EVANGELII GAUDIUM    –    THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL

Pope Francis writes, at the start of his letter to the Church, “The Joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness.” He invites all Christians everywhere to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting Him encounter them.

In our Parish we have made a start responding to Pope Francis by arranging six meetings to examine our Faith through this document. So far we have had two gatherings before Christmas, each lasting one hour. Groups of around eight parishioners read and discuss the message in an atmosphere of welcoming friendship.

Here are some comments from parishioners who attended;

“I really enjoy these groups—meeting with others and talking about our Faith”

“Another excellent and thought provoking session”

“Very friendly group, it was easy to participate for someone who finds it difficult to open up”

We have arranged four more sessions leading up to Easter and invite ALL parishioners to come and experience these groups. The meetings start at 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings in the Parish Centre with refreshments served from 7.15pm. They end at 8.30pm but those who wish may stay on to discuss some issues in greater depth. What a great thing to do for Lent! Please come and join us.

The dates for your diary are 3rd February, 17th February, 2nd March and 9th March.

Parishioners will be available to explain more to anyone interested after all Masses next weekend, 30th/31st January.

We look forward to seeing you on the 3rd February.

Peter Donnelly

Dear Parishioners,

Following last week’s newsletter, I’ve been asked to explain, particularly for the benefit of new parishioners, what the Parish Forum is and how it operates.
Quite simply the Forum is our Parish Council, but unlike many Councils it is totally transparent and inclusive. Its Chair is elected to serve for three years, as is the Secretary, and all parishioners are welcome to attend its meetings, join in discussions and vote in ballots when they are present (no postal voting!). It meets round about every six weeks and each parishioner has the right to suggest items for the agenda.

We meet next Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall in Sabden and will finish by 9 o’clock. Tea will be served from 7.15. Further items for the agenda should be submitted to me or the secretary Margaret Donnelly: donnelmarg@aol.com or 01200 441081 by Tuesday evening.

The proposed Christmas Mass schedule and one central venue for future Forum meetings (last week’s newsletter) will be among the issues to be discussed.

Lent is only three weeks away and Maureen Mercer is introducing a new arrangement for groups who this year will lead the Friday Stations of the Cross in Clitheroe. A list will be pinned up in the porch for groups to decide their Friday. First come…..!

Launched last Tuesday a book long interview with Pope Francis. The name of God is Mercy was also released in 20 languages in 86 countries.

Fr John

They say time flies when you’re having fun; this has certainly been the case in my pastoral placement here in the Ribble Valley

I have had a wonderful experience in a Parish full of people with a lively and inspiring faith, which has been greatly encouraging. I have encountered such a great commitment to service among so many of you and you have taught me a great deal. So, it’s with a certain heaviness of heart that I leave you to return to seminary and continue this exciting journey towards priesthood. Please accept my sincere thanks for the privilege of getting to know you over the last five months. I ask for your prayers for the rest of my time in formation and be assured of my prayers for you all.

Wishing you every blessing,

Callum

Dear Parishioners,

I trust that you had a very Happy Christmas and a refreshing break. Here, the New Year was marked by a well-attended Mass at noon on the 1st January during which we invoked God’s blessing on our parish during this Year of Mercy.

With Christmas still in mind I ask to think about the following proposal before we discuss it at the next Parish Forum a week on Wednesday, 20^th January.

After the 8pm Christmas Eve Mass in West Bradford village hall, a number of parishioners from Dunsop lamented the fact that since the Mass time was changed a couple of years ago from 6pm to 8pm many families who used to attend no longer came. Parents said that 8pm was too late especially for younger children.

We do need three Masses on Christmas Eve (Clitheroe and Sabden are packed out) and these should be arranged so that one priest is able to celebrate all three. Fr Kevin will probably still be here next Christmas but thereafter I expect to be working on my own.

I was then asked whether a 4pm Mass on Christmas Eve would be permissible. It would if it catered for families with children and was open to the whole parish. The next question was whether it could be celebrated in St Michael and John’s which is so beautifully decorated at Christmas time. Yes. A shrewd individual than commentated that by transferring to Clitheroe it would save the cost of hiring the Hall and be more appropriate for the celebration of such an important feast. It would also relieve the pressure of driving to West Bradford with everything required for the celebration of Mass and then rushing back to arrange the altar for the 6pm Mass. A special 4pm Mass would allow for a more child centred liturgy to be celebrated and with a children’s choir. No doubt it might also reduce the crush at the 6pm Mass.

Mass on Christmas Day in Clitheroe and Dunsop would continue as this Christmas.

Observations, please?

As already arranged, the next Forum a week on Wednesday will be held in Sabden – some distance from Dunsop! As Clitheroe is more central to the whole parish, maybe we should host future Forums (Fora?) in Clitheroe only? Discuss!

The 99 group please meet this Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Presbytery.

RCIA resumes on Thursday after Mass at 8pm.

The Christmas tree will be removed after Mass today but the crib remains until the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on 2^nd February.

Fr John

Dear Parishioners,

Fr Peter Birmingham’s funeral will take place in his home parish in Radcliffe, Bury, where his vocation began and matured and where most of his close knit family still reside.

His mortal remains will be received into the church of St Mary and St Philip Neri, Radcliffe, on Tuesday 5th January at 7.00pm with Mass. The following day, Wednesday 6th January at 12noon, Bishop John will celebrate his Requiem which will be followed by burial in Radcliffe cemetery.

The post code for the church is M26 4DG. While parishioners are welcome to attend either Mass, for those who wish to go to the Requiem on Wednesday a coach will depart St Mary’s Sabden at 10.15am on the 6th and following the funeral will depart Radcliffe at 1.45 to return to Sabden. The coach is free and some seats are available but if you wish to travel you must inform Pat Whitwell ( (01282 774588) before Sunday evening.

Fr Peter died early on Tuesday 22nd December at Nazareth House Prestwich in his eighty third year and the fifty fourth year of his Priesthood, following diagnosis of stomach cancer two years ago. During the whole of this period his indomitable spirit and cheerfulness never left him.

Fr Peter was born on 15th August 1933, and was baptised in St Mary and St Philip Neri’s old church on 27th August 1933 and was confirmed on 10th May 1942. He was educated in the parish school and worked for a period before being accepted for training to the priesthood in February 1954. This began with two years at Osterley to bring his education up to scratch before joining the major seminary programme at St Cuthbert’s College, Ushaw, in September 1956.

He was ordained in our Cathedral on 16th June 1962, by the Bishop George Andrew Beck.

As Assistant Priest he served at Holy Family, Kirkholt for 8 years before transferring to Holy Saviour, Nelson where he and his successful youth club became well known, even outside the town.

In 1984 he was appointed Parish Priest of St Teresa, Irlam and nine years later to St Joseph, Accrington before his arrival at St Mary, Sabden in 1997. While at Sabden, in 2004, he also took responsibility for St Anne, Blackburn until his retirement in 2008.

Throughout his appointments Fr Birmingham also served as a Chaplain to the Army Cadet Force.

His present appointment is with the Lord whom he served so faithfully throughout his life.

Fr John