1ST SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR C)
WEEK: MARCH 10TH - MARCH 16TH 2019
If you are the Son of God,
tell this stone to turn into a loaf
Man does not live on bread alone
....I will give you all this power
and the glory of these kingdoms
You must worship the Lord your God
and serve him alone
....throw yourself down from here,
He will put his angels in charge
You must not put the Lord your God
to the test
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Sr. Catherine; Allison Wild; Vivien Higgins;Elizabeth Flanagan; Dominic Boardman;Michelle Hanson; Andrea Spencer; Sarah Bell; Brenda Linn; Billy Connolly.
LATELY DEAD: Bernard Doran; Norman Hussey; Edna Moore.
ANNIVERSARIES: Sidolyne Chiappi; Robert Hendrick; Josephine Craven; James & Ann Whelan; Patricia Locke; John Fogg.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £518.31; Loose: £382.67; Total: £900.98.
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £8.85 and £5.00 Gift Aided: £0.00
CAFOD: £21.00; £20.00; £10.00; altar flowers £5.00; Oldham Food Bank £40.00; Cornerstone £20.00 and £20.00.
PARISH NEWS
- A Quiet Day here at St. Patrick’s organised by the Oldham Walsingham Association on Wednesday 1st May, 10.00am – 3.00pm. Bring your own lunch – tea and coffee provided. The leader of the Quiet Day will be Fr. Andrew Pastore of the Schoenstatt Fathers. Price £7.50 – places can be booked via Colin Riley, but if you wish to pay by cheque please make it payable to Oldham Walsingham Association. See the church notice board for full details.
- The Easter rota of Readers and Eucharistic Ministers is due to be completed soon. John Green has prepared the usual form, copies of which are available at the back of church. Please complete a form indicating the days when you will be available and return it to John, Colin or the Piety Shop. The completed forms are needed for 31st March latest in order that the rota can be available for collection the Sunday before Palm Sunday.
PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH, THE PATRON OF THE MONTH OF MARCH
Saint Joseph, pattern of all who are devoted to toil, obtain for me the grace to toil in the spirit of penance, order thereby to atone for my many sins; to toil conscientiously,
putting devotion to duty before my own inclinations; to labour with thankfulness and joy, deeming it an honour to employ and to develop, by my labour, the gifts that I have received from Almighty God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties; to work above all with a pure intention and with detachment from self, having always before my eyes the hour of death and the accounting which I must then render of time ill-spent, of talents unemployed, of good undone, and of my empty pride in success, which is so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all through Mary, all in imitation of thee, O Patriarch Joseph! This shall be my motto in life and in death. Amen.
“TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
“At the beginning of Lent, it would do us good to ask for the grace to preserve the memory of all that the Lord has done in our lives, of how He has loved us.”
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TUESDAY: Deanery Station Mass at Corpus Christi church, Hollinwood, at 7.30pm.
WEDNESDAY: Oldham Interfaith Forum cordially invites you to the screening of 'The Sultan & the Saint'. Based on the book titled 'The Saint and the Sultan' by Paul Moses. The movie is a documentary which tells the story of a meeting between St. Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt on a bloody battlefield during the crusades. The screen time is 56 minutes which will be followed by a discussion. Refreshments will be available from 7.00 to 7.30pm. Time: 7.00 - 9.00pm. at The Honeywell Centre, Hadfield Street (Off Ashton Road) Oldham OL8 3BP. Entry is FREE but please book your place via our website:www.oldhaminterfaith.org.uk
THURSDAY: Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Holy Rosary school at 3.00pm.
SATURDAY: Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Our Lady & St Patrick’s Parish House at 10.00am.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sacramental Programme: celebration – ‘We Celebrate God’s Gifts’ at the 10.00am Mass in church.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
- Lenten Station Mass at St. Joseph’s church, Shaw, on Tuesday 19th March at 7.30pm.
- Lenten Station Mass at St. Edward’s church, Lees, on Tuesday 26th March at 7.30pm.
- Lenten Station Mass at St Anne’s church, Ashton, on Tuesday 2nd April at 7.30pm.
- A Quiet Day organised by Oldham Walsingham Association on Wednesday 1st May.
- Day of Prayer for Vocations on Wednesday 31st July.
“SMILE – A – WHILE”
- A young priest was sitting in a restaurant eating lunch. He opened a letter he’d just received that morning from his mother. As he opened it a twenty pound fell out. He thought to himself, “Thanks, Mum, I sure needed that right now.” As he finished his meal, he noticed a beggar outside on the pavement leaning against the lamp post. Thinking that the poor man could probably use the twenty pounds more than he, he crossed out the name on the envelope and wrote across the top in large letters, PERSEVERE! So as not to make a scene, he put the envelope under his arm and dropped it as he walked past the man. The man picked it up and read the message and smiled. The next day, as the priest enjoyed his meal, the same man tapped him on the shoulder and handed him a big wad of notes. Surprised, the young priest asked him what that was for. The man replied, “This is your half of the winnings. Persevere came in first in the fourth race at the race track yesterday and paid thirty to one.”
- An Englishman, Irishman and a Scotsman go for the same job. The manager says he wants each of them to go into his office one at a time to take a test. The Englishman goes in and is presented with a potato, a lettuce and a knife. The manager asks him which is the odd one out. The Englishman says, "The knife, that’s mineral and the other two are vegetables." "Well done," says the manager, "send the Scottish guy in." The Scotsman is presented with the same test. He says, "The knife - you can eat the other two." "Fair enough," says the manager, "send in the Irish chap." The Irishman goes in, and is again faced with the same test. He answers, "The lettuce" "How have you reached that conclusion?" the manager asks. The Irishman says, "Come on, it's dead easy! You can make chips with the other two".
- Father Murphy was walking down the street when a well dressed man got out of brand new Mercedes, rushed up to him and shook his hand. "Father Murphy, my name is Paddy Sullivan a I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart." "Oh?" said Father Murphy. 'Why's that?' "It's like this," said Paddy. "Three years ago I was on the verge of bankruptcy and divorce when I went to one of your sermons about temperance. It was the one about the alcoholic who spent all his money in the pub while his wife and children went about barefoot, but the family of the pub owner are dressed in the finest silks and linens." "Ah, yes, I remember that one well," said Father Murphy. "Are you telling me that you gave up the drink there and then and turned to the narrow path of righteousness, is that it?" "Not at all," replied Paddy. "I'm telling you that I opened a pub."
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
7TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
WEEK: MARCH 3RD - MARCH 9TH 2019
....... never admit defeat; keep on working at the Lord’s work always, knowing that, in the Lord, you cannot be labouring in vain.
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Sr. Catherine; Allison Wild; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan; Dominic Boardman; Ezbilto Bulioieseclue; Michelle Hanson; Andrea Spencer; Sarah Bell; Brenda Linn; Billy Connolly.
LATELY DEAD: Una Lester; Norman Hussey; Theresa Hart; Maria Capuno; Celso Padua; John Fitsimmons.
ANNIVERSARIES: Joao Luiz Lopes; Claudia Moreira; Shaun Caine; Hannah Sexton; Catherine (Kitty) Finnegan; Peter Crosby; Gertrude Ndagijimana. May they Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £425.46; Loose: £359.50; Total: £784.96.
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £18.83; £17.35; £12.05 Gift Aided: £0.00
CAFOD: £60.00; £16.22; £10.00; altar flowers £10.00.
PARISH NEWS
- A Quiet Day here at St. Patrick’s organised by the Oldham Walsingham Association on Wednesday 1st May, 10.00am – 3.00pm. Bring your own lunch – tea and coffee provided. The leader of the Quiet Day will be Fr. Andrew Pastore of the Schoenstatt Fathers. Price £7.50 – places can be booked via Colin Riley, but if you wish to pay by cheque please make it payable to Oldham Walsingham Association. See the church notice board for full details.
- A donation was received in an envelope marked HRHH. This address is not known. Will the donator please inform Colin Riley to whom the payment is to be made.
“BITS & PIECES”
Oldham Interfaith Forum cordially invites you to the screening of 'The Sultan & the Saint'. Based on the book titled 'The Saint and the Sultan' by Paul Moses. The movie is a documentary which tells the story of a meeting between St. Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt on a bloody battlefield during the crusades. The screen time is 56 minutes which will be followed by a discussion. Refreshments will be available from 7.00 to 7.30pm.
Time: 7.00 9.00pm
Date: Wednesday 13th March
Venue: The Honeywell Centre,
Hadfield Street (Off Ashton Road) Oldham OL8 3BP
Entry is FREE but please book your place via our website:www.oldhaminterfaith.org.uk
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
THURSDAY: Parish Team meeting at 7.30pm in the Parish House.
“TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
“All abuse is always an eyesore. In the justified rage of the people, the Church sees the reflection of the wrath of God. We have a duty to listen attentively to this silent cry.”
“Lord, focus our gaze on what is essential, make us strip ourselves of everything that does not help to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ transparent”
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
- Deanery Station Mass at Corpus Christi church, Hollinwood, on Tuesday 12th March at 7.30pm.
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Holy Rosary school at 3.00pm on Thursday 14th March.
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Our Lady & St Patrick’s Parish House at 10.00am on Saturday 16th March.
- Sacramental Programme: celebration – ‘We Celebrate God’s Gifts’ at the 10.00am Mass in church on Sunday 17th March.
- A Quiet Day organised by Oldham Walsingham Association on Wednesday 1st May.
- Day of Prayer for Vocations on Wednesday 31st July.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Casimir: the son of the King of Poland, Casimir was born in 1458, and became known for his practice of the Christian virtues, especially chastity and the love of the poor. He died aged 26 of a lung disease and is especially remembered for the love of the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Ss. Perpetua and Felicity: these two martyrs died in Carthage in 203, in the persecution under Septimus Severus. The account of their lives, partly written by the saints themselves, and by eyewitnesses, survives.
St. John of God: another saint like St. Francis of Assisi and St. Ignatius of Loyola, who gave up a promising military career to serve God and the poor. Portuguese, he founded a hospital in Seville, where he was outstanding in his love for the sick and needy. He died in 1550.
St. Frances of Rome was born in Rome in 1384, was married and had three children. She was known for her love of the sick, ministering to the victims of the frequent epidemics among the poor. She founded a congregation to continue this work.
