Weekend message Aug 21
Dear friends,
St. Pius X This weekend it is the turn of the Narborough parish community to celebrate the feast of our patron.
Giuseppe Sarto (Italian for ‘Tailor’) was born in Northern Italy on 2nd June 1835. He was ordained priest in 1858, and worked as assistant priest and then parish priest of Salzano, a small town about ten miles from Venice. In 1875 he returned to the seminary as spiritual director, and was also appointed Chancellor of the Diocese of Treviso. In 1884 he was appointed Bishop of Mantua, a small city about 25 miles from Lake Garda, and in 1893 he was made Patriarch of Venice and a Cardinal.
In 1903 Pope Leo XIII died. At the time, it was possible for certain governments to veto the election of a Pope, and Austria exercised its veto; Giuseppe Sarto was elected instead, and one of his immediate actions was to abolish the possibility of any further veto.
Pope Pius X was a pastorally minded Pope, with a friendly and straightforward manner, and extremely pious. He encouraged the faithful to share his devotion, particularly to the Blessed Eucharist, urging all Catholics to receive Holy Communion more frequently, and lowering the age at which children could receive Holy Communion.
Pope Pius X had to deal with two serious issues during his pontificate: an assault on the teaching authority of the Church from a group of thinkers usually called ‘modernists’, and the anti-Catholic government which had been established in France. He was probably not best served by his principal advisor, whose opinions were extremely conservative. Pope Pius X died on 20th August 1914. He was canonized 40 years later.
Time of Mass on Sunday at Narborough Since 1st August last year, when we were permitted to celebrate Mass together again, the time of Mass at St. Pius X Narborough on Sunday has been 10am, the same as on Saturday and Monday. Mass in Lutterworth is at 11 o’clock, and it takes half an hour to remove my vestments, drive to Lutterworth (just over ten miles), and vest for Mass there. Consequently, I am usually a few minutes late starting Mass. However, now that more people will be able to attend Mass in Narborough, the time for Mass will probably increase; and if we are able to start the children’s liturgy again, and the first Holy Communion group, then this will lengthen the time of Mass at Narborough even further.
What would be your views on starting Mass in Narborough at 9.30am on Sunday? I will put out a questionnaire over the next two Sundays to ask the views of those who usually attend Sunday Mass at St. Pius X.
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.
So we really need volunteers so that we can start to share refreshments after Mass again at weekends – while still ensuring safety, of course, by observing rules of hygiene. Please let me know – preferably in writing – if you are willing to help. I am very grateful to all who have already volunteered.
**Responding to changed government guidelines, we have now been able to bring more benches back into use at St. Pius X, as well as at Our Lady of Victories. St. Pius X now has a maximum capacity of 84**
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 23rd August;
- between 7pm and 8pm on Tuesday 24th;
- between 7pm and 8pm on Friday 27th.
Times of Mass next weekend:
- 10am Saturday 28th August;
- 10am Sunday 29th;
- 10am Monday 30th.
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.
From next week Mass will also be celebrated on Thursday morning at 10.30am. We are grateful to Father Maloney for agreeing to celebrate this Mass.
Times of Mass next Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday:
- 5.30pm on Saturday 28th August;
- 11am on Sunday 29th ;
- 10.30am Tuesday 31st;
- 10.30am Thursday 2nd September.
At Narborough the intentions for Mass this week will be Saturday (21st August) Private Intention (S & CR); Sunday (22nd ) Kevin Thompson RIP; Monday (23rd ) Deceased parishioners & benefactors. Wednesday Rose Sullivan RIP; Thursday Jean Randall RIP; Friday Father John Feeley RIP. Next weekend Saturday 28th August) Private Intention (MW); Sunday (29th ) Deceased relations of Mrs S Tambipillai; Monday (30th ) People of the Parishes.
At Lutterworth the intentions for Mass will be: Saturday (21st August) 5.30pm the Holy Souls; Sunday (22nd ) The People of the Parishes; Tuesday (24th ) the Holy Souls. Next Saturday (28th August) 5.30pm Father John Feeley RIP; Next Sunday (29th ) The People of the Parishes; Next Tuesday (31st ) the Holy Souls.
Prayers for the living and the dead:
Please pray for Father John Cairns, Roman Smith, 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 Father John Cairns, 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.
Banns of Marriage Please pray for Siobhan Mary O’Connell and Carl Waterfield who intend to marry in Cork, Ireland, on 25th September 2021. If anyone knows of any reason why they should not marry in the Catholic Church, please inform Father John or Deacon Kevin straight away.
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.
Discernment Evenings for young people considering their future role in the Catholic Church, at the Vocations Centre, the Old Friary, 247 Gordon Road, Nottingham NG3 2LG, will be held each month starting 7pm Thursday 24th September.
Christus Vincit Following Pope Francis’ exhortation to young people, young people aged between 18 and 35 are invited to meet together. The first meeting will be start at 6.30pm on 7th October at St. Barnabas Cathedral, Derby Road, Nottingham, NG1 5AE; it is hoped that other groups can be set up elsewhere in the Diocese.
Social Activities: these can resume. However, “It is strongly recommended that a risk assessment for both the activity and the space is completed for the gathering.”
Looking Ahead: Looking back over the past 18 months, and emerging (we hope and pray) from the pandemic:
I have listened to advice from parishioners and others about how we may move forward as Catholic communities after these difficult times. To start with, I propose the following events:
Forgiveness and Reconciliation:
I intend to celebrate a service of reconciliation, in which we are all encouraged to reflect on God’s enduring offer of forgiveness, recognize the guilt we all feel for what we have done or failed to do – and for what we wish we could have done but were prevented from doing by circumstances, and lovingly receive and accept the forgiveness of God. This will take place at 4.30pm on Saturday 18th September at Our Lady of Victories & St. Alphonsus, Lutterworth. I will also celebrate such a service of forgiveness and reconciliation at St. Pius X, Narborough, when a time and date can be arranged.
Confessions: I intend to hear confessions from 9 until 9.30am on Saturdays at St. Pius X, Narborough, starting Saturday 4th September; and from 4.45pm to 5.15pm on the first Saturday of the month at Our Lady of Victories & St. Alphonsus, Lutterworth.
Thanksgiving:
We are invited to pray in thanksgiving for the harvest during the weekend of 25th and 26th September. In the current circumstances I think we should generalize to thanksgiving for all God’s gifts to us, and for all the graces we have received during this time of pandemic.
Remembering those who have died:
During the month of November, it would be appropriate to celebrate Mass for those who have died in our communities, and from among our families, friends, and neighbours, during the past two years, whether directly due to the pandemic or not, and also to pray for all those who have died directly or indirectly from the coronavirus. Dates for these celebrations need to be arranged later in the autumn.
Next weekend will be the Twenty-Second Sunday of the Year (Ordinary Time).
Catholic Chaplain at Gartree Prison: The applicant may be any Catholic – layperson, religious, deacon, or priest. 37 hours a week; salary £27,697 to £31,176. Closing date for applications is 27th August 2021 (at 23.55). Please see https//:justicejobs.tal.net
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.
**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.
With my prayers for your wellbeing and salvation, Father John
