We welcome Father Bill Serplus and Father Austin Horsley.   Father Pat left me the following to include:
“Father Bill Serplus, who is looking after Holy Name and St Anthony’s for the present, is with us on Saturday evening.  Though only a few weeks in Hull, he has settled in very well and would love the opportunity to remain in the area. Just remember, Bill, Holy Cross is not up for grabs!  Bill was a member of St Andrew’s Youth Club in Middlesbrough when I was a curate there – and he still became a priest!
Father Austin Horsley SM, one-time head of the Marist College, now resident in Newman House on Beverley High Road, is with us on Sunday.  No doubt many of you remember him from Marist College days.  Remember the saying- ‘Old teachers never die, they simply lose their class’!  Lots of parish connections with him – Sheila Levett was his secretary at Marist and Catherine Shakespeare’s husband Charlie was caretaker there for many years. And – believe it or not – even though he only lived down the road, this is his first visit to Holy Cross!”
                                                 (Both of you have the right of reply!!  John McN)

Anniversaries this coming week:  Sun May 27th:  Gertrude Culkin, Jennie T Gallagher, George Porter,
Sidney Waterhouse;  Mon: Joseph Williams (Jun), Brigid Price;  Tues: Charles Hamilton, Michael Bailey;  
Wed: Emma Valente, Tom Hallett;  Thurs: Doreen Ormiston, Nancy Howdle, Margaret Howdle, Leonard Hought;
Fri: Theresa Carmel Cadwallader; Sat: Margaret Hall

A teacher said to her class “We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times, but can anyone tell me what was a higher power?”   One boy blurted out “Aces!”

Lourdes  Some of the parishioners there this week: Terri Riddiough, Pat and Dermot Brennan, Sandra and John Stephenson, Megan Rawcliffe (yr 9), Melanie Wheeldon – Holy Name (6th form), Naomi Smith, Jonathan Croft, Anna Holgate (all yr 8).      Peter Rawson and Gerry Baker are there as brancardiers.    Father Pat is saying Mass in Lourdes for the following intentions: Fri May 25th – Peigi, Conor and family,  Sat 26th – Willy Parker (RIP),
Sun 27th – Maureen and Dessie Quinn,  Mon 28th (at the Grotto) – Father Tony (RIP),  Tues 29th – Mary and Bernard Lundberg, Thurs 31st – The Day Family

Mass intentions Sat June 2nd :  9 am – The Parish;   6.30 pm – Leonard Hought

Race for Life  Sunday, June 3rd  Linda is running and would very much welcome sponsors, please.

Congratulations to Louise and Matthew Size whose first child, Florence Isabella, will be christened here next Saturday, June 2nd.

First Holy Communion Day on Sun June 10th, during 10 am Mass.  Communicants(with Prayer Partners):  Honour Wilbourne (Auntie Jackie), Ben Shortland (Ann Shortland), Daniel Maughan (Jean Dex), Catherine Kilkenny (Paul Kilkenny), Imogen Barber (Vanessa Wilbourne) and Philip Croft (Rachel Synott).

Book Review: “The Reminiscences of Mary – Unheard Voices from the Gospels”  by Peter Corcoran SM
How might it have felt to be the mother of the saviour of Mankind?  What might you think if you were informed by an angel that this was to be your destiny?   How might you react if you were face to face with a man who has returned from the dead?   In this book, Father Peter from Hull provides possible answers to all these questions, and more.  Retelling stories and incidents from the Gospels from unfamiliar perspectives in a fresh and engaging fashion, one that connects the reader with the spiritual power of Christian tradition and broadens understanding of the lessons that the Gospels contain.   Father Pat has read it and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It costs only £5.99 from Our Lady’s Bookshop or Amazon.

Counters this weekend:  Jean and John Gray;   and next: Barbara Marshall and David Cook

Sierra Leone Action Group  This parish group met this month and have either taken or decided to take the following action: an article prepared for inclusion in the Catholic Voice, plus an appeal for twinning associations, particularly with schools; contact with Radio Humberside;  two video versions of the visit made and presented to various groups; a Power Point presentation given to a group at the Guildhall; photos sent to the Universe  (see next weekend’s edition);photos shown to a Churches Together meeting; large consignment of goods sent with shipping costs of over £2,000 to be met by the Freetown Society; printer and visa documents sent to Father Ambrose; appeal for building materials launched; high street stores contacted for advice and charitable assistance; looking into arranging business status for a vocational centre to make jewellery to be sold in Britain.
(Further action taken or decided upon in next week’s newsletter.)    The group meets again after Mass on Tuesday, July 3rd and would welcome support then from parishioners with thoughts and brainwaves.

