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday.  These young people have put a lot of time into preparing for Confirmation and are a credit to our parish and our two Churches.  We, as a parish, are particularly grateful to those who have supported these young people in their preparation for Confirmation, and although there are many, including their parents, a special thank you must go to those who have planned the course and organised the events.  Gloria Benson, Hilary Gray, Lorraine Brown and Deacon John.

Fashion Show at Holy Family Church Hall on Thursday, 4^th July at 7.30pm

J&P ladies will be selling tickets for the Fashion Show after Mass for the next couple of weeks at Holy Family and Maggie Batchelor will be doing the same at Holy Angels.

200 Club:  Since the two Churches (Holy Angels and Holy Family) have had one Priest, one Newsletter and shared First Communion and Confirmation Programmes, people from both areas have been attending Mass at both Churches depending on what plans they have for the weekend and which time suits them best.  The 200 Club would like to be able to allocate any profits from the Club to whichever of our churches you feel most closely associated with and so the new requests for information now contain a space for you to say which church you wish to support through the 200 Club.  The 200 Club is a bit like the Premium Bonds.  You join and then just sit back and wish for luck.  Enquiry forms are available at the back of Church today.

Gift Aid:  Thank you to those who have joined the Gift Aid Scheme to support our two Parishes.

          Baptisms

Please make an appointment to see the Priest/Deacon to discuss what you need to do to prepare for your child’s baptism. If you are new to the Parish, please complete pink Registration Form  and make yourself known to Father David or Deacon John after Mass.

Once you have met with Father David or Deacon John You will be asked to attend a Baptism Class.  The next Baptism Class is on10^th June at Holy Angels in St. Mary Room from 7.45pm for 8.00pm start– 9.00pm. Also Father David asks that parents obtain the booklet entitled, ‘Your Baby’s Baptism’ available on line from Redemptorist Publications, Shawton, Alton, Hants. Tel: 01420 83255 Email: enquiries@rpbooks.co.uk

Also for the Godparents, the booklet ‘Your Godchild’ ISBN: 978-0-85231-364-0) again available from details above.

Prayer Requests

Please remember in your prayers our sick:
Gloria Craven, Maggie Larkin, Barbara mother of Sharon O’Brien, Jordan, Sis. Bernadette from Shanklin, Isle of Wight and for those sick in our two Parishes.

Prayer Group– for both Holy Angels and Holy Family Churches takes place once a month on a Tuesday. The next Prayer Group meeting is on Tuesday 4th June and 2nd July, 2013 & 7.45pm in Parish Office at HA’s.

Holy Family Church Catholic Parish Farnham, Hale, Weybourne & Badshot Lea

Mother and Toddler Group – Our Mother and Toddler Group meet every Thursday morning from 9.30am until 11.30am in the Church Hall. 

Thank you! A special thank you to Anne McHale who has played the organ for many years at Holy Angels and been a valuable member of the choir.  Anne now has a home in Wales (which is a bit too far for her to come every Sunday, so although we will see her from time to time when she is back in the area with family, she will not be available to play on a regular basis.  This Sunday we would like to say a big thank you to Anne and to say we look forward to seeing you whenever you are in the area.

Keyboard Player or Organist Needed: Would be even better if we had several people to share the task.  (Would not expect volunteers to be available every week – but would be grateful for when you are available.  Guidance and tuition available if necessary.  Organ and piano keyboard available.  Please see Father David, Deacon John or Christina Allgood if you would like to know more.  It is a great gift to God if you have the talent to help encourage others to sing praise in honour of God.

Mother and Toddler Group – St. Mary’s Room on a Tuesday, from 10.30am until 12.00pm. 

