Parish Newsletter

Second Collection today for Sick & Retired Priests

TONIGHT (SATURDAY): The Polish Community invites us to their New Year Celebration at 7.30pm in the hall – just turn up!

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED FOR: Those who are sick and/or housebound; and those who have asked for our prayers: Fr. John Cairns,  John Baguley, Rita Edwards, Caroll Graham, Anne Clarke, Julian Paleson, Geoff Whitwell, Margaret Lee, Wendy Lee, Joan Dean, John Blom, Brian & Bryony Sapsford, Barbara Fraser, Mary Jones, Mollie Coaten, Sylvia Hayden, Tom Turnbull, Elizabeth Boz, Katherine McLaughlin, Aidan Sapsford, Peggy Thorpe, Georgina Matten, Ronald Miners, Patrick King, Fr. Bernard Higgins, The Taylor Family, Joan Dorgan, Baby Frankie Joe Smith and his family, Mons. Jonathan Moore, Betty Humphries, Bob Patterson, Bob Goemans, Pat Baxter, Marjory Bird, Pat Ward, Mollie Nester, Rita Gensiorskyj,  Greta Willows, Anne van der Weyden, Clare Plowman, Peter & Gwen Hillman, Jack Hayward, and Manfred Haacker.

Please Pray for the happy repose of the soul of Mario Proselippi of Holbeach. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.

Please also remember: Eddie Burke, Pat Leahy, Margaret Hughes, John Kwasniewski-Kelvin, William Newton, Beryl Matthews, Margherita Young and all those whose anniversary occurs at this time.  Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace!

PARISH FINANCE: Last week you gave:  Spalding £836.65. Second collection for Pax Christi: £129.37; Holbeach: £313.31. Second collection for Pax Christi: £30.94 – Thank you.

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK?

PREPARING FOR BAPTISM? Our next pre-baptism programme for parents will commence this afternoon, and will conclude next Sunday in the Walsingham Chapel, from 4.00 to 5.30pm. Parents are expected to attend both sessions.

GETTING MARRIED IN 2012? Remember that the Church requires 6 months notice of intention to marry in church.  If you are planning to get married in our churches in Spalding or Holbeach, you must notify Fr. Jim (even if you wish Fr. Paul or another priest or deacon to officiate at the wedding). To book a wedding, please contact the Spalding Parish Office on the number or email already given in the above notice.

NEW TO THE PARISH?/HAVE YOU RECENTLY MOVED HOUSE? – If you have recently moved in to our parish of Spalding & Holbeach, Welcome! We hope that you will soon feel at home and happy to be amongst us.  Please do say ‘Hello’ to one of our priests after Mass and please let us have your address as soon as possible.  Likewise to existing parishioners who have moved home within the parish, please make sure that we have your new address and contact details for our records – your help is greatly appreciated.

ARE YOU CELEBRATING A SIGNIFICANT ANNIVERSARY IN 2012? If so, we would love to know about it!  Please let one of the priests or Jackie (in the Parish Office) know – so we can celebrate with you!

MONTHLY ‘GET TOGETHER’ IN THE HALL: An opportunity to meet old and new friends in our hall. Children (accompanied by a responsible adult) are welcome.  The bar will be open and pre-ordered bar food will be available in the evening and a raffle – funds raised from food and raffle sales will go towards the purchase of a new coffee machine for use in the bar. Doors open at 7.30pm.

THE ELIZABETH MINISTRY: ‘Sing-along-Sound of Music’ – The Elizabeth Ministry are organising this fabulous family fun event in the hall on Sunday, 5^th February. Come and try Ruth’s Hungarian Goulash! This must be pre-booked in advance to assist with catering arrangements, and will be served in the hall immediately after the 11.00am Mass. The cost is: Adults: £3.00, Children: £1.50. The film will commence at 1.30pm – those who wish to attend the film only, the admission will be £2.00 each – however…there is a twist…if you attend in fancy dress (i.e., your costume must be based on the film!!) you will get a full refund!! As the title suggests, you are invited to sing-along with all the songs, the words will appear on the big screen – and for those adults who need some ‘Dutch Courage’ the bar will be open! BOOK NOW!

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE: If you have any unwanted Christmas gifts that you would like to donate to the Church to help raising of funds, please place them in the box in the Narthex

In preparation for The Women's World Day of Prayer, in March, you are invited to attend a Study day to be held on Friday February 3rd. at Broad St. Methodist Church Hall from 10.15 - 2.45.pm. Leaflets are available in the Narthex with further information.

HOLBEACH NEWS

MASS FOR HEALING OF OUR PARISH: Fr. Jim will be the principal celebrant at a Mass of Healing for our parish. Fr. Paul will concelebrate – some of the deanery clergy have expressed a hope to join us for this Mass, and it is important that as many parishioners as possible (Holbeach & Spalding) be present to pray for the welfare of the parish and the hope, in accordance with the expressed wishes of Bishop Malcolm, which we are sure are echoed by many of us, that recent events are ‘consigned to history’ and that we can move on serving and praising God and working together in a spirit that is based on Gospel values.  The date for this Mass will be on Monday, 6^th February, at 7.00pm in Holy Trinity Church.

REMEMBRANCE TREE (Holy Trinity, Holbeach) received donations totalling £100.80 towards our parish projects.