ITEMS FROM THE PARISH TEAM MINUTES HELD IN FEBRUARY
- A publisher has been found to print hard copies of Faith of our Fathers 2. About 100 copies was suggested. An article has been received from Colin Riley giving his perspective of events at St. Patrick’s over the past 20 years, and others are expected from representatives of the various choirs. Terence Cavanagh agreed to write a piece, as a member of the former Holy Rosary Parish, with regard to his experience of our newly amalgamated parish of Our Lady and St. Patrick.
- Parish History/Archives: Fr. Phil reported that the Log Book for Holy Rosary Church has been found. It is in the possession of Mr. Bernard Madden who is writing a ‘History of Holy Rosary’. Fr Phil has given permission to Mr. Madden to keep the log until the work is finished. When this is completed it could be posted on our parish web site if all parties are in agreement.
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
7TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
WEEK: FEBRUARY 24TH - MARCH 2ND 2019
Do not judge and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned; give and there will be gifts for you..... because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Sr. Catherine; Allison Wild; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan; Dominic Boardman; Ezbilto Bulioieseclue; Michelle Hanson; Andrea Spencer; Sarah Bell; Brenda Linn; Billy Connolly.
LATELY DEAD: Una Lester; Norman Hussey; Theresa Hart; Maria Capuno; Celso Padua; John Fitsimmons.
ANNIVERSARIES: Joao Luiz Lopes; Claudia Moreira; Shaun Caine; Hannah Sexton; Catherine (Kitty) Finnegan; Peter Crosby; Gertrude Ndagijimana. May they Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £425.46; Loose: £359.50; Total: £784.96.
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £18.83; £17.35; £12.05 Gift Aided: £0.00
CAFOD: £60.00; £16.22; £10.00; altar flowers £10.00.
PARISH NEWS
- A Quiet Day here at St. Patrick’s organised by the Oldham Walsingham Association on Wednesday 1st May, 10.00am – 3.00pm. Bring your own lunch – tea and coffee provided. The leader of the Quiet Day will be Fr. Andrew Pastore of the Schoenstatt Fathers. Price £7.50 – places can be booked via Colin Riley, but if you wish to pay by cheque please make it payable to Oldham Walsingham Association. See the church notice board for full details.
- A donation was received in an envelope marked HRHH. This address is not known. Will the donator please inform Colin Riley to whom the payment is to be made.
MINUTES OF ST. PATRICK’S FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
Cyril Clarke, the Parish Bookkeeper, gave an overall view of the parish finances as shown on the Annual Financial Statement, presented to the diocese for the year ending 31st December 2018. The following points were raised:
Total cash in the bank at the start of the year: £37,348.62
Total cash in the bank at the end of the year: £69,792.33
Difference: £32,443.71.
This positive balance was attributed mainly to the VAT reclaimed by John Green on eligible works. John explained that there was still more VAT to be reclaimed from payment of the monies retained for the lighting and the architectural contracts. The analysis of income and expenditure were approved as a true record. The foreseeable planned spending for 2019, i.e. i) The new stained glass window. Ii) Church roof maintenance. Iii) Work on the conservatory in the presbytery garden, amounting to approximately £20,000 in total was approved.
Special thanks were given to John Green for his excellent work reclaiming VAT, and to Cyril Clarke for his careful and efficient preparation of the Parish Accounts.
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TODAY: The National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, along with Relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco will visit the Cathedral (yesterday and today). A whole series of events and services are planned across the two days. Devotions are encouraged between services and all are welcome to celebrate this once in a lifetime visitation.
“TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
“I invite you to pray during these days for the Meeting on the Protection of Minors in the Church, an event that I want to be a powerful gesture of pastoral responsibility in the face of an urgent challenge of our time.”
“Christians promote peace, starting with the community in which they live.”
“Lord, deliver us from the temptation to want to save ourselves, and our reputations; help us to acknowledge our guilt and to seek humble and concrete answers together, and in communion with all the People of God.”
“We ask the Holy Spirit to support us these days and to help us transform this evil into an opportunity for consciousness and purification.”
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
- Parish Team meeting on Thursday 7th March at 7.30pm.
- Deanery Station Mass at Corpus Christi church, Hollinwood, on Tuesday 12th March at 7.30pm.
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Holy Rosary school at 3.00pm on Thursday 14th March.
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Our Lady & St Patrick’s Parish House at 10.00am on Saturday 16th March.
- Sacramental Programme: celebration – ‘We Celebrate God’s Gifts’ at the 10.00am Mass in church on Sunday 17th March.
- A Quiet Day organised by Oldham Walsingham Association on Wednesday 1st May.
- Day of Prayer for Vocations on Wednesday 31st July.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. David was born in Cardigan (Wales) around 520. According to tradition, David was the son of King Sant of South Wales and St. Non. He was ordained a priest and later studied under St. Paulinus. He founded monasteries, known for their austerity of life until being made a bishop and primate of Wales. He settled his see at Mynyw (Menevia) in south-west Wales and died there in about 588.
ITEMS FROM THE PARISH TEAM MINUTES HELD IN FEBRUARY
- The team began to study the first part of Stage 2 of the Bishop’s project ‘Hope in the Future’. In it, it was suggested that all parishes should prepare a Mission Statement, or review any such statement that might already exist. The team took a look at our Parish Mission Statement and agreed that it fairly stated our aims as a parish. However it was agreed to add the words “in communion with the wider Church” to the preamble, in order to express and confirm the universality of our mission. The Mission Statement can be found on our website. A series of questions was proposed, reviewing aspects of our church life ranging over many subjects. It was found that we can and do respond positively to most of these. It was thought though, that there was room for the development of further ongoing formation for young people and adults by way of a bible or catechism study group. We agreed to discuss this again. When the question of parish ‘outreach’ was considered, the team recognised the need for a parish representative for Caritas. We have parishioners who work tirelessly for Cafod and Missio, but no one representing the diocesan charity Caritas. It was agreed to seek out a suitable volunteer to fill this gap.
- Lenten Station Masses: Fr Phil will approach the various choirs regarding availability for the Station Mass at St. Patrick’s on 9th April.
- Prayers of the Faithful: It was suggested that lay people should pray the prayer of the Faithful at the Parish Mass. It was agreed that this is the ideal situation and that we should look for people who could be invited to write down and read suitable prayers. The prayers should not be overlong, and should be relevant to the scripture reading of the day and have an awareness of current affairs. We agreed to look for potential candidates to form a team of writers and readers of these prayers.
6TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
WEEK: FEBRUARY 17TH - FEBRUARY 23RD 2019
"A blessing on the man who puts his trust in the Lord, with the Lord for his hope. He is like a tree by the waterside that thrusts its roots to the stream: its foliage stays green; it has no worries in a year of drought, and never ceases to bear fruit.”
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Sr. Catherine; Allison Wild; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan; Dominic Boardman; Mary Garvey; Theresa Hart; Norman Hussey; Ezbilto Bulioieseclue; Michelle Hanson; Andrea Spencer; Sarah Bell.
LATELY DEAD: Una Lester; Duncan Crawford; Ray Hart; Sam Ward; Anna O’Connor; Alice Karpasides; Tina Da Damo.
ANNIVERSARIES: Brenda Hanson; Zofija Jan Ivan Jadinga Albert. May they Rest in Peace.
IN THANKSGIVING FOR favours received.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £516.53; Loose: £381.14; Total: £897.67.
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £12.10 and £10.00 Gift Aided: £0.00
CAFOD: £60.00; £33.00; £20.00; £10.00 Cornerstone: £40.00 and £20.00; Oldham Food Bank: £40.00 and £20.00.
PARISH NEWS
- A Quiet Day here at St. Patrick’s organised by the Oldham Walsingham Association on Wednesday 1st May, 10.00am – 3.00pm. Bring your own lunch – tea and coffee provided. The leader of the Quiet Day will be Fr. Andrew Pastore of the Schoenstatt Fathers. Price £7.50 – places can be booked via Colin Riley, but if you wish to pay by cheque please make it payable to Oldham Walsingham Association. See the church notice board for full details.
- The National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, along with Relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco will visit the Cathedral on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th February. A whole series of events and services are planned across the two days. Devotions are encouraged across the two days between services and all are welcome to celebrate this once in a lifetime visitation.
“SMILE – A – WHILE”
(The visiting Bible school supervisor asks little Johnny during Bible class, "Who broke down the walls of Jericho?" Little Johnny replies, "I dunno, but it wasn't me!" The supervisor, taken aback by Johnny's lack of basic Bible knowledge goes to the school principal and relates the whole incident. The principal replies, "I know Little Johnny as well as his whole family very well and can vouch for them; if Little Johnny said that he did not do it, then I, as principal is satisfied that it is the truth." Even more appalled, the inspector goes to the regional Head of Education and relates the whole story... After listening he replies: "I can't see why you are making such a big issue out of this; just get three quotes and fix the blinking wall!"
If Mary had Jesus, and Jesus is the lamb of God, does that mean Mary had a little lamb?
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TODAY is Racial Justice Sunday. Prayer for those facing exploitation:
O God, gracious God, from your abundance all gifts and skills are bestowed, making us participants in your work of creation. By the word of your Son, confront our greed, challenge us when we treat people as means of profit, or discriminate unjustly against our fellow human beings. Raise us up to new life in your service that in all our works begun, continued and ended in you we may glorify your holy name. Through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen
Do you want to transform refugees’ lives and and galvanise your parish? Why not answer Pope Francis’s call and sponsor a refugee family?.
SATURDAY: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 10.30 – 11.45am.
“TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
“A generous attitude towards the sick is salt of the earth and light of the world. May Our Lady of Lourdes help us to practice it, and obtain peace and comfort for all those who suffer.”
“Thousands of children, forced to fight in armed conflicts, are robbed of their childhood. Let us stop this abominable crime.”
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
- Parish Team meeting on Thursday 7th March at 7.30pm.
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Holy Rosary school at 3.00pm on Thursday 14th March.
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Our Lady & St Patrick’s Parish House at 10.00am on Saturday 16th March.