PLEASE NOTE: Father David will be on a Retreat this week so on Tuesday at Holy Family and Wednesday at Holy Angels there will be a Liturgy of the Word by Deacon John Edwards and Holy Communion.  There will be NO MASS at Holy Family on Thursday

WELCOME

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions)
Holy Angels, Ash: First Friday of month after 12pm Lunchtime Mass
Holy Family, Farnham:  First Thursday of month after 7.30pm Evening Mass
Special Services with Confessions at both Churches for Advent and Lent

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on 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

A Prayer Before Mass

Dear Lord, it is not always easy to think of You in this busy world in which we live.
My time is often taken up by my work or the attention I have to give to others.  Today, Lord, I have come here to be close to you in a very special way.
Help me now to free my mind of those things that have kept me from thinking of You during the past week.
Help me to realise that You have invited me here today so that You may come to me in Holy Communion.
Give me the grace to prepare for the coming week, so that each day we may be together in our love for each other.
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen

Liturgy

Pentecost Sunday

Entrance: (see leaflet)
Offertory: (see leaflet)
Final Hymn:  HA: 771   HF: 914 The Spirit lives ..

There is a blessed Pentecost Candle available for every home in the Parish.  Please take one as you leave (and also one for anyone you know is house bound).  The Candle is for you to place on the table as a sign of God’s blessing upon your home and family through the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Information

Annual General Meetings for both Churches:

At 7.30pm in the respective Church Halls

Holy Family: Wednesday, 12^th June, 2013
Holy Angels:  Wednesday, 19^th June, 2013

          Baptisms

Please make an appointment to see the Priest/Deacon to discuss what you need to do to prepare for your child’s baptism. If you are new to the Parish, please complete pink Registration Form  and make yourself known to Father David or Deacon John after Mass.

Once you have met with Father David or Deacon John You will be asked to attend a Baptism Class.  The next Baptism Class is on10^th June at Holy Angels in St. Mary Room from 7.45pm for 8.00pm start– 9.00pm. Also Father David asks that parents obtain the booklet entitled, ‘Your Baby’s Baptism’ available on line from Redemptorist Publications, Shawton, Alton, Hants. Tel: 01420 83255 Email: enquiries@rpbooks.co.uk

Also for the Godparents, the booklet ‘Your Godchild’ ISBN: 978-0-85231-364-0) again available from details above.

Prayer Requests

Please remember in your prayers our sick:

Gloria Craven,  Maggie, Larkin, Barbara mother of Sharon O’Brien, Jordan, Sis. Bernadette from Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, Anna Schimmel sister of Lisa De’Jesus who is recovering after a premature birth and for her baby Joseph in special care – we pray for them both. Repose of the souls of David Luck and Mary Court.

Prayer Group– for both Holy Angels and Holy Family Churches takes place once a month on a Tuesday. The next Prayer Group meeting is on Tuesday 4th June and 2nd July, 2013. Please come along as and when you can and you will be made to feel most welcome. Coffee at 7.30pm for 7.45pm start to be held in the Parish Office.

Holy Family Church Catholic Parish Farnham, Hale, Weybourne & Badshot Lea

Mother and Toddler Group – Our Mother and Toddler Group meet every Thursday morning from 9.30am until 11.30am in the Church Hall. 

Funeral of David Luck

David Luck’s Requiem Mass will take place at St. Mary’s, Aldershot (Belle Vue Road, North Town) at 12 noon on Friday, 24^th May.  Father David will be representing Holy Angels and concelebrating at the Mass.  There will be a Parish Mass of Remembrance for David Luck at Holy Angels on 16^th June at the 11am.

Mary Margaret Court has sadly died.  We offer an assurance of our prayers and our condolences to her family.  The Requiem Mass will be at Holy Angels Church next Thursday, 23^rd May at 12 noon.  A Parish Mass of Remembrance for Mary will take place on Saturday, 22^nd June at 5.30pm at Holy Angels Church.

Mother and Toddler Group – St. Mary’s Room on a Tuesday, from 10.30am until 12.00pm.  Please see our colourful new Poster displayed on the Notice board which has been very kindly designed and produced by one of our new Mum’s, Laura McHugh for which we are most grateful.

