GIFT AID ENVELOPES         

 If you have still not received your Gift Aid Envelopes for 2020/2021 please give Janet a ring on 01200 424657 or 07866 898109.  Thankyou

Please note:  Please make cheques payable to the parish to ‘Our Lady of the Valley’.  The bank will not accept cheques made out to St Michael & St John’s.

CAFOD HARVEST FAST DAY

This week parishes in England and Wales are marking CAFOD’s Family Fast Day to help people facing the worst of the coronavirus crisis. We’ve all felt the impact of this terrible disease – let’s come together to help the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world survive, rebuild and heal. Please pray for all those affected and donate online through the CAFOD  website www.cafod.org.uk), or  Text CAFOD to 70085 to donate £10.  (Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text CAFODNOINFO to 70085. For more information please see our Privacy Policy:

cafod.org.uk/Legal-information/Privacy-notice)

 Grace Fellows on behalf of CAFOD

CAFOD ONLINE EVENTS:

Please check the website to follow special Harvest weekend events: www.cafod.org.uk/Fundraise/Family-Fast-Day

Come and join in 8th-11th October 2020.

RECENT DEATHS

Margaret Rigby, Ben Leeming, Maureen Mahon, Anthony Bradley,

Terry Peters, Rosemary Jordan, Mary Hufnagel, Kevin Ryder,

James Wiggins, Mary Quigley,

Mary Margaret Hartley (known as Moira) aged 70 late of this parish.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

 Church Notices 25^th September 1932 – 19^th Sunday after Pentecost

Next Sunday if the Communion day for the Women’s & Boy’s Sodalities.

Today: No afternoon service at 6.30 devotions in honour of the Blessed Sacrament, Sermon and Benediction.

Schools reopen tomorrow at 9 o’clock

Tuesday: The Women’s Sodality will meet as usual at 7.30.

Thursday: is the Feast of St Michael, Patron of this Church.  A Plenary Indulgence may be gained that day and every day during the October. The children will sing during Mass at 8.30.

Friday: The Boys’ Sodality will meet in the Hall at 7.30

Saturday: Oct 1^st.  October devotions will begin during Benediction.

Saturday night summer time ends: put the clock back one hour, late on Saturday night. **

The Whist drive & dance of the Squires is postponed till Saturday Oct 8^th.

Bench Rents will be taken next Sunday after last Mass.

Next Sunday the will be Rosary Procession in which members of the Sodalities will take part.

Next Sunday the Catholic Ball Committee will meet after last Mass.

You are reminded of the excellent work of the Catholic Needlework Guild as specially deserving.

** British Summer Time must have ended a month earlier back in 1932

——————————————————————-

Clitheroe Advertiser and Times December 30^th 1960

WIT, CHARM AND FANTASY AT THE HALL

 “NEW CLOTHES FOR THE EMPEROR”

St Michael’s Players triumph

 There is more in the famous Hans Anderson tale “New Clothes for the Emperor” than meets the eye.  It has a deep significance which finds its parallel in modern life.

St Michael’s Players, when they gave their first night performance of Nicholas Stuart Gray’s version of the story in The Hall, Lowergate, on Wednesday, made no reference to the symbolic side of the plot.  They contented themselves with giving a fast-moving show with plenty of action.

Not really a play, hardly a pantomime, it combined certain elements of both.  The staging of the piece called for pantomime techniques, as there were five different scenes.

Backcloths were used which, if not completely convincing were certainly adequate.

Unlike a pantomime, however, there was no singing or dancing, and most of the dialogue was in prose.
A mediaeval nation labouring under the power of a magic spell which instills stupidity into the whole populance is disrupted by the sudden arrival of two rascally foreigners, who, working on the stupidity of the people make the Emperor a suit of invisible clothing in which he appears before his subjects.

Mr Gray has woven a fantasy around this basic plot, which gives many opportunities for comedy.  These were utilised to the full.

The two foreigners, Piers and Perkin, were admirably played by John Byrne and Tom Cowman.  Fine gestures of bravado were turned into fawning servility with cool assurance, and both men gave an authentic interpretation of these two similar roles.

BEST PERFORMANCE

The success of the piece owed much to Edward Worswick, who, although only playing two secondary roles, gave the best performance of the evening.  As the soldier Tom Piggott he was completely natural and convincing, while his cameo as the leering jailer had a macabre yet comic quality which reminded one of Quasimodo.

John Cowman, who produced the play, also impressed as Belvedere, the gentle genie, and showed a fine flair for the exotic drama needed in this role, coupling it with a confused humour which was equally acceptable.

Less success was attained by the members of the royal household, with the exception of Pat Hargreaves as the witch, Auntie Garlyck, whose astuteness was a perfect foil for the other characters.  She spoke clearly and moved well.

Julie Halliwell played Malkyn, had plenty of vitality and looked very charming, Michael O’Hagan’s diction was good, and John Turner was good when he was speaking.

