Author: Jacky

Wool for the Baby Unit at EDGH

Wool for the Baby Unit at EDGH:  We are going to have a sales table at St George’s Hall during January 2020, to raise money to purchase wool, so that we may continue to knit garments and blankets for the Baby Unit at the EDGH.  All unwanted Christmas presents will be most welcome and any suitable objects.  Please give them to Tessa, Cathy or Margaret Neville.  Thank you.

A New Year’s Resolution

A New Year’s resolution suggestion that is easy to keep would be that of giving free gifts to people. The following list of suggestions, which came from Australia, could form the basis of this. I am sure you could think of further ideas yourselves to add to the list.

10 FREE GIFTS YOU CAN GIVE at any time, any day of the year and you can give them more than once!:

1.  Gift of Listening                                 

2.  Gift of a Sign of Affection                    

3. Gift of a Note left as a surprise  

4.  Gift of Laughter

5.  Gift of a Game shared together

6. Gift of Doing a Favour

7.  Gift of a Cheerful Disposition

8.  Gift of Silence

9. Gift of Compliment

10. Gift of Prayer

Fr Rory Writes

Fr Rory Writes:

This time last year we received from Bishop Richard a leaflet titled “The Word Who is Life”.  This was given to be our focus for preparation for life in our diocese in 2030.

Many parishes have been very effected by the structures for ministry because of the reduced number of masses and priests, with the expectation of more to come.  We have not experienced this as something that has come about because of the situation in the diocese, but because of the state of my health during the past year.  Please God, my health is on the mend, and hopefully with the return of my driving license we may have new opportunities. 

A big and sincere thank you to the persons who help with our Children’s Liturgy.   They deserve all the support that we can give them.  We have lost some great people who contributed so much, and so they are a great loss to us.  With God’s help; through our prayer and  commitment, we will receive God’s grace to be active witnesses to what God’s help can do in our weaknesses.  May almighty God turn all things to good, may we be willing to forgive, to love and support one another.  May God bless you all through this year of Our Devine Lord 2020.

Fully Escorted Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine

Fully escorted Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Ireland, celebrating the feast of St Patrick,16th March 2020.  £599.00 per person sharing.  Price includes flight with 10kg hand luggage, all transfers, 4 nights’ in Knock House Hotel with breakfast and dinner.  All entertainment and excursions included.  Lunches on days out.  Wheelchair accessible rooms.  Single room supplement £100.  Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email [email protected].  Knock Pilgrimages is a member of the Travel Trust Association and is fully protected by ATOL T7613.

Ecumenical Mental Health Project

Ecumenical Mental Health Project:  Green for Go! Go for Help!  Please see the poster on the Church notice board giving details of services available for people in crisis.  This time of year can be difficult for many people, these contacts might help the person sitting next to you in the church or someone you meet in the street.  As you leave the church why not take a photo of the poster to store on your phone?  If you are interested in the Mental Health Project do get in touch: [email protected]

Fr Rory Writes

Fr Rory Writes:

White Flower Appeal 2020

White Flower Appeal 2020 – the Society for the Protection of Unborn children (SPUC) will be holding its  annual appeal on the weekend of 11th/12th January.

On 21st October 2019 the most extreme abortion regime in Europe was imposed on the people of Northern Ireland by the government at Westminster.  Abortion will now be permitted for any reason up until at least 24 weeks, and even beyond that.  The abortion lobby now want to introduce this in England and Wales.

Please be as generous as you can to help SPUC defend unborn babies and their mothers from this new attack.

Knights of St Columba

The Knights of St Columba:  wish to thank all the Parish Priests and parishioners for their participation in the Christmas Poinsettia Sale.  It was a great success (we sold 122 poinsettia’s, this means that we can make a substantial donation to Children with Cancer.  Thank you.

LOVE

LOVE:  Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Amen.

Advent

The weeks of Advent were meant to help us prepare for Christmas. Through the prayers, preparations, and plans that we made, we had the opportunity to think about what it all means. The lighting of the four Advent candles served to remind us of the happiness, joy, hope and peace that we should feel at the coming of Jesus.

Jesus, you bring us hope, and open our eyes to see signs of your presence in our world. You bring us faith, and open our ears to hear your word. You are always with us, and open our hearts to show compassion to those who suffer. May we be full of faith as we prepare our hearts and minds. With Jesus in our midst, may our communities be happy, and even in trials, may we experience a foretaste of the lasting joy you have prepared for us. Help us to cope with troubles and pain without losing our inner peace. Help us to strengthen the weary, to give hope to the discouraged, to care for the poor and weak, and with the gentleness of Jesus to lift up those who are weighed down by the troubles of life. May we find each day worth living through the presence of Jesus with us.