Weekend message July 31

Dear friends,

 

St. Alphonsus Liguori, Patron of the Church at Lutterworth:  Alphonsus was born in Naples on 27^th September 1696. He was a very studious young man, but his studies could not have taken up all his time or his energy, because he also excelled in riding and fencing. He studied law and became an Advocate, at which for many years he excelled. However, he lost a very important case involving the Grand Duke of Tuscany: this case was not only a very public failure for the young Advocate, but also had very serious financial implications. This seems to have persuaded him to give up the lawcourts for the service of the Church, a road which (among others) Saint Ambrose of Milan and St. Augustine of Hippo had previously travelled.

Despite the opposition of his family, Alphonsus was ordained priest on 21^st December 1726, and for some years he worked among the poorer people of Naples. Then he was asked by the Bishop of the neighbouring Diocese of Castellamare to organize a society of priests to work among the poor people of the hilly areas in his Diocese. This led to the establishment of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (CSSR), which, after some early difficulties, flourished to such an extent that its Rule was approved by Pope Benedict XIV on 25^th February 1749.

The major work of the Congregation was to preach missions and retreats, and to hear confessions. Teaching, including running seminaries, was forbidden by the Rule. Members of the Congregation were also forbidden from accepting all offices and dignities in the Church, except by express request of the Pope. Alphonsus himself received such a Papal request, and became Bishop of St. Agatha of the Goths, a small Diocese, whose area was about the same as the combined parishes of Lutterworth and Narborough, which is now part of the Diocese of Cerreto Sannita.

He took considerable interest in the local seminary, ensuring that it was well run, and providing a course of instruction in moral theology, as well as ensuring that its doctrinal courses were well taught, and writing treatises on Moral Theology and Marian Doctrine. In all of this work he used, for the benefit of the students, staff, and the people of the Diocese, his training and experience as a lawyer. He died on 1^st August 1787.

The Redemptorists (as they are popularly known in this country) are active, particularly in the field of Catholic education. A large number of works of liturgy, spirituality, Catholic formation, and Catholic teaching are published by them from their base near Alton in Hampshire.

Home Visits, including Holy Communion for housebound people: These are now permitted, but anyone visiting a housebound person (whether to administer Holy Communion or just a visit) should not visit anyone else during the same morning or afternoon. Visits should be short (in order to minimize the likelihood of passing on an infection) and hand sanitization must be used before and after the visit. If you would like a home visit, or know anyone who would like to be visited, please let Father John know.

Social Activities: these can resume from 19^th July. However, “It is strongly recommended that a risk assessment for both the activity and the space is completed for the gathering.”

Booking Arrangements for next weekend:

At St. Pius X, Narborough:

You may book by email: johnhadley1971@gmail.com  or by phone: (0116) – 2863676

at the following times on the following days:

 

• between 7pm and 8pm on Monday 2^nd August;
• between 7pm and 8pm on Tuesday 3^rd:
• between 7pm and 8pm on Friday 6^th.

 

Times of Mass next weekend:

• 10am Saturday 7^th August;
• 10am Sunday 8^th;
• 10am Monday 9^th.

 

At Our Lady of Victories & St. Alphonsus, Lutterworth:

It is no longer necessary to book your place at Mass at Our Lady of Victories. However, all who attend Mass will be required to sign in on arrival, and to sanitize their hands.

 

Times of Mass next Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday:

• 5.30pm on Saturday 7^th August;
• 11am on Sunday 8^th;
• 10.30am Tuesday 10^th.

 

Saturday Evening Mass: We intend to celebrate Mass on Saturday evenings at 5.30pm at Our Lady of Victories & St. Alphonsus, Lutterworth, from this weekend (when we will celebrate the Feast of our Patron Saint, Alphonsus of Liguori).

 

At Narborough the intentions for Mass this week will be: Saturday (31^st July) Maxwell Corby RIP; Sunday (1^st August) People of the Parishes; Monday (2^nd) Peter & Miranda Hill RIP. Wednesday Peter McMahon RIP; Thursday Mary Tyers RIP; Friday Barbara Dunne. Next weekend Saturday (7^th August) Billy Morrissey RIP; Sunday (8^th) People of the Parishes; Monday (9^th) Sylvia Leader RIP.

 

At Lutterworth the intentions for Mass will be: Saturday (31^st July) 5.30pm People of the Parish; Sunday (1^st August) People of the Parish; Tuesday (3^rd August) Holy Souls.  Next Saturday (7^th August) 5.30pm People of the Parish; Sunday (8^th ) People of the Parish; Next Tuesday (10^th ) Holy Souls.

 

Prayers for the living and the dead:

 

Please pray for Kit Stappard, Sister Francis Martin, Sister Margaret Mary Herlihy, Father Andrew Smith, Doreen Sullivan, and for all who have died recently.

 

Please also pray for Monica Teeling, Peggy Merrell, Jane Bolsover, Suzanne Foxon, Jim Oxley, Beulah Blomfield, Tom McDermott, Joseph Armeni, Dave Knapper, Teresa Maugham, Mary Dunne, and Juanita Zaman and for all who are ill.

 

Please let me know of any others who have died, or anyone who is ill and asks for prayers.

 

First Holy Communion: We hope to begin preparation for First Confession and First Holy Communion in September. I am very grateful to those who have already indicated that they wish to be included. Candidates should be in Year 3 at school from September (or older). Please let me have any names and contact details so that a group can be organized.

 

Confirmation: Bishop Patrick is willing to start administering the sacrament of Confirmation. I am grateful to those who have already said they wish to be confirmed. Are there any others who would like to join the group? Please let me have any names and contact details. Candidates for Confirmation should be in secondary education (or older) in September this year. Because of the continued restrictions, preparation for Confirmation will be delayed until the autumn.

 

Lourdes: Special Collection:

 

Bishop Herouard has informed the Bishops that urgent work is needed to maintain the Lourdes Sanctuary Work is needed at the Upper Basilica, the Crypt Chapel, the belltower, and the spire. Lourdes has been a place of pilgrimage and of healing for decades, and we are all asked to contribute towards the work. If you would like to do so, there will be a collection box in Church this weekend (and probably next weekend as well); and other contributions can be sent to me to add to the total.

 

**Important notice concerning car parking**

 

Please park in the Church car parks whenever possible. If that is not possible, for whatever reason, please ensure that you are not causing an obstruction of the roadway or driveways to properties, and please remember that homeowners may wish to park outside their own homes. Please exercise Christian Charity when parking your car.

 

Reminders from previous weeks:

 

Financial matters:

 

Planned Giving Envelopes (Our Lady of Victories & St. Alphonsus, Lutterworth): The new boxes of envelopes started in April If you require your box, please ring June (01455 – 553730) or Ashley (01455 – 553493) or email Father John.

 

Planned Giving Envelopes (St. Pius X, Narborough): The new boxes of envelopes started in April. They are available from the sacristy in Church, or email Father John.

 

Standing Orders: I will provide the parish Bank details to anyone who would like to donate by Standing Order or similar electronic means – many of you already do so (and I am very grateful indeed). I can provide standing order mandates for anyone who wishes – please just ask.

 

Gift Aid: I have copies of the form to complete, so if you are a taxpayer and would like the tax paid on your contributions to be given to the parish, please ask me for a form.

 

Recycling Textiles: At the moment the firm are no longer collecting in the Leicester area and has no plans to restart collections here. I hope to have better news soon.

 

With my prayers for your wellbeing and salvation, Father John