Newsletter 15 January 2022
Hello everyone.
You will be pleased to know that our Mass Books have arrived safely from Ireland. The readings, for the second Sunday in ordinary time, begin a series of powerful passages from St Paul’s first letter to the people of Corinth, talking about the gifts of the Spirit. The gospel from St John says that Jesus ‘let his glory be seen’ and tells the story of God’s lavish generosity at the marriage feast in Cana, ‘the first of the signs given by Jesus’. The reading from the optimistic third part of Isaiah is full of promises of great things to come. Do take home a red Mass book, now redundant, but useful for reference for those seeking to look at the church’s liturgy as a whole.
Because of a hospital procedure on my leg (Friday 14 Jan) I can’t be sure of my fitness after it, and so I will beg your indulgence so not to have any weekday services in the coming days.Fr Joe Carney from Tarporley is celebrating Mass for us on Saturday evening.
FIRST COMMUNIONS
There will be a most important meeting for parents of the eight children due to make their First Communion. It will be on Thursday 20 January at 7.00pm. Please make every effort to be at this essential event.
Thank you all so much for your generous response to the Caritas appeal. The total collection was £291.
Copies of the 2022 Diocesan Year Book are now on sale price £5. It contains more information about the Diocese than ever, and several articles describing events that were able to continue despite the pandemic. Please put money in the wall box for booklets.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place from the 18 – 25 January. Dave Eadon and his colleagues from the United Reformed Church have made valiant efforts to keep things moving on the ecumenical front. There is the usual Prayer Breakfast on Saturday 15 January (obviously in the week earlier) in the Sanctuary Café an 8.30am followed by a service in the URC next door. Then during the actual Unity Week there will be daily Zoom meetings. Each church is asked to lead one. We didn’t get anybody to volunteer – it is quite a challenge. There will be a special day conference on Saturday 22 January at URC led by a visiting speaker (see poster on our notice board for Zoom details).
There is an invitation to young people aged 16 – 22 to join the Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes 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 may be available.
Our Diocese is looking to appoint a Clergy Welfare Officer to care for the retired and nearly retired priests and those on sick leave. The present holder of the post has done wonderful things for us with her experience and caring attitude, but now is leaving. The job pays 21 hours per week on a rate pro rata of +/- £40,000. Closing date February 11.
Fr Tony
