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Welcome to the Catholic Parish of Stamford
Saint Mary and Saint Augustine The Presbytery, 13 Broad Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1PG Telephone: (01780) 762010
Website: www.staugustinescatholicchurchstamford.co.uk
Parish Priest: Father Simon Gillespie Mobile: 07760 372105 Email: [email protected]
Deacons: Reverend Charles West-Sadler (with Oakham parish); Reverend Robert S Dawson (retired)
Parish Director of Music: Ruth Proctor Mobile: 07826 017487 Email: [email protected]
Parish Hall Manager: Anna Barwell Mobile: 07789 283140 Email: [email protected]
Parish Primary School: Saint Augustine’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Stamford (01780) 762094
Catholic Secondary School: Saint John Fisher Catholic High School, Peterborough (01733) 343646
Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham Diocesan Website: www.nottingham-diocese.org.uk
Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Company Number: 7151646 Charity Number: 1134449
20th and 21st January 2018 : Third Sunday of the Year
Jesus’ calling of the first disciples – “follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” –
is probably very familiar to us, and that play on words will echo in our ears as we
hear it at Mass again this Sunday. Jesus’ calling of his disciples comes at about this
time each year, the start of the year and the start of the different gospels. It makes
sense: Jesus is beginning his public ministry and gathering his team around him. A
new start with new people.
Each one of us is called by Jesus to be his disciple. We too are called by name: firstly
on the day of our baptism, and then on every day of our lives. We are called to be
fishers of men, too: heralds of the gospel and messengers of the love of God to
everyone we meet, both by what we say and by what we do. Last Sunday we heard
Saint John’s account of the calling of the first disciples, and this week we hear the
same story from Saint Mark. There are similarities and differences, and the ‘truth’
probably lies somewhere between the two. Perhaps the specific details of the call
don’t matter as much as the reality of the call. Simon Peter and Andrew, James and
John, all met Jesus and all then left their jobs to follow him. They rejected certainty
and security for itinerancy and the unknown. They stopped depending on
themselves and what they could do, and started to trust exclusively in Jesus and the
power of God in their lives.
God’s love for each one of us is
unmerited, boundless, and everlasting.
God invites us to reciprocate that love
through our love of neighbour and our
love of God. May the familiarity of this
Sunday’s words cause us to pause,
think again, and follow God afresh.
Pope Francis speaks about the importance of silence in the Mass
Pope Francis spoke about the importance of silence and not rushing during Mass, in
his catechesis during his General Audience in the Paul VI Hall, on Wednesday.
Reflecting on the Gloria, Pope Francis said: “The beginning of this hymn – ‘Glory to
God in the highest’ - takes up the song of the angels at Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem,
joyful proclamation of the embrace between Heaven and earth. It is an act of trust
in the love of the Holy Trinity. “This song of praise to God the Father and to His Son
Jesus Christ, the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, is also a confident
supplication of divine goodness.”
The Holy Father then commented on the silence, the meditation, which precedes the
first prayer of the Mass. After the Penitential Act and the Gloria, prayer takes a
particular form in the Collect, through which is expressed the character of the
celebration, for that day or time of the year. With the invitation ‘Let us pray,’ the
priest encourages the people to recollect themselves with him in a moment of
silence, in order to be conscious of being in the presence of God and recall in their
hearts the personal intentions they bring to the Mass.
After the priest says “Let us pray,” a moment of silence follows in which each person
thinks of his or her personal intentions, what he or she wishes to ask for in prayer.
This silence, the Pontiff noted, is a way each person makes himself available to the
Holy Spirit. “Silence just before the Collect allows one to dispose oneself to listening
to the voice of our heart and especially that of the Holy Spirit and to present to the
Lord our personal intentions. After this brief moment of silence, the priest, with his
arms extended to imitate Christ on the Cross, expresses to God, in the name of
everyone, the common prayer which concludes the rites of introduction, and whose
content goes from praise to supplication.” Pope Francis concluded by inviting
pilgrims to meditate on the readings, outside of the Mass, which would help them
learn better how to turn towards God.
ExtraOrdinary Ministers of Holy Communion
A meeting for all of the ExtraOrdinary Ministers of Holy Communion will be held on
Thursday this week (25th January) after the 7pm Mass, in the presbytery. Do come
along if you possibly can, and let Kevin know if you can’t.
We’ll have a chat about any issues that have come up recently, about the services in
Whitefriars, about the 40th Anniversary Mass in June, and about anything else
ministers wish to raise.
