THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD (YEAR A)
WEEK: JANUARY 12TH - JANUARY 18TH 2020
A voice spoke from heaven
’This is my Son, the Beloved;
My favour rests on him”
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Sr. Catherine; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan; Dominic Boardman; Sarah Bell; Breda Barret; Roy Eaton; Angela Spencer; Harry & Margaret Lawless; Lesley Hayes; Ann Frost; Anne Devlin; Mark Wilson; Emma Golden, Sr. Regina, Doris Wild, Baby Ruby Lee Farrow, Peter Hilton, Paul Carroll. Marie Jubb.
LATELY DEAD: Richard Teefey, Maureen Arthur, Michael Winterburn.
Rita Lowe (Walsingham Association)
ANNIVERSARIES Margaret Grudzien, Judith Dwyer, Sergio Auxtero, Margaret Blachburn, Joe Beswick, Anthony Holland, Paddy Joe Canny, Alan Henthorn, Myron Patra, Ron Kain, Mary and Robert McFall,.
May They Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £610.90; Loose £361.75; Total: £972.65.
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS / COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund:.£0.00. Christmas Donation from Polish Community £750.58 CAFOD £22.03, £10; Oldham Food Bank £10; Cornerstone £20.
PARISH NEWS
Shop sale: all 2020 Catholic calendars and children’s books have been reduced to less than half price.
TWEET FROM POPE FRANCIS:
Salvation is in the name of Jesus. We must testify to this. He is the only Saviour.
SMILE – A – WHILE
Two beggars were sitting on a park bench in Ireland. One was holding a cross and the other a Star of David. Both were holding hats to collect contributions. People walked by, lifted their noses at the man with the Star of David and dropped money into the hat of the man with the cross. Soon, the hat of the man with the cross was filled and the hat of the man with the Star of David was empty. Father O'Malley, the priest, was watching for a while and then approached the men. He said to the man with the Star of David, 'Don't you realize that this is a Catholic country? You'll never get any contributions holding a Star of David.' The man turned to the one with the cross and said, 'Moishe, can you imagine, this guy is trying to tell us how to run our business?'
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TODAY is the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, (End of the Christmas Season)
: Sacramental Programme: Mass in church at 10.00am with the theme: “We Are People Who Celebrate God’s Word”.
SATURDAY: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins.
THANK YOU
We have had letters of thanks from both the Oldham Food Bank and Cornerstone for our recent donations, totalling over £2000. Our help is so greatly appreciated by those on the front line, fighting against poverty and homelessness on our own door step..
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
Parish Team meeting on Thursday 23rd January at 7.30pm.
Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parents’ lesson at 3.00pm in Holy Rosary school on Thursday 12th March.
Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting - children’s and parents’ lesson at 10.00am in the Parish House on Saturday 14th March.
Sacramental Programme : Mass at 10.00am in church on Sunday15th March with the topic of “We Celebrate God’s Gifts”.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St Hilary (Bishop and Doctor of the Church). : Born of pagan parents in Poitiers in France in 315; he and his family were baptised, and shortly afterwards Hilary was chosen as bishop of Poitiers; he fought strenuously against Arianism, being exiled to Phrygia for this. He died in 367, after publishing works outstanding in their doctrine.
St. Anthony (Abbot): Inspired by the words of the Lord “Sell everything you own and give it to the poor” Anthony retired to the Egyptian desert at the age of twenty; he attracted many followers, who shared his ascetic life, and bequeathed to the Church an example of life spent in solitude and total devotion to prayer. He died in the year 356, aged about 105
2020 AT ST PATRICKS
2020 looks like it is going to be a full and exciting year, as usual, for our parish community.
We began the year with Holy Mass with around 200 people meeting to seek God’s blessing on the year and to celebrate the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God. In the early part of the year the Parish Team, together with Fr. Phil, will be planning our next Ten Year Plan, as required by our Parish Mission Statement. The main event planned for 2020 is of course our 150th anniversary of the opening of this church in June. Plans are already underway, which involve the installation and dedication by the bishop of the new ‘Unity’ Window. The booklet ‘Faith of our Fathers 2’ which gives details of the changes and development of the parish over the last 20 years should be out in about a month or so. We expect that our practice of a fundamental option for the poor, as stated in our Mission Statement will continue. Our charitable giving last year was exceptional. All in all it looks as though we are going to be busy about the Lord’s work ........ again.
UNCLAIMED CHRISTMAS DRAW PRIZES
| 3 | £50 | Marie Williams | 1761 |
| 7 | Box Roses Chocs | J. Leach | 1599 |
Unclaimed Prizes will be kept until February 1st 2020 after which they will be recycled.
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (YEAR A)
WEEK: JANUARY 5TH - JANUARY 11TH 2020
“.......they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. 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: Sr. Catherine; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan; Dominic Boardman; Andrea Spencer; Sarah Bell; Breda Barret; Roy Eaton; Angela Spencer; Michael O’Connor; Harry & Margaret Lawless; Lesley Hayes; Ann Frost; Anne Devlin; Mark Wilson; Emma Golden; Rita Wells, Sr. Regina, Doris Wild, Baby Ruby Lee Farrow, Peter Hilton.
