Holy Trinity and St Augustine of Canterbury

 

 

 

Extracts from Newsletter for May 2003

 

This Church Looks Loved

My Dear Friends:

It is quite a few years ago that I had moved to a new parish and had been there about six months, when I met a man in the Church who said: ‘This Church is beginning to look loved’.  He must have realised that I did not know what he meant, so he went on to explain: ‘I have seen what you have been doing to the Church since you came to the parish, cleaning and refurbishing, so that now this Church is beginning to look loved.’

I recalled that meeting when I came into the church of Holy Trinity and St Augustine, to celebrate the Easter Vigil - the beautiful flowers at the entrance and in the Church, the cleanliness of the Church, the Easter Garden - what a wonderful way to express love for God in Baldock!  Yes, God is loved here; this Church is loved!  It speaks volumes for this Parish Community; it is an expression of a loving community.  Since I came to the Parish, I have been impressed with the work that is being done to care for your Church.  Over the past few weeks the outside of the Church has been painted and a new mower has had to be purchased to maintain the vast area of grass around the Church.  Imagine what the place would look like if that got out of hand! 

 

We do rely on good helpers to carry out the constant work that needs to be done, and all of you are involved, because good maintenance is expensive and it is your weekly offerings which allow this work to be carried out.  You will have noticed now that the inside of the Church needs to be decorated, and damp patches attended to.  We have received an estimate of £5,400.  If we are to have the work carried out, we do need extra financial help. 

 

Would you help us by taking part in a ‘Parish Gift Day’ on the weekend of Pentecost - 7/8 June 2003?  Please make a donation to be part of this wonderful work and Thank You for all that you do to make Holy Trinity and St Augustine the wonderful parish that it is.  God bless you all!

Sincerely

Father Peter Maher

 

Creating a Community of Faith

 

The Cardinal wants the Diocese to 'go forward in hope and respond to Pope John Paul's invitation to launch out into the deep'. ... This journey of renewal will bring new life, new hope, new vitality.  Each person in the Diocese is important in this journey of conversion and renewal.

Pope Paul VI said ‘small Christian communities are the hope of the Church’.

As we initiate ‘At Your Word, Lord’ from September, you will all be invited to participate in a small Christian community.  These communities will meet weekly for 6 weeks to begin with.  In these first 6 weeks the theme will be: 'God, A Community of Love' in the context of the Sunday readings.  Reading and sharing God’s Word together will help us to listen to Him and to each other. We are not meant to live our faith alone; we need the support of other Christians.

 ‘‘Come near to God and He will come near to you’. (James Ch 3)

In this time of spiritual renewal, please pray that we will continue to come together as a community, led by the values of Jesus, and allowing His Word to truly speak to us.  Your prayers are vital to this venture.  We need them more than anything!  We urge you to pray for the At Your Word Programme, and particularly for our parish, that we will all draw closer to God as we journey on.

‘In union with Him, you are being built together with all the others into a place where God lives through His Spirit’. (Ephesians  Ch 2)  

 

Congratulations  to the following winners:  Easter Raffle: Teddy Bear - Rebecca Jaques; Easter Cake - Emma Gunn; Easter Eggs - Mary McCaul; Rita Bobbin; Dene Weardon; Greg Hewitson.  Grand National: 1st place - Monty Pass - Pat Biggins; 2nd Place - Supreme Glory - Bernie Wrighton; 3rd Place - Amberley House - S Caulfield; 4th Place - Gunner Welburn - Mrs J Peppiatt.

APF Boxes  Please place your APF boxes at the back of the Church during May, for counting and returning.  Any queries please contact Judith Dean.

Look at the Lectern  Please take a look at the Lectern where you will se a plaque of St Augustine of Canterbury. This was a leaving present from Father John.

Parish History It is hoped to establish a small team to undertake some research into the history of the parish.  If you are interested in participating, please contact John White. Younger members of the parish would

The John Henry Newman School  are delighted to announce that two former pupils of St John’s School, Stephen Mahoney and Colette Hewitson, who are members of this parish community have been appointed Head Boy and Head Girl at the JHN School, Stevenage - our Catholic Secondary School.  Stephen and Colette take up their duties at the start of this summer term.  Congratulations to you both and best wishes from us all.

Christian Aid Week this year is from 11th - 17th May.  Last year the Baldock Churches raised over £2000.  Once again we will be asking for volunteers to post envelopes through doors and return to collect donations later.  Margaret Darby is co-ordinating this and needs volunteers for the following roads: Anchor Rd, Byrd Walk, Downlands, Ivel Way, Limekiln Lane, Penfold Close, Providence Way, Pryor Rd, Salisbury Rd, South Close, South Rd, Turpins Way, Weavers Way, Westell Close.  Please see Mrs Darby after any of the Masses on the weekend of 10/11 May.  Many thanks!

SPEC Project based at London Colney, is appealing for donations of all manner of things, from clocks to crucifixes, laptops to freezers, carpets to cutlery, kitchen, bedroom or office furniture and equipment, for their new Centre.  If you wish to help or know more, please contact joan.roberts@btinternet.com.

Father Pat’s Silver Jubilee  St Anthony of Padua Church, Edgware cordially invites the Holy Trinity Parish Community to a Mass of Thanksgiving on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee to the Priesthood of Father Patrick Sammon on Friday 23rd May at 7.30pm and afterwards to a Reception in the Parish Centre.

RSVP: St Anthony of Padua Church, 5 Garratt Road, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 9AN.

Parish Quiz Night, Saturday 7 June, 7.30 for 8.00pm.  Fish and Chips supper (chicken or veg available). Tickets £6 each. Teams of 6 (can be made up on the night).

Quiz Night in Therfield, Friday 11 July, Fordham Hall, in aid of McMillan Cancer Relief. Tickets £5 each. To book a table of 8, call 01763 287648.  Bar available.  Bring your own picnic.  In October, Tom Wylie will be hiking up Mount Kenya for McMillan Cancer Relief.  If you are unable to attend the quiz and would like to sponsor Tom, please contact him on the above number.