Archdiocese of Birmingham.
Parish of the Immaculate Conception, Bicester, Oxfordshire.
Parish Newsletter, week beginning 22nd November 2009.
Solemnity of Christ the King.
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SYMPATHY We extend our sincere sympathy and the assurance of our prayers to the family of lately dead Leonard's Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Monday, 30th November at 11.00 a.m. followed by burial in Bicester Cemetery. May the angels lead you into paradise, may the martyrs come to welcome you and take you into the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem. Amen. |
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SYMPATHY We extend our sincere sympathy and the assurance of our prayers to the family of lately dead Funeral details to be announced. May the angels lead you into paradise, may the martyrs come to welcome you and take you into the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem. Amen. |
| Prayer |
PRAYER FOR PRIESTS –
O Lord Jesus, you have chosen priests from among us and sent them to proclaim your word and to act in your name. For so great a gift to your Church, we give you praise and thanksgiving. We ask you to fill them with the fire of your love, that their ministry may reveal your presence in the Church. Since they are earthen vessels, we pray that your power shine through their weakness. In their afflictions, let them never be crushed; in their doubts, never dispair; in temptation, never be destroyed; in persecution, never abandoned. Inspire them through prayer to live each day the mystery of your dying and rising. In times of weakness send them your Spirit, and help them to praise your hesvenly Father and to pray for poor sinners. By the same Holy Spirit, put your word on their lips and your love in their hearts, to bring good news to the poor aNd healing to the broken-hearted. And may the gift of Mary, your Mother, to the Disciple whom you loved, be your gift to every priest. Grant that she who formed you in her human image, may form in them your divine image, by the power of your Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. AmenThis week we particularly remember:
Prayer for a Priestly Heart.
Give mo, O Lord, an ever watchful heart which no subtle speculation may ever lure from you. Give me a noble heart that no unworthy affection shall ever draw downwards to earth. Give me a heart of honesty that no insincerity shall warp. Give me a heart of courage that no distress shal ever crush or quench. Give me a heart so free that no perverted or impetuous affection shall ever claim it for its own.
St. Thomas Aquinas.
CYCLE OF PRAYER –
During Ordinary Time (autumn), from September to Christ the King, we are asked to pray for these intetions: That the Church of Latin Anmerica may continue in its missionary endeavour, as part of the universal mission of the People of God.HOLY FATHER’S MISSIONARY INTENTION- That the people of God may eagerly assume their missionary reponsibility - the highest service to humankind.
PRAY FOR THE SICK – Your prayers are requested for the following who are sick: Sue Condon, Agnes Porter, Peter Flynn, Michael Brozhko, Tony Tagliaferro, Christine Mahon, Joyce Meagher, Jo Hurst, Jim McAleer, John Wright, Luke Lambert, Sheila Clarke, Dorothy Thomas, Mike Pomeroy, Hope Ellis, P.Smith, Kavitha Davis, Bernardette Shepard, Alice Fitzpatrick, Irene Ziegert, Francis Davies, Joanna Finley, Becky Almond, Eric Minshull, Pat Harris, Michael Inak, Katherine Hassan, Agnes Ralph, Graeme Elmore, Florence Jess Smith, David De-el, Nadine Steward, Sally Trench, Gwen Moore, Gwenda Newton, John Davies, John Fitzpatrick, Dorothy Barry, Thomas Kirby, Anita Mutton, Karen Roberts, Patricia Davies, John Paul Lyttle, Richard Matthews, Marcelle Coskiery, Sean Moore, Thomas Laurie, Mary Wells, Michael MacSweeney, Frank Harland, John and Christine Busby, Fr. John Osman, Fr. Charles Smith, Anne Elliot.