- Sacramental Programme: celebration – ‘We Celebrate God’s Gifts’ at the 10.00am Mass in church on Sunday 17th March.
- A Quiet Day organised by Oldham Walsingham Association on Wednesday 1st May.
- Day of Prayer for Vocations on Wednesday 31st July.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Peter Damian: born in 1007, he became a hermit before taking part in a great reform of the Church. He was made Bishop of Ostia and on his death in 1072 was immediately venerated as a saint.
The Chair of St. Peter: this feast of the See of Rome has been kept from the 4th century. It celebrates the unity of the Church gathered around Peter, the Prince of the Apostles.
St. Polycarp was one of the “second-generation” Christians – a disciple of the Apostles. He became Bishop of Smyrna, but was arrested in Rome and burned to death for his faith.
ITEMS FROM THE PARISH TEAM MINUTES HELD IN FEBRUARY
- Fr. Phil reported that a meeting had been held with the designer of the new stained glass window, who had been informed of the negative views of the majority of the team regarding the design. It had been intended that the designer of the Filipino window should be in attendance but she was unable to travel from Scotland because of the snow. However, she has agreed to prepare a more suitable design, having been made aware of our feelings. A design suggested by a team member was given to her and she will bear that in mind as she attempts to satisfy our requirements. A response is expected in the next couple of weeks.
- Christians Against Poverty (CAP): Fr Phil has received a letter from CAP suggesting that we as a parish might wish to engage in the work of CAP. This is a Christian Debt Charity, in good standing, which works to help people with financial problems, debt counselling and the like. They are offering a one day training course in Bradford on Saturday 2nd March. The course includes the days training, lunch, all the resources needed for the course and ongoing support at a cost of £45. It was agreed that the parish would fund the course if a suitable person could be found to go.
- Mission Appeal: It was agreed that St Patrick’s Missionary Society (Kiltegan Fathers) should be invited to make this year’s appeal. The date will probably be early September.
(to be continued next week)
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
WEEK: FEBRUARY 10TH - FEBRUARY 16TH 2019
“Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch”.....they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear.....”Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.”
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Sr. Catherine; Allison Wild; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan;
Fr. Lionel Devaney; Emily McGladdery; Dominic Boardman; Mary Garvey; Theresa Hart; Norman Hussey; Sr. Collette; Ezbilto Bulioieseclue; Michelle Hanson; Andrea Spencer; Sarah Bell; Duncan Crawford.
LATELY DEAD: Arthur Bowskill; Mary Catherine Ward; June Cave; Shaun.
ANNIVERSARIES: Henryk Sobieralski; John Kendrick; Czestaw Bulioieseclue; Romeo Tee; Herminio Moleta. May they Rest in Peace.
BIRTHDAY MEMORIES OF Arthur Haines and Irene Watson.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £571.77; Loose: £343.99; Total: £915.76.
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £7.53 Gift Aided: £0.00
CAFOD: £60.00; £11.87; £10.00; Cornerstone: £20.00; Caritas: £5.00; Oldham Food Bank: £10.00 and £10.00.
PARISH NEWS
- A Quiet Day here at St. Patrick’s organised by the Oldham Walsingham Association on Wednesday 1st May, 10.00am – 3.00pm. Bring your own lunch – tea and coffee provided. The leader of the Quiet Day will be Fr. Andrew Pastore of the Schoenstatt Fathers. Price £7.50 – places can be booked via Colin Riley, but if you wish to pay by cheque please make it payable to Oldham Walsingham Association. See the church notice board for full details.
“SMILE – A – WHILE”
Johnny was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School. "Well, mum, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. "When he got to the Red Sea he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and saved the Israelites." "Now, Johnny, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked. "Well, no, mom, but if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it."
There was an old woman on a plane, sitting next to the Pope. It was stormy outside, and the plane was being rocked by some severe turbulence. So this kindly old lady looked upon Death's door, and said to her papal neighbour. 'Father, surely you can do something about this...' To which the Pope replied, 'Sorry lady, I'm in
sales, not management.'
The priest was preparing a man for his long day's journey into night.
Whispering firmly, the priest said, "Denounce the Devil! Let him know how little you think of his evil!" The dying man said nothing. The priest repeated his order. Still the dying man said nothing. The priest asked, "Why do you refuse to denounce the Devil and his evil?" The dying man said, "Until I know where I'm heading, I don't think I ought to aggravate anybody!"
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TODAY: the baptism and christening of Eva Wearing takes place during the 10.00am Mass. We welcome her into our parish community and wish her many future blessings.
NEXT SUNDAY is Racial Justice Sunday.
Prayer for those facing exploitation:
O God, gracious God, from your abundance all gifts and skills are bestowed, making us participants in your work of creation. By the word of your Son, confront our greed, challenge us when we treat people as means of profit, or discriminate unjustly against our fellow human beings. Raise us up to new life in your service that in all our works begun, continued and ended in you we may glorify your holy name. Through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen.
“TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
“ I am about to leave for the United Arab Emirates. I am visiting that Country as a brother, in order to write a page of dialogue together, and to travel paths of peace together. Pray for me!”
“Human trafficking is a terrible violation of human dignity. Let us open our eyes to this shameful scourge and commit ourselves to fighting it.”
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
- Parish Team meeting on Thursday 7th March at 7.30pm.
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Holy Rosary school at 3.00pm on Thursday 14th March.
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Our Lady & St Patrick’s Parish House at 10.00am on Saturday 16th March.
- Sacramental Programme: celebration – ‘We Celebrate God’s Gifts’ at the 10.00am Mass in church on Sunday 17th March.
- A Quiet Day organised by Oldham Walsingham Association on Wednesday 1st May.
- Day of Prayer for Vocations on Wednesday 31st July.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
Our Lady of Lourdes: in 1858Our Lady appeared to a poor peasant girl called Bernadette Soubirous near Lourdes in France, in the grotto of Massabielle at the foot of the Pyrenees. Through the poor child, Mary called sinners to penance and thereby there arose in the Church a marvellous spirit of prayer and charity, especially in helping the poor and the sick.
St. Cyril and St. Methodius: brothers and missionaries who carried the Gospel into the Slavonic countries. They translated the liturgical books into the Slavonic language, inventing a new script, Cyrillic, to do so. Cyril died in 869, Methodius in 885.
EXCERPTS FROM A LETTER RECEIVED BY MRS. HALLIWELL
We would like to congratulate you, your staff and your pupils on the very high level of progress that pupils in your school demonstrated in the reading, writing and mathematics key Stage 2 assessments last year. Your school’s results show progress scores of 4,7, 5.6 and 4.9 – this means that your pupils make is amongst the top 3% of schools in England. Thank you for producing such high standards through your hard work and professionalism.
With best wishes, yours sincerely
Rt. Hon. Damian Hinds (Secretary of State for Education)
Rt. Hon. Nick Gibb (Minister of State for School Standards.
ITEMS FROM THE PARISH TEAM MINUTES HELD IN FEBRUARY
- St. Patrick’s School: The Secretary of State for Education has written to Mrs Halliwell congratulating the school for being in the top 3% of schools nationwide in raising standards, particularly in English reading, writing, and mathematics. It was agreed that this is a magnificent achievement.
- Coffee after Masses: It was agreed that the storage place for everything necessary will be the piety shop.
- Exterior Church Notice Board: It was agreed to replace and update the notice board including using the name of the New Parish.
(to be continued next week)
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
4TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
WEEK: FEBRUARY 3RD - FEBRUARY 9TH 2019
Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. In short, there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Sr. Catherine; Allison Wild; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan; Fr. Lionel Devaney; Emily McGladdery; Dominic Boardman.
LATELY DEAD: Calleen McAllister; Fr. Daniel O’Leary; Colette Garratt;
Monica Hyland; Redmond Tully.
ANNIVERSARIES: Patricia Joceylin; Joe Jacewicz; John Kendrick.
May they Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £588.90; Loose: £346.75; Total: £935.65.
Retiring Collection for Caritas Diocese of Salford: £408.68
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £7.27 and £5.59 Gift Aided: £0.00
CAFOD: £60.00; £20.00; £20.00; £21.05; £10.00; £6.64; Cornerstone: £50.00
PARISH NEWS
The Charismatic Prayer Group meets every Friday for praise and worship in church from 7.00 – 9.00pm. Contact 079701 88673. Everybody is welcome.
“SMILE – A – WHILE”
A Jewish lady named Mrs. Rosenberg who many years ago was stranded late one night at a fashionable resort - one that did not admit Jews .The desk clerk looked down at his book and said, "Sorry, no room. The hotel is full." The Jewish lady said, "But your sign says that you have vacancies." The desk clerk stammered and then said curtly, "You know that we do not admit Jews. Now if you will try the other side of town..." Mrs. Rosenberg stiffened noticeably and said, "I'll have you know I converted to your religion." The desk clerk said, "Oh, yeah, let me give you a little test. How was Jesus born?" Mrs. Rosenberg replied, "He was born to a virgin named Mary in a little town called Bethlehem." "Very good," replied the hotel clerk. "Tell me more." Mrs. Rosenberg replied, "He was born in a manger."
“That's right," said the hotel clerk. "And why was he born in a
manger?" Mrs. Rosenberg said loudly, "Because a jerk like you in the hotel wouldn't give a Jewish lady a room for the night!"
While I was in hospital I had to go for an x-ray. As I was sitting waiting to be seen, the lad next to me says," Fair fae yer honest sonsieface! Great chieftain o' the puddin race!!" I was like, eh? I turned my head round to the lady sat on my other side, she said, "Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie, O, what a panic's in thy breastie!". As I grabbed the next doctor walking past I said, "Here, doc, is this the psychiatric ward?" He says," No this is the burns unit!” (Burn’s night was on Friday Jan. 25th)
A mother was teaching her three year old daughter The Lord's Prayer. For several evenings at bedtime, she repeated it after her mother. One night she said she was ready to solo. The mother listened with pride, as she carefully enunciated each
word right up to the end..."And lead us not into temptation", she prayed, "but deliver us some e-mail, Amen."
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TUESDAY: is Chinese New Year and is also known as the Spring Festival. This is the year of the pig and pigs are a symbol of wealth. So, to our Chinese friends -
Xin nian kuai le (Happy New Year).
