Welcome to the Catholic Parish of Stamford Saint Mary and Saint … · 2018. 12. 31. · Through...

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Welcome to the Catholic Parish of Stamford Saint Mary and Saint Augustine The Presbytery, 13 Broad Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1PG Telephone: (01780) 762010 Website: www.staugustinescatholicchurchstamford.co.uk Parish Priest: Father Simon Gillespie Mobile: 07760 372105 Email: [email protected] Deacons: Reverend Charles West-Sadler (with Oakham parish); Reverend Robert S Dawson (retired) Parish Director of Music: Ruth Proctor Mobile: 07826 017487 Email: [email protected] Parish Hall Manager: Anna Barwell Mobile: 07789 283140 Email: [email protected] Parish Primary School: Saint Augustine’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Stamford (01780) 762094 Catholic Secondary School: Saint John Fisher Catholic High School, Peterborough (01733) 343646 Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham Diocesan Website: www.nottingham-diocese.org.uk Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Company Number: 7151646 Charity Number: 1134449 3 rd and 4 th February 2018 : Fifth Sunday of the Year On Friday we celebrated Candlemas, and it was great to see so many parishioners at Mass for our Procession and Blessing of Candles. As we contemplate Christ, the Light of the World, we might meditate on this homily from the second century bishop, Saint Sophronius: Let us receive the light whose brilliance is eternal In honour of the divine mystery that we celebrate today, let us all hasten to meet Christ. Everyone should be eager to join the procession and to carry a light. Our lighted candles are a sign of the divine splendour of the one who comes to expel the dark shadows of evil and to make the whole universe radiant with the brilliance of his eternal light. Our candles also show how bright our souls should be when we go to meet Christ. The Mother of God, the most pure Virgin, carried the true light in her arms and brought him to those who lay in darkness. We too should carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance of the true light as we hasten to meet him. The light has come and has shone upon a world enveloped in shadows; the Dayspring from on high has visited us and given light to those who lived in darkness. This, then, is our feast, and we join in procession with lighted candles to reveal the light that has shone upon us and the glory that is yet to come to us through him. So let us hasten all together to meet our God. The true light has come, the light that enlightens every man who is born into this world. Let all of us, my brethren, be enlightened and made radiant by

Transcript of Welcome to the Catholic Parish of Stamford Saint Mary and Saint … · 2018. 12. 31. · Through...

  • Welcome to the Catholic Parish of Stamford

    Saint Mary and Saint Augustine The Presbytery, 13 Broad Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1PG Telephone: (01780) 762010

    Website: www.staugustinescatholicchurchstamford.co.uk

    Parish Priest: Father Simon Gillespie Mobile: 07760 372105 Email: [email protected]

    Deacons: Reverend Charles West-Sadler (with Oakham parish); Reverend Robert S Dawson (retired)

    Parish Director of Music: Ruth Proctor Mobile: 07826 017487 Email: [email protected]

    Parish Hall Manager: Anna Barwell Mobile: 07789 283140 Email: [email protected]

    Parish Primary School: Saint Augustine’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Stamford (01780) 762094

    Catholic Secondary School: Saint John Fisher Catholic High School, Peterborough (01733) 343646

    Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham Diocesan Website: www.nottingham-diocese.org.uk

    Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Company Number: 7151646 Charity Number: 1134449

    3rd and 4th February 2018 : Fifth Sunday of the Year

    On Friday we celebrated Candlemas, and it was great to see so many parishioners at

    Mass for our Procession and Blessing of Candles. As we contemplate Christ, the Light

    of the World, we might meditate on this homily from the second century bishop, Saint

    Sophronius:

    Let us receive the light whose brilliance is eternal

    In honour of the divine mystery that we celebrate today, let us all hasten to meet

    Christ. Everyone should be eager to join the procession and to carry a light. Our

    lighted candles are a sign of the divine splendour of the one who comes to expel the

    dark shadows of evil and to make the whole universe radiant with the brilliance of

    his eternal light. Our candles also show how bright our souls should be when we go

    to meet Christ.

