Our Lady of Lourdes,Newent
A Community of worship, love and service
Newsletter July 2010
Catholic Parish of Our Lady of
and St Michael’s, Blaisdon
Priest in Charge: Fr
Drumlanrig,
Phone/Fax: 01531-821647
Dear Parishioner,
It was very disappointing that David Payne wasn’t able to come for the event planned at Brockworth…..hopefully we can re-arrange his visit some time in the autumn. And the sun didn’t shine on our Strawberry Party. But the Hooley’s were fantastic and everyone who came were delighted and indeed impressed especially by Ben Hall on the violin.
But the really big event of June was the presentation by the Bishop of the document: PARISHES IN COMMUNION FOR
Our next big event is Ladies Day! A DAY OF REST & BLESSING FOR WOMEN….with great speakers and a great opportunity to talk with like-minded ladies from many other parishes. The cost is £10 but don’t let that stop you…..make a donation of what you think is right for you. Please make sure to book with Mary Francis so that we know what numbers to expect. Make this your day….”because you’re worth it!”
Also: don’t forget the Deanery Picnic & Walk in the
God bless you. Fr Aidan
DIARY JULY 2010
Sat /Sun. 3rd/4th July Mass of 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time
DEANERY SOCIAL EVENT: FROM 1.OOPM AT BEECHENHURST
(£3 PARKING)…Shared Picnic…with WALK at 2.30pm
Mon. 5th July 9.45am Rosary for Justice and Peace
10.00am Mass with Morning Prayer of the Church
Adoration till 11.00am
Followed by RCIA
5.30pm Legion of Mary
Tues. 6th July 9.45am Rosary for Justice and Peace
10.00am Mass...with Adoration till 11.00am
8.00pm Stroud Prayer Meeting – Fr Gerry Walsh
Wed. 7th July 9.45am Rosary
10.00am Liturgy of the Word/Morning Prayer/Communion
Coffee ‘n chat
11.30am Bible Study (St Mark) @ Margareta’s+lunch
Thur. 8th July 9.45am Rosary
10.00am Mass...with Adoration till 11.00am
Fri. 9th July: 6.00pm Adoration – Reconciliation – Prayer
7.00pm Mass
Sat. 10th JULY WOMEN’S DAY OF BLESSING 9.30AM – 4.00PM 4.30pm Adoration – Reconciliation - Prayer-
5.30pm First Mass of 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Sun. 11th July Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Pilgrimage at
Sun. 11th Open-Air Christian Jamboree in the Park
2.30-3.30pm Salvation Army Band
3.45pm Christian Ecumenical Service (WE are Welcome !) In fact we are involved! (Committed? Hen & Pig’s Breakfast!)
Mon. 12th July RCIA as usual
7.30pm Liturgy Meeting
Tues. 13th July 7.30pm Parish Pastoral Council
Parishes in Communion for
Fri. 16th July 6.00pm Adoration-Reconciliation- Prayer
7.00pm Mass
7.30pm MUSIC OF THE NIGHT at St Mary’s (Stepout theatre)
Sat 17th JULY: 4.30pm Adoration – Reconciliation - Prayer-
5.30pm First Mass of Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sun. 18th JULY: Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time year C.
Mon. 19th July: RCIA as usual…..ready to celebrate Finale!
Tues. 20th July: 7.30pm Seekers Meeting “Open to the Spirit”
Sat. 24th JULY: 12.00noon: Baptism
4.30pm Adoration – Reconciliation – Prayer
5.30pm First Mass of Seventeenth Sunday in Ord. Time
Sun. 25th JULY: Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – year C
Day of Special Prayer for Human Life
Second Collection
Mon. 26th July: RCIA concludes………sadly
Articles for August Monthly Newsletter please! ASAP
Sat. 31st JULY: : 8.30am Ecumenical Breakfast – FREE!
Followed by……PRAYER GROUP WITH TOM & COLETTE AT 10AM
4.30pm Adoration – Reconciliation – Prayer
5.30pm First Mass of Eighteenth Sunday in Ord. Time
Sun. 1st August: Eighteenth Sunday in Ord. Time
We continue the tradition of giving a Second Collection
every weekend of August to reduce the OLLI debt. Many thanks.
