Holy Trinity and St Augustine of Canterbury

 

 

 

Extracts from Newsletter for March 2004

 

Dear Parishioners

The Diocese has become acutely aware of the growing shortage of priests and the effect and impact this is beginning to have on parishes.  I know you are well aware of this situation.  Since Father John retired in January last year, you have had to manage with supply priests covering weekends and Holy Days of Obligation, until I was appointed at the beginning of August.  The Vicar General asked me to come, as a retired priest, to assist in the Diocese, and the Cardinal appointed me to be Parish Priest here in Baldock.  I have already spoken to you of the possibility of our being clustered with Letchworth in the foreseeable future.

The decline in vocations to the priesthood is a serious matter.  Conscious of its effect, the Diocese has launched a Pastoral Planning and Consultation Initiative called:  ‘Graced by the Spirit’.  It asks every parish to consider and address 6 questions:

1.                  What is our vision for the Parish of the future?

2.                  What are the evident points of growth in our Parish Community?

3.                  How effectively can our parish support a neighbouring parish?

4.                  In what ways could a neighbouring parish support us?

5.                  How could we, as a Parish Community, better support our Parish Priest?

6.                  How do we see the future of our parish?

I would like all of you to consider these questions and, if you are willing to do so, to write your answers on the separate sheet provided, and bring them to a meeting, or else give them to me.  In considering these questions, it is important that we stick to certain parameters, e.g. It is not an exercise that can consider the ordination of married men, or women priests.  We are being asked to consider and answer these questions with the exercise of ministry as we have it now - with bishops, priests, deacons and permanent deacons.

I propose that we have a meeting on Friday 12th March, immediately after the 8 pm Mass.  If you are unable to attend, please put your thoughts on paper and let me have them.

            Thank you.                                                       Father Norman

 

At your word, Lord

Several small communities have begun to meet for this second 6-week Season, looking at the theme of:

‘Conversion - A Change of Heart’, during Lent.

The groups are meeting as before, but have grown in numbers:  The times and venues are therefore:

w        Monday evenings at 8 pm            at the Westleys’: 39 Newlands, Letchworth, led by Christopher Bryan

w        Wednesday evenings at 8 pm       at the Blanchfields’ : 54 Turpins Way, Baldock, led by Jennifer Blanchfield

w        Thursday evenings at 8 pm           at the Millers’ :14 Great North Road, Baldock, led by Richard Miller

w        Thursday mornings at 10.30 am   at The Convent, Providence Way, led by Bill Piper and Mary Brown

w        Mums/Dads Group - St John’s    at the Parish Room at 2.30 pm, Wednesdays, led by Caroline Holmes and Jenny Jones

We hope all members find the experience of these faith sharing groups a positive one.

If you prefer to participate in the programme via a private meditation booklet, or if you know someone who is housebound but would like to play a part, the booklets are still available at the back of the Church, priced at £1.

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

 

John Pridmore  will be visiting the parish once again on Wednesday 17th March at 8 pm.  All are welcome.

To the Prince of Peace Prayer Group. Listen to a man who was once heavily involved in a world of drugs and violence, but has now given his heart and his life to God.  We are delighted that he will also be speaking to some of our pupils at the John Henry Newman School the following day.

 

Parish Web site (http://www.rc.net/westminster/baldock)

More and more members of the parish seem to be getting their own e-mail address. But the parish web site team is still looking for someone with "web skills" to help develop the site.

If you're into the technology a bit and are willing to help, please contact John White.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Every Friday during Lent, at 7.30 pm in the Church, followed by Mass at 8 pm.

 

You also have the opportunity for Confession from 7.30 - 8 pm before the evening Mass on Tuesdays, during Lent.

 

St John’s Primary School Parents’ Association

You are most welcome to support the following PA Events:

Family BINGO NIGHT - Fun for all the family!  Friday 26th March at 6.30 for 7 pm

        £1 per book (6 games) Easter Egg Prizes - Adult & Children’s Bar

Grand Auction Night to be held on Thursday 6th May

£1 per ticket = Bidding No. & a Glass of Wine

Catalogue available end of March from Baldock Community Centre or St John’s School office.

View the lots on offer at the School between 5 - 7 pm.  Bidding Starts at 7.30 pm

 

 

Golf Day - 18 hole round of Golf - Friday 16th April from 9.15 am

Bacon or Sausage Bap Breakfast and Coffee.  Tee-off  between 10 - 10.35 am.

Please contact John Crawley if interested, by Friday 12th March.

Tesco Computer Vouchers can help us obtain valuable free IT equipment for the School. Please hang on to these for us; a box should be at the back of the Church shortly!

 

200 Club Last month’s winners were: 1st - Marie Brennan; 2nd - R & P Worbey; 3rd: Dave Cumming; 4th: Peter Francis.