LATELY DEAD: Richard Teefey, Lucy Thornhill, Christopher Eames
ANNIVERSARIES: James & Hannah Sexton; James Fogg (Snr.); Dorothy & Keith Taylor - Holroyd; Janet Shaw; Patrick and Margaret Kelley, Laura Silva, Joanna Felismina Jesus, Frances Atkinson, Nathan McLean. May They Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £477.17; Loose £426.91; Total: £904.08.
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS / COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £20. CAFOD £21, £10; Oldham Food Bank £10;
PARISH NEWS
- Shop sale: all 2020 Catholic calendars and children’s books have been reduced to less than half price.
TWEETS FROM POPE FRANCIS:
Let us ask for the Grace to live this New Year with the desire to take others to heart and to care for them.
SMILE – A – WHILE
After Quasimodo's death, Bishop Thomas of the cathedral of Notre Dame sent word through the streets of Paris that a new bell ringer was needed. The bishop decided that he would conduct the interviews personally and went up into the belfry to begin the screening process. After observing while several applicants demonstrated their skills, he decided to call it a day. Just then a lone, armless man approached him and announced that he was there to apply for the bell ringer's job. Bishop Thomas was incredulous. 'You have no arms..’ No matter,' said the man, 'observe!' He then began striking the bells with his face, producing a beautiful melody on the carillon. The bishop listened in astonishment, convinced that he had finally found a suitable replacement for Quasimodo. Suddenly, while rushing forward to strike a bell, the armless man tripped and plunged headlong out of the belfry window to his death in the street below. The stunned bishop immediately rushed down the stairways. When he reached the street, a crowd had gathered around the fallen figure, drawn by the beautiful music they had heard only moments before. As they silently parted to let the bishop through, one of them asked, 'Bishop, who was this man?' 'I don't know his name,' the bishop sadly replied, 'but his face rings a bell.'
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TODAY is the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, a Holyday of Obligation, which has been transferred from January 6th.
THURSDAY: Sacramental Programme: 3rd meeting – children & parents’ lesson at 3.00pm in Holy Rosary school.
SATURDAY: Sacramental Programme: 3rd meeting – children & parent’s lesson at 10.00am in the Parish House.
SUNDAY: Sacramental Programme: Mass in church at 10.00am with the topic “We Are People Who Celebrate God’s Word”.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
Parish Team meeting on Thursday 23rd January at 7.30pm.
Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting – children’s and parents’ lesson at 3.00pm in Holy Rosary school on Thursday 12th March.
Sacramental Programme: 4th meeting - children’s and parents’ lesson at 10.00am in the Parish House on Saturday 14th March.
Sacramental Programme : Mass at 10.00am in church on Sunday15th March with the topic of “We Celebrate God’s Gifts”.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Raymond of Penyafort: at the age of 47, he became a Dominican and then confessor to the pope and collated the decrees of popes and councils. He also wrote a book on the Sacrament of Penance for the use of priests. He died, aged about 100, in 1275.
St Raymond is recognised as the patron saint of canon lawyers.
THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY is also known as ‘The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles’ There are several times in the scriptures when Christ is manifest or shown to unbelievers. The first we celebrate is this feast of the Epiphany. Next week, another manifestation: ‘The Baptism of the Lord’ and there are other times too such as the Wedding at Cana in Galilee..
The Epiphany also marks ‘twelfth night’ the end of the Christmas Season ..... or does it? Well , it did before Pope Saint Paul VI altered the General Calendar of the Roman Church on February 14th 1969 when the official end to the Christmas Season became the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
In the Middle Ages, the Christmas Season went on until Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2nd). There would be a few buckets full of pine needles if we still had to keep our Christmas Trees up that long now!
UNCLAIMED CHRISTMAS DRAW PRIZES
| 3 | £50 |
Marie Williams |
1761 |
7 |
Box Roses Chocs |
J. Leach |
1599 |
12 |
Btl Schloer Grape Juice |
Cathy J. B. |
4509 |
Unclaimed Prizes will be kept until February 1st 2020 after which they will be recycled.
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH (YEAR A)
WEEK: DECEMBER 29TH 2019 - JANUARY 4TH 2020
“.......when Joseph learnt that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as ruler of Judaea, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he left for the region of Galilee. There he settled in a town called Nazareth.”
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Sr. Catherine; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan; Dominic Boardman; Andrea Spencer; Sarah Bell; Breda Barret; Roy Eaton; Angela Spencer; Michael O’Connor; Harry & Margaret Lawless; Lesley Hayes; Ann Frost; Anne Devlin; Mark Wilson; Emma Golden; Rita Wells
LATELY DEAD: Mary McDermott; Peter Gartside.