Ignatius Calvert made a delightfully vague and amusing Lord Chancellor.  His facial expressions and general mien were extremely believable.  Peter Geldard was suitably raucous as Earl Marshall Emery.  Christopher Wilson played Otto, a soldier.

MANY DIFFICULTIES

John Cowman explained that staging the piece had presented many difficulties, and while a few of these had not been entirely ironed out, the production did him great credit.  He showed imagination and ingenuity, coupled with a flair for bringing out the comic aspects of the plot.

Backstage were Patrick Fullalove, Anthony Thornber, Christopher Crompton, John Gidlow.

Properties were in the charge of Miss Celia Speak, Mrs W. Fehrenbach, Miss Winifred Hargreaves.  Business manager was Harvey Sutcliffe.

The play was repeated last night and will also be given tonight and tomorrow.

Mass times are as follows:-

 St. Hubert’s Dunsop Bridge.              Saturday 12 noon.

 St Michael & St John’s Clitheroe.    Saturday 5pm,  Sunday 9.30am.

St. Mary’s Sabden.                                Sunday 11am.

Mass during the week at 10am Monday – Friday in Clitheroe.

Wednesday 7pm Sabden

Saturday 12 noon in Dunsop Bridge 

No Private Prayer on Saturday in Clitheroe

PLEASE REMEMBER:

Face-coverings are now mandatory whenever you come into church.

(unless you are exempt for whatever reason)

 Feasts this week:

Monday               St. Matthew
Wednesday         St. Padre Pio
Thursday             Our Lady of Walsingham

Baptisms To arrange your baby’s baptism please contact Fr. Paul.

First Holy Communions Fr. Paul has written to all those who took part in this year’s Sacramental Programme and invited parents to contact him if they would like their children to receive their First Holy Communion in the next few weeks. So far 15 families from Clitheroe and Sabden have contacting him with a positive response.
Because of present restrictions there won’t be a special First Holy Communion Mass as was originally planned, only 30 people would be allowed in church, so instead a few children will make their First Communion at Weekend Mass, and only the child and five others can come along and be in a bench together. I know this is very different to what we would normally do, but we are living in very different and challenging times, but at least the children are now able to receive Our Lord in their First Holy Communion, and that is wonderful.

Bishop John Writes:

On Sunday 4th October 2020 at 3pm, from the Cathedral, I will lead a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. Please join me via Church Services TV as we pray for all those who have died, have suffered and are grieving, and also as we give thanks to God for all the good works during this time. We will pray for God’s grace as we continue on our Hope in the Future journey as Missionary Disciples.

God Bless you and your families. Fr. Paul

 VIRTUAL PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM

On 27th September there will be a virtual Pilgrimage of Reparation and Prayer for the Sanctity of Life to Walsingham. It can be accessed via YouTube on Walsingham Catholic TV (https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=0aJG5juz0) or at the Basilica livestream https:// www.walsingham.org.uk/live-stream/ Devotions will be streamed throughout the day, beginning with the Mass at 12.00. Full details are available on the website, including the programme for the day: https://www.prolifepilgrimage.org/

“FAMILY IS SACRED”

ZOOM COURSE September 2020. After the success of our first Family is Sacred Webinar in July the Diocese is offering the full 14 week course online via zoom. The first session will take place on Wednesday 23rd September, 7:30 p.m.- 9.00 p.m. and will run every other Wednesday for 14 weeks. The course is designed to enrich and support marriage and family life and the building up of the Domestic Church. There will be input from various speakers followed by small group discussion and Q&A. All Welcome! Register your free place by emailing formation@dioceseofsalford.org.uk before Tuesday 22^nd Sept

 ALPHA COURSE

For anyone interested in exploring/rekindling their Christianity and The Trinity, the On-line (Zoom) ‘Alpha’ course will begin the last week in September.  For information and to register an interest please contact:
alpha@stjamesandallsouls.com (Fr Frankie’s parish in Salford is hosting this course)

 THE ARCHIVES ARE BACK

Newspaper cutting – I think from Clitheroe Times??

SEPTEMBER 24th 1884

Special services were held at SS.Michael & John’s Church, on the 18^th, to celebrate the opening of a new Lady Chapel, constructed on the right-hand side of the principal altar.  High Mass was sung in the morning, and a sermon preached by the Rev. Father Walter Sidgreaves, of Stonyhurst.  At the evening service the chapel was blessed, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. Walter Clare of Manchester, “Constructed at a cost of over £600, in a recess formerly used as a confessional, the chapel is elaborate in design, its main feature harmonising with the architecture of the church.  The fl;oor if formed of mosaic, marble and alabaster, and the pillars, arches, etc, are of marble.  Mr Nichol, of London, is the architect, and the work has been done by Mr Anstey, of London.  To the right of the entrance there is a statue of Our Lady, and in the chapel are three paintings (the work of Mons.Bouvier) depicting incidents in the life of the Blessed Virgin.  The whole work has been carried out with great artistic skill and taste, and presents an exceedingly rich appearance.

