Our Lady of Victories News
WELCOME TO CANON CHRIS OXLEY
who will preach at our 10.00 am Mass next Sunday, February 2nd.
AT ALL MASSES THIS WEEKEND:
Our Bishop has recommended that ALL our Readers renew their commitment to their Ministry on this “Sunday of the Word.” I will invite all our Readers to come forward after my Homily for their short commitment to their Ministry.
PROFOUND APOLOGIES
to the many who might have received an email on Tuesday last, purporting to have come from Fr Owen asking for prayers and a favour, (favour had the American spelling). I can assure you that I did not send any such email. Once again my email has been hacked and a scam supposedly to be from me. My profound apologies to all for the annoyance and inconvenience caused to the many.
TODAY - THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME IS NOW THE SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD:
Read Pope Francis' practical tips and reflections for the Sunday of the Word of God, to be celebrated on Sunday 26th January.
Have you ever wished that God would speak to you, like He spoke to the Saints? Believe it or not, He's right there with the words you need already. In fact, all the words are in one place for your convenience: your Bible.
Maybe you think the Bible is dull. But the Bible isn't a dusty old history book that has no bearing on our lives today. This is God's Word and He uses it to speak to us.
Parishes across the world are encouraged to make God's Word their focus next week as we celebrate the first Sunday of the Word of God, and to aid this Pope Francis offers advice and encouragement in his Apostolic Letter The Sunday of the Word of God (Aperuit Illis).
To get yourself and/or your parish ready to celebrate next Sunday, get a copy of this document (it's brief and easy to read) and give it a read!
TO MARK THE OCCASION
Fr Owen invites all who can, to join him for an hour of “Lectio Divina" - a study of the scriptures, taking St Matthew’s Gospel, reading passages and then reflecting on what we have read, and sharing our understanding, our individual interpretation and reflection, of what that particular sentence, phrase or word might mean for us and is saying to us.
Join Fr Owen with “LECTIO DIVINA” this Sunday, January, 26th in the Kavanagh Room from 3 pm - 4 pm.
THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
this year for “CONSECRATED LIFE” is on Sunday, February 2nd. Pre prepared Bidding Prayers have been sent to us so the designated person to write our Bidding Prayers for Sunday 2nd is now not required to do so.
ECO CHURCH!
Do you know what that means? Are we an ECO CHURCH? If not, what can we do to lead us towards that achievement. It is our hope that during 2020 our church might become more ecologically friendly and to this end we are asking all parishioners how we might achieve this.
A box has been paced in the cloister and during the month of January we are asking for ideas that we can discuss at our Parish Pastoral Council meetings to help us achieve this aim. A small group has been established to meet with other churches in the town in the hope that we can learn from them and move forward.
More details will be included in our newsletters in the coming weeks and we look forward to receiving as many suggestions as possible.
WORDS OF WISDOM FROM POPE FRANCIS…
Mass is the highest form of prayer and not an appropriate moment for small talk. At church, Catholics should spend their time in silence before Mass, preparing "to meet with Jesus" instead of engaging in "chitchat”. Silence is so important. We are not going to a show. Silence prepares us and accompanies us. Reflecting on the Eucharist is a form of prayer. Eucharist is the highest, the most sublime and, at the same time, the most concrete way of encountering God's love. This is the greatest grace: to experience that the Eucharist is the privileged moment to be with Jesus and, through Him, with God and with our brothers and sisters. In the Gospels Jesus teaches His disciples that the first thing needed to pray is to know how to say 'father' and to trust in God with the humility of a child. Christians also must allow themselves to be surprised by the living encounter with the Lord and not simply talk to God like a parrot, repeating the words of prayers without thinking. The encounter with God is a living encounter. It is not an encounter of a museum, it is a living encounter. And we go to Mass, not a museum! We go to a living encounter with the Lord. The Mass is also a gift and a consolation where Christians discover that God's greatest surprise is that he loves us even in our weakness. The Lord encounters our frailty. This is the environment of the Eucharist. This is prayer. (Taken from Pope Francis General Audience November 2017)
VICTORY PRIZE DRAW:
It’s that time of year again for those members who pay their annual subscriptions by cash to renew them. Please pay Keith Shiers or any other member of the Knights or put in an envelope clearly marked Victory Prize Draw and your name and give to Fr Owen. If you wish to join the draw forms are available in the cloister by the Knights notice board. Prizes each month are £70, £30 and £20. All profits goes to help train future clergy and local charities.