    The Mother of God, the most pure Virgin, carried the true light in her arms and

    brought him to those who lay in darkness. We too should carry a light for all to see

    and reflect the radiance of the true light as we hasten to meet him. The light has

    come and has shone upon a world enveloped in

    shadows; the Dayspring from on high has visited us

    and given light to those who lived in darkness. This,

    then, is our feast, and we join in procession with

    lighted candles to reveal the light that has shone

    upon us and the glory that is yet to come to us

    through him. So let us hasten all together to meet

    our God.

    The true light has come, the light that enlightens

    every man who is born into this world. Let all of us,

    my brethren, be enlightened and made radiant by

  • this light. Let all of us share in its splendour, and be so filled with it that no one

    remains in the darkness. Let us be shining ourselves as we go together to meet and

    to receive with the aged Simeon the light whose brilliance is eternal. Rejoicing with

    Simeon, let us sing a hymn of thanksgiving to God, the Father of the light, who sent

    the true light to dispel the darkness and to give us all a share in his splendour.

    Through Simeon’s eyes we too have seen the salvation of God which he prepared for

    all the nations and revealed as the glory of the new Israel, which is ourselves. As

    Simeon was released from the bonds of this life when he had seen Christ, so we too

    were at once freed from our old state of sinfulness.

    By faith we too embraced Christ, the salvation of God the Father, as he came to us

    from Bethlehem. Gentiles before, we have now become the people of God. Our

    eyes have seen God incarnate, and because we have seen him present among us and

    have mentally received him into our arms, we are called the new Israel. Never shall

    we forget this presence; every year we keep a feast in his honour.

    We might pray the prayer of Simeon, the Nunc Dimittis canticle (Luke chapter 2):

    At last, all-powerful Master,

    you give leave to your servant

    to go in peace, according to your promise.

    For my eyes have seen your salvation

    which you have prepared for all nations,

    the light to enlighten the Gentiles

    and give glory to Israel, your people.

    Changes to Mass Times this week and through February

    Please note the times of the two Requiem Masses this week, which will replace the

    usual daily Masses: Edie McLaughlin’s Requiem on Monday at 1pm, and Pat Jones’

    Requiem on Thursday at 3.30pm.

    Father Simon will leave for more studies in Leuven after the morning Masses next

    Sunday, 11th February; he will return to the parish in time for Masses on Sunday 4th

    March. In his absence Monsignor Brian Dazeley, a retired priest of our diocese living

    in Leicester, will celebrate the Sunday Masses (including Saturday Vigils), and also

    Mass at 10am on Ash Wednesday (14th February). There will be Services of the Word

    and Holy Communion on the Friday mornings at 10am, and a Service of Vespers with

    the Imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday at 7pm; Sunday Sung Vespers will

    continue each week at 5pm, likewise Confessions on Saturday evenings at 7pm.

    If you need to see Father Simon, please do so this week.

  • Parish Work and Parish Fundraising – Update Since I arrived in Stamford in 2015 a small but dedicated group of parishioners has

    worked hard to improve the facilities in our church, hall and presbytery, both

    aesthetical and practical. Just as I arrived the work to reveal the sanctuary ceiling,

    and paint afresh the reredos behind the altar, and freshen up the paintwork in

    church, was nearing completion. After that a new sound system was installed in the

    church, and a sound and video link made to the parish hall. The hall itself has been

    electrically rewired last year, and work on the lighting in church is almost ready to

    be undertaken. Adding to the aesthetics in church, a new shrine area for the Sacred

    Heart has been created, the altar in Saint Joseph’s chapel has been made more

    usable, the confessional relocated to a more private area, and dry-rot removed from

    under the church floor. It has been wonderful to see all this work come to fruition,

    thanks to the labours of many craftsmen and the generosity of parishioners’ time

    and finances. Thank you all.

