Our Lady of Lourdes,Newent

A Community of worship, love and service

Newsletter June 2010

The Rublev Trinity Icon

Catholic Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, Newent

and St Michael’s, Blaisdon

Priest in Charge: Fr Aidan Murray SDB

Drumlanrig, Ross Road, Newent, Glos. GL18 1BG

Phone/Fax: 01531-821647

Dear Parishioner,

I hope you enjoyed our journey from Easter to Pentecost and that you experienced the touch of the Holy Spirit in one way or another. Many people are convinced that the parish has been truly blessed and that together we can be signs and bearers of God’s love for all people.

Just look at the opportunities in June! It is a veritable Feast of Spiritual and human goodies: our Strawberry Party – the Celebration of Priesthood in the Cathedral – the evening with David Payne – the Hooleys! – the new document on Parishes in Communion for Mission – the Day for Catechists…..leading to July with the Deanery Picnic at Beechenhurst and then our Celebration for Women led by Jenny Baker and Giovanna Payne. WOW !

Having said all that, I wouldn’t want any parishioner to feel left out of it. There’s no need to feel that you are not ‘good enough’ – who’s counting? In any case, last week’s article from Fr Chris Thomas should re-assure us. God has no problem with our weakness – he’s comfortable with sinful people – and he will continue to offer us healing and help and a mission to other people.

God bless you. Fr Aidan

Diary June 2010

Sat /Sun. 29/30^th May:

SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

D.PRAYERLINK: Salisbury St Osmund with Downton & Whaddon

Collection in aid of Priests retirement Fund

Fr Aidan departs for Salesian Retreat at Ushaw College, Durham

NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – PSALTER WEEK 1.

Mon. 31^st May: THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

9.45am Rosary for Justice and Peace

10.00am Liturgy of the Word with Morning Prayer

Adoration till 11.00am

5.30pm Legion of Mary

Tues. 1^st JUNE: Memorial of St Justin

9.45am Rosary for Justice and Peace

10.00am Liturgy of the Word...with Adoration till 11.00am

11.00am RCIA…..the 5^th Commandment (continued)

Wed. 2^nd JUNE 9.45am Rosary for Justice and Peace

10.00am Liturgy of the Word/Morning Prayer/Communion

10.40am Coffee ‘n chat

11.30am Bible Study (St Mark) @ Margareta’s+lunch

Thurs. 3^rd JUNE 9.45am Rosary for Justice and Peace

10.00am Liturgy of the Word with Adoration till 11.00am

Fri. 4^thJUNE. Fr Aidan returns

6.00pm Adoration/Reconciliation/Prayer

7.00pm Mass

Sat. 5^th JUNE: 4.30pm Adoration – Reconciliation - Prayer-

5.30pm First Mass of CORPUS CHRISTI

Sun. 6^thJUNE: SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY & BLOOD OF CHRIST

Mon. 7^thJUNE: Tenth week in Ordinary time – Psalter week 2

9.45am Rosary for Peace & Justice in the world

10.00am Mass, with Morning Prayer of the Church

And Adoration till 11.00am

RCIA till 12.30pm

Wed. 9^th JUNE Rosary, Mass etc. as usual

Thurs. 10^th JUNE Rosary, Mass etc. as usual

7.00pm PARISH STRAWBERRY PARTY IN AID OF OLLI

Fri. 11^th JUNE: SOLEMNITY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS 11.00am CATHEDRAL MASS TO CELEBRATE PRIESTHOOD

Coach from St Peter’s 9.00am

Usual evening Adoration & Mass…6 & 7pm

Sat. 12^th JUNE: 12.00noon Baptism

4.30pm Adoration – Reconciliation – Benediction

5.30pm First Mass of 11^th Sunday Ord. Time

Sun. 13^th JUNE: 11^th Sunday of Ordinary Time year C.

Mon. 14^th JUNE: 7.30pm Liturgy Meeting

Wed. 16^th JUNE: Fr Aidan at Maryvale Conference …NO Mass

7.00pm DAVID PAYNE IN BROCKWORTH

CALLING ALL RELIABLE CATHOLICS!....See Poster

Fri. 18^th JUNE: Mass etc in the morning

8.00pm THE HOOLEYS PARTY…..DON’T MISS IT!

Sat. 19^th JUNE: St Mary’s Charities Fete ….(Our Bottle Stall !)

Sun. 20^th JUNE: 12^th Sunday in Ordinary Time – year C

Mon. 21^st JUNE: 7.30pm Parish Finance Meeting

Wed. 23^rd JUNE: 7.30 to 8.30pm Cathedral…Parish Council etc.