Ordinary’ Time (by Deacon John)

With the celebration of Pentecost, in Red vestments, symbolising fire (used also for the Passion, Palm Sunday and Feasts of the Martyrs, symbolising blood) we come to the end of 14 weeks of various preparations and celebrations. We started with Lent, Purple vestments, our season of preparation, and moved into Easter, when we use white to symbolise our celebration of the Resurrection.
We now move into ordinary time when we use Green vestments. Green is the colour of life and I feel is very pertinent for our Church of today. With our new Pope, Francis, there can be no better time to step out and show that we, the Church and Body of Christ are full of life.
It is very misleading to call the season we are now entering ‘Ordinary’ time. It seems to smack of unimportance. We need to reflect on what ‘ordinary’ life is for a Catholic Christian.
At Pentecost we celebrate again the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples, men and women, gather in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak foreign languages.” Acts 2:v4. We too have all been filled with the Holy Spirit at our Baptism and subsequent Confirmation. We are topped up, so to speak, with the grace of Christ’s Spirit in the receipt of any of the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist.
In John’s gospel Chapter 14:v12 we read: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” This applies to each and every one of us. This is what ‘ordinary’ life is for us!
With the echoes of our Pentecost readings in our minds and the promise that Jesus made to His disciples before His death, resurrection and ascension into heaven (above). I once again challenge us all to look at how we “go out and Glorify the Lord by our lives”
For those of you who use the weekday missal as of Monday we will be in week seven ordinary time, year 1. If you use the daily prayer of the Church (the office or breviary) Psalter week 3. However we will not see an Ordinary Sunday until 9^th June when it will be 10^th Sunday in Ordinary time, as we have Trinity Sunday and Corpus Christi on the preceding Sundays.

A Prayer After Mass

Dear Lord, the time has come for me to face again the challenges in my daily life and in the world in which I live.
Be with me each day in all I think or do or say until we meet again in this glorious Sacrament of your love.
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen

WELCOME

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions)
Holy Angels, Ash: First Friday of month after 12pm Lunchtime Mass
Holy Family, Farnham:  First Thursday of month after 7.30pm Evening Mass
Special Services with Confessions at both Churches for Advent and Lent

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on 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

Special Collection

TODAY there will be a Special Collection for The Catholic Communications Network

Liturgy

 7^th Sunday of Easter (C)

Entrance: HA: 287    HF: 728 Thine be the glory ..
Offertory: HA: 644    HF: 37  Alleluia sing to Jesus ..
Final Hymn:  HA: 987    HF: 488 Mine eyes have seen

Information

First Holy Communions

First Holy Communion Parents’ Meeting – Tuesday 14th May, 8pm (Holy Angels)
Please Note:  First Holy Communion items will be on sale following this meeting.

First Holy Communion Class – Saturday 18th May, 9am-10.30am (Holy Angels)

First Holy Communion Children’s Mass – Sunday 19th May, 11am (Holy Angels)

Christian Aid week is from 12^th - 18^th May.  Please keep an eye open for Christian Aid events and support them when you can.  Christian Aid realises that many small parishes do not have the people or resources to support every worthy appeal and as they now work very closely with CAFOD they do not formally ask Catholic Parishes to organise Christian Aid events.  Many Catholic Parishes however value good relations with their fellow Christians and so will volunteer to help with Christian Aid.  Holy Family has helped with the C.A. door to door collection for nearly 20 years and I hope we will be able to respond well to the appeal for help with the door to door collections this year and for many years to come.  The Christian Aid door to door collection is the only door to door collection we get involved in despite the many requests we get from very worthy causes each year. (I know that some are disappointed our Churches, (Holy Angels and Holy Family)  have not formally adopted their own special charity).  We have to be realistic and recognise that with the resources and people power we have, we cannot take on fund raising for every charity in the world.