—————————————————————————————————

CLITHEROE ADVERTISER AND TIMES MARCH 1962

BISHOP OPENS NEW BILLINGTON SCHOOL

St Augustine’s Roman Catholic Secondary School, Billington, would be “a great instrument of education,” and would help fashion Christian men and women from the children of 11 parishes.

So declared the Bishop of Salford, the Right Rev George A Beck, when he opened and blessed the new £267,000 school.

The Bishop was speaking to governors, teachers, parents pupils and friends, who packed the school hall for the opening ceremony.

The Bishop paid tribute to the work of the headmaster Mr J.G.Worthington and his staff, and urged parents to give every support to “a great team enterprise,” which would ensure that the children became Christian citizens of which the country and the Church would be proud.

He said, “so much of the school’s work will be wasted without the co-operation and support of the homes from which these children come.”

The Bishop was thanked by Lancashire’s Chief Education Officer, Mr Percy Lord, and Father Hubert McEvoy of Clitheroe, who is one of the school governors.

Earlier, the Bishop toured the school to bless the classrooms and a statue of St Augustine which stands at the main entrance.

He was assisted by Father Joseph Porter, of Langho , chairman of the school governors and Canon Joseph E McEnery of Blackburn.

Recital

     Father Vincent Lang, Bishop’s secretary and the head boy and head girl, Brian Greenall (14) of Mayfield Avenue, Clitheroe, and Margaret Duddy (14) of Trafford Gardens, Barrow, also accompanied the Bishop.

Other guests included the most Rev William T Porter, Archbishop of Cape Coast; Mr Charles Fletcher-Cooke MP for Darwen, Dr R.C.Webster, Accrington Medical Officer of health; Mr Thomas H Seed, chairman of the No 5 Division Executive; Mr Gladney Haigh, No 5 Division Education Officer; Mr A.J.Rogerson former Divisional Education Officer, Councillor J.W.Brewer, chairman of Blackburn Rural Council; and priests and councillors from the area.

Boys and girls of the school gave a short recital of choral singing and speaking conducted by Mr Worthington and Miss Margot Downer-Bottomley, music mistress.

Other pupils gave a gymnastic display.

Work on the new school which was designed by Mr A Ratcliffe of Stirrup and Son, Blackburn, started in May 1961, and the first pupils entered last August.

It includes five-and-a-half acres of buildings and 17½ acres of playing fields.

The school has 450 pupils at present and will eventually accommodate 750. The staff number 19.

Mass times are as follows:-

 St. Hubert’s Dunsop Bridge.                  Saturday 12 noon.

 St Michael & St John’s Clitheroe.         Saturday 5pm.

                                                                            Sunday 9.30am.

St. Mary’s Sabden.                                       Sunday 11am. 

Mass during the week at 10am Monday – Friday in Clitheroe.
Wednesday 7pm Sabden
Saturday 12 noon in Dunsop Bridge.
St. Michael and St. John’s open for Private Prayer Saturday 11 – 12

PLEASE REMEMBER

Face-coverings are now mandatory whenever you come into church.

 (unless you are exempt for whatever reason)

Feasts this week:

Monday               The Exaltation of the Cross.

Tuesday               Our Lady of Sorrows

Wednesday         St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian.

Baptisms can again be celebrated in church. If you would like to arrange your babies baptism please contact Fr. Paul.

God Bless you and your families. Fr. Paul

VIRTUAL PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM
On 27th September there will be a virtual Pilgrimage of Reparation and Prayer for the Sanctity of Life to Walsingham. It can be accessed via YouTube on Walsingham Catholic TV (https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=0aJG5juz0) or at the Basilica livestream https:// www.walsingham.org.uk/live-stream/ Devotions will be streamed throughout the day, beginning with the Mass at 12.00. Full details are available on the website, including the programme for the day: https:// www.prolifepilgrimage.org/

“FAMILY IS SACRED” ZOOM COURSE September 2020.
After the success of our first Family is Sacred Webinar in July the Diocese is offering the full 14 week course online via zoom. The first session will take place on Wednesday 23rd September, 7:30 p.m.- 9.00 p.m. and will run every other Wednesday for 14 weeks. The course is designed to enrich and support marriage and family life and the building up of the Domestic Church. There will be input from various speakers followed by small group discussion and Q&A. All Welcome! Register your free place by emailing formation@dioceseofsalford.org.uk before Tuesday 22^nd

CARITAS SEPTEMBER BEACON
Caritas has published its latest Beacon newsletter which can be found by following this link: https:// www.caritassalford.org.uk/newsletter/

The Word This Week
Jesus tells a dramatic story in the Gospel, to make a very important point: the desperate need in our world for forgiveness and reconciliation. How many chances do we give each other? As many as seven? How often do we shut doors on people, even family and friends, saying “That’s it; you’ve just gone too far this time: never again”? When Jesus says that we must forgive seventy-seven times, he implies that we never stop forgiving, whatever happens. He doesn’t just say this, however: even when they do the worst thing that could be done to him, nailing him to a cross, Jesus puts these words into practice: “Father, forgive them…” As his disciples, we must do likewise.