Heavenly Father, source of all healing, visit and heal your servants from all physical and spiritual ailments, through the grace of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
| News |
A CHRISTMAS TREE OF REMEMBRANCE AND HOPE -
This Christmas, instead of using our usual decorations for the Christmas tree in the porch in the church it is suggested that it would be a lovely way to remember our departed or sick family and friends to use stars in their names. Each star will have the chosen person's name on it, and thewre will be a list of these names on a board beside the tree so that you can see that your choice(s) are on the tree withouit having to search for it.LITURGY FORUM -
The inaugural meeting of the Liturgy Forum will take place on Tuesday, 24th November at 7.30 pm in the church. Please put this date in your diaries.NOVEMBER MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS -
Please take one of the Holy Souls envelopes and place inside it the names of departed relatives and friends. The envelopes can be placed in the casket which will lie in front of the altar during the month of November. Any offerings will be used as Mass stipends for the Holy Souls.AKEMAN VOICES -
19th December at 7.30pm. Deck The Halls! Sunny Ormonde, better known to millions as Lilian Bellamy from BBC Radio 4's The Archers will be our special guest reader. A candle-lit evening of a-capella music, spanning three centuries. Tickets £10 (under 16's free, interval refreshments included) Available online now, on the door or from The Earth Collection, Market Place, Bicester. Tickets are already selling fast - book yours now!. More on the Akeman Voices websiteBLESSING OF GRAVES -
As in previous years we will be blessing the graves at Ambrosden. There will be Vespers of the dead at St. Mary's Church, Ambrosden on Sunday, 22nd Novermber again at 3.30 pm. Graves will be blessed immediately afterwards.LIBRARY OF CATHOLIC BOOKS -
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 25th November at 11.00 am. Fr. John Saward will speak on "The Season of Advent". All welcome.ASSISTING SUICIDE -
“The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has published guidelines governing the prosecution of cases of assisting suicide. It is very important that Catholics should know what these guidelines say and make their views known to the DPP. A short briefing note ‘HAVING YOUR SAY ON ASSISTING SUICIDE’ can be found in the church porch explaining what this is all about and what you can do about it. There are also details online.CATHOLIC YOUTH SERVICE -
The second collection this weekend will be for the Catholic Youth Service. Thank you.PARISH OFFICE -
Please note the change in office hours, as Maurina is on maternity leave. The office will now be open on Tuesday from 9.00 am until 3.00 pm, Wednesday from 12.00 noon until 3.00 pm and on Friday from 9.00 am until 3.00 pm. We would be grateful if general enquiries could only be made on Wednesday afternoons.CHRISTMAS BOXES - SAMARITAN'S PURSE
- Pleease see the poster at the back of the church regarding this collection of Christmas boxes for children or contact Janet Marshall.TRAIDCRAFT -
Advent calendars and Christmas Cards are now available from the Traidcraft stall. Also Christmas gifts at prices from £3.00. Thank you for your support which helps people in the poorest countries.CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
- The Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday, 5th December fron 12.00 until 4.00 pm at St. Mary's School. A notice has gone up at the back of the church for you to add your names if you can help with any of the areas where we still need volunteers. Please do this this weekend as we will then know where we have gaps. As usual we also need donations of raffle prizes and bottles. Please give generously. If you would like to know more, please contact Chris and Marco.PILGRIMAGE TO MALTA - OCTOBER HALF TERM 2010
- It is hoped to organise a Footsteps of St Paul Pilgrimage to Malta for 5-6 nights during the week of half term 22nd-31st October 2010. This trip will only go ahead at that time if it does not clash with the Holy Father’s visit to England! Initially we would like to know of anyone who may be interested in the pilgrimage. Please add your names to the list at the back of church if you are.YEAR OF PRIESTS JUNE 19TH 2009 - JUNE 19TH 2010
Pope Benedict XVI has called the whole church to celebrate the Year for Priests. His purpose for this year is to encourage priests in the “striving for spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends” and to highlight “the importance of the priest’s role and mission in the church and in contemporary society”. To do this the Holy Father calls us to a renewed focus on the centrality of Christ in our lives and in the Church and that “brings with it the correct appreciation of the ministerial priesthood, without which there would be neither the Eucharist, nor even the mission nor the Church herself”. The same year is the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests, and also the occasion of the visit to England of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux – who from her Carmelite convent showed her life long devotion to priests by praying for them, supporting them and corresponding with them. Let us join with these great saints in praying for our own priests and priests throughout the world. There is a year calendar displayed at the back of church inviting you to pray every day of the year for a priest who either belong to, or is working in, our diocese. here“The priest is not a priest for himself; he is not for himself he is for you” SEEKERS –
St John Vianney 1786-1859.