THURSDAY : Parish Team meeting at 7.30pm in the Parish House.
NEXT SUNDAY: the baptism and christening of Eva Wearing takes place during the 10.00am Mass. We welcome her into our parish community and wish her many future blessings.
“TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
“May the Lord give us the grace of memory and of hope, in order to go forward with perseverance on the journey of our life.”
“Don Bosco had the courage to look at reality with human eyes and with the eyes of God. May every priest imitate him by seeing reality with human eyes and with the eyes of God.”
“The secret to navigating life well is to invite Jesus on board. The helm of life should be given to Him, so that He can direct the route.”
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Holy Rosary school at 3.00pm on Thursday 14th March.
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Our Lady & St Patrick’s Parish House at 10.00am on Saturday 16th March.
- Sacramental Programme: celebration – ‘We Celebrate God’s Gifts’ at the 10.00am Mass in church on Sunday 17th March.
- Day of Prayer for Vocations on Wednesday 31st July.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Agatha was martyred in Sicily in the persecution under Emperor Decius (240 – 251). Devotion to her was strong from the earliest times.
St. Paul Miki and Companions were Japanese martyrs. Towards the end of the 16th century, the Emperor Hideyoshi began a persecution of the Catholic Church and among those arrested were Paul Miki, a young Jesuit, and 25 others, some as young as 13. They were taken to Nagasaki where they were crucified in 1597.
St. Jerome Emiliani: like other saints, Jerome started adult life as a soldier, but after capture and imprisonment he left his military career and began to serve the poor and needy by founding the “Order of Clerks Regular of Somaschi”. He died in 1537.
St. Josephine Bakhita: born in Sudan in 1869, she was kidnapped, sold as a slave and taken to Italy. There she became a Catholic and entered the Institute of St. Mary Magdalene of Canossa, where she took part in the community life of prayer, cooking sewing, embroidery and attending to the poor. Her humility, simplicity and constant smile won the hearts of all the citizens. She died in 1947.
ITEMS FROM THE PARISH TEAM MINUTES HELD IN JANUARY
Lenten Station Masses: The dates for the Station Masses this year:
12th March: Corpus Christi, Hollinwood
19th March: St Joseph’s, Shaw
26th March: St Edward’s, Lees.
2nd April: St. Anne’s, Ashton.
9th April: Our Lady and St Patrick’s, Oldham.
All Masses are on Tuesday and start at 7.30pm
Parish History/Archives: It was noted that we have found no written evidence of the history of Holy Rosary parish, by way of log books etc. It was agreed that Fr. McKie and other former parish priests should be consulted to determine if these documents existed when he was there. Also, parishioners could be approached for memories and memorabilia.
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
WEEK: JANUARY 27TH - FEBRUARY 2ND 2019
“The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, To proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.”
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Sr. Catherine; Frank Norcliffe; Sr. Magdalena; Allison Wild; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan; Fr. Lionel Devaney; Emily McGladdery.
LATELY DEAD: Fr. Tom Cullinan OSB; Michael O/Reilly; Ernest Cotton; Carmela Giglio-Ferrara; Margaret Tindall.
ANNIVERSARIES: Margaret Rainsford; Joe Rimmer; Michael King; Peter & Antonietta Hordynski; Laura Marie Dabrowski; Terry Mills; Frank Turner; Trish Connolly; Michael McGladdery;Catherine & Lewis Laverty. May they Rest in Peace.
IN THANKSGIVING FOR: the blessing of a home; birthday memories of Susan Anne Kenneally and also of Alfonso Ferrara and Antonietta Hordynski.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £528.46; Loose: £332.16; Total: £860.62
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £200.00; £12.02; 62p Gift Aided: £0.00
CAFOD: £60.00; £20.00; £19.89; £10.00; Food Bank: £20.00.
PARISH NEWS
- Will Readers and Eucharistic Ministers please collect a copy of the new rota for February, March and April from the sacristy after Mass today.
“SMILE – A – WHILE”
It seems that there was a little old church out in the countryside: painted white and with a high steeple. One Sunday, the pastor noticed that his church needed painting. He checked out the Sunday ads and found a paint sale. The next day, he went into town and bought a gallon of white paint. He went back out to the church and began the job. He got done with the first side. It was looking great. But he noticed he had already used a half gallon. He didn't want to run back in town and being the creative person that he was, he found a gallon of thinner in the shed out back, and began to thin his paint. It worked out great. He finished the remaining three sides with that last half gallon of paint. That night, it rained: it rained hard. The next morning when he stepped outside of the parsonage to admire his work, he saw that the first side was looking great, but that the paint on the other three sides had washed away. The pastor looked up to the sky in anguish and cried out, "What shall I do?"
A voice came back from the heavens saying, "Repaint, and thin no more!"
The Baptist preacher just finished his sermon for the day and proceeded toward the back of the church for his usual greetings and handshaking as the congregation left the church. After shaking a few adult hands he came upon the seven year old son of one of the Deacons of the church. "Good morning, Jonathan," the preacher said as he reached out to shake Jonathan's hand. As he was doing do he felt something in the palm of Jonathan's hand. "What's this?" the preacher asked. "Money," said Jonathan with a big smile on his face, "It's for you!" "I don't want to take your money, Jonathan," the preacher answered. "I want you to have it," said Jonathan. After a short pause Jonathan continued, "My daddy says you're the poorest preacher we ever had and I want to help you."
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TODAY there will be a mandatory retiring collection at both Masses for Caritas Diocese of Salford. Caritas Diocese of Salford is the official charity of the Diocese. Our vision is that the lives of all people should be free from poverty, disadvantage and discrimination. Our purpose is to help the most vulnerable children, young people and adults in our communities to transform their lives and fulfil their potential. In 2008, Caritas Diocese of Salford was created by Bishop Terence Brain and in April 2010, incorporated the work of CCRS, CWS and Catholic Family Care in order to bring together the work of individual charities created over the past 125 years. In 2011, St Joseph’s Mission to the Deaf, Justice and Peace and Racial Justice also joined Caritas, widening the remit of the charity’s work.
ALSO, in the UK and around the world, today has become known as Holocaust Memorial Day, a day when we remember all those countless numbers of people who have been affected by genocide. Why January 27th? This is the date when, in 1945, Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest of the concentration camps, was liberated from the Nazis.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Holy Rosary school at 3.00pm on Thursday 14th March.
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Our Lady & St Patrick’s Parish House at 10.00am on Saturday 16th March.
- Sacramental Programme: celebration – ‘We Celebrate God’s Gifts’ at the 10.00am Mass in church on Sunday 17th March.
- Day of Prayer for Vocations on Wednesday 31st July.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Thomas Aquinas was born of wealthy parents in Italy in 1225. He was a brilliant student and became a Dominican against his parents’ wishes. He received a Doctorate and wrote many important books. He died in 1274 and is the patron of students and universities.
St. John Bosco was born in Italy in 1815. Having lost his father, the family was poor and he worked on the family farm. He left home and got a job at a vineyard before studying for the priesthood and was ordained in 1841. He worked tirelessly for poor boys who were employed as apprentices before dying in 1888.
ITEMS FROM THE PARISH TEAM MINUTES HELD IN JANUARY
- An e-mail has been received from Steve Owen suggesting that the design of the stained glass window was not up to the standard as that of the Filipino window produced by the same company. This was generally agreed. It was also pointed out that the cotton industry was far more important than the coal mining, which was in fact relatively insignificant. It was mentioned the fact that the Maple mill, Hathershaw was where the people of Holy Rosary parish held their Masses before the church was built. In any event it was agreed that the design, which looks very much like appliqué work, is not right as it is, and improvements will have to be made.
- It was agreed that there had been a good atmosphere at the Christmas Fayre and that things had generally gone well. The Fayre raised £1,528 before deductions, which was a very good effort.
- Once again, the Music Festival was a great success. It was suggested that this year the date should be brought forward to 23rd November so as not to clash with the Christmas Fayre.
- Children’s’ Liturgy: It was agreed that the 3-11 group will in future be known as the Children’s Liturgy. However it was made clear that we do not want to encourage children over 11 to attend unless they are helping siblings or assisting the catechists.
- It was agreed that a publisher for a limited number of hard copies of the booklet ‘Faith of our Fathers 2’ should be available as soon as possible.
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
2ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
WEEK: JANUARY 20TH - JANUARY 27TH 2019
“People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.”
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Sr. Catherine; Frank Norcliffe; Sr. Magdalena; Allison Wild; Patricia Haines; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan.
LATELY DEAD: Frances Atkinson.
ANNIVERSARIES: Kit Auyfung Sur Chong Hsw; Olga Tyl; Michael & Margaret Mahady; Joe Rimmer; Mrs. Hui Lee Yuet Ying; Victoria Otoghile. May they Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £587.55; Loose: £409.90; Total: £997.45
Retiring Collection for SPUC: £132.47
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £16.00 and £13.15 Gift Aided: £0.00
CAFOD: £60.00; £15.01 and £10.00; Food Bank: £20.00; grateful thanks to our esteemed Polish community for the latest donation of £800.00.
IN THANKSGIVING FOR: the blessing of a home.
PARISH NEWS
- Will Readers and Eucharistic Ministers please collect a copy of the new rota for February, March and April from the sacristy after Mass today.
- Jim McMahon MP has sent the following letter to Mrs. Halliwell, the head mistress of St. Patrick’s Primary School about its Key Stage 2 results:
“The Schools’ Minister Nick Gibb MP has been in contact with me explaining that several schools in Oldham have increased the proportion of pupils achieving standards in reading, writing and mathematics at KS2.
Your school received a particular mention and that’s why I am writing to congratulate you and your staff. I know schools are finding it difficult to balance their books and teachers don’t always receive the praise they deserve, but I would like to offer my thanks to everyone involved on behalf of pupils and parents.”
