metrically 13th February the week ahead:-
http://inklingsandyarns.com/2012/12/panic-mode/ Today is the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mass 12 noon (Saturday) Dunsop Bridge
Mass 5pm (Saturday) Clitheroe
Mass 9.30am (Sunday) Clitheroe
Mass 11am (Sunday) Sabden
Monday No Public Mass
Tuesday Mass 10am
Wednesday Ash Wednesday
9am Mass in Sabden
10am Mass in Clitheroe
12 noon Mass in Dunsop Bridge
Thursday Mass 10am
Friday No Public Mass
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time :
Mass 12 noon (Saturday) Dunsop Bridge
Mass 5pm (Saturday) Clitheroe
Mass 9.30am (Sunday) Clitheroe
Mass 11am (Sunday) Sabden
A Public Mass can only be celebrated on the days that we have stewards who are available. (see above)
The Word This Week
Thankfully, we do not encounter leprosy in our culture. It can therefore be difficult to enter into the real depth of today’s readings. We have to understand that leprosy meant exclusion, rejection and the end of “normal” life. For your leprosy to be cured would be like being given a second chance at life. What is the cause of exclusion and rejection in our society – or even in the Church? Who are those who must “live apart”? And how can we put into effect in our day those most touching of the words of Jesus, when asked if he wants to cure the leper: “Of course I want to!”? Contemplating exclusion and rejection in our world can be hard work: Saint Paul guides the way: the Christian path is not to work “for my own advantage, but for the advantage of everybody else”.
Lent in Lockdown resources
For lots of information and suggestions go to the Salford Diocese website. Included on this site you will see:-
Pastoral Latter. Resources for individuals. Resources for families. Weekly Eco thought. Events. Giving back in Lent.
https://www.dioceseofsalford.org.uk/lent-in-lockdown-resources/
Caritas: Pray – Fast – Give
In his Apostolic Letter proclaiming this as ‘The Year of St Joseph’, Pope Francis describes St Joseph as “a tender loving father…who is creatively courageous”. We certainly could have no better patron than St Joseph for our annual Lenten St Joseph’s Penny schools appeal, which has been launched this week and for well over a century has been helping to fund the care, protection and nurturing of vulnerable children, adults and families in our Diocese.
As part of our Pray-Fast-Give resource provision for schools, we are delighted that many have responded to our request for short prayers written by pupils on the themes of Catholic Social Teaching, for inclusion in our daily Lenten Prayer For The Day. It would be very encouraging indeed for our schools and our wider Caritas family if our parishes could join us in virtual prayer each day during Lent by accessing the daily prayers pupils have written.
The prayers for each week of Lent will be available on our St Joseph’s Penny webpage and updated each Friday throughout Lent, ready for the following week.
Please go to https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/service-view/sjp2021/ and scroll down to Weekly Prayers.
Lent Course
I’ve been asked to draw your attention to a Lent course Women in the Shadows online course for Lent 2021 which can be found at: https://www.theclewerinitiative.org/womenintheshadows
GLOBAL HEALING
In 2015, Pope Francis published his ground -breaking letter on the environment “Laudato Si’”. Since then, millions of people worldwide have joined the global movement to address the environmental crisis our world is facing. This Lent, we are inviting YOU to join us for a series of reflective evenings with inspiring speakers, prayer and discussion, using the film-based resource “Global Healing”. These engaging documentaries will inform and challenge people to respond to Pope Francis’ call to Care for Our Common Home. Suitable for all who are concerned about what is happening to our world and who want to take action. When? Six Thursdays from 18th February – 25th March 2021, 7.30 p.m – 8.30 p.m. How to join? To register please email jane@catholicclimatemovement.global
LATELY DEAD
Alice Bolton
ANNIVERSARIES
Michael Pryle, Wilfred Clegg,
MASSES RECEIVED THIS WEEK
Special Intention, 50th Birthday, Michael Pryle, Special Intention, Fr Wareing,
Rita & Frank Donvaband, Pauline Kliuis, Dorothy Raynor, Sarah Raynor, Kate Wolstenholme, Louise, Special Intention, Anna Copsey x 4, Alice Bolton, Arthur Peters, James Albert Hartley, Wilfred Clegg
Live simply thought of the week:
Have you insulated your house? Blocking up the draughts will reduce your fuel bill and reduce your carbon footprint.
Fairtrade Fortnight:
22 Feb to 7 March 2021 (for more information, go to www.fairtrade.org.uk)
Fairtrade changes the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fairer deal for farmers and workers in developing countries.
When you choose to buy Fairtrade goods, you are helping to ensure that the person who grew the banana you are eating, or the coffee beans used to make your drink was paid fairly for their work. Look for the Fairtrade logo when shopping.