LETTER FROM ST PAUL’S SCHOOL - OUR DEANERY SECONDARY SCHOOL
Dear Parishioner
Many of you will have strong connections with St Paul’s Catholic School either as a current parent, past parent or even as a student there yourselves. You will therefore know that the school is steeped in Catholic history with strong foundations for supporting and growing the Catholic faith in young people thus supporting the church and families. We welcome students from all faiths and these students become part of who we are because of what we do here in school. Our mission statement talks of an inclusive community where all are valued and where there will be a living liturgy.
Our faith life has enriched many students over the years and continues to do so. Many of you will have spent time in the chapel both in liturgies and masses as well as when you might have needed some quiet time to think, pray and reflect. The chapel sits where it always has and is in need of a full refurbishment, for a place so important to us all it is fitting that we spend some money on it. We had lovely plans for a new chapel under phase 2 of the building works, sadly the funding was withdrawn therefore the school lost out on not only a new chapel but lots of new classroom accommodation. Many of you will have been in our new building which is beautiful, light and airy and very much feels like the heart of the school. It is therefore fitting I feel that the chapel moves to this building in order to make it a place of great importance and accessibility. There is a space I can use and if you imagine light, beautiful colours and stained glass windows you will know that is a far cry away from our current chapel.
Another aspect of the school that we are very proud of is our pastoral care. Students always have someone to talk to at St Paul’s but private space is sadly lacking. With all the pressures of examinations and modern society it is all the more important that we offer genuine care guidance and support for all our students and staff. My plan would be to convert the chapel into pastoral support space where this support can be given and give the current pastoral support space back to chaplaincy in order that they can function properly and also form them to do the restorative work they are so good at.
So now my reasons for telling you all this. The entire project is projected to cost £20,000, a lot of money I know and not a sum of money I can find in my budget, you will no doubt be aware of the state of school budgets. If I am to make this dream a reality, I am asking for help. To have a chapel and chaplaincy and pastoral support space that our parishes helped to build would say a lot about our commitment to Catholic education and our young people and the strength of support the school gets from its parishes. These buildings will last long into the future and will have a lasting impact of the lives of many young people. The buildings will stand as a true testament of the love in which they are constructed and of course would be dedicated to the parishes and people that helped to build them. It may also be that you know people who may not be in your parish but who you feel would still love to help. Please feel free to spread the word!
CUBE THIS MONTH:
The dates for Sunday nights are as follows.
As a rule we meet the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month 6:30 - 8.00 pm and not every other Sunday as that balances with other groups in the town and takes into account 5th Sundays etc. 26th January, 9th February, 23rd February, 8th March, 22nd March.
The group is for all secondary school age young people. We'll be doing a series this term called 'Blurred Lines' looking at difficult issues like alcohol and drug use, fast fashion, relationships, gender and sexuality and many others where there are different perspectives that Christians across the world hold, we'll be exploring those together so prepare for some interesting conversations!
We also re-launch our Wednesday evening group 5:30 - 7.00 pm including dinner weekly on January 22nd. This is for years 7 - 9 and it's a group that doesn't have a Christian focus though many of our volunteers are Christians and conversations about faith happen naturally. The group will eat first and then there will be a theme of the week, for example Black History Month, Anti-Bullying Week or National Pizza Appreciation Day. The intention is to explore more than what Schools can, to engage with topics they're already thinking about and some that they're not and to have fun whilst we do it. All are welcome, the poster is on our facebook and instagram @thecubeyouth so please circulate to friends, work colleagues and family.