Prayer Group– for both Holy Angels and Holy Family Churches takes place once a month on a Tuesday. The next Prayer Group meeting is on Tuesday 4th June and 2nd July, 2013. Please come along as and when you can and you will be made to feel most welcome. Coffee at 7.30pm for 7.45pm start to be held in the Parish Office.

          Baptisms

Please make an appointment to see the Priest/Deacon to discuss what you need to do to prepare for your child’s baptism. If you are new to the Parish, please complete pink Registration Form  and make yourself known to Father David or Deacon John after Mass.

Once you have met with Father David or Deacon John You will be asked to attend a Baptism Class which is one evening and only takes up an hour or so of your time.  Also Father David asks that parents obtain the booklet entitled, ‘Your Baby’s Baptism’ available on line from Redemptorist Publications, Shawton, Alton, Hants. Tel: 01420 83255 Email: enquiries@rpbooks.co.uk

Also for the Godparents, the booklet ‘Your Godchild’ ISBN: 978-0-85231-364-0) again available from details above.

Prayer Requests

Please remember in your prayers our sick:

Gloria Craven,  Maggie, Larkin, Barbara mother of Sharon O’Brien, Jordan, Sis. Bernadette from Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, Anna Schimmel sister of Lisa De’Jesus who is recovering after a premature birth and for her baby Joseph in special care – we pray for them both.

Holy Family Church Catholic Parish Farnham, Hale, Weybourne & Badshot Lea

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 13 – 18 May 2013.
Volunteers urgently needed to distribute and collect Christian Aid envelopes during the week 12th to 18th May. Please take a bag and put your name, phone number and road/street on the sheet in the back of the church.  For any information phone Brendan Maher on 01252 662959

Just a word of thanks to everyone for their patience and understanding with the Building work that is currently taking place.
Mother and Toddler Group – Our Mother and Toddler Group meet every Thursday morning from 9.30am until 11.30am in the Church Hall. 

David Luck (RIP)

Lots of people will have very fond memories of David Luck and his wife who served the Parish of Holy Angels faithfully for many years until they had to go to a Retirement Home.  David has sadly died and we would like to express as our parish our appreciation for what he and his wife did during their time here.  As soon as we have more news about his funeral we will put it on the website and publish it accordingly. A Mass Intention will be offered for David on Sunday, 16^th June at the 11.00am Mass at Holy Angels.

Mother and Toddler Group – St. Mary’s Room on a Tuesday, from 10.30am until 12.00pm.  We have had some good responses from new Mums who have expressed their interest in attending our Mother and Toddler Group although we would always welcome more so why not come along.
Ascension Display: Many thanks to Maggie Batchelor and Chris Michie for once again providing the very creative display which depicts Christ’s ascension into heaven.  This is very much enjoyed by a lot of our Parishioners.

A Reflection for the Feast of the Ascension

Before leaving his apostles Jesus commissioned them to preach the Gospel to the whole world.  In order to help them carry out that mission he promised to send them the Holy Spirit.  On Pentecost day he fulfilled that promise.
The task of preaching the Gospel to the world now depends on us.  We are Christ’s witnesses.  It’s a great privilege but a daunting task.  However, we also can rely on the help of the Holy Spirit.  But how are we to witness?
There is the witness of words.  We witness by professing our faith.  This could include explaining it and defending it.
There is the witness of words.  We witness by professing our faith.  This could include explaining it and defending it.
There is the witness of deeds.  An apple tree that never produced an apple would be a poor witness for the orchard.  Even one good apple speaks.  ‘Never recommend anything unless you can provide a sample of it’.
Then there is the witness of one’s life.  Trees witness to life just by being.  Tall, straight, motionless, they are silent yet eloquent witnesses to life.  Flowers bear witness to beauty simply by being what they are.  And Christians bear witness by what they are.  The most eloquent sermon is the silent sermon of example.  Today people no longer want to listen to sermons on the faith.  They want to see the Gospel in action.
The witness of a Christian life is more powerful than any argument.  There are those whose lives bear radiant witness to the transforming power of the faith.  In their lives the faith is a bright flame, whereas in the lives of others it is a dim glow or an occasional spark.  The person, who, despite all his /her human limitations and defects lives a simple life, taking Christ as the model, is a sign of God and of transcendent realities.
The evangelical witness which the world finds most appealing is that of concern for people and of charity towards the poor, the weak, and those who suffer. 
There is a hunger in the world today for the Christ of the Gospels.  Jesus said to the Apostles, “Stay in the City until you are clothed with power from on high”. (He was referring to Pentecost although they did not know it). The power in question was the power of the Holy Spirit.  We need the same power if we are to witness to Jesus in the world today. (Taken from the New Sunday & Holy Day Liturgies. Flor McCarthy, SDB)

