We welcome back Fr John who is celebrating Mass with us today.

Please pray for the sick and/or housebound: Elena Petta, Pat Sanger, Alfred & Mary Waring, Mary Jenkins, Rev Jim Gilligan, Hannah Bratt, Rachael Nielsen, Sarah Cole and Helen Abbott.

Needed urgently: The Food Bank was really busy last week; desperately needed items are: tinned ham, salmon and chicken. The church is open every day from 8.45 until 10.15am; if you could drop things off tomorrow or Tuesday that would be helpful. Nearly 400 kilos of food were given out last week!

Collection 6 January:
Offertory: £233.80
Non-Gift Aid: £85.74
Hall: £75
Candles: £20

The Archdiocesan Directory for 2019 which lists all the parishes, clergy and the organisations associated with the diocese is now available at a cost of £2.75. See Christine if you wish to purchase a copy.

Abortion Decriminalisation Bill: This proposed Bill by Diana Johnson MP is due for its second reading mid-January. It would remove all safeguards from the present law. In 2017 there were 197,533 abortions performed. Thank you to all who contacted their MP to oppose this Bill. Please pray for it to be defeated.

Mary’s Meals: the Catholic Charity set up to feed children with a daily meal when they turn up for school in Zambia has been promised by the UK Government that it will match £1 for every £1 received by the Charity until 1 March 2019. See the church notice board for details. Their contact details: Mary’s Meals, Craig Lodge, Dalmally, Argyll, Scotland, PA33 1AR. Tel: 01838 200605

Deacon Jim would like to thank all the people who contributed, attended and supported at his daughter Fran’s funeral and internment.

Parish Development Fund – second collection today, thank you for your support.

Over the year we shall need to:

  • Replace the complete boiler, central heating system and pipe work in the Presbytery — estimated cost over £5k.
  • Presbytery garden fencing – replace broken, damaged panels and posts.
  • Maintenance work around the church, cleaning gutters, facia boards need replacing, new hand rails for main entrance. The list seems to be endless and any help parishioners can offer would be gratefully appreciated.
  • Wulstan Hall: outside timber panels need replacing. We are awaiting news from Lottery Funding to our grant application.

 

At the back of church are a few copies of the new Archdiocesan newspaper The Sower. Please take one if you are interested. On the window sill are copies of the Financial Report of the Archdiocese. Both publications are free.

Parents wishing to have their babies or children baptised should contact Rev Pat to arrange a date for a baptismal talk and a date for the Sacrament of Baptism.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place this month. There will be a united service on Sunday 20 January at the Baptist church at 3pm. This year, the service will be led by Pershore Community Church. Please try and be there if you can.