YOUR HELP IS REQUIRED:
For unforeseen reasons a number of our Church Cleaners have had to stand down from out Cleaning Rota. We need approximately 6 willing volunteers to take their place on the Church Cleaning Rota. We are all so very pleased, and proud of the cleanliness of our Church. It is imperative that this standard is maintained. So Come on now. Offer to go on the Cleaning Rota - the more, the better; the more, the less frequent your name will appear on the rota. So willing volunteers, please see Celia Wilson or Fr Owen. Thank you.
THE ROSMINI CENTRE HOUSE OF PRAYER PROGRAMME FOR 2020:
The Rosmini Centre is sited at 433 Fosse Way, Ratcliffe- on-the-Wreake, Leicester, LE7 4SJ - off the A46 on the entrance approximately 1/2 mile past that to Ratcliffe College. It is owned and run by the Rosminian Fathers as a junior seminary, and a centre for Prayer, Retreats, Spiritual direction, opportunities for Confession etc. etc. Please contact Fr Tobin IC at the address above for further information. The Centre has now published its 2020 programme of Spirituality and Celebrations for 2020. It provides something for everybody. See programme 2020 on our notice board for your information and action.
NOTTINGHAM DIOCESE SPIRITUALITY NETWORK
Year of The Word - Days of Prayer:
Encounter Jesus and be Missionary Disciples through St Matthew's Gospel - day begins at 10.00 am (refreshments from 9.30 am) and ends with Liturgy at 3.00 pm.
19 February 2020 - St Mary's, Boston Lincolnshire, PE21 9BU16 May 2020 - St Hugh's, Lincoln, LN2 5AQ16 May 2020 - St Joseph's, Matlock, DE4 3NG10 October 2020 - Our Lady and St Thomas, Ilkeston, DE7 5RF
For further details contact:
Ann Neale - ann@perkeo.co.uk - 07730 956156Mary Robinson - chris.and.mary@talktalk.net - 07443 841223
Tea and coffee provided - bring a packed lunch.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Fr Owen hopes to have Our own Parish Day for a greater understanding and appreciation of “THE WORD” sometime during Lent, focusing on St Matthew’s Gospel. More information over the coming weeks.
MARKET HARBOROUGH STREET PASTORS
invite you to our:
COFFEE MORNING at the Market Harborough Theatre on Saturday, 8 February 2020 from 9.00 am.
Bric-a-Brac and Book Stalls.
LEICESTER THEOLOGICAL SOCIETY:
programme for 2019 - 2020, It’s only human to talk of God….. At the Holy Cross Centre, Wellington Street, Leicester, LE1 6HW. Lectures are followed by discussion and refreshments. February 14th and March 13th. Annual Subscription £15; One Lecture £5, students free. For more information and to see topics of the lectures see notice board in Cloister or visit www.leicestertheologicalsociety.org.uk or on Facebook Leicester Theological Society.
WANTED: WANTED:
Your foreign coins and used or unused stamps - all can be sorted and valued, with profits to our Bazaar fund.
See Fr Owen or Mick Crook for further information.
DATA PROTECTION:
All data is stored securely on computer and access is limited to the Parish Priest and a small number of people authorised by the priest, to assist with parish administration. The Diocese remains the sole Data Controller (i.e. has responsibility for the use and control of this data), even where processing is carried out by parishes. The Diocesan Policy can be found at http://www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/data-protection-policy
WHO SHOULD REGISTER?
All who are associated with the Parish in any way are invited to register. When completing the form please use BLOCK CAPITALS and complete all relevant boxes. If there is not enough room on the form for any information please use the reverse. Thank you for your co-operation.
FAIR TRADE:
Market Harborough Fairtrade Town are promoting a bag of Rice can change a life in September and October. If they can sell NINETY one-kilogram bags of Kilombero rice then: ONE Malawian rice farmer can afford to send ONE of his/her children to secondary school for ONE year. Kilombero rice £2.99 will be available from The Oxfam Shop, The Growing Tree in Manor Walk, Anita Beer 07910 073436.
