Newsletter 7 January 2022
Hello everyone.
This weekend sees the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, and the end of the Christmas season. We return to Ordinary Time (Year C Cycle 2) and the weekday Masses ahead are from Week 1 of ordinary time. Let us fervently hope that sooner rather than later we can resume normal life and enjoy freedom of meeting for business and pleasure, and the danger from the corona virus will be only a memory.
That would be my prayer for the year ahead, and I feel sure it would be yours too.
During the coming week there will be adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesday at 7.00pm followed by 7.30pm mass, then morning Mass at 9.15am on Wednesday and Thursday. We will not have a coffee morning on Thursday and there will be no Mass on Friday.
FIRST COMMUNIONS
There will be a most important meeting for parents of the seven 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.
Mass during the coming week will be offered for James Igoe, Margaret Coffey, Mike Clayton, Joan and Wilf Austin, Hanska Schriber, and Brendan Costello.
We are asked to contribute to support the Diocesan welfare organisation known formerly as the Rescue Society but now called Caritas. There used to be a collection box placed near the crib, and the collection was called ‘Crib Offerings’. The organisation has grown in recent years, and the needs met are greater. Thanks to everyone who contributed so generously last week, and if you didn’t manage it the basket will again be available after Mass.
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 mad valiant efforts to keep things moving on the ecumenical front. There will by 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.
ANY OFFERS PLEASE? There will be a special day conference on Saturday 22 January at URC led by a visiting speaker (see poster on our notice board).
The Good Counsel Network invites everyone nationally to pray and fast with them for Life, protecting the unborn. They have been in operation for 25 years and this month is the anniversary of their foundation. Again, see the poster and join in on 12 January.
Fr Tony
