Parish Newsletter

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGES TO OUR REGULAR SCHEDULE DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

Thank you

WELCOME BACK! – To all those returning after the holiday season, including, of course, the staff and children of St. Norbert’s School. The school, as you know, has undergone lots of changes over the last year and I am sure that the whole school community will enjoy working together in their new environment. Special mention must be made of the governing body who, under the leadership of the Chair, Mr. Tony Bray, have managed the project to completion, and to the contractors, D. H. Brown, for their care and attention to detail at all times.  Our new Headteacher, Mrs. Yarnell, is still on maternity leave, and in her absence we welcome to St. Norbert’s our acting Head, Mrs. Helen Okrafo-Smart. We also send our very best wishes to those starting new schools and to those who moving on to college or university for the very first time – we would like to assure them of our prayers. Those moving away from home, remember you can always stay in touch with what’s going on here in the parish by visiting our website: www.stnorberts.org.uk

CAFOD PAKISTAN FLOODS APPEAL: You will no doubt have been watching and listening to news reports as the disaster has been unfolding before our eyes. In what has been described as a "slow motion tsunami" by the UN, the people of Pakistan are facing a disaster like few the world has ever seen. The devastating floods that now stretch for more than 600 miles have killed at least 1,600 people and left up to 20 million in need of emergency help. People have lost homes, crops and livestock, and are now at risk from deadly water-borne diseases such as cholera.

Because the need is so urgent, we would like you to consider holding a special collection in your parish for the Pakistan Floods Appeal, if you have not already done so. I am sorry for delay in getting this request out to you but the CAFOD Nottingham office has been closed for the past two weeks due to staff annual leave.

I realise many of you will  supporting us on Harvest Fast Day but I hope that you will understand the people of Pakistan need our help urgently. Because it is vital for us to continue our long-term development work around the world, we are not asking you to divert your Harvest collection to Pakistan.

There will be a voluntary second collection taken at the end of all parish Masses this weekend.

TODAY: We begin our ‘countdown’ to our LOURDES 2010 PILGRIMAGE which takes place from the 16^th to the 24^th September. We would like you to join us in making this a special time of prayer for our parish and invite you to participate in our Novena in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes, which begins today in Spalding at 4.00pm and will conclude on Monday, 13^th September. We will combine our novena with prayers for the success of our Holy Father’s visit to Great Britain.  If you cannot get along to church to join us in prayer, we are printing the prayers for you to use at home, work or wherever you happen to be.

The BBQ last Sunday raised £287.75 towards our Lourdes Pilgrimage.  Many thanks to everyone who came along and to all those who helped on the day. Special thanks to Chris and Ben White for preparing the excellent BBQ and for all their hard work and support.

PAPAL VISIT: If any parishioner attending the Papal Visit  has any queries please contact Mrs Sue Drew 01775 724969. Also , if you have been away and would like to join the group travelling to Cofton Park please contact Sue by this weekend at the latest.

The Bishop’ Conferences of Scotland, England and Wales have produced a book entitled “Magnificat” which contains all the texts that will be used throughout the Papal Visit, and daily prayers to be used before and after the visit.

Pick up a copy this weekend - suggested contribution: just £2.

PARISH FINANCE: Last weekend you gave: Spalding: £849.13             Holbeach: £251.54  Holbeach Building Fund: £128.94

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK?

TODAY (Sunday) - 4.00pm Novena & Rosary in Spalding

MONDAY (6^th September) - 

7.00pm Novena & Rosary in Spalding

7.30pm UCM Meeting in Spalding

TUESDAY (7^th September)

7.30am Novena & Rosary in Spalding

8.00am Mass (incorporating Morning Prayer)

7.30pm Spalding Fundraising Committee Meeting

7.30pm Spalding Parish Finance Committee Meeting

WEDNESDAY (8^th September) -Birthday of Our Lady

7.00pm Novena & Rosary in Spalding

THURSDAY (9^th September)

8.30am Novena & Rosary in Spalding

7.00pm Mass in Holbeach

7.30pm Holbeach Parish Meeting

FRIDAY (10^th September)

8.30am Novena & Rosary in Spalding

9.15am Morning Prayer

9.30am Mass

2.00pm REQUIEM MASS FOR BRIDIE SCOTTEN RIP (Holbeach)

7.30pm Annual RACE NIGHT in Spalding – all proceeds from this event

will go directly to our Building Fund. The Bar will be open.

SATURDAY (11^th September)

12.00 Mass in Spalding – followed immediately by Novena

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED: Georgina Matten, Jean White, Ronald Miners, Patrick King, Fr. Bernard Higgins, The Taylor Family, Vivian Burton, Joan Dorgan, Baby Frankie Joe Smith and his family, Mons. Jonathan Moore, Millie Roberts, Ron Thompson, Betty Humphries, Bob Patterson, Bob Goemans, Pat Baxter, Marjory Bird, Pat Ward, Vicki Gozoswka, Mollie Nester, Rita Gensiorskyj,  Greta Willows, Anne van der Weyden, Clare Plowman, Peter & Gwen Hillman, Jack Hayward, Annie Lolley, Margaret van der Weyden and Manfred Haacker.