JOHN HEAL writes to invite us to the July 6th Prayer meeting in Stroud: “It will be a great opportunity to listen to Fr. Gerry Walsh who is currently parish priest in Portishead near
The collection for weekend 20/6/10 was £325-52.
Our half share of the proceeds from the bottle stall was £90…this to be passed on to our Home Charity 2010: Shepherd House
Preparing for the Newent Onion Fayre
Dear Parishioners
An early newsletter item let you know that the Church has booked stall space, as usual, for the September Newent Onion Fayre.
As last year, we intend to use the winning sales combination of books and DVDs, cakes cooked by parishioners and a grand Fairtrade hamper, which last year brought in a large sum for OLLI.
At this early point, could I ask all parishioners to start to seek out books and DVDs. Last year for the second time we included DVDs and they sold almost instantly. If possible we would like to increase the selection for 2010 – do check your shelves for any you are quite happy to pass on.
Each year you’ve been fantastic in your response to our call for Books. These should be "nearly new" with a focus on high-quality - those best sellers, both paper and hardback, which will knock the spots of our competitors on the day since they normally try to sell dog-eared obscure volumes! Our book stall gets better and better each year and we try to give a personalised service on Fayre day, recommending ‘good reads’ to the customers. This year we will also hope to have a good range of hardbacks too – which we sell for a higher price, naturally.
DVDs. As before, we do not want videocassettes, since, I'm afraid, new technology has ensured that the latter simply won't now sell. However, if you have DVDs you have now tired of, whether individual films, TV series or boxed sets, they would be most welcome. We would really like to have a good range to sell at attractive prices. Can you check with younger members of the family to see if they have any contributions of DVDs they’re bored with?
Please leave donations at the back of Church at any time, where I will be able to collect them on a regular basis.
With many thanks
Craig G
Gospel Reflection for the Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
The Campaign Trail
Today’s scene must have looked like something of a biblical ‘campaign trail’. Jesus sends seventy disciples ahead of him to every town and place where he himself intends to go presumably to prepare the way. The message that God’s kingdom could be a reality for all of us needs to be publicised. “I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves,” Jesus says. He knows that his teaching would face stiff opposition. Was the world ready for the teaching of life everlasting delivered by the son of a carpenter?
Nowadays we imagine that the need to promote God’s plan is unnecessary, after all, there must be few on the planet who haven’t heard of Jesus. But if the task of spreading Jesus’ message was done and dusted, why in the twenty first century do we still have poverty, war, shortages of health care and racism? It’s clear that we still need to man the campaign trail as much today as in the days of those first missionaries.
Today’s gospel gives us some basic practical advice on how we should champion Jesus’ mission. Jesus gives his early disciples some words of practical advice. They must travel light, rely on the hospitality of others and walk away from those who reject the teaching. Today the advice to us might be similar. Perhaps Jesus would advise us to set aside the things in life that burden or distract us, and to know our target audience. We should concentrate on impacting Jesus’ teaching of peace on today’s world undeterred by setback or rejection, enlisting the help of those who can help us most.
One of our greatest problems today, is that Christianity is often seen as something a little ‘oddball’. We only have to look at how Christians are depicted in our soaps to know this. Meanwhile programmes delivering genuine Christian messages are relegated to early Sunday morning slots or TV channels we tend not to tune into. Today’s messages of self-interest and ‘because you’re worth it’ generated by a consumer society grow louder and louder whilst Christ’s message of selflessness grows quieter and quieter. Our attempts to solve the world’s great ills can often seem ineffectual … futile even. But in hindsight, today’s gospel poses very interesting possibilities. Seventy disciples went out to prepare the way for Jesus taking nothing with them but the message of peace. Two thousand years down the ages, and it’s all credit to those early disciples that Jesus’ message has survived. The task of evangelisation is just as daunting today as it ever was, but armed with the internet, Facebook, budget publishing, television, radio and countless campaign agencies with which we can involve ourselves, perhaps all we need is Jesus’ advice and the will succeed.