RELAXING SCRABBLE
tea and a chat, every Tuesday 2.30 pm in Octagonal Hall. All welcome, If anyone has a Scrabble game they don’t use please donate to the group. Thank you.
STEP BY STEP:
A new group for former carers. Supporting carers whose caring role has come to an end, helping them to rebuild their lives, explore new hobbies, coping strategies make new friends etc. Every 4th Wednesday of the month. More information call Jackie or Gurjit on 0845 689 9510.
WE NEED THEM!
Yes, don’t forget to bring along your used postage stamps and foreign or old coins. We can use them. Just pop them into the box marked for that purpose in the cloister.
HAVE YOU BEEN AWAY? WANT TO CATCH UP ON PARISH NEWS?
If you have been away and want to catch up on what's been happening in the parish you can now read the Parish Newsletters for the previous four weeks. Click the "Newsletters" button at the top of this page. You can also download a copy of this week's Newsletter.
JUBILEE FOODBANK:
We are grateful for your generous support and would ask you to continue with your donations please. The following items are urgently required:
· Fruit Juice· Tinned Sponge Puddings· Tinned Meat Pies· Tinned Meat
All non perishable donations will be appreciated. There is also an urgent need for more volunteers to help at the Foodbank. Those interested can leave their details at the Congregational Church Office on 01858 462376 or via email at jubileefoodbankmh@gmail.com
ACTIVE GROUP FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA:
Great news for Market Harborough. In addition to the Carers Support Group there will now be an Activity Group for people with Dementia. We are looking for people who would like to volunteer for the Activity Group on a Friday morning from 9.30 am - 12.30 pm. You will be involved in welcoming people with dementia and their carers and helping people with dementia to take part in a variety of discussions and activities. Please contact Alison Chaplin of Alzheimer's Society on 0116 231 1111
THE THIRD WORLD GROUP
sell clothes on e-bay to raise funds for their charities. Last year, thanks to your very generous donations, we raised £1,000 in this way. Life is busy and we have had very few donations recently. This is a gentle reminder that we still use this method to fundraise and are most grateful for your donations. When the weather breaks and you get out your winter wardrobe please remember us. Clothes can be left in our box in the cloisters. Thank you.
GOING INTO HOSPITAL FOR ANY REASON!
If so please ask your family, or if you are well enough to do so yourself, to let the Catholic Chaplain know that you are there. Otherwise you will not have a visit from the Catholic Chaplaincy or be able to receive Holy Communion. Under the Data Protection Act, the hospital staff can no longer reveal to any chaplain, or to anybody else enquiring, the religion of any patient in their care. The same applies to Residential Homes and other places of care. The onus is now on the patient or their family to inform the Chaplain.
COMMUNITY COMPANIONS - Supporting Older People back into the heart of their communities:
Voluntary Action South Leicestershire (VASL) has been offering a befriending service in the Harborough District for over 14 years and are keen to recruit more volunteers who could visit an older person for 1 - 2 hours a week. Training and ongoing support are given, and travel costs are covered. If you could volunteer, or you would like a befriender to visit you, please contact Rohini Corfield (Community Champions Project Manager) or Jenny Young on 01858 439262. More information is available at www.VASL.org.uk/our-projects/community-champions
MOTHERS PRAYER MEETING
every Thursday in the Parish room from 11.00 - 11.30 am. All are welcome including dads who wish to meet to pray for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
SUPPORT FOR CARERS:
The Market Harborough Carers Support Group facilitated by Alison Chaplin meets on the first Friday of every month at 10am at the Coffee Lounge of the Methodist Church on Northampton Road. This group gives carers an invaluable opportunity to share some of their experience of caring for a loved one with dementia. There is also an opportunity to hear about the latest news from Alzheimer’s Society and to look at books and leaflets about dementia, including many written from a Christian perspective. If you or anyone you know is in a caring situation, do let them know about the group. Contact Alison on 0116 031 1111 (alison.chaplin@alzheimers.or.uk). Or just turn up on the day and Alison will be thee to welcome you.
