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LATEST NOTICES FROM SACRED HEART CHURCH: Fasting & Abstinence: The law of Fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. The Law of Abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. Pastors of souls & parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting & abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance. Back to top No Meat on Friday: Friday is set aside as a special day of penitence, as it is the day of the suffering and death of our Lord. The Bishops of England & Wales have decided to re-establish the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays. They believe that it is important that all Catholics again be united in a common, identifiable act of Friday penance. Those who cannot or choose not to eat meat as part of their normal diet should abstain from some other food of which they regularly partake. This came in to effect from Friday 16th September – the first anniversary of the visit of the Holy Father. Back to top 'Sparks of Light' - Lent Faith Sharing Groups: Archbishop Vincent is asking Catholics to use Lent as an opportunity to shine with God’s light in support of the Church’s mission. Introducing ‘Sparks of Light’, he said: “My desire is that this faith-sharing resource will help you to see that ‘saintly’ living is as much for you as it has been for anyone, and that you will explore how in the seeming ordinariness of daily living you can be an effective agent, a spark of light, in the Church’s mission today.” The groups are:- Tuesday 10.30 a.m. at 22 Park Road Tuesday 8.00 p.m. in the Church Hall Wednesday 10.30 a.m. in the Church Hall Thursday 8.00 p.m. at 1 Ware Park Cottages Back to top Let's Not Forget: That when we come to Mass we must not eat or drink anything, other than water, in the hour before we receive Holy Communion. This applies to anyone who has made their First Communion. At the three Sunday Masses here in Ware, Holy Communion is given out at approx. 7.10 p.m. on Saturday evening & at 9.10 a.m. & 11.10 a.m. on Sunday mornings. This means that we should not eat or drink on Saturday evening from 6.10 p.m. & on Sunday mornings from either 8.10 a.m. or 10.10 a.m. People who are on medication are the exception to this and medication can be taken at any time. Let’s not forget! Back to top Let's Not Forget: That at the heart of the life of the Catholic Church has always been the celebration of the Eucharist, or the Mass, as Catholics often call it. Taking part in the Mass is the hallmark of the Catholic, central and crucial to our Catholic identity. The first Christians devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles, to their ‘communion’ with each other and to prayer, and met together in their homes for ‘the Breaking of Bread’. Over the centuries, Catholics in many countries have risked their lives in order to celebrate Mass in times of persecution. Their courageous faith remains an inspiration and example to the Catholic community today. For Catholics now, as in the past, the Eucharist is the source and summit of the whole Christian life. It is the vital centre of all that the Church is and does, because at its heart is the real presence of the crucified, risen and glorified Lord, continuing and making available his saving work among us. The Second Vatican Council reminded us: 'the most holy Eucharist holds within itself the whole spiritual treasure of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Passover and our living bread'. Yet for an increasing number of Roman Catholics today there appears to be a certain discontinuity between everyday experience and the Sunday Mass. For many a discernible gulf has opened up between the spiritual journey of the individual and the communal, liturgical acts of worship. It is both appropriate and necessary, therefore, that all of us, particularly at this moment when the liturgical texts are being revised, that we help & welcome back all who have lapsed from their faith or who do not regularly come to Mass. A word of invitation or encouragement maybe all that is needed. Back to top Let's Not Forget - The Sign of Peace: A ritual kiss is mentioned in the oldest writings of the New Testament and is found in the Eucharistic liturgy from the earliest days of the Church. In the Roman tradition it found its place after the Lord’s Prayer, whose themes of mutual forgiveness it echoes The biblical concept of peace includes total well-being, a life of harmony with God and with ourselves, with our neighbours and with the whole of creation. Such peace can only be the pure gift of God. It is won for us by the risen Christ, present in the midst of the assembly, and so it is the peace of Christ that is exchanged. The exchange of peace prior to the reception of Communion is an acknowledgement that Christ whom we receive in the Sacrament is already present in our neighbour. In this exchange the assembly acknowledges the insistent Gospel