“PARISHES IN COMMUNION FOR MISSION”…New Document

Sat. 26^th JUNE: Day for Catechists @ St Bede’s, Bristol

Sun. 27^th JUNE: 13^th Sunday….Collection for Peter’s Pence

Liturgy Meeting 14^th June

Could Ministers of Communion, Ministers of The Word, Prospective Sacristans and Greeters/Welcomers please attend this meeting in order to

To finalise advice to prospective sacristans
To discuss new instructions for Ministers of Communion and Ministers of the word.
To discuss the addition of tasks to the welcomer's list.

Parishes in Communion for Mission….Wed. 23^rd June

I would like to invite you and your parishioners to come to the Cathedral on Wednesday 23 June at 7.30pm to celebrate a liturgy during which you and your parish representatives will each receive a copy of ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’. This new booklet outlines our vision for the future organisation of parishes.

Our parishes are being encouraged to work more closely with one another in the mission of the Church. All God’s faithful people are being asked to look again at what is the essential role of the priest and the responsibility of every individual Catholic as a member of the Body of Christ.

I would like to thank you and everyone who took part in the consultation which resulted in the draft report presented to you last October. As a result of this further consultation and your written feedback important changes have been made to the original proposals.

Tea and coffee will be available from 6.30pm in the Apostle Room for those who arrive early.

(Please add your name to the list if you intend to come.)

I look forward to being with you in the Cathedral.

With my best wishes

Bishop of Clifton

PLEASE SUPPORT THE PAPAL VISIT

Prayer cards for the visit are being distributed to all parishioners at Mass this Pentecost weekend …and are still available.

Many thanks to all who have contributed to the Collection towards the expences of the Papal Visit.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said: “I would urge everyone in the Catholic community to pray for this visit and to support the collection for it as generously as they can. “The Holy Father’s visit is a wonderful opportunity for the gentle light of faith to be contemplated afresh by everyone. He will confirm the strong faith of our own community. But my prayer, too, is that the Visit will serve to kindle a new spiritual vitality, a questioning of the heart for many in our society who may have no religious affiliation but who are in some way seeking a deeper meaning and purpose to their lives.”

The costs associated with the state aspects of the visit will be paid by the Government. The costs payable by the Church consist mainly in the organising costs of three major public pastoral gatherings in Scotland, London and the West Midlands. Each Diocese is expected to fund a fair share of the total costs. It helps if we think of it as the cost of witnessing.

This year’s visit of Pope Benedict XVI will be very different to the last papal visit in 1982. The official website: www.thepapalvisit.org.uk is the best place to find out the most up-to-date information in the build up to the special occasion. The top quality website will also provide the best coverage during the visit - a great place for you to follow the visit virtually.
You can also make your donation towards the visit at the official website. It's simple, secure and direct.

Does anyone know how we could hire a LARGE TV SCREEN to show the proceedings at Coventry…and have an “All Day Party” ?

Faith Under Fire (Much abbreviated!)

Annual Report Criticizes U.S. Government

By Father John Flynn, LC (ROME, MAY. 9, 2010 (Zenit.org).-)

On April 29 the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its annual report. Along with an overview of the violation of human rights in many countries when it comes to freedom of worship the report also contained the 2010 recommendations about the nations the commission thinks should be named as “countries of particular concern,” or CPCs
The report also expressed clear dissatisfaction with the U.S. government. In his presentation of the report the commission’s chair, Leonard Leo, said that: “The report’s conclusion is clear -- our government must do more.”

According to Leo, “U.S. foreign policy on religious freedom is missing the mark.” He singled out for criticism the fact that so far no Ambassador-at-Large on International Religious Freedom has been named, over a year after the new administration took power.

The report itself detailed at greater length the problems in many countries. Regarding the point made by Leo about a lack of accountability the commission visited Nigeria three times in the past year.
There have been unchecked waves of sectarian violence. Since 1999, as many as 12,000 Nigerians have been killed in a dozen incidents, according to USCIRF. Both Christians and Muslims have been victims and aggressors, but the report pointed out that so far not one person has been convicted and sentenced in a decade of religious violence.

Another country singled out was Burma, which it was said has one of the world’s worst human rights records. Religious freedom conditions have deteriorated in the past year according to the commission and the military regime severely restricts religious practice. As well, the government has banned unregistered Protestant activity and continued to destroy religious sites and to forcibly promote conversion to Buddhism in ethnic minority areas.

