OUR LADY & ST EDWARD'S

 

4 Marlborough Drive, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9UE

                                                                                           26 Sunday B      27 September 2009

 

'ANYONE WHO GIVES A CUP OF WATER TO DRINK BECAUSE YOU BELONG TO ME,

WILL MOST CERTAINLY NOT LOSE HIS REWARD.'

 

My Dear Parishioners,   

 

When I was in my mid-teens I asked myself,

'At the end of my life, what would I have liked to have done?'

There was a clear answer.

 

I went to St Patrick's College, Carlow for six years  to study for the Priesthood.

After my Ordination I was appointed to -

The Cathedral, Lancaster for 12 years,

St Teresa's Preston for 6 years,

St Cuthbert's, Blackpool for 2 years

(with temporary posts at English Martyrs, Poulton-le-Fylde,

St Mary's, Great Ecccleston)

Hill Chapel for 20 years.

 

When the Bishop asked me to move from Hill Chapel,

I was truly shocked - not because I was leaving Hill Chapel,

but because I was being appointed to Our Lady and St Edward's.

I felt that it was too great a compliment and, over Friday, Saturday and Sunday,

pleaded with the Bishop to find a better priest for this parish.

Finally, we came to an understanding -

if I were struggling, I could move elsewhere the following Spring.

 

So, I came to Fulwood as part of your family.

During Mass, we have often prayed,

'May all of us who share in the Body and Blood of Christ

be brought together in unity by the Holy Spirit.

'Remember your church (your family) throughout the world;

make us grow in love, together with the Pope, the Bishop and the clergy.'

We are not just to love each other, we are to grow in love.

 

I am delighted to say that I have met here the very finest of people,

whose faith, generosity, goodness have been an example to me -

and will continue to be.

 

I wish to thank again many of those I mentioned in last week's newsletter.

I thank those who did so much to enhance the church and the grounds,

making this a fitting place for the celebration of the Mass.

Closest to my heart are those who did so much,

through music and the liturgy to enrich our celebrations.

 

My very special thanks to the teachers and children in the school.

The school was like a second home to me.

No priest in the land could have received more support.

The example of the staff was an inspiration.

 

The goodness of the children in class, corridors and playground always lifted my spirits;

their wall-displays were always so colourful and beautiful, and enhanced the entire school.

 

 

After every visit to the school, I came away a better person.

Some people say that I have never lost my enthusiasm;

this is due in great measure to being surrounded by children all my life.

 

At last, there is relief for parents now!

I won't be chasing you around the playground

or along the road asking you to bring your children to read!

Your children brought much joy, meaning and depth to our celebrations.

 

In every congregation and among my friends are those who struggle with belief in God.

I have often found them to be an inspiration,

helping me to look at my faith in another practical way,

Sometimes, they would say, 'I don't believe in God.'

They believed! - in a God spelt with two 'o' s.

 

Every priest feels he could have done better.

So, I step aside now, not with any great feeling of achievement

but with a feeling that I could have done more.

Whatever good I did was simply accomplished by opening with you,

in the Liturgical Calendar of Seasons and Feasts, the gifts of the Lord.

 

The motto on my Ordination Card was,

'What shall I give to the Lord for all he has given to me?'

I have received much and I enjoyed sharing it with you.

 

A priest told us in college, 'Find people who are better than you, and learn from them.'

I certainly met those people here and I thank you for all you have taught me.

 

'REMEMBER THE FAMILY YOU HAVE GATHERED HERE BEFORE YOU.'

 

Sat 6.00pm Bernard Swarbrick Sun 8.30am Teresa Worden 10.30am Thanksgiving

Mon/Tues 8.10am Mass 9.00am Holy Com Service Wed/Thurs/Fri/Sat 9.00am Mass

 

Last Masses I have been asked by the Parish Council to remind you that there will be a Presentation at the end of 10.30am Mass in church, followed by light refreshments in the Parish Centre.

After six years and 29 days, I will be celebrating my last Mass at Our Lady & St Edward's 8.10am Tues 29 Sept, Michaelmas Day.

Father Kevin Lowry will celebrate his first Mass with you 9.00am Wed 30 Sept.

 

Feasts Mon (Vincent de Paul - from Sunday) Tues (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael) Wed (Jerome) Th (Teresa of Lisieux) Fri (Guardian Angels)

Sun 4 Oct (St Francis of Assisi - superseded by Sunday) Sun 4 Oct Vespers 4.40pm Cathedral 150th Anniversary - Feast Mon 5 Oct.

 

Rosary 8.45am during October, the month of the Holy Rosary; perhaps two groups could recite the prayers alternately.

 

Harvest Fast Day: Fri 2 Oct; Cafod envelopes available this week; the Fairtrade Stall in the porch is thriving.

 

Retiring Collection Sun 27 Sept Bishop's Administration Fund

 

Sister Mary: We were delighted to welcome Sister Mary who spoke at all Masses last Sunday. She thanked all for their contributions via the bucket collection. Photographs of the work accomplished and Sister's ministry can be seen on www.actionzambia.net

 

Website. Emails, Title On Tues, 29 Sept, the Website & Email Addresses will no longer be the official parish addresses. I will keep some items & photos online for a while; eventually I will be changing the addresses. Please also remember from Tuesday, no title for me please.

 

'The Wave' is how some parishioners described the new ramp at the side of the church. Because of Health and Safety Regulations regarding the length of the ramp, it has a midway flat landing, giving it a wave-like shape.

 

     Two friends were walking through the desert when they had an argument.

     One slapped the other in the face.

     The one who was slapped wrote in the sand,

     'Today my best friend slapped me in the face.'

    

     Then they walked until they found an oasis, where they swam.

     The one who had been slapped was drowning; his friend saved him.

     The man who was saved carved on a stone,

     'Today, my best friend saved my life.'

    

      His friend said.

      'After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand;

    after I saved you, you carved on a stone.

    Why?'

    

      The friend replied,

    'When someone hurts us we should write it in sand

    where the winds of forgiveness will ease it away.

   

    When someone helps us,

    we should engrave it on stone where no wind can erase it.

   

    Learn to write your hurts in the sand

    and carve your benefits in stone.'

 

 

Patrick McMahon

 

St Teresa's Relics: Carmelite Monastery 11.00am - 3.00pm Mon 28 Sept. Lancaster: M/T/W 28/29/30 Sept: details in porch.

Bible Study: St John's Gospel 9.45am Wed Youth Holy Hour: 7.00pm Tuesdays

Games snooker, table-tennis, darts 5.45 - 7.45pm Fridays 

 

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