Five Ways to Evangelise Effectively
- Don’t imagine you have a duty to share the gospel with everyone you meet……. you could quickly become someone to be avoided.
- No one is solely responsible for leading someone else to God. Be part of a team effort or a volunteer organisation made up of like-minded people. (You might try the Legion of Mary !)
- Be creative and unique. We are all different and we all have different skills, so forget any specific methods you’ve been taught and use your own God given ideas.
- Some of us aren’t made to recruit; we’re made to respond. Be ready to share what you know when others ask or need your help. Avoid the kind of rhetoric that might put non-believers off!
- Be God’s shop window! In other words, be someone that other people aspire to emulate. Example is always the best way to evangelise.
Pope Benedict’s Prayer Intention for July 2010
Our election process might not be ideal, but we are lucky that we don’t live in a part of the world where elections can be rigged, or go hand in hand with corruption and death threats.
In 2005, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan addressed a gathering of international organizations at UNHQ to endorse a Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. This was to outline a code of practice for safeguarding the integrity of objective and impartial election observation as a shared global activity. “The presence of international election observers, fielded always at the invitation of sovereign states, can make a big difference in ensuring that elections genuinely move the democratic process forward,”…“Their mere presence can dissuade misconduct, ensure transparency, and inspire confidence in the process.”
This month we are invited to join in Pope Benedict’s prayer intention “…That in every nation of the world the election of officials may be carried out with justice, transparency and honesty, respecting the free decisions of citizens.”
PASTORAL LETTER
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ
A couple of weeks ago I presented our vision for the future organisation of parishes. Many people from throughout our diocese joined me in the Cathedral for a liturgy of the word.
This vision is contained in a booklet entitled ‘Parishes in Communion for
In today’s gospel Jesus sends out 72 of his followers to all the towns and villages he was to visit. He put his trust in them and he told them to trust in God for the accomplishment of their mission. They went out in pairs not alone. They faced what seemed an impossible task because they could see that the harvest was great but the labourers were few. But they went and proclaimed the way of Jesus. They came back rejoicing. Through them, God was able to do infinitely more than they could have asked or imagined. Jesus risked his mission to the fragility of his followers and in their weakness they witnessed to their faith in him.
Over the centuries the harvest has always been great and the labourers have always seemed few in number. Over the years Jesus has taken the risk of entrusting his message of life to his followers and they have lived it through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our diocesan pastoral guidelines ‘Called to be a People of Hope’ reminded us that we are today’s labourers and that as members of the Church we are a people for others. Central to that recognition, is the truth that we are a Eucharistic community, called to celebrate and live the paschal mystery of Christ and to express the Eucharistic celebration in practical acts of selfless love. The Church is still empowered by the Holy Spirit, who brings new life and opens new horizons.
New horizons are often opened because of changed circumstances. One of the changed circumstances for us is that there will be fewer priests actively engaged in full time ministry. This means that parishes will have to share the ministry of a priest and will not always have a resident priest. Already some parishes are doing this and we can learn from their experience. What we can see is that change often brings new life and fresh ideas to communities. People become actively engaged in the life of their parish. New ways of working produce new ways of being the Church. But change can also be difficult and painful. We may have to let go of some of the things we hold dear. We may have to make sacrifices.
Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs. Under the proposed new organisation, all parishes are being asked to work more closely together and to see themselves as the Catholic community engaged in celebrating and living faith for others. Jesus knew that to send out a disciple alone could mean a lonely journey. We need one another for encouragement and to share our gifts more widely. I am asking parishes to produce plans showing how communities can work together more closely. I am organising area meetings for the early part of 2011 to see how parishes are developing these plans and to hear what support is needed for parishes to be in communion for mission.
I finish with part of a prayer of Edith Stein. It is my prayer for us all:
“Enkindle your love in us
and then walk with us
along the next stretch
of the road before us.
We do not see very far ahead
but when we have arrived
where the horizon now closes down,
a new prospect will open before us
and we shall meet with peace.”