Please pray for the happy repose of the souls of Bridget (‘Bridie’) Scotten of Holbeach and Mrs. Eileen Wade (the mother of Fr. Peter Wade) who died recently. May their souls, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen. 

Those whose anniversary occurs at this time: Thomas Igoe, Ellen Prosser, Stuart Winter, James White, Mary Tomlinson, May Stokes, Mr. Stewart, Patricia Barker, Baby Millie Anne Bissonnet, Martin Hughes, Kieran Corrigan, John McGilloway and Mary Hawkins. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Thank you: Fr. Jim would like to thank all those who provided the catering following Mike McDonald’s Requiem Mass.  Special thanks to Judy and her team of helpers who prepared the hall – we were overwhelmed by the number of comments and compliments we received from near and afar. God bless you all.

UNION OF CATHOLIC MOTHERS:

Our next meeting will be tomorrow (Monday, 6th September) 7.30pm at St Norbert's Spalding.  Father Jim will give a short introduction to ‘The Elizabeth Ministry’  All Parishioners welcome.

 

NIGHTSTOP: South Holland Nightstop is holding a MUSIC MARATHON, on Saturday 18th September from 10am to 4pm in Spalding Baptist Church, to raise funds for the homeless young people in the district. Please come along, listen to the music, have a cup of tea and a piece of cake, and support us whilst relaxing away from the Saturday shopping! If you can bake a cake or two for us it would be much appreciated and deliver it/them to the Baptist Church in Swan Lane by 10am on Saturday 18th or contact Brian Sapsford on 640026

YOUTH CLUB – This starts again on Friday 24^th September from 7:30 till 9:30.  There are lots of activities to take part in and new friends to make, new members are always welcome as are old one's.  Come and join the fun in St Norbert's Hall.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2011 – Last call! Because of our LOURDES 2010 PROJECT, we are preparing our next programme immediately – application forms are now available from the parish office or online at www.stnorberts.org.uk

CHOIR PRACTICE will resume on Wednesday 15^th September after the 7.30pm Mass. Anyone who would like to learn something new, or brush up on something familiar, is welcome - even if you don’t wish to sit with the choir on Sundays, it always helps to have confident voices in the congregation.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS: Calling all those who play an instrument and would like to join in on the occasional Sunday Mass - practices will be held on alternate Thursdays at 7.15pm, beginning on Thursday 16^th September. For more information, or to register your interest, please call Anne on 01775 761973.

JOURNEY OF FAITH – Our Journey of Faith programme will commence on Monday, 11^th October, in the Walsingham Chapel from 7.30 to 9.00pm. Once again the main programme will be led by Anne Darragh assisted by Mary Brady with some input from time to time by Fr. Jim and others. Now that the holiday period is coming to an end, Fr. Jim will be contacting some of those who have already enquired about this programme – if you don’t hear anything and want to come along, please do – you will be made most welcome.

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE: Our annual RACE NIGHT takes place this Friday! Under starter’s orders at 7.30 pm. A big ‘Thank you’ to all who have sponsored the races and the horses – all proceeds from this event will be used to reduce our parish debt – tickets available now – Please support.

For your information: If you visit the hall you will see that the floor has been varnished and polished; the skirting boards have been repainted. We have installed a high level projector, large screen, and a new PA system.  As you are aware, we also have a fully licensed bar and kitchen facilities – please bear this in mind when planning your next function or private party.  Our parish meeting room is also available for hire and can accommodate smaller groups.  Our Centre Manager, Irene Farrar, will be very happy to discuss your requirements, call her on 01775 767162.

Coming in October: The Hall will be open on Saturday evenings (when it is not already pre-booked) just to encourage parishioners to come along and meet on an informal basis in comfortable surroundings from 7.30 until 10.00pm. Families are welcome.  The bar will be open and snacks (crisps etc) will be available – do come and join us.

PARISH DINNER AT AMICI – Time is fast approaching – please ‘sign up’ for Monday, 13^th September – three course Italian meal, with complimentary glass (or two) of wine all for £10.  Special children’s menu for just £5 – come and join us!!!

HOLBEACH: ‘PARISH REPORT’ will take place in The Walsingham Hall on Thursday, 9^th September at 7.30pm (preceded by Mass at 7.00pm). The Parish Team will provide an update on parish matters, including a financial report – all parishioners are requested to attend. An agenda will be published in advance of the meeting, please book that date in your diaries now.

THE NOTTINGHAM DIOCESAN YEAR BOOK: This year’s edition was published very late and we still have a small number of copies available in Spalding - PLEASE HELP YOURSELF TO A FREE COPY -first come, first served!

 

With our prayers and good wishes – Sr. Veronica, Sr. Theresa-Anne & Fr. Jim