truth that communion with God in Christ is enjoyed in communion with our sisters and brothers in Christ. The rite of peace is not an expression merely of human solidarity or good will; it is rather an opening of ourselves and our neighbours to a challenge and a gift from beyond ourselves. Like the Amen at Communion, it is the acceptance of a challenge, a profession of faith that we are members, one with another, in the body of Christ. In England and Wales the customary sign is a handshake, however, it is important that this is not seen simply as a greeting but as expressing peace, communion and charity. A handclasp may be a more authentic sign than the customary handshake. All the members of the assembly, ministers and people, turn to those immediately around them. It is not transmitted in sequence, as it were from a single source. Christ, who is its only source, is present and active in the assembly. Back to top Silence During Mass: Silence is an important element in all communication. It is particularly important to allow for silence as a part of the dialogue between God and the community of faith. It allows for the voice of the Holy Spirit to be heard in the hearts of the people of God and to enable them to unite personal prayer more closely with the word of God and the public voice of the Church. During liturgical silence all respond in their own way, recollecting themselves, pondering what has been heard, petitioning and praising God in their inmost spirit. Liturgical silence is not merely an absence of words, a pause, or an interlude. It is a stillness, a quieting of spirits, a making of time and leisure to hear, assimilate and respond. Any haste that hinders reflectiveness should be avoided. The dialogue between God and the community of faith taking place through the Holy Spirit requires intervals of silence, suited to the assembly, so that all can take to heart the word of God and respond to it in prayer. The purpose of any particular silence, depends on where it occurs in each part of the celebration. In the Penitential Act, all pause to remember their sinfulness, and the loving-kindness of God in Christ. At the opening prayer, they put themselves and their deepest needs and desires before God. After the readings and Homily, they savour God’s word, ponder it in their hearts like Mary, and apply it to their lives. After Communion, they praise and pray to God in their hearts. These moments of silence will be more apparent when we start to use the New Translation of the Mass on the Second Sunday of September. Back to top Treasures of Westminster Cathedral: Come and enjoy a new exhibition full of the Cathedral’s most precious possessions. See a display of rare ecclesiastical objects, vestments, chalices and sacred relics acquired by the Cathedral since its opening in 1903. Learn the story of how the Cathedral was created and see one of the greatest architectural models in Britain. For further details please see poster in Church Porch. Back to top Westminster Diocese Papal Visit Film: This 20 minute video film celebrating the Papal Visit of Pope Benedict XVI tells the story of the two days he spent in the Diocese of Westminster - including the Big Assembly, the Papal Mass at Westminster Cathedral and the Prayer Vigil in Hyde Park. The film can be viewed online on the diocesan website at www.rcdow.org.uk and at vimeo.com/17085054. Back to top Guided Prayer in Lent: If you are between 18 and 35 why not take this opportunity to deepen your relationship with Christ during Lent. You will meet once a week with an experienced prayer guide who will accompany you as you strive to listen more carefully to the voice of God in your life. Please see the poster in the Porch. Contact Sr. Emma on emmanolan@rcdow.org.uk or 020 7798 9360 for more details or to book one of the limited places. Back to top Youth Support Team in the Diocese: The team is running Youth Leadership Training for young people who are either already involved, or who wish to get involved, in parish life. The aims of the programme are to develop young people, age 14 to 18. The training will take the form of an initial meeting and two workshops. If you think this may be of interest to you and you would like to find out more please contact Emma on 020 7798 9360 or emmanolan@rcdow.org.uk. There is also a poster displayed in the porch with event times. Back to top Catholic Singles: Catholic Singles is an organisation which helps single, widowed, separated and divorced Catholics of all ages (over 18 years) meet, either one to one or through social events. For more information please call 0161 941 3498 or visit www.catholicsingles.org.uk or email info@catholicsingles.org.uk. Back to top Marriage Preparaton Providers Urgently Needed: Do you think that preparing for marriage should be more than just planning the wedding? Would you like to help run a service which can make a fundamental difference to couples’ lives? Barnet & Enfield Centre of