Dear Parishioners,
Our Lady of the Valley is the first parish of the diocese to be visited by our new bishop. Bishop John will come next Sunday, to celebrate the 9.30am Mass in Clitheroe and then the 11 o’clock in Sabden.
Last Monday at his installation Bishop John preached without notes and everyone I spoke with was impressed by his style and what he said. He is a bishop very much in the style of Pope Francis.
Because Mass in Sabden will remain at the usual time Bishop John will not be able to meet many parishioners in Clitheroe but don’t let that deter your attendance. He will be principle celebrant and will preach, so do come along and by your presence show him what an active and vibrant parish we are.
At the end of his installation he asked everyone to join him in a simple daily prayer: Stay with us Lord on our journey. I’m not too sure where this journey will take us but mark my words, Salford diocese is certainly going to move!
No doubt you have noticed the two glass lecterns in the sanctuary and I’m most grateful to Tony Hargan who drew the plan, ordered the reinforced glass, supplied the glaziers with the measurements and then assembled them. To have a similar lectern built (they can’t be bought off the shelf) would cost over £1,200. Ours were built for only £250 each and one of them was paid for by a kind donor.
The Comedy and Carols evening was a huge success with the Radio Lancashire team impressed by the numbers who came on such a dreadful night. The comedians were very good (the local boy was given the loudest reception!) and the congregation sang wonderfully well, ably led by our music group. The retiring collection for Olive Aid raised £382. To listen to the programme, tune into Radio Lancashire at mid-day on Christmas Eve morning.
One of the comedians praised our church and then as he looked at the sanctuary commented: ‘And this is where Gothic meets IKEA!’ I don’t need to mention that out of respect, the Blessed Sacrament had been removed from the Tabernacle.
Christmas cards, carrying the times of all Christmas week services will be delivered to all parishioners’ homes. If by chance you don’t receive one then it is because we don’t know your address!
During these coming busy two weeks please remember to pause and sanctify each day by a few minutes of quiet prayer.
Fr John