    During the autumn many parishioners visited the presbytery during some of the

    open coffee mornings after Sunday Masses, and saw at first-hand the conditions in

    the presbytery, and the opportunities to improve facilities, for the parish priest and

    for those who work in and use the presbytery, which might be undertaken. It would

    be good to do this work, to invest in the future of the parish, and to provide for those

    who both live in and work in the presbytery. But of course, such work requires

    money to fund it!

    Present ‘guestimates’ on the work in the presbytery are around the £200k figure, of

    which the parish has in reserve some £100k, or half the money needed. This is a

    good position from which to start, but not a place where we can rest.

    Next weekend there will be an appeal from Bishop Patrick, given in all the parishes

    of the diocese, and led in our parish by Mary Fenn, aimed at increasing awareness of

    the financial needs of the parish and the diocese, and suggesting ways in which

    parishioners can help. Please consider what you give, and consider whether you can

    help a little more? One of the ways we are promoting presently is the 200 Club, a

    chance to raise £60k for the parish over the next five years, as well as giving £60k in

    prize money to winning parishioners. We have almost half the members so far, but

    with three weeks until the first draw still need some 100+ members. If you’ve not

    joined, please consider seriously whether you could afford £10 per month; perhaps

    even encourage others to do so? Or share a membership with another person?

    It’s been disquieting this week to hear complaints, indirectly, about the fundraising

    efforts. It’s not easy to ask for money, and the climate isn’t always a good one in

    which to do so. But without further funds we do a disservice to ourselves, and those

    former parishioners who had the generosity of foresight to leave us the beautiful

    church we have. Father Simon

  • Forthcoming Events in our parish, community and diocese

    A Parish Singing Practice will be held after the 11am Mass (so from 12 noon) on

    Sunday 4th February in anticipation of music to be sung during Lent. All are very

    welcome, whether members of the choir or not, those who think they can sing and

    those who haven’t yet discovered their talents!

    The Annual Diocesan Marriage Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Patrick on Sunday 4th

    February at 3pm in Saint Barnabas Cathedral. This Mass is open to all married couples and

    their families, especially those recently married, or celebrating significant anniversaries.

    The Forty Days for Life information evening will be held in Saint Barnabas cathedral

    hall, Nottingham, on Wednesday 7th February at 7.30pm. For more information

    about this Pro Life initiative in Lent, contact [email protected]

    The Rutland Theological Society are hosting Rev’d Canon Chris Chivers on Thursday

    8th February at 7.30pm in Oakham Methodist Church, LE15 6QS. The cost is £3,

    details from Rev’d Peter Lemmon (secretary) on 01780 720730.

    Come and Sing – a Diocesan Youth Singing Day for young people aged 8 – 18, on

    Saturday 10th February¸ from 10.30am until 5pm, in Nottingham Cathedral. See the

    notice in the porch for more information.

    A Lent Talk will be held in Saint Barnabas Cathedral hall, Nottingham, on Monday

    12th February at 6.30pm. Given by Professor Thomas O’Loughlin, the talk will be

    entitled The Eucharistic Words of Jesus. Entry is free.

    The SVP (Saint Vincent de Paul Society) meets next on Thursday 22nd February at

    6.00pm in the parish hall. All are welcome.

    Chloe Reynolds in Concert on Friday 23rd February in Spalding Baptist Church. See the

    poster in the church porch for more information. Tickets are £5 and £3.

    Peterborough Theological Society will host Rev’d Canon Bill Croft speaking about

    ‘Singing the story : The Psalms in Israel’s faith’ on Wednesday 28th February. Details

    from Canon Jonathan Baker on 01733 355300.

    There will be a Lent Retreat for Women at The Briars in the beautiful Derbyshire

    countryside from Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th March, the cost of which is £70 (inclusive).

