Our Lady of Victories News
TIMES AND SERVICES FOR CHRISTMAS:
Saturday / Sunday 21st / 22nd - as normal
Monday 23rd - as normal
Tuesday 24th Christmas Eve No Morning Mass
6.30 pm First Mass of Christmas
9.30 pm Carol Service
10.00 pm Mass (Replacing Mass at Midnight)
Wednesday: Christmas Day 8.30 am Mass at Husbands Bosworth
10.00am Mass
Thursday 26th 10.00 am Mass
Friday 27th 10.00 am Mass
Saturday 28th No morning Mass in Church
Mass at HMP Gartree (not open to the public)
Saturday / Sunday 29th / 30th as normal
THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:
Saturday 14th: 11.00 am - 11.30am and 5.30 pm - 6.00 pm
Sunday 15th: 6.00 pm - 6.30 pm
Monday16th: 11.00 am at St Joseph’s School for Children Only
7.00 pm - 7.30 pm (in Church)
Wednesday 18th: 11.00 am at St Joseph’s School for Children Only
7.00 pm - 7.30 pm (in Church)
Thursday 19th: 10.30 am - 11.00 am
Friday 20th: 7.30 pm - 8.00 pm
Saturday 21st: 11.00 am - 11.30am and 5.30 pm - 6.00 pm
Sunday 22nd: 11.00 am - 11.30 am
Monday 23rd: 10.30 am - 11.00 am and 7.00 pm - 7.30 pm
Tuesday Christmas Eve: 10.00 am - 11.00 am
PLEASE NOTE
that the pre arranged meeting for the parents of children being prepared for Confirmation has had to be postponed. You will be informed of the new date in good time.
OUR PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
will meet this Monday evening, December 9th, at 7.30 pm in the Kavanagh Room. A guest speaker will speak to us on “EDO CHURCH” - What we can do.
AN OPEN INVITATION TO ALL OUR PARISHIONERS:
St Joseph’s School are having a Carol Service in our Church this coming Wednesday especially for the Parish. I hope and expect a great turnout and attendance from our parishioners. All parents who might be picking their children up from school are expected to be there. All other parishioners, who possibly can, must be there. - See you there.
FLOWER COLLECTION:
Next Weekend after ALL Masses, there will be a voluntary retiring collection for FLOWERS to decorate the Church for Christmas and beyond. I know you will give with your customary generosity.
BUY YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDS
from our well stocked and real Christmas Cards from our Repository. Also many, many religious items for the children and all the family. “KEEP CHRIST IN YOUR HOME AND IN YOUR FAMILY LIFE.”
HARBOROUGH BAND CONCERT
Our Lady of Victories Church, Market Harborough. present a
Christmas Concert
with guest Soloists Tracey Holderness and Graham Vick
St Joseph’s School Choir.
Saturday 14th December 2019 at 7.45 pm.
Tickets: £10.00 Available from Church and Band Members and Mistry’s Pharmacy
WILL YOU BE ON YOUR OWN ON CHRISTMAS DAY?
You needn’t be! On Christmas Day, Welland Valley Rotary Club are hosting “Christmas Together” at the Jubilee Hall, Bowden Lane, Market Harborough. This event is for anyone who would otherwise be spending the day alone. Come and enjoy a 3 - course traditional lunch and lots of festive entertainment for just £5. This can include local transportation if needed. Places are still available! For more information and to book a place please contact Gabby before 14th December. Tel: 07973 122100 or Email: gabbyb@tiscali.co.uk
MARKET HARBOROUGH HELPING REFUGEES:
WE NEED your clean, warm, men’s and women’s coats for people living without shelter. WINTER is here. PM Market Harborough Helping Refugees, or Emma Horspool, or drop in at St Dionysius Church, Market Harborough.
