Month: April 2014

WELCOME

Times of Mass and Devotions
Sat    26 Apr	5.30pm	HA	First Mass	Donnie & Anne Whelan (RIP)
Sun   27 Apr	9.15am	HF	Second Sunday of Easter	Special Intentions of the people of the Parish
	11.00am	HA		Special Intentions of Fr. Graham Smith
Mon   28 Apr			NO MASS	NO MASS
Tue   29 Apr			NO MASS	NO MASS
Wed  30 Apr	9.30am	HA	Liturgy of the Word
Thur    1 May			NO MASS	NO MASS
Fri      2 May	12.00pm	HA	St. Athanasius	Babs and Tom Thompson (RIP) Holy Souls
Sat     3 May	5.30pm	HA	First Mass	Special Intentions of Sister Barbara
Sun    4 May	9.15am	HF	Second Sunday of Easter	Special Intentions of the people of the Parish
	11.00am	HA		Caroline Johnson (RIP)

Welcome

We welcome this weekend, Father John Nuttall who will be covering the Saturday evening Mass for us at Holy Angels and Father Graham Smith who will be covering both Masses for us TODAY at Holy Family, Farnham and Holy Angels, Ash.

 

Liturgy

27^th April 2014

2^nd Sunday of Easter
Theme: Doubting Thomas

Ent:  HA:  257  HF:  731  This is the day ..
Offertory Hymn:  HA:  276  HF:  247  He is risen ..
Final Hymn:  HA: 807  HF:  602 Praise my soul ..

Information 

Adult Confirmation course starts Wednesday 7th May 19.30 – 21.30 at Holy Angels. All are welcome even if you just want some spiritual refreshment. Session 1 of 3 – Grace and the sacraments; the mass. Next session 21st May. More info from Deacon John email d.johnedwards@googlemail.com

Youth Group

Come and Listen to one of the most spiritually inspiring people – Fiona Hendy.  Our Youth Group have invited Fiona to talk to us on Saturday 10^th May after evening Mass at Holy Angels 6.30pm for 7pm start. Please note this talk is not just for the young – come along and be inspired.  We will provide drinks and nibbles prior to the talk starting at 6.30pm.   We would like to charge a nominal £5 for a ticket BUT any small donation will be very helpful.  All monies raised will go to the orphanage and the work still to be done.

The title of Fiona’s talk will be “Follow your Dreams” – from childhood she saw herself in Africa but life took her elsewhere.  She says “the Lord himself has done it”.  Come and here how Fiona has set up an orphanage in Tanzania and future plans for the orphanage along with staff and volunteers.  Fiona is developing a video on her return to the UK so we should be able to see firsthand, via the video, the fruit of her labours.

Please do come along and support our Youth’s invitation – I promise you will not be disappointed by this lovely lady.  Any questions please contact Gloria Benson: email: Gloria.benson@chyp.com or Hilary Gray: moboffive@hotmail.com

 

Prayer Requests

For the sick:  Deacon David Morgan, Newton Abrew, Paul Gibson’s Mother, Judy.

For peace in all those places in the world where there is unrest and threats of war.

 

Holy Angels

Prayer Group for Holy Angels and Holy Family Churches takes place once a month on a Tuesday.  The next date is Tuesday, 6^th May.  Coffee at 7.30pm for 7.45pm start. To be held in the Parish Office

 

Holy Family

Mother and Toddler Group – Thursday morning from 9.30am until 11.30am in the Church Hall during school term times.

 

Today’s Gospel

In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews.  Jesus came and stood among them.  He said to them, “Peace be with you,” and showed them his hands and his side.  The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and Jesus breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.”

When the disciples saw Thomas who was not with them at the time the Lord appeared, they said to him, “We have seen the Lord,” Thomas  answered, “Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side I refuse to believe.”

It seems that after Good Friday Thomas had cut himself off from the other apostles, and walked alone.  This was a big mistake.  But we must remember that he was in deep grief.  People who are grieving have a tendency to isolate themselves.  While it is understandable it is not helpful.  In cutting himself off from the other apostles, Thomas made things more difficult for himself.

However, it seems that he hadn’t cut himself off completely.  Whenever he met them, he would have noticed a difference in them.  Their fear was largely gone, and had been replaced by joy and peace.  It was clear that someone had breathed new life into them.  They claimed that they had seen Jesus.

But Thomas refused to take their word for it.  He had to be sure.  We can sympathise with Thomas.  He was merely echoing the human cry for certainty.  However, here on earth there is not such thing as absolute certainty about spiritual things.  If there was, faith would not be necessary.

But Thomas was being stubborn too.  However, he did one good thing, he rejoined the apostles.  Now he had the support of the community.

Prayers for when like Thomas we doubt

 

Christ our light,
like Thomas we want to see,
need to touch,
need to be sure before we believe.
When we don’t know, help us to trust;
when we can’t see, help us to keep on walking.

(From The Book of a Thousand Prayers) 

***************** 

Lord of life
Why do I anticipate the worst
When time and time again
The worst never happens?
Even when it does, life goes on
And every day comes to and end.
Lord help me to overcome my fears
In this brief moment of reflection.
Calm my mind
Help me to relax
Let your comforting Sprit
Enter into me
And fill me with peace.

(written by Frank Topping and taken from The Book of a Thousand Prayers)

 

Message from Father David

I thank you for your very kind and generous Easter Offerings which will be a great help with the car and holiday fund – thank you all very much.

A special word of thanks to those at Holy Angels and Holy Family who arranged the flowers for Easter.  Many of our parishioners and visitors commented on how beautiful both Churches looked.

Thanks also to the Sacristans, the Readers, the Church Cleaners.  Those who help with the Church gardens, the Servers and the Musicians – you all helped to make Easter very special.  Thank you so much.

God Bless you all

Father David