    For further information and to book in contact: [email protected]

  • A free showing of the film ‘I Daniel Blake’ will be held on Saturday 10th March at 2.00pm

    for 2.30pm, at Stamford Methodist Church. It highlights those involved with caring for the

    vulnerable and needy, and may offer an insight and some inspiration into different ways

    of engaging with those in need.

    Ash Wednesday Hunger Lunch

    The Stamford Saint Mother Teresa Co-Workers are organising the annual Hunger

    Lunch on Ash Wednesday, 14th February, from 12.30pm until 2.00pm, in the parish

    hall. We hope you will support this, and donations will be greatly appreciated. We

    are a small group and money raised is sent to Missionary Brothers in Manchester,

    who sent a letter of thanks at Christmas, describing their work. We look forward to

    seeing you. Thank you.

    School Children and First Holy Communion Children

    Many thanks to all those from our parish primary school who helped to animate our

    9am Sunday Mass last weekend, and congratulations to the prospective First Holy

    Communion children who were enrolled during the Mass. It was very good to see so

    many young parishioners and their families with us!

    Thank to Mrs Holt and all the school staff; and to Catherine Callow and the Catechists

    for all their preparations. We will keep all those young parishioners in our prayers.

    Job Opportunities in our Diocesan Schools

    Secondary school headteacher vacancies: The Becket School and The Trinity School

    Following the appointment of the current headteachers to CEO positions within the

    Diocese of Nottingham, we are looking to appoint two new headteachers to these high

    performing schools in Nottingham. Applicants must be practising Catholics and have a

    strong understanding of Catholic education, but may, currently, be employed outside the

    Catholic sector. If you are interested, please see the TES or the schools’ websites. Closing

    date is midday Friday 9th February.

    Reflections from ‘Marriage Matters’

    Making the time to talk and to listen

    As married couples we need time to grow in knowledge and understanding of each

    other. This week let us make time when we are not tired, to talk together, to share

    what’s happened in the day, our thoughts and feelings, the things that worry us or

    make us happy. Perhaps we can also plan a regular celebration of our love.

  • Prayer Volunteers are urgently needed

    Are you looking for a challenge during Lent, involving prayer and self-sacrifice? Are

    you saddened to see the harm done to babies and women through abortion? “40

    Days for Life” is a Christian campaign group whose purpose is to save the lives of

    unborn children through prayer, fasting and community outreach. With the support

    of Pope Francis for this worldwide initiative, and the encouragement Bishop Patrick

    locally, we are running a campaign in Nottingham during Lent 2018. The aim of our

    prayers is simple: we are praying for an end to abortion. But we also offer support

    – moral and practical - to women who may be under pressure to have an abortion

    which they do not want, and which they may come to regret.

    Our Vigil is Prayerful, Peaceful, and non-Judgmental

    We are seeking volunteers to pray with us during Lent, between 6.00am and 6.00pm,

    on a rota basis, at the Treatment Centre on the QMC campus, where many abortions

    in Nottinghamshire take place. Most people who come stay for either one or two

    hours at a time. Please sign up now to pray with us on our webpage

    www.40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/Nottingham or contact us at

    [email protected] .

    If you would like to know more before committing, there is an information event on

    Wednesday 7th February at 7.30pm in Saint Barnabas cathedral hall, at which you

    can put questions to people who have done the vigil before. There will be a speaker,

    Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who has led the Birmingham campaign for many years.

    Come along and find out more! What a fantastic way to prepare for the joy of Easter!

    Biscuit Baking

    You might remember that last year our confirmation candidates, together with other

    parishioners, helped to prepare for a Prison Mission by baking biscuits which were

    distributed to all the men and staff in HMP Stocken. The Mission was a success, and

    is being run again this Lent, from 12th until 16th March. Our parish has been asked to

    help once again, and so we need some volunteers who are happy to bake biscuits

    during the week of Monday 26th February, and to bring them to church on Sunday

    4th March. Because of security requirements there is a recipe that has to be followed

    (strictly!), and a declaration to be signed by each baker, confirming that nothing extra

    has been added into the biscuits.

