Fourth Sunday of Easter – 22nd April 2018

Dear Parishioners,

You may have noticed in last week’s newsletter that Deacon Callum Brown is to be ordained to the priesthood next month. Callum was studying at Lancaster University with the aim of a career in teaching until God intervened in his life and Callum realised that he was being called to become a priest. So, he applied to the diocese, passed selection and began his 6 years of training. It was as a part of this training that he came to our parish in September 2015 for four months of pastoral experience to observe the reality of living and serving in a parish, as had Fr Frankie Mulgrew and Fr Mark Paver before him.

He has all but completed his studies and will be ordained a priest in Salford Cathedral on Saturday 21st July at 1pm. A bus will take and return as many parishioners who wish to attend the ceremony and the reception that follows to the two pickup points in Clitheroe and Sabden.

This year Callum is the only priest to be ordained for our diocese, so those who attend should have no difficulty in finding a good vantage point.  Please note that parking is very difficult in and around the Cathedral, so if you wish to attend, I advise that you catch the bus and do not attempt to drive there! First come, first served so sign up on the list at the back of the church if you intend to go.

Fr Callum’s first Mass will be celebrated the following day, Sunday 22nd July at 2pm in his home parish of St Mary’s Haslingden. Friends are welcome.

At the parish Forum we decided to arrange a parish reception and presentation to Callum on a Friday night after the holidays and also invite him to celebrate the parish’s weekend Masses. In consultation with Callum we have agreed on Friday 14th to Sunday 16th September.

To collect for the presentation, envelopes are being printed. Please use these if you wish to contribute to the presentation. There will be only one presentation made on behalf of the whole parish, to the exclusion of individual gifts from friends, families, societies or each church community. As always, please remember that we are one parish community. Envelopes may be left at the Presbytery or handed in with the Sunday offertory collection. Cheques should be made payable to Our Lady of the Valley Parish.

Fr John

Posted in Clitheroe, Dunsop Bridge, Sabden, Weekly View.