- The following is extracts sent out by Mrs. Halliwell to parents of pupils of the school:
“I am writing to let you know of my intention to retire from my post as Head Teacher at St Patrick’s at the end of this academic year. This has been a difficult decision but I do feel it is the right one. It has been a privilege to have been Head Teacher at St Patrick’s and I will take with me many fond memories. It has been an honour to lead such a wonderful school. The children here are delightful and their enthusiasm and boundless energy make the job so rewarding. I am also grateful to you, the parents at St Patrick’s, who have treated me with great respect and kindness and supported me in my endeavours. I have enjoyed being part of the journey that St Patrick’s has been on but I could not have done it without the team of hard working and committed professionals we have in school. I know they will continue to work hard to enable St Patrick’s to continue on its successful path.
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
SATURDAY: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 10.30 – 11.45am.
THE DESIGN FOR THE NEW WINDOW
It will be in colour and represent the history of the three churches which are now the parish of Our Lady and St. Patrick. i.e. St. Mary’s, Holy Rosary and Our lady of Mount Carmel and St. Patrick. The design shows the three church buildings, the mosaic from Holy Rosary, the Pieta from St. Mary’s and the Royal Oldham Hospital (now the site of the 6th Form College) with nurses and miners who frequented the churches in the past.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
- 3s – 11s Children’s Liturgy Group meet during the 10.00am Mass on Sunday 17th February.
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Holy Rosary school at 3.00pm on Thursday 14th March.
- Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parent’s lesson in Our Lady & St Patrick’s Parish House at 10.00am on Saturday 16th March.
- Sacramental Programme: celebration – ‘We Celebrate God’s Gifts’ at the 10.00am Mass in church on Sunday 17th March.
- Day of Prayer for Vocations on Wednesday 31st July.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Agnes of Rome was born in 291 AD and raised in a wealthy Christian family. Agnes was very beautiful and her hand in marriage was highly sought after. She was condemned to death for being a Christian and was beheaded at the age of 12 or 13. She was buried beside the Via Nomentana in Rome. Her bones are currently conserved beneath the high altar in the church of Sant'Angese fuori le mura in Rome, which was built over the catacomb that held her tomb.
St. Vincent: Born at Huesca, Spain, he became a deacon and served St, Valerius at Sarsgossa until their martyrdom at Valencia during the persecutions under Emperor Diocletian, St Valerius was exiled, but Vincent was cruelly tortured because he would not surrender the holy books
St. Francis de Sales was born to a noble family near Geneva in 1567. He was both intelligent and knew for years he had a vocation to the priesthood, but kept it from his family. He was ordained and elected provost of the Diocese of Geneva before becoming Bishop of Geneva.
Ss. Timothy and Titus: Timothy was a friend of St. Paul and travelled widely. According to tradition, he went to Ephesus, became its first bishop, and was stoned to death there when he opposed a pagan festival in honour of Diana. Titus was a disciple of St. Paul who was sent to Greece, where he successfully reconciled the Christian community and was later left on Crete to help organize the Church, although he soon went to Dalmatia, Croatia. He served as the first bishop of Crete and was buried there.
“SMILE – A – WHILE”
Julio Iglesias was on UK television with British TV host Anne Diamond. He used the word “manyana” (pronounced “”man-yana”). Diamond asked him to explain what it meant. He said that the term means;; “Maybe the job will be done tomorrow; Maybe the next day; Maybe the day after that, or perhaps next week; Next month; Next year. Who really cares?” The hgost turned to speak to Albert Yatapingu from the Aboriginal Gumbaingeri Tribe who was also on the show. She asked him if there was an equivalent term in his native language. “Nah”, he replied, “In Auistralia we don’t have a word to describe that degree of urgency.”
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (YEAR C)
WEEK: JANUARY 6TH - JANUARY 12TH 2019
The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they gave him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Mary Egan; Sr. Catherine; Daniel Marshall; Norman Hussey; Vivien Higgins; Fereshteh Shadpour; Ann Eastell; Kathy Brock; Helen Roy..
LATELY DEAD: Agnes Drew; Joan Buckley; Juliet Lazaga; Josephine Vickerstaff. .
ANNIVERSARIES: Robert and Mary McFall; Paddy Joe Canny; Sergio Auxtero; James Fogg. Myron Patra; Margaret Grudzien; Judith Dwyer.
Charles Barnes. May they Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £468.00; Loose: £314.09; Total: £782.09
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
CAFOD: £60; £10; £27.20. Food Bank: £20; £5.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which begins on Friday this week, is an international Christian ecumenical observance kept annually between 18 January and 25 January. It is an octave, that is, an observance lasting eight days.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began in 1908 as the Octave of Christian Unity, and focused on prayer for church unity. The dates of the week were proposed by Father Paul Watson, cofounder of the Graymoor Franciscan Friars.
Pope Pius X officially blessed the concept, and Benedict XV "encouraged its observance throughout the entire Roman Catholic Church”.
New Stained Glass Window: A picture of the proposed new stained glass window has been put on the notice board in the narthex. It represent a celebration of all the people who have contributed to our community at St. Patrick’s from the early days right up to the present time and the joining together of St. Mary’s, Holy Rosary and St. Patrick’s. Images of the three churches are included, as well as the mosaic crucifix by the Hungarian, George Mayer-Marton, such a feature of Holy Rosary church, and the Pieta much loved by the parishioners of St Mary’s. The old Oldham Royal Infirmary is included together with an image of a nurse, representing the many health workers from the parish throughout the years. Other local industries, cotton and coal mining, are also represented although some changes have been asked for regarding these: the picture of the miners’ lamp will be smaller and the pit-head bigger. An image of the Whit Processions from times past has also been included. These will be remembered by many of our older parishioners. All in all, it is thought that this window will be a welcome and fair depiction of parish life throughout the years, and the unity of our new parish of our Lady and St. Patrick.
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
THURSDAY: Sacramental Programme: 3rd meeting – children’s & parent’s lesson in Holy Rosary school at 3.00pm.
ALSO, Parish Team meeting at 7.30pm in the Parish House.
SATURDAY: Sacramental Programme: 3rd meeting - children’s & parent’s lesson in the Parish House at 10.00am.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sacramental Programme: celebration – “We are People who Celebrate God’s Word” at the 10.00am Mass in church.
“TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
May Mary, Mother of God protect and accompany us during this New Year, and bring the peace of her Son into our hearts and the world.
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
- Week of prayer for Christian Unity begins Friday 18th January
- Day of Prayer for Vocations on Wednesday 31st July.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Raymond of Penyafort was born in Spain and was a relative of King James of Aragon. From childhood he had a tender love and devotion to Our Lady. He finished his studies at an early age, and became a famous teacher. He then gave up all his honours and entered the Order of the Dominicans. He died aged 100. St. Raymond is recognised as the patron saint of canon lawyers.
St. William, an English priest who had come to Denmark to evangelize the country, became bishop of Roskilde in 1044. Denmark was then ruled by a nominally Catholic king, Sweyn Estridsen. After a bitter confrontation, the two became best friends.
St. Aelred of Rievaulx (1109-1167) early showed signs of promise. The son of a Saxon priest, he was educated at Roxburgh, the ancient Scottish capital, where he was known for his intellectual talents. . When he finished his schooling, he became the steward to King David of Scotland. He left his job to join the Cistercian community at Rievaulx and was the first abbot of Rievaulx’s daughter house in Revesby, Lincolnshire, but he returned to Rievaulx in 1147 to be abbot. During the last ten years of his life, his health deteriorated, and he suffered from gout and a bad cough. He also penned lives of St. Ninian and of Edward the Confessor, in addition to a rule for recluses and a genealogy of the kings of England.
“SMILE – A – WHILE”
A priest and a taxi driver both died and went to heaven. St. Peter was at the Pearly gates waiting for them. 'Come with me,' said St. Peter to the taxi driver. The taxi driver did as he was told and followed St Peter to a mansion. It had everything you could imagine from a bowling alley to an Olympic size pool.'Oh my word, thank you,' said the taxi driver. Next, St. Peter led the priest to a rough old shack with a bunk bed and a little old television set. 'Wait, I think you are a little mixed up,' said the priest. 'Shouldn't I be the one who gets the mansion? After all I was a priest, went to church every day, and preached God's word.' 'Yes, that's true.' St Peter rejoined, ' But during your sermons people slept. When the taxi driver drove, everyone prayed.'
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY (YEAR C)
WEEK: DECEMBER 30TH - JANUARY 5TH 2019
O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practising the values of family life and in the bonds of charity.”
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: F. Norcliffe; Mary Egan; Sr. Catherine; Daniel Marshall; Norman Hussey; Vivien Higgins; Fereshteh Shadpour; Ann Eastell.
LATELY DEAD: Sr. Wendy Becket; Agnes Drew; Joan Buckley; Jean Pelypek.
ANNIVERSARIES: Irene Dodd; Wilfred & Raymond Brooks; Frances Michailuk; Edith Mary Connelly; Denis Buckley. Dorothy & Keith Taylor – Holroyd. May they Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £627.37; Loose: £333.64; Total: £961.01
Christmas Eve & Day: Envelopes: £379.30; Loose: £811.11; Total: £1,190.41
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: Loose: £9.02; Gift Aided: £0.00
Also: £1000.00; £60.00; £40.00; £20.00; £19.07; £4.00 for CAFOD; £40.00; £40.00; £10.00; £10.00; £10,00 for the Oldham Food Bank; £60.00 and £20.00 for Cornerstone.
“SMILE – A – WHILE” for the New Year
Dear Lord So far this year I've done well. I haven't gossiped, I haven't lost my temper, I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent. I'm very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, Lord, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on I'm probably going to need a lot more help. Amen.
On New Year's Eve, Marilyn stood up in the local pub and said that it was time to get ready. At the stroke of midnight, she wanted every husband to be standing next to the one person who made his life worth living. Well, it was kind of embarrassing. As the clock struck - the barmaid was almost crushed to death.
On New Year's Eve, Daniel was in no shape to drive, so he sensibly left his van in the car park and walked home. As he was wobbling along, he was stopped by a policeman. 'What are you doing out here at four o'clock in the morning?' asked the police officer. 'I'm on my way to a lecture,' answered Roger. 'And who on earth, in their right mind, is going to give a lecture at this time on New Year's Day?' enquired the constable sarcastically. 'My wife,' slurred Daniel grimly.
