Our Lady of Victories News
FR CHRIS WRITES
Dear All,
This blessed season of Lent continues with the good news of a plan to open up society again. We pray that this will go successfully. Our school will fully reopen on 8th March. Please pray for them
As a Parish we will be doing Stations of the Cross before Friday Mass at 9.30 am and also some zoom sessions on the Pope’s letter on Holiness (see below).
Please remember the following:
You should not turn up for Mass if you feel unwell particularly if you experience a new persistent cough, a high temperature, or a change in your sense of smell or taste.
All must enter the Church through the through the Fairfield Road doorPlease come in good time so we do not have large gatherings.Please sit where you are shown by the stewards for safety reasons. You can no longer choose which side.Our Lady’s side to leave by the Coventry Road door and Sacred Heart side from Fairfield Road.Please do not stop and linger near the doors as this is unsafe and causes a hold up for people leaving.Please do not mix with people outside your bubble.Remember to always keep your 2m distance and remember there is no rush to leave Church.
We will continue to review Mass in the light of our local situation.
Confessions is a difficult one at the moment! But I will be available as always on Saturday at 11.00 am.
God Bless you all and especially all who are isolating and unable to come to Church.
Those of you with internet please print off a copy of the Newsletter for Parishioners who do not have the internet. Paper copies are available at church.
May God bless you all.
Fr Chris
NB ESSENTIAL:
It is absolutely essential to pre book your intention of coming to Mass. Unless you have previously booked, and all places are filled to our limited capacity, it will not be possible or permissible for us to let you in. It goes without saying that this disappoints and hurts us as much as it does you, and especially so the stewards who have the responsibility to implement the very strict rules and regulations imposed on us by Government Law, together with our Church Compliance and implementing of those laws. Also please note that nobody should, or can enter the Church for Mass without being greeted and taken to a seat by one of the stewards.
Who do I contact to reserve a place?
TO PRE-BOOK TO COME TO MASS ON SATURDAY EVENING AND SUNDAY MORNING:
For those wishing to come to the 6.00 pm Mass on Saturday please ring Angela Wade on 01858 462293 between 5.00 pm and 7.00 pm on either Thursday or Friday ONLY.
For those wishing to come to the 9.00 am Mass on Sunday please ring Jo Shellard on 01858 440983 between 5.00 pm and 7.00 pm on either Thursday or Friday ONLY.
For those wishing to come to the 11.00 am Mass on Sunday please ring Stephen McGlone on 01858 465939 between 5.00 pm and 7.00 pm on either Thursday or Friday ONLY.
Please only ring on the above stated evenings and times.
Reminders
Don’t forget to bring and wear a Face Mask.
Please follow the stewards requests at all times.
Sanitise your hands on entering and leaving the Church.
Please remain seated or standing during Mass. Do not kneel.
Remember the Church must be cleaned and sanitised after every service.
Please remember also that all toilets WILL NOT be in use.
Your help and cooperation in everyway is required and expected.
You must book beforehand to come to Mass because of limited places.
Because we are observing the distance of a metre plus, face Masks must be worn by all from the moment you step inside the Church door, to the end of Mass when you step outside the Church door.
If you happen to forget to bring your mask, we have some disposable ones available for you to purchase at 60p. each. We would request that children of 12 years and upwards, wear a mask during Mass.
Both Church doors will be open.
After you have sanitised your hands, you will be taken to your seat by a steward. During Mass, you can remain seated or stand as you wish, but please do not kneel.
Whilst our car parks will be opened, you will have to walk around the outside to enter the Church. You will not be able to come through the Hall doors as you normally will have done.
Also please be aware that the toilets will not be in use.
With every good wish to you all, and God’s blessings to you and your loved ones.
Fr Chris
SOME LINKS FOR FOLLOWING MASS ONLINE
There is a good website: www.churchservices.tv with regular Masses from all over the country.
St Barnabas Cathedral will be live streaming Mass accessed at:
Also Walsingham is very popular at: https://www.walsingham.org.uk
Bishop Patrick tends to stream his Mass on Sundays via: www.youtube.com/channel/UCaf7upUMsn3Kl8GD79FotjQ/featured
(This can be found by searching for 'Bishop Patrick McKinney' on YouTube)
FOR OUR LITTLE CHURCH AGE GROUP AND YOUTH:
CAFOD also have Children's Liturgy activity resources on their website. Please see the link:
There is also https://video.ewtn.com/kids/ which has videos for children including Stations of the Cross.
