Newsletter 11 February 2022
Hello again.
I send a get-well message to anyone who has tested positive for you-know-what, and fresh hope inspired by the sight of the appearance of bunches of white snowdrops everywhere. It is now bright and light when children come home from school, and unless you live in the Scottish highlands the weather has been mercifully mild. It is somehow wonderful the way the seasons keep coming round, despite politicians, footballers who kick cats, troops massing on borders, and people having to isolate. Praise God who was, and is, and ever shall be.
The World Day of Prayer this year is on Friday 4 March in the Methodist church at 7.30.
A special thank you for the amazing total of £520.85 you gave last weekend in the collection for the Priests’ Retirement Fund.
I repeat the invitation to young people aged 16 – 22 to join the Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes for a week at the end of July, at a cost of £570. For information and an application form, e-mail youth@diocesofshrewsbury.org. Speaking as one who got this opportunity when I was 18, I thoroughly recommend it as a great experience that will last you all your life. Some financial assistance will available. Do take this chance. Pick up a leaflet.
Timetable
There will be Exposition at 7pm on Tuesday, followed by Mass at 7.30pm; Mass on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday is at 9.15am. The weekend services are as usual at 5.45pm (Sat), and 9.00am and 10.30am Sun). Mass intentions will be: For Emily Roges, for Felipe Rodriguez Diaz, Patricia Lowe, Stan Beardwood, a Special Intention, for the SSCF, and for Margaret Morton’s intentions.
We are reminded that individual submissions are welcome as responses to the Pope’s invitation to take part in his Synodal Reflection. There is also the group meeting in St John Henry Newman church building next Saturday 19 February at 10am, to which we are all invite. Either way, the deadline for submissions is Tuesday 1 March. Please have a look at the website synodtalksouthwarrington.org
The Diocese of Shrewsbury has committed itself thoroughly to safeguarding. The time has come round again for checking the background of all our parishioners who have volunteered to act in any capacity which brings them into contact with children or vulnerable adults. This requires all such people to fill in a tiresome number of forms. Your co-operation and patience are necessary, so when you are asked, please comply as quickly as possible. Mrs Rowena Ford is our Safeguarding Liaison Officer and we thank her for undertaking this essential role. Everyone must feel safe in our church and parish.
The readings at Mass this weekend include a gospel passage from Luke where he gives his list of the Beatitudes, balancing up for those who are enduring hardships the reward of heaven, and warning others who are comfortable with the simple stark phrase ‘Alas for you’. Also St Paul says belief in the Resurrection is all important; and Jeremiah underlines the choice we have to make about putting our trust in God.