SETTLEMENT SCHEME FOR EU CITIZENS:
As the majority of European citizens in the UK are Catholics this remains a particular pastoral concern. Over two million people have now applied to the scheme, but there are still significant numbers who have not and are therefore at risk of losing their right to stay in the UK after Brexit. Many are still not aware that they need to apply; particularly, but not only, amongst the elderly, more vulnerable people and those who have been living in the UK for a long time. Please continue to raise awareness about the scheme in your parish newsletters and signpost vulnerable people to the appropriate support which can be found via: gov.uk/help-eu-settlement-scheme or eurights.uk
DOCUMENTARY – OUTSIDE THE CITY – MOUNT ST. BERNARD ABBEY:
You will have already received information by email from Diane Williams, at Adult Formation, concerning: ‘Outside the City’ – the new documentary film about the community at Mount St Bernard Abbey. This December it will be released in independent Arts Cinemas around the country.
I have given my official support to this important new documentary film, and will be going to the screening at the Broadway Cinema, Nottingham, on Monday 16th December. Given the strong links of our diocese with the community at Mount St Bernard Abbey, I would encourage you to take time to see this documentary film, and also to promote it within your parishes and chaplaincies.
The Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nRNM-2RyFk&t=15s
For more information visit: http://www.outsidethecityfilm.com
‘Outside the City’ will screen in December at the following Cinemas within our diocese:
Nottingham: Broadway Cinema, 16th December at 6.15 pm https://www.broadway.org.uk/whats-on/outside-city-qa
Leicester:
Phoenix Cinema between 6th - 12th December: https://www.phoenix.org.uk/programme/outside-the-city/
Melton Mowbray:
The Regal Cinema, 10th December at 5pm: http://www.regalcinemamelton.com
Coalville:
The Century Theatre, 1st December at 2pm: https://www.centurytheatre.co.uk
Lincoln:
The Venue Cinema, 8th January at 7.30pm: https://www.thevenuelincoln.co.uk
GLOBAL CARING:
Following last year’s free film resource ‘Global Healing’ the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has commissioned a new film entitled ‘Global Caring: Living in harmony with God’s Creation’. ‘Global Caring’ works as a stand-alone or companion volume to ‘Global Healing’ and is intended to introduce parish groups and individuals to Pope Francis’ teaching in Laudato Si.
Produced by Catholic Faith Exploration (CaFE), this TV-quality film was filmed around the UK and features Dr. Carmody Grey, Assistant Professor of Catholic Theology, at Durham University. Each session creatively and practically helps people of all ages to respond to Pope Francis’ plea to hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. ‘Global Caring’ is a free downloadable resource (DVDs are available for a small charge) with online leaders’ notes, posters, discussion questions and a trailer – ideal for parishes, schools, and individuals. To watch the films and to find out more, visit: https://www.ourcommonhome.co.uk
REVISED VERSION REGARDING THE DEATH PENALTY:
On the 1st August 2018, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith made public the Rescriptum “ex audientia SSmi” which announced the approval, by Pope Francis, of the revised version of article No. 2267, of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, regarding the death penalty.
Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good.
Today, however, there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state. Lastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption.
#Consequently, the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person”, and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.
Future editions of the Catechism of the Catholic Church will now contain this revision of No. 2267, including, as well, this new footnote for it, which replaces the previous text.
KEY ISSUES TO GUIDE OUR VOTING IN THE FORTHCOMING ELECTION:
Recommended by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales: The Catholic Bishops’ of England and Wales have issued a statement on the forthcoming General Election having returned from their November 2019 Plenary meeting in Leeds. The statement concentrates on the key issues – not parties or manifestos – offering a series of points that can be put to candidates prior to voting. The Bishops highlight the duty of all citizens – not just Catholics – to help shape politics that are “rooted in the service of human rights and peace”. The innate human dignity of all – particularly the vulnerable and those on the margins – lies at the heart of the statement as the Bishops encourage everyone to “engage with the election and vote.” In making judgments about how to vote, the Bishops ask that the following are carefully considered and, indeed candidates can be asked how they will uphold:
1. The innate dignity of every human being; defending both the child in the womb, the good of the
mother and an understanding of the immeasurable good of a child not yet born?
2. The dignified care for those who are terminally ill and dying while resisting the false compassion of
assisted suicide or euthanasia?
3. The needs of those who are frequently neglected or discarded by society such as people with disabili -
ties, Travellers, older people, those who are homeless, those in prison and those trapped in modern
slavery?
4. The process of integration of migrants and refugees who have made their homes here, challenging
the global rise of xenophobia and racism that is so radically incompatible with our faith
5. The rights of those in our own communities and overseas who “can see no end to the tunnel of
extreme poverty,” providing them with assistance and confronting the structural injustices that com
pound their suffering?