In China the report affirmed that the government continued to engage in systematic violations of the freedom of religion or belief. Moreover, in the past year there was a marked deterioration in the Tibetan Buddhist and Uighur Muslim areas. The Chinese authorities continued its campaign against unregistered Christian groups, with thousands of house church Protestants being detained in the past two years. And no less than 40 Catholic bishops remain imprisoned or have disappeared.

A number of countries on USCIRF’s CPC recommendations or Watch List are majority Muslim nations. In the West, attention is often focused on the persecution of Christians in such countries, but one interesting thing that the commission said was that in majority Muslim countries it is often the case that those governments repress most the free practice of Islam. In the case of Iran the government not only continued to oppress Baha’is as well as Christians, but also Sufi Muslims. The report said that dissident Muslims were increasingly subject to abuse and several were sentenced to death and even executed for the capital crime of moharebeh, or “waging war against God.”
Similarly, in Iraq there continue to be attacks and tense relations between Shi’a and Sunni Iraqis. There is also religiously motivated violence against women and Muslims who reject certain strict interpretations of Islam.

In Saudi Arabia the government persisted in banning all forms of public religious expression other than that of the government’s own interpretation of one school of Sunni Islam. This restricts not only non-Muslims but also Muslims. The report said that Ismaili Muslims continue to suffer severe discrimination and abuse on account of their religious identity. In addition, the government is conducting an ongoing crackdown on Shi’a Muslim dissidents, with numerous arrests and detentions.

Further evidence on the deterioration of religious freedom in the world came in the report’s section on Russia. The commission asserted that the situation is worsening in Russia as a result of new policies and trends. One of these is the government’s use of anti-extremist legislation against religious groups that are not known to use or advocate violence. “Russian officials continue to describe certain religious and other groups as alien to Russian culture and society, thereby contributing to a climate of intolerance,” the report commented.

In Turkey it said that “serious limitations on the freedom of religion or belief continue to occur.” Not only are there restrictions on the majority Sunni Muslim community, but minorities such as Christians also suffer
Another country with serious problems is Sudan. The report said that the nation’s government commits systematic violations of the freedom of religion. Both Christians, as well as those Muslims who do not follow the government’s interpretation of Islam, are targeted by the authorities.

Unfortunately for most politicians, whether in America or elsewhere, religious freedom is not high on their list of priorities. It’s up to all believers to make their voices heard so that this neglect is remedied.

Support Benedict XVI With a Text

ROME, MAY 10, 2010 (Zenit.org).- If you want to let Benedict XVI know you're supporting him, but you can't make it to Rome, send him a text.
The Italian public television channel Rai Uno reported over the weekend that they are launching a mobile phone number that the faithful can send text messages to, and that all of the texts will be passed onto the Pope.
The initiative will serve as a lead-up to a gathering in St. Peter's Square on May 16 organized by Italian Church groups to show their support for the Pontiff, who has been the subject of criticism in the media for his handling of the sexual abuse crisis in the Church.

The messages will also be featured on the Sunday morning television show "in His Image."

Rosario Carello, programming director for Rai Uno, told Agence France Presse, "It's a truly unique event, because with this number everyone can show their solidarity without being physically present in St. Peter's Square." To send a message (international texting rates apply): +39 335 18 63 (Not sure if you put 00 in place of +)

Dear Father Aidan, (Letter from Brian H)

The first Pro-Abortion advert has been shown on Chanel 4 TV. It’s called ‘are you late?’. Anti-abortion groups said the move trivialised human life and a legal appeal was being considered. The advertisement does not mention the word abortion but asks "Are you late?" and points those facing an unplanned pregnancy to Marie Stopes International's 24-hour helpline.

We should all complain to both channel 4 and the Advertising Standards.

However, in my experience, TV Channels take little notice of complaints but they take big notice of their ratings. Caroline and myself will boycott Channel 4 and will inform them why we are doing it. I have been thinking that if all Catholics and other Christian denominations all refuse to watch Channel 4 they will quickly change their minds as their ratings will go down drastically.

Kind Regards, Brian

If you do decide to watch any TV programme and find the content unacceptable may I urge you to complain about it to Ofcom straightaway. You can do this

online by filling out a complaints form at: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/complain/progs/specific/?itemid=286480
by ‘phone 0845 456 3000
by post to Ofcom, Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA.

Anyone can complain to the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) and the easiest way is to complete the online complaints form…..it’s easy to google up the web page…..also Channel 4.

INFORMATION DAY FOR ADOPTION OR FOSTERING

It will be held at our offices in Bristol on Friday 18th June and is aimed at people who are considering adoption and would like to know more.