Parish 200 Club
The parish presbytery is badly in need of some refurbishment and repairs, and those
parishioners who have visited the Open Coffee Mornings over the past few months
all agree that this should happen as soon as possible. In order to raise funds for the
presbytery refurbishment and improve the fabric of our parish facilities we are
starting a Parish 200 Club, with the first draw to be made at the end of February.
Please consider supporting our Club if you can: for £10 per month you have the
chance to win a top prize of £2,000! 50% of the proceeds go to the parish
fundraising, and the other 50% to monthly, quarterly and annual prizes.
Thank You to those who have taken letters and have applied already!
If you haven’t got a letter please take one this weekend and return to our Parish 200
Club Promoter, Mrs Christina Armitage; alternatively contact her on 01733 252212
or at [email protected]
Thanks for considering joining this fundraising club, and let’s hope you win!
Planned Giving Envelopes
Although the current boxes of envelopes continue until the end of March, the new
boxes have arrived and are ready for collection this weekend. Please take yours
home – there should be boxes for everyone who gives weekly (larger boxes) and for
those with standing orders (smaller boxes with just the second collection envelopes).
If you don’t presently have envelopes, or wish to transfer to a standing order, or sign
a gift aid form, please speak with Mairead Scott (parish secretary) or Father Simon.
Thank You to all those parishioners who support our parish through their regular
giving by standing orders, gift aid declarations and weekly envelopes; the regularity
of your giving is a great help in planning for future projects!
Nottingham Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage
Have you ever been to Lourdes? Have you ever made a Pilgrimage? Are you inspired
to celebrate your faith with people from around our diocese? Our Diocesan
Pilgrimage to Lourdes, led by Bishop Patrick, will take place from 16th until 20th July.
Father Simon will be making the Pilgrimage and it would be great to have a group
from our parish there too. Although it’s quite expensive we have time to save up
and those who made the Pilgrimage from our parish last year came back refreshed
and renewed by the experience. If you’re interested in coming on the Pilgrimage
have a chat with Father Simon and put the dates in your diary now.
Changes to Mass Times this week
Mass on Tuesday will be celebrated at 7.00am as Father Simon has meetings
elsewhere during the day. Next Sunday we welcome our school to animate our
9.00am Mass with us, together with our prospective First Holy Communion children.
Forthcoming Events in our parish, community and diocese
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity continues until Thursday.
First Holy Communion – meetings for parents and children in the parish hall on
Sunday 21st January at 10.00am.
The Parish Finance Committee meets on Monday 22nd January at 9.45am in the
presbytery. Please contact Joe Scott if you have any items for the agenda, or for discussion.
ExtraOrdinary Ministers of Holy Communion meeting on Thursday 25th January at 7.30pm
(after evening Mass) in the presbytery.
The Parish Pastoral Council meets on Friday 26th January at 6.30pm in the
presbytery. Please contact Nic Allen if you have items for the agenda, or discussion.
The CWL annual luncheon will be held at Second Helpings at the Methodist Church,
Stamford, on Saturday 27th January at noon. All CWL ladies are invited to attend.
First Holy Communion Enrolment Mass on Sunday 28th January at 9.00am.
Peterborough Theological Society will host Dr Ann Conway-Jones speaking about
‘Sibling Rivalry – Early Jewish-Christian relations and their legacy’ on Wednesday 31st
January. Details from Canon Jonathan Baker on 01733 355300.
LACY Working Group meeting at the Franciscan Convent, Dalby Road, Melton
Mowbray, LE13 OBG on Wednesday 31st January, 7.30pm – 9.00pm. A warm
welcome awaits you! For more information contact: [email protected]
The SVP (Saint Vincent de Paul Society) meets next on Thursday 1st February at
6.00pm in the parish hall. All are welcome.
A Parish Singing Practice will be held after the 11am Mass (so from 12 noon) on
Sunday 4th February in anticipation of music to be sung during Lent. All are very
welcome, whether members of the choir or not, those who think they can sing and
those who haven’t yet discovered their talents!
The Annual Diocesan Marriage Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Patrick on Sunday 4th
February at 3.00pm in Saint Barnabas Cathedral. This Mass is open to all married couples
and their families, but is especially appropriate to those recently married, or celebrating a
significant anniversary.
The Rutland Theological Society are hosting Rev’d Canon Chris Chivers on Thursday
8th February at 7.30pm in Oakham Methodist Church, LE15 6QS. The cost is £3,
details from Rev’d Peter Lemmon (secretary) on 01780 720730.
Come and Sing – a Diocesan Youth Singing Day for children and young people aged
8 – 18, on Saturday 10th February¸ from 10.30am until 5pm, in Nottingham
Cathedral. See the notice in the porch for more information.