WELCOME

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions)
Holy Angels, Ash: First Friday of month after 12pm Lunchtime Mass
Holy Family, Farnham:  First Thursday of month after 7.30pm Evening Mass
Special Services with Confessions at both Churches for Advent and Lent

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on 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

special collection

Next Sunday, 12^th May there will be a Special Collection for The Catholic Communications Network

Liturgy

 6^th Sunday of Easter (C)

Entrance: HA:  880 Tell out my Soul
HF: 399 Love is his word
Offertory: HA: 360 As I kneel before..  
HF: 4 As I kneel before..
Final Hymn:  HA: 365 Immaculate Mary (3 verses)
HF: 818 Ye choirs of New Jerusalem

Information

SCHOOL APPLICATIONS:We are getting the feedback that places at some Catholic Junior Schools expect to be over subscribed.  So it may be wise for parents looking for school places to consider as many Catholic Schools as possible even if some are further away from where they live.  We had a conversation with the headmistress of St. Bernadette’s at Cove and she told us that last year she had some spare places for Catholic children but unfortunately we did not know about these places being available. However, this may not be the case this year. We are sure that each year the situation changes for each of our Catholic Schools.  If you need further information please rind the Parish Office.

FASHION SHOW – 4^th July, 2013 at Holy Family Church Hall at 7.30pm  (see Church Notice Boards for more information)
NOTE: Mass on this day only will be held at 7.30pm at Holy Angels Church.

Baptisms

Please make an appointment to see the Priest/Deacon to discuss what you need to do to prepare for your child’s baptism. If you are new to the Parish, please complete pink Registration Form  and make yourself known to Father David or Deacon John after Mass.

Once you have met with Father David or Deacon John You will be asked to attend a Baptism Class which is one evening and only takes up an hour or so of your time.  Also Father David asks that parents obtain the booklet entitled, ‘Your Baby’s Baptism’ available on line from Redemptorist Publications, Shawton, Alton, Hants. Tel: 01420 83255 Email: enquiries@rpbooks.co.uk

Also for the Godparents, the booklet ‘Your Godchild’ ISBN: 978-0-85231-364-0) again available from details above.

Prayer Requests

Please remember in your prayers our sick: Gloria Craven who is ill in hospital. Maggie Larkin for a continued recovery after her knee operation. Barbara mother of Sharon O’Brien. Jordan for a speedy recovery after a road traffic accident. The repose of the soul of Lilian Bray whose funeral is next Wed. Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.

Holy FamilyChurch Catholic Parish Farnham, Hale, Weybourne & Badshot Lea

Skittles Night – There will be a Skittles Night in association with the Knights of Columba next Friday, 10^th May at Hale Village Hall from 7pm until 11pm.  All are welcome. £8 per adult. (for further information please contact Deacon John Edwards)

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.

A large number of people have asked if there could be a Prayer Request Book or Notice Board at Holy Angels similar to that at Holy Family and so for the month of May we will provide a board for Prayer Requests at Holy Angels Church and if it is used, as we hope it will be, it can become a permanent feature.

Request for Prayers will be included in the weekly Masses at Holy Angels.