APF MISSION BOXES; –
Promoters - if you need to make colections please contact the parish office for your books. Alternatively box holders may deliver their full boxes to the presbytery or to the welcomers at the Sunday Masses. Copies of the 'Mission Today' magazine are available at the back of the church. Thank you for your co-operation.EXAMINATION INVIGILATORS REQUIRED
- Based at Blessed George Napier School, Banbury. We are particularly busy from May to end June but you could be needed at times throughout the year. Candidates need to be reliable, professional calm and with a mature outlook. Hours are flexible with occasional 8.00am starts. Current hourly rate of £7.61. Please ring Christine Radcliffe, Exams Officer, Blessed George Napier Catholic School, tel 01295-264216 or email: examoff@bgn.oxon.sch.uk BGN is committed to the welfare & protection of children and young people. This post will require an enhanced CRB Disclosure.100 CLUB
- Apologies for the 100 Club recently running behind in selecting winning numbers lately. A list of winners for months Aug-Nov has been displayed on the church notice board. For the 100 Club to continue in the new year we desperately need a volunteer to take it on. One or two volunteers or a couple may wish to take it on to promote, collect and draw monthly winning numbers. Please consider volunteering, it has raised £1000’s of pounds over the years. Please contact Fr Paul or the parish office.| Regular Features |
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET – This is being recited every Tuesday at 2.00 pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel All are welcome.
TODDLER GROUP
- Meets every Thursday at 10.00 am in the Presentation Convent. Term time only.BLUE DATA CARDS – Parishioners, especially new ones, please spend a moment completing a blue data card to let us know who you are. Existing parishioners, if your details have changed or if you are not sure if you have ever returned a card, please fill one in. They are available at the back of the church or from the welcomers.
THURSDAY SCRIPTURE GROUP – Weekly meeting to reflect on the forthcoming Sunday’s readings. Every Thursday at about 8.30 pm. For further details contact Nick & Clare StJohn.
BICESTER FOOD BANK BOX – Please remember to bring your weekly contributions. Many single items go a long way.
HELPING HANDS-Those who require the assistance of the Helping Hands volunteers should please telephone the Presentation Convent on (01869) 323660
TRAIDCRAFT – Traidcraft is a Christian response to poverty, established in 1979 to fight poverty through trade. By buying these products you can help craft workers and farmers across Africa, Asia and Latin America to build a better future for themselves, for their families and for their communities. As well as goods on the stall you can order additional items through the catalogue, or buy online at www.traidcraft.co.uk For further information, please contact Ann Poole.
"My children, our love is not just to be words or mere talk, but something real and active." 1 John 3: 18.
| Parish Community Centre News |
NEW PARISH CENTRE COLLECTION BOXES–
The amount from collection boxes last month was £245.10. Other donations and fundraising events, including £288 raised from the Clarissa Dickson-Wright book signing totalled: £3053.86. Making a grand total: £3298.96. The next weekend for collection boxes will be the 9th and 10th of January 2010.ST. CUTHBERT - THANK YOU From Richard Evans: "May I please use this Sunday Message to thank all parishioners from the bottom of my heart for their wonderful support through prayer, good wishes and sponsorship during my recent trek along St. Cuthbert’s Way. I felt safe and hugely supported throughout and with most sponsorship now in, I will have raised about £1895.00 towards the new Parish Centre. With Gift Aid the total should reach nearer £2250.00. God bless you all."
HELP WANTED –
We are seeking anyone with professional interior design experience to assist with the interior specification of the project. Please contact Mary-Claire Hardie as soon as possible if you can help.| WEEKLY ROTAS. | |
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SPECIAL MINISTERS This Weekend: >Sat. 6.00 pm: Sat. 6.00 pm: M.Kelly, S.Haydon, M.White, J.Latham Sun: 9.00 am: A.Mutton, C.Hartley, B.Nichols, C.StJohn Sun: 11.00 am: U.Steel, M.Foley, M.Lynch Next Weekend: |
MINISTRY OF WELCOME This Weekend: Sat. 6.00 pm: Thompson Family Sun: 9.00 am: Nichols Family Sun 11.00 am: M.Lynch, Reji Next Weekend: |
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LECTORS This weekend: Solemnity of Christ the King Dan 7: 13-14/Ps 92/Apoc 1: 5-8/Jn 18: 33b-37 Sat 6.00 pm M.Maher, F.Thompson Sun 9.00 am C. & S.McCullagh Sun 11.00 am T.O'Callaghan, J.Hurst Next Weekend: First Sunday of Advent (C) |
CHURCH CLEANING :Team 6 Next Week: Team 7 SUNDAY COFFEE: HELPING HANDS: COUNTERS: FLOWERS: TRAIDCRAFT THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO. |
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MASS ATTENDANCE Last week:Saturday 6.00 pm – 119 Sunday 9.00 am – 156 11.00 am - 279 Total: 554 |
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