    If you’re willing and able to help, please speak to Father Simon after Mass or send

    him an email. The biscuits last year were both delicious and very well received by

    men who often receive so very little in their lives.

  • Preparations for Lent 2018

    Check out the Be Merciful Website. This has been updated and has events and

    resources for Faith Formation in the Diocese of Nottingham:

    https://www.bemerciful.co.uk/

    Preparations for Lent with the Discalced Carmelites

    Brother Lawrence - Strange enough, he is better known among English-speaking

    Evangelicals than in his own homeland (France)! However, Brother Lawrence of the

    Resurrection (1614-1691) lived most of his life in the convent of the Discalced

    Carmelite Friars in Paris. It was there that he discovered and then taught what he

    called “the practice of the presence of God.” This humble brother - the community

    cook and then the sandal-maker - had a great influence during his lifetime and his

    message has been passed down to us. He helps us to live our most ordinary everyday

    life experiences under the gaze of God. Prayer is no longer reduced to specific times.

    It is our whole existence that becomes a living relationship with the Lord. During this

    Lent, we will let ourselves be shaped by this Mystery!

    How do I make the Lenten retreat?

    Complete the form submit on the website (www.retreat-online.karmel.at) to register

    for the retreat. You will receive a confirmation message by email.

    On Ash Wednesday, 14th February, you will receive an email giving the introduction

    to the retreat and then weekly, every Friday of Lent, you will receive another email

    message with a new point of inspiration for the following week, along with short

    texts for daily prayer. Invite your friends, family, work colleagues,

    anyone you know, to join in with this – and it’s completely free, too!

    Simply refer them to the web page www.retreat-online.karmel.at or

    ask them to email [email protected]

    Prayer Books for the Lenten Journey

    As in previous years, daily Prayer Books for Lent will be available next Sunday; they’re

    priced £1 each, but please take one and pay when you can. There will also be a

    supply of calendars for the younger parishioners, giving a simply thought for each

    day during our Lenten journey.

    Start to think now of ways in which you can make Lent 2018 a time of truly returning

    back to the Lord, through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, the traditional Lenten

    practices. What better time to come close to the God who gave his life for us?

  • Holocaust Memorial Day

    It was very good to see a number of

    parishioners last Friday at the Holocaust

    Memorial Service outside Saint Michael’s

    church on the High Street. We gathered

    around the small memorial there, and bunches

    of daffodils were laid, in memory of the yellow

    star that Jews were forced to wear during the

    Second World War. As well as praying for

    those who died at that time, other genocides

    from around the world were brought to mind by the Town Council, and prayers

    offered, from Christian and Jewish leaders, for a peaceful world.

    Memorial of Saint Blaise – 3rd February

    One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, Saint Blaise is believed to have been a fourth

    century bishop of Sebaste in Armenia. He was martyred by beheading in around

    316AD under the Emperor Licinius, after being tortured with a wool comb.

    According to legends, during the persecutions he hid in a cave and blessed sick or

    wounded animals. One day a woman brought her son with a fishbone stuck in his

    throat and he cured him. When he was imprisoned, the same woman brought him

    candles and food.

    Relics of Saint Blaise were claimed by Canterbury and at least four miracles were

    recorded at his shrine there, one dated 1451. Parson Woodford described a solemn

    procession in honour of Saint Blaise in Norwich on 24 March 1783.

    Saint Blaise has become the patron saint of sufferers of throat diseases, and from

    this comes the tradition, on this feast day, of blessing throats with two candles.

    Although we don’t keep Saint Blaise’s Day this year (because the Mass on Saturday

    is a Vigil Mass for Sunday), Father Simon will bless the throats of any parishioners

    who so wish, after the 6pm Vigil Mass.