We would need to hold a brief initial meeting before the day, so anyone who is interested would need to get in touch in the next couple of weeks to arrange this.

We desperately need to find more loving, permanent families for the 4,000 children waiting for adoption and would be delighted to hear from anyone who may be interested.

I should like to take this opportunity to reiterate our thanks to all parishes who have sent in such generous donations in response to our Annual Appeal earlier this year. We should also be hugely grateful if any monies remaining could be sent in as we, like most charities, are feeling the impact of the recession quite keenly on our voluntary income levels and our work with adoptive families and vulnerable children could not continue without your valuable support.

With grateful thanks

Sarah Hennessey: Finance & Development Officer

08451 22 00 77 For more information and dates of our Info days please visit our website at http://www.ccsadoption.org

WORLD CUP FOOTBALL

in South Africa……..

England play USA 7.30pm Sat. 12^th June

England play Algeria 7.30pm Fri. 18^th June (same night as Hooleys -does it bother you?)

England play Slovenia 3.00pm Wed. 23^rd June

1981 & 2005 - Two Interesting Years

Interesting Year 1981

1. Prince Charles got married

2. Liverpool crowned soccer Champions of Europe

3. Australia lost the Ashes(cricket) tournament.

4. The Pope died

Interesting Year 2005

1. Prince Charles got married

2. Liverpool crowned soccer Champions of Europe

3. Australia lost the Ashes tournament

4. The Pope died

Lesson to be learned:

The next time Charles gets married, someone warn the Pope.

Sin Is the Real Enemy, Says Holy Father

200,000 Gather to Express Support for Benedict XVI

By Jesús Colina

VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Sin is the enemy we must fear and fight, Benedict XVI told the 200,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square to show support for the Pontiff.

The crowds came today at noon to pray the Regina Caeli and manifest their solidarity with the Pope and priests in this difficult moment for the Church, in the wake of recent scandals of sexual abuse committed by some members of the clergy.

The Holy Father, who in recent weeks has been the target of media attacks, stated, "The true enemy to fear and combat is sin, spiritual evil, which, unfortunately, also infects members of the Church."

In the early morning hours, pilgrims from various parts of Italy began to enter the square, arriving on busses and trains for this gathering convoked by the Consulta Nazionale delle Aggregazioni Laicali, a national organization of Catholic lay groups.

The arms of the Bernini colonnade were not able to contain the crowds, which were about triple the numbers that were present for Easter Sunday, and lined the entire length of the Via della Conciliazione, even spilling over into the side streets.

With the Pope:

An enormous banner raised above the crowd read: "Together with the Pope."

"Dear friends," the Pope said, speaking from the window of his apartment in the apostolic palace, "It is beautiful to see this multitude today in St. Peter's Square, as it was moving for me to see the immense multitude at Fatima."

"Today you show the great affection and the profound nearness of the Church and the Italian people to the Pope and your priests," he added, "who care for you daily so that in the effort of spiritual renewal we may always better serve the Church, the People of God and those who turn to us with confidence."

There were also members of parliament and political officials present from different cities and regions of Italy.

The Pontiff recalled that in this moment it is necessary "to fear sin and thus be strongly rooted in God, in the good, in love, in service."

"That is what the Church, its ministers, united with the faithful, have done and continue to do with fervid commitment for the spiritual and material good of persons in every part of the world," he affirmed.

The Holy Father continued, "That is what you in particular constantly try to do in the parishes, in associations and movements: serve God and man in the name of Christ."

He encouraged everyone to follow "this path together with confidence, and the trials that the Lord permits will move us to a greater radicalness and consistency."

The collection for weekend 16/5/10 was £395-44.
The collection for Catholic Communications Media was £171-76.

MARK YOUR DIARY

Thurs. 10^th June: Strawberry Party at O.L.L.

From about 4.30pm

Donations please to cover expenses

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Fri. 11^th June 11.00am Mass in Cathedral

To Celebrate Priesthood. Coach from St Peters

Either ring St Peter’s of tell Fr Aidan

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Wed. 16^th June ….with DAVID PAYNE

7.00pm Brockworth Parish Hall

See Poster: all Interested Welcome

Please put your name on the list

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Fri. 18^th June THE HOOLEYS at OLLourdes

Ticket £7.00 includes wine & refreshments

(Depends on take up)

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Sat. 19^th June

2.00pm Charities Fete at St Mary’s (Bottle Stall!)

