Weekend message Oct 2

Dear friends,

 

St. Therese of Lisieux (‘the Little Flower’): It is tempting to think that to be a saint it is necessary to do great things, show marvellous heroism, write wonderful holy books, preach God’s Word in very difficult circumstances to huge numbers of people, perform wondrous miracles, or in some other way provide monumental service to God. What hope is there for me!

St. Therese is an antidote to such temptations. She was aware of the wonderful works that others could do for the Lord, which she likened to eagles soaring up into the air, and travelling great distances. She saw herself instead as a little bird going about her business as best she could, never venturing very far, never flying high, just keeping going in the local town and countryside, among the people she knew, hopefully living a good life and brightening the lives of those who met with her.

She was well aware that it pleases Our Lord to create great Saints, who, she said, ‘may be compared with the lilies or the rose; but He has also created little ones, who must be content to be daisies or violets, nestling at His feet to delight His eyes when He should choose to look at them. The happier they are to be as He wills, the more perfect they are.’ She also said that ‘the splendour of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, Spring would lose its loveliness.’

We celebrate the feastday of St. Therese of Lisieux on Friday 1^st October.

Refreshments After Mass: We intend to offer refreshments after Mass in both venues as soon as possible. In Narborough we are already offering tea, coffee, and biscuits after morning Mass on both Saturday and Sunday in the Parish Hall. In Lutterworth refreshments are already offered after Mass on Thursday morning and will now be offered also on Sunday morning. I am very grateful to those who are willing to help by making the tea and coffee and serving it.

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.

This weekend is the Twenty-Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

**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 74**

Confessions: I will hear confessions from 9 until 9.30am on Saturdays at St. Pius X, Narborough; and from 4.30pm to 5.00pm on the first Saturday of the month at Our Lady of Victories & St. Alphonsus, Lutterworth starting 2^nd October.

Time of Mass on Sunday at Narborough From next weekend, Mass on Sunday at St. Pius X will start at 9.30am. Mass on Saturday and on Monday will remain at 10am.

For the next few weeks there will be no advance booking for Mass at St. Pius X. Stewards and welcomers will be at the door of the Church as before, and your name will be noted on the list, or else you will be asked to provide your name and a contact. You will also be asked to sanitize your hands on arrival.  If this works well for the next few weeks, it will not be necessary to return to the prior booking arrangement, unless government advice changes again.

At St. Pius X, Narborough:

Times of Mass next weekend:

• 10am Saturday 9^th October;
• 9.30am Sunday 10^th;
• 10am Monday 11^th.

 

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

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, Tuesday and Thursday:

• 5.30pm on Saturday 9^th October;
• 11am on Sunday 10^th;
• 10.30am Tuesday 12^th;
• 10.30am Thursday 14^th.

 

At Narborough the intentions for Mass this week will be Saturday (2^nd October) Jakob Zankar RIP; Sunday (3^rd ) Henry Spencer RIP; Monday (4^th) Intentions of Bill Turowicz. Wednesday Father Francis Morrissey OMI; Thursday Joan Trivett RIP. Next weekend Saturday (9^th October) Father Hugh Doherty RIP; Sunday (10^th) People of the Parishes; Monday (11^th) Intentions of Eve Zankar.

 

At Lutterworth the intentions for Mass will be: Saturday (2^nd October) 5.30pm People of the Parish; Sunday (3^rd) Holy Souls; Tuesday (5^th) Holy Souls. Next  Saturday (9^th) 5.30pm People of the Parish; Next Sunday (10^th) Holy Souls; Next Tuesday (12^th ) Holy Souls.

 

Prayers for the living and the dead:

 

Please pray for Jay Mallett, Betty Foster, Father Hugh Doherty, Father Michael Sharratt, Father Francis Morrissey OMI, 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: Those preparing to make their First Confession and First Holy Communion will meet on Saturday mornings at St. Pius X Parish Hall. 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).

 

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.

 

LEICESTERSHIRE ACTIVE CATHOLIC YOUTH (LACY) are sending out a warm invitation to all young people, their families and friends to an amazing “First Physical Event” since the beginning of COVID.  “What Do You Know About Angels?”  SUNDAY 3^RD OCTOBER.  Lots of interesting activities, sharing Faith, Fun and Food! Fr. Simon Gillespie will be leading us in thoughts, ideas and the Celebration of an uplifting Mass especially for young people.   Come and share the time with the LACY Team at St. Thomas More, Catholic Parish Rooms and Field, Knighton, Leicester, LE2 3HN.  2.00 P.M. – 5.00 P.M.  See poster on LACY facebook page, your own parish media and newsletter.  For further information or booking onto the day contact  paulinepayne@hotmail.com or claudiacoxon@googlemail.com.

We’re looking forward to sharing this day with YOU!

 

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

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-Eighth Sunday of the Year (Ordinary Time).

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