CYCLE RIDE – CLITHEROE TO LOURDES
Parishioners Paul and Bernadette Worden had intended to cycle ride from Clitheroe to Lourdes in support of Mary’s Meals, but Covid has made it very unlikely to happen any time soon. However they are planning the following as per an email from them –
“We have now decided to do this as a virtual ride by clocking up our mileage on local rides each day, following lockdown requirements, and relating that to where it would have got us had we actually been en route to Lourdes.
Our ‘virtual journey’ will begin from Clitheroe on Saturday 13th February. Our virtual route would be to Hull to take the ferry crossing to Belgium, then make our way to the Rhone Valley and travel south as far as Avignon before heading west through the Pyrenees to Lourdes – all without leaving our local area!
We plan to ‘arrive’ in Lourdes on Easter Sunday 4th April after completing our challenge of cycling 1065 miles in 51 days.
Mary’s Meals is a charity dedicated to providing life changing meals to some of the worlds poorest children. Their vision is that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education and that all those who have more than they need, share with those who lack even the most basic things.
We would really appreciate your support in helping raise funds for this charity. You can read more about their great work and perhaps donate to our project via the link below.
https://giving.marymeals.org/en_gb/projects/1omh-clitheroe-to-lourdes—virtually-
Alternatively you can ring Arnold on 01200 427096 or email arnoldmarsden@gmail.com to be added to the sponsor list. Please enjoy the journey with us and follow our progress, both real and virtual, via our travel blog www.mytb.org/BernieW
Alternatively you can email cycle21lourdes@yahoo.com and we will include you in a weekly update of our progress”.
Thankyou
Paul and Bernadette Worden
Lent Fast Day – Friday 26th February
This year our focus is on “Walking for Water.”
Abdella, who is a young man, lives in an extremely remote and mountainous part of Ethiopia, where it is getting hotter and drier each year. It takes him ten hours every day to collect water for his family.
Throughout Lent each time you resist a treat or give up something put the money you save in an envelope and then return the envelope at Easter.
RIBBLE VALLEY FOODBANK
The Ribble Valley Foodbank is looking for a part-time assistant to the manager, starting as soon as possible. 8 hours a week for a three month period, mainly to be worked on a Monday or Thursday, with the possibility of extra hours to cover for the Foodbank Manager, when necessary.
To apply please send CV and covering letter to info@ribblevalley.foodbank.org.uk.
Or for an informal chat, or more information please contact the Foodbank Manager Jane Chitnis on 07849 534431
Closing Date 21st February 2021
CLITHEROE CIVIC SOCIETY
Next meeting and presentation – Monday 1st March 2021-02-11
Speaker is Stephen Illingworth who will deliver his presentation titled “The Pilgrimage of Grace in the Ribble Valley”
This intriguing title, with local connections is further explained by Steven Illingworth as follows:
“1536 King Henry VIII faced a major rebellion called The Pilgrimage of Grace, in opposition to the religious changes being imposed by the King and his ministers.
The rebels, based mainly in the North of England, were particularly keen to defend the monasteries against the government’s attempt to close them down. This talk tells the story of the struggle for Sawley Abbey in the autumn of 1536 and how close Henry VIII came to a disastrous defeat there.”
RIBBLE VALLEY YOUTH
JOIN THE TEAM! Could you be someone we are looking for? We need people who have a passion for young people to join the RVY team. You don’t have to be young and cool (look at Chris and Lucy!) but you do need to genuinely want to see young people hear about Jesus, grow in their relationship with him, have a clear DBS and a bit of spare time. Currently we are looking for people who would like to be on our Livestream team – help plan and present the livestream videos. People to be part of the gaming team – be in the game, help lead the conversation in the zoom call and monitor behaviour to keep it a safe space. We are also looking for people who like being outdoors, who would like to join our detached team, going out into the community and talking to young people who are out and about. To find out more head over to our website. If you are thinking about getting involved with RVY we’d love to hear from you. We are always looking for people to join the team. We need volunteers for all three streams of RVY. We have a recruitment process for all volunteers to ensure that the young people and the volunteers are safe. Our procedure is as follows: – Application form – Interview – DBS check If you are then accepted on to the team we will then train you in the following areas: – Safeguarding – Health and safety (appropriate to the stream you are joining) – RVY youth work principles, policies and procedures. Continuous team development: We believe that volunteering is not just about giving but also about your development. We organise a termly (3 times a year) for our team to come together and build their skills and confidence together. Our promise to our team: That each member would have an amazing opportunity to be part of a fantastic team who serve the young people in the Ribble Valley, with all the support, training and practical skills that they need to do it. If you want to know more, please get in touch.
CCP (CLITHEROE CHURCHES IN PARTNERSHIP)
An update on the Hamper Project given in last week’s newsletter:
Below is a message regarding hamper items which can be dropped off in advance of the hamper distribution. Thank you for supporting this hamper initiative; we hope it will greatly bless and encourage our amazing key workers.