Bring bottles to church – Silvana in charge

Polish Wedding Blessing at 5.30pm Mass

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Wed. 23^rd June: Cathedral 7.30 to 8.30pm

PARISHES IN COMMUNION FOR MISSION

Pleae put your name on list

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Sat. 26^th June Catechists Day at St Bede’s, Bristol

Application forms available

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Sat. 10^th July at OLL - 9.30am to 4.00pm

A DAY OF REST & BLESSING FOR WOMEN

With Jenny Baker & Giovanna Payne

(to coincide with Weekend for MEN at www.harvesters.org.uk )

(ANS – Turin) 25/5/2010 - Italy – Returning to the dioceses with the heart of Don Bosco

The last day of the meeting of the 90+ Salesian Bishops began with Mass in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians at which Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, Archbishop of Tegucigalpa presided.

In introducing the celebration, Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga thanked the Rector Major and his Council for having had the idea for the meeting, enabling the Salesian Bishops not only to meet each other but also to study some issues and to take part in various events such as the veneration of the Shroud, the celebration at Colle Don Bosco, and not least the Feast of Mary Help of Christians.

“Ordinary” time which in Catholic liturgy comes after Pentecost, is a time in which everyday actions, illuminated by the Spirit, ought to become extraordinary, was what Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga pointed out in his homily which was full of hope and enthusiasm. The grace of the meeting in Turin ought to help the Salesian Bishops as they return to their dioceses, to be like the disciples of Emmaus who communicate their beautiful and joyful experience.

At the end of the Mass gathered in the Sangalli Hall the Bishops considered the fifth topic: “Areas for a better form of communication between Salesian Bishops and the Congregation.” Speaking on this question were Bishop Tarcisio Scaramussa auxiliary bishop of San Paolo, Brazil, Bishop Patricio A. Buzon of Kabankalan, in the Philippines and Archbishop Tito Solari Cochabamba, in Bolivia. A short discussion followed which also dealt with some youth and social issues. It was clear that the Bishops see and are carrying out their pastoral ministry with dedication and in a Salesian spirit; concern for the situation of the young emerged to a considerable extent.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Mary Francis & Caroline Harford

Who have passed the Diocesan Certificate in Catechetics

With Honours!

Julian had to withdraw from the course due to pressure of work. Jeanette continues her study of Liturgy.

It would be great if a few more could take on this study in the new school year - What about it?

We Remember our Dead in June

Ruby Cecilia Leigh died June 25^th 1979

Jim Watkins died June 8^th 1990

Edward Kelly died June 17^th 1990

Rose Mary Forde died June 6^th 1991

Margaret Davies died June 29^th 1992

Patricia Cox died June 11^th 1993

Cath. Christine Robinson “ June 20^th 1993

Richard Ovington died June 30^th 2006

May they Rest in God’s Peace

Please Pray for the Welfare of our Sick People:-

OUR LADY OF LOURDES, PRAY FOR US

LAY MINISTERS OF THE WORD & COMMUNION

NEWENT 5.30pm MASS - LAY MINISTERS

OF THE WORD OF COMMUNION

May 29^th Ann & Sarah Kevin & Peter

Jun 5^th Robin & Angela Caroline & Anne

Jun 12^th Una & Craig Tom & Collette

Jun 19^th Ann & Michael Kevin & Peter

Jun 26^th Angela & Sarah Caroline & Anne

Jul 3^rd Robin & Una Tom & Collette

NEWENT 9.00am LAY MINISTERS OF THE WORD

May 30^th Chris Roy, Frances, Anthony

Jun 6^th Alice, Chris Page, Robin

Jun 13th Jo, Gillian, Joan

Jun 20^th Tessa, Julian, Anthony

Jun 27^th Ffion, Daisy, Ella

Jul 4^th Chris Roy, Frances, Robin

NEWENT 9.00am LAY MINISTERS OF COMMUNION

May 30^th Ruth, Gerry, Chris

Jun 6^th Leon, Margareta, Debbie

Jun 13^th John, Slivana, Mary

Jun 20^th Jenny, Jonathan, Rosa

Jun 27^th Ruth, Gerry, Chris

Jul 4^th Leon, Margareta, Debbie

BLAISDON 11.00am MASS - LAY MINISTERS

OF THE WORD OF COMMUNION

May 30^th ? Siobhan & Michael Mary & Bernadette

Jun 6^th Clare & Mary L Patrick & Justine

Jun 13^th Liz & Vin Kathy & Mary M

Jun 20^th Paul & Chris Helen & David

Jun 27^th Michael & Siobhan Ian & Bridget

Jul 4^th Janet & Jeremy Nicky & Bernadette

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