ANNIVERSARIES: Markijanas Sokolovas; Dennis Buckley; Margaret Daley; Margaret Hywel. May They Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £1,105.27; Loose £1,416.30; Total: £2,521.57 (including Christmas) Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS / COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £100.00 (from the Filipino Dance Group) and £11.77 Gift Aided: £0.00.
CAFOD £20.00; £10.00; £7.10; Oldham Food Bank £50.00; £10.00; £10.00; Cornerstone £27.29; £20.00; £10.00.
PARISH NEWS
- PARISH CHRISTMAS DONATION: We have had a receipt and letter of thanks from the President of the Council of Administration of the Association of Hope for Young People in Bujumbura-Burundi, Republic of Congo, for our donation of £600 towards the cost of a water purification Plant. We have been asked to pass on these thanks to the members of this parish.
- A traditional House Mass Set for sick communions has been given to the church to pass on to any interested parishioner. Anyone who would like it please see Colin. First come, first served.
- St. John Ambulance are holding an Open Day on Saturday 4th January from 10.00am – 4.00pm at Busk Rd., Oldham OL9 6QY - hoping to get more volunteers.
- A big Thank You to all the people who worked tirelessly to prepare the church for the Christmas season – cleaners, those who donated towards the cost of flowers and those who arranged the floral and holly displays, the various choirs, the ladies in the server and the ones who cleaned up afterwards – your efforts are much appreciated.
- There are a number of free church diaries (with a green cover) on the table in the narthex – there are only a limited number, so please just take one per family.
- The Christmas Draw was again a big success. Our thanks go to the many people who both sold and bought tickets - the profit came to £871.00 for church funds.
TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
“Dear brother, dear sister, if your hands seem empty, if you think your heart is poor in love, this night is for you. The grace of God has appeared to shine forth in your life. Accept it and the light of Christmas will shine forth in you.”
“The nativity scene reminds us how important it is to stop and contemplate. Because only when we recollect ourselves can we embrace what counts in life. Only if we leave the noise of the world outside can we open ourselves to listening to God, who speaks in silence.”
SMILE – A – WHILE
- A family moves into a new neighbourhood, one day the family overslept and their six-year-old daughter missed her school bus. The father, though late for work himself, had to drive her. Since he did not know the way, he said that she would have to direct him to the school. They rode several blocks before she told him to turn the first time, several more before she indicated another turn. This went on for 20 minutes - but when they finally reached the school, it proved to be only a short distance from their home. The father, much annoyed, asked his daughter why she'd led him around in such a circle. The child explained, "That's the way the school bus goes, Daddy. It's the only way I know."
- An Irishman goes into the confessional box after years of being away from the Church. There's a fully equipped bar with Guinness on tap. On the other wall is a dazzling array of the finest cigars and chocolates. Then the priest comes in. "Father, forgive me, for it's been a very long time since I've been to confession, but I must first admit that the confessional box is much more inviting than it used to be." The priest replies: "Get out. You're on my side."
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
Sacramental Programme: 3rd meeting – children & parents’ lesson at 3.00pm in Holy Rosary school on Thursday 9th January.
Sacramental Programme: 3rd meeting – children & parent’s lesson at 10.00am in the Parish House on Saturday 11th January.
Sacramental Programme: Mass in church at 10.00am on Sunday 12th January with the topic
“We Are People Who Celebrate God’s Word”.
Parish Team meeting on Thursday 23rd January at 7.30pm.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Sylvester I: became Pope in 314 in the reign of the Emperor Constantine and fought against heresies.
Ss. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen: close friends and of the Eastern church in the 4th century. Basil was Bishop of Caesarea and promoted the monastic life. Gregory was Bishop of Constantinople – he retired to a monastery.
The Most Holy Name of Jesus: the greatest promoters of this devotion were St. Bernardine of Siena and St. John of Capistrano. As the devotion was new, he was accused before the pope but was successfully defended by John.
CHRISTMAS PRIZE DRAW
| 1 | £200 CASH |
3911 |
NIGE YEO |
2 |
£100 CASH |
1615 |
M. FERRARA (TERESA) |
3 |
£50 CASH |
1761 |
MARIE WILLIAMS |
4 |
1 LT. BTL FAMOUS GROUSE WHISKY |
2135 |
E. GRANELLI |
5 |
RINGTON’S XMAS HAMPER |
6431 |
ANGELA AGUSTIN |
6 |
BOTTLE OF RED WINE |
2516 |
SUSAN LEES |
7 |
BOX OF ROSES CHOCOLATES |
1599 |
MR. J. LEACH |
8 |
BOTTLE OF WHITE WINE |
3435 |
M. McGLADDERY |
9 |
BOX OF QUALITY STREET |
6656 |
LISA LEE |
10 |
BOTTLE OF RED WINE |
4000 |
YVONNE ASHWORTH |
11 |
PACK OF CHRISTMAS CHUTNEYS |
10 |
P. HIGSON |
12 |
BTL SCHLOER GRAPE JUICE |
4509 |
CATHY J - B |
13 |
FOX’S BISCUIT SELECTION |
2401 |
AIMEE MASON |
14 |
TRAD. ENGLISH TEA & CADDY |
6221 |
LOUISE CLARKE |
15 |
SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD SELECTION |
5321 |
E. P. |
Prizes can be collected from church on receipt of the winning counterfoil. Those not claimed by January 31st will be “re–cycled”.
