OUR PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCE

 

are offered to Victoria and Christopher Dunn, on the death of Victoria’s brother, Andrew. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

 

SPECIAL MASS TODAY:

 

During the 10.00 am Mass today, our children being prepared for their First Holy Communion, will be anointed with the “Oil of Gladness” to symbolise their specialness, their uniqueness, as God’s gift to their parents

 

HOPING TO HAVE YOUR CHILD BAPTISED!

 

The next pre Baptism course for parents requesting Baptism for their newborn baby or expected baby will be on Sunday 26th May in the Kavanagh Room at 11 am that is following the 10 am Mass. This preparation course is now required for all parents requesting Baptism. Please contact Fr Owen to register.

 

ANNUAL COFFEE MORNING:

 

Saturday 8th June, the Third World Group will be holding its annual Coffee Morning in the Harborough Theatre between 9.00 am and 11.30 am.  As well as the pleasure of your company on the day, we would also be most grateful to receive prizes for the raffle and tombola, which can be placed in our box under the table in the cloister, and items such as cakes, scones, jams, etc.  It would help our planning if you could let us know if you intending donating any of these latter items. You can contact Margaret at church, by phone 01858 446369 or email margaretatkins52@gmail.com.

 

EXPLORING OUR FAITH:

 

Please note that a brief meeting will be held after 6.30 pm Mass this Saturday (18th May ) to plan for the next six month session of our home discussion group.

 

THANK YOU:

 

Market Harborough Helping Refugees have expressed their thanks for supporting their recent appeal in Dunkirk.

 

LACY Working Group:

 

There will be a meeting of the LACY Working Group at St. Mary's, South Wigston, LE18 4PG on Wednesday 22nd May, 7.30 pm.  We will be looking at and finalising the upcoming events and the opportunity to share new thoughts and ideas for future celebrations with our young people. Any one interested in offering help and ideas with this group would be most welcome. Let us inspire our young people to share Faith and Fun together.  Would you like to be a LACY representative for your parish to assist in publicising and promoting the LACY activities?  We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 22nd May.  More information?  Contact Pauline at paulinepayne@hotmail.com.

 

JUBILEE FOODBANK:

 

In recent weeks there have been some erroneous reports in the local social media, to the effect that the Jubilee food bank may be forced to close. The organisers are keen to stress that this is most certainly not the case and they plan to remain open, as long as there is a need. However, there has been a lot of pressure on their resources in recent weeks. Items currently in short supply:

 

Small bags of sugar,

Jars of jam, marmalade, peanut butter, meat or fish paste.

Tinned minced beef and onion, stewed steak, curry, chilli con carne.

Tinned ham, spam, bacon grill.

Tinned veg, (carrots, green beans, Brussels sprouts)

Tins of ravioli and macaroni cheese

Tins of fruit, pots of fresh fruit.

Packets of instant custard, tins of custard, cartons of ready to use custard.

Tins of rice pudding.

 

A DAY WITH MARY:

 

At the Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham National Shrine of England on Sunday 2nd June 2019.  The day begins in the Basilica and concludes at the village of Walsingham.  Starting at 11.40 am with a Welcome at the Shrine by Mgr John Armitage and Crowning of Our Lady of Walsingham, Mass, Lunch Break - Please bring a packed lunch, Exposition and outside procession of the Blessed Sacrament, then to process from the Shrine along ‘Pilgrims Way’ to Friday Market, Walsingham praying the Luminous mysteries.  Finishing for 6.00 pm. 

 

THE POSSIBILITY OF A COACH

 

to the Priestly Ordination of Deacon John Owens and Deacon Liam Carpenter.  The Ordination to the Priesthood of Deacons John and Liam will be at our Cathedral Church in Nottingham on Saturday, July 6th at 11.30 am.  Our Bishop Patrick will be the Ordaining Bishop.  Deacon John is very much part of the parish ministry at the present, and Deacon Liam was with us for a month in January / February 2016.

 

At our recent Parish Pastoral Council meeting, the possibility of arranging a coach to the Cathedral was encouraged. A list, to find out how many might be interested, was posted in the notice board and before any publicity, 23 names have already been pinned to that list. So the indication, very much at this point is, that many would like to go and a coach would be appreciated.  SO PLEASE append your name to the list as soon as possible, if you would like to go. Obviously the numbers requesting to go, will determine the size and the cost of the coach.  We will probably be leaving here at 9.15 am and leaving Nottingham on our return at 3 pm.  Please don’t put your name on the list, unless you definitely intend going.  Otherwise you might deprive somebody else of the opportunity and also effect the costs involved.  The Parish Council have also agreed to the purchase and presentation of a Chalice to Deacon John.