Jemima was taking an afternoon nap on New Year's Eve before the festivities. After she woke up, she confided to Max, her husband, 'I just dreamed that you gave me a diamond ring for a New Year's present. What do you think it all means?' 'Aha, you'll know tonight,' answered Max smiling broadly. At midnight, as the New Year was chiming, Max approached Jemima and handed her small package. Delighted and excited she opened it quickly. There in her hand rested a book entitled: 'The meaning of dreams'.// Dear God, my prayer for 2019 is a FAT bank account and a THIN body. Please don't mix it up like you did this year.
“TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
“Let us welcome God’s love in the Christ Child, and let us commit ourselves to making the world more humane and worthy for the children of today and tomorrow”.
“The Church grows with the blood of the martyrs, men and women who give their lives for Jesus. Today there are many, even if they do not make the headlines.”
The New Year can often bring a mixed bag of emotions and memories for many of us. Some may have just experienced the best year ever and look forward to an even greater one looming ahead. Others may have just trudged through one deep struggle after another. The fresh calendar year brings desperate hope for things to be better, with an ache for the still-fresh wounds to slowly begin their process of healing.
Whether you’ve just walked through the greatest year of your life, or are incredibly glad to see this one finally over, one truth still rings clear amidst it all. You are not alone. Not ever.
Our God is a “with us" God. On the heels of the celebration of the birth of our King, that reminder has the power to carry us right into a fresh, new start. He is Emmanuel, God with us. And though things and people around us shift and change, our God never changes.
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
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Parish Team meeting on Thursday 10th January at 7.30pm in the Parish House.
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Sacramental Programme: 3rd meeting – children’s & parent’s lesson in Holy Rosary school at 3.00pm on Thursday 10th January.
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Sacramental Programme: 3rd meeting - children’s & parent’s lesson in Parish House at 10.00am on Saturday 12th January.
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Sacramental Programme: celebration – “We are People who Celebrate God’s Word” at 10.00am Mass in church on Sunday 13th January.
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Day of Prayer for Vocations on Wednesday 31st July.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Sylvester I was born in Rome and was Pope for 25 years, dying in 335. The Council of Nice was assembled during his reign, in the year 325, but not being able to assist at it in person, on account of his great age, he sent his legates.
Ss. Basil and Gregory: St. Basil the Great was born at Caesarea of Cappadocia in 330. He was one of ten children of St. Basil the Elder and St. Emmelia. Several of his brothers and sisters are honoured among the saints. He attended school in Caesarea, as well as Constantinople and Athens, where he became acquainted with St. Gregory Nazianzen in 352. A little later, he opened a school of oratory in Caesarea and practiced law. Eventually he decided to become a monk and found a monastery in Pontus which he directed for five years. He wrote a famous monastic rule which has proved the most lasting of those in the East. After founding several other monasteries, he was ordained and, in 370, made bishop of Caesaria. In this post until his death in 379, he continued to be a man of vast learning and constant activity, genuine eloquence and immense charity. This earned for him the title of "Great" during his life and Doctor of the Church after his death.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: Born two years before the American Revolution, Elizabeth grew up in the upper class of New York society. She was a prolific reader, and read everything from the Bible to contemporary novels. In spite of her high society background, her early life was quiet, simple, and often lonely. As she grew a little older, the Bible was to become her continual instruction, support and comfort -and she would continue to love the Scriptures for the rest of her life. In 1794, she married the wealthy young William Seton and became a Catholic in 1805. In1809, she pronounced her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, binding for one year. From that time she was called Mother Seton and established two schools and orphanages. She died in 1821 at the age of 46, only sixteen years after becoming a Catholic and was canonized in 1975 by Pope Paul VI.
A HOLY, HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR IS WISHED FOR ALL READERS OF THE NEWSLETTER
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C)
WEEK: DECEMBER 23RD - DECEMBER 29TH 2018
Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: F. Norcliffe; Mary Egan; Sr. Catherine; Daniel Marshall; Norman Hussey; Sr. Wendy Becket; Vivien Higgins; Fereshteh Shadpour; Ann Eastell.
LATELY DEAD: John Newton; Joan Buckley; Brian Kenworthy; Stephen Fitzpatrick; Jeff Wright; Liam Browne; Lila Szylak; Esperanza Chavaria Nalda.
ANNIVERSARIES: Herbert & Nellie Hilton; Clarita Jamora; Margaret Hywel; Luke Ivers; Nancy Pimlott; Dawn Cookson – Martinez & baby Robbie. May they Rest in Peace.
CHRISTMAS MASSES FOR: Brian Short; Patricia Mainwaring; Margaret Docksey; Irene Watson; Fr. R. McKee; Mary Frances Park; Anthony Flatley; Bridie & Bridget Murphy; Barbara Booth.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £473.43; Loose: £336.38; Total: £809.81
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: Loose: £7.15; Gift Aided: £0.00
Also: £60.00 and £31.10 for CAFOD; £40.00 for the Oldham Food Bank; £20.00 for altar flowers; £20.00 for the Retired Priest’s Fund.
PARISH NEWS
- Donations towards the cost of flowers for Christmas will be gratefully received. Remember if you are a tax payer you can Gift Aid your donation by using one of the brown gift aid envelopes on the table at the back of the church.
- Anyone with an hour or so to spare on Monday Morning (Christmas Eve!!) to help get the church ready for Christmas will be most welcome from 9am.
- Over the Christmas period there will be no brews on Monday 24th and 31st December. The service will return on Monday 7th January.
“TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
“Advent is a time for us to prepare for the coming of Jesus, Prince of Peace. It's a time to make peace with ourselves and our neighbours.”
“Jesus knows well the pain of not being welcomed. May our hearts not be closed as were the houses in Bethlehem.”
“May the symbols of the nativity scene and the Christmas tree allow a reflection of God's light and tenderness to enter into family life.”
“May the Nativity and the tree, symbols of Christmas, bring to the families a reflection of the light and the tenderness of God.”
Lord, as we celebrate the wonder of your birth among us: may our children be blessed, safeguarded by your protective hand. May our families be blessed, guided by your loving care. May all those of goodwill be blessed, heartened by the Christmas message. May refugees and all the homeless be blessed, all so precious to you. May our departed loved ones be blessed and know the wonder of your presence. May we rejoice and be glad that you are not far from any one of us this Christmas. Amen
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
WHAT HAPPENS EACH SUNDAY IN CHURCH
FIRST SUNDAY: Indian choir and Offertory procession.
SECOND SUNDAY: Filipino choir and Offertory procession.
THIRD SUNDAY: “Youth Sunday” - Parish choir, 3s – 11s Offertory procession, youth Readers, Eucharistic Ministers and Offertory collection.
FOURTH SUNDAY (if any) Parish choir.
LAST SUNDAY: African choir and Offertory procession.
A VERY HAPPY AND HOLY CHRISTMAS TO ALL READERS OF THE NEWSLETTER
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
- Parish Team meeting on Thursday 10th January at 7.30pm in the Parish House.
- Sacramental Programme: 3rd meeting – children’s & parent’s lesson in Holy Rosary school at 3.00pm on Thursday 10th January.
- Sacramental Programme: 3rd meeting - children’s & parent’s lesson in Parish House at 10.00am on Saturday 12th January.
- Sacramental Programme: celebration – “We are People who Celebrate God’s Word” at 10.00am Mass in church on Sunday 13th January.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Stephen: the first martyr to shed blood for Christ, he was one of the first deacons of the Church. He was accused of blasphemy, put on trial and eventually stoned to death.
St. John: his Gospel is another form of witness to the Word made flesh. As we read his Gospel, we are once more presented with the mystery of the Christmas Season.
The Holy Innocent: this feast remembers the thousands of children ordered to be killed on the orders of King Herod after the birth of Christ.
St. Thomas (Becket) of Canterbury was born in London in 1118. He became Chancellor of London then was chosen to be Archbishop of Canterbury. He so strenuously defended the rights of the Church that he made an enemy of King Henry II, who exiled him to France. On his return the followers of the King murdered him in his cathedral.
CHRISTMAS “SMILE – A – WHILE”
It was the Sunday after Christmas at St Peter and Saint Paul's Church in Borden, Kent, England. Father John was looking at the nativity scene prior to packing away the figures when he noticed the baby Jesus was missing from the scene. Immediately, Father John turned towards the vicarage in order to call the police. But as he was about to do so, he saw little Harry with a red wagon, and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant, Jesus. Father John walked up to Harry and said, 'Well, Harry, where did you get the little infant?' Harry replied honestly, 'I took him from the church, Father John.' 'And why did you take him?' With a sheepish smile, Harry said, 'Well, about a week before Christmas I prayed to little Lord Jesus. I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas, I would give him a ride around the block in it.'
A boy wanted to be Joseph in the Sunday School pageant. He was cast as the landlord and objected loudly, but to no avail. When the pageant was presented, Mary and Joseph knocked on the door and asked him if he had a room for them. The boy smiled and said, "Yes, sure. Lots of room. Come on in!"
Did you hear about the St Michael's Primary School nativity play?Two children are dressed as Mary and Joseph, and they are on their way to the inn at Bethlehem. Meanwhile on the other side of the stage, a lad in a shepherd's outfit is on a mobile phone. He is calling the inn to make a reservation.
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C)
WEEK: DECEMBER 16TH - DECEMBER 23RD 2018
John declared before them all, “I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: our parishioners, relatives and friends. (Because of the recent changes to Data Protection Law, we are no longer permitted to print the names of those people who are sick in the newsletter, unless the sick person assures us that he/she wish their name to be printed. However, Masses requested for sick persons will still be offered.)
LATELY DEAD: Trent Warburton; Joanne Milton.
ANNIVERSARIES: Bertha Doran; Timothy Walkden; Joan Walkden; Mavis McGuinness; Vincent & Ethel Concannon; Christopher Ryan; Patricia Traynor. May they Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £672.97; Loose: £342.26; Total: £1,015.23
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: Loose: £13.10; £40.00, £10.00; £5.00; 17.26; Gift Aided: £0.00
Also: £30.00; £10.00; £22.11 for CAFOD; £20.00 for the Oldham Food Bank; £53.91 in memory of Barbara Booth.