6. Care for our common home and tackle the climate emergency which threatens the future of our entire
human family and is already having a profound impact upon the world’s poorest people.
7. Freedom of religion and belief, ensuring that everyone has the right to exercise their conscience and
practise their creed freely without fear?
8. The cherishing of marriage, recognising the essential place of the family in the service of life and of
society?
9. The right of parents to educate their children in accordance with their faith and support the work
of Catholic schools in their contribution to society and their promotion of the common good?
COUNTERS ROTA:
The new Counters Rotas are now ready for collection from the Cloister table.
READERS' ROTA 2020:
We shall be drawing up next year's rota for Readers in the next week or two. Please inform Fr Owen or Margaret Atkins (Tel: 01858 446369 or margaretatkins52@gmail.com) if you would like to become a reader at mass, starting January, 2020. Also please notify us if you need to withdraw from the list.
THE ANNUAL OXMAS LUNCH:
The annual OXMAS LUNCH is being held at the Harborough Theatre on Saturday December 14th. There’ll be coffee and cake from 9 am, and delicious home-made soup and freshly baked bread donated by Wesses Bakery served from soon after 11am. And, as usual, there will be a range of enticing stalls. The town’s Oxfam Group have so far this year raised over £4250, so they are hoping the Oxfam lunch will contribute to making it a bumper fundraising year for people who desperately need our help around the world.
SILENT DISCO:
Years 7 - 9 are invited to a Christmas Party, at the CUBE on Wednesday 11th December. 5.30 pm - 7.30 pm. There is No Dress Code. Food and Drink are provided. Entry is free, however, donations welcome.
YEAR OF THE WORD 2020:
Bishop Patrick writes on the Year of the Word 2020:
I would encourage you to engage generously in this 'Year of the Word' initiative of the Bishops Conference of England & Wales in partnership with Bible Society.
The 3 themes of; Celebrating God's Word (Encounter), Living God's Word (Discipleship) and Sharing God's Word (Missionary Discipleship) weave beautifully and easily into our own 3 Diocesan themes. So may it be a blessed year for our diocese!
PRISON FELLOWSHIP ANGEL TREE:
The local Prison Fellowship group will be running the Angel Tree project this year at HMP Gartree and Wayland Prison and would like your help
The purpose of this project is to purchase Christmas presents for children of some of the prisoners. The gifts will be sent to the children as from their dads. The value of each gift will be approx £15. The aim is to alleviate some of the sadness experienced by the prisoners and their families at Christmas time. Angel Tree provides a crucial link between innocent children and their imprisoned father. If you would like to help with this project, either with a donation or a suitable gift you will be given a gift tag with the first name, age and gender of the child. Please wrap the gift in Christmas paper with a note on the outside what the present is, a hand written gift tag from their dad will be attached to make it extra special.
All presents will be posted so please keep them light.
Thank you for your kindness this is very much appreciated by the prisoners, their families, staff and the chaplaincy. Please contact Maureen Douglas 07966 515115. Thank you.
OUR DIARY:
Saturday 7th December - 10 am - 2 pm - Child’s birthday party in Hall
Sunday 8th December - 3 pm - Catenian carol Service at Husbands Bosworth
Monday 9th December - 7.30 pm - Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
Wednesday11th December - 2 pm - Parish Carol Service by St Joseph’s School in Church
Saturday 14th December - Market Harborough Brass Band Concert in Church
Sunday 15th December - 12 noon - Baptism
- NA Christmas Party in all Hall Rooms
- pm Carol Service at the Prison (by invitation)
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. Oct 11th; Nov 8th; Dec 13th; Jan 10th; Feb 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.
THE NEW DATA PROTECTION ACT:
A registration form to comply with the new Data protection Act has now been prepared for our parish, approved by the Diocese and accepted by our Parish Pastoral Council. Beginning in January every family in our Parish, or attached to our parish, will be invited to fill in a registration form.
THE PURPOSE OF REGISTRATION:
The purpose of storing this data is to assist in the administration of the parish. The information also helps the priest in his pastoral role, e.g. at times of bereavement or family emergencies.
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.