Caring for Our Planet:
Thought for September, Season of Creation. The ‘Season of Creation’ is an annual celebration uniting Christians in prayer and action for the protection of our common home. The season runs from September 1 to October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Bishop John Arnold has sent us a message for this Season. Here is part of what he says: My dear brothers and sisters, There is no doubt that we are becoming much more aware of the damage that we have done, and are continuing to inflict, on the Earth, our common home, and the damage that is affecting the people most, in many of the poorest countries of the world, who have done least to cause it. They are enduring the worst events of seasonal change where crops are ruined and agricultural land turned to desert… It is clear that every one of us has a role to play, through simple adjustments to our daily lives, to a change in our routines and priorities. Today we turn to prayer. We must ask for the knowledge, the insight and understanding of the dangers we face. And we must ask for the Grace to make progress in uniting the determination of politicians, industry and science in caring for our brothers and sisters and our common home. Let us pray together, in this Season of Care of Creation, that God will show us the way and give us the strength and determination to achieve all that He is asking of us in caring for our common home.

Mass times are as follows:-

St. Hubert’s Dunsop Bridge. Saturday 12 noon.
St Michael & St John’s Clitheroe. Saturday 5pm., Sunday 9.30am.
St. Mary’s Sabden. Sunday 11am.

Mass during the week:
10am Monday – Friday in Clitheroe.
Wednesday 7pm Sabden
Saturday 12 noon in Dunsop Bridge.

St. Michael and St. John’s open for Private Prayer Saturday 11 – 12

PLEASE REMEMBER –

Face-coverings are now mandatory whenever you come into church. (unless you are exempt for whatever reason)

Feasts this week:

Tuesday The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Thursday St. Ambrose Barlow.

Baptisms can again be celebrated in church. To arrange your babies baptism please contact Fr. Paul.

Funerals can now be celebrated in church, but again adhering to certain conditions which includes no more than 30 people in the church.

Weddings can once again take place, again no more than 30 are able to come into church and other conditions need to be adhered to as well.

Schools:

Our young parishioners returned to school these past few days, though in very challenging circumstances, not least the fact that many of them have not been in school for many months! Let us keep in prayer our schools— pupils, teachers, staff and parents—that they may be safe and happy as a new year begins.
So much hard work has gone into creating a safe learning environment for our children.

First Holy Communions

should have been celebrated in our parish in June, but could not be due to restrictions caused by the pandemic. Those children who took part in our Parish Programme are now able to receive their First Holy Communion, but obviously not in the way that we had previously planned.
We will not be able to have all the children at one celebration, and numbers coming along with any of our children will have to be limited, but it is good that our children can now receive Our Lord for the first time in Holy Communion.
We will hopefully have more information next weekend as to how we can move forward.

Lately Dead: We keep in our prayer
Stephen Bradshaw
Rosa Gatti
John Noonan

While it is so good that we are able to come into church again and celebrate Sunday Mass in our parish, please remember that there is still no obligation to attend Sunday Mass during this time of pandemic.

Thank you again to all our stewards, through their generosity we are able to come into church.

Take care and keep safe.
God Bless you and your families. Fr. Paul

Mass during the week at 10am Monday – Friday in Clitheroe.

Wednesday 7pm Sabden

Saturday 12 noon in Dunsop Bridge.

St. Michael and St. John’s open for Private Prayer

Saturday 11 – 12

As from next weekend we will be celebrating public Mass again on Sundays. If you are able to come to Mass during the week, please do so, and let us at first try and leave Mass on Sunday for those who are not able to come during the week. By doing this everyone will be able to get in the church for Mass at least on one occasion each week. Remember, there is still no obligation for us to come to Mass on Sunday at this time of pandemic.

We are obviously limited in the numbers that can come into any of our churches at any one time, but hopefully there will be no need to turn people away.

We all need to be generous in our new way of doing things. Let us see how things go and then we can always review things as time goes on, once we know how many come to Sunday Mass.

I will regularly keep you informed of how things are going.

From next weekend Sunday Mass times are as follows:-

 St. Hubert’s Dunsop Bridge.              Saturday 12 noon.

 St Michael & St John’s Clitheroe.     Saturday 5pm,    Sunday 9.30am.

St. Mary’s Sabden.                                Sunday 11am.