With my best wishes and prayers
Bishop of
See also our website: www.cliftondiocese.com
REPORT FROM CLIFTON DIOCESAN WEBSITE
Hundreds of people came to the Cathedral tonight (23 June) accepting Bishop Declan’s invitation to the launch of ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ - our vision for the future organisation of parishes.
The liturgy took people through the journey of our comprehensive consultation which is rooted in our diocesan pastoral guidelines ‘Called to be a People of Hope’.
Father
Canon
Copies of ‘Parishes in Communion for
God our Father, through the waters of Baptism you have called us to be a people of hope.
May Mary inspire us to be generous in prayer and obedient to your Word.
May Peter teach us to strengthen the bonds of love which unite your Church.
May Paul lead us in giving our lives in the service of others for the good of your world.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us so that walking faithfully in the footsteps of the saints your Kingdom will grow among us.
We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
You can listen to Bishop Declan's homily also on the website.
Following the conclusion of the liturgy, Bishop Declan spoke about the launch. He said: “This evening was a wonderful diocesan celebration with representatives, both laity and clergy, from all 13 deaneries and many of our parishes. There was a clear sense of hope and enthusiasm as people were wanting to celebrate, live and share their faith in Jesus Christ.
“There was certain hesitancy about the future with new challenges, but there was a belief that with the presence of the Holy Spirit, we can face the future together with confidence. We will achieve things, which as
‘Parishes in Communion for
Coming Soon: The Big Silence
Day and time to be confirmed…….on BBC TWO
In this new three-part series for BBC Two, The Big Silence follows five people who have taken time out of their daily lives in an attempt to understand just why silence is so elusive and hard to attain in modern society.
Guiding the volunteers on their spiritual journey is Abbot
In the first episode, he invites the volunteers to spend two days with his community of monks in
Bitesize: There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?
Robert Francis Kennedy, 1968 presidential campaign
Peace Actions for July
- 11th July is Sea Sunday. On this day we support the seafarers who face danger and poor working conditions to bring us food and supplies
- The United Nations has declared 18th July “Nelson Mandela International Day” in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom. Read 'Higher Than Hope,' the Authorized Biography of Nelson Mandela.
- July is traditionally the month we think about our holidays. Give a thought to how our holiday plans impact the poorest on the planet.
Three Abortions and Still Teenagers : 29th June
Dozens of teenage girls have had three abortions or more, according to figures that paint a profoundly depressing picture of modern
Across all ages, more than 1,000 women or girls were on at least their fifth abortion, including 214 on their sixth, 70 on their seventh and 48 who underwent the procedure for at least the eighth time.
Dr Peter Saunders, of the Christian Medical Fellowship, which represents Christian doctors, said that the figures were profoundly depressing. “It is increasingly clear that abortion is simply being used as a form of contraception by a growing percentage of girls and women, and that tired policies of values-free sex education, condoms and morning-after pills are not working,” he said. The total number of abortions in
The statistics were published amid controversy over
The Lord’s Larder
This is a venture begun by St. Mary’s Church, Newent, with the support of other churches, supermarkets, traders, schools and community agencies.
The aim is to provide emergency food supplies (to cover 3 days) for families and individuals in crisis in the Newent area, showing God’s love in a practical way.
We operate from premises in the rear of the Shambles complex accessed through Court Lane and initially we are opening on Thursdays from 10.30am – 12.30pm. Food is available through a voucher scheme (vouchers being issued by a range of local agencies- Fr Aidan has a supply of Vouchers)).
Non-perishable food and toiletries can be donated at collection points throughout the town – Churches, Supermarkets, Chemist, Schools – where lists of items requested are on display and available to take away (see below). We have a Blue Container for your offerings (food, not cash)
The Lord’s Larder opened on 17th June 2010 and a short act of dedication will take place on Monday 5th July led by the Bishop of Tewkesbury, Rt. Revd. John Went, as part of his visit to the town.
We are grateful for the help and support we have received so far, and we now want to encourage people to purchase perhaps one extra item when doing their shopping and donate it via the collection points.