Chloe Reynolds in Concert on Friday 23rd February in Spalding Baptist Church. See the
poster in the church porch for more information. Tickets are £5 and £3.
Sacramental Preparation 2018
We are starting the First Holy Communion course at the end of January. There will
be a meeting for both parents and children on Sunday 21st January at 10.00am to
introduce the course, and on the following Sunday (28th January) the children will
have their Mass of Enrolment at the 9.00am Mass. This will be part of the Children’s
Mass with children from Saint Augustine School. The children will celebrate their
First Confession on Saturday 19th May and then their First Holy Communion on
Saturday 23rd June at 11am Mass. If you would like your child to make his or her First
Holy Communion in 2018 please contact either Father Simon or Catherine Callow;
more details from Catherine: (01780) 762450 or [email protected].
Holocaust Memorial Day
On Holocaust Memorial Day – Friday 26th January – a short Service of Remembrance
will be held in Saint Michael’s churchyard, on the High Street in Stamford, at 11am.
All are welcome to join the civic and religious leaders of our community and to give
witness to the atrocities of this element of the Second World War.
The Pope’s Prayer Intention for January
That Christians, and other religious minorities in Asian countries, may be able to
practise their faith in full freedom.
Prayer Volunteers are urgently needed
Are you looking for a challenge during Lent, involving prayer and self-sacrifice? Are
you saddened to see the harm done to babies and women through abortion? “40
Days for Life” is a Christian campaign group whose purpose is to save the lives of
unborn children through prayer, fasting and community outreach. With the support
of Pope Francis for this worldwide initiative, and the encouragement Bishop Patrick
locally, we are running a campaign in Nottingham during Lent 2018. The aim of our
prayers is simple: we are praying for an end to abortion. But we also offer support
– moral and practical - to women who may be under pressure to have an abortion
which they do not want, and which they may come to regret.
Our Vigil is Prayerful, Peaceful, and non-Judgmental
We are seeking volunteers to pray with us during Lent, between 6.00am and 6.00pm,
on a rota basis, at the Treatment Centre on the QMC campus, where many abortions
in Nottinghamshire take place. Most people who come stay for either one or two
hours at a time. Please sign up now to pray with us on our webpage
www.40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/Nottingham or contact us at
[email protected] . If you would like to know more before committing,
there is an information event on Wednesday 7th February at 7.30pm in Saint
Barnabas cathedral hall, at which you can put questions to people who have done
the vigil before. There will be a speaker, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who has led the
Birmingham campaign for many years.
Come along and find out more! What a fantastic way to prepare for the joy of Easter!
Primary School Headteacher
As our school governors seek to appoint a new headteacher this week, consider
praying this prayer each day:
God our Father, your Church is one body under the headship of Jesus Christ.
Through your Holy Spirit, you give gifts to members of your body
to exercise leadership among your people.
Grant to our school a leader filled with your Holy Spirit;
a person of faith to use your gifts for the common good and for your glory.
Enlighten their mind and fill their heart with joy.
Grant to your headteacher the desire to know you more,
the gifts needed for the tasks to be entrusted,
and care for all your people.
We make this prayer through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2018
Churches Together in Stamford United Service
Sunday 21st January : 6.30pm : Saint Mary’s (Church of England)
The speaker is Rev Callan Slipper. who has recently been appointed National
Ecumenical Officer for the Church of England. He is a member of the Focolare
Movement, living with a group of mixed Catholic and Anglican priests in a house in
Welwyn Garden City, and is the author of a number of books including "Five Steps to
Living in Unity”.
Monday 22nd 12.00 noon St Mary’s (Mass) (Church of England)
6.45pm Free Church
Tuesday 23rd 1.00pm St Peter and St Paul, Great Casterton (Church of England)
6.45pm Christ Church (Church of England)
Wednesday 24th 1.00pm Stamford Methodist Church
6.45pm St John the Baptist (Church of England)
Thursday 25th 1.00pm St George’s (Church of England)
5.00pm All Saints’ (Church of England)
As we continue to journey through this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:
Consider . . .
coming to the Unity Service on Sunday 21st January
coming to one or more of the daily services
praying the Prayer of Unity from Saint John’s Gospel (17:21):
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe that it was you who sent me.
We are here to be thankful for God’s goodness to the
Christian Churches throughout the world. Today we
share in the experience of the Churches of the Caribbean
and their history of oppression, colonisation and slavery.
We also celebrate that through the scriptures they found
their lives transformed by the liberating action of God.