    Mass Intentions

    During Father Simon’s absence in Leuven he will celebrate Mass each day. On

    Sundays Mass will be offered for the intentions of all the people of the parish, the

    ‘pro populo’ Mass, but if any parishioner wants a Mass offered on a particular day

    during that period, please complete one of the Mass intention envelopes (at the back

    of church) by next weekend. Masses can, of course, be booked for other dates too.

  • Planned Giving Envelopes

    Although the current boxes of envelopes continue until the end of March, the new

    boxes have arrived and are ready for collection this weekend. Please take yours

    home – there should be boxes for everyone who gives weekly (larger boxes) and for

    those with standing orders (smaller boxes with just the second collection envelopes).

    If you don’t presently have envelopes, or wish to transfer to a standing order, or sign

    a gift aid form, please speak with Mairead Scott (parish secretary) or Father Simon.

    Thank You to all those parishioners who support our parish through their regular

    giving by standing orders, gift aid declarations and weekly envelopes; the regularity

    of your giving is a great help in planning for future projects!

    Nottingham Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage

    Have you ever been to Lourdes? Have you ever made a Pilgrimage? Are you inspired

    to celebrate your faith with people from around our diocese? Our Diocesan

    Pilgrimage to Lourdes, led by Bishop Patrick, will take place from 16th until 20th July.

    Father Simon will be making the Pilgrimage and it would be great to have a group

    from our parish there too. Although it’s quite expensive we have time to save up

    and those who made the Pilgrimage from our parish last year came back refreshed

    and renewed by the experience. If you’re interested in coming on the Pilgrimage

    have a chat with Father Simon and put the dates in your diary now.

    Share the Journey

    Pope Francis has launched Share the Journey, a new global campaign to stand up for

    the rights of refugees and migrants. The timescale of the campaign is from now until

    the Pope goes to address the United Nations in September 2018. A week of action

    will also take place during Refugee Week in June.

    In support of the campaign, Cafod is aiming to walk 24,901 miles – the distance

    around the whole world! Bishop Patrick is inviting schools and parishes to engage in

    this campaign. It’s an act of solidarity to Share the Journey with our global

    neighbours fleeing their homes. Every step you take, together with others from

    across the Church in England and Wales, will send a message to world leaders that

    they must step up too. They need to act with courage and compassion when they

    agree ambitious new UN agreements on refugees and migration in 2018.

    Resources are available on the Cafod website at: https://cafod.org.uk – if you have

    any ideas for what we could do as a parish, please speak to Father Simon.

  • Memorial of Saint Gilbert of Sempringham

    You’ve perhaps not heard of the saint whose

    memory we would keep today, if it weren’t

    Sunday. The Fourth of February is the feast day

    of Saint Gilbert of Sempringham, is a local

    Lincolnshire saint who is now honoured by

    being the patron of our Catholic Academy Trust

    of local primary and secondary schools.

    Gilbert was born at Sempringham in

    Lincolnshire, the son of Jocelin, a wealthy

    Norman knight. He was sent to France to study,

    and returned to England to receive the

    benefices (parishes) of Sempringham and

    Tirington from his father. He became a clerk in

    the household of Bishop Robert Bloet of Lincoln and was ordained by Robert’s

    successor, Alexander. He returned to Sempringham as Lord of the Manor on the

    death of his father in 1131; in the same year he began acting as adviser for a group

    of seven young women living in enclosure with lay sisters and brothers and decided

    the community should be incorporated into an established religious order.

    After several new foundations were established, Gilbert went to Citeaux in 1148 to

    ask the Cistercians to take over the Community. When the Cistercians declined to

    take on the governing of a group of women, Gilbert, with the approval of Pope

    Eugene III, continued the Community with the addition of Canons Regular for its

    spiritual directors and Gilbert as Master General. The Community became known as

    the Gilbertine Order, the only English religious order originating in the medieval

    period; it eventually had twenty-six monasteries which continued in existence until

    King Henry VIII suppressed monasteries in England. Gilbert imposed a strict rule on

    his Order and became noted for his own austerities and concern for the poor.

