Leigh Pastoral Area

Saturday, December 27, 2008

NEW YEAR IN THE PASTORAL AREA

New Year’s Eve Mass
If you would like to welcome in the New Year in church, there will be a Vigil Mass at 11.15 pm on New Year’s Eve at Holy Family, followed by the chimes of Big Ben (live), a New Year Blessing, and drink or two at the back of church. 

New Year’s Day Mass
On New Year’s Day, there will be a New Year’s Day Mass at 12.00 noon at Holy Family.  Everyone welcome.

Prayer for the New Year
Wherever you are on New Year’s Eve, you might like to
welcome in the New Year with this prayer:

Holy God,
as we enter this new year,
we thank you for your presence with us
in all the years of our lives. 

We have known joy, and also sorrow,
success and failure,
and through it all, you have been with us
– the companion of all our journeys. 

Much of life is fleeting
and so we thank you for things that endure: 
the love of faithful friends,
wisdom gained from experience,
the reliability of nature,
and your steadfast love. 

We thank you for this new year which awaits us. 
Take us by the hand and lead us on. 
Amen.

PASTORAL LETTER FROM THE ARCHBISHOP

My dear people,

Old age: Abraham: Sarah: Simeon: Anna: old men and women: no doubt what I must write about this year on the Feast of the Holy Family: old age. No problem about what: easy.

Then I remembered: a psalm says: “our span is 70 years, and 80 for those who are strong.  I was 70 in November. I have my Senior Rail Card, State Pension, Bus Pass and Winter Heating Fuel Allowance.  Am I really an OAP?

I look at photos of my father and uncles and aunts when they were only 60 and wonder: do I look as old as that? And I have to admit: twice, in London, when I was not wearing my dog collar I’ve been offered a seat on a crowded tube.

First of all I do not want to wear rose-tinted spectacles about old age.  I remember with gratitude what my mother once said when the arthritis was bad and instead of her once boundless energy most days were spent in a chair: “Well, Patrick, I know our Lord was crucified, but at least he never knew what it was like to be old.

But next: I have no idea if I feel or look 30, 50, 70 or 80.  I just don’t know.  So my first lesson for any real conversation with others, especially those who are older: watch: listen and learn how they see and feel themselves to be.  No hasty: “snap out of it” or “we’ll soon have you on your feet again.  Enter their life with respect: receive them as they are to themselves: in a phrase, so often repeated: “God loves us as we are?  But then I think of the scene in the film the Lord of the Rings: Wormtongue, by whispering bad news, gloomy tales, suggesting frailty and helplessness has made King Theoden into a bent, fearful, timid, helpless old man. Gandalf brings light, and challenge and courage and Theoden’s face becomes young again and his arm strong.

So, while we begin full of respect, we will not allow anyone to be old, afraid, alone, helpless before their time.  It is the same for us as it is with God: it is true that God loves us as we are, but he loves us far too much to leave us as we are.  We will not be to anyone a Wormtongue: whispering dark rumours and frightful tales to bring them down. We will love others too much just to leave them as they are. I am never quite sure what I may be asked to do when I visit our High Schools: some of our School Chaplains and Teachers of RE have wicked senses of humour. But I do not mind: they will not let me be just 70, a “twirly? when it comes to buses, allowed to sit in an armchair wearing slippers.

And this year when families are afraid and anxious about mortgages, employment, pensions, I suggest we receive this invitation from Saint Paul: “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Christ, so that each family and our family, the Church, upbuilds itself in love.

I have no way of knowing what 2009 will bring: I do not understand what is happening in the economy or where it will all end; I have no solution to suggest. But I am certain: all may receive the blessing proclaimed when we come to Mass on New Year’s Day, the Day of Mary, Mother of the Lord:

“May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord uncover his face to you
and bring you peace.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

+ PATRICK A. KELLY
Archbishop of Liverpool

Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas Mass Times

CHRISTMAS EVE
Wednesday 24th December

6.00 pm St Gabriel’s & St Richard’s
6.30 pm Sacred Heart, Leigh
7.00 pm Twelve Apostles
9.30 pm St Richard’s
11.30 pm Holy Family & St Ambrose Barlow
Midnight Sacred Heart, Leigh

CHRISTMAS DAY
Thursday 25th December

8.30 am St Joseph’s
9.00 am Holy Family (Children’s Mass)
9.30 am St Richard’s
10.00 am Sacred Heart, Leigh
10.30 am St Joseph’s
11.00 am Holy Family, St Ambrose Barlow
& Our Lady of the Rosary

Midnight Mass at the Cathedral will be broadcast live
on BBC Radio 4 at 11.30 pm.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

4th Sunday of Advent (B)

Advent Nativity Service
The children from St. Ambrose Barlow invite everyone to their annual Advent Nativity in the church today (Sunday) at 4.00 pm. It is always a wonderful service. Children young and old are invited to take part. Mince pies and drinks are available after. All welcome.