By the Grace of God their chains of enslavement were
replaced by new human bonds of love and community.
In this action of God they found their unity. May God
speak to us through their experience.
I Daniel Blake
A free showing of the film ‘I Daniel Blake’ will be held on Saturday 10th March at 2.00pm
for 2.30pm, at Stamford Methodist Church. It highlights those involved with caring for the
vulnerable and needy, and may offer an insight and some inspiration into different ways
of engaging with those in need.
If you wish, come to the SECOND HELPINGS café at Stamford Methodist Church for
lunch. Second Helpings is our church / community café run by volunteers and serving
all who come. The meal is prepared from food which would otherwise be wasted (often
past its best before date in the supermarket) and is offered on a pay-as-you-feel basis.
We regularly serve up to 100 people.
A 2.30pm we will be showing the film, ‘I, Daniel Blake’ based around the story of a man
who is struggling with the benefits system in Newcastle upon Tyne.
After the film, we will be hearing from local groups who are seeking to serve the needy
and discussing how we might be able to make a difference for and with them.
Job Opportunity in our Diocese
The governors of Saint Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Grantham are seeking to appoint a
new headteacher (September 2018). Further details are available from Mrs Michaela
Hamilton on [email protected] or 01476 562017. The closing
date for applications is 31st January at noon.
National Eucharistic Congress 2018
As we continue to consider the National Eucharistic Congress in September here is a
short reflection about the eucharistic elements, the bread and wine used at Mass:
The central symbols of the Eucharist, the bread
and wine which become the Body and Blood of
Christ, are fruits of the earth. Simple food and
drink that is rooted in creation itself. It is also the
work of human hands. For Mass the gifts of God’s
creation are taken and transformed into something new: wheat becomes bread,
grapes become wine; at Mass we offer these gifts back to God so that the Holy Spirit
can transform them into the life-giving Eucharist. In the Mass we can therefore see:
God’s creation, our effects on it, the continuing presence of the Holy Spirit and that
our primary response should be one of thanksgiving for what God has given us (the
root of the word Eucharist). In seeing the world with sacramental eyes we can also
see the negative effects of humanity on God’s creation.
From our Parish Primary School
Sports News
On Thursday afternoon Mrs Roffe and Mrs
Sinclair took a group of children to Stamford
Welland Academy to participate in a Goal ball
event. Goal ball is a fun alternative to football,
the object of the game being to throw a ball
past the opponents and into their net to score
points. However, players must stay on their
hands and knees at all times. Mrs Roffe was
extremely impressed with how well the team
played and they all demonstrated an excellent
attitude towards learning to play a new sport.
This week the Year 5 and
Year 6 children were
lucky enough to have a
visit by local poet Joseph
Coelho. The pupils are
taking part in n a young
poet competition in
Stamford. Joseph Coelho
author of ‘How To Write
Poems’ supported the
children who had great
fun composing their
entries for the
competition.
We need a Headteacher!
Saint Augustine has a vacancy for a permanent full-time head teacher commencing
1st September 2018. Full details are available from [email protected]. Visits to
the school can be arranged by contacting Mrs Sue Bray, on 01780
762094. The closing date for applications is noon Monday 22nd
January with interviews being held on Friday 26th January.
Please pass this onto anyone you know who might be interested!
Prayers For . . .
Bishop Patrick, who is visiting Nicaragua and El Salvador until Thursday, as a newly
appointed trustee of Cafod. We pray also for those he will visit, and those who
provide help and support in those countries.
All who have died recently: especially:
Ditosa Athaide (mother of Father Kevin Athaide assistant
priest at Nottingham Cathedral);
Pauline Smith (mother of Leone);
Sheila Kelly (pictured), whose Requiem Mass will be
celebrated on Tuesday 30th January at 10.00am;
Colette Crean (sister of Monsignor Martin Cummins);
Mrs Potter (mother of children in our primary school).
May they rest in peace!