    He was imprisoned in 1165 on a false charge of aiding Thomas of Canterbury (Saint

    Thomas Becket) during the latter’s exile but was exonerated of the charge. He was

    faced with a revolt of some of his lay brothers when he was ninety, but was sustained

    by Pope Alexander III. Gilbert resigned his office late in life because of blindness and

    died at Sempringham. He was canonized in 1202.

    We might pray today for the work of our local Catholic schools.

    http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=4817http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=1918http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=7119http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=5217http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2981http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2981http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=5661http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2502http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=6933http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=7101

  • From our Parish Primary School

    Early Years make some monster biscuits for everyone to

    enjoy

    This week in Elephants class we started to look at the film

    Monsters Inc as part of our monsters topic. We watched a

    clip from the film and wrote speech bubbles from the

    characters. We also had a great time on Thursday as we

    made some monster biscuits. The children then went and

    shared the biscuits they made with Nursery and Mrs

    Sandford read their favourite monster book The Gruffalo.

    Meerkat’s Class experiment with eggs

    In our science experiment we were seeing

    the effects different liquids (coke, orange

    juice, apple juice, water and milk) have on

    eggs. We used eggs because it is like the

    enamel on our teeth. First we put the eggs

    in plastic containers, second we added

    different liquids. Every day for a week we

    recorded what had happened to them

    [not at the weekend]. Also, we made a prediction. After a week we took the eggs

    out of the cups and observed how they had changed. Next, we had to write a

    conclusion and what had changed.

    Match Report

    On Thursday 1st February Saint Augustine’s played the Bythams Primary School in an

    away game. The team played well, despite the bitter and wet weather conditions,

    but unfortunately we lost 3-0. The man of the match was a brilliant keeper, Connor

    Saunders, who stepped forward for the position. This report was written by: Jack

    Harrison.

    Children in Year 5/6 were evacuated to new

    homes and a new school in Stibbington on

    Friday last week – even with old uniforms!

    Mission Statement this week:

    I know that I belong

    in a community

    that includes my school

  • The Pope’s Prayer Intention for February

    “Say ‘No’ to Corruption”

    is that those who have material, political or spiritual power

    may resist any lure of corruption.

    What is at the root of slavery, unemployment, and disregard for

    nature and goods held in common? Corruption, a process of death

    that feeds the culture of death. Because the thirst for power and

    possessions knows no limits. Corruption is not countered with

    silence. We must speak about it, denounce its evils, and try to

    understand it so as to show our resolve to make mercy reign over

    meanness, beauty over nothingness. Let us pray that those who have material,

    political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption.

    Readings at Masses this Week

    Monday 1 Kings 8:1-7. 9-13; Psalm 131(132):6-10; Mark 6:53-56

    Tuesday 1 Kings 8:22-23. 27-30; Psalm 83(84):3-5. 10-11; Mark 7:1-13

    Wednesday 1 Kings 10:1-10; Psalm 36(37):5-6. 30-31. 39-40; Mark 7:14-23

    Thursday 1 Kings 11:4-113; Psalm 105(106):3-4. 35-37. 40; Mark 7:24-30

    Friday 1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19; Psalm 80(81):10-15; Mark 7:31-37

    Saturday 1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34; Psalm 105(106):6-7. 19-22; Mark 8:1-10

    Liturgy this Week and next Week

    Celebration Fifth Sunday of the Year Sixth Sunday

    Cycle & Psalter Year B, Week 1 Year B, Week 2

    Mass Page 134 Page 137

    Penitential Rite B, page 8 B, page 8

    First Reading Job 7:1-4.6-7 Leviticus 13:1-2. 44-46

    Psalm Psalm 146:1-6 Psalm 31:1-2. 5. 11

    Second Reading 1 Corinthians 9:16-19.22-23 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

    Gospel Mark 1:29-39 Mark 1:40-45

    Preface Sundays 4, page 55 Sundays 5, page 55

    Eucharistic Prayer Three, page 28 Two, page 24

    Memorial Acclamation B (When we eat) B (When we eat) 0

  • Prayers For . . .

