Category: Saint George’s latest news

The following was written by Peter Riordan in 2008.

My life has been a good news story. I think of myself as having been extremely blessed. I grew up with the loving care and guidance of great parents and grandparents. My twin brother has always been my best friend, so there was always someone with whom to share the adventures of youth. The rest of my family are also precious to me and to one another. My parents sent me to great schools where I learned values and attitudes I cherish. I am married to a wonderful wife and have two terrific children, a son and a daughter who are also great friends to one another. I live in a prime location where my neighbours are also my friends. I count my blessings and thank God for them. My work is my chance to pay God back, to share the gift of God’s love. At work I enjoy the loyal friendship of staff and the company of students whom I treat with respect and with sensitivity for their feelings. I try to call each by name so that I know each as a person. My parents were both teachers. I guess that was part of the reason I also felt called to teach. But does this mean there has never been, or never will be, upsets, problems, or disappointments? Of course not. No matter how blessed our lives may be there will always be challenges along the way.

What do we do about them? It seems to me we have a very clear choice. Either brood about them, and be angry, bitter, and resentful, or get on with life. Sadly, I meet people who do not cope well with ‘knock-backs’, and who seem to accumulate the baggage of bitterness and lingering hurt. So my attitude is never to fret about what went wrong, what I missed out on, what could have been. I can do without carrying the burden of past disappointments. It is far better to face each problem and either turn it into an opportunity or to look for the next opportunity. Look forward, not back. It is much easier to progress if we face where we want to go.

Meal at the Treacle Mine:  We were down in numbers as many of our friends were child minding or on staycation, as it was the holiday month.  Something I had not realised at the time of booking.  ‘Oops’, nevertheless 12 of us came, plus Fr Rory of course and mostly our friends from St George’s.

It was lovely to catch up on various news items and gossip, as we had not been able to mix for so long, we all appreciated the freedom to see each other and chat.  We agreed to meet up each month for a lunch together.  The next date will be Thursday 9th September, we hope you can make it.

The manager at the Treacle Mine is very happy to accommodate us in our special space away from the other diners and we are treated very well.  This venue is between both parishes and so we will book our tables there again.  Watch this space for further details nearer the time.

Fake £5. Notes:  Please be aware there are fake £5 notes in circulation at the moment.

St George’s is gently and carefully returning to normal. It is no longer necessary to book into the weekday Masses on Tuesday and Thursday. It is preferable to book Sunday, but not absolutely necessary anymore. For those who would like some space around them, this can be accommodated. Music has made a welcome return and singing, with a mask – which is perfectly possible – is positively encouraged. Every care is being taken to make our church a safe place for all. We look forward to welcoming everyone back into our parish family and have plans for a thanksgiving Mass and social in September – more details to follow.

Last Friday August 13th the Psalm was no.136. We only had 4 verses read to us. It is remarkable as it contains the phrase, “for his mercy endures forever” 14 times in those few verses. If you read the whole of the Psalm then the phase occurs 26 times. Psalm 136 is a psalm of thanksgiving for the work of God in creation and his faithful love through Israel’s history. It shows us God’s goodness and the importance of this for us. Yes, we should remember that God always loves us – never forget this. In fact we should all do more than this we should do what the Psalmist says many times in this psalm. He says “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever,” So I suggest that we adopt this phrase as a reminder for us during August. Try to remember to say it every day and not forget it during the day.  Keep it in mind and surely it will help you in everything you do each and every day. 

There is a special Mass on 15^th August (the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) at 10.30am to remember those who have sadly experienced losses during the past lock downs. The Mass will be held in the church and will include the participation of the children of the parish to represent the Future. The memorial garden will also feature in our service, in special remembrance of three people, representative of our community and will encompass a period of quiet reflection.

Following the Mass, “Tea and Tombola”  (A sit-down tea of sandwiches, savouries and cakes and the chance to win prizes in the tombola!). We URGENTLY need helpers to manage this event throughout and welcome anyone over 16 and under 70 to volunteer their services.

We need help with cleaning and preparing the hall on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning (13^th/14^th).Saturday afternoon requires setting up of tables and chairs and laying up the tables with crockery and cutlery.

Sunday morning (before Mass) we will need  people to distribute prepared food to tables and also help with the preparation of  beverages and some of the food.

After the event, clearing and cleaning of the crockery and cutlery etc. washed (dishwasher or hand wash as appropriate), dried and stored. Chairs and tables will need to be stored; hall kitchen and wash-rooms cleaned, floors swept and washed. Disposal of all rubbish.

All food will be provided by the hall management committee and the cost recuperated by the proceeds of the tombola hopefully. (Any other monetary donations will also be gratefully received but there is no obligation). Please help us to make this a pleasant and memorable occasion.  For further details of the actual work involved please contact: Lesley: 01323 841011;  Maeve: 01323 449131; Loretta; 01323 844890; Jean: 01323 842824.

There will be a meeting after the 10.30am Mass this Sunday.  If you can come and help please do so, as this will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all.

Bereavement Mass, Sunday 22nd August at 3pm.   We are looking forward to this taking place as it will be so helpful because for many there has been much sadness and indeed loss, so it is important to pray for one another and when we can to support each other.

St Wilfrid’s Celebration Mass 15th August 10.30 am:

This Mass is to celebrate us coming back together as a community.  After Mass refreshments will be available and there will be a tombola to help raise funds.  We are asking for items for the tombola; bottles, alcoholic and soft drinks also any unwanted gifts that are in good condition. Please at this time no bric a brac as we do not have the room to store. Please leave items in the church porch.  There will also be a children’s tombola and sales table.  An added attraction will be, Sophie is coming down from London and bringing her boyfriend, Jason.

St Wilfrid’s Church Flowers:  Have you noticed the lovely flowers in the church recently? They are all from Fr Rory’s garden (that Lulu lovingly attends) and also from some of our parishioners gardens.  This is all to help our church save money.

On Friday August 13th the Psalm is no.136. We only have 4 verses read to us. It is remarkable as it contains the phrase, “for his mercy endures forever” 14 times in those few verses. If you read the whole of the Psalm then the phase occurs 26 times. Psalm 136 is a psalm of thanksgiving for the work of God in creation and his faithful love through Israel’s history. It shows us God’s goodness and the importance of this for us. Yes, we should remember that God always loves us – never forget this. In fact we should all do more than this we should do what the Psalmist says many times in this psalm. He says “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever,” So I suggest that we adopt this phrase as a reminder for us during August. Try to remember to say it every day and not forget it during the day.  Keep it in mind and surely it will help you in everything you do each and every day.