PLEASE REMEMBER…

Face-coverings are now mandatory whenever you come into church

 (unless you are exempt for whatever reason)

Please keep your face covering on when you come forward to receive Holy Communion

Parishes have been instructed that once Mass begins no one can enter church

Feasts this week:

Monday               St. Aiden.

Tuesday               St. Edmund Arrowsmith.

Thursday             St. Gregory the Great.

Friday                   St. Cuthbert.

Baptisms can again be celebrated in church, but with limited numbers present.

If you wish to arrange your babies baptism then please contact Fr. Paul.

Funerals:
Requiem Mass can now be celebrated, but again adhering to certain conditions which includes no more than 30 people in the church.

Weddings can once again take place, again no more than 30 are able to come into church and other conditions need to be adhered to as well.

Over the past few months things have in general been very different to what we have ever been used to, and this of course includes when we come into church.
Things have not always been easy, but hopefully we have all managed o. k. and got used to new ways of doing things.

In church we have gone from being closed and Mass being celebrated behind locked doors, to first of all private prayer which we had for a few weeks, then to weekday Mass which we have had for the last month, and next weekend once again back to public Sunday Mass. So we are getting there!

I believe that this gradual way of doing things has enabled us to get used to new ways and at the same time feel safe as we adhere to the rules and regulations.

Thank you to everyone for your patience and understanding, let us continue to journey on together in faith and hope, and at the same time keep safe and well.

God Bless you and your families. Fr. Paul

Mass during the week at 10am Monday – Friday in Clitheroe.

Wednesday 7pm Sabden

Saturday 12 noon in Dunsop Bridge.

St. Michael and St. John’s open for Private Prayer

Saturday 11 – 12

Yet again I am delighted to report that everything went well at weekday Masses in our three churches last week. Thank you. People who have been to Mass are obviously delighted to do so, and because of all that is in place, feel safe. Thank you for adhering to the rules and regulations we are all asked to observe, and let us continue to do so. Things are certainly different for all of us.

Again, thanks to our stewards who direct us while we are in church and clean after we have left. They make it possible for us to open our churches.

There is still No Sunday Obligation

Try and make Mass during the week your ‘New Sunday Mass time’.

When we start celebrating Mass again on Sundays

we will need to let those who cannot come during the week

take priority in attending weekend Mass.

In doing this we would have no problem getting everyone safely in church

either during the week, or at the weekend.

Patience and generosity will be required from us all

for this to work.

PLEASE REMEMBER

Face-coverings are now mandatory

whenever you come into church.

 (unless you are exempt for whatever reason)

Please keep your face covering on

when you come forward to receive Holy Communion

Parishes have been instructed that once Mass begins no one can enter church

All being well

we will start to celebrate public Mass on Sundays from 5^th September

Feasts this week:

Monday               St. Bartholomew.

Wednesday         Blessed Dominic of the Mother of God.

Thursday             St. Monica.

Friday                   St. Augustine

Saturday              The Passion of St. John the Baptist

Baptisms can once again be celebrated in church. Certain conditions are placed before us for celebrating baptisms, this includes limiting numbers who attend.

If you wish to arrange your baby’s baptism then please contact Fr. Paul.

Funerals Requiem Mass can again be celebrated, but again adhering to certain conditions which includes no more than 30 being able come into the church.

Weddings can once again take place, again no more than 30 are able to come into church and other conditions need to be adhered to as well.

As we listen to today’s gospel (Matthew 16: 13-20), we particularly remember the present successor of Peter, Francis our Pope; we give thanks to God for him and we pray that God may continue to bless him in faith and wisdom; that being strong in himself, he may help to strengthen us in our faith; and that as Chief Shepherd he may help us on our way to the Kingdom.

God Bless our Pope

and

God Bless you and your families. Fr. Paul

Mass during the week at

10am Monday – Friday in Clitheroe.

Wednesday 7pm Sabden

Saturday 12 noon in Dunsop Bridge.

St. Michael and St. John’s open for Private Prayer

Saturday 11 – 12

(No Sunday Masses for the time being)

Once again I am delighted to say that everything went well at weekday Masses in our three churches last week. Thank you. Those who have been to any of our Masses are obviously delighted to be able to come to Mass again, and feel safe in doing so. Thank you for adhering to the new rules and regulations we are now asked to observe, it is so important we continue to do so.
Again, thanks to our stewards who make it possible for us to open our churches.

There is still No Sunday Obligation

Try and make Mass during the week your ‘New Sunday Mass time’.

When we start celebrating Mass again on Sundays we will perhaps need to let those who cannot come during the weekcome and take priority in attending weekend Mass.
In doing this we would have no problem getting everyone safely in church either during the week, or at the weekend.
Patience and generosity will be required from us all if this is going to work.

PLEASE REMEMBER

Face-coverings are now mandatory in indoor settings where people are likely to come into contact with others they do not know.
This obviously includes whenever you come into church.

