CATHOLIC PARISH OF OUR LADY, STOWMARKET

www.ourladys-stowmarket.co.uk

R.C. Diocese of East Anglia:  Registered Charity No. 278742   

Parish Newsletter for the Week beginning Sunday, 29th January 2012

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Sunday Readings: Year B, Weekday Readings: Year II

Psalter: Week 4

MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION THIS WEEK:

Save us, Saviour of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Welcome to Mass of the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Proper prayers and readings begin on Page 132 in the Parish Mass Books.
There is a RETIRING COLLLECTION TODAY for the PARISH FABRIC FUND.

NEXT RETIRING COLLECTION

Next weekend, the RETIRING COLLECTION will be for the CATHOLIC EDUCATION SERVICE, the chief negotiating and advisory body on all matters regarding Catholic Education in England and Wales.

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK

Thursday is Candlemas Day, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
We will begin 10.00 am Mass by blessing candles in the Narthex and processing into the Church. Exposition will conclude five minutes early, at 10.50 am.
Friday is the Feast of St Blaise. The Blessing of Throats will be given at Mass.

FINANCE COMMITTEE: Tuesday this week, 7.30 pm at the Presbytery.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Next Tuesday, 7.15 pm in the Church Centre.

FAIR TRADE STALL

Proceeds from last weekend’s Fair Trade Stall amounted to £335. Thank you all for your generous support for the campaign for justice through Fair Trade.

HALF-TERM HEAVEN ON ICE 

An opportunity for those in years 7,8,9 and 10 to go ice-skating at a heavily discounted rate. Held at Planet Ice, Norwich on Monday 13th February and Planet Ice, Peterborough on Tuesday 14th February. Further information at the back of the church or go to www.catholiceastanglia.org.uk and click on 'young people'.

CATHOLIC CERTIFICATE IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES (CCRS)

The CCRS is a two-year course in Catholic theology initially designed for teachers in Catholic schools but also of great benefit to parish catechists and to anyone who wishes to deepen their knowledge of the Faith. It is run at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge on Saturdays from 10 am to 3.30 pm.

You’ll find full details on the notice board or contact Deacon John Morrill on jsm1000@cam.ac.uk or course director, Dr Philomena Cullen, on pc458@cam.ac.uk as soon as possible. Application forms: contact Ela Wolbek, the Institute Administrator on ew263@cam.ac.uk or 01223 – 741039.

2012 EAST ANGLIA DIOCESAN YEARBOOKS - £3.50

Please put your payment in the Books Wall Box (or in the Papers Bag at Woolpit).
PARISH DIARIES for 2012 Please take a free Diary with our compliments.

CATHOLIC COMPANION: January issue is now on sale, only £ 1.

FAITH TODAY FOR JANUARY: Only £ 1.95 for a very worthwhile read.

LAST SUNDAY’S COLLECTIONS:

Parish - Woolpit: £ 148, Stowmarket: £ 431;
PAX CHRISTI: £ 32.96 (Total £161.96). Thank you all for your generosity.

WORLD FOOD DAY 2012

We’ll be holding World Food Day 2012 next Sunday 5th February starting after 10.15 Mass and finishing around 2.30 pm.
We will try to represent all the various nationalities in the parish by cooking a national dish for us all to sample over lunch. In previous years we have had up to 13 nations represented. If you are willing to prepare a dish from your country then please contact Carole Kelly on 01449 674451 or Simon Millyard on 01359 242475 who will be pleased to talk you through what is required.
Cakes to serve with refreshments would be appreciated. These can be brought direct to the Cedars or to Mass on the day. Any offers of help on the day would also be gratefully received.
Do join us: you will be assured of an excellent international culinary experience.