    All who have died recently: especially:

    Edie McLaughlin (pictured right), who died

    on Wednesday and whose Requiem Mass

    will be celebrated on Monday at 1.00pm;

    Pat Jones (pictured left), who died on

    Saturday and whose Requiem Mass will be

    celebrated on Thursday at 3.30pm;

    Sister Bridie McLaughlin (a Sister of Mercy

    in Derby);

    May they rest in peace!

    All our sick and housebound parishioners and friends:

    especially Father Kevin Clark, Father Terry Fellows, John and Julia Newman, Maria

    Pinto, Catherine Farndell, John Griffiths, John Salthouse, Marie Lunny, Mary Patrick,

    Dympna Middleton, Vincent Kelly, David Peach, Sister Attracta, Verlia Duque, Father

    Thomas Breslin, Provost Michael Bell, John Chapple, Father Peter Peterken, Father

    Chris Hogan, Father Michael Stappard, Margaret West-Sadler, John Herd, Father

    Dominic O’Connor, Father Joe O’Hanlon, Jo and Bernard Raffo, Victoria Crouch,

    Father James O’Hanlon, Father Eamonn O’Hara, Peter Herrick, Father John Cairns,

    Deacon Bernard Croft, Mark Grab, Rosa Maria Santos, Kenneth Court, Veronica

    Hosking, Beth Coleman, Joan Middleton, Pat Dancer, Augusta Deane, Irene Mulligan,

    Connie Edgar, Gladys Brown, Nora Hunt, Valerie Pellier, Fiona Ruddle, David Cooke,

    Maeve Swann, Helen Allen, Jean Maker, Anna Orme, Lucy Court, Debbie Reed, Ken

    Woods, Lilian Popple, Anne Woods, Father David Bingham, Deacon Bob Dawson,

    Father Peter Harvey.

    Bishop Patrick has written to thank parishioners for their prayers during his recent

    visit to Nicaragua and El Salvador, which he found moving and inspiring.

    Many Thanks for your Generosity

    Envelopes £379.60 Loose plate £225.05

    Standing Order £274.00 Collection Total £878.65

    Don’t forget to collect your new box of envelopes this week!

  • Masses and Services this Week

    Saturday 3rd February Fifth Sunday of the Year

    6.00pm Vigil Mass Martha Ann Greenwood Allison RIP

    The traditional Blessing of Throats after Mass

    7.00pm Confessions

    Sunday 4th February Fifth Sunday of the Year

    9.00am Mass Pro Populo (People of the parish)

    Children’s Liturgy; Tea and coffee after

    11.00am Mass Vince O’Neil RIP

    Tea and coffee after

    5.00pm Sung Vespers

    Monday 5th February Memorial of Saint Agatha, martyr

    1.00pm Requiem Mass Edith (Edie) McLaughlin RIP

    Tuesday 6th February Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and companions, martyrs

    9.00am Mass Get Well

    Wednesday 7th February Feria

    7.30am Mass Daniel Gulliford – wellbring

    Thursday 8th February Memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita, virgin

    3.30pm Requiem Mass Patricia (Pat) Jones RIP

    Friday 9th February Feria

    10.00am Mass Alex Thoresen RIP

    Saturday 10th February Memorial of Saint Scholastica, virgin

    9.00am Confessions

    Sixth Sunday of the Year

    Day for the Unemployed

    6.00pm Vigil Mass Thoresen Family

    7.00pm Confessions

    Sunday 11th February Sixth Sunday of the Year

    World Day for the Sick and Day for the Unemployed

    9.00am Mass Pro Populo (People of the parish)

    Children’s Liturgy; Tea and coffee after

    11.00am Mass Parishioner’s Special Intentions

    Tea and coffee after

    5.00pm Sung Vespers

    National Eucharistic Congress : 7th – 9th September 2018