(See LIST of recommended foods…..Noticeboard)
There are opportunities to act as a volunteer for the project. Could you offer to help with:
· transporting food from collection points
· stacking shelves on Mondays 10.30 – 12.30
· meeting with clients and issuing food when we are open
· praying for the project
If you would like to volunteer or would like further information, then please contact St. Mary’s Church Office on 01531 821641.
Report on pilgrimage to Valladolid in Central Spain.
(31st May - 6th June 2010) by Sarah and Michael Rowe
Following adverts on the Diocesan website and in our own parish newsletter the two of us were persuaded to go on our first pilgrimage-holiday. As departure day approached the prospects did not seem good as BA strikes were called for both outward and return flight days. Fortunately BA found us an alternative outward flight and we arrived at the Royal College of St Alban (the
Of the twenty seven on the trip over half were travelling singly but it was a very friendly group and easy to get to know the others, a welcome fact for us as we knew nobody else before we went. Just two of us in the group were non-Catholics and I have now been to seven masses in seven days which must be a record.
The first full day was partly a rest day but we were gently introduced to the college and the unusual history of the statue of Our Lady Vulnerata. All rooms in the college are en suite and we were given tasty Spanish meals in the refectory. We even had an arranged talk from a couple of the cooks who gave us recipes of two popular dishes. The college also has an enclosed garden and visitor centre where one could have tea, coffee or stronger drinks.
The whole thing was incredibly well organised. Monsignor Jeremy gave us briefings and maps of
On the Sunday there was a very impressive
Both of us had a very enjoyable time but sadly we had to come back from hot sun to rain in
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PARISH 200 CLUB: 2010 June winners. 1. £35 No. 017 Jessica N 2. £25 No. 174 Diana Y 3. £15 No. 088 Mary F 4. £10 No. 199 Anne F 5. £ 5 No. 042 Margareta F Congratulations to all winners and many thanks to all our loyal supporters….maybe your turn next month?
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We Remember our Dead in July Eileen Delaney died July 18th 1983 John Callanan died July 5th 1984 Bernard Watkins died July 14th 1994 James Burns died July 10th 1996 Sally Palfrey died July 22nd 1996 Arthur Dawson died July 22nd 1998 Madge Rose died July 22nd 2000 Joan Bone died July 8th 2006 May They Rest in God’s Peace
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Please Pray for the Welfare of our Sick People:- OUR LADY OF
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LAY MINISTERS OF THE WORD & COMMUNION
July 2010
NEWENT 5.30pm MASS - LAY MINISTERS
OF THE WORD OF COMMUNION
Jul 3rd Robin & Una Tom & Collette
Jul 10th Ann & Michael Anne & Peter
Jul 17th Angela & Craig Caroline & Tom
Jul 24th Robin & Una Kevin & Anne
Jul 31st Ann & Michael Tom & Collette
Aug 7th Angela & Craig Caroline & Peter
NEWENT 9.00am LAY MINISTERS OF THE WORD
Jul 4th Chris Roy, Frances, Robin
Jul 11th
Jul 18th Jo, Ella, Joan
Jul 25th Tessa, Julian, Anthony
Aug 1st Gillian,
Aug 8th Chris Roy, Alice, Chris Page
NEWENT 9.00am LAY MINISTERS OF COMMUNION
Jul 4th Leon, Margareta, Debbie
Jul 11th John, Slivana, Mary
Jul 18th Jenny, Jonathan,
Jul 25th Ruth, Gerry, Chris
Aug 1st Leon, Margareta, Debbie
Aug 8th John, Slivana, Mary
BLAISDON 11.00am MASS - LAY MINISTERS
OF THE WORD OF COMMUNION
Jul 4th Janet & Jeremy Nicky & Bernadette
Jul 11th David H & Vin Phillipa & Helen
Jul 18th Clare & Mary L Patrick & Justine
Jul 25th Paul & Chris Kathy & Mary M
Aug 1st Michael & Siobhan Ian & Bridget
Aug 8th Janet & Jeremy Helen & David
NB If you are to be away , PLEASE ask someone to take your place!
Printing courtesy of Inky Little Fingers – www.inkylittlefingers.co.uk
Office Address:
"Drumlanrig",
Ross Road,
Newent,
Gloucestershire,
GL18 1BG