 

Deacon John, or Fr John as he will be after his ordination, will celebrate his First Mass here at the 10 am Mass on the Sunday morning, July 7th and Fr Liam, as he will be then, is celebrating his First Mass at Holy Cross, Leicester at 3 pm on Sunday 7th July.  More info on all  of the above, when to hand.

 

JOHN VANIER R.I.P.

 

The death of JEAN VANIER was announced last week and  many reports of his death, in print and verbally, described him as a living saint. Jean Vanier was the founder of L’ARCHE, the international community for people with learning disabilities. His writings and spoken word, touched the lives and hearts of people all over the world and his deep spiritual reflections will have drawn many, many souls closer to God, and given all with disabilities, a special dignity and quality of life, that will have, and will in the future, allow them to take their place in life with pride, worth, and committed engagement, in work and recreational places, side by side, with men and women of all and every ability and contribution.

 

Cardinal Vincent Nichols said “For over half a century, he has inspired an entirely new appreciation of the gifts of people with learning disabilities, and revealed the most profound heart of human community.”

 

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who met Dr Vanier on a number of occasions said “Jean Vanier lived the Gospel in such a beautiful way, that few who met him, could fail to be caught up in it….The heart of his profound discipleship was to foster communities of love and fellowship, where people carry each others burdens, accept each others gifts and limitations - and find belonging, joy and healing.”

 

Both quotes as printed in “The Tablet” of 11th May 2019.

 

AN INVITATION TO ANY ADULT WHO MAY HAVE MISSED OUT:

 

If for some reason or another, you missed out on being confirmed when you were a teenager, but would like the opportunity of celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation now in your adult years, you are cordially invited to consider that wish. Please have a word with Judith Snaith or Fr Owen about the possibility. Special arrangements for the preparation and celebration will be made for you.

 

OUR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CHILDREN:

 

The preparation for your Big Day on Saturday, June 22nd at 10 am is continuing  as planned. Thank you so very much to our volunteer catechists, who are giving such a wonderful commitment on behalf of the entire parish. Thank you to the parents of the children involved for your co-operation. Thank you to the Prayer Sponsors for the power of your prayers and interest.

 

DEACON JOHN’S APPOINTMENT:

 

The following is taken direct from the newsletter from St Mary’s Parish in South Wigston as written by Fr Michael Moore, Parish Priest of St Thomas More’s, Knighton; Parish Priest of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Oadby; Parish Priest of St Mary’s Parish, St Wigston together with St John Bosco Parish, Eyres Monsell. The insertion reads:

 

“I am pleased to announce that Bishop Patrick has appointed Deacon John Owens, who will be ordained priest at Nottingham Cathedral on Saturday July 6th, an assistant priest. John and his wife, Megan and their three boys, George, Henry and Edmund, will be moving into the Presbytery at South Wigston as soon as necessary work is complete including relocating the Parish Office.

 

I am sure you will give him and his family a warm welcome and he will be happy working with all of us to cover the four parishes, St Thomas More, Immaculate Conception, St Mary’s and St John Bosco.”

 

THIS SUNDAY AT 4.30 PM

 

Fr Owen will be representing the Catholic Community at the little Methodist Church in Husbands Bosworth for its final service. Sadly the closure has come about because if dwindling numbers with a knock on effect of the Church being unsustainable. Our prayers are with the Methodist Church Congregation.

 

LADIES MAKING MUSIC:

 

Pamela Abbott, Veronica Edwards, Christine Hodgson, Celia Lever-Jones and Christina Marshall invite you to an afternoon of  Music and Homemade Refreshments on Sunday May 19th from 1.30 pm - 5.00 pm, at the Methodist Church, Northampton Road. No Charge for admission or refreshments but donations for The Bower House will be welcomed.

 

JOB VACANCY IN DIOCESE:

 

The Diocese has a vacancy for a Chief Operating Officer based at Wilson House next to the Cathedral in Nottingham.  This new role will provide an exciting opportunity to make a pivotal contribution to the Church’s mission by managing the resources of the Diocese in a creative and professional manner. The COO will report to the Episcopal Vicar for Finance and Administration who is a member of the Board of Directors.  The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Tuesday 28^th May 2019.  Further information and application form can be obtained by emailing financial.secretary@nrcdt.org.uk

 

LADIES LUNCH:

 

June 13th at Marston Trussell Hall. £30 a ticket. Money raised goes to our School - St Joseph’s: More information from Kate Crawford on 01858 446873.

 

FR JIM’S ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES

 

28th June - 5th July. Flying from Stansted and staying at Hosanna House. £733 includes coach from Market Harborough; flight; 7 nights with Full Board at Hosanna House; travel into Lourdes and insurance. For more details contact Fr Jim Cahill on 01530 832326

 

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 role 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.