Marriage Care (www.marriagecare.org.uk) are looking for people to help facilitate their marriage courses, which are run once a month at Christ the King Church in Oakwood. You would be given a 3 day training course and your minimum commitment would be to assist with one course every 2 months. For further information, please contact Ingrid Bowie on 07905 310 287 or ingridmbbowie@googlemail.com. Back to top The Vocations Discernment Group: This group for young adults (18-30’s) meets on the 4th Friday of every month and over the last ten years has helped many to discern God’s call for them in their lives. Each meeting includes a talk, prayer, discussion and social time. The group meets from 7-9 p.m. in the Hinsley Room in Morpeth Terrace next to Westminster Cathedral. For further information contact Sr. Gabi on info@free2become.org or Fr. Richard on richardnesbitt@rcdow.org.uk. Back to top Catholic Woman of the Year 2012: Nominations are invited for the 2012 Catholic Woman of the Year. The idea is to honour the ‘unsung heroines’ who take on responsibilities and carry out service to others in steadfast and perhaps unobtrusive ways. The nomination can simply be a letter from a friend, colleague, parish priest or even a family member setting out the facts in a brief way. The committee are looking to honour women who in their own homes and families, in public office or in their business or professional lives, are seeking to live and uphold the Church’s teachings with love and dedication. Letters should be sent to Mrs Janette Woodford, 22 Milton Road, Ware, SG12 0PZ or email mijamajoje@ntlworld.com by 30th April 2012. Back to top Westminster Record: This monthly newspaper for the Diocese of Westminster, is now available to view online at http://www.rcdow.org.uk/publications/ , then just scroll down to Westminster Record & click on latest issue. Back to top The following statements about the Bible were written by children - they have not been retouched or corrected (i.e. incorrect spelling has been left in): 1. In the first book of the Bible , Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world so he took the Sabbath off. 2. Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark. Noah built an ark, which the animals common on to in pears. 3. Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night. 4. Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients. 5. The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten amendments. 6. The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple. 7. The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him. 8. Solomon, one of David’s sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines. 9. The people who followed the lord were called the 12 decibels. 10. The epistles were the wives of the apostles. Back to top Lift the City: A Catholic Eucharistic, flash mob in Preston. The film on Youtube takes a few seconds to get going, but then it becomes increasingly inspiring. The Capuchin Friars now run the University Chaplaincy in Preston. Please watch. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ5aYoSr3Hg&feature=youtu.be Back to top Saying Yes and Saying No - A Conference for Healthcare Workers 25 & 26 Feb: This is organised by the Catholic Medical Association (UK) to help Catholic Healthcare workers appropriately say No when faced with the increasing numbers of ethical dilemmas in Healthcare. It is to be held on 25th & 26th February at The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Burnt Oak Lane, Blackfen, DA15 8LW and although over 2 days, people can come for as much or as little as the feel able. To book a place phone 07792 359329 or email ; email:kentcma@gmail.com for more details please see the poster in the porch. Back to top |
Church Cleaning This Week: Jane & David Feint. Thank you! Back to top Church Office Hours: The Office will generally be open, during term-time, between 9.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon & 1.30 pm - 3.00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Back to top Yellow Parish Registration Forms: If you have not already completed one or you have changed your address or telephone details, can you please complete a form and return it to the Presbytery. The forms can be found above the Holy Water stoop in the Church Porch. Thank you. Back to top Items for the Newsletter: All items for the Parish newsletter must submitted to the Parish office in writing or by email by 12 noon Thursday with your name & phone number. Thank you. Back to top Emergency Sick Calls: If you need a Priest URGENTLY, to administer the Sacrament of the Sick because someone is seriously ill & you ring Fr. John & the telephone is on answering machine; please do not leave a message for him, hoping that he will be back shortly. He may be out for the rest of the day & even longer - by the time he returns it may well be too late. In such circumstances please call the following Priests until you are able to speak