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR A)
WEEK: DECEMBER 22ND - DECEMBER 28TH 2019
The angel said: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.”
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Sr. Catherine; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan; Dominic Boardman; Andrea Spencer; Sarah Bell; Breda Barret; Roy Eaton; Angela Spencer; Michael O’Connor; Harry & Margaret Lawless; Lesley Hayes; Ann Frost; Anne Devlin; Mark Wilson; Emma Golden; Rita Wells.
LATELY DEAD: Mary McDermott; Peter Gartside; Joan Mullaney; Dale Kremner-Wood; Kathleen McBegarty.
ANNIVERSARIES: Henriett Monteiro; Destoliano Carvalho; Mary Dillamore; Wilfred & Raymond Brooks; Frances Michailuk; Herbert & Nellie Hilton; Robert & Kathleen Shepherd; Nick Kuczeresky; Julie White. Claire Higham. May They Rest in Peace.
IN THANKSGIVING FOR: recovery from sickness within the family.
CHRISTMAS MASSES FOR: Anthony Flatley; Jeff Wright; the Doyle family.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £602.28; Loose £365.08; Total: £967.36.
Thank you all for your continued generosity.
DONATIONS / COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £32.00; £100.00; £10.00; £8.16. Gift Aided: £0.00.
CAFOD £16.39 and £10.00; Oldham Food Bank £10.00; £10.00; Sanctuary flowers £10.00; Cornerstone £30.00 and £10.00.
PARISH NEWS
- CORNERSTONE: are making a special appeal for bags! Yes, BAGS: Full of used / new hats /gloves / sanitary & hygiene products / hand gel / tissues / wipes etc. They will hand them on to women and men who are homeless. If over the next week you can drop them off at the church, we will get them to Cornerstone. Many thanks.
- PARISH CHRISTMAS DONATION: We have had a receipt and letter of thanks from the President of the Council of Administration of the Association of Hope for Young People in Bujumbura-Burundi, Republic of Congo, for our donation of £600 towards the cost of a water purification Plant. We have been asked to pass on these thanks to the members of this parish.
- PARISH GIVING: This week we have sent the following donations, on your behalf, to various charities: CAFOD: £1326.27; MISSIO: £509.07; Cornerstone: £803.61; Food Bank £1041.00. This is a magnificent effort, you are a very generous lot! Thank you.
- A traditional House Mass Set for sick communions has been given to the church to pass on to any interested parishioner. Anyone who would like it please see Colin. First come, first served.
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Saturday 28th December has been cancelled. The next service of Exposition will be on Saturday 25th January 10.30 until 11.45am.
- The floral displays on the altar during the Christmas season are always amazing but, as you would expect, flowers are rather expensive. So we are always grateful for donations to cover their cost. Also, if you know where we might obtain some cheap (or free) holly, please let us know.
- St. John Ambulance are holding an Open Day on Saturday 4th January from 10.00am – 4.00pm at Busk Rd., Oldham OL9 6QY - hoping to get more volunteers.
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TODAY: the Christmas Draw will take place after the 10.00am Mass. Please make sure that you hand in your completed counterfoils before the start of Mass
LIVE SIMPLY: RECIPES: Our plan to publish easy 'living simply' recipes seems to have been neglected over the weeks, so we have decided to revive it. Parishioners with favourite recipes of of their own can forward them to the office for possible inclusion in the newsletter. We begin our series with: Bishop John's Rice and Veg.
Ingredients: Rice (enough), chopped onion, squashed garlic clove, leftover vegetables, veg. stock, olive oil.
Method: Heat onion and garlic in the oil. After a couple of minutes add the vegetables. Remove from pan and add the rice, heating it until it absorbs the oil. Add vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Put the vegetables back in, then transfer to a casserole dish. Cook in the oven at 180 degrees, covered, for about 35 minutes, until the rice is cooked through. When rice is ready, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Enjoy!
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
Parish Team meeting on Thursday 23rd January at 7.30pm.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. John of Kanty: born in Poland in 1390, after ordination he taught at university and was a good example of learning, erudition, charity and holiness.
St. Stephen: the first Christian martyr, a Jew and was stoned to death.
St. John: the son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of apostle James, he wrote a Gospel and was the longest living apostle and the only one not to die a martyr.
The Holy Innocents: Christian feast in remembrance of the massacre of young children in Bethlehem by King Herod in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus. The slain children were regarded by the early church as the first martyrs,
ITEMS FROM THE PARISH TEAM MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 28TH
- Stained Glass Window: The manufacturers of the new window informed John Green that the window will be ready in time for our Jubilee celebrations.