The Catholic Women’s League would like to thank all parishioners who supported their recent cake stall for the parish St Vincent de Paul Society Conference.  £98.98 was raised.

Global Day of Prayer -Pentecost Sunday.  Locally the major meeting is at Beverley Minster from 6.30 to 8.30 pm
preceded by seminars from 4.30 pm.  Young people will be praying from the top of the Humber Bridge, Holy Trinity Church, as well as Beverley Minster.  For God’s promise, see 2 Chronicles ch 4 v 14.

“This is My Body” Talks on video, followed by discussion – and refreshments, in the Garden Room on Wednesday from 7 for 7.30 until 9 pm.   All welcome; further information from Diana (846555).

Congratulations to Michelle and Richard Percival, whose Silver Wedding is June 10th.

“Local Hero” – from The Tablet:  “As Hitler entered Rome in 1940 to confirm an alliance with Mussolini, a certain English College seminarian went on a quick tour of the Eternal City, tearing down posters welcoming the Nazi leader. It was just one example of the independence of mind that was regularly shown by Father Anthony Storey, who died on May 1st aged 88.
He was a native of East Yorkshire and spent much of his ministry in Hull and Cottingham, serving as a parish priest and as chaplain at the University of Hull, where he was awarded an honorary degree and a building is named after him.  Known by all as Father Tony, he was not afraid to criticise the Church’s teaching, particularly on priestly celibacy, but just as robustly defended the Catholic position on other matters, such as euthanasia.  The passionate preaching style of this tall, well-spoken man was unique, frequently moving his congregation to laughter.  He even used the odd swear word to emphasise the brutality of battles in the Old Testament or simply to wake up anyone dozing.
A champion of human rights, he was the driving force behind his local Amnesty group.  And when Hull became the first British place to twin with a developing-world city – Freetown, Sierra Leone – Father Tony twinned Holy Cross parish in Cottingham with Our Lady Star of the Sea parish in west Freetown.  It has meant that 20 years on, the Sierra Leonean parish has a school, clinic and an electricity generator.”

Eucharistic Ministers’ Gathering on Thursday, June 7th, starting with Benediction in church, then refreshments and discussion in the Garden Room.  Would all ministers try to attend and learn from each other.

Finally:   God made man first because an Artist always does a rough draft before doing a masterpiece.
                          Items for next weekend’s newsletter to me by Thursday, please.   john@mcnicholas.karoo.co.uk

The Month of May: There are different accounts as to how May got its name in the calendar. A common explanation is that it comes from the Roman Goddess, Maia. She was the Goddess of Spring, the Goddess of growth. From ancient times it is known as the growing month, the month of increase. In the Celtic calendar it is the first month of the summer. Mother earth is giving birth to all things new. The trees and shrubs are putting out new shoots. The young of animals are everywhere. A time when the older animals are brought out to new grass. The Celtic people saw themselves as the guardians of nature. Preparing the soil, planting the new seed, accompanying the bursting out of new life. Longer days, shorter nights, light overcoming the darkness and life overcoming death.

          Trees:
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.           (Joyce Kilmer)

"This Is Your Body": This very enjoyable course on the Mass continues this Wednesday evening in the Garden Room from 7.30 – 9.00 p.m. Catch it before it's too late!

The Parish CWL is having a Cake Stall at both Masses this weekend in aid of the Parish SVP Conference. Please do give it your support.

Gwendoline will be running a Book Stall this weekend at both Masses also.

Books of Condolence: One for Willy Parker and the other for Fr. Tony. They are in the church if you'd like to write something about them.

Photographs and CDs: Thanks to John McNicholas we have some more copies of the last photo of Fr. Tony taken in February in The Garden Room when he spoke to us just before we went to Sierra Leone. There are also more of the CDs of Morning and Evening Prayer he was working on last year. They are £8 each or £24 for the set of three. I have also got some of these prayer sessions on tape for people without a CD player. These are free. Would suit especially the housebound parishioners maybe?

Copies of Fr. Peter Keeling's Homily given at Fr. Tony's funeral are also available. It includes the official obituary written by his friend Tom McAlindon.

"Seeking The Lord Together" A Day of Praise and Reflection at Maltby Parish Centre on Saturday 26th May. There will be Mass in the church at 10.00 a.m. The day will begin with tea/coffee at 10.30 a.m. for an 11.00 a.m. start and will finish around 4 PM. More details from Ray and Kath Leahy on 850125

Fair Trade Not Slave Trade: The fight against economic slavery Exhibition at the Methodist Central hall, King Edward St. from May 24 – 31st, 10am – 4pm. Sugar, cotton and bananas gave prosperity to the British on the slave labour of others. How much has this changed? This exhibition shows the economic slavery behind these products even today. During the day there will be DVDs, Music, Activities and Fair Trade Refreshments. Do drop in!

Last Week's Lourdes Rally at Sacred Heart Church raised £160 for the Hull Lourdes Sick Fund. Many thanks to all who helped in any way.

With apologies to Nick Mooney, the following banner was seen recently at Anfield: "Liverpool – Catalan: Everton – Matalan."

European Cup Final this Wednesday starring Liverpool and AC Milan: "Milan put their faith in Kaka."
"AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder, Kaka, will be completing his customary preparation ahead of the big match not so much on the training ground, however, but in his devotion to God. Kaka insists his life as a footballer is bound up in his religious beliefs. He will have been reading the Bible ('my favourite book'), praying and listening to Gospel music. As a member of 'Christ's Athletes', 10% of his monthly salary is transferred to the church. Many South American footballers have espoused the same values in public, yet behind the scenes have been just as intetrested in the playboy lifestyle favoured by so many young, wealthy footballers. Kaka insists: 'It is not my place to make judgments about the behaviour of any other footballer. Cars and women, things like that, have never been important to me. My family and my belief in God and Jesus are the things which determine my life. I do want to live my life in the right way, and live my life close to God.' It was a career-threatening accident, seven years ago, which helped him develop a deep faith. At 18, he suffered a spinal fracture in a swimming pool accident. Doctors told him his career was over, and that he could face paralysis in his legs. Instead, he made a full recovery. 'I thank God for that, and it was down to him that I made a full recovery,' he said. It is why, he explained, that he plays every game with the words "I belong to Jesus" and "God is faithful" stitched – in English – into the tongues of his boots. Leonardo, who was instrumental in his move to Italy, knew what Milan would be getting: 'A communicator, a professional, a spiritual footballer, who would not be distracted from his work by the adoration of Italian fans.' On Wednesday, Milan might not have God on their side, but they will certainly have Kaka."

Catholic History Day – Saturday June 2nd at The Bar Convent, Blossom St. York. Your opportunity to discover more of the story of the Catholic Church in our region. Speakers: Martin Craven – Faith in Adversity; Evidence of Catholicism in Holderness in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Moira Fulton – Three Catholic Landowners; contrasting Catholicism in the mid-eighteenth century Yorkshire.
James Hagerty – The African Ministry of Archbishop Arthur Hinsley.
Cost: £12.50 and Students £6 More information from Judith Smeaton on 01904 704525 or judith.smeaton@btinternet.com

Eucharistic Ministers: A big thank you to Jacqui Woodmansey and Georgia O'Connor who were commissioned last Saturday at York to help here at Holy Cross. One or two others seriously thought about it but for various reasons couldn't commit themselves at this time. But thank you for thinking about it anyway. Re-commissioning of Special Ministers of Holy Communion will take place at Ampleforth on Wednesday June 20th during the 7.30 p.m. Mass. Elizabeth has notified all concerned. Please make sure your form is back with her by Monday June 4th.

"Patient 'came back from the dead' at Easter": A man who was pronounced dead in hospital, was found to be very much alive when mortuary staff came to collect him from his supposed deathbed. His family had been informed that he had died and were grieving before it was noticed that, in the words of Mark Twain, reports of his death had been 'greatly exaggerated'. Doctors in the Mater Hospital in Dublin fought for half an hour to resuscitate him after he suffered a heart attack. After he was declared and certified dead on Easter Sunday, hospital morticians preparing to take him to the morgue were astonished to find that he was still breathing. There will be an investigation to examine whether all necessary tests for vital signs were carried out thoroughly when the man's death was recorded.

Thank you to Ann Leech (nee Ablett) for the two trees she's had planted on behalf of Tony and myself in the Yorkshire Dales Donor Wood, sponsored by the Dales Millennium Trust. A lovely gesture.

There is a legend that the Angel Gabriel said to Jesus after the Ascension: 'You have done a wonderful work on earth. What plans have you made for carrying it on?' 'I have given the message to Peter and John and the other disciples, and to Martha and Mary,' replied Jesus, 'they will tell their friends, who will pass it on until the whole world shall know.' 'But suppose,' said Gabriel, 'either the fishermen or the women become too busy and forget to tell their friends, or their friends forget to pass the message on: what other plans have you made?' Jesus replied quietly: 'I have no other plans, I am counting on them.'

The Humber Bridge Cross: Many thanks to Leo for doing the Walk last weekend for CAFOD and also to you, the parishioners who so generously gave £521.72 to Leo on the way out from Mass. Your usual wonderful selves!

Birthday Boy: Great to see Les Ulyatt back with us after his scare last week. How well he is I'm not too sure as he asked me during the week if I saw Raich Carter playing for Hull or Stanley Matthews in his heyday? What age does he think I am? Anyway, Les will be celebrating his 70th Birthday this coming Wednesday and we wish him all the best!

Hull Savoyards present: "The Pirates of Penzance": From the 13th to the 15th of June at the Middleton Hall, Hull University at 7.30 p.m. Adults-£7.50 Concessions-£5.50 and the tickets are available at the door.

Prayers for the sick and housebound and their carers: Gerry and Kathleen McGowan, Joan and Ron Bottery, Norah Ledger, Paddy and Mary Falvey, Roy Caley, Joe Buckley, Les and Teresa, Cynthia Smith, Ivy Behan and Pat, Jean Wiles and Ken, Lilian and Peter Fowlston, Margaret and Nick Norton, Andrea Gardham, Canon Cox, Betty Eagan, Haralda's husband, Jean Rowlands, Margaret Price, Anita Marshall, Chris Leech, Ursula and Philip Stainton, Patricia Wall, Rolf Kennedy, Betty Swallow, Patricia Priest.

"The Social Teaching of the Church": a Study Day organised by the diocese on Saturday June 26th from 10–4.30 p.m. at English Martyrs, Dalton Tce. York. The keynote address will be given by John Battle MP on "Living Simply in Public". For further details speak to Teresa on 845355

Mass Intentions for the coming week:
Saturday – 6.30 – Ron and Doris Lawrance
Sunday – 10.00 – Rebecca Gill (RIP)
Monday – 9.00 – Gladys Brennan (A)
Tuesday – 7.00 – Barry Britton (A)
Wednesday – 9.00 – Jim Gardham
Thursday – 9.00 – Service of the Word and Communion
Friday – 9.00 – Service of the Word and Communion
Saturday – 9.00 – Service of the Word and Communion
Saturday – 6.30 – Willy Parker (RIP)
Sunday – 10.00 – Paul Gibson (A)

Anniversaries this coming week:
Saturday – Isa Fletcher (Barbara Avery's mother).
Monday – John Callaghan (Kathleen Burgan's father), William Wood (Martin and Anthony's father) and Mary Benson (David's wife).
Tuesday – Thomas Gilson (brother of Denis), Gladys Brennan (Dermot's mother) and Paul Gibson (Joan's son).
Wednesday – Barry Britton (Pat's husband).
Thursday – Winifred Richardson (Brian Wood's sister).
Friday – Mary Doherty (Gerry's mother), Joseph Burns, Betty Carvlin (Anne Brittain's mother) and George Watson (one time gardener here).
Sunday – Gertrude Culkin (Jean Rowlands' mother), Jennie Gallagher, George Porter and Sydney Waterhouse.

Next Week's Newsletter: If you have any items for including can you pass them on to John McNicholas on 876812 or email him on john@mcnicholas.karoo.co.uk

Radio Humberside: If you tune in on Monday morning between 7 and 7.45 a.m. you'll hear me reviewing the papers (that's if I don't forget, like the last time!).

While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of it obviously had a sense of humour, because attached to the back of it was a hand-printed sign: "Energy efficient vehicle: runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust."
Give me a sense of humour, Lord, give me the grace to see a joke.
To get some humour out of life, and pass it on to other folk.

Fr. Tony would be interested in this piece from the Times Educational Supplement last week: "A Dog's Life For Priest With Pup."
Studies show that keeping a dog as a pet reduces stress and makes people feel good about themselves – unless you're a Roman Catholic priest, it now appears. Research from the University of Wales, Bangor and Ulster University has revealed that dogs and dog collars are not a happy combination. In fact, academics have found that a pooch in the presbytery can increase the likelihood of professional burnout in the priesthood. The findings fly in the face of existing studies, which show that pet dogs can benefit the owners by lowering their blood pressure, combating depression and improving self-esteem. The editors of the study investigated the theory that a pet might be the antidote to the personal and social loneliness of the celibate clergy. They concluded: 'Contrary to expectation, no psychological benefit accrued from owning a cat (I could have told you that!) while owning a dog was associated with statistically significant increases in two aspects of professional burn-out – emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation.' Professor Francis, director of the Bangor centre and professor of practical theology, said the findings, based on a survey of almost 1,500 priests in England and Wales, showed how stressed the clergy were. 'For many people, companion animals help them to unwind after the day's work. Many clergy, however, are now so severely overworked that they simply do not have time for prayer, rest and relaxation.' Clergy did not benefit from the presence of a cat, but at least cats did not place extra demands on their owners,' Professor Francis said, 'but walking, feeding and caring for a dog could prove the final straw for many priests. Clergy are often seen as one of the last professions that could suffer from work-related stress. Unfortunately, this couldn't be further from the truth.'

Funeral Collection: So far, the amount given both at the Requiem Mass and also here over the four days Tony was in the church has come to over £2,800. It will be divided, at Tony's request, between Tree-Aid and CAFOD. Thank you ever so much!

Willy Parker RIP: Willy will be brought into Holy Cross tonight at 6.30 p.m. and her Requiem Mass will be tomorrow, Monday, at noon. Our continued thoughts are with Ray and the four daughters, Ingrid, Miriam, Edwina and Claire. Ray's sister Joyce was buried from St. Joseph's on Friday afternoon.
There will be NO Mass at 9.00 a.m. on Monday due to Willy's Requiem Mass. Nor will there be the WUCWO Mass at 7.00 p.m. on Monday evening.

This Thursday is the Feast of the Ascension but is no longer a Holyday of Obligation. However you can still come along to Mass as we'll be offering it for the repose of the soul of Fr. Tony.

Congratulations to Georgina O'Connor who was confirmed at St. Charles on Wednesday evening along with about thirty others from our Pastoral Area. Her Sponsor was Gwen ably supported by Geraldine. And nice to see both Georgia and Gwen in their Sierra Leone clothes! (And Peter too!).

Christenings today at noon: We welcome into the family of God Hannah Mary Green, second daughter of Nicola and Simon and sister to Eleanor, and also Rhona's (nee Taylor) twins all the way from Clodine in Texas. Their little brother Oliver was christened here in 2003. "Remember, the birth of a baby is God saying that he wants the world to go on."

Renewal of Marriage Vows this morning: Chris and Evelyn from the village have asked to renew the vows they make forty years ago at St. Joseph's. May God continue to bless them in the times ahead.

Congratulations to Pauline and Chris Howlett who became grandparents for the first time this week. Their daughter Rachel, married to Matthew here a while ago, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl last Sunday at 4.14 p.m., Sophie Louise, and she weighed in at nearly seven and a half pounds! Both grandmothers were present at the birth!

Forgotten: "The decomposed corpse of a German man was found in his bed yesterday, nearly seven years after he died." 'No one missed him,' Essen police said. (The Telegraph)

CWL News: We are having a Cake Stall next weekend to raise funds for the parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference. Feel free to bake a cake/scones etc. and bring them along to Mass. On Friday June 15th we are having a Coffee Morning after the morning Mass in The Garden Room to support the Medaille Trust which provides Safe Houses for the victims of sex-trafficking in the UK. They have already opened two in the past six months. This is of particular relevance in this year when we celebrate the bi-centenary of the Abolition of Slavery in the UK. Slavery is alive and active in Britain! And finally we are having the Charity Stall at Cottingham Market on Thursday June 21st. We're looking for goods (not clothes). Please ring 841759 or 847290 if collection is required.

What about this? Would it be possible? Do we limit God's power?
Brazil's Roman Catholic bishops are at loggerheads with the Pope over plans to use the internet to reach out to a younger generation. As Benedict XVI addressed 40,000 youths in Sao Paolo on Thursday last, on the first day of his tour of Brazil, the country's Catholic leaders said that the Church had to embrace new technology to win back worshippers from the burgeoning evangelical movement. They want remote communities and younger worshippers to be able to celebrate Mass live over the internet. Celebrants would take communion by placing unleavened bread in front of their computer monitors to be consecrated. The idea will be discussed today, Sunday, at the first Episcopal Conference of South American Bishops to be held for a decade. Mgr. Dimas Lara, the general secretary of the Bishops' Conference, said: "It is pointless to talk about the evangelisation of the youth without discussing the internet. It may be a new thing for all of us, but it is necessary." The move could counter the severe shortage of clergy in some areas. Evangelists are winning over remote and poorer communities because they have 17 times as many pastors per worshipper as there are Catholic priests. However, the Pope has already dismissed the idea. In Sacramentum Caritatis, a document on the Eucharist which he issued in February, Benedict insisted that communion over the internet, or any other media, had 'no spiritual value'. The Vatican said on Thursday that internet Mass was 'no substitute' for going to church, but seemed prepared to turn a blind eye to the practice. The Vatican is aware of the need for the Church to embrace new ways of engaging worshippers and the Pontifical Council for Social Communication has instructed priests not to 'shy away' from using the internet as a means of communication. Vatican Radio now offers podcasts and gave Benedict an iPod to listen to them. Internet Mass is also being considered in the Philippines, where the Catholic Charismatic community at Edsa Shrine said it would help those 'with disabilities or who worked all day long'. However, Benedict himself has given no indication that he approves of technological initiatives. On the contrary, he has stressed repeatedly that too much importance is placed on technology and that it dims the connection between Man and God. "Is a 'Saviour' still needed by a humanity which has reached the Moon and Mars and is prepared to conquer the universe?" he asked in his address last Christmas.
And again, can we thank Chris Whincop for all his work in keeping Holy Cross up to date on the internet. I'm sure Pope Benedict would approve! And wasn't it lovely to see him with us last weekend all the way down from Edinburgh? His Mum was certainly glad to see him again!

Congratulations to Joan and Leo Murphy on the birth of their latest granddaughter Isobel. Please pass on our regards to the happy parents down south.

The Humber Bridge Cross: Leo will be doing this as usual this weekend and he will be taking up a retiring collection after Mass for CAFOD, for whom he is doing the walk. Please be your usual generous selves.

Photos of Fr. Tony: John McNicholas has very kindly made passport size copies of the last picture of Tony for anyone who would like one. They are in front of the altar.

Morning and Evening Prayer with Fr. Tony: We still have copies of the three CD's he was involved in making. They cost £8 each or £24 for the set of three! They really are a joy to listen to and a great help in prayer.

Prayers for the Sick, Housebound and their carers: Lilian and Peter Fowlston, Ivy Behan and Pat, Margaret and Nick Norton, Jean Wiles, Canon Cox, Andrea Gardham, Haralda's husband, Paddy and Mary Falvey, Betty Eagan, Joan and Ron Bottery, Jean Rowlands, Margaret Price, Anita Marshall, Cynthia Smith, Chris Leech, Ursula and Philip Stainton, Patricia Wall
Pre-Lourdes Pilgrimage Mass: I will be celebrating this over at Sacred Heart this afternoon at 2.00 p.m. All pilgrims. Past and present, or intending ones, are most welcome to come along.
Please keep in your prayers Rebecca Love, the student who was murdered at The Lawns Halls of Residence in the village last week. And we pray for all the students who may be worried or anxious at this time, especially as exams are looming.

Anniversaries this coming week:
Saturday – Joseph Parker (P Parker's husband) and Clarice Cornthwaite (Chris Clarke's grandmother)
Sunday – Cyril Codd (Eithne's husband)
Wednesday – Francis Ford (Shirley Woods-McConville's father)
Thursday – Jason Wheatcroft, Vincent Bottery and Frank Cundy (Sheila's father-in-law)
Saturday – Isa Fletcher (Barbara Avery's mother)

Mass Intentions for the coming week:
Saturday – 6.30 – Bill Kemp (A)
Sunday – 10.00 – James Whincop (B)
Monday – 12.00 – Requiem Mass for Willy Parker
Tuesday – 7.00 – Mary Benson (B)
Wednesday – 9.00 – In Thanskgiving, Pauline and Chris Howlett
Thursday – Ascension Day – 9.00 – Fr. Tony (Not a Holy Day)
Friday – 9.00 – Eileen Jackson
Saturday – 9.00 – The Parishioners
Saturday – 6.30 – Ron and Doris Lawrance
Sunday – 10.00 – Rebecca Gill (RIP)

How to Live to 100:
1. Choose the right parents, people sound in mind and body. Otherwise your genes will be banjaxed at 80.
2. Be moderate in food and drink. In this way the safety belt will fit around your waist and your hand will be steady as you steer your way on the straight and narrow, and so avoid driving others dangerously around the bend.
3. Sleep on the floor. Statistics show that 95.4% of the population dies in bed.