Festival Carol Service
Today (Sunday) at 5.00 pm at Holy Family. A gentle service of prayers, readings and carols, lasting about 40 minutes, to help us ‘chill out’ and prepare for the great Feast of Christmas.  The service will be followed by mince pies and mulled wine at the back of church.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Preparing for Sunday Mass

Some lines from the Advent scriptures to mull over…

From the First Reading at Thursday’s Mass:
I, the Lord, your God, I am holding you by the right hand; I tell you, ‘Do not be afraid, I will help you’.
(Isaiah 41: 13)

From Sunday’s Second Reading:
Think before you do anything - hold on to what is good and avoid every form of evil.
(1 Thessalonians 5)

From Sunday’s Psalm (which is, in fact, the Canticle of Mary known as the ‘Magnificat’):
My soul glorifies the Lord,my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
(Luke 1)

From Sunday’s Entrance Antiphon:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!  The Lord is near.
(Philippians 4: 4-5)

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Please remember in your prayers

All those killed and injured recently in Mumbai, India
All those affected by the violence in the Congo
The people of Afghanistan and Iraq
The people of Zimbabwe, now facing cholera as well as their other troubles

Come, Lord Jesus

Lord Jesus, you are God’s only Son,
my Saviour and Friend.
In my heart I do believe in you.
Please help my little faith.

I know you are here with me now.
You stand at the door of my life,
knocking day after day,
seeking to enter my life more deeply.

I open my life to you.
Please come to me now.
Touch my life with your grace.
Lay your hands upon me and around me.

Please forgive me for anything I have done
which has closed my life to you.
Purify and renew me now.
Grant me the wonder of your love.

Change and strengthen me by the power of your Holy Spirit.
Help me to live as a true man/woman of God,
as a true daughter/son of your Father,
and as a true follower and friend of you,
Jesus, my Lord and my God.

Come, Lord Jesus.
I welcome you into my life. 

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Archbishop Sentamu calls for Mugabe regime to be toppled

Dr John Sentamu, the Anglican Archbishop of York, has called for the international community to bring an end to the “charade of power sharing” and to remove the administration of Robert Mugabe from power in Zimbabwe.

Writing in The Observer Newspaper yesterday, Dr Sentamu compared the situation in Zimbabwe to that he faced as a dissident in Uganda under Idi Amin: “Where are the African governments or leaders with the courage of Julius Nyerere, the former President of Tanzania, who ousted Idi Amin after recognising that his neighbour had become a tyrant and who marched an army into Uganda to bring an end to the killing fields? In Uganda, we were beaten, tortured, abused and hundreds were murdered, but never did we starve to death or see the level of suffering which is to be found in today’s Zimbabwe.”

Dr Sentamu also called for the international community to recognise that the power sharing agreement between Zanu Pf and MDC was “dead” and had failed: “As cholera devastates a Zimbabwe already on its knees, our Prime Minister, our Foreign Secretary and the US Secretary of State have all called for an end to the regime of Mugabe. Now these voices must unite for a further call to bring an end to the charade of power-sharing that has enabled Mugabe to remain in office, assisted by his ruthless politburo. The time has come for the international community to recognise that the power-sharing deal signed in September is dead. The impasse within the South African-sponsored negotiations between the MDC and Zanu PF has been sustained by a Mugabe regime which is unwilling to give up power and refuses to recognise the rule of law.”

The Archbishop also urged the international community to bring Robert Mugabe and his closest supporters before The Hague to stand trial for their crimes against the people of Zimbabwe: “The time has come for Mugabe to answer for his crimes against humanity, against his countrymen and women and for justice to be done. The winds of change that once brought hope to Zimbabwe and its neighbours have become a hurricane of destruction with the outbreak of cholera, destitution, starvation and systemic abuse of power by the state. As a country cries out for justice, we can no longer be inactive to their call. Mugabe and his henchmen must now take their rightful place in the Hague and answer for their actions. The time to remove them from power has come.”

Urging the international community not to shirk from its responsibility, the Archbishop also quoted Martin Luther King, suggesting that: “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.”

From the Archbishop’s Desk

December 2008

‘Listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’ We accept those words from the Book of Revelation, as we enter Advent and Christmastide. It is clear what that must mean for us who our Lord’s compassion and concern: be renewed in the longing of Advent and the joy of Christmas for the sake of everyone. Thousands come to this Christmas afraid and anxious; the burden of those wicked advertisements focussed on children that say: ‘Only £19.99,’ suggesting that only parents who do not love will fail to get it for you, will be felt severely. It will be even more dangerous than usual this year if the inversion of how things are meant to be continues: I mean a Feast followed by a Fast that means Christmas is over by about 3.00 pm on the 25 December; sadly that day of new hope and light is one of the busiest days for those wonderful people who serve as Samaritans. It will be a blessing for others and us if there is simplicity in our celebrations: if we seize every opportunity to keep Advent, for example by Advent celebrations of Reconciliation, when personally accepting the call of John the Baptist.

Once more the BBC will broadcast Midnight Mass from our Cathedral. Those coming are asked to be there by 11.00 pm. The Mass will begin at 11.30 pm. The BBC have asked we do not ignore the anxieties of many this year and offer joy when the usual resources presumed necessary for the feast are not there. In the power of the Holy Spirit the Christmas joy is assured.