- Annual Mission Appeal: The Bishop has agreed to the Spiritans (Holy Ghost Fathers) to make an appeal in the parishes of the diocese in 2020. The team agreed to ask them to come here, probably in early September.
- Kneelers in Church are badly in need of repair. If anyone is available to help repair them please let Colin know. All the necessary stuff and equipment will be provided.
- Parish Charitable Donation: It was agreed to revive the practice of donating 1% of parish income to charity. This year it has been agreed to donate £600 to provide a clean and safe drinking water system through Association Espair Jeunesse to a place in Kabindula, Uganda.
SMILE – A – WHILE
- What does Santa do when his elves misbehave? He gives them the sack!
- What did Santa say to the smoker? Please don't smoke, it's bad for my elf!
- How will Christmas dinner be different after Brexit? No Brussels!
- What's the difference between Santa Clause and a knight? One slays a dragon, the other drags a sleigh!
- Which football team did the baby Jesus support? Manger-ster United!
- What's worse than Rudolph with a runny nose? Frosty the Snowman with a hot flush!
- Theresa May has asked Santa for a home makeover this year. First thing on the list was a new Cabinet!
- Why did Donald Trump continuously decorate the Christmas tree? Because people kept saying “moron” to him!
- Which TV Christmas special is being filmed in Brussels this year? Deal Or No Deal!
A HAPPY, HOLY, AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS TO READERS OF THE NEWSLETTER
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR A)
WEEK: DECEMBER 15TH - DECEMBER 21ST 2019
“.......the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.”
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Sr. Catherine; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan; Dominic Boardman; Andrea Spencer; Sarah Bell; Breda Barret; Roy Eaton; Angela Spencer; Michael O’Connor; Harry & Margaret Lawless; Lesley Hayes; Peter Gartside; Ann Frost; Anne Devlin; Mark Wilson; Emma Golden.
LATELY DEAD: Mary McDermott; Maureen Teresa Wroe; Eileen Rankin; Hilda Coles; Jaden Okoye; Joseph Sebastian.
ANNIVERSARIES: Vincent & Ethel Concannon; Patrick & Mary Glenfield; Patricia Locke. May They Rest in Peace.
IN THANKSGIVING FOR: the birthdays of Fred Dyson and Anna Biczo.
CHRISTMAS MASSES FOR: Dawn Cookson – Martinez 7 baby Robbie; Sophie Royale; Fr. R. McKee; Fr. Derek Woodhead; Margaret Wright; Michael Laverty; Michael & Lorraine; Cora Overton; Steph Keogh; Beatrice Tucker.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £557.74; Loose £480.09; Total: £1,037.83.
Thank you all for your continued generosity
DONATIONS / COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £20.00, £12.86 and £10.45. Gift Aided: £0.00.
CAFOD £10.00 and £7.39; Oldham Food Bank £10.00; Missio £51.00, £6.16 and £5.79; Cornerstone £20.00.
PARISH NEWS
- Appeal for Toys: Caritas Schools Service are short of 95 sacks of toys for children who would otherwise receive nothing on Christmas Day. They would be grateful for any donations of new unwrapped toys by 17th December. Please contact Schools' Admin Team on 0161 817 2276 for collection/delivery details.
- The Christmas Draw tickets are still available at the back of church. They cost only £1.00 per book of 5 tickets. This is an opportunity to help church finances, by selling as many as possible to family and friends (over 16 years old!). Please take some and return the counterfoils with the name of the purchaser filled in on each counterfoil, together with the money to Colin or to the Piety Shop.
- CORNERSTONE: are making a special appeal for bags! Yes, BAGS: Full of used / new hats /gloves / sanitary & hygiene products / hand gel / tissues / wipes etc. They will hand them on to women and men who are homeless. If over the next two weeks you can drop them off at the church, we will get them to Cornerstone. Many thanks.
CHRISTMAS FAYRE |PRIZE RAFFLE
All numbers are white / yellow tickets and of the 15 prizes, there are only five unclaimed. These will be kept in the piety shop until January 1st after which they will be “recycled”.
3 RINGTON’S CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST SET |
139 |
|
|
6 ROSES CHOCOLATES |
216 |
|
7 CHRISTMAS PRESERVES |
258 |
|
10 FOX’S BISCUITS |
253 |
|
12 SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD |
262 |
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TODAY: The Parish Advent Reconciliation Service at 3.00pm.
NEXT SUNDAY: the Christmas Draw will take place after the 10.00am Mass. Please make sure that you hand in your completed counterfoils before the start of Mass.
LIVE SIMPLY: RECIPES: Our plan to publish easy 'living simply' recipes seems to have been neglected over the weeks, so we have decided to revive it. Parishioners with favourite recipes of of their own can forward them to the office for possible inclusion in the newsletter. We begin our series with: Bishop John's Rice and Veg.