Mother and Toddler Group – St. Mary’s Room on a Tuesday, from 10.30am until 12.00pm.  We have had some good responses from new Mums who have expressed their interest in attending our Mother and Toddler Group although we would always welcome more so why not come along.

Father David’s Message

Ruby Wedding Congratulations to Deacon John Edwards and Ann who this Sunday celebrate their 40^th Wedding Anniversary.  Please remember Ann and John in your prayers on this very special occasion.

Your prayers are asked for Donald Whelan who has died.  We are awaiting details of his funeral.

May is the month of Mary and England has for hundreds of years been known for its special devotion to Our Lady.  In the North Transept there is a beautiful copy of a panel from the famous 14^th Century Wilton Diptych (two panelled altar painting) which recalls King Richard II offering the crown of England as a Dowry in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  At the time of the Reformation the reformers did all they could to destroy the Shrines in England dedicated to Our Lady but love is not found in Stones but in the heart and so whatever they did they could not destroy completely the love that many English people had for Mary.  When we honour Mary we recall that she was called by God to be the first Christian Missionary in bringing Christ into the world.  As we honour Mary on this May Sunday let us pray that we too may be worthy missionaries for Christ in our world today.

Admin Notice

We have been experiencing considerable problems with our computers and access to the Internet for the past two weeks.  However our system has now been “simplified” and hopefully we will have no more problems for a long time!

Gift Aid:  If you do not already Gift Aid you might like to consider doing so as the money that we get back helps both our Churches during this difficult economic time. Leaflets should be available at the back of both Churches but if you cannot find one, please ask Fr. David or Deacon John.

Newcomers to our Churches: We would like to take this opportunity to welcome newcomers who have recently registered with our two Churches and there have been quite a large number of people registering with us which is nice to see.

Diocesan Festival 2013 on Sunday, 23^rd June from 10am-4pm at St. Wilfrid’s School, Crawley, RH11 8PG
Free entry – No Booking.

WELCOME

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions)
Holy Angels, Ash: First Friday of month after 12pm Lunchtime Mass
Holy Family, Farnham:  First Thursday of month after 7.30pm Evening Mass
Special Services with Confessions at both Churches for Advent and Lent

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on 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

 5^th Sunday of Easter (C)

Entrance: HA: 970    HF: 74 Be though my vision
Offertory: HA: 920    HF: 4 A new commandment
Final Hymn:  HA: 722 HF: 190 Give me joy in my heart

Information

PRAYER GROUP – The Prayer Group for both Holy Angels and Holy Family Churches will take place once a month on a Tuesday. The next Prayer Group meeting is on Tuesday 7^th May and thereafter 4^th June and 2^nd July, 2013. Please come along as and when you can and you will be made to feel most welcome. Coffee at 7.30pm for 7.45pm start to be held in the Parish Office.

FASHION SHOW – 4^th July, 2013 at Holy Family Church Hall at 7.30pm  (see Church Notice Boards for more information)

NOTE: Mass on this day only will be held at 7.30pm at Holy Angels Church.

Baptisms

Please make an appointment to see the Priest/Deacon to discuss what you need to do to prepare for your child’s baptism. If you are new to the Parish, please complete pink Registration Form  and make yourself known to Father David or Deacon John after Mass.

Once you have met with Father David or Deacon John You will be asked to attend a Baptism Class which is one evening and only takes up an hour or so of your time.  Also Father David asks that parents obtain the booklet entitled, ‘Your Baby’s Baptism’ available on line from Redemptorist Publications, Shawton, Alton, Hants. Tel: 01420 83255 Email: enquiries@rpbooks.co.uk

Also for the Godparents, the booklet ‘Your Godchild’ ISBN: 978-0-85231-364-0) again available from details above.

Prayer Requests

Please remember in your prayers our sick: Maggie Larkin for a speedy recovery after her knee operation. Barbara mother of Sharon O’Brien. Jordan for a speedy recovery after a road traffic accident.

Holy Family Church Catholic Parish Farnham, Hale, Weybourne & Badshot Lea

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.

