Holy Trinity and St Augustine of Canterbury

Extracts from Newsletter for January 2004

Father Norman writes

I wish all of you, A Very Happy New Year. May it bring peace and joy to you and your families.

The first thing I would like to do, in this month of January, is to say a big ‘Thank You’ for your many Christmas Greetings, Christmas presents, and for the very generous Christmas offering. Your kindness and great generosity to me has been overwhelming and I feel so deeply loved and appreciated. Thank you so much!

The beginning of a New Year is a time when we often make resolutions and struggle to keep them. Good luck with your intentions and may you have the strength and perseverance to keep them!

A couple of times I have indicated that I want to make some changes to the weekday mass times, so that those who work can have the opportunity to come to a weekday mass. Our Eucharistic Life is at the heart of all we seek to do, and it seems only fair that all have an opportunity to come to Mass, at least once in the week as well as on Sundays. I am therefore proposing the following weekly Mass schedule:

Monday No public Mass (Fr Michael often says Mass at 10 am on Mondays in the Convent Chapel)

Tuesday Mass at 8 pm in Church

Wednesday Mass at 10 am in Church

Thursday Mass at 10 am in Church

Friday Mass at 8 pm in Church

Saturday Mass at 10 am in Church

The Mass on Saturday morning is an additional Mass. The Sunday Masses remain unchanged at the present times, i.e. Saturday at 6.30 pm and Sunday at 8.30 am and 10.30 am, and the Masses on Holy Days of Obligation remain at 10 am in Church and 7.30 pm in Church.

I intend to take Monday as my day off and be back for Tuesday afternoon.

These changes will be fully implemented from the week beginning Sunday 11th January 2004. I hope that they will be benficial and convenient to many who, at present, just cannot attend Mass in the week.

Confessions will be on Saturday Evenings from 6 pm until 6.20 pm but I will also be available immediately after the 10 am Mass on Saturday mornings.

At present Fr Michael says Mass in the Convent on several days but, if that situation were to change, then I would have to move the Saturday morning Mass to the Convent, so that there would be at least one Mass each week in our Sisters’ Chapel.

Thank you again for your generosity, your kindness and your patience.

God bless you all., Father Norman

First Holy Communion 2004

There will be a meeting for parents who wish their children to make their First Holy Communion this year, on Tuesday 13th January at 7 pm at St John’s School.

David Payne will be speaking at the Prince of Peace Prayer Group on Wednesday 21st January at 8 pm.

All are welcome to join us here at the Church.

David Payne now works for the Catholic Evangelisation Office and has been involved with Catholic Alpha, as well as the CAFE programme. His story, however, is one of conversion, from a life far from God and troubled by drug addiction.

Christmas Hamper Raffle Winners

1st Hamper Mr & Mrs Cheles 2nd Hamper Mick Smith

3rd Champagne Fryer family 4th Sherry Angie Birch

4th Panettone Bob Eversden

Congratulations to the winners and Thanks to all the organisers and contributors.

White Flower Appeal

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will be holding its annual White Flower Appeal on the weekend of 10th/11th January. In common with the Catholic Church, SPUC defends and upholds the sanctity of human life from conception until natural death. SPUC is Britain’s leading pro-life campaigning and educational organisation and is at the forefront of public campaigns to prevent legalised euthanasia and abortion-inducing morning-after pills in Britain and Northern Ireland. Please give generously to this very worthy cause. Thank you.

AT YOUR WORD, LORD

In preparation for next season, some of the small groups have continuedto meet and share their faith and experiences together. We hope that more of you will feel drawn to participate in this form of prayer when the second 6-week season begins in February. The theme for the 6 weeks will be: ‘Conversion - A Change of Heart’, tying in well with the season of Lent.

If anybody is interested in leading or hosting a group in the New Year, or in helping out as a member of the Core Community, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be delighted to hear from you!

‘Come, Lord Jesus: Renew us in our faith,that all peoples may believe, rejoice and proclaim your love.’

Core Community Contacts: Ian Allott; Jennifer Blanchfield; Christopher Bryan; Neil Haslam; Greg Hewitson; Caroline Holmes; Bill Piper; Mike Tingle.

Each year brings us new opportunities to know Him more, to walk in faith, and grow by His grace. May your year be blessed in the Lord. What no one ever saw or heard, What no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love Him. (1Cor2:vs9)

May the joy of celebrating our Saviour’s birth remain in your heart to be your strength each day, to refresh your delight in Him, to be a light that shines into the lives of others.

Admission to St John’s Nursery Class for 2004/5 Do you have a child who is due to start nursery education during the academic year 2004/5? (DOB from 1-9-00 to 31-8-01) If so, and if you would like to apply for a place at the School, please ensure you complete the School’s own form as well as the County form. As St John’s is a Voluntary Aided School, the School Form MUST be completed and returned to St John’s in order for your child to be considered for a place. You are welcome to telephone to request a form on 01462 892478. The closing date for applications is 9.30 am on 23rd January 2004.

200 Club

As we begin this New Year, don’t forget to sign up for the 200 Club 2004. Elaine Glover will have forms available shortly. This is an important fund-raiser for our Church, and gives you the chance to win up to £40 each month.