personally to one of them to see if he will be able to visit immediately in the emergency. Fr. Terry Phipps (Hertford)………………………………01992 582109 Fr. Philip Miller (Hoddesdon)………………………………01922 440986 Fr. John Cunningham (Waltham Cross)……………01992 623156 Fr. Bob Styles (Much Hadham)……………………… 01279 842354 Canon Eddie Mathews (Bishops Stortford)………01279 654063 The above 5 Priests all have their own transport. If none of them were available then please call one of the following who do not drive:- Fr. Paul Arnold (St. Elizabeth’s)……………………01279 842145 Fr. Anton Cowan (Cheshunt)…………………………01992 629878 Fr. Ian Dickie (Buntingford)……………………………01763 271471 Please keep this information for reference in case you need it. Thank you. Back to top If You Go Into Hospital: In light of the Data Protection Act, Catholics in hospital are unlikely to receive an automatic visit from the Catholic Chaplain, as this information is now systematically withheld from the Chaplains. If you or a relative are going in to hospital you need to contact the Hospital Chaplain yourself if you would like them to come and see you. For the QEII at Welwyn call the Chaplaincy on 01707 - 365520 (mob: 078 8418 7463). For the LISTER at Stevenage call the Chaplaincy on 01438 -285518 (mob: 078 8418 7463). For the PRINCESS ALEXANDRA at Harlow call Fr Slavek, at the Presbytery on 01279 - 426017. Bernadette Cassidy who has been the Roman Catholic Chaplain at the QEII & the Lister for the past 5 years or so retired from her post on the 31st December. Our thanks go to Bernadette for all her care in that time & we extend her every best wish for the future. The new Chaplains are Jacqueline Humphreys & John Paul Lyttle and we wish them well in their new posts. Back to top New Adult and Children's A&E Services arrangements at QEII from 16th Jan 2011: Click here for the new arrangements for A&E services from Monday, 16th January 2012 Download File (.doc) Back to top New Church Cleaners: Father John is looking for more Church cleaners, to help keep the Church spic & span. Could anyone spare 1 hour of their time once a month, always at your convenience? If so please speak to Father John. Back to top New Church Cleaning Rota: This is ready for collection in the church porch. Please take a copy, thank you. Back to top Church Cleaning Rota: can be found at www.sacredheartware.com/rotas/index.php Back to top Eucharist Ministers Guidance: At a meeting of Eucharist Ministers it was decided to issue guidance for Eucharist Ministers regarding the way in which we serve at Mass. The guidance can be found on this website at: www.sacredheartware.com/rotas/index.php Back to top New Eucharist Ministers Rota: The rota for the ten weeks 11th February to 15th April is now available. Those who have provided an email address will have already received a copy. For other ministers a copy will be available from weekend 4th/5th February in the Church Porch. Can you please take your copy and not leave it in the porch. Thank you. A copy of the Rota can be found on this website at: www.sacredheartware.com/rotas/index.php Back to top Eucharistic Ministry to the Sick: Would all Eucharistic Ministers who take Holy Communion to the Sick & Housebound please ensure that they enter the name of the sick person in the diary on the table at the back of the Church. It would appear from the diary that some of our Sick & Housebound are only getting Holy Communion very rarely – but that may not be correct. If there is any Eucharistic Minister who has been asked to take Holy Communion to the sick, on a regular basis & does not now feel that they can do that any longer, please have a word with Fr. John. Thanks. Back to top Mass Reading Rota: can be found at www.sacredheartware.com/rotas/index.php Back to top Special Project Rota: can be found at www.sacredheartware.com/rotas/index.php Back to top Catechetics 2012: For details of Catechetics arrangements for 2012 please go to the Sacraments page of this website. Back to top Children's Liturgy of the Word: At 10.30 Mass each Sunday during school term-time, we have a special Liturgy of the Word for young children. For Key Stage 1 children, they go into the church hall and will listen to a simple reading of the Gospel and perhaps do some colouring, a simple craft activity or other activity. For Key Stage 2 children, they meet in the sacristy, and in addition to listening to the Gospel and other readings of the day will have an opportunity to discuss what the readings mean for them. Each of the group is guided by a catechist and helper. At present we need more helpers. If you would like to help with either the KS1 or KS2 liturgy, as part of a group working on a rota basis, then please talk to Deacon Adrian or one of the catechists. Back to top Altar Servers: We are looking for additional altar servers. Any boys and girls who have made their First Holy Communion who are interested in becoming an altar server, please ask Deacon Adrian, David or Jon for