We aim to provide a good variety of items that will genuinely be appreciated by those working on the ‘front line’. The hamper contents will consist of individually wrapped items to help make them as COVID secure as possible. Some items, such as hand creams, will be sourced in bulk online; other, such as packaged fresh fruit, will be purchases shortly before hamper delivery. For these reasons we ask you to restrict your contributions to the items on the following list:
- Cadbury’s Heroes (290g box)
- Celebrations box
- Tesco Finest cookies (Quadruple Chocolate/Belgian Milk Chocolate/Milk Chocolate & Hazelnut/Sultana & Oat)
- Nature Valley Granola Bars – 5 x 24g
- 25g Nut Sachets (Almond/Cashew/Mixed)
Items can be delivered in advance to Clitheroe Community Church (Millthorne Avenue, Clitheroe, BB7 2LE between Saturday 13th February (10am – 12noon) and Wednesday 17th February (1pm – 3pm)
If you have any questions or anything needs clarifying, please contact Chris Meyer at chrischrismeyer@gmail.com
This hamper project is now on the Love Clitheroe website –
https://www:loveclitheroe.com/keyworker-hampers if you want to direct people there, and the link for donations (which is also linked from the website) is
https://www.give.nte/loveclitheroeevents
CCP PRAYER of the MONTH
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:3
Each month, Clitheroe Christians in Partnership have identified a theme for our prayer as a town. This month, February, we are praying for Refugees in Calais.
Immigration controls can be a contentious social and political issue. People can be worried about uncontrolled entry to their country, their city or their town. ‘Who is picking up the bill?’, is a common concern. Despite all such things what might be the Christian perspective?
One of the main ‘jumping off areas’ for illegal entry to the UK is around Calais and whatever our personal view might be there are undoubtedly men, women, children and families who are desperate for a new future and in a position of great physical, and emotional need. The choices that have driven them to Calais could well be born out of a genuine fear and desperation that we struggle to imagine. Into the New Year Clitheroe Churches in Partnership (CCP) are looking at the plight of refugees as part of their aim to raise awareness around human rights abuse and the blight of criminal trafficking of vulnerable people.
Parishioners from Our Lady of the Valley pledged to send money saved during Covid lockdown to some of the most vulnerable. We searched for charities where money would go directly to those in need. Sister Bridie Dowd of the Sisters of Mercy of St Vincent de Paul, one of our Anti-Trafficking networkers, has been to Calais a number of times and put us touch with Alex Holmes, who was soon to spend a month with Maria Skobtsova House in Calais over the Christmas period. Alex goes to Calais regularly and is a trusted friend of Sister Bridie.
Maria Skobtsova House says: “We are very grateful that we have been able to rely on Alex and Joëlle who have been faithfully supporting the mission of the house over the past four years. Their regular presence in the House assures, beyond the practical help, a solid continuity in nourishing the spirit of Maria Skobtsova House, in all the uncertainties, precariousness and turmoils of the situation and the daily life in Calais.”
In September Alex wrote: “For the refugee community in Calais, this past year has continued to be shaped by police violence and the building of ever more barriers. Almost daily the refugee communities are confronted with a hostile environment, the constant dismantling of their living spaces, and actions that are an attempt to dissuade them from staying in Calais. Despite the Covid pandemic there has been no letup in the pursuit of a policy of zero tolerance by the authorities towards refugees. “
It was much colder in January when Alex emailed us from Calais with a message of thanks: “HAPPY NEW YEAR from across the Channel in Calais”
“We had an amazing Orthodox Christmas celebration two days ago, on January 7th. Thank you for helping make this possible. We were able to use one of the churches in Calais, St Joseph’s…more than 60 Eritreans came for a 3 hour prayer service led by two Eritrean deacons. A fine team of 6 Eritrean refugees prepared a meal for 150 of their community.. Because of Covid, this had to be outdoors…and mercifully it was dry all day.”
So, Christians in Clitheroe reached across the divide and actively contributed to keeping those people in need, warm, sheltered and well fed over Christmas.
Please join us in praying for refugees in Calais
Lord of the Lost, Calmer of the Waves, a Man of Sorrows acquainted with grief,
We pray for all refugees in Calais as they seek new life from desperation,
As they seek a place to call home,
As they seek protection from danger, hostility and violence,
As they confront barrier after barrier to simple freedom,
As they are haunted by uncertainty and fear for their loved ones.
Lord in Your Mercy may they see and feel You reaching out to them,
Lord in Your Mercy protect them,
Lord in Your Mercy uplift and empower those who lovingly minister to them,
Lord in Your Mercy show us a way to help.