HCPT CHARITY SUPPER

Come and join the Charity Supper on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Saturday 11th February, 7.00pm at the Cedars Hotel. You will enjoy a two-course dinner with excellent company, a selection of fine ales and drinks from the bar, a Promise Auction, music, dancing and quiz.  All proceeds to the funding of children on the HCPT Lourdes Pilgrimage this Easter. If you can offer a promise for auction, that would be most welcome. This is a ticket only event at £15 per head. Please contact Jane on 01449 615902 or Simon on 01359 242475 for tickets or to offer a promise.

HELP AVAILABLE! 

Members of the New Life Family Church are offering assistance to those less able, physically or financially, to help themselves.  For instance, in February, there is an offer to do some decorating.  Just provide the paint and the labour comes free.  At other times of the year assistance is offered with gardening, grass cutting and simple DIY tasks.  If you’re interested please fill in a form, to be found in the porch and get it to the address on the form or telephone the number given.

ST BENEDICT’S TOPS THE LEAGUE TABLES IN SUFFOLK

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MASSES THIS WEEK (FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME)
Saturday: 6.00 pm (St Mary’s, Woolpit), Pat Rushton RIP
SUNDAY: 8.30 am, Francis Bywater RIP; 10.15 am, Parish

Monday – Feria: No Mass today

Tuesday – St John Bosco: 6.30 pm, Frank & Polly Simler RIP

Wednesday – Feria: Donor’s Intention

Thursday – THE PRESENTATION - Feast: 10.00 am, Mike O’Reilly RIP

Friday – St Blaise: 8.00 am, Private Intention

Saturday – SS Gilbert, Simon Stock, Stephen Harding: 10.00 am, Private Int.

6.00 pm (St Mary’s, Woolpit), Patricia Day RIP (Barber)
SUNDAY – 5th OF YEAR: 8.30 am, Joseph Mather RIP; 10.15 am, Parish

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSIONS)

Saturday, 10.30 – 11.00 am or by arrangement.

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT THIS WEEK

Thursday, 9.25 – 9.50; Friday, 2.00 – 3.30 pm (Benediction at 3.15 pm)

DIOCESAN CYCLE OF PRAYER: St Mark’s Parish, Ipswich.

OUR SICK AND HOUSEBOUND:

Amanda Arrowsmith, Eva Bersanetti, Joan Cage, Michael Chilvers, Bridget Conlon, Elaine Devlin, Evelyn Donohoe, Tony Duggan, Charles & Patricia Egerton, John & Diana Emeney, Bob and Marra Emmett, Faith Finegan, Helen Forbester, Ian Forbester, Ann Foster, Louis Gillespie, Edward Gorman, Mary Harper, Gina and Frank Hewitt, Ann Hewlett, Angela Hurst, Geoffrey Johannes, John Laney, Josephine Mizzi, Terrence Mizzi, Lidia Monai, Bryan Moore-Smith, Catherine Neuman, Ellen O’Sullivan, Miles Rogers, Stella Parkinson, Barbara Phillips, Molly Punchard, Moira Reeve, Veronica Ritzema, Alan Rowe, Len Scott, Josephine Scrivener, Marielle Scully, Andrew Simler, Vicky Simler, Etty Smith, Peggy Smith, Betty Stephenson, Peter Stephenson Wall, Jane Thorpe, Pat Tierney, John Tomlinson, Melanie Vickers, Brian Walsh, Tony Wass and Anne Wilce.

ANNIVERSARIES OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED:

Samuel Whiting, Edward Myers, Father Francis Rudd, Caroline Chester,
Polly Simler, Doreen Davies, Walter Baker, Frank Spence, Amilie Gladwell,
Mario Melnyk, Maria Isabel Vallarino Cantor, Vera Palmer and Patricia Day R.I.P.

Parish Priest: Rev. David Finegan: Tel: 01449-612946

E-mail: ourlady.stowmarket@btinternet.com

The Presbytery, 29 Lockington Road, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1BQ

P.P.C. Chairman: Mrs Josephine Lea, Tel: 01449-721544

C entre Bookings: Mrs. Diane Wilson, Tel: 01449-672527

or e-mail: dijesse@hotmail.co.uk