Also St Mary's Parish and School Derby have a podcast channel - https://www.mixcloud.com/DerbyCatholic/ Sundays 9 am - Children's Liturgy.
Also check out our Youth Service NDCYS for their live streaming on you tube: https://ndcys.com
NDCYS (Nottingham Diocese Catholic Youth Service) have a "YouTube" Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP-_eQ-lNxAhDYRhy8KdP8Q
VARIOUS ONLINE RESOURCES FOR LENT AND OTHER TIMES:
“Walking with Christ on the Way of the Cross, in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic - Online Resource for Lent 2021.
The Stations of the Cross begins and ends in the beautiful Pugin Blessed Sacrament Chapel of the Cathedral of St Barnabas. As we journey together with hrist on the road towards Calvary, so we meditate and pray at different Stations along the way, where we hear short meditations and reflections from a number of students, filmed by them from wherever they are based during this time of the Pandemic. https://youtu.be/dQ09wqJcxX0
Accompanying Booklet: https://www.uoncatholiccommunity.com/prayer-resources
'God of Mercy and Compassion' - sung by Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, ...
Knowing Jesus Online Retreat — Daily Prayer and reflection led by the Ignatian Spirituality Centre, option for group discussion: Retreat Information: https://www.onlineprayer.net/
Christian Heritage Centre — The Christian Heritage Centre, based in Stonyhurst, have a range of courses, talks and conferences aimed at: young adults, healthcare professionals, parishioners and more: CHC Events. https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/
Lenten Retreat on Hope — The Dominican Sisters of St Joseph will lead a weekly 45min talk on how we can find hope by looking at a different biblical character every week in Lent.
Register here: Finding Hope: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtc-2grjkiGtU8vPFJea2ktvR5U0MZ1mrL
FR CHRIS: THOUGHTS ON THE READINGS:
My thoughts today about our readings today seem to be a bit troubled as the story of the sacrifice of Isaac always brings me up short. Why should God ask such a thing? It raises all sort of questions from a merely human point of view. We can say that it was a test of trust for Abraham and Isaac (who was probably a strong young man at this time) and as the letter to the Hebrews indicates that Abraham had faith in the power of God even to raise the dead. Indeed I think his faith and trust in God is indicted by his answer to Isaacs’s question about the offering by saying the Lord would provide the offering (missed out in the lectionary). It certainly is a passage that bears a lifetime of reflection. Certain, too is the ultimate point of teaching for the Jewish nation that God wants no such thing as human sacrifice ever and that at the end of the trial Abraham knew that much better. That is encouraging for us if we go through trials that test us, that we cannot understand with a trust in God. We will know him better through them – a step at a time. Trust is a key virtue in our Christian life. God is God.
But the story, seen in the light of the whole of Scripture, is a type of Christ. The mountain is that of Jerusalem, Isaac carried his own wood and is a willing victim carrying his own cross, as it were, offered by his father and the words of Abraham a prophesy that God himself would provide the means of reconciling himself and humanity in giving his one and only Son. The truth about God is totally opposite to what we would think. Our redemption is first and foremost something that comes from God. It is in these term that we must understand the sacrifice of Christ which in no way indicates a God who needs appeasing through a sacrificial offering. It is something far richer which unites justice and mercy in the mystery of the cross. God himself provides the sacrificial offering of reconciliation, but we are invited to participate or share in.
Abraham and Isaac are asked a question that we are asked as well: “Are you willing to participate in the kind of self-sacrificial love that I, the Holy Trinity, will have to demonstrate in order to save mankind?” Abraham and Isaac respond: “We are,” and confirm it by their actions. So must we live the same sacrificial love of God in all that we do and say. We must die to ourselves to rise with Christ. Jesus gives us the model of how to live such a life in his own life, death and resurrection and in living it for us, in being the one to bear the wood of the cross (all the burdens we must carry). Thus we can follow and imitate him by being one with him.
Sometimes we may feel that God is asking too much of us. Like Abraham we must trust and simply say God will provide through Christ. The prayer so universal through the Divine Mercy devotion is key: Jesus I trust in you or the alternative: Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you. Five words or so but the key that unlocks all.
PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION:
I recommend that you pray this prayer every. morning.
A “Spiritual Communion” encouraged when we are unable to receive Holy Communion Sacramentally. This prayer was composed by St Alphonsus Liguori:
My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since this moment I cannot receive you sacramentally, I embrace you as being already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
FR OWEN
is comfortable at Peaker Park. Please remember him in your prayers for which he is very grateful.
LENTEN SESSIONS ON DISCIPLESHIP AND HOLINESS:
One of our ongoing themes as a diocese is that of deepening our Discipleship of Christ. Indeed missionary discipleship. I thought a good help for that would be the wonderful letter of our Holy Father Pope Francis on “the Call to Holiness in today’s world” (Gaudete et Exultate) which is down to earth. I propose some prayerful sessions on Zoom to study the document or better put be inspired by it to discover how Our Lord is calling us to holiness as a disciple in our everyday life.
I propose each Wednesday at 7.00 pm to about 8.00 pm or so. Second session on the second Chapter) on Wednesday 3 March 2021: each one will be based around a Chapter of the Pope's exhortation. There will be a prayerful reflection and Discussion on each Chapter. Just underline those passages that stand out. The Document can be down loaded from http://w2.vatican.va under Pope Francis and Apostolic exhortations or click
Google will find it. There is an ebook too. If any need a printout I can do that too. Zoom link for the session is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86507671061?pwd=SEl5ci9vdTBLOTVOVjMwbjRWVDNZUT09 - Password Olvic I can email it to anyone who requests which is the easiest and safest way of doing it and also the document.
THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
Service (formerly known as Women’s World Day of Prayer) on the 5th March in this town has been postponed until a later date. For those who would still like to pray on the day of the World Day of Prayer or would like to follow a pre-recorded service on YouTube on the 5th March at 1 pm please contact Maureen Douglas 07966 515115 for a copy of the Order of Service in Standard, large print or braille. Thank you.
‘WALK WITH ME’ PRAYER BOOKLETS
have been produced for our Diocese by Alive Publishing. They cover Lent and Eastertide and help us to live these seasons of grace in a special way. They are a gift to all the Parishes to help us encounter Christ and live as his disciples more deeply this Lent.
Knowing Jesus Online Retreat — Daily Prayer and reflection led by the Ignatian Spirituality Centre, option for group discussion: Retreat Information: https://www.onlineprayer.net/
Christian Heritage Centre — The Christian Heritage Centre, based in Stonyhurst, have a range of courses, talks and conferences aimed at: young adults, healthcare professionals, parishioners and more: CHC Events. https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/
Lenten Retreat on Hope — The Dominican Sisters of St Joseph will lead a weekly 45min talk on how we can find hope by looking at a different biblical character every week in Lent. Register here: Finding Hope: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtc-2grjkiGtU8vPFJea2ktvR5U0MZ1mrL
REQUIESCANT IN PACE: (Anniversary 1st - 29th February)
James William Frederick Maidwell 1972; Vera Gwendoline Quinn 1988; Anna Bryan 1988;
Edward Arthur Baker 1988; Yvonne Maria Murray 1988; Mario Orlindo Daggaianti 1989;
John Patrick Hayden 1989; Edna Mary 1990; Eva Egie Ada Reedman 1991;
Brenda Gwendoline Parsons 1991; Thomas Samuel David Bower 1992;
Joseph Docherty Devine 1993; Adeline Bower 1993; Edna Mary Henry 1993;
Kathleen Helen James 1994; Kathleen Mary Teear 1994; Michael Philip Wilson 1994;
Herbert Henry Tomblin 1995; Omelan Luckyj 1995; Alice Henrietta Cross 1995;
Keith Sarjeant 1996; Alexander Kavanagh 1996; Dorothy Hayden 1996;
Evelyn Florence Robins 1996; Irene Maguire 1997; Mary Jane Connolly 1997;