Ingredients: Rice (enough), chopped onion, squashed garlic clove, leftover vegetables, veg. stock, olive oil.
Method: Heat onion and garlic in the oil. After a couple of minutes add the vegetables. Remove from pan and add the rice, heating it until it absorbs the oil. Add vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Put the vegetables back in, then transfer to a casserole dish. Cook in the oven at 180 degrees, covered, for about 35 minutes, until the rice is cooked through. When rice is ready, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Enjoy!
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
Christmas Services: the First Mass of Christmas will be at 8.00pm on Christmas Eve, preceded by a Carol Service starting at 7.30pm. The Parish Mass of Christmas will be at the usual time of 10.00am. There will be no evening Mass.
Parish Team meeting on Thursday 23rd January at 7.30pm.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Peter Canisius: 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”.
ITEMS FROM THE PARISH TEAM MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 28TH
- The Bishops of England and Wales have designated 2020 as ‘the Year of the Word’, under the slogan of ‘The God who Speaks’. The aim is to encourage more, the reading and understanding of Sacred Scripture. After considerable discussion on ways that we as a parish could support this, it was decided that for a period of 4 consecutive weeks a series of talks/discussions will be held. This will not be until after Easter and First Communion times. Each week a different part of the scriptures will be discussed: The Pentateuch, the Prophets; the Psalms and the New Testament. Each subject would be covered by a different leader, probably different members of the Deanery clergy.
- The Bishops of England and Wales have designated 2020 as ‘the Year of the Word’, under the slogan of ‘The God who Speaks’. The aim is to encourage more, the reading and understanding of Sacred Scripture. After considerable discussion on ways that we as a parish could support this, it was decided that for a period of 4 consecutive weeks a series of talks/discussions will be held. This will not be until after Easter and First Communion times. Each week a different part of the scriptures will be discussed: The Pentateuch, the Prophets; the Psalms and the New Testament. Each subject would be covered by a different leader, probably different members of the Deanery clergy.
- After considerable work and revision following advice from the proof readers, the final content of the Faith of our Fathers 2 magazine is almost ready for print.
- First Mass of Christmas: VOLUNTEERS are required on Christmas Eve to help distribute service sheets / candles etc. and to clear away after the Mass. Please see Colin or Marie McGladdery.
(to be continued next week)
SMILE – A – WHILE
- At the Christmas Eve service at my church, the priest, quizzing some children about the nativity, asked, “What gifts did the three wise men give the Christ child?”“Gold!” one child yelled. “Frankincense!” shouted another. After a pause, a third asked, “Gift cards?”
- My sister-in-law was teaching Sunday school class. The topic for the day: Easter Sunday and the resurrection of Christ.“What did Jesus do on this day?” she asked. There was no response, so she gave her students a hint: “It starts with the letter R.”One boy blurted, “Recycle!”
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR A)
WEEK: DECEMBER 8TH - DECEMBER 14th 2019
“I baptise you in water for repentance, but the one who follows me is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to carry 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: Sr. Catherine; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan; Dominic Boardman; Andrea Spencer; Sarah Bell; Breda Barret; Roy Eaton; Angela Spencer; Michael O’Connor; Harry & Margaret Lawless; Lesley Hayes; Peter Gartside; Ann Frost; Anne Devlin; Mark Wilson.
LATELY DEAD: Mary McDermot; Nick Walmsley.
ANNIVERSARIES: Elizabeth Lucas; Michael McGrother; Piotr & Anna Kopacz; Charlie Kopacz; Zofia Fillingham; Richard Charles Alty. May They Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £554.06; Loose £400.25; Total: £954.31.
Thank you all for your continued generosity
DONATIONS / COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £4.51. Gift Aided: £0.00.
CAFOD £44.53 and £10.00; Oldham Food Bank £10.00; Missio £3.12; Retired Priests’ Fund £20.00.
PARISH NEWS
- Will parishioners please note that there is no guarantee that any items of interest or names intended for the newsletter e.g. sick, anniversaries, which are received after noon on Friday will be able to be included in that week’s newsletter. This is because of the amount of work that needs to be done including printing and folding etc.
- The Christmas Draw tickets are available at the back of church. They still cost only £1.00 per book of 5 tickets. This is an opportunity to help church finances, by selling as many as possible to family and friends (over 16 years old!). Please take some and return the counterfoils with the name of the purchaser filled in on each counterfoil, together with the money to Colin or to the Piety Shop.
CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Many thanks to the organisers, stall holders, volunteers and supporters for an enjoyable afternoon which raised a wonderful profit of £1,240 for church funds. The entertainment was excellent - possibly a few 'Britain's Got Talent' contestants there!