Alzheimer’s Society is also looking for volunteer befrienders in Market Harborough and area. The volunteer befriender enables a person with dementia to participate in an activity they would like to do in the community - perhaps going out for a cup of tea, shopping, going for a walk, doing a sport or taking a class. The befriender needs to be available for a session of up to 4 hours a week between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm Mondays to Fridays. It is useful to be able to drive too. Volunteers will receive induction and ongoing training and support from the Befriending Manager. If you would like to hear more, please contact Alison as above.
BOWER HOUSE:
The Bower House Christian Counselling Service offers counselling and help to people of the local community. We are open from 9 am to 9 pm and need Support Worker volunteers to offer hospitality within the house as well as some admin. such as answering the phone and taking referrals. We have a lovely band of volunteers but could do with more help. How will you be spending your time this autumn and winter? Could you offer a three hours slot once a week or once a fortnight? If you are interested please ring Jadz Bower, Chris Hodgson or Jeanette Payne on 01858 469257 or drop in to see us between 9 am and 5 pm.
TORCH BOOK GROUP:
The Torch Book Club requires sighted people to be part of their group. They meet at the Congregational Church room on 1st Friday of the month from 2 pm - 4 pm. Book of the month ‘Faith like Potatoes’. If you are interested in becoming a member or would like to find out more please contact Angela Butlin 01858 467419.
AFRICAN CHURCH NEEDS ROSARY BEADS:
The developing Church in Africa is in need of Rosary Beads. If you have a surplus Rosary, or part of a Rosary, beads, or crosses and centre pieces surplus to requirement, please hand them to Vanessa, Lisa or Fr Owen.
USED CLOTHES FOR THE THIRD WORLD:
Just a reminder that the Third World Group eBay’s clothes in order to raise funds, so if you have been sorting out you wardrobes after incorporating all the Christmas newbie’s please pass your cast-off’s onto us. We do get money for rags, so everything is most welcome. Please mark bags clearly with “For 3rd World”. Thank you for your continuing support.
THE LIFE GROUP:
wish to thank each and everyone for their gifts to the “LIFE SHOP”. When bringing in goods for the LIFE SHOP, can they be clearly marked with “LIFE” on the outside of the plastic bag. Small items of furniture will also be welcome, but please contact the Life Shop direct for collection. Please DO NOT place small furniture in the Cloister for collection.
INTERPRETING THE LAW:
Our Diocesan advisors have informed us that legacies left in wills, directly to the parish, should really be directed to the registered charity. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham is the registered charity. The advice given, is to encourage parishioners contemplating leaving a legacy via their will to their parish, and to make sure the parish will be the beneficiary , is to direct the legacy to the Registered Charity - the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham with strict instruction that it is (in our case) for the parish of Our Lady of Victories, Market Harborough.
VOLUNTEERS FOR TORCH:
Torch Trust is an international Christian Mission that aims to help people with sightless to discover faith in Christ and live fulfilling Christian lives. They are continually developing their service for blind and partially sighted people and as a result the volunteer needs are also changing. Perhaps you know someone who has recently retired and is looking to use their gifts and skills, honed in the workplace, in a new avenue. Or perhaps you know someone who has been long termed unemployed, volunteering can help to raise self esteem and build new skills that can go on the CV with a view of getting back into work.
Further information on what volunteering roles are available can be found on the poster on the notice board.
"The Lord's Day" -
Weekly Newsletter of the Watermead Apostolate: http://www.watermead-apostolate.com/lords_day.html
NEWS ITEMS FOR THE WEBSITE:
This webpage is updated from the Weekly Newsletter. Sometimes due to shortage of space it is not possible to include everything in the weekly Parish Newsletter. If you would like an item published on the website please email any items to newsletter@olvic.com
We can only publish items which meet the criteria for inclusion in the weekly Parish Newsletter.