Fourth Option of Giving by Debit/Credit Card Update

We are pleased to advise that the technical issues appear to have been overcome and we can now progress to the introduction of this electronic Giving Option It is hoped that it will be introduced sometime from February.

Thought from Fr. Colm - 10th December

We (parish) had a very productive meeting on Wednesday. Many important issues were discussed on ways forward for the parish. Powerful stories of personal experience and challenges were shared on reaching out to younger people in particular. We are indeed blessed in this Parish having such diverse intelligent parishioners who care deeply about the future of both parish and diocese. Mission. What is it? How to implement it? Do we focus on numbers too much and not on positives – even though the positives are not evident in church attendance. Can we ask the challenging question as to how we, as parishioners, may be the cause of others not attending church? This isn’t a criticism, but asks the gentle question. In an effort to discern how you, gentle parishioner, might think a brief questionnaire might be helpful to us all. We also discussed the challenges of responding to the needs of a growing international community coming to our churches and the exciting challenge of this as a welcoming community. The international meal is proving to be such a great event. But can we do more? Readers, Ministers of the Eucharist are opportunities. The marvellous diversity of those involved in our music. The Mexican Feast of Our Lady of Guadeloupe will be recognised at all Masses this Sunday. But, we do need more input from you. We need to be reminded of your national religious background.

The roles of our schools was seen as invaluable. Three primary schools feeding into St. Leonard’s with a Catholic ethos. It was clear to all that good religious formation was, and is, self-evident. Young people may not be attending church in the numbers we’d like, but that Catholic understanding with the values we cherish are still there. We also looked at the many groups working feverishly to make life less lonely, especially for our cherished seniors. Recognition locally was the recent Community Award to the Wednesday Lunch Club. Whilst we see so much to be grateful for, we cannot deceive ourselves, because the challenges into the future are big, very big. We might just be ready now to looking more closely at these challenges. We will try anyhow at our larger gathering early in the New Year.

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Turkeys are cool, turkeys are wicked and every turkey has a Mum. Be nice to yu turkeys dis Christmas. Don’t eat it, keep it alive. It could be yu mate, an not on your plate. Say Yo! Turkey I’m on your side. I got lots of friends who are turkeys. An all of dem fear Christmas time. They wanna enjoy it, dey say humans destroyed it. An humans are out of dere mind. Yeah, I got lots of friends who are turkeys. Dey all have a right to a life. Not be caged up an genetically made up by any farmer an his wife. Turkeys just wanna play reggae. Turkeys just wanna hip-hop. Can you imagine a nice young turkey saying ‘Oi cannot wait for de chop’ Turkeys like getting presents, dey wanna watch Christmas TV. Turkeys have brains and turkeys feel pain. In many ways like yu an me. I once knew a turkey called…. Turkey. He said “Benji explain to me please. Who put de turkey in Christmas an what happens to Christmas trees? I said “I’m not too sure turkey but its nothing to do with Christ Mass. Humans get greedy and waste more dan need be. An business men mek lodsa cash. Be nice to yu turkey dis Christmas. Invite dem indoors fe sum greens. Let dem eat cake an let dem partake in a plate of organic grown beans. Be nice to yu turkey dis Christmas an spare dem de cut of de knife. Join Turkeys United an dey’ll be delighted, an yu will mek new friends FOR LIFE.

Benjamin Zephaniah RIP

Journey in Faith: Thursdays 7:30pm

Our Journey in Faith continues to run every Thursday at 7:30pm in St Joseph's Church. This week's session is about Jesus.

7th December Jesus

14th December Prayer

Starting again after Christmas on 4th January, we will run every Thursday at 7.30pm in the Jubilee Room or the Don Bosco Room until 21st March.

The 2024 dates re not given because at this stage, they have not all been finalised.

These are the topics we hope to cover: Baptism and Confirmation, Reconciliation and the Sacrament of the Sick, Eucharist, Ordination and Vocation, Catholic Social Teaching, The problem of evil, The Bible, The Holy Spirit, Liturgy and the Mass. Matrimony, Mary, The Triduum.

What is Journey in Faith?

Each session involves a presentation and some informal group discussion and concludes by 9 pm with tea and coffee.

The Programme of talks are given by invited speakers from the parish and surrounding area. A copy of the programme will be placed in both churches and on the website.

The programme generally attracts three categories of people:

 • Those who are curious and want to know more about Catholicism and might want to become more committed.

• Those who are already firmly resolved to become Catholics.

• Parishioners who come to refresh their own understanding of what our faith teaches, and also, very importantly, to support enquirers and welcome them into our community.

 Discussion is always enriched through the attendance of parishioners so do come along and support this. For further information speak Marjorie in the parish office, 07483 369 561- or Erica Smith, Peter Thompson or Joanna Pallister.