So please remember to wear a face covering when in church (unless you are exempt for whatever reason)

Please keep your face covering on when you come forward to receive Holy Communion

Parishes have been instructed that once Mass begins no one can enter church

Baptisms can once again be celebrated in church. Certain conditions are placed before us for celebrating baptisms, this includes limiting numbers who attend.
If you wish to arrange your babies baptism then please contact Fr. Paul.

Funerals: Requiem Mass can again be celebrated, but again adhering to certain conditions which includes no more than 30 being able come into the church.

Weddings can once again take place, again no more than 30 are able to come into church and other conditions need to be adhered to as well.

I know that things will be different in the way we are able to celebrate the above, but at least we are able to once again have baptisms, weddings and funerals in church.

Every time I go into St. Michael and St. John’s church and stand in front of the beautiful Lady altar or look up at the stained glass window at the back of church, I am reminded of today’s Solemnity, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven.

Today’s  feast should be a source of strength for our faith, and the wonderful work God has accomplished in Our Blessed Lady should fill all of us with confidence, that please God, one day we too shall rise, we too shall live with God in the glory of everlasting life.

So let us rejoice in Our Lady’s triumph, and let us also follow her example by proclaiming the greatness of the Lord who ‘has looked upon his lowly handmaid’ and does great things for her – ‘Holy, is his name’. We too shall enjoy the glory that Our Lord has won for us, if we like Mary, proclaim the greatness of the Lord in our daily lives, in what we say, in how we live and how we love.

O Mary, assumed into heaven, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

I hope that you are all keeping well, as thankfully I am too.

God Bless, Fr. Paul

Lately Dead: We keep in prayer all who have died recently especially Terry Peters, who died Friday 14th August aged 74 years

CARITAS Salford Vacancies:

 COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP DEVELOPMENT WORKER 37 hours per week. Fixed Term Contract until April 2022
SCP20-23 £25,295 – £26,999. BASED ACROSS THE DIOCESE OF SALFORD AND LANCASTER. Working closely with the Refugee Response Manager, the Community Sponsorship Development Worker will be at the pioneering edge of this still relatively new initiative to support vulnerable refugees resettle in the UK.
Experience of working with asylum seekers/refugees, volunteers and community groups is essential.  Additionally you must have experience of delivering professional community or social action services to people in need.
Caritas follows Safer Recruitment practices and this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service checks.Closing date:  Monday, 31 August 2020 at 5pm
Interview: Friday, 4 September 2020

For a full role description and to apply, please visit our website www.caritassalford.org.uk for an application pack or contact Rebecca Anderson on by email r.anderson@caritassalford.org.uk

SUPPORT WORKERS (MORNING STAR & EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION)
1 x 37 hours per week. 1 x 22.2 hours per week
SCP5-6 £18,795 – £19,171 (pro rata part time £11,277 – £11,502)
BASED IN MANCHESTER

As a Support Worker you will provide support, housing and homelessness advice to clients to ensure the aims and objectives of the service are successfully achieved.
The Support Worker will work 7.4 hour shifts from 8:00am – 4:00pm or 1:00pm – 9:00pm over 7 days a week.
Experience of working with vulnerable, homeless people or disadvantaged groups in a similar setting is essential.
Caritas follows Safer Recruitment practices and this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service checks.

Closing date:  Tuesday, 1 September 2020, however on receipt of applications they will be reviewed and shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.  Interviews may be in person (socially-distanced) or via an appropriate platform

Interview: TBC

For a full role description and to apply, please visit our website www.caritassalford.org.uk for an application pack or contact Rebecca Anderson on by email r.anderson@caritassalford.org.uk

 FROM THE ARCHIVES:

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE—SEPTEMBER 22nd 1933

CATHOLIC BAZAAR EFFORT

£1,200 REQUIRED FOR DECORATION AND RENOVATION OF CHURCH

TWELVE MONTHS ACTIVITY REACHING SUCCESSFUL CLIMAX

     The united efforts of Clitheroe Roman Catholics during the last twelve months reached final shape on Wednesday when the Rev. Father H. Keane, S.J., head of the English Province of the Society of Jesus, formally opened a three days bazaar, organised and designed to raise £1,220 to beautify the Church of SS. Michael & John and to repair the fabric.

The bazaar is being held at the hall, transformed for the occasion into an old English village with well-stocked shops of unusual variety, refreshment rooms and amusement centre.  It is an extraordinarily busy village, well of the traffic stream fortunately, and a very attractive one, too.  It is clear that the villagers are garden proud, for flowers are banked in lovely profusion wherever nook or cranny allows.  Just as obvious is the business acumen of the natives.  This English village is full of healthy life and happiness, with friendly rivalry among the traders, pleasure among the customers, and a splendid spirit of co-operation pervading the whole activity of the community.