Lord Jesus, in Your Mercy, Hear Our Prayer
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Back in 1940 the Pantomime was Sleeping Beauty.
The performance was given on Christmas Day, believe it or not, and Boxing Day.
THE HALL LOWERGATE
Christmas Day Dec 25 & Boxing Day Dec 26
**GRAND PANTOMIME**
SLEEPING BEAUTY
(By kind permission of Abel Heywood)
NEW ADDITIONS, NEW DRESSES, SINGING, DANCING AND MIRTH
Special Engagement of MR S BRIDGE and MR d Drane
King: Mr J. O’DONNELL Producer: Mrs J SHERLIKER
Musical Director: Miss M. GUDGEON, L.R.A.M; A.R.C.M
Dancing and Acrobatic Turns Taught by MISS M SHERLIKER
COMMENCE 2.15 PROMPT
ADMISSION: RESERVED SEATS 1/6 UNRESERVED 1/-
Children Half-price to 1/- Seats only 1/- Tickets may be had from any of the Company
PLEASE NOTE – Seats may be booked at MISS DRIVER’S, opposite Catholic Church
CATHOLIC PANTOMIME,
“A WINNER”
———————————-
FUN FAST AND FURIOUS
Large audiences thoroughly enjoyed themselves at The Hall, Lowergate, on the afternoons of Christmas Day and Boxing Day when repeat performances of the pantomime, “Sleeping Beauty” were presented. This popular pantomime was originally presented a few weeks ago for SS Michael & John’s Comforts Fund, but this week the players far surpassed anything they achieved at the first performance. Since that time new numbers and new dance routines have been added and what was a good show has been made even better. The old numbers lost nothing by repetition, indeed for those who had already seen them they brought back happy memories, whilst to the newcomers they were a revelation.
COMEDY BLITZ
To see the happy, smiling faces, the gay and colourful costumes, the snappy dances was to forget Hitler and his “Blitz” and there can be no doubt that both players and audiences alike were better and happier for the relaxation. Once again Mr J O’Donnell was a complete success at the King and received strong support from Miss Jean Devaney, who played the Queen to perfection. Miss Stella Eccles was as charming and gracious a princess as one could wish to meet, while Miss Marie Sherliker in the role of the Prince added just the right touch of dash and vigour, which this role demands. As Baron Factotum, Mr Sam Bridge caused many hearty chuckles and he had an admirable foil in Miss Frances Jackson, who played the role of Dandy, the Prince’s valet, with distinction. Two “good” fairies were represented by misses Greta Dickenson and Josephine Dodd, who as always in pantomimeland, triumphed over the evil machinations of Fairy Spiteful who was played by Miss Agnes Rice. The role of first lady in waiting on the royal couple was in the capable hands of Miss Brenda Dickenson.
TOPICAL TURNS
In keeping with the times, the first three numbers were of a military character, “All Pals Together.” “Tiggerty Boo” and “Let the Bands Play.” The last named one of the new items was sung with vigour by Miss Greta Dickenson, who was ably supported by the chorus, whose skilful dancing was greatly enjoyed. Another new item “Cheerio,” sung by the King and Queen with a background of dancers, created a favourable impression and Miss Irene Boyer delighted everyone with her sweet singing of “Smiling Along.” Messrs Sam Bridge and J O’Donnell once more created roars of laughter in their comedy song and dance “Whose little whatsit are you?” and other popular dance numbers were “Save a Little Sunshine,” “Happy Youth,” “Playmates,” “If I should fall in love again,” and “Blighty,” whilst a clever acrobatic number was acclaimed with enthusiasm. Miss Greta Dickenson sweetly sang “When you wish upon a Star,” but what everyone agreed to be easily the loveliest number in the show was “Memories live longer than Dreams,” sung by the Prince and Princess, Misses Marie Sherliker and Stella Eccles, followed by a beautiful dance the “boys” being dressed in blue and white satin suits and the girls being attired in pale blue and pink frocks. Several amusing turns were also given by Mr Sam Bridge and his partner Mr D Drane, who enlivened the proceedings considerably with many a clever quip and sally, putting the audiences into the best of good humours and contributing in no small manner to the success of the production.
BRIGHT FINALE
The finale was more impressive, the songs including “Cheerio,” “When you wish upon a Star,” “Smiling along,” “Let the Bands Play” and concluding with “There’ll always be an England,” in which the solo was taken by Mr Drane.
Much of the credit for the success of the production may be claimed by Mrs J Sherliker, who was producer and to her daughter Miss Marie Sherliker, who taught the dancing and acrobatic numbers. Miss Marie Gudgeon L.R.A.M, A.R.M.C, may also claim no small share of praise for her handling of the musical side of the show, and thanks are also due to the stage managers, Mr W Bush and Mr Dickenson for their efficient work behind the scenes.