PRIZE RAFFLE
All numbers are white / yellow tickets and of the 15 prizes, there are only five unclaimed. These will be kept in the piety shop until January 1st after which they will be “recycled”.
| 3 | RINGTON’S CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST SET |
139 |
6 |
ROSES CHOCOLATES |
216 |
7 |
CHRISTMAS PRESERVES |
258 |
10 |
FOX’S BISCUITS |
253 |
12 |
SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD |
262 |
CORNERSTONE: are making a special appeal for bags! Yes, BAGS: Full of used / new hats /gloves / sanitary & hygiene products / hand gel / tissues / wipes etc. They will hand them on to women and men who are homeless. If over the next two weeks you can drop them off at the church, we will get them to Cornerstone. Many thanks.
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
NEXT SUNDAY: The Parish Advent Reconciliation Service will be at 3.00pm.
TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
The Church exists to keep alive in people’s heart the memory that God loves them. It exists to tell everyone, even those furthest away: “God doesn’t forget you, He cares about you”.
Today the Church praises stability. “Trust in the Lord forever, because the Lord is an eternal Rock” (Isa 26:4). Those who trust in the Lord will always be safe, because their foundations are sunk into the Rock.
Let us pray for all the pastors of the Church, that they might guide the flock entrusted to them with the same firmness and tenderness of the Good Shepherd.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
Christmas Services: the First Mass of Christmas will be at 8.00pm on Christmas Eve, preceded by a Carol Service starting at 7.30pm. The Parish Mass of Christmas will be at the usual time of 10.00am. There will be no evening Mass.
Parish Team meeting on Thursday 23rd January at 7.30pm.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Damasus I: born in Spain, he became pope in 366 and encouraged devotion to the Roman martyrs, writing verses to adorn their resting places.
St. Lucy: a Sicilian martyr who died in the persecution of Diocletian. An example of innocence and faithfulness, her cult was popular in the early Church.
St. John of the Cross: born in 1542, he was a Carmelite friar who reformed the Order.
SMILE – A – WHILE
A husband is advised by a psychiatrist to assert himself. "You don't have to let your wife henpeck you. Go home and show her you're the boss." The husband takes the doctor's advice. He rushes home, slams the door, shakes his fist in his wife's face, and growls, "From now on, you're taking orders from me. I want my supper right now, and when you get it on the table, go upstairs, and lay out my best clothes. Tonight, I'm going out with the boys, and you are going to stay at home where you belong. And another thing, guess who's going to comb my hair, give me a shave, and tie my necktie?" His wife says calmly, "The undertaker."
ITEMS FROM THE PARISH TEAM MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 28TH
- The need for altar servers to clear up in the sacristy after Mass was raised. This was dealt with in more detail in the following item.
- The team continued to discuss the next part of the Hope in the Future programme. This continued the theme of ministries at Mass. The ministry of the Server and the ministry of Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Eucharistic Ministers) were discussed. After considerable debate it was agreed that some of our ministers in both categories may be unsure of exactly what their duties are. It was agreed that Colin would prepare a leaflet describing the basic essentials for ministers in both cases. This would then be provided to the ministers, after approval by Fr. Phil, at a meeting of ministers in a few weeks time.
- The women of Pitt Street Mosque have indicated that the first meeting between themselves and several of the women from our parish was a great success. A return visit when they will visit us will be arranged in the near future. This will probably be on a Saturday when more of our women will be able to attend.
- It was agreed that the International Music Festival had been a great success. It was difficult to decide if the change of time had seen an increase in the attendance, but there were at least as many people there as usual. It was suggested that the venue and time could be changed by incorporating the Festival into the Summer Fun Day. It was agreed that the choir leaders should consult together on the suggestion. (to be continued next week)
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”
1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR A)
WEEK: DECEMBER 1st - DECEMBER 7th 2019
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob that he may teach us his ways so that we might walk in his paths; since the Law will go out from Zion, and the oracle of the Lord from Jerusalem.”
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Sr. Catherine; Vivien Higgins; Elizabeth Flanagan; Dominic Boardman; Andrea Spencer; Sarah Bell; Breda Barret; Roy Eaton; Angela Spencer; Michael O’Connor; Harry & Margaret Lawless; Lesley Hayes; Peter Gartside; John Green; Ann Frost; Anne Devlin; Mary McDermott; Mary Malone; Roseanne McDonagh; Emma Golden; Marie Wilson.
LATELY DEAD: Dennis Massey; Paul Ostapowycz.
ANNIVERSARIES: Peter Hordynski; Alfonso Ferrara; Jan Dabrowski; Paul Lees; Margaret & Edgar Lees; John & Elsie Granelli; Christopher Alan Whitehead; Romeo Tee; Fermina Moniza; Juanito Moniza; Clementi Terso; Elvira Terso; Sarah Russo; Denis Guilfoyle; Maggie Moores; Marie Francoise Boyi.
May They Rest in Peace.
COLLECTION: Envelopes: £583.60; Loose £363.99; Total: £947.59.
Thank you all for your continued generosity
DONATIONS / COLLECTIONS: many thanks for the following donations:
Redecoration Fund: £8.20. Gift Aided: £0.00.