+ Patrick Kelly
Archbishop of Liverpool

Family Thoughts for Advent 2008

The following family thoughts are parish bulletin fillers produced by the Archdiocese of Armagh Family Ministry Team.

First Sunday of Advent (B) 30th November 2008
God is depicted today as our Father and as a potter shaping the clay. Loving parents who help to fashion the lives of their children offer their children a glimpse of God’s eternal love. Take time today to thank God for all the graces you have received as a family.

Second Sunday of Advent (B) 7th December 2008
Isaiah depicts God as a shepherd who gathers lambs in his arm and holds them against his breast. When parents comfort their children by hugging them and holding against their breast they are communicating not only their own love but also something of God’s tender love for those children. Give your child a hug today.

Third Sunday of Advent (B) 14th December 2008
Parenting is sacred work. Like the servant in today’s reading, parents are involved in binding up hearts that are broken, proclaiming liberty to captives, clothing children, wrapping babies in blankets and affirming children’s dignity. Pray for the guidance of the Spirit in your parenting.

Fourth Sunday of Advent (B) 21st December 2008
Mary listened to what was being asked of her and then responded with great generosity. Take time today to listen to the members of your family. Listen to their needs and for ways you can be of assistance to them in the run up to Christmas.

2nd Week of Advent

Carols by Candlelight - In the grounds of Sacred Heart Church, Hindsford, on Tuesday 9th December at 7.00 pm.

Advent Service of Reconciliation - Tuesday 9th December at 7.30 pm at Twelve Apostles
Advent Service of Reconciliation - Wednesday 10th December at 7.30 pm at St Richard’s

Leigh Churches Scripture Group - Wednesday 10th December, 7.30 - 9.00 pm, at Sacred Heart, Leigh. 

Advent Holy Hour - Thursday 11th December, 7.00 - 8.00 pm, at Holy Family.

Atherton Outdoor Nativity - Atherton Town Centre on Friday December 12th at approximately 6.00 pm.

Churches Together in Boothstown - Outdoor Carol Service at Boothstown Precinct on Sunday 14th December at 5.00 pm. 

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

ADVENT HOLY HOUR

Thursday 4th December
7.00 - 8.00 pm
Holy Family, Boothstown

Fr Dave will lead the Holy Hour this week,
which will be followed by tea/coffee.

Monday, December 01, 2008

Ethical Christmas cards and present ideas

Want to make sure the money you spend on cards and presents this year goes to good causes? More and more Catholic charities are selling cards and presents this year. The following charities have a good selection available on-line.

Aid to the Church in Need have a large selection of cards, books, gifts and music. For a catalogue contact: Tel: 0845 241 6068 Email : .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or see their on-line shop at: http://www.acn.org.uk

CAFOD has a superb range of fair-traded gifts, clothing, jewelry and books. You can also give gifts certificates that will provide people in the developing with useful items such as seeds, chickens compost worms and gardening kits. Call 0207 733 7900 for a catalogue or visit the on-line shop at: http://www.cafod.org.uk/worldgifts.

HCPT the charity which takes young people with special needs to Lourdes has presents for children and adults as well as a good selection of cards. Call them on : 01788564646 or visit their on-line shop at: http://www.hcpt.org.uk/

The Pattaya Orphanage, a Redemptorist charity which runs projects in Thailand with street children, the blind, deaf, disabled and Aids orphans has an on-line shop at: http://www.pattayaorphanage.org.uk/

Wine from the Holy Land
For a present with a difference you could buy wine from the Cremisan Monastery in Bethlehem, For more information see: http://www.5thgospelretreats.co.uk or call Della Shenton on 01579 340844 or 07808 957604 email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Finally, Independent Catholic News is opening a shop this week, selling books, CDs, DVDs, Fairtrade toys and religious gifts. Most goods are delivered anywhere in the UK within 48 hours. As a franchise of Amazon, prices are the same but for every purchase you make, a 5% commission is paid to ICN. To visit the shop click on http://www.indcatholicnews.com/shop.html

AN ADVENT PRAYER

Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do
seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things
look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways
long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy
seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness,
yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”
Amen.

By Henri J.M. Nouwen

PRAYER FOR WORLD AIDS DAY

God of our silent tears,
Good and gracious God,
you are the God of health and wholeness.

Many of us are now suffering with HIV or AIDS.
We come before you and ask you,
if it is your will,
to take this suffering away from us,
restore us to health and lead us to know you
and your powerful healing love in body and spirit.

We ask you to be with those of us
who nurse your sick ones.
We are the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers,
children and friends of those who are suffering.
It is so hard for us to see those whom we love suffer.
You know what it is to suffer.
Help us to minister in loving care,
support and patience
for your people who suffer with HIV and AIDS.
Lead us to do whatever we can to eradicate this
illness from the lives of those who are touched by it,
both directly and indirectly.
Trusting in you and in the strength of your Spirit,
we pray these things in the name of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our brother and our Saviour. 
Amen.

(Adapted from the US Conference of Bishops)