Marie Josephine Roeber 1998; Maurice Denzel Jones 1998; John Philip Weldon 1998;
Dr Peter Charles Smith 1999; Clare Beard 1999; Jenny Kelly 1999;
Charles Denzel Gawler 2000; Patricia Charlotte Achurch 2002; Peter Frederick Crotty 2002;
Winifred Gertrude Welch 2002; Monica Margaret Heighton 2003; Margaret Ososki 2004;
Sheila Winifrid Smallman 2004; Kathleen Maud Loakes 2004; Helen Joanna Kennedy 2004;
Margaret Illson 2005; Teena Shiers 2005; Gary John Hillyard 2006;
Elizabeth Clare Hamer 2006; Nora Ziolkowski 2006; Mieczyslaw Czarnocki 2008;
Giovanna Domenica DiCicco 2008; Kay Riley 2008; Bridget Devine 2008;
Derek Fortnum 2008; Paul Bennett 2009; George Ernest Mayes 2009; Paul Davis 2010;
Jan Zemlok 2010; June Spence 2010; Vincent Melia 2011; Ewan James Bowen 2012;
Terence Stray 2012; Stuart Taylor 2012; Jean Mary Elizabeth Webb 2013;
Matilda Jane Gowing 2015; Nancy Lilian Burns 2015; Mikolaj Kociuba 2015;
John Joseph Darcy 2015; Wadealene Hamer 2016; Carol Denise Drew 2016;
William (Will) Brown 2018; Mary Marjorie Owens 2019; Mary Foley 2019;
Sheila Carrara2020; Franca Heathcote; Wladyslaw Fialkowski 2020;
John Robert McCreedy 2019; Archbishop Bagshawe (3rd Bishop of Nottingham) 1915;
Mgr John Hadican 1958; Mgr Edwin Henson 1961; Fr Francis Brennan 1962;
Canon Leo Arendzen 1963; Fr Finian O’Sullivan 1972; Fr Herbert Bowker 1981;
Fr Christopher O’Brien 1982; Fr Stephen Hodskinson 1989; Fr Albert Basil IC1990;
Fr Patrick Kelly SMA 1990; Fr William O’Dowd 1992; Bishop Cyril Restieaux 1996;
Fr Edward Carrick 2004; Canon Leo McReavy 2004; Fr William O’Neill 2005
‘Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.’
NOTTINGHAM 40 DAYS FOR LIFE 2021
is a peaceful and prayerful way to work for an end to abortion. In Nottingham Diocese, with the support of Bishop Patrick, we have prayed outside the abortion facility at the QMC during Lent for several years. Routine abortions no longer take place there so last year we prayed at the Stapleford Care Centre, which contains a BPAS abortion clinic, until the Covid lockdown meant that we could no longer pray outside the clinic. We completed the prayer campaign by praying at home.
During Lent from 17 February to 28 March, people in our Diocese are invited to pray and fast for an end to abortion. We planned to return to Stapleford but are currently prevented from doing so by lockdown (although the abortion clinic continues to see women). So, we plan to start our 2021 campaign online.
You are invited to peacefully pray for an hour or more during a 40-day vigil running for 12 hours daily during Lent. Please sign up now to pray with us at 40daysforlife.com/nottingham, or you can contact us at 40daysforlifenotts@gmail.com. Bishop Patrick will celebrate Mass for us on Thursday 11 February at the Cathedral at 7.00pm - if you live near Nottingham (and are not in a high-risk category) please do come. You can also follow the Mass online through the Cathedral website.
CAFOD LENT FAST DAY
Friday 26th February: This year’s appeal, entitled WALK FOR WATER, tells us about Abdella who lives in an extremely remote and mountainous, dry part of Ethiopia. It takes him ten hours a day to collect water. He says his life is being wasted as he has no time for anything else, and he is just one of many millions in the same situation. We urge everyone to go to www.cafod.org.uk/lent and play the video. It says more than words ever can.
During the weekend of 20/21 February, at all masses, we shall be telling the story of Abdella and his daily 10 hour walk in more detail and giving out CAFOD collection envelopes. Please make sure this week’s parish newsletter is distributed as widely as possible, either by taking extra copies from church or printing them from the website and delivering to anyone you know who is not currently able to come to church and does not use the internet. Please, also, next week, take CAFOD envelopes to those same people.
Other ways to donate are: Text LENT 10 to 70460 to give £10 (enough for sturdy water containers to store clean water safely). To give a different amount change the number, e.g to give £20 text LENT 20, and so on.