CAFOD: £10.00; Oldham Food Bank £10.00; Altar Flowers £20.00; Cornerstone £100.00 and £243.61 (the latter amount due to donations made during the Music Festival).
PARISH NEWS
- Will parishioners please note that there is no guarantee that any items of interest or names intended for the newsletter e.g. sick, anniversaries, which are received after noon on Friday will be able to be included in that week’s newsletter. This is because of the amount of work that needs to be done including printing and folding etc.
- The Christmas Draw tickets are available at the back of church. They still cost only £1.00 per book of 5 tickets. This is an opportunity to help church finances, by selling as many as possible to family and friends (over 16 years old!). Please take some and return the counterfoils with the name of the purchaser filled in on each counterfoil, together with the money to Colin or to the Piety Shop.
- Christmas cards, calendars, candles, diaries, small nativity sets etc. all on sale at the piety shop. If you want something special, please ask the staff to see the Christmas catalogue.
A PRAYER FOR ADVENT
God of patience and constancy, be with us in this time of waiting. Though pressures mount and distractions increase, keep our eyes open to your beauty, our minds open to your wisdom, our ears open to your word. Help us to guide those in our care, as your star led the Magi, so that we might journey to your Son together, inspired by truth and love. Amen.
TWEETS” FROM POPE FRANCIS
My apostolic journey to Thailand and Japan was a gift for which I am so grateful to the Lord. This visit increased my closeness and affection for these peoples: may God bless them with prosperity and peace in abundance.
“WHAT’S ON” THIS WEEK”
TODAY: Christmas Fayre starting at 12.30pm in the school.
ALSO, it is the start of Advent and the beginning of Liturgical Year A in the churches’ calendar.
SATURDAY: Filipino Mass at 2.00pm.
CHRISTMAS FAYRE
CHRISTMAS FAYRE: Don't forget, the Fayre is TODAY, in the Parish Hall at the school on Lee Street, starting at 12.30pm until 3.30pm. The hall will be open at 12 noon, but the stall holders WILL NOT be selling items until 12.30pm. Cakes and buns (home made or not) are requested for the cake stall. Please deliver to school before 12.30pm.
There has been a good response for the tombola, but we are a little short for the bottle stall. Any donations of bottles please deliver between noon and 12.30pm today.
Thanks to everyone involved for a remarkable effort, to make the Fayre a great success. I am sure the organizers will as usual have some great entertainment for us too.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Please see the church notice board for further details of the following:
The Parish Reconciliation Service before Christmas will be at 3.00pm on Sunday 15th December.
Christmas Services: the First Mass of Christmas will be at 8.00pm on Christmas Eve, preceded by a Carol Service starting at 7.30pm. The Parish Mass of Christmas will be at the usual time of 10.00am. There will be no evening Mass.
THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
St. Francis Xavier: a friend of Ignatius Loyola and one of the first members of the “Company of Jesus”. He preached in India and Japan and died in China in 1552.
St. John Damascene: from Damascus, a monk, philosopher and theologian. He sprang to the defence of Sacred Art in the iconoclast crisis in the 8th century.
St. Nicholas: Bishop of Myra (in Turkey). He died in the 4th century – in Eastern Europe, St. Nicholas distributes presents to children on this day.
St. Ambrose: born about 340, he was a surprising choice to be Bishop of Milan , renowned for his charity and his eloquence. It is said that St. Augustine returned to the faith after hearing him preach. A great writer oh hymns, some of which survive to this day.
SMILE – A – WHILE
- In the foyer of a church, a young boy was looking at a plaque with the names of men and women who had died in various wars. He asked the priest, “Who are these people?” The priest said, “Those are members from our church who died in the service.” The boy asked, “The early service or the second service?”
- My sister-in-law was teaching Sunday school class. The topic for the day: Easter Sunday and the resurrection of Christ. “What did Jesus do on this day?” she asked. There was no response, so she gave her students a hint: “It starts with the letter R.” One boy blurted, “Recycle!”
- Three guys are fishing when an angel appears. The first guy says, “I’ve suffered from back pain for years. Can you help me?” The angel touches the man’s back, and he feels instant relief. The second guy points to his thick glasses and begs for a cure for his poor eyesight. When the angel tosses the lenses into the lake, the man gains 20/20 vision. As the angel turns to the third fellow, he instantly recoils and screams, “Don’t touch me! I’m on disability!”
- On a sunny Sunday afternoon, two young church members were going door to door to invite people to visit their services. When they knocked on one door, it was immediately clear the woman who answered was not happy to see them. She told them in no uncertain terms that she did not want to hear their message, and before they could say anything more, she slammed the door in their faces. To her surprise, however, the door did not close; in fact, it bounced back open. She tried again, really putting her back into it, and slammed it again with the same result - the door bounced back open. Convinced these rude young people were sticking their foot in her door, she reared back to give it a slam that would teach them a lesson. Just then, one of them said quietly: "Ma'am, before you do that again, you really need to move your cat."
“Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey”