The church is open all day from dawn till dusk. Tea and coffee are served after the 10.00 a.m. Mass on Sunday. SUNDAY OCTOBER 30TH 2005 THIRTY-FIRST WEEK OF THE YEAR |
The Feast of All Saints: This is on Tuesday and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses here will be at 9.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. I'm also saying Mass at St. Mary's at 10.30 a.m. for the students.
Wednesday is the Feast of All Souls and a day when we remember especially our own deceased relatives and friends. Mass is at the usual time of 9.00 a.m. Maybe you could make a special effort to attend?
November The Month of the Holy Souls:
"Two old men journeyed together. The name of one was Life and the name of the other was Death.
When they came to a place where a spring flowed, the man who owned the spring greeted them. They asked permission to drink. He said, 'Yes, drink. But the elder should drink first, because that is the custom.'
Life said, 'I, indeed, am the elder.'
Death said, 'No, I am the elder.'
Life answered, 'But how can that be? Life came first. Without living things to die, Death does not exist.'
Death responded, 'On the contrary, before Life was born, everything was death. Living things come out of Death, continue awhile, and then return to Death.'
Life rejoined, 'Surely that is not the way it is. Before Life there was no Death, merely that which was not seen. The Creator made this world out of unseen substances. When the first person died, that was the beginning of Death. Therefore you, Death, are the younger.'
Death argued, 'Death is merely what we do not know. In the beginning, when the Creator created, he moulded everything out of what we do not know. Therefore, Death is like a father to Life.'
They spent a long time disputing in this way. At last, they asked the owner of the spring to judge the dispute.
He said, 'How can one speak of Death without Life, from which it proceeds? And how can one speak of Life without Death, to which all living things go? Both of you have spoken eloquently. Your words are true. Neither of you is senior, neither is junior. Life and Death are merely two faces of the Creator. Therefore, you are of equal age. Here is a gourd of water. Drink from it together.'
They received the gourd of water, drank from it, and then continued on their journey."
Parish Cemetery Visit: This will take place on Remembrance Sunday, November 13th at Eppleworth Cemetery from 3 4 p.m. As a group we visit the graves of our families and friends and say a short prayer at each of them, ending up at the grave of Fr. McEntegart, our first parish priest here at Holy Cross in 1939.
The November Prayer List sheets are available in the porch. Just fill them in and put them on the altar. The names will be read out at every Mass during the month of November.
United Service: The Churches in the village will gather at Zion tonight at 6.30 p.m. for our fairly regular United Service, ie. when there are five Sundays in the month. Please do try and make the effort to join us. You'll be home for 7.30 p.m. at the latest and just in time for 'Corrie'!
Church Newsletter misprints: "Holy Family Roman Catholic Church on Thursday there will be a meeting of the Young Mothers Club. All wishing to become Young Mothers please see the priest in his private study."
Parish Lunch Club: It's Wednesday again! We meet in The Garden Room at noon for an hour or so, for food, fun and fellowship! If you'd like transport, we can help with that. Just tell me.
Coffee Morning at Anne Brittain's Home: This Thursday from 10.30 a.m. at 33, Lawson Ave. off Mill Beck Lane. It's to raise funds for her sister who is a Missionary in the Philippines. You remember, she spoke to us last Christmas after the terrible landslides had destroyed their village. Their card and gift-making project named 'Nature's Garden' is again up and running (slowly at the moment) and Anne will have some of the products on display for sale.
The Wilberforce Lecture: It was good to see several parishioners, and of course Fr. Tony, at the Guildhall last Monday night for the inspiring talk given by George Coleridge-Taylor from Sierra Leone. There was a very good turnout to listen to how democracy was finally being restored after the recent Civil War. We are well on the way to getting the generator for our twinned community in Juba and what a difference it will make to the lives of many people! Just think what role electricity plays in your life on a daily basis. Could you survive without it? Why should they have to?
The CWL Cake Stall this weekend is in support of the parish conference of the Vincent de Paul Society which does such tremendous work in our parish, visiting, doing shopping, bringing Holy Communion, offering transport etc. Maybe you have a couple of hours to spare each week? Do you want to join us in this worthwhile endeavour?
The Lament of a Bishop: Les Ulyatt writes "Wherever Jesus went there was a revolution. Wherever I go people serve tea." (Les actually is a volunteer, through the SVP. at Castle Hill Hospital where he brings round the drinks trolley. Go on Les, start a revolution!
The Hull Savoyards are putting on 'Trial by Jury' in costume here in the church on Thursday November 10th at 7.30 p.m. as part of a varied programme. Admission is £4 and £3 for concessions (which is probably a large part of the audience!). We are always very well entertained by them and they so look forward to coming here. Let your friends know!
Journeying Home to God: There is an old Hebrew prayer that recognises the journey of life upon which each person embarks. Beginning with birth and honouring death, not as the end, but as the destination, success is measured by the way in which we embrace each stage in our lives. This life journey takes us 'from youth to age, from innocence to awareness, from ignorance to knowledge, from foolishness to wisdom, from weakness to strength and often back again, from offense to forgiveness, from loneliness to friendship, from pain to compassion, from fear to faith, from defeat to victory and from victory to defeat, until, looking backward or ahead, we see that victory does not lie at some high point along the way but in having made the journey stage by stage.' It is, indeed, a celebration of a 'graced life story.'
Coming Home: Death, as the old Hebrew prayer says, is not the end, but the destination. It is our final letting go on our journey home to the Creator and Source of our being. The Hindu people believe that death is not the extinguishing of the light but rather the blowing out of the candle because the dawn has come, while in the African tradition there is a legend noting that when a person dies, a star falls from the sky to tell life everywhere that something significant has occurred. In my own Celtic tradition, Samhain (November 1st) marks the beginning of the Celtic year. Divided into two equal parts, the dark half of the year, from Samhain to Bealtaine (November 1st to May 1st) came first, emphasising the journey from darkness to light, from winter to summer, from death to life. November is, indeed, a month of celebration a celebration of the stages on our own journey when we experience the death of letting go of familiar ways of being and a celebration of the lives of those we know who have heard the call of Trasna, the crossing place to eternal light. It is a time when we remember all who have journeyed home to the Eternal Spring.
Diocesan Reorganisation New Parish Structures 2006:
Bishop John wrote to all the priests this week about this.
"Earlier this year I asked Mgr. Morgan as Vicar General to initiate discussions in the three Vicariates as to how we should plan our future parish communities and at the same time, renew together as a diocese our sense of mission. On November 3rd, this coming Thursday, I will meet with all our Deans and give them copies of the 'initial discussion paper' and brief them on the next steps. these will include:
Providing copies of the paper for all parishioners.
Asking you to discuss this with your people at parish level.
Asking the Dean to convene a meeting of all the parishes in his pastoral area to seek views on the paper.
Copies of the 'initial paper' will also be published in December's 'Voice' and any individual views may be submitted to the Vicar General by April 13th.
Very soon thereafter, a 'final discussion paper' will be prepared and the same process as above will be repeated.
We hope to have the final plan ready by late Spring 2006.
It is likely the first parish changes based on this proposal will take place in Summer 2006."
Holes in the Floor and Bats in the Belfry:
Three priests got together one day. Much to their surprise they discovered that all their churches had the problem of bats infesting their belfries and making a terrible mess. "I got mad," said one priest, "so I took a gun and fired at them, only making holes in the ceiling, but it did nothing to the bats." "I tried trapping them alive," said the second. "Then I drove fifty miles to release them, but they beat me back to the church." "I haven't had any more problems," said the third. "What did you do?" the others asked, amazed. "I simply baptised and confirmed them," he replied. "I haven't seen them since."
Birthday Boy: Our congratulations go to Fr. Bill Steele who celebrates his 75th Birthday today, Saturday. Bill, who is Jean Longhorne's brother, is well known to us here at Holy Cross, where he helps out as often as he can. Ad Multos Annos, Bill!
Christian Aid Collection on Somerfield's forecourt: Help is needed on Saturday November 19th from 9 4 p.m. Even if you can only give half an hour it would be appreciated. No experience necessary, just wear warm clothes and a cheerful countenance. Contact Iris Pennie at St. Mary's on 840701.
Jack O' Lantern: A pumpkin is a large fruit, 90% of which is water. Its name comes from the Greek word for large melon, "pepon". Pumpkins' link with Halloween came from an Irish myth about a man called Jack who was too mean to pay for his drinks. He made a deal with the devil and tried to trick him on several occasions. So as a punishment, the devil sent him into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out pumpkin and has been roaming the earth with it ever since, becoming known as Jack of the Lantern. [The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds!]
Parish Prayer Circle Intention for this Friday: "All Saints Day" last Tuesday "We pray for all the good people who have crossed our paths and enriched our lives. They may not have been perfect, but they were in their own way great human beings."
Is it true that the saints never broke the rules (St. Augustine)? Never experienced the dark night of the soul (The Little Flower St. Teresa of Lisieux)? Never had a sense of humour (St. Teresa of Avila 'God save us from stupid nuns!')? Never broke into a smile? The answer is 'of course it is not true!' The saints were fully human. They struggled with temptation. They savoured life's joy! The priest asked the class: 'What do you have to do to become a saint?' One hand shot up: 'Die, Father' said the little boy. I disagree. I, and you, know many living saints! And you can see them around you today!
Anniversaries this coming week:
Saturday John Woodmansey (Dick's brother) and Mary Meehan (Eithne Codd's sister).
Monday Patrick Griffith (Cassie's husband) and Arthur Sharp.
Tuesday All Saints Day Terence Baker (Gerry's brother) and William McKinney.
Wednesday All Souls Day John Roe, Anthony Wood (Brian's brother), and Annie Giblin.
Thursday Stephen Falvey (Patrick's father).
Friday John Maguire (Eithne Codd's father).
Saturday Stella Marie Wiles [our first girl altar server who was killed tragically in 1983 aged 14] (Sheila's daughter) and Evelyn Sharp.
Sunday Frederick Hodgson (Fred's father), Fr. JF Fitzgerald, Ann Joys (Leo Murphy's grandmother) and Winifred Jarvis.
Mass Intentions for the coming week:
Saturday 6.30 Edna Swindell
Sunday 10.00 Theresa Mayes (RIP)
Monday 9.00 Fr. Bill Steele (B)
Tuesday All Saints Day 9.00 Terence Baker (A)
Tuesday All Saints Day 7.00 Sr. Mary Philip (Golden Jub.)
Wednesday All Souls Day 9.00 Jack Marlowe (RIP)
Thursday 9.00 George Watson
Friday 9.00 Chris Knowles
Saturday 9.00 The Parishioners
Saturday 6.30 Ken Trigg
Sunday 10.00 Jim Gardham
Sick Parishioners and friends: please remember in your prayers Willy Parker who had to go into Hull Royal during the week Ward 23. She may be there for a few weeks. Also Veronica Homan in Castle Hill, Betty Nicholls, Harold Ward, Dorothy Hood having an operation this week, Caroline Dyas, Edna Swindell and Michael Pinder.
"With Hearts and Minds" a parish resource to help with our participation in the Mass. Through reflection on the scriptures, the teaching of the Church and on our own experience, it tries to help us develop both our understanding of the Mass and a liturgical spirituality. There are six sessions, each examining the various parts of the Mass: an Introduction, the Gathering, the Word, Thanksgiving, Communion and the Dismissal. At the presentation on Thursday night at the Endsleigh Centre, there were about eighty people from all over the city, including a very good number from Holy Cross (some of our folk attended the first presentation at Hessle last Thursday). Could I suggest that anyone interested in the programme, whether or not you were at the meeting, gather in the house after Mass on Tuesday (around 8.00 p.m.)? It might need a bit of 'nip and tucking' but there is something worthwhile in it for all of us.
The Top Ten Hymns as voted for by viewers of 'Songs of Praise':
1. How Great Thou Art.
2. Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind.
3. The Day Thou Gavest Lord.
4. Be Thou My Vision.
5. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.
6. Be Still, For The Presence Of The Lord.
7. Make Me a Channel.
8. Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer.
9. In Christ Alone.
10. Shine, Jesus, Shine.
'How Great Thou Art' is a 20th cent. composition based on a Swedish poem sung to a Swedish folk tune. 'Dear Lord and Father' was written by a Quaker and the words were part of a poem extolling the virtues of silent contemplation over the excesses of singing and dancing! 'The Day Thou Gavest' has overtones of empire and became one of Queen Victoria's favourites.
The church is open all day from dawn till dusk. Tea and coffee are served after the 10.00 a.m. Mass on Sunday. SUNDAY OCTOBER 23RD 2005 30TH WEEK OF THE YEAR WORLD MISSION SUNDAY |
Generator News: Fr. Ambrose wrote this week via email: "Greetings to you from Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Juba and from me in particular. Sorry that it has taken a little while without hearing from me. This has been due to the pressure of work as two more Out-Stations have been added to our parish and I am still alone and looking forward to having an assistant some day. I however thank the good Lord for giving me the strength to respond to my work by serving the people of God. How are you doing out there? Surmise that you are doing fine in the Lord. May I inform you that I met with the agent (Raju) who was mentioned in one of your emails to me concerning the generator. He told me that he was due to London the next day for two weeks and he promised contacting the agent in London concerning the cost of the generator and its installation. Has there been any further development? The situation as regards electricity in the country is so appalling that for the last three months we have only been fortunate to get electricity in the parish for three times and this really is affecting many areas of our work. The need for a generator is out utmost priority as there is no likelihood for supply of electricity in the near future. Thank you again for your immense support to the parish over the years and may God continue to bless you all. With regards, Fr. Ambrose."
Last Week's Barn Dance: And what a success it was! Packed to the doors, the dance floor full all the time, lots of youngsters, three generations of some families out together on a Friday night and competing with Hull Fair! We must and will do it again! And the result? £518 will go towards the Generator Fund. Thank you to all who gave it your support (you'll not need to be so early next time, David!).
Mission Sunday: Have you a Red Mission Box? Anne Tordoff has asked that they be returned as soon as possible, or emptied at home and a cheque paid in payable to Anne (yes, we can trust her!). There will also be a retiring collection this weekend which will go to the Association for the Propagation of the Faith. World Mission Sunday was established in 1926. Mission is the very point of the Church's existence. "Go, teach all nations " Worldwide there are 1,092 mission dioceses and territories in places where the Church is new or poor and still depends on help from its 'older sisters' in order to run its pastoral, sacramental and social programmes. If you pay tax you can Gift-Aid your donation by using one of the envelopes provided. You may like to bring it back next weekend.
Sunday Collection Counters: Teresa Ulyatt writes: "Due to the serious illness of Michael Pinder, two extra volunteers are needed for the collection counting rota. This is usually done after the Sunday morning Mass in the house, once every ten weeks. If you feel you could help please contact either myself on 845355 or Fr. Pat. Many thanks. Teresa."
"With Hearts and Minds" the programme set up by the Bishops of England and Wales to help deepen our appreciation of the Liturgy. The second presentation, for those who couldn't make last week's at Hessle, will be this coming Thursday at the Endsleigh Centre. It begins with refreshments at 6.30 p.m. and the presentation will last from 7 8 p.m. Eucharistic Ministers, readers and catechists are especially encouraged to attend.
Hull Savoyards Amateur Operatic Society will be presenting a concert here at Holy Cross on Thursday November 10th at 7.30 which will include "Trial by Jury" (with costume) by Gilbert and Sullivan. Their visits here are always most enjoyable and this should be no different. Admission will be £4 and concessions £3. Spread the word to your friends and neighbours. The proceeds will go to the Generator Fund.
Manna Prayer: On the last Saturday of each month we have a time of prayer at the Manna Coffee Shop as we gather the needs of the village and the local churches. We begin this coming Saturday at 7.30 a.m. and finish at 8.15 a.m. I know it's early but if I have to be there .! Each week, the local Churches are asked to pray especially for each other. This week we focus on the Community Church which meets every Sunday at The Darby and Joan Club on Finkle St. We are asked to remember especially Roy Wadel and their leadership team.
United Service: When there are five Sundays in the month the local Churches have regularly been celebrating a United Service in the different churches. This coming Sunday we will be gathering at Zion at 6.30 p.m. for a short service followed by refreshments. I know that you'll already have been to church once that day but try and make the effort to give your support.
Hull Faith Forum: The next talk is titled "Dei Verbum Why the Bible is Catholic." The speaker will be Fr. Luiz Ruscillo and it's at the Endsleigh Centre on Monday October 31st at 7.30 p.m.
Miracles? Religion recorded a rare victory over science last week when a church was allowed to retain a poster offering the prospect of miracles. Critics complained to the Advertising Standards Authority that the poster, which pictured a man with a microphone hugging a child beneath the words "Miracles, Healing, Faith", was misleading and irresponsible. They said that the Penial Pentecostal Church in Brentwood, Essex, was claiming an ability to cure medical conditions but could offer no scientific proof, and the poster "preyed on the credulity of vulnerable people". But the church run by Michael Reid said the poster did not specifically refer to cures or medical conditions. The words "miracle, healing, faith" were merely a statement of its belief in the Christian Gospel, it argued, and most people were aware of the Christians belief in the miraculous. He called the investigation "a nonsense" saying "there is a mounting pressure to be politically correct and try to appease everyone. To take the miracles out of Christianity is to deny the Bible."
Parish Prayer Circle Intention for this coming Friday: "As we focus on 'One World Week' we pray that all the Churches in Cottingham will work to raise awareness of world poverty and will come together in joint action (like the Barn Dance) to help the poor. Inspire us, Lord, to do something practical ourselves."
November Prayers for Our Deceased Families and Friends: Please take one of the Remembrance Sheets home with you, write on it the names of your deceased family members and friends, and bring it back next weekend. They will all be remembered at our Masses during the Month of the Holy Souls.
Rest in Peace: Please keep in your prayers Paul Wood and Sandra Stephenson's brother-in-law Harry Caunce, both of whom died suddenly in the past week. Paul had been teaching in the Bahamas for the past twenty years or so and had been planning to return to Hull in the next month for good. In his early days, Paul was MC to Fr. Kilbane at St. Anthony's and was also very much involved in the local Scout movement. He will be sadly missed but also very fondly remembered by many in the local parishes. We extend our sympathy to his mother Mary and to his brothers Fr. John, Martin and Anthony. May he rest in peace. Amen. Harry lived here in Willerby and was visiting his daughter Julie in Wigan when he died suddenly. May he also rest in peace. Amen.
For old time's sake, don't let our enmity live.
For old time's sake, say you'll forget and forgive.
Life's too short to quarrel, heart's too precious to break,
Shake hands and let us be friends, for old time's sake.
Martin House Hospice for Sick Children: We are having a Coffee Morning at St. Mary's Church Hall in the village on Thursday October 27th from 10.00 12.00. Cake stall, Martin House goods etc. Holy Cross contact is Sheila Cundy, 845342.
Anne Brittain's Coffee Morning: Following on from the disaster in the Philippines before Christmas where Anne's sister is a Missionary Sister, she is holding a Coffee Morning at 33, Lawson Ave. on Thursday November 3rd at 10.30 a.m. Cards and small gifts will be on sale made by the women at the Nature's Garden Project set up by Anne's sister in Kiloloran. It was totally destroyed by the mud slides but has been rebuilt with your help.
Womens' World Day of Prayer: Our Holy Cross representative has retired after 25 years service on this ecumenical committee! A volunteer is needed, please! There are approx. four meetings a year. The WWDP takes place every year in March in one of the village churches. Enquiries to Anne Brittain on 841759.
A middle-aged woman had a heart attack and was taken to hospital. While on the operating table she had a near-death experience. Seeing God she asked, 'Is my time up?' God said, 'No, you have another forty years, two months and six days to live.' Upon recovery the woman decided to stay in hospital and have a facelift, a tummytuck and liposuction. Someone came in and changed her hair colour, and since she had so much time to live, she figured she might as well make the most of it. After the last operation she was released from hospital. Whilst crossing the road on her way home, she was killed by an ambulance. On arriving in front of God she demanded, 'I thought you said that I had another forty years left? Why didn't you pull me out of the path of the ambulance?' And God replied, 'I didn't recognise you.' (from Elizabeth Dunn [nee Stephenson] )
Holey Holy Cross: You may have noticed the sagging floor near the steps up to the 'North Stand' (the old altar). We had experts in to examine it on Monday and this is their report.
"Using our endoscope, a limited inspection was undertaken and we confirm that Anobium Punctatum (common furniture beetle) is evident to floorboards and joists, some floorboards are significantly weakened. We note that subfloor ventilation is limited and that the raised areas has timber floor and may be expected to have woodworm. Recommendations: Carpet to be taken up, this is unlikely to relay. Floorboards approximately 1 meter apart to be taken up for access and all accessible timbers treated. Weakened timbers to be renewed. The air bricks to the front elevation to be replaced to give better through ventilation."
Obviously, until we know the full extent of the damage, we can't say just how much the repairs will cost, but we must be looking at several thousand pounds, not including the cost of a new carpet for the whole body of the church. The 1982 extension thankfully has a concrete floor! I will be checking with our insurers to see if this situation is covered. Meanwhile, be careful if you're in that area! By the way, they told us that the pressure exerted by a single stiletto heel is around 32 tons! So flat shoes in that area also!
Parish People News: Sheila Wiles, Pat Brennan's sister, celebrated her 60th Birthday at her home in Florida last week and we wish her all the best (she'll be reading this on the web!). Caroline Rawcliffe celebrated her 18th Birthday on Wednesday and has a big party, today, Saturday. It was good to see that people had visited the grave of Fr. McEntegart in Epplworth cemetery on Thursday, the 48th anniversary of his death in 1957. Someone had even left a miniature rose bush on the grave. It's good that he's not forgotten. And we welcome to Mass today Betty Doherty's two sisters who live in the USA. They are accompanied by their husbands Al and Kirk. One of the 'girls' is Betty's twin sister.
Sick Parishioners and Relatives: Please pray for Dermot's sister Moira who is quite ill at the moment. Also Edna Swindell recovering from her recent fall. Willy Parker still asks for your prayers and can you remember Joe Rawcliffe's mother Pat who is very ill up in Newcastle. Veronica Homan (in hospital) and Betty Nicholls are both very ill at the moment. As is Michael Pinder and Harry Ward is slowly improving.
Cemetery Sunday: Our annual Blessing of the Graves Service will take place on Remembrance Sunday at Eppleworth Cemetery starting at 3.00 and finishing by about 4.00 p.m. We meet just inside the entrance and begin from there and end up, as always, at the grave of Fr. McEntegart. We try and visit all the graves of past relatives and parishioners and say a short prayer at each. Some years we've had up to forty parishioners joining in. See you there!
Friday October 28th. Look at the Sky and you'll see Hull City on the box playing against Burnley at 7.45 p.m. (It's also the feast of Ss. Simon and Jude. Wasn't Jude the patron saint of hopeless causes?)
Amnesty Concert: Last chance to get your tickets before the concert on Tuesday at The Ferens Art Gallery. They are priced at £10 and available from the usual parish suspects!
CWL Cake Stall next weekend in aid of the parish SVP Conference. You can bring as well as buy! Our annual Mass for our deceased members will be on Monday November 14th at 7.00 p.m.
Christening next Saturday at 12.00: Patrick James McNabola-Hutchinson, first child of Nina and Nick will be welcomed into the family of the Church. Patrick was born in mid-August.
Lodgings Needed? Peter Dyas's daughter Caroline, living on Langdale Crescent, has room for a lodger, male or female. If you might know of anyone interested, maybe a nurse or doctor from the hospital, you can contact Peter on 846225.
Anniversaries this coming week:
Sunday Michael Woods-McConville (Tony's brother), Joan Atkinson (Terry's mother), John Wood (Brian's brother), Frank Tolhurst (Diana's father) and Winnie Bainbridge (Pat Wright's mother and a great character too! Also known as Smoky Joe!).
Monday Elsie Crawford (friend of Anne Tordoff and parishioner).
Wednesday Patricia Cook.
Friday Jane Croll (Sheila Levett's mother) and Dora Tulip (a very dear parishioner).
Saturday John Woodmansey (Dick's brother).
Mass Intentions for the coming week:
Saturday 6.30 Tom Cleary (RIP)
Sunday 10.00 Jim Gardham
Monday 9.00 Jean Townsend (RIP)
Tuesday 7.00 Stella and Patricia Corcoran
Wednesday 9.00 Brenda Allen (RIP)
Thursday 9.00 Mary Waterhouse (RIP)
Friday 9.00 Dora Tulip (A)
Saturday 9.00 The Parishioners
Saturday 6.30 Edna Swindell
Sunday 10.00 Theresa Mayes (RIP)
The Parish Quiz on Friday certainly generated a lot of steam! Six teams but did they compete. The neighbours must have been wondering what was happening! We had (1) The Italian Connection plus Ireland. (2) Spain, Africa and Beverley, (3) The Woodmanseys plus Joyce, (4) Tug Boat Willy and Crew, (5) The Young Ones plus Dorothy and (6) The Vinnie's Lot. The Winners by a mile were Birthday Boy Dick Woodmansey and Family (so they set the quiz next year!) and the Booby Prize went to The Vinnie's Lot. Phil Jackson was the Quizmaster and he certainly took a lot of flack! Please help me out on this one. Who is the Father of English Poetry? Whose name is inscribed on the statue at the top of the 199 steps in Whitby and what does it say? Yes, Caedmon the shepherd and the Father of English Poetry. Somebody please come to my aid and say that I was right! But all in all, a great evening's fun! And thanks especially to Beverley J.
The church is open all day from dawn till dusk. Tea and coffee are served after the 10.00 a.m. Mass on Sunday. SUNDAY OCTOBER 16TH 29th WEEK OF THE YEAR |
Rest in Peace: Please remember in your prayers Ken Long, husband of parishioner Freda, who was buried from here on Friday. Ken was aged 72 and himself and Freda were married almost 50 years ago at St. Charles Church. He was a policeman all his life and also did his National Service in the Korean War. He is survived by his mother Loraine aged 90, their daughter Wendy and son Peter and four sisters. May he rest in peace. Amen.
It Hurts: A little girl went up to her mother while holding her stomach saying, 'Mummy, my stomach hurts.' Her mother replied, 'That's because it's empty, you have to put something in it!' She then prepared a bowl of soup. That evening the parish priest came for dinner. He began to feel bad and holding his head he said, 'I have such a terrible headache!' The little girl looked up at him, gave him the sweetest smile and said, 'That's because it's empty, you have to put something into it.'
| Autumn Fayre Breakdown: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Door | 60.00 | |
| Cards | 89.80 | |
| Preserves | 113.46 | |
| Bottles | 225.30 | |
| Cakes | 86.15 | |
| White Elephant | 184.41 | |
| Handicraft | 63.80 | |
| Raffle | 62.00 | |
| Toys | 65.56 | |
| Refreshments | 60.46 | |
| Tombola | 334.40 | |
| Plants | 38.11 | |
| Books | 79.92 | |
| Donation | 20.00 | |
| subtotal: | 1483.37 | |
| Band Expenses | -25.00 | |
| total: | 1458.37 |
What a great response, and there is more to be counted! So over £700 to go to the Generator Fund and the rest to the Drop-in Centre at St. Charles. Thank you again for all your support and especially to those who 'manned' or 'womaned' the various stalls!
Rainbows (Children dealing with loss divorce, separation, death) will be starting here at Holy Cross after Christmas. Suggested times such as twilight (4.30 5.30 weekdays), Saturdays etc or other times as needed. Sessions will be no longer than an hour. For more details please contact Chris Clarke, one of the trained team here in the parish, on 844128.
CWL News: We are going to hold a Cake Stall at the Masses on the last weekend of this month for the SVP. Maybe you could bake something and bring it along on the day? Thank you again for always supporting these Stalls. It is much appreciated. And looking forward, the November mass for the deceased members of the CWL will be on Monday, 14th November at 7.00 p.m.
Linda Gillard, the secretary of the Parish Council, will be doing the 5K
Run for Dove House Hospice next Sunday. Linda is a Lay Chaplain there and takes services for the patients on a regular basis. It's a worthy cause and she deserves our support.
Barbara Marshall and David Cook would like to thank parishioners for the avalanche of bottles that helped raise well over £200 at the Fayre. They really are most grateful! As are all the other stall holders!
Family Fast Day: So far you have donated £389.41, again with more to come in. Of that, £302 was gift-aided, bringing in another £84.
Sierra Leone: I have tickets for the Wilberforce Lecture to be held at the Guildhall next Monday, October 24th at 7.30 p.m. And there are tickets also for the Social Evening to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the twinning between Hull and Freetown. Again at the Guildhall at 7.00.
Secret Draft of new Catholic Mass is up for sale on eBay: A draft version of the new English Mass supposed to be one of the Roman Catholic Church's most guarded secrets has appeared on the internet auction site eBay. The document was intended for the eyes of senior clergy only (not mine!) as its contents are highly sensitive. An international panel of experts has been working for years to produce a more accurate translation of the mass from the original Latin to replace the version in use since the 1970s. The exercise has proved controversial, and early efforts by the panel, the International Commission on English in the Liturgy, fell foul of the Vatican. The commission's latest draft said by critics to be banal and lacking in mystery is being circulated to bishops in English-speaking countries. Copies of the 44-page document are being offered on eBay by an anonymous seller who describes them as 'truly, a rare collectors' item'. The webpage adds: 'The bishop who asked me to sell this on eBay was determined that the process to prepare the new English language Missal should be open and accessible to the holy people of God.' Bidding starts at £5.70. Fr. Allen Morris, the secretary for the department of Christian Life and Worship for the bishops' conference of England and Wales, told The Catholic Herald newspaper: 'The person who has placed the text on eBay is behaving irresponsibly as well as infringing copyright.'
Prayer Circle Intention for this coming Friday: "For 'World Mission Sunday' in a couple of days time, we pray that Jesus will inspire all Christians, and especially ourselves, to work for him and to set such an example as to bring many more people to Jesus."
Parish Autumn Quiz Night: This coming Friday in the church beginning at 8.00 p.m. sharp. Always great fun. Bring your own drinks etc. Excellent prizes and raffle too. Proceeds to the Generator Fund.
Birthday Girl: On Wednesday Caroline Rawcliffe reaches her 18th Birthday! She has always been a real encouragement to us here at Holy Cross, with her trips to Lourdes and more recently, her visit to Cologne for the World Youth Day with the Pope. Ad Multos Annos Caroline!
The 'Bog Roll' of Honour: A top property company has put together a comprehensive hall of fame judging facilities at 149 football clubs in Britain. And, amazingly, Hull City are flushed with success after their bogs were voted the best in Britain! Sunderland came second, Arsenal sixth, Newcastle seventh and Liverpool ninth. So we are good for something at last?
Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.
There's plenty of life left in the churches: The former Archbishop of Canterbury said last week that " a Church that is running out of cash and spending it on buildings, that has lost its vision and is becoming a club for the elderly
" If the Church of England were a human being, he dismally concluded. "the last rites would be administered at any moment." But there are also reasons to be cheerful in Britain. In the introduction to his Religious Trends, Peter Brierley, the great expert on church attendance, quotes GK Chesterton: "Five times in the last 2,000 years the Church has to all appearances gone to the dogs. In each case it was the dogs that died." Looking closely at his statistics, three patterns emerge. The old institutional denominations the traditional C of E, the Catholic and Presbyterians are in decline. There is a scriptural echo here: "We played the flute for you, but you did not dance." Jesus parodied those who could not understand their failure to win souls: "We sang a dirge but you did not mourn." Both the weird and the dull, the outlandish and the hidebound, fail. There is a third way. According to Brierley, the Churches that are growing are the ones which are orthodox but experimental: the Pentecostals and evangelicals, relaxed in style but strict in substance, liberal in all but doctrine and appealing not to liturgy but to grace. They are terrifically embarrassing, of course, with their shouting and clapping; then again, "I will be even more undignified than this," said King David as he danced before the Lord. Decorum is bunk. "Whenever two or three are gathered together in my name," said Jesus, "there I am in the midst of them." God is no doubt just as delighted with seven old ladies muttering their responses in an echoing church as he is with 700 twenty-something bellowing God-rock. Yet surely there is something in the attendance figures which shows that, as St. Paul put it, "having the form of godliness but denying its power" is a recipe for a moribund Church. The precursors of the Pentecostals were the Methodist field-preachers, speaking to the masses who could not, or would not, enter formal churches. John Wesley vowed to 'live and die an Anglican', but in time Methodism left the C of E, and has declined sharply in modern times (indeed its profile is the grimmest of all the denominations). Churches, like all institutions, must renew themselves. The success of the Alpha Course run at 7,000 churches across the UK, teaching the fundamentals of the faith to 200,000 people a year shows the way. Alpha is not a missionary movement of the Billy Graham type: it is run through local churches, delivered by local ministers or leaders. Such bottom-up organisations, as well as the 'para-church' initiatives like Spring Harvest, give great cause for hope and may confound Lord Carey's gloomy forecasts. The world is witnessing a race between the religions, with the frontrunners being radical Islam and evangelical Christianity. Traditional Christianity is losing ground, while the cultured Briton's favourite faith, secular humanism, is nowhere. Time to get orthodox, and get modern!
Lunch Club this Wednesday at noon in The Garden Room. It's always full but there would be room for you if you haven't yet been. A very pleasant way of spending an hour or so.
"With Hearts and Minds": This programme set up by the Bishops of England and Wales is a resource for small groups, intended to assist participants to a deeper appreciation of the nature and role of the Liturgy in the life of the Christian community; to participate more deeply in the Liturgy. It presents in a more accessible form the teaching about parish celebration of the liturgy. Through reflection on the scriptures, the teaching of the Church and on their own experience, group members will be helped to develop both their understanding of the Mass and a liturgical spirituality. There are to be two evenings here in Hull to explain how to set up the programme and everyone is invited to come along and see. The first meeting is this Thursday at Our Lady of Lourdes in Hessle and the other one is the following Thursday, October 27th at the Endsleigh Centre. Both evenings begin with refreshments at 6.30 p.m. and the presentation will last from 7.00 8.00 p.m. Eucharistic Ministers, readers, catechists are all especially encouraged to attend.
Rest in Peace: We remember Arthur Porter, Jan Woodmansey's uncle who died last week and whose flowers have helped decorate the church. He was aged 90 and recently had been a resident at Hallgarth.
It's the new txtament, mate: Not content with a Strine version of the Bible, Australia has translated the Old and New Testaments into text message language. "In da Bginnin God cre8d da heavens & da earth," the SMS (short message service) version begins. "Da earth waz barren, wit no 4m of life; it waz unda a roaring ocean cuvred wit dRkness." The Bible Society in Australia, which has produced the translation, hopes that young people will send their family or friends verses which can be accessed free over the internet. But older people may feel that the text version lacks the gravitas and elegance of the original. "The days when the Bible was available only in a sombre black cover with a cross on it are long gone," Michael Chant of the Bible Society said. "We want to open it up for people of all ages, backgrounds and interests and the SMS version is a logical extension of that. The idea came from the son of a society employee in Sydney and it took one person a month to convert the entire Bible into SMS text.
Modern Message: "God luvd da ppl of dis wrld so much dat he gave his only Son so dat evry1 who has faith in him will
neva really die." OR: "U, Lord, r my shepherd
U lead me 2 streams of peaceful watr."
Hull Faith Forum: Monday October 17th 7.30 p.m. at the Endsleigh Centre. "Sacrosanctum Concilium: The Liturgy how to reach Heaven on Earth." The speaker will be Fr. David Standen and all are welcome to attend.
Amnesty Concert: Ferens Art Gallery on Tuesday October 25th. Tickets are £10 and include refreshments. See Marian, Chris Clarke, Anne Tordoff or Fr. Tony for them.
Lourdes Youth Pilgrimage 2006: Thursday May 25th until Friday June 2nd. Start thinking now if you'd like to come with us. Remember, Holy Crossers go at 'half price'. Now there's an offer you can't refuse! Spread the word at school too!
"Trial by Jury": The Hull Savoyards Amateur Operatic Society presents a concert to include "Trial by Jury" (with costume) by Gilbert and Sullivan here at Holy Cross on Thursday November 10th at 7.30. Admission £4 and concession £3 including refreshments. Tell your friends and neighbours. It's always a great evening's fun! This is their third or fourth visit here, they enjoy it so much!
Sick and Housebound Parishioners: Edna Swindell, Michael Pinder, Betty Nicholls, Alice Sinclair, Ken McKeown, Harry Ward, Fiona Kilkenny, Agnes Pidd, Betty Swallow, Mary Rowe, Anita Marshall, Ivy Behan, Peter and Margaret Price, Roy and Dominic Caley, Rolf Kennedy, Pat Hodgson, John George, Sally Harrison, Joan and Eileen Nevin, Andrea Gardham, Louis Hester, Beth Harper, Ann Sullivan, Ted Stafford, Margaret Clarke, Celia Galloway, Marion Boland, Stuart Buchan, Ursula Stainton, Veronica Homan, Paddy Falvey, Lilian Fowlston, Lucy Codd, David Wallace and last but not least, Elsie Murphy! We still miss you, Elsie, but Edna is doing her best to take your place, if that's possible!
Anniversaries this coming week:
Sunday Hilda Murphy (Leo's mother) and Margery Johnson.
Monday James Walsh (Marion Mooney's father) and Kitty Gilmore.
Tuesday Mark Morkos (Angela's father).
Thursday Fr. Thomas McEntegart (Holy Cross Parish Priest who died in 1957) and Peter Gilson (Betty's son).
Friday Rose Heenan.
Sunday Joan Atkinson (Terry's mother-in-law), John Wood (Brian's brother), Frank Tolhurst (Diana Ormiston's father) and Winnie Bainbridge (Pat Wright's mother-in-law).
Mass Intentions for the coming week:
Saturday 6.30 Bill and Norah Norris (A)
Sunday 10.00 Martin Murphy
Monday 9.00 Bridget Downey (B)
Tuesday 7.00 Agnes Brydon
Wednesday 9.00 Emma Cavanagh (B)
Thursday 9.00 Eileen Pickering
Friday 9.00 Brenda Allen (RIP)
Saturday 9.00 The Parish
Saturday 6.30 Tom Cleary (RIP)
Sunday 10.00 Jim Gardham
Be silent, be still alone, empty before your God. Say nothing, ask nothing. Be silent, be still. Let your God look upon you. That is all. He knows, he understands. He loves you with an enormous love. He only wants to look upon you with his love. Quiet, be still. Let your God love you.
The church is open all day from dawn till dusk. Tea and coffee are served after the 10.00 a.m. Mass on Sunday. SUNDAY OCTOBER 9TH 2005 TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK OF THE YEAR HULL FAIR WEEK |
Rest in Peace: We learned of the sad death last Sunday of parishioner Brenda Allan at Woodlands Lodge in Hessle aged 73. She had not been well for quite some time and the ladies of the CWL had been very loyal in visiting her during that period. She was a member of the CWL quite a long time ago and a former chairperson of the Cottingham Holy Cross Section. She is survived by her brother Brendan who is himself quite unwell. Brenda's Requiem Mass will be on Monday at 9.30 a.m. followed by cremation. Brenda was also a member of the parish SVP Conference from 1983 until 1992.
Hull Fair Week: Hull Fair is one of the oldest and largest travelling fairs in Europe. The first charter for permission to hold a fair in the city was granted in 1278. By the 16th century, it had become a 16-day fair, starting in September. The opening date for the fair changed in 1751 to October 11 and it has opened around that date ever since. It was dominated by jugglers and puppet shows in the 18th century and wild animals in the 19th century. The fair was closed during the war years and only reopened when hostilities had ended. So, for all our Holy Cross "exiles" reading this on the web, we'll be thinking of you this week as we enjoy 'all the fun of the fair'.
New Silver Chalice and Paten: Made by Dennis Sawyer from Pocklington in memory of Doreen and Peter Reekie, close friends of Dennis and his wife Brenda, the chalice is a copy of the famous Elizabethan Leppington Chalice, the original now in the Treasury at York Minster. It's a beautiful piece of craftsmanship with Peter and Doreen's names engraved on the base. We have used it every day since we got it and it continues to keep Doreen and Peter's memory alive here at Holy Cross. Should you feel moved to write a note of thanks to Dennis, his address is: 39, Algarth Rise, Pocklington, YO42 2HX. We really are indebted to you both for your generosity. We will think of you often here at Holy Cross as we celebrate the Eucharist with the 'work of your hands'. God bless you both.
Prayers for Cottingham: This week the centre of our prayer focus is Zion United Reform Church and their minister David Coote. Next week our prayers will be for Christ Church, Endyke Lane.
"Distant" Parishioner of the week: And it's the turn of Liz Pike who has started a new job in Human Resources at Holy Trinity, Brompton, the home of Alpha. The job she was leaving offered her a £10,000 rise if she would stay! She said no! Money isn't everything and thanks Liz for teaching us that lesson.
Cottingham Churches Barn Dance: This will not be a "holy knees-up" but a fun, family evening. It's this Friday at The Civic Hall from 7.30 10.30 p.m. The music will be supplied by the band "Mountain Ash" and you are invited to bring a meal-size contribution, with your own drink and glasses to a 'faith supper'. Tea and coffee will be provided. Tickets are available either from myself or Peter O'Reilly and are £3.50 for adults, £2 for children or £10 for a family (I wonder if I could sneak in a gang of children and say I'm their Father?). All the profits will go towards the Generator Fund in Freetown. Please do try and support it as we are to be the people benefitting from it!
SVP News: Many thanks for your generosity in buying the raffle tickets last weekend. We actually ran out after the Sunday Mass but people still made donations! Can we also thank you for your continued support for the parish SVP Conference. There was a donation (anonymous) of over
£60 this past week. Your generosity is overwhelming. We have about fifteen active members in the conference at the moment. There's always room for more although the room in the house mightn't take them!
A Priest's Lament
If a priest preaches over ten minutes, he's long-winded; if his homily is short, he didn't prepare it. If he visits his parishioners, he's a nosy nuisance; if he doesn't, he's a selfish snob.
If he says something new, he's a dangerous radical; if he doesn't he's a stuck-in-the-mud conservative. If he's away working, he's in Scotland playing golf.
If he allows sinners to Communion, he's disobeying church teaching; if he stops them, he's disobeying Jesus's teaching.
If he preaches with passion, he's an actor; if he doesn't, he's a bore.
If he wants to reorder the church, he's upsetting people; if he doesn't, he's not moving with the times.
If he dies, there was nobody like him, and there will never be anyone like him again.
So pity the poor priest!
A Poultry Gift:
After raising over a million pounds last year, Cafod's innovative range of Christmas gifts for the developing world continues to expand. Those intent on purchasing more meaningful Christmas presents can chose from chickens for impoverished farmers in El Salvador to shelter for refugees in Sudan. Last year the goats (£27 each) [take note, David Cook!] were the most popular item but now they have been replaced with £72 cows or a brood of six chickens for £21. Donors [and David] may be disappointed to hear that goats are now off the list although Cafod believes it needs to test the market. "After the success of last year we have to work out what is popular. Customers now have two, rather than one, type of animal to chose from," a spokesperson said.
As well as animals, a tent and blankets (£12) for those driven from their homes to refugee camps in Darfur is an option, or the more intangible 'gift of peace' where, for £40, former child soldiers of the Congo are given counselling and rehabilitation. Those willing to spend a little more can 'buy' a community care-worker for a year. The worker, who will take charge of food and medicine for HIV sufferers, is a snip at £140.
The Tree on the Chimney: It's gone, at last! I was thinking of putting lights on it at Christmastime but thought the better of that idea! However, I did get out the ladders and ascent to the dizzy heights of the roof to dislodge it during the week, with Peter Rawson at the bottom (in case!). [It actually was quite a long way up, and down!]
The curse of 'Operation Pagan': A police force has renamed its latest crime crackdown to avoid offending heathens. It had seemed a good idea for Kent police to name the six-week campaign Operation Pagan because it coincided with Hallowe'en. However, the force had not reckoned with the Pagan Federation which said the name of the operation, to tackle vandalism and violence linked to longer autumn nights, was offensive. A spokesman said: "They wouldn't have called it Operation Christian or Jew or Muslim. So why Pagan?" A police spokesman said: "We're sorry if the name caused distress." The operation has been renamed Excalibur. "We're waiting now for some Arthurian society to complain that we're besmirching Camelot," said one officer.
Children's' Liturgy Programme: After Mass this morning there will be a meeting (short) for anyone interested in helping with a special liturgy for the younger parishioners during the first part of the Mass. No previous experience is necessary just a willingness to work with our young ones. It involves looking at the readings of that Sunday in a simple way and maybe getting the children to do some artwork or the like which would them be brought up during the Offertory Procession. Many parishes operate this programme and find it very successful. It also gives the parents a few moments of peace during Mass. can you help? You might only have to do it once a month or even less depending on the response. The material is already available with people willing to come and show us how to use it.
Autumn Fayre: As we go to print on Friday we have no idea yet of how it went! But the support by so many people in the lead-up has been wonderful. Thank you to all who came along on Tuesday evening to 'sort out' the offerings. Your gift of your precious time was certainly most appreciated. So much 'stuff' has been donated. Your 'Spring Cleaning' has certainly come early! Thanks again ever so much.
Parish Autumn Quiz: Friday October 21st, 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. in the church. The winners of the previous year have the pleasure of setting the following year's questions! We think we remember who won last year, but can you phone Linda on 848931 to confirm that you are indeed preparing this year's one? It's important that we know.
Church embraces 'celebrity culture': Wanted: Caring, compassionate individual to help Britain's Roman Catholic Church in its mission to end global poverty and suffering. Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures optional; knowledge of OK!, Hello! and Heat magazine essential. CAFOD, the country's leading Catholic charity, is seeking a "celebrity liaison officer" to woo well-known people to front its campaigns. The aid agency, which received almost £50 million in donations last year, is offering a salary of £30,000 a year. The job description reads: "Do you have a bulging contacts book peppered with household names? Do you have a passion for development and a secret addiction to Heat? If so, CAFOD is looking for someone who combines winning charm with both steely determination to recruit and regain celebrity supporters." The creation of the post, which was advertised last week, has caused frowns among some Catholic churchgoers, who feel that the charity should not pander to "celebrity culture". But Fiona Callister, the charity's head of media, said it was merely following the example of other aid agencies, which regard celebrity endorsement as essential in today's competitive fund-raising climate.
Birthday Girl: This week it is the turn of Cassie Griffiths who celebrates her 90th Birthday. Congratulations from us all!
City Praise: See the poster in the porch. The first one is tonight, Sunday, at Bodmin Church on Bransholme starting at 6.30 p.m.
There were two women who came before King Solomon, dragging between them a young man who had agreed to marry both their daughters. After listening to both their stories, the king ordered the young man to be cut in half, so they could each have their share. "No!" exclaimed the first woman, "do not spill blood! Let the other woman's daughter marry him." The wise king did not hesitate. "The man must marry the other woman's daughter," he said. "But she was willing to see him cut in two!" exclaimed the king's court. "Yes," said King Solomon, "that shows she is the true mother-in-law."
Hull Faith Forum: Monday October 17th, "Sacrosanctum Concilium The Liturgy: how to reach heaven on earth." The talk will be given by Fr. David Standen. The Hull Faith Forum is an initiative run by active young Catholics in the city. The talks are chosen to offer a variety of subjects in a friendly atmosphere. The venue is the Endsleigh Centre at 7.30 p.m. All welcome.
CWL News: Many thanks to everyone who supported the recent Pie and Pea Supper (with Malcolm the Magician and his 'assistant' Roxanne). It raised £77.54 for the League Charities. Thanks also to those who supported the "Macmillan Coffee Morning". It raised £115, absolutely wonderful, says Elizabeth.
Lourdes Re-visited Exhibition: This recently advertised event in The Catholic Voice has for various reasons had to be postponed. It was due to take place at the end of October at the Endsleigh Centre. However a new date is to be arranged and it will be publicised in all the parishes.
Prayers for the sick: Please remember in your prayers Betty Nicholls who is very ill at the moment in Cottingham Hall. Teresa Ulyatt brings her Holy Communion every week. Alice Sinclair in Hallgarth is also not well at all. Michael Pinder, Sallie's husband and one of our regular counters on a Sunday is also quite unwell as is Ken McKeown, Moira Thomson's brother in Manchester. Remember also Harry Ward, a Sunday regular, housebound at the moment and Fiona Kilkenny having treatment for cancer.
Youth Sunday November 20th. We hope to have a special celebration at St. Vincent's in the afternoon for all the young people of the area. And in preparation for it we are having a meeting at the Endsleigh Centre this Tuesday evening at 7.30 p.m. I'll be going down after our evening Mass if anyone wants a lift.
Parish Walsingham Weekend: December 9 11. There are a very limited number of beds available and I need to know by this weekend if you are interested. I was speaking to the staff at the shrine the other day and they tell me that there are no en-suite rooms left. But you'd still not be 'roughing' it!
Amnesty Concert: The Aegle Trio from Hull will be entertaining us on Tuesday October 25th at The Ferens Art gallery. The tickets are £10 and can be obtained from the usual 'suspects'.
Lourdes Youth Pilgrimage 2006: Interested or know anyone who might be? We really do need to have an idea of numbers by Christmas. It's an experience that will remain with you forever. Just ask anyone who has been. Young people from here go at 'half-price'. The full cost will be around £350.
We love our church with all her limitations and her riches too. May she be a church where it is good to live, where you can breathe and say what you think. A Church of freedom.
A church which listens before speaking, which welcomes instead of judging, which forgives without wishing to condemn. A Church of mercy.
A church where the simplest of our brothers and sisters will understand what the others are saying and where the wisest of leaders will know what he doesn't know. A Church of wisdom.
A church where the Holy Spirit will be able to feel at home, because everything hasn't been foreseen, settled and decided in advance. An open Church.
A church where everyone can pray in their own language, express themselves according to their culture, live with their own history.
A church of which people will say, Not "see how well organised they are", But "see how they love each other."
Church of saints, of suburbs and streets and housing estates,
Lift up your head and look: The Lord is with You!
Anniversaries this coming week:
Sunday Kath Jephcott and Eileen Hughes (Eithne Codd's sister)
Monday Aileen Murphy (Paddy Falvey's sister), Roy Buchan (Stuart's father), and Rita Parkinson.
Tuesday Mary Cooke (Monica Lunn's mother) and Mary Hall.
Wednesday Ellen King (Shirley Woods-McConville's grandmother)
Thursday Mary Wright and Stella Corcoran (Tony's mother)
Friday Michael McKeown (Moira Thomson's brother)
Sunday Hilda Murphy (Leo's mother) and Margery Johnson (a friend of Dorothy Hought).
Mass Intentions for the coming week:
Saturday 6.30 Dorothy Hought (In Thanksgiving)
Sunday 10.00 Val Silcock (RIP)
Monday 9.30 Requiem Mass for Brenda Allan
Tuesday 7.00 Damian Price (A)
Wednesday 9.00 Chris McDonagh (1st Anniversary)
Thursday 9.00 Jim Gardham
Friday 9.00 Kathleen Burgan (In Thanksgiving)
Saturday 9.00 The Parishioners
Saturday 6.30 Bill and Norah Norris (A)
Sunday 10.00 Martin Murphy
The church is open all day from dawn till dusk. Tea and coffee are served after the 10.00 a.m. Mass on Sunday. SUNDAY OCTOBER 2ND 2005 TWENTY-SEVENTH WEEK OF THE YEAR |
Family Fast Day this coming Friday. Last year, we raised an astonishing £1,370,550. And those who signed a gift-aid form on their envelopes helped us to raise another £80,393. Please take home an envelope today and return it next Sunday.
Holy Cross Parish: I found a copy of the Mass brochure from the Golden Jubilee Mass of Holy Cross Church, June 5th 1979 and on the back was the following:
"In 1322, Thomas, Lord Wake of Lydel, founded an Augustinian Priory in Cottingham, immediately south-west of where the railway now crosses Northgate. Owing to doubts as to his absolute ownership of the site, he rebuilt the Priory, which was dedicated to the Holy Cross, a mile south of Cottingham, on what is now Haltemprice Farm.
After the suppression of the monasteries by Henry VIII, Fr. Thomas Paynell, a former Canon Regular of Merton Priory, came to Cottingham as Rector of the beautiful XIVc. Parish Church of St. Mary in 1540. But, in 1562 he was taken to York and charged with adhering to 'Romish Practices'. He died shortly afterwards in prison. The present Parish of Holy Cross could be said to have started 355 years later, when Fr. J O'Neill SJ, a friend of the Hildyard family, said Mass for the first time at their home 'Cherry Garth' on December 17th 1917.
Fr. Wannyn, Chaplain to Endsleigh Convent continued with regular Sunday Mass, and on one Sunday in 1920, the initial reserving of the Blessed Sacrament was made before a congregation of 40 people. He died on April 5th 1928, a few months before the site for his new church in Carrington Avenue was bought for £440. The Foundation Stone was soon laid and blessed, and the Church opened by Bishop Shine on April 7th 1929. The Church was first served by the parish priest of Hessle, Fr. Brunner, later to become Bishop of the diocese.
He was succeeded by Fr. Connolly, who served the parish for 4 years. In addition, it was served by the parish priest of Corpus Christi, by the Marists and by Fr. Clifford of St. Patrick's.
In 1934 Fr. McEntegart became the first resident parish priest. It was he who built the presbytery. He served the Catholics of Cottingham until his death on October 20th 1957. He was then succeeded by the present parish priest, Mgr. Philip Purcell."
SVP News: The members of the parish conference of the SVP will be selling raffle Tickets after each Mass this weekend on behalf of the National SVP. This is the society's biggest money-making event of the year. First prize is a Renault Clio, second prize is a wide-screen TV. The tickets are 25p each or £1 per book.
October the month of the Rosary: The Rosary will be said in church after daily Mass throughout the month. Why not bring along a special intention for each day?
Diocesan Adult Formation: Mr. and Mrs. Preece (aka Ella and James!) are looking for a lift to the meeting in York this Wednesday. Their phone number is 345329.
Youth Sunday: Feast of Christ the King, Sunday November 20th. There is going to be a meeting at the Endsleigh Centre on Tuesday Oct. 11th at 7.30 p.m. for anyone interested in helping out with the event to be held at St. Vincent's.
Lunch Club: This Wednesday at noon in The Garden Room. Have you been yet?
A careless word may kindle strife.
A cruel word may wreck a life.
A bitter word may hate instill
A brutal word may smite and kill.
A gracious word may light a day,
A timely word may lessen stress.
A loving word may heal and bless.
"You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day,
By deeds that you do, by words that you say.
Men read what you write, whether faithless or true.
Say, what is the gospel according to you?"
The Da Vinci Code: The title of the talk of the Hull and District Theological Society this Wednesday is: "Raiders of a Lost Ark? The Bible, the Critics and the Da Vinci Code". The venue is the first-floor seminar room, the Graduate School, Cottingham Rd. and it begins at 7.30 p.m. Non-members are welcome. The cost? £2.
Endsleigh Holy Child Nursery: We have places for children aged 3 years at the afternoon session from 1 3.30 p.m. For more details contact the school on 853203.
Evangelism and erotic underwear are rarely linked outside the tabloid newspapers. But a new book backed by a Church of England bishop urges Christians to spread the message to their friends by hosting lingerie parties. The Bishop of Bolton, the Rt. Rev. David Gillett, said: "They are the modern version of the Tupperware party and they are a natural way for women to meet. They can lead to a discussion of themes such as Adam and Eve and relations between people and God." The bishop said that he was a devotee of the Big Brother television show because the issues that surfaced during the programme were often more real to ordinary people than those raised in church.
Right! Who's going to host the first one? I might even do a "Boxer and Y-Fronts Evening." Then again? Maybe not!
Alpha Course: It was great to see some university students at the opening session last Wednesday evening in The Garden Room. The second session is this Wednesday at 7.00 p.m. and the topic is "Why did Jesus die?" The talks are now on DVD format and only last about fifteen minutes, leaving plenty of time for discussion and socialising.
"Parking is a Christian Issue!" Taken from a newsletter brought back from Knock by Patrick and Anne Brittain. "If aliens were to hover over our car park during Mass, they might well wonder if this really could be a gathering who claim to take consideration for others seriously! Sometimes, cars are more 'abandoned' than parked; often in front of the entrances and exits (for the quick get-away?!) and frequently blocking both entrances to the rear of the church. In the absence of parking lines, it does demand a bit more attention and effort, so let's start to make our car park look a bit more Christian and a bit less chaotic!"
There's a lesson for us here at Holy Cross too. Respect the neighbours and don't park in a dangerous spot.
Parish Autumn Fayre: This coming Saturday in the Civic Hall from 10.30 1.00 p.m. (and home in time to see England versus Austria in the World Cup tie!). Lots of 'stuff' has already come in and for that we are grateful. But
lots more 'stuff' is needed for all the stalls, bottles, tombola, white elephant, books, plants etc. On Friday evening at around 7.00 p.m. there will be the sorting out of the Tombola Prizes and the numbering of them. Help to do this is always gratefully accepted. So let's give it one last big shot. In anticipation, thanks!
Barn Dance: This has been organised for all the Churches in Cottingham (and friends) on Friday October 14th from 7.30 10.30 p.m. in the Civic Hall. Music will be provided by the band "Mountain Ash" and you are invited to bring a meal size contribution, with your own drink and glasses, to a 'faith supper'. Tea and coffee will be provided. Tickets are available either from myself or Peter O'Reilly at a charge of £3.50 for adults, £2 for children or £10 for a family. The profits will go towards the Generator Fund for Star of the Sea Parish.
Lourdes Youth Pilgrimage 2006: Thursday May 26th until Friday June 2nd. Young people going from Holy Cross will be asked to pay half-fare which will be about £180. If we don't have enough names by the end of January, then we'll cancel. This will be very sad as we've been taking young people from the city to help with the sick since 1982 at least. So think about coming, tell your friends as well. Normally we take pupils from Year 8 and above.
"It was a very hot day and the sun was beating down on Adam as he tended the plants in the Garden of Eden. As he wiped the sweat from his brow, he thought, "Wouldn't it be nice if there were someone else to share the work, to help with the weeding and pruning?" On hearing these wistful thoughts, God appeared and spoke to Adam. "My son, to create such a companion would be very expensive, very expensive indeed; it could cost you an arm and a leg." At this news Adam's face fell, but the more he considered the idea of a companion, the more it appealed to him. He was cast down with despair. Then suddenly his face brightened and he smiled. "What could I get for a rib?"
Confirmation 2006: The Bishop will be coming to our area next May to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation. The venue is not yet decided. If anyone wishes to be confirmed, could you let Ella know. Her telephone number is 345329. You need to be in Year 9 or above.
God of peace, relax the tensions of my body
..
Still the anxieties of my mind
..
Calm the storms of my heart
..
Give me the courage to wait
..
Let peace flow in me, through me, from me.
The deep, deep peace of god.
Anniversaries this coming week:
Saturday Louisa Nolan (Pat Brennan's grandmother)
Sunday Monica Percival (Richard's mother)
Monday Harry Jephcott (Michelle's dad)
Tuesday Laurence Wood (Brian's brother), Hilary Woods-McConville (Shirley and Tony's daughter) and James Lunn (Monica's husband)
Wednesday James Whincop (Pat's husband)
Friday Catherine McAllister (Joan Gibson's sister)
Sunday Kathleen Jephcott (Harry's wife) and Eileen Hughes (Eithne Codd's sister)
Mass Intentions for the coming week:
Saturday 6.30 Alice Battersby (RIP)
Sunday 10.00 Leslie Lawrence Birkinshaw (A)
Monday 9.00 Eddie Walmsley (RIP)
Tuesday 7.00 Jim Brydon (RIP)
Wednesday 9.00 James Whincop (A)
Thursday 9.00 Communion Service
Friday 9.00 John Distan
Saturday 9.00 For the Parish
Saturday 6.30 Dorothy Hought 'In Thanksgiving'
Sunday 10.00 Val Silcock (RIP)
Wilberforce 2005 Public Lecture: "Challenges confronting democracy in Africa." Monday October 24th at 7.30 p.m. The Guildhall. The speaker is George Coleridge-Taylor who has spent his life working towards democracy in war-torn Sierra Leone. His previous positions have included Acting High Commissioner during the Civil War of 1968/69 and Permanent Secretary, Minister of Mines 1984/86. He currently holds the position of Commissioner of the National Commission for Democracy and Human Rights. Admission is free but by ticket only. Contact the Hull City Council Booking Office on 226655.
Time will bring it back:
No good deed is ever wasted and no kind word is said in vain,
For the good we do to others, life brings back to us again.
Every seed of love you sow will spring up somewhere on the road,
And the sacrifice you made will serve to lighten someone's load.
No good deed is lost to God although it may be lost to view,
Cast your bread upon the waters. Time will bring it back to you.
Amnesty International Autumn Concert. Starring The Aegle Trio from Hull on Tuesday October 25th at The Ferens Art Gallery. Tickets including refreshments at £10 from the usual suspects!
Rest in Peace: On Monday at 10.00 we have the funeral here of Mary Waterhouse's daughter Ann. Mary herself was buried from here not two weeks ago. Our thoughts are with her son Mark, his wife Alison and their three children and her husband George. There will be Mass as usual at 9.00 a.m. on Monday.
Prayers for the sick: Please remember all the 'usual suspects' but especially this week Annie Poulous with a broken ankle, Fiona Kilkenny with breast cancer, Michael Pinder also with cancer, Geraldine Rainey's son Daniel, Ray and Willy's granddaughter Fiona recovering from a major operation, Marian's mother and Dorothy Hought who celebrated her 85th Birthday last week by being mugged along Bricknell Avenue.
God is with you when the way is dark, and life seems cold.
God is with you when the body is weak and you feel old.
God is with you when doubts arise and fears descend.
God is with you forever, my friend.
Parish Prayer Circle Intention for Friday: "On this Harvest Fast Day we thank the Lord for our good harvest and we pray for the work of the Aid Agencies as they help those whose harvests have failed."
Jesus the Teacher: Then Jesus took his disciples up the mountain and gathered them around. He taught them saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are they who mourn. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are you when persecuted. Be glad and rejoice for your reward is great in Heaven."
And Simon Peter said, "Will we be having a test on this?"
And Philip said, "I haven't any paper."
And Bartholomew said, "Does it matter about the spelling?"
And John said, "The other disciples didn't have to learn this."
And Matthew said, "Can I go to the toilet?"
Then one of the Pharisees who was present asked to see Jesus' lesson plans and enquired of Jesus, "Where are your learning and assessment objectives and what are your targets?" Another asked, "What range of teaching strategies did you draw from?" A third asked to see a cross-section of work.
And Jesus wept.
Alpha: All the helpers at the Alpha Course are encouraged to come to a 'training day' on Saturday October 15th from 9.30 1.00 p.m. at St. Martin's Church, Anlaby Rd. Details from Diana on 846555.
Manna Monthly Prayer Meeting: We meet at The Manna Coffee Shop on the last Saturday of each month for 45 minutes of prayer. The revised time of starting is now 7.30 a.m.! A bit early! We'll see how it goes.
Hallgate Infant School had their Harvest Festival here at Holy Cross on Friday afternoon and they dedicated it to the Generator Fund for Freetown. The collection raised over £114. Absolutely marvellous! If you know anyone there, please pass on our sincerest thanks. Mrs. Ann Hill does a wonderful job there ably supported by a magnificent staff and parents. God bless them all!