Dear Parishioners
Now that we are two priests, Confirmations in both churches will be next Sunday, the Feast of Pentecost at 11am in Sabden during the Sunday Mass and in Clitheroe at a special Confirmation service without Mass at 11.30am.
First Holy Communions will be on the Feast of Corpus Christi, 22nd June, at 11am in Sabden during the Sunday mass and in Clitheroe during an additional Mass at 11.30am.
Over 100 people joined the Right to Life sponsored walk on a beautiful Sunday afternoon last weekend. Visitors commented on how privileged we are to live in the Ribble Valley as also they commended the hospitality and generosity of parishioners. So again, I thank all the bakers and all who contributed confectionary and our Ladies who made the sandwiches, organised the catering and cleaned the hall after the invasion of muddy boots. Three years ago the first Right to Life walk attracted only around 40 people and its growth is due in no short measure to your generosity.
Visitors to St Michael and St John’s often comment on the beauty, cleanliness and prayerful atmosphere of our church. Despite its need of redecoration, the church is kept neat and tidy by a dedicated band of voluntary cleaners who generously offer an hour of their time with plenty of elbow grease from 9.30am on Monday mornings. Over the past eighteen months, age and eternal reward has thinned their ranks markedly. Please do consider whether you may offer an hour of you time on Monday mornings (or a little longer if you stay for tea, refreshments and good company!). And this appeal is not just directed to women: at least one man is required for some of the heaver work. Please do consider this request.
At last we have permission (it is a listed building) to renovate the Dower House. We have a budget of £20,000 which is just about sufficient to transform it into a desirable rentable, three bedroomed property in the centre of town with large back garden and parking. When this debt is cleared we shall further improve the property.
Finally, let us thank God for Pope Francis’ successful visit to the Holy Land during which he danced through national and religious minefields. The next event will be the prayer meeting in Rome on Sunday June 8th when he will pray with Presidents Perez of Israel and Abbas of Palestine. When President Perez bid farewell to the Pope he said: “You walked in pilgrimage to the Holy Land and you paved a road. May you be blessed.”
On another matter I recommend www.notdeadyetuk.org
Fr John