All our sick and housebound parishioners and friends: especially John and Julia
Newman, Maria Pinto, Catherine Farndell, John Griffiths, John Salthouse, Marie
Lunny, Mary Patrick, Dympna Middleton, Vincent Kelly, David Peach, Pat Jones, Sister
Attracta, Verlia Duque, Edie McLaughlin, Father Thomas Breslin, Provost Michael
Bell, John Chapple, Father Peter Peterken, Father Chris Hogan, Father Michael
Stappard, Margaret West-Sadler, John Herd, Father Dominic O’Connor, Father Joe
O’Hanlon, Jo and Bernard Raffo, Victoria Crouch, Father James O’Hanlon, Father
Eamonn O’Hara, Peter Herrick, Father John Cairns, Deacon Bernard Croft, Mark Grab,
Rosa Maria Santos, Kenneth Court, Veronica Hosking, Beth Coleman, Joan
Middleton, Pat Dancer, Augusta Deane, Irene Mulligan, Connie Edgar, Gladys Brown,
Nora Hunt, Valerie Pellier, Fiona Ruddle, David Cooke, Maeve Swann, Helen Allen,
Jean Maker, Anna Orme, Lucy Court, Debbie Reed, Ken Woods, Lilian Popple, Anne
Woods, Father David Bingham, Deacon Bob Dawson, Father Peter Harvey.
Many Thanks for your Generosity
Envelopes £433.00 Loose plate £166.75
Standing Order £274.00 Collection Total £873.75
Second Collection for the Sick and Retired Priests’ Fund : £394.27
Don’t forget to collect your new box of envelopes this week!
Magnificat – Daily Mass readings, prayers and reflections
There is a special introductory offer of 3 months for only £9 available to all new
subscribers, and those booking before the end of January can get February, March,
Holy Week and April – and for those who want even more reading for Lent and Easter
they can try these Magnificat issues plus the Catholic Herald throughout February,
March and April all for just £20.
If you’re interested see the poster in the church porch, or contact Dennis Charlick,
Circulation Director, on 01706 670261 or [email protected]
Reflections from ‘Marriage Matters’
Change of lifestyle Jonah the prophet and Jesus call us to repent, to a change of
lifestyle. When we married there was a radical change in our lifestyles. He became
husband, she became wife and together we became a flesh and blood ‘sacrament of
marriage’. This is our continued call to each other - live a new life of love in the Lord.
Readings at Masses this Week
Monday 2 Samuel 5:1-7.10; Psalm 88(89):20-22.25-26; Mark 3:22-30
Tuesday 2 Samuel 6:12-15.17-19; Psalm 23(24):7-10; Mark 3:31-35
Wednesday 2 Samuel 7:4-17; Psalm 88(89):4-5.27-30; Mark 4:1-20
Thursday Acts 22:3-16; Psalm 116(117):1-2; Mark 16:15-18
Friday 2 Timothy 1:1-8; Psalm 95(96):1-3.7-8.10; Mark 4:26-34
Saturday 2 Samuel 12:1-7.10-17; Psalm 50(51):12-17; Mark 4:35-41
Liturgy this Week and next Week
Celebration Third Sunday of the Year Fourth Sunday
Cycle & Psalter Year B, Week 3 Year B, Week 4
Mass Page 129 Page 132
Penitential Rite B, page 8 B, page 8
First Reading Jonah 3:1-5; 10 Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm Psalm 24:4-9 Psalm 94:1-2. 6-9
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
Gospel Mark 1:14-20 Mark 1:21-28
Preface Sunday 2, page 54 EP4, page 31
Eucharistic Prayer Two, page 24 Four, page 31
Memorial Acclamation B (When we eat) B (When we eat)
Masses and Services this Week
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Saturday 20th January Third Sunday of the Year
6.00pm Vigil Mass Harriet and James McBain Allan and Isabelle
7.00pm Confessions
Sunday 21st January Third Sunday of the Year
9.00am Mass Pro Populo (people of the parish)
Children’s Liturgy; Tea and coffee in the presbytery
11.00am Mass For Health (EB)
Tea and coffee after
3.00pm Whitefriars Ecumenical Service
5.00pm Sung Vespers
6.30pm Churches Together Unity Service in Saint Mary’s church
Monday 22nd January Feria
9.00am Mass For Peace
Tuesday 23rd January Feria
7.00am Mass Monsignor George Tutto RIP
Wednesday 24th January Memoria of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop
7.30am Mass Father Michael Lynch RIP
Thursday 25th January Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul
7.00pm Mass Frere Jon’s intentions, and birthday
Friday 26th January Memorial of Saint Timothy and Saint Titus
10.00am Mass Reverend Harry Morse RIP and family
11.00am Holocaust Memorial Day Service, Saint Michael’s Churchyard
Saturday 27th January Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
No morning Confessions
Fourth Sunday of the Year
Racial Justice Sunday
6.00pm Vigil Mass Anthony Preston RIP
7.00pm Confessions
Sunday 28th January Fourth Sunday of the Year
9.00am School Mass Eileen Jenkins (get well)
Tea and coffee after
11.00am Mass Pro Populo (people of the parish)
Tea and coffee after
5.00pm Sung Vespers