Mother and Toddler Group – We would love to see more young Mums at our Mother and Toddler Group who meet in St. Mary’s Room on a Tuesday, from 10.30am until 12.00pm. 

Father David’s Message

From the 11^th October 2012 to 24^th November 2013 has been designated by the Church as “A Year of Faith”.  What the Pope wanted to do in declaring a Year of Faith was to give us an opportunity to look more closely at our faith and what we believe and so enrich our daily lives.  This designation of the Year as “A Year of Faith” also calls on the Church to support people with articles, discussion and opportunities for them to have easy access to the information and material they need to explore the challenges of faith in a modern world.  The Internet is becoming more dominant in communications than the traditional papers and magazines (although they still have their place).  Even in the Parish we note the increasing number of parishioners that tell us they go straight to the Parish web site for their news of what is going on in our two Churches.

The following internet sites may be useful to you when you have a spare moment to look further into the “Year of Faith”.

www.catholic-ew.org.uk/Home/Featured/Year-of-Faith
www.catholic-year-of-faith.com

The following article is taken from one of the year of faith publications:

God can be known by the light of human reason

Can God really be known with certainty by human reason alone?  The Catechism (CCC 31) uses a phrase from Blessed John Henry Newman: ‘converging and convincing arguments’.  Newman meant that there are a whole number of different evidences in the world:  the existence and beauty of creation, the witness of good or holy people and so on.  These things come together, like individual threads that make up a strong piece of string, and convince us of the existence of God.  The signs of a spiritual soul in human beings and the order and beauty of created things all suggest something beyond ourselves and upon whom we depend namely god!

Lord, help me to recognise both in myself and in the world around me the signs that speak to me of your existence.  You are the real explanation of the beauty and order that I see, and of all the goodness, in spite of evil, that I sense in the world.

Is reason enough to know the mystery of God?

A great dignity we possess is the capacity to come to know God by use of our reason.  We cannot fully know him by reason alone.  Furthermore, in reality there are many obstacles that prevent us from using our reason properly anyway.  We can resist the truth in our hearts, perhaps because it makes us uncomfortable.  Maybe the prevailing attitudes in our society blind us.  The Catechism teaches that revolt against evil in the world, bad example on the part of believers, the power of the cares and riches of this world and finally original sin can all make us hide from God . Hence only with great difficulty do we find God by reason alone.

O God, although you have given me the gift of reason and have placed a desire for you in my heart, I still struggle in my search for you.  I have a need for your grace.  Please come to me in my need.

Lillian Bray:  Please remember in your prayers Lillian Bray, a longstanding Parishioner who has died at the age of 94.  Her funeral will take place on Wednesday, 8^th May at 11am.  Enquiries concerning flowers can be made at the Co-operative Funeral Directors. Enquiries for Masses of Remembrance can be made through the Parish Office at Holy Angels.

Waiting for Pentecost

The days in between Easter and Pentecost are very special – it is for Christians a time of reflecting on the Apostles and the EarlyChurch waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit and the effect it had on their lives.  We too share in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit –First when we were baptised – but also when we accepted personally as adults to hear the call of Christ and be confirmed for our Mission as Christians in the world today.  Please remember especially at this time the Young People in our two Churches preparing for Confirmation this year.

A brief message from Rita

Well I am now back in the Parish Office after my break on the Isle of Wight to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary.  We were certainly truly blessed with glorious weather as the sun shone brightly every day and in fact only changed on the day we returned home. 

We had a lovely time spent with two of our three daughters who came over on the Friday and stayed until Sunday together with our two grandchildren and not forgetting Finbar our chocolate brown Labrador who thoroughly enjoyed himself as he got to swim in the sea every day. 

Judging from the weather outside (Thursday) we have brought the nice weather back with us, not before time as we are all in need of some nice warm sunny weather.

It is nice to be back and Father David can now give up his part-time job of answering the phone whilst I was away!        God Bless, Rita