Holy Trinity and St Augustine of Canterbury

 

 

 

Extracts from Newsletter for January 2003

 

 

Dear Parishioners

Farewells are always painful and this one is no exception.  As you know, I will be retiring in January. Many of you have expressed sadness at my departure but, as you know, I have been unwell for the last four months, and have found it difficult to continue my priestly ministry.  I will be retiring to a priests' house in Blackpool, which is quite near to where my twin brother is, and will take me back to my roots. 

I wish to say how happy I have been over the last two years in this parish.  I greatly appreciate how so many of you have cooperated in building up the Church in Baldock.  I know that I can rely on you to give your full support to the new Parish Priest.  I hope that he will be as happy here as I have been.  My time here has been a wonderful experience. 

A lot of people have done great work and I am most grateful.  Unfortunately it is impossible to mention everyone by name, but I wish to make one exception.  A very sincere 'thank you' goes to Sr Margaret and the nuns in the Convent.  They have kept me alive in body as well as in spirit and their hospitality has been outstanding.  Many, many thanks!

There are times when we may have unknowingly offended someone; if that is the case for anyone reading this, I am truly sorry.

As the psalm says, unless the Lord builds a house they labour in vain who build it.  So we ask God's blessing on the Parish and Mary's protection.  May you continue the work of St Augustine. 

May God bless you and your new Parish Priest in the years ahead.

Please pray for me, that I may have a happy retirement.

 

Father John

P.S.  Please keep smiling!! 

 

New Year's Eve - Holy Hour and Mass

There will be a Holy Hour from 11 pm to midnight on 31st December 2002.  Parishioners have prepared prayer and meditation for this hour of Adoration: giving thanks for the year that is ending; praying for peace and forgiveness; preparing our hearts for the year to come.  The Holy Hour will be followed at midnight by Holy Mass.  It would be wonderful if as many of you as possible could attend.

First Friday - Please note that this month's Adoration will NOT take place.  The next 'First Friday' will be on 7th February 2003.  Make a diary note now!!

Thank You - To: Father Michael Lee and Father Michael Donaghy for their great help with the Christmas Liturgy.  All three of us wish to thank you all for your kind wishes, cards and Christmas gifts.  Our Christmas celebrations were wonderful and truly inspiring.  Our sincere thanks go to all those who contributed in any way to the Christmas Liturgy, the music, the readings, the beautiful Crib, the decorating and cleaning of the Church, etc.

Father Wardle has also asked me to pass on his thanks to many of you who have sent him warm wishes for Christmas.

 

At Your Word, Lord - Renew Programme

Further to the recent meeting in London Colney, the next round of Diocesan meetings are due to be held around the end of January.  Details have yet to be confirmed.  Would those interested please listen out for announcements during this month.

 

Christmas Winners

Congratulations to the following parishioners who were lucky enough to win prizes in the Christmas Hamper Raffle.  Our thanks go to Bernie Wrighton for organising this annual event.

    1st Hamper                  C Geary                                  

                                    2nd Hamper                 S Bedford

                                    3rd Hamper                  Brennan family

                                    Port                              Burgess family                         

                                    Champagne                  Manson family

                                    Sherry                          Hough family

                                    Cake                            Glover family

 

The Funeral Mass  for Josephine Cornish will take place on Friday 3rd January 2003 at 11 am in the Church.

 

The Feast of the Epiphany  will be celebrated this year on Sunday 5th January 2003.

 

Family Tree Mass  Wednesday 8th January 2003 at 8 pm in the Church.  There will be a special Mass for the Healing of the Family Tree, said by Father Mike Gwynell, from London.  All are welcome.

 

Collections in 2002  This last year we made our largest ever donation to CAFOD, totaling £1,456.  The bottle appeal for Fatima raised £389.30 and the Christian Brothers Mission Appeal raised £602.  Thank you for your great generosity and prayers for these very worthy causes.