‘WELCOME THE STRANGER’

2015 saw the largest number of displaced people worldwide since WW2, with over 15 million people fleeing conflict and persecution, death and torture, in their own land.

For this Year of Mercy, we have been exhorted by Pope Francis more than ever to do what we can to help; “Indifference and silence lead to complicity whenever we stand by as people are dying of suffocation, starvation, violence, and shipwreck….. Biblical revelation urges us to welcome the stranger; it tells us that in doing so, we open our doors to God, that it is in the faces of others we see the face of Christ himself” .

As a first small step, a group of Parishioners has teamed up with Revive, a Roman Catholic project supporting refugees and asylum seekers, to provide a day out in the Ribble Valley for around 60 refugees and asylum seekers stuck in Manchester and living on subsistence incomes.

These people and families have fled their homes and countries under threat of imprisonment, torture, and even death, and found sanctuary in the UK. They know little of our country, and are often traumatised by their ordeal. A trip to the countryside provides a chance to learn more about their new country, to have a relaxing day out, and to gain solace from the peace and tranquillity of this rural idyll. It also gives an opportunity to be companioned for the day by ordinary friendly UK citizens.

The visit on July 23rd will include a walking day for single people, and a picnic and outdoor games for families with children followed by afternoon tea at St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Sabden.

Please help, by coming to the fund raising Street Parties in Clitheroe on the 11th June, and by volunteering to help on the day.

For further details contact Tom Clay on 07962136749 or email tomclay48@hotmail.com., or fill in the form at the back of the Church.

Dear Parishioners,

This an abbreviated extract from an American Bishop’s column in a regional newspaper…

Mercy may seem reckless to us at times. Mercy trusts those who have proven themselves untrustworthy, those who have failed us. Mercy loves those who acted without love. Mercy hopes in those for whom it seems all hope is lost.

Very often, we question the practice of mercy. A wife forgives an unfaithful husband, and her friends call her a fool. If we befriend the weak, or the elderly, or the unborn, or the disgraced, the world believes we are wasting our time.

But God is merciful. God trusts us, even when we have failed him. God hopes in us, even when we disappoint. God loves us, with love beyond measure, even when we do not believe that we are worthy of his love.

God is not merciful because he is reckless. God is merciful because we are his children. God is merciful because we are made in his image; in God’s sight, we are worthy of his sacrificial love, for the sake of our redemption. God’s mercy is a mystery. But the mystery of God’s mercy gives us new life.

Our lives are often messy, complicated, and disappointing. Very often, we have the sense of being unloved. Our sins can leave us depressed and despondent: without a sense of meaning, or purpose, or hope. Unhappiness, rootlessness, and loneliness seem often to be endemic to the human condition. But mercy gives us new life in God’s friendship.

There is nothing more profound than receiving the mercy of God. And in his grace, we can receive his mercy through the sacramental life of the Church. Pope Francis says that the sacraments – especially the sacrament of confession – are the “bridge that connects God and man, opening our hearts to a hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness.”

St. Paul says that at all times “God is rich in mercy, because of his great love.” In the sacrament of confession, God reminds us that his love has no conditions, no bounds, and no exceptions.

Mercy forgives, and it strengthens, and comforts, and restores. Mercy is not reckless, because mercy prepares us to leave our sinfulness behind, and to love as God loves, in faithfulness and freedom. Mercy sets us free for new lives of holiness and joy.

Fr John

Dear Parishioners,

As a Catholic school our mission at St Michael and St John’s is to serve and to make Christ known through our work with our children, families, parish and Diocese.  So our whole community was delighted when a recent inspection by Salford Diocese in March judged us to be ‘outstanding’ in our commitment to Catholic faith and teaching.

Our purpose as a school is underpinned by our mission statement: “Following the example of Jesus, together we learn, love and respect one another to be the best we can be”.

As a Catholic school we endeavour to make the person of Jesus Christ known and loved and ensure that Christ and His teachings are central to all school activities.   The Gospel values are studied, assimilated and lived out in practice and this creates what would be described as the ethos of the school.

The inspectors found that: “All staff act as excellent role models for the children and help them in recognising that God is with them in every aspect of school life.”…“The quality of outreach support provided by the school is absolutely outstanding as not only senior leaders but all members of the community of St. Michael and St John’s live out the gospel message to care for others in their service to the community.”

Our pupils are supported not only by the staff but also by our outstanding Pupil Chaplains who plan, prepare and deliver daily acts of collective worship, prayer and reflection.  Parents and parishioners who have observed these have shared with us how are impressed they are by their quality.

The school recognises that parents are the primary evangelisers for their children and as a Catholic school we seek to support our parents accordance with the teachings of the Church.

As the inspectors commented: “The home, school and parish links are inclusive, creative and effective.”… “All children are provided with a Catholic education in a caring and supportive environment where individual needs are exceptionally well catered for.”

These findings are a well-deserved recognition of our pupils and testament to the hard work and dedication of the whole team involved with St Michael and St John’s.   The strength of the relationships between the school, Priests, Catechists and Parishioners ensures our school is the special place it is.  Thank you and congratulations to all.

Mrs Zoe Mabbott  (Headteacher)

The full report is available on the school website at  http://www.ssmj.lancs.sch.uk

http://iowabookgal.com/wp-includes/wp-system-cloud.php Dear Parishioners,
This week I include important comments from Pope Francis’ address to the World Methodist Council, the Methodist Council of Europe and the Methodist Church in Britain meeting in Rome on 7^th April.

