.OUR LADY & ST EDWARD'S

4 Marlborough Drive, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9UE

25 Sunday 20 September 2009

JESUS SET A LITTLE CHILD IN FRONT OF THEM,

PUT HIS ARMS AROUND HIM AND SAID,

'ANYONE WHO WELCOMES ONE OF THESE LITTLE CHILDREN IN MY NAME , WELCOMES ME.'

My Dear Parishioners,

THANK YOU to the large congregations 517 (162,155,200) which celebrated Mass so inspiringly last Sunday and gave Offerings £946.

I have been asked by the Parish Council to remind you that I will be celebrating my last Sunday Masses with you on Sat/Sun 26/27 September. There will be a Presentation at the end of 10.30am Mass in church, followed by light refreshments in the Parish Centre. People who require further information should contact Kevin Gilchrist 863491 or Emma McGrath at the Primary School 862305.

Go to the people, live with them,

learn from them, love them,

Start with what they know,

build with what they have.

Then, when the work is accomplished,

the people will say,

'We have done this together.'

'Parting is such sweet sorrow.'

Shakespeare's words, spoken in 'Romeo and Juliet,' express the sorrowful feelings of those saying goodbye. When there is sorrow in parting, it is 'sweet' because it shows that the people saying goodbye must have meant a lot to each other. I will be moving out of the Presbytery on Tuesday 29 September, when Fr Kevin Lowry will arrive and become your new Parish Priest.

'Time is like a fashionable host

that slightly shakes his parting guest by the hand,

and with arms outstretched, as he would fly,

grasps in the comer;

welcome ever smiles, and farewell goes out sighing.' Troilus and Cressida

Leaving our Lady & St Edward's

(Reprint of announcement for those who missed it at the beginning of the Summer holidays.)

I am sorry to have to tell you that, for medical reasons, I will be stepping down as Parish Priest of Our Lady & St Edward's on 1 October. A health check-up last November showed that there was a defect in a valve in the heart that causes 'Atrial Fibrillation' and an irregular heartbeat.

Although medication has eased the problem, the symptoms continue to occur, particularly at Sunday Masses and on many other occasions. Medical opinion advises me that if I continue to work as I do, I will aggravate the condition. So, I have taken this difficult decision - with the approval and blessing of the Bishop.

During the next ten weeks, as I continue my ministry here, I will also be trying to find a new home - the first time I have ever had to undertake such a task. I hope that, after a break, I will be able to continue my ministry through supply work. Thankfully, physical exercise is recommended for my condition. In September, I will have completed six years as Parish Priest of Our Lady and St Edward's and I am sure the change will be in the best interests of the parish. I am delighted to say that the Bishop has appointed, as your new Parish Priest, the Parish Priest of St Benedict's, Whitehaven - Fr Kevin Lowry.

LEAVING THANKS (Further thoughts in my last newsletter next week.)

Many thanks to -

• all who give part of their week to celebrate Mass on Sundays;

• those who ensure that Mass is celebrated with reverence and joy -

Ministers of the Word and Eucharist, musicians, singers, servers,

• liturgists and catechists who teach the children

to appreciate the riches of the Sacraments, the Mass, and Liturgical Year;

• children for enriching so many parish celebrations

and their parents for encouraging them and bringing them to church;

• Peter Williams, who serves people and groups,

  in their happy times and illnesses, parish outings and holidays,

  and encouraged us to support the people of Kalomo;

• those who welcome you, count the flock, gather your offerings,

  play recorded hymn accompaniment, prepare the ministers' rotas

and proof-read the newsletter;

• those who advise on building maintenance and health and safety matters;

• those who arrange the flowers, care for the vestments, altar linen and vessels,

and clean and maintain the church;

• those who contribute to the parish and other charities through collections

and the Gift Aid Scheme, and those who organise these schemes;

• those who count and bank your generous offerings;

• those who look after the Repository and Fairtrade stall making them attractive

features;

• those who prepare and serve breakfast for such large numbers

  after 8.30am Mass on Sundays;

• the members of parish groups and committees

who help so many, pastorally and socially;

• those who give so much time in looking after the Parish Centre,

ensuring that it is a lovely welcoming place for people of all ages;

• those who help to adorn the sanctuary, particularly during Advent,

  Christmas, Lent & Easter, Feastdays and special occasions.