Donate online at www.cafod.org.uk/lent or by phone, 0303 303 3030. By post, send a cheque to Freepost Plus RSSA-CLBY-TAAE, CAFOD, Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, LONDON, SE1 7JB. And don’t forget, as always, if you are a taxpayer, please Gift Aid your donation to increase it by 25% with no extra cost to you. Any queries or to request an envelope please call Margaret Atkins, 01858 446369 or email margaretatkins52@gmail.com
TO OUR CATHOLIC UNIVERSE AND CATHOLIC TIMES READERS IN THE PARISH:-
At the moment you are unable to collect your paper at Mass, but you can get it delivered direct to your home every week, POST FREE. Please go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com or call them on 0161 820 5722 and they will arrange for you. SPECIAL OFFER 3 MONTHS :-£25.00; 12 Months:- £99.00 Or DIGITAL COPY:- 12 Months: £55.00.
PLEASE PRAY FOR FR KEVIN GRADWELL
my successor at Grantham, whose cancer has returned and who will be undergoing treatment in Hospital. The Parish will be without a Parish Priest for the moment. There is no obvious replacement which will mean more Parishes sharing one priest. This sadly is the future for us too in Leicestershire. Pray for young men to listen to the call of Our Lord!
CATHOLIC NEWS
in England and Wales Please see the Bishop’s website: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/news-and-media/news/
CAFOD LENT FAST DAY, Friday 26th February:
This year’s appeal, entitled WALK FOR WATER, tells us about Abdella who lives in an extremely remote and mountainous, dry part of Ethiopia. It takes him ten hours a day to collect water. He says his life is being wasted as he has no time for anything else, and he is just one of many millions in the same situation. We urge everyone to go to www.cafod.org.uk/lent and play the video. It says more than words ever can.
During the weekend of 20/21 February, at all masses, we shall be telling the story of Abdella and his daily 10 hour walk in more detail and giving out CAFOD collection envelopes. Please make sure this week’s parish newsletter is distributed as widely as possible, either by taking extra copies from church or printing them from the website and delivering to anyone you know who is not currently able to come to church and does not use the internet. Please, also, next week, take CAFOD envelopes to those same people.
Other ways to donate are: Text LENT 10 to 70460 to give £10 (enough for sturdy water containers to store clean water safely). To give a different amount change the number, e.g to give £20 text LENT 20, and so on.
Donate online at www.cafod.org.uk/lent or by phone, 0303 303 3030. By post, send a cheque to Freepost Plus RSSA-CLBY-TAAE, CAFOD, Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, LONDON, SE1 7JB. And don’t forget, as always, if you are a taxpayer, please Gift Aid your donation to increase it by 25% with no extra cost to you. Any queries or to request an envelope please call Margaret Atkins, 01858 446369 or email margaretatkins52@gmail.com
CARING FOR CREATION
An on line course in 5 sessions for discussion groups based on the booklet written by Brian Davis ‘ We are facing our greatest challenge ever: catastrophic climate breakdown. The cumulative damage we have done to the environment can only be undone by radical changes to our way of life.
You are invited to join this course which is open to anyone who is interested in environmental issues. Thursday evenings starting 25 February 2021. See attached flier for more information and how to sign up. Or speak to Canon Brian Davis revbdavis@aol.com 01858 431843 , 07907 650727 Priest in Charge of Gaulby Group of Churches Chair of Friends of Launde Abbey
GRAPEVINE 16 new edition:
Grapevine is the Diocesan Newsletter for Adult formation , Justice & Peace and Caritas in our diocese.
This week there are various bits of news and events.
Please click :
JUBILEE FOODBANK:
The Most Useful Foods Cartons of long life semi-skimmed milk, Tinned Meat, Tinned
Chicken, Instant Mash Potato sachets, Porridge Oats, 1 litre cartons of Fruit Juice, Sandwich Paste, Tinned Vegetables (potatoes, carrots, sweetcorn, peas), Soap.
The following supermarkets are still kindly collecting for us: Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, B&M an both Coops. Refill Revolution at the Eco Village is our newest donation point. Lidl is on board now too! Thank you to the supermarkets and the work of their teams!
We do not need: Beans, tinned tomatoes, tinned fish, soup, fizzy drinks, pasta & meatballs, pasta sauce, rice, cereal, tins or large/family size packets of
biscuits.
WANTED: WANTED:
Your foreign coins and used or unused stamps - all can be sorted and valued, with profits to our Bazaar fund.
See Fr Chris 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.
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
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 Chris.
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.