SALE OF UNWANTED CHRISTMAS PRESENTS will be held after Mass on SATURDAY 28^th and SUNDAY 29^th JANUARY. Donations of items for inclusion in the sale should be left at the back of church marked for the attention of Josie Brown – many thanks. (All proceeds to Church Funds)

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS

‘ANTONIETTA’ It is with sadness that I have to announce that my housekeeper, Antonietta, will be leaving us at the end of the month.  Many of you will have ‘encountered’ Antonietta since she arrived here with Dad and I in June 2008.  I am sure she will be remembered by many of us for the warm welcome extended to friend and stranger alike. She will be also remembered in Holbeach for her catering skills and the fantastic breakfast she prepared in the Walsingham Hall on the day Sr. Veronica left us for London.  A re-occurring back problem has forced her into the decision to retire, but she promises to keep in touch with us.  I would like to take the opportunity to record my personal thanks to Antionietta – we have played, fought and laughed for over three years, this fact alone deserves an award!  I also wish to thank her for the way she has cared for my dad, Pat, who will most certainly miss her. I am sure you will want to join me in wishing Antonietta a long and happy retirement.

DEANERY PILGRIMAGE: Grantham Deanery Pilgrimage to The Holy Land October 1st-8th 2012. Come with us! Walk in the Holy Land, visit the Holy Places and meet with the Holy People. The trip of a lifetime awaits as the scriptures come to life and as we offer support and solidarity to our Christian brothers and sisters in the Land of Christ. An experienced local tour guide will accompany us and spiritual direction will be provided on the pilgrimage by Fr. Paul Lloyd and Fr. Stephen Dye Booking forms and Pilgrimage Itineraries can be found at the back of our churches. Cost: £1200 per person, half-board sharing a twin room. For more information contact Fr. Paul on 01406 423034.  The Pilgrimage is organised by: Palestine Pilgrimage, PO Box 161, St. Ives PE27 9BR.  Tel: 0800 6123423 www.palestinepilgrimage.org.uk .

DIOCESAN NEWS: As reported in this newsletter some time ago, the Diocesan Education Service is launching ‘The Bishop’s Certificate in Catechesis’. This is a 30 hour course culminating with a commissioning ceremony presided over by Bishop Malcolm. The courses are being offered in Nottingham and Lincoln from the 11^th January over twelve sessions – or in our Community Hall in Spalding over six (four hour) sessions commencing on Saturday, 14^th April from 10.00am to 3.00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn more about the teachings of the Church and deepening your faith – on your very own doorstep! Course fees are just £50.

  For more information contact Julia Palmer, Diocesan Director of Adult Formation, at Willson House, Derby Road, Nottingham, NG1 5AW. Tel: 0115 953 9806 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Booking forms available from the back of our churches.

MARRIAGE MASS: The annual "Marriage Mass" which will be taking place at the Cathedral on the 11th March at 3pm, as usual the Bishop will be in attendance. A special invitation is extended to those celebrating special anniversaries and to those recently married in Church – please note the date in your diaries – more information nearer the time.

Reaching Non-Churchgoing Catholics: A resource day to support ministry and outreach to non-churchgoing Catholics will be offered in the Grimshaw Room, Cathedral House, St Chad’s Queensway, Birmingham on 4^th February 2012 between 10.00 a.m. & 4.30 p.m., with coffee served from 9.30 a.m. The day is part of a national tour called Crossing the Threshold, which is an initiative of the Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales. It has been organised in response to concerns repeatedly expressed by priests and parishioners about the large number of Catholics who never or rarely attend Sunday Mass. Speakers include: Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham and Bishop Edwin Regan of Wrexham. There is no charge to attend the day but pre-booking is requested (t: 0207 901 4818; e: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Flame Congress: A national event to inspire young people, Flame Congress, will take place in Wembley Arena on Saturday 24^th March 2012. Thousands of young Catholics will gather to reflect, celebrate and pray, as some of the best speakers in Britain share insights about faith and sport, including witness from Catholic Olympians and Paralympians. Flame Congress is the first event of its kind in England and Wales and will link Olympic values and faith experience in dynamic and powerful ways. CYMFed – the Catholic Youth Ministry Federation – is running the event, offering the wisdom of specialists in youth ministry from dioceses, organisations, movements and religious congregations. Tickets are just £18; over three thousand tickets have already been sold so early booking is advisable. Further information is available at www.cymfed.org/flame .  Fr. Paul is willing to accompany any of our parishioners who would be interested in attending this congress – you can contact him directly on 01406 423034 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

50^th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS – IRELAND 2012: 13^th – 18^th June in Dublin under the leadership of Fr. Martin Hardy. Cost £499 per person (half-board accommodation in a Dublin hotel). For more details contact Fr. Martin on 0116 235 3329 or Tangney Tours on 01732 886666.

Life:   Life FertilityCare is offering a new, more informative website for those who are struggling with infertility: www.lifefertilitycare.co.uk – t: 01926 834654; e: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

SEAN WILSON & TONY MAC will be performing at Holy Trinity, Newark, on Saturday 4th February. Tickets (priced at £7) can be booked through the parish office either by phone (01636) 704936 or email. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

With our prayers and good wishes

Fr. Jim & Fr. Paul