an application form. Back to top Celebration for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee & The London Olympics: My grateful thanks to Teddy Bedford for volunteering to be our Parish Representative on the ‘Ware 2012 Committee’, which will consider and organise events in the Town in 2012 to mark these two momentous events. Back to top Wonders of Waste - WOW Bags: Ladies in the Philippines recycle fruit juice cartons and sew them into colourful bags for sale. Prices start at £2 for coin purse and the most expensive is the large organiser bag at £12. They will make fabulous Christmas presents. To see the ladies creating these WoW bags please visit their powerpoint. Wonders of Wenceslao Bags (This will take a few seconds to load) or see the display of photographs in the hall. Thank you to those of you who have purchased WoW bags - since we started selling at the beginning of November we have made a magnificent total of £1,500. To enquire about WoW bags and for a copy of the catalogue please open Wonders of Waste Catalogue; email:warewowbags@hotmail.com or leave a message with the parish office for Michele. A big thank you to Michele Beer and her helpers. Photographs from the sale at Dickensian Evening can be found at Dickensian Evening (This will take a few seconds to load). We have received a Christmas News Sheet from the Philippines. This can be viewed by going to WoW News Christmas 2011 (This will take a few seconds to load) Back to top Youth Awards for Outstanding Achievement: Ware Town Council are keen to promote the dedication of our young people by rewarding the youngsters with achievement awards. The awards will be presented on 14th March, 2012 at Hanbury Manor Hotel. Nominations are now open & the criteria they shall be judging are as follows: Outstanding Achievement Charity work in the Community Overcoming Adversity Being a Good Friend If you know a young person who you would like to nominate, please contact Tracy, the Parish Secretary for a Nomination form. The completed nomination forms need to be submitted to - Karen Johnson, Ware Youth Awards, Ware Town Council, The Priory, Ware SG12 9AL by Friday, 24th February. Thank you. Back to top Snow Shovel: Thank you to the person who kindly left the snow shovel – it proved extremely useful!! Would you like it back? If so it can be collected from the presbytery at your convenience. Back to top Premier Christian Radio: on 1305,1332 AND 1415 MW. Please tune into this wonderful station, which brings comfort and hope to all 24 hours a day. You can contact Premier by telephone 020 7316 0808 or email premier@premier.org.uk Back to top Ten Ten Theatre: Ten Ten Theatre, the Catholic theatre company, are looking for more professional actors to join their company. If you are an actor / actress and interested in learning more about the company, please visit www.tententheatre.co.uk Back to top The Joshua Camp: Are you aged 18+? Would you like to be involved in outreach work during the 2012 Olympic Games? From the 1st to 13th August 2012, The Joshua Camp will be hosting & training hundreds of Catholics from around the world to serve at the Games. If you would like to serve or perhaps even participate in a leadership role please contact Sr. Emma Nolan of the Youth Support Team: sremmanolan@rcdow.org.uk or 020 7798 9360. For more information on the event, see www.thejoshuacamp.com Back to top Catholics To Be Encouraged To Carry 'Faith Card': Parishioners across England and Wales are being invited to carry a card showing that they are Catholic. One million cards will be made available to 24 Catholic dioceses in this new initiative. The credit-card-size resource features on one side, a space for the owner to sign, a statement that the carrier is a Catholic and a list of six things that Catholics are called to do. There is also a sentence that reads: 'In the event of an emergency, please call a Catholic priest'. The other side of the card has a quote from Blessed John Henry Newman, focusing on the call to serve and affirming that everyone has a mission. When the cards are received we will make them available here in Church. Back to top Fairtrade Fortnight Dinner 06 Mar: The Ware Town Fairtrade Committee is organising a Dinner at Hertford Rugby Club on Tuesday 6th March. The price is £20 per head. Please click here for a copy of the flyer giving details of the event - Flyer Back to top 'Songs of Praise' at St. Mary the Virgin, Ware: St. Mary’s is organising a 'Songs of Praise' event, over the Diamond Jubilee Holiday Weekend, Sunday 3rd June 2012. Fr. John would like two people to represent Sacred Heart Church at this event. They will need to choose a hymn, which will be sung by all present; prepare & write a 40 second introduction of why the hymn has been picked, and provide a one line prayer at the conclusion of the hymn. If anyone would like to do this please speak to Fr. John. Back to top |
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