Newsletter

13th April, 2013 – Sunday Vigil Mass

WELCOME

Times of Mass and Devotions

Sat   13 Apr 5.30pm HA Sunday Vigil Mass Grace Sequeira (RIP)
Sun  14 Apr 9.15am HF Third Sunday of Easter Special Intentions of the people of the Parish
  11.00am HA   Caroline Johnson (RIP)
Mon  15 Apr     NO MASS  
Tue  16 Apr  9.30am  HF MASS  Clyde Collins (RIP) November List
Wed 17 Apr 9.30am HA MASS  Frank, Mary and Gerald Leahy (RIP) Nov. List
Thu  18 Apr     NO MASS  NO MASS
Fri    19 Apr   12.00pm HA MASS  Beatrice & Albert Goodchild (RIP) Nov. List
Sat  20 Apr 5.30pm HA Sunday Vigil Mass  Special Intentions of the people of the Parish
Sun 21 Apr 9.15am HF Fourth Sunday of Easter Joan Packwood and Ann (RIP)
  11.00am HA   Elizabeth Morris (RIP)

 

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions)
Holy Angels, Ash: First Friday of month after 12pm Lunchtime Mass
Holy Family, Farnham:  First Thursday of month after 7.30pm Evening Mass
Special Services with Confessions at both Churches for Advent and Lent

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday at Holy Family @ 7.00pm (in Church Hall)

 (Parish Office Hours: 9.30am – 1.30pm)

                        Please note:  HF = Holy Family, Heath End, Farnham and HA = Holy Angels, Ash

 

Special Collection

There will be a Special Collection next Sunday, 21st April for The Education of Future Priests

 

 

Welcome back to Fr. David and Deacon John – We hope that you had a well deserved break after the very busy time during Lent and the Easter. We hope that you have both returned feeling, refreshed and Spirit filled ready to lead us all once again. We were all grateful to Fr. Paul Dzwig for covering the Masses last weekend.

 

Liturgy

 3rd Sunday of Easter (C) Gospel: John 21 1-19 Look after my Sheep

Entrance: HA: 768   HF: 268 How Lovely on the mountains
Offertory: HA: 852   HF: 778
We have a Gospel to proclaim
Final Hymn:  HA:  1004  HF:  44
And did those feet.

 

Information

Farnborough Hill Open Afternoon – Summer Term – Friday 26th April (Please see Church Notice Boards for more information)

 

Important dates for First Holy Communion Children

First Holy Communion class – Saturday 20th April, 9am – Holy Family

First Holy Communion Mass – Sunday 21st April, 9.15am, Holy Family

 

PRAYER GROUP – The next Prayer Group for both Holy Angels and Holy Family Churches will take place once a month on a Tuesday. The next dates are the 7th May,  4th June and 2nd July, 2013. Please come along as and when you can and you will be made to feel most welcome. Coffee at 7.30pm for 7.45pm start to be held in the Parish Office.

 

Churches Together Afternoon Teas – Will take place at Holy Angels Church next Sunday, 21st April from 3pm until 4.30pm. Why not join us?

 

St. George’s Day – Next Sunday with communities and Churches all over England we will be celebrating the Feast of St. George which officially falls on the following Monday, 23rd April but is celebrated by many on the nearest Sunday. Prayers are always needed for faith in our Country and local communities and what better time to pray for the people who make up the Country of England than at the time we celebrate the feast of St. George.

 

Baptisms

Please make an appointment to see the Priest/Deacon to discuss what you need to do to prepare for your child’s baptism. If you are new to the Parish, please complete pink Registration Form  and make yourself known to Father David or Deacon John after Mass.

Once you have met with Father David or Deacon John You will be asked to attend a Baptism Class which is one evening and only takes up an hour or so of your time.  Also Father David asks that parents obtain the booklet entitled, ‘Your Baby’s Baptism’ available on line from Redemptorist Publications, Shawton, Alton, Hants. Tel: 01420 83255 Email: enquiries@rpbooks.co.uk

Also for the Godparents, the booklet ‘Your Godchild’ ISBN: 978-0-85231-364-0) again available from details above.

 

Prayer Requests

Please remember in your prayers our sick: Maggie Larkin for a speedy recovery after her knee operation. Barbara mother of Sharon O’Brien. Jordan for a speedy recovery after a road traffic accident.

If you would like a Prayer Request you must have the permission of the person for whom the prayer is to be said or the permission of their relative

 

Holy Family Church Catholic Parish Farnham, Hale, Weybourne & Badshot Lea

Skittles Night – There will be a Skittles Night in association with the Knights of Columba on Friday, 10th May at Hale Village Hall from 7pm until 11pm.  All are welcome. £8 per adult. (for further information please contact Deacon John Edwards)

Mother and Toddler Group – Our Mother and Toddler Group meet every Thursday morning from 9.30am until 11.30am in the Church Hall.  Why not join us and have a chat over a cup of coffee whilst your children enjoy some playtime with other young children.

 

Holy Angels  Catholic Parish for Ash, Nr. Aldershot,  Ash Vale, Tongham & Normandy

Mother and Toddler Group – We would love to see more young Mums at our Mother and Toddler Group who meet in St. Mary’s Room on a Tuesday, from 10.30am until 12.00pm. 

 

Homily by the Holy Father

 

On Tuesday, at The Holy Father’s customary morning Mass, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel passage that recounts the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus, who did not immediately grasp how a man can be “born again.” Through the Holy Spirit, the Pope said, we are born into the new life we have received in Baptism. However, he added, this is a life that has to be developed; it does not come automatically. 

“We have to do all we can to ensure that our life develops into new life,” the Pope said, acknowledging that this can be “a laborious journey,” but reminding that it depends chiefly on the Holy Spirit, as well as our ability to be “open to his breath.”

And this, the Pope pointed out, is exactly what happened to the early Christians. They had “new life,” which was expressed in their living with one heart and one soul. They had, he said, “that unity, that unanimity, that harmony of feeling of love, mutual love.”

Pope Francis quoted that this needs to be rediscovered today, observing, for example, that the aspect of “meekness in the community,” is a somewhat forgotten virtue. Meekness is stigmatized, it has “many enemies,” the first of which is gossip. 

“When we prefer to gossip, gossip about others, criticize others — these are everyday things that happen to everyone, including me — these are the temptations of the evil one who does not want the Spirit to come to us and bring about peace and meekness in the Christian community.” 

“These struggles always exist,” the Pope warned, “in the parish, in the family, in the neighbourhood, among friends.” But it is the Spirit who brings us into new life, making us meek and charitable.

The Holy Father then outlined the correct behaviour for a Christian. 

First, “do not judge anyone” because “the only Judge is the Lord.” Then “keep quiet” and if you have something to say, say it to the people involved, to those “who can remedy the situation,” but “not to the entire neighbourhood.” 

“If, by the grace of the Holy Spirit,” concluded Pope Francis, “we succeed in never gossiping, it will be a great step forward” and “will do us all good.” (supplied by Deacon John)

A Meditation

Perhaps in light of Pope Francis’ above homily, we could ponder on the 10th Station of the Cross when Jesus was stripped of his garments.

Dear Jesus,

The soldiers stripped you of your clothing but they could not strip you of your dignity.
I pray for those who have unjustly suffered the pain of gossip or false rumour by others.
Lord, in your mercy hear my prayer.

Thank you from Father David

Thank you to all those of you who sent me Easter cards and offered prayers for me.  Also my grateful thanks to those who so generously contributed to my Easter Offering.