The bazaar handbook, an intensely interesting and comprehensive publication compiled by Mr Francis A.McNulty, tells us that the stalls and decorative fixtures have been arranged by Mr W. Brown and assistants to designs and plans by Mr M.Walmsley and Mr W.Brown, and everybody concerned is entitled to the warmest congratulation.  The busy fingers of the ladies have fashioned seemingly thousands of flowers and these add a delicate touch of charm to a picturesque yet practical arrangement.  While the main business of a bazaar is to sell things, there are other considerations of importance.  The social side is of definite value and even the business of buying and selling becomes the pleasanter for delightful arrangements such as have been made at The Hall.

The bazaar can hardly fail to achieve success having regard to the skilful organisation, the hard work of every section and the close co-operation and enthusiasm of all.  Despite hard times, all associated with the Mission have worked and schemed for the bazaar and the culmination of all this effort is a triumph of earnest endeavour steadily directed towards a fixed object.  The Rev. Father A.Kopp S.J. the Rector has been as president the inspiration of the whole effort and he has had the efficient help of many tried and trusted workers, chief among whom may be cited Mr C. Coneron, the highly respected vice-president; Mr F.A. McNulty as the most conscientious, zealous and capable secretary; and Mr H. Marsland, the ever-ready treasurer; these acting in close conjunction with a committee of enthusiasts.

To be continued…

CLITHEROE ADVERTISER AND TIMES OCTOBER 1953

     A member of the teaching staff of the Clitheroe R.C. School, Lowergate for the past 40 years, Miss Mary Barrett, of “Heather Brae”, Waddington Road, Clitheroe is to retire at the end of the present term.

Miss Barrett has spent her entire teaching career at the school, taking up a post there on the completion of her training at the Mount Pleasant Training College, Liverpool.

For 29 years she was a member of the teaching staff of the senior section, and for the last 11 years has been an assistant teacher in the infant school.  Miss Barrett has also done valuable work for the National Savings movement having held the position of secretary of the school savings group since February 1917.

When her retirement was announced at the meeting of Divisional Education Executive No 5 at Whalley on Tuesday, it was agreed that a letter of appreciation be sent to Miss Barrett.

CLITHEROE ADVERTISER AND TIMES AUGUST 1956

     After 14 years Clitheroe Catholic Girls Club has broken tradition.  Boys can now become members.  Previously the boys had no club catering, and their support will strengthen the club in many ways.

The girls have had to struggle for a long time against mixed clubs.  Now they will be able to compete on equal terms.

In the drama section, too, the boys will be able to play an important part.

The club in keeping with the new policy has changed its name.  It is now Clitheroe Catholic Youth Club

Mass during the week at

10am Monday – Friday in Clitheroe.
Wednesday 7pm Sabden
Saturday 12 noon in Dunsop Bridge.
St. Michael and St. John’s open for Private Prayer
Saturday 11 – 12

(No Sunday Masses for the time being)

Thankfully everything seemed to go well last week as we resumed weekday Mass. Thank you. Those who came appreciated being able to return to Mass and the sacraments.
Thank you for adhering to the new rules and regulations we are now asked to observe, it is so important we continue to do so.
Again, thank you to our stewards who through their generosity in volunteering make it possible for us to open our churches.

Everything is in place to help keep us all safe.
Stewards are in church from when we open the doors 30 mins before the start of Mass. Please follow their instructions. They will take you to your place and then direct you out of your bench to come forward and receive Holy Communion at the end of Mass.
Immediately after Mass has ended the church doors will be locked so that the stewards can sanitize the church.

There is still No Sunday Obligation
If you are shielding or not well you should not attend church
Space in church is restricted to:
60 people at Mass in Clitheroe
20 in Dunsop Bridge
24 in Sabden
No more that 30 can come into church for a funeral

Try and make Mass during the week your ‘New Sunday Mass time’.

Face-coverings are now mandatory in indoor settings where people are likely to come into contact with others they do not know.
This obviously includes whenever you come into church.
So please remember to wear a face covering when in church
(unless you are exempt for whatever reason)

Feasts this week:

Monday St. Lawrence, Martyr
Wednesday St. Clare
Friday St. Maximilian Kolbe

RIBBLE VALLEY FOODBANK would like to thank all those still managing to donate food at the moment – we are very busy and your generosity is much appreciated. We are currently short of the following items: washing up liquid, washing powder/liquid, shower gel, kitchen roll, sponge puddings, chocolate and sweets, and custard, and long-life fruit juice. Our warehouse is currently open to receive donations on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10am – 12 noon, and on Friday from 9am – 11am – please call us for directions. Thank you.

info@ribblevalley.foodbank.org.uk
07849 534431

From the Archives:

Further to last weeks article about of St Joseph’s Cemetery this snippet has been found in The Preston Chronicle dated 5th February 1853 sixteen years prior to the opening of the cemetery in 1869. Looks as though they had applied initially to have the cemetery adjoining the Church.

INSPECTOR’S VISIT – The late application to the Local Board for permission to establish a new burial ground behind the Catholic church has resulted in a visit by mr Ranger, an inspector of the general board, who, on Thursday last, arrived in Clitheroe to make an enquiry into the present burial accommodation. He was waited upon by Messrs. Councillors Hodgson and Heaton, the Rev. Horrocks Cock, and made an inspection of the premises adjoining the Catholic church, and also of the Parish Church yard. A report will of course be made to the general board, and the result will shortly be heard. In all probability a public cemetery will ere long be formed, the general feeling being much in favour of one.

ST MICHAEL’S PLAYERS
RELUCTANT HEROES OCTOBER 9th – 13th 1956
PRINCIPALS IN LAUGHTER-RAISING PLAY
BRILLIANT COMEDY OF ARMY LIFE

There was a sort of Rock ‘n Roll atmosphere about The Hall, Lowergate, on Tuesday evening. The audience were rocked in their seats and rolled in the aisles with laughter at that brilliant comedy of Army life, “Reluctant Heroes.”
The laughs come thick and fast in this glorious romp which has the audience chuckling and chortling right from the word go.
But the laughs rise to shrieks of almost uncontrollable dimensions as the plot gets under way and one crazy situation succeeds another with startling rapidity.
The success of the production by St Michael’s Players was a triumph for their producer Mr John Cowman, who was making his first appearance in this difficult field.
Local audiences have seen him taking leading roles in many previous productions and playing them with superb skill.
This week they are seeing another facet of his theatrical talent and how royally they are appreciating it.
“Reluctant Heroes” is the story of three National Service recruits and the adventures that befall them in serving their Queen and country.

THE ENEMY

In the words of their mentor Sergeant “Tinker” Bell “they would be worth a couple of divisions to the enemy if the country were at war.”
Yes, they are the kind of soldier, Morgan, the quick witted Cockney, Tone, the polished and worldly-wise ex public school boy, and Gregory the gormless Lancashire lad.
The hit of the evening was undoubtedly Tom Cowman as Gregory. This was his first down-to-earth comedy role and he seized his opportunities with both hands.
To look at him was to burst into laughter and his drolleries and general air of puzzled bewilderment had the audience almost in hysterics.
Derek Rawcliffe has a wealth of facial expression reminiscent of Danny Kaye which he used to the fullest advantage to record his mingled emotions as he got out of one scrape and into another.
He never let up for a single moment and all the time positively breathed the spirit of the area around Bow Bells.
Edmond Cambien had an entirely different role as the smooth sophisticated Tone, to whom army life is a pain and a trial but for other reasons.

MAYFAIR ELEGANCE

His silks and satins and general Mayfair elegance cut no ice in the army of hairshirts “of finest Merino wool.”
As a comedy team the three of them are superb. Their antics when lights out interrupts their toilet during the first night at camp, their writhings at inoculations, their caperings when being kitted out are guaranteed to bring tears to the staidest of eyes.
And all the while they are being entreated, cajoled, bullied, bewitched and bewildered by the dear old sergeant determined to make soldiers out of them “If I have to sweat the last drop of your blood to do it.”
This was a perfect role for Norman Cawley. He plays it with all the stops out and with an unflagging zeal and eye for every possible laugh.
One could find no higher praise than to say that the legendary R.S.M. must have been meek as a lamb compared to Tinker Bell.
The supporting roles were all well portrayed. Ignatius Calvert, for instance turned in a delightful little cameo as the Captain Percy, whose somewhat incongruous appearances add to the general fun and games.

THE LADIES

Peter Fehrenbach as Sergeant Mackenzie assumes a splendid Scots accent as he shows the training battalion how things are done in the paratroopers – a process which involves no little pain and trouble to our three heroes.
He is ably supported by John Byrne who makes the most of a small role as a Scots soldier.
Derrick Hutchinson too extracts humour from another minor role as the medical orderly responsible for inoculations.
And last, but not least, the three ladies: Margaret Brown as the W.R.A.C. officer, Gloria Dennis, Ruth Haslam as Penny Raymond, and Pat Hargreaves as Pat Thompson two W.R.A.C. privates.
All of them enter the spirit of the play with zest and gusto and add to the general fun and frolic.
Their roles are not very important to the main plot, but they provide the peg on which to hang one of the funniest scenes in the play.
The girls are in danger of being found in male quarters so that on the approach of Sergeant Bell they have to hide under the beds.
The consternation and opportunities for laughter can be imagined when Sergeant Bell arrives and orders the unhappy trio to strip ready for a medical inspection.
This is one of the highspots of the whole show.
Much hard work was done behind the scenes by Mr J Bowen as stage manager, who had the assistance of Mr J Mullen and P Embery.
Décor was by Mr H Baron and Mr H Sutcliffe was house manager.