PARISH NEWS
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
MONDAY 24TH DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS EVE
MASS AT 10.00AM
SERVICE OF CAROLS at 7. 30PM
FIRST MASS OF CHRISTMAS WITH BLESSING OF THE CRIB AT 8.00PM (Followed by mulled wine and mince pies)
TUESDAY 25TH DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS DAY
MASS AT 10.00AM (No evening Mass)
WEDNESDAY 26TH DECEMBER - BOXING DAY
EUCHARISTIC SERVICE AT 12 NOON
- Please take a copy of the leaflet Advent and Christmas Services which is available on the table at the back of church.
- Over the Christmas period there will be no brews on Monday 24th and 31st December. The service will return on Monday 7th January.
“TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
“Let us pray today for bishops so that they may always be what Saint Paul calls them to be: humble, gentle, servants.”
“You cannot love only as long as it is “advantageous”. Love manifests itself when it goes beyond one’s own self-interest, and when it is given without reservation.”
“This is the first step in order to grow on our journey of faith: listening. Before speaking, listen.”
“The beginning of faith is feeling the need for salvation: this is the way that prepares us to meet Jesus.”
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TODAY: the 3s – 11s Children’s Liturgy Group meet during the 10.00am Mass.
ALSO, the parish Advent Service of Reconciliation takes place in church at 3.00pm.
THE SALT CELLAR
A 3 course Christmas meal with coffee on Tuesday 18th December at 7.30pm Starters: soup, prawn cocktail, pate;
Main Course: turkey, lamb, salmon, mozzarella bake;
Desert: Christmas pudding, fudge cake, trifle, cheesecake. Phone 628 2426
BLESS MY FAMILY
I ask you to bestow your blessing on my family this Christmas.
Bless each and every one of them, those near, those I don’t see very often and those far away.
Keep them in your loving care and protect them from harm.
Bless all our loved ones departed, those we miss so much!
May they all know the wonder of your love,
Revealed to us so tenderly in a new born child. Amen
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
- Parish Team meeting on Thursday 10th January at 7.30pm in the Parish House.
- Sacramental Programme: 3rd meeting – children’s & parent’s lesson in Holy Rosary school at 3.00pm on Thursday 10th January.
- Sacramental Programme: 3rd meeting - children’s & parent’s lesson in Parish House at 10.00am on Saturday 12th January.
- Sacramental Programme: celebration – “We are People who Celebrate God’s Word” at 10.00am Mass in church on Sunday 13th January.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Peter Canisius was a Dutch Jesuit, active in Germany during the Counter – Reformation, when he wrote a famous catechism. He died in 1597 and is called the “second apostle of Germany.
“SMILE – A – WHILE”
- Seymour was a good and pious man, and when he passed away, the Lord himself greeted him at the pearly gates of heaven. "Hungry, Seymour?" the Lord asked. "I am starving," said Seymour. The Lord opened a can of tuna, and they shared it. While eating this humble meal, Seymour looked down into Hell and noticed
the inhabitants devouring enormous steaks, pheasant, pastries and vodka. The next day, the Lord again asked Seymour if he were hungry, and Seymour again said, "I could eat." Once again, a can of tuna was opened and shared, while down below Seymour noticed a feast of caviar, champagne, lamb, truffles, brandy, and chocolates. The following day, mealtime arrived and another can of tuna was opened. Meekly, Seymour said, "Lord, I am very happy to be in heaven as a reward for the good life I lived. But, this is heaven, and all I get to eat is tuna. But in the Other Place, they eat like Kings. I just don't understand." "To be honest, Seymour," the Lord said, "for just two people, does it pay to cook?" - One afternoon a little boy was playing outdoors. He used his mother's broom as a horse and had a wonderful time until it was getting dark. He left the broom on the back porch. His mother was cleaning up the kitchen when she realized that her broom was missing. She asked the little boy about the broom and he told her where it was. She then asked him to please go get it. The little boy informed his mom that he was afraid of the dark and didn't want to go out to get the broom. His mother smiled and said 'The Lord is out there too, don't be afraid'. The little boy opened the back door a little and said 'Lord if you're out there, hand me the broom'.
- What do you get when you cross a Jehovah's witness with a
business man? A door to door salesman! - And Jesus said unto his disciples, "Whom do men say that I am?"And His disciples answered unto Him, "Master, thou art the supreme eschatological manifestation of omnipotent ecclesiastical authority, the absolute, divine,
sacerdotal monarch." And Jesus said, "What?"
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C)
WEEK: DECEMBER 9TH - DECEMBER 15TH 2018
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: our parishioners, relatives and friends. (Because of the recent changes to Data Protection Law, we are no longer permitted to print the names of those people who are sick in the newsletter, unless the sick person assures us that he/she wish their name to be printed. However, Masses requested for sick persons will still be offered.)
LATELY DEAD: Margaret Rainsford; Grace Edogiawerie; Peter Dawson; Sally Hanratty; Julie Jobey; Trent Warburton.
ANNIVERSARIES: Brian Short; Ivy Whelan; Michael McGrother; Robbie Sweeney; Mary Dillamore. May they Rest in Peace.
CHRISTMAS MASSES FOR: Mary & Denis O’Grady; Sophie Royales; Lorraine & Michael; Joan Coop; Marilyn Sheret; Margaret Green; Margaret Wright; Fr. Derek Woodhead.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £491.79; Loose: £310.52; Total: £802.31
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: Loose: £13.10; Gift Aided: £0.00
Also: £60.00; £26.34; £10.00 for CAFOD; £40.00 for the Oldham Food Bank;
£20.00 for sanctuary flowers; £30.00 for Missio; £192.62 for Cornerstone; £100.00; £30.00; £20.00 for Christmas Fayre donations.
CHRISTMAS FAYRE PRIZE RAFFLE
1 |
FOOD HAMPER |
436 - 440 |
2 |
TOWER OF TREATS |
456 - 460 |
3 |
BOTTLE OF RED WINE |
31 - 35 |
4 |
BOX OF QUALITY STREET |
416 - 420 |
5 |
BAYLIS AND HARDING PAMPER KIT |
441 - 445 |
6 |
BOTTLE OF WHITE WINE |
61 - 65 |
7 |
MORRISON’S TEA AND BISCUIT SET |
446 - 450 |
8 |
ROYAL JELLY BEAUTY SET |
321 - 325 |
9 |
BOX OF ROSES CHOCOLATES |
141 - 145 |
10 |
MAGIC SET |
51 - 55 |
11 |
GLAM NAILS MANICURE SET |
336 - 340 |
12 |
SHOWER GEL SET |
126 - 130 |
13 |
ISIS BLUE ENERGY MEN’S PAMPER KIT |
91 - 95 |
14 |
RINGTON’S HAMPER |
241 - 245 |
15 |
SLIMLINE DVD PLAYER |
401 - 405 |
Many thanks to all the people who, in any way, helped to make our Christmas Fayre yet another success, especially those who contributed to the bottle stall, tombola, cakes, prize draw etc; those who helped to set up and clean up afterwards; those who manned the various stands and attractions on the day. The profit was approx. £1,500 so a good effort and congratulations to all involved. Please claim any unclaimed prizes from the piety shop – otherwise they will be “recycled” in the New Year.
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TODAY: the 3s – 11s Children’s Liturgy Group meet during the 10.00am Mass.
NEXT SUNDAY, the parish Advent Service of Reconciliation takes place in church at 3.00pm.
PARISH NEWS
Over the Christmas period there will be no brews on Monday 24th and 31st December. The service will return on Monday 7th January.
“IN ALL THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE”
Lord, at Christmastime we can be so busy about this and that,
The shopping, the presents, the cards, meals to prepare and meals to attend.
Life can become a little bit frantic.
Yet you patiently wait for us to turn to you, to find space
In all the hustle and bustle for a moment to share with you.
Thank you for your patience, Lord. Amen.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following: Parish Team meeting on Thursday 10th January at 7.30pm in the Parish House.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Damasus 1: born in Spain, he became Pope in 366 and encouraged devotion to the Roman martyrs, writing verses to adorn their resting places.
Our Lady of Guadalupe: the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Juan Diego on a Mexican mountain in 1531, miraculously leaving her image on his cloak which is still venerated today. Through St. Juan, she calls all people to the love of Christ.
St. Lucy: a Sicilian martyr who died in the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian, she is an example of innocence and faithfulness, and her cult was popular early on.
St. John of the Cross: born in 1542, he was a Carmelite friar and friend of St. Teresa of Avila who encouraged him to work for the reform of the Order, which he did despite great suffering. A remarkable poet and mystic, he died in Andalusia in 1591.
ITEMS FROM THE PARISH TEAM MINUTES HELD IN NOVEMBER
- Mission Appeal: A request has been received from the St Patrick’s Missionary Society to hold an appeal. It was agreed to withhold a decision until after Christmas
- Lenten Station Masses: It is thought that St. Patrick’s church may be asked to hold one of the Station Masses this year as it is some time since we have done so.
- Faith of our Fathers 2: Preparation of the booklet Faith of our Fathers 2 , celebrating the twenty years leading up to the Jubilee of the opening of the present church, and since the first ‘Faith of our Fathers’ booklet was produced, is well underway. It is hoped to get commentaries from the various communities that make up the parish, expressing their thoughts about the parish over the period. It was originally proposed to make Faith of our Fathers 2 an online copy, but after further thought and requests from some people without internet access, it has been decided to look into the cost of producing about 50 hard copies.
“SMILE – A – WHILE”
There's this cathedral that's still being worked on, and the workers have rigged a "cage elevator" inside so they can get material up and down to the upper floors. A characteristic of these "cage elevators" is that the doors (gate) must be closed manually for them to be "called" to another floor. One day one of the workers, Peter by name, takes the elevator to the top floor, and it is subsequently needed on the first floor by the sexton. Unfortunately, Peter forgot and left the door open. After the sexton rings for the elevator a couple times, to no avail, he yells up for the worker to send the lift back down. Visitors to the cathedral were treated to this sight: The sexton of the cathedral, head tipped up, yelling up to the heavens: "Peter! CLOSE THE GATES!!!"
NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER? IT INCLUDES THE NEW NAME OF THE CHURCH CHOSEN BY THE BISHOP –
“OUR LADY AND SAINT PATRICK”
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C)
WEEK: DECEMBER 2ND - DECEMBER 8TH 2018
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: our parishioners, relatives and friends. (Because of the recent changes to Data Protection Law, we are no longer permitted to print the names of those people who are sick in the newsletter, unless the sick person assures us that he/she wish their name to be printed. However, Masses requested for sick persons will still be offered.)
LATELY DEAD: Barbara Booth; Paul Dearnley; Marie Françoise Boyi.
ANNIVERSARIES:Margaret & Edgar Lees; Paul Lees; Ian Roy; Chinnamma Philip; Colin Pritchard; Christopher Alan Whitehead; Patricia Heslin; Denis Guilfoyle; Maggie Moores. May they Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £437.77; Loose: £303.27; Total: £741.04 Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: Loose: £ 9.17; Gift Aided: £0.00
Also: £30.00; £13.50; £1.57 for CAFOD; £20.00 for the Oldham Food Bank;
£20.00 for sanctuary flowers; £30.00 for Missio; £30.00 for Cornerstone.
PARISH NEWS
- There is a letter on the notice board thanking you for the latest donation of £777.45 and it further says: “Thank you from Missio’s APF and Mill Hill. As a red box holder or an Annual Member you are a missionary, helping spread God’s word and share God’s love for all his people. Thank you for your time, your gifts and your prayers for our brothers and sisters across the world. As a member of the APF-Mill Hill family you will be held in prayer at Mass each day by the Mill Hill community and at Missio’s chapel in London. Find out more about what your gift contributes to at mission.org.uk. Thank you again for all you do.”
- Over the Christmas period there will be no brews on Monday 24th and 31st December. The service will return on Monday 7th January.
The Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches representing eternity. On that wreath, four candles are typically arranged – 3 purple and one pink. During the season of Advent, one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of the Advent services. Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ. The lighting of an Advent wreath is a custom that began in 16th-century Germany among Lutherans and Catholics. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life.
“TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
“This week the Church invites us to ask ourselves: what state do I want the Lord to find me in when He calls?”
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TODAY: there will be no refreshments in the narthex after the 10.00am Mass because of the Annual Christmas Fayre: at 12 noon in the Parish Hall, Lee St. All the usual attractions plus international cuisine – please return your donations for the bottle stall and tombola in the brown paper bag.
Oldham Festival of Light: a celebration of four different faith festivals - Christmas, Channukah, Mawlid an nabi and Deepawali in the Queen Elizabeth Hall at 6.30 pm. Entrance FREE, with ticket, available on website: oldhaminterfaith.org.uk or by e-mail -
An amazing and informative event. Don't miss it!
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
- 3s – 11s Children’s Liturgy Group on Sunday 16th December.
- Advent Service of Reconciliation in church on Sunday 16th December at 3.00pm.
- Parish Team meeting on Thursday 10th January at 7.30pm in the Parish House.
ITEMS FROM THE PARISH TEAM MINUTES HELD IN NOVEMBER
- Stained Glass Window. A further design has been received which is more acceptable than the last. When a few changes have been made it is thought that it should be suitable.
- Hope in the Future: The Resource Pack for Stage two has been received and will be dealt with as required after initial study.
- Christmas Fayre. It was reported by the sub-committee for the Parish Fayre that preparations were going well. It was agreed that no coffee will be served after the Parish Mass on December 2nd as the Fayre begins shortly after the Mass ends.
- Christmas Draw: Because of an administrative error, it is too late to have the tickets printed. It was decided to have a Summer Draw instead.
- Music Festival: : Preparations are well underway for the Festival, and it was confirmed that the highly regarded Iranian group who have appeared at previous events will be able to make a return visit,
- Hymn Books. 50 more new hymnbooks have been ordered. Delivery is expected imminently.
- Redecoration: A member of our Polish community has been engaged to decorate the sacristy and the dining room in the parish house. It was agreed that the work has been done well. It was also agreed that the hall, stairs and first landing in the parish house together with Fr. Phil’s sitting room and bedroom should be redecorated next time Fr. Phil takes his September holiday.
- Coffee after Mass: Concerns were again raised about the danger of unaccompanied children running around in the narthex whilst parishioners are drinking hot drinks. It was agreed that parents should once again be made aware of the problem and the need to keep their children away from possible danger areas.
(to be continued next week)
“SMILE – A – WHILE”
A new immigrant to California asks a question of his parish priest (translated from Spanish): Father, I've always been a good Catholic. I go to Mass, I say the rosary, and I study the lives of the saints. Here in California, I see the names of saints everywhere. I know who San Francisco, San Diego, and San Fernando were, but tell me, Father - who is San Dwiches?"
Did you know all the animals came on the ark in pairs?
-All except worms and they came in apples.
CHRIST THE KING (YEAR B)
WEEK: NOVEMBER 25TH - DECEMBER 1ST 2018
Alleluia, alleluia! Blessings on him who comes
In the name of the Lord!
Blessings on the coming kingdom of our father David. Alleluia
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: our parishioners, relatives and friends. (Because of the recent changes to Data Protection Law, we are no longer permitted to print the names of those people who are sick in the newsletter, unless the sick person assures us that he/she wish their name to be printed. However, Masses requested for sick persons will still be offered.)
LATELY DEAD: Barbara Booth; Margaret Rainsford; Sally Hanratty; Michele Batman; David Pithers.
ANNIVERSARIES: John & Elsie Granelli; James & Ann Whelan; Ellen & Bernadette Gaughan; Melecia Bolocon; Frank Farrell; Elizabeth Lucas; Rev. Ken Livesey. May they Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £469.90; Loose: £434.42; Total: £904.32
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS/COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: Loose: £ 13.81; Gift Aided: £0.00
Also: £60.00; £10.00; £19.76 for CAFOD; £40.00 and £20.00 for the Oldham Food Bank; £60 00 for sanctuary flowers. A special big thank-you to Westwood Muslim High School for Girls for their kind donation of a food hamper for our Christmas Fayre.
PARISH NEWS
- On the notice board there is a letter from CAFOD thanking parishioners for their latest donation of £1,119.02. Well done, everyone!
- Oldham Festival of Light: A celebration of four different faith festivals - Christmas, Channukah, Mawlid an nabi and Deepawali. Queen Elizabeth Hall, 6.30 pm. 4th December 2018. Entrance FREE, with ticket, available on website: oldhaminterfaith.org.uk or by e-mail - oif1events@gmail.com; An amazing and informative event.
Don't miss it!
A NOVEMBER PRAYER
Lord, Father and Protector of all You have created, we raise our hearts to You today for those who have passed out of this mortal life. In Your loving mercy, be pleased to receive them in Your heavenly company, and forgive the failings and faults they may have done from human frailty. Your only Son, Christ, our Saviour suffered so cruelly that He might deliver them from the second death. By his merits may they share in the glory of His victory over sin and death. For all the faithful who have died we pray, but in particular for those dear to us, parents, relatives and friends. nor do we forget all who did good to us while on earth, helped us by their prayers,and example. We pray also for any who may have done us harm, and stand in special need of Your forgiveness.
“TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
“In the eyes of God human life is precious, sacred and inviolable. No one can despise the lives of others or one’s own life.”
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TODAY: the baptism and christening of Wisdom Gbule will take place during the 10.00am Mass. We wish him many future blessings.
ALSO, there will be a retiring collection for the Catholic Youth Service.
SATURDAY: Reconciliation Service and First Confession for those children on the Sacramental Programme at 2.00pm in church. Please pray for them.
ALSO, the 5TH Annual International Music Festival will be held in church at 7.30pm. An evening of splendid music and song presented by our parishioners. A great night out! Suggested donation on the night of £2.00. All proceeds to Cornerstone, the diocesan charity for the homeless.
NEXT SUNDAY: Annual Christmas Fayre: at 12 noon in the Parish Hall, Lee St. All the usual attractions plus international cuisine – please return your donations for the bottle stall and tombola in the brown paper bag. Volunteers are urgently needed to set up the hall, help on the day and clean up afterwards (Friday 30th November at 2.00pm and Saturday 1st December at 10.00am.). Donations of cakes etc. to sell during the day would be much appreciated.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
- 3s – 11s Children’s Liturgy Group on Sunday 16th December.
- Advent Service of Reconciliation in church on Sunday 16th December at 3.00pm.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Andrew was a fisherman, born at Bethsaida, who introduced his brother, Simon Peter, to Jesus, and became one of the first to follow Christ. Widely venerated since ancient times, he is remembered as one of the twelve who bore witness to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. He went on to preach the Good News around the shores of the Black Sea and was martyred by crucifixion in Patras. He was bound, rather than nailed, to a cross, and was crucified on a cross form known as "crux decussata," which is an X-shaped cross or a "saltire." Today this is commonly referred to as "St. Andrew's Cross." It is believed Andrew requested to be crucified this way, because he deemed himself "unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus. He became recognised as patron saint of Scotland because, according to legend, some of his bones were taken there and buried in the place that now bears his name.
“SMILE – A – WHILE”
Father O'Malley was driving down to Boston when he got stopped for speeding in Medford. The highway patrol officer smelled alcohol on the priest's breath and then saw an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car. He said, 'Father, have you been drinking?' 'Only water', replied Father O'Malley. The policeman asked, 'Then how come I can smell wine?' The priest looked at the bottle and said, 'Good Lord! He's done it again.'
Little Philip was spending the weekend with his grandmother after a particularly trying week in infant school. His grandmother decided to take him to the park on Saturday morning. It had been snowing all night and everything was beautiful. His grandmother commented, 'Doesn't it look like an artist painted this scenery? Did you know God painted this just for you?' 'Yes, 'replied Philip, 'God did it and he did it left handed.' This confused his grandmother so she asked him, 'What makes you say God did this with his left hand?' 'Well, 'said Philip, 'we learned at Sunday School last week that Jesus sits on God's right hand.'
It was about a month ago when a man in Amsterdam felt that he needed to confess, so went to his priest: "Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. During WWII I hid a refugee in my attic." "Well," answered the priest, "that's not a sin.""But I made him agree to pay me 20 Gulden for every week he stayed." "I admit that wasn't good, but you did it for a good cause." "Oh, thank you, Father; that eases my mind. I have one more question..." "What is that, my son?" "Do I have to tell him the war is over?"