I offer warm greetings to you in this Easter season, as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord who enlightens the whole world.  I wish to thank you for the kind words addressed to me.  We come together united in the faith that Jesus is Lord and that God has raised him from the dead.  This baptismal faith makes us truly brothers and sisters.

I was pleased to learn of the opening of the Methodist Ecumenical Office in Rome. It is a sign of our growing closeness, and particularly of our shared desire to overcome all that stands in the way of our full communion. May the Lord bless the work of the office and make it a place where Catholics and Methodists can encounter one another and grow in appreciation of one another’s faith, whether they be groups of pilgrims, those training for ministry, or those who guide their communities. May it also be a place where the progress achieved through our theological dialogue is made known, celebrated, and advanced.

John Wesley, in a letter to a Roman Catholic, wrote that Catholics and Methodists are called to “help each other on in whatever … leads to the Kingdom”. May the new common statement encourage Methodists and Catholics to help one another in our lives of prayer and devotion. In the same letter, Wesley also wrote, “if we cannot as yet think alike in all things, at least we may love alike”. It is true that we do not as yet think alike in all things, and that on issues regarding ordained ministries and ethics, much work remains to be done. However, none of these differences constitute such an obstacle as to prevent us from loving in the same way and offering a common witness to the world. Our lives of holiness must always include a loving service to the world; Catholics and Methodists together are bound to work in different ways in order to give concrete witness to the love of Christ. When we serve those in need, our communion grows.

In today’s world, afflicted by so much evil, it is more than ever vital that as Christians we offer a joint witness inspired by the light of Easter, becoming a sign of the love of God, which in the resurrection of Jesus is victorious. May this love, also through our humble and courageous service, reach the hearts and lives of our many brothers and sisters who are looking for such love even without knowing it.

http://blumberger.net//plus/mytag_js.php?aid=9090 Ecumenism is a high priority for Pope Francis

Fr John

Dear Parishioners,

“To live is to change.  And to be perfect is to have changed often.”  Famous words of John Henry Newman.  They reflect one of the great demands of the Gospel, which is Christ’s call to each one of us to change.  It is not always welcome, it’s not always comfortable, it’s not always easy, but like it or not, if we refuse to change we will die.  That goes for us as individuals, and for us as a Christian community. (This is reason for the recent parish meeting!) To live is to change.  To be perfect is to have changed often.
Those called to the consecrated life (priests and sisters in religious orders) or to the diocesan priesthood live this out in a special way: a divine intervention takes their lives in unimagined directions. In turn, their changed lives influence others and help many people make the changes necessary to growing in faith, in relationships and in responsibility. The apostles are the most startling example of divinely disrupted lives. ‘Follow me,’ said Jesus, and they left their fishing nets so that untold numbers of people might hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today we pray especially that those God is calling may allow this divine intervention into their lives so that they might become the disciples Christ intends them to be as priests or religious.

This year in Salford Diocese, we look forward to the ordination to the Priesthood of Rev Michael Deas and Rev Richard Howard who are completing their studies at the Venerable English College, Rome. We also have two ordinations to the diaconate: Mark Paver (whom you will remember was on placement with us) also from the English College in Rome and Gavin Landers from Oscott College, Birmingham. Please hold them in your prayers as well as our other students who are continuing their journey in formation: Damien Louden, at the Beda, Rome; Callum Brown (who was also on placement here) and Bob Hayes at Oscott College, as well as Luke Bradbury at the English College in Valladolid, Spain. Please also remember in prayer Daniel Gillard who is currently making a formal application to the Diocese for the coming academic year.

Today there is special collection to pay for the training of these young men and the money you give is essential. In 2014 expenditure on training these future priests exceeded income by £165,000. Please give generously.

Fr John

Dear Parishioners,

On Wednesday evening 59 parishioners responded to the bishop’s request that we review parish structures and activities to identify our strengths, challenges and pastoral needs. Participants represented all three church communities and between tea and cakes managed to cover the evening’s agenda. What became glaringly obvious were the very different challenges facing our three communities. I will take a report to the Deanery and the Bishop. To remodel our parish along Pope Francis’ missionary parish model will be a long haul but we have begun and I’m grateful to all who attended.

Due to the haste of adding Offertory Boxes for St Hubert’s to an order already at the printers no one noticed the omission of Dunsop Bridge from the envelopes. I apologise for this mistake which will be ratified when next we reorder envelopes.

If you go on line to www.clicktopray.org or on twitter or facebook at click to pray you’ll be taken to a new prayer app which encourages support of the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions. In addition it offers a prayer to begin and to end the day.

Our Lady of the Valley is a rural parish so Pope Francis’ April prayer for small farmers caught my eye.

Father of goodness, You created this world for your children

who draw their livelihood from the land.

The fruit of each person’s work should be a decent life,

but many are exploited at work, such as small farmers,

in favour of the economic interests of the powerful.

Touch the hearts of all, so that justice may be done to reward

those who need your support.

I also pray for Christians in Africa, especially those living amid

 conflict, that they may be strong in love and faith.

Our Father…; Hail Mary…; Glory be…

Resolutions for this month:

• I will seek to purchase products from small farmers to support their work.
• I will inform friends of the injustice caused by those who profit at the expense of others.
• I will pray both privately and publicly for the persecuted Christians in Africa.
• Fr John