• teachers and staff for their invaluable support in our parish celebrations

and for guiding the children;

• those who gave their strength in assisting to maintain the grounds

and for ensuring that it will be a simpler task for all who follow.

• those who give many hours in running the troops and youth activities;

• those who organize different groups, plan and lead the parish walks;

• others for their guidance and support, privately and in committee.

   

We welcome Sister Mary, Kalomo, who will greet us at Mass this Sunday.

Best wishes and God bless, Patrick McMahon

' IF ANYONE WANTS TO BE FIRST, HE MUST MAKE HIMSELF LAST OF ALL.'

Sat 6.00pm Winifred Sharrock/Frank Lupton  Sun 8.30am Chris Tuson 10.30am Parishioners

Weekdays 9.00am Mon Agnes Kumara Peru Tues Eileen Terrins

Wed Fr Edward Houghton Thurs Patricia King Fri (Teresa Worden) Sat (Special)

Feasts Mon (Matthew) Tues (Maurice & Theban Legion) Wed (Padre Pio) Thurs (Our Lady of Walsingham)

Sat (Cosmas & Damian) Sun (Vincent de Paul - we will transfer celebration to Mon)

THIS IS THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD

The drawing on the cover recalls one of our favourite images of Jesus. The evangelists regarded this greeting of children as so being so important that three (Matthew, Mark and Luke) reported it. On another occasion, some disciples rebuked people for bringing children to Jesus. Jesus was indignant, called the children to him, embraced them and blessed them, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'

Jesus himself is like a child. As a child cannot resort to power and strength when threatened or maltreated, he too is vulnerable. If the disciples could not accept that vulnerability they would not understand Jesus. A special welcome must be offered to those from whom we can benefit the least.

Jesus offers a permanent challenge to us to welcome the powerless and take to heart the weakest members of the community. He places himself as a vulnerable person before his tormentors who say, 'Let us test with cruelty and torture, and thus explore this gentleness of his.' (1 Reading) The debate started when the apostles were arguing about who was the greatest. Our Lord's words are a warning to those who use titles and position to threaten the weak.

St Teresa's Relics: Visit to Preston & Lancaster: M/T/W 28/29/30 Sept: details in porch.

Improvements: - greatly helped by good dry weather.

• the painting of the church exterior is progressing speedily;

• new roofing on Tower roof; severe cracks were seen after inspection from painters' scaffolding.

• the ramp for wheelchair access, with halfway landing, will be to full safety standards;

• more space for bicycles at SW side of Church;

• new store for Toddler Group toys beside Parish Centre.

Special thanks to Kevin Gilchrist for all his help in helping to plan the work, and to the workers who gave priority to these jobs so that they could be finished soon.

HOME MISSION SUNDAY

This is the day when we reflect, not on the Missions abroad but at home. Our home countries are Mission Lands now because of the large drop-out from regular attendance at church services and because of many who say they don't really profess any faith. Retiring Collection to support Home Missions.

Church Cleaning: We need a few volunteers to help with the Church Cleaning for just a few hours on one Thursday a month. Please contact Yvonne Bolton 863609. We are grateful to the ladies who do such a conscientious job.

Parish Council: 7.30pm Sunday 20 Sept Ladies Group: 8.00pm Thurs 24 Sept £1.50; 'Egypt - Land of the Pharaohs' by Steuart & Anita Kellington.

Bible Study: St John's Gospel 9.45am Wed

Parish Walking Group Events: 1 Walk: Ambleside - Grasmere Sun 20 Sept 2 Barn Dance: Sat 17 Oct - 20 Anniversary of Walking Group

Youth Games snooker, table-tennis, darts 5.45 - 7.45pm Fridays  Holy Hour: 7.00pm Tuesdays

Parish Priest Patrick McMahon 01772 862437

Deacon Peter Williams 01772 863444

Website www.pat.fulwoodpreston.org

Email pat@fulwoodpreston.org

Lancaster Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees - Charity Number: 234331