Fr. Tony's Funeral Arrangements:
Fr. Tony will be brought into Holy Cross tonight, Saturday, at 6.00 p.m. After our evening Mass there will be a short Evening Prayer Service at 7.45 p.m. Fr. Tony will remain here in the church in an open coffin until Tuesday evening when he will be taken to St. Charles after a farewell service here at 6.00 p.m. On Sunday and Monday evenings there will be a special service for Fr. Tony at 6.30 p.m. There is a rota list in the church to sign so that we can be sure that he will not be on his own at any time during those days. There will also be lots of photographs for you to look through of "Tony through the ages". There will also be refreshments available in the church. Fr. Tony's Requiem Mass will be at St. Charles on Wednesday at 12.10 p.m. followed by burial back here in Cottingham beside Fr. McEntegart. There will be a reception at The Endsleigh Centre afterwards for everyone.

Regarding his funeral arrangements, Fr. Tony wrote in his will:
"I hereby express my wish that my burial be held at Eppleworth Road, arrangements as simple as possible, and that at my funeral the simple Mass shall be celebrated and that I be buried in an inexpensive coffin. PROVIDED that if Holy Cross Church is deemed too small for the funeral Mass I WOULD WISH that the Rector be approached to allow the Requiem to take place in St. Mary's Medieval Parish Church or St. Charles if the Bishop of Middlesbrough so wishes and any address shall be given by Fr. Peter Keeling. I HEREBY EXPRESS the wish that I be buried in the grave of Fr. Thomas McEntegart (a previous parish priest at Holy Cross 1957). The music at Communion will be a recording of Aaron Copeland's "Appalachian Spring, Section VIII – The Gift to be Simple".

Something Fr. Tony might appreciate!
     Chief Seattle's Address – Washington 1894
"How can you buy or sell the sky? The warmth of the land? Every part of the Earth is sacred. Every shining pine needle. Every sandy shore. Every mist in the dark woods. Every clearing and every humming insect is holy. We are part of the Earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters. The deer, the horse, the great eagle. These are our brothers. The rocky crests... The juices in the meadow... The body heat on the pony... And man. All belong to the same family. The rivers are our brothers. They quench our thirst. Remember – and teach your children – that the rivers are our brothers and give the rivers the kindness you would give to any brother. What is there to life if a man cannot hear the lonely cry of the whip-poor-will, or the arguments of the frogs around the pool at night? Or the soft sound of the wind at night darting over the face of a pond? The air is precious for all things share the same breath. The beast, the tree, the man. They share the same breath. Remember that the air is precious. That it shares its spirit with all the life it supports. Without the beasts man would die from a great loneliness of spirit. Whatever happens to the beasts must soon happen to man. All things are connected. The Earth does not belong to man. Man belongs to the Earth. This we know. All things are connected, like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of Earth. Man did not weave the web of life. He is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the Earth he does to himself. To harm the Earth is to heap contempt on its Creator. We are part of the Earth. It is part of us. Tell your children."

Rest in Peace: Our prayers and sympathy go to Ray Parker who lost his wife Willy on Thursday evening and his sister Joyce on Friday morning. Joyce had a stroke last Saturday and was in Hull Royal. Ray, as he did every evening, visited Willy in the home to give her her dinner. Joyce wasn't well so he went down to the hospital to visit her. By the time he'd got back to the home, Willy had died. Joyce then passed away on Friday morning whilst we were praying for her at Mass. Willy was so much a part of Holy Cross for so long and a great friend of Fr. Tony. Apt that they're now together! Willy was 79 and had been married to Ray for 57 years. What a tremendous example to us! They have four girls, Ingrid, Miriam, Edwina and Claire, five grandchildren, Fiona, Finlay, Celia and Oliver, and two great grandchildren, Joshua and Isobel. Willy has a sister Kimmy and brother Paul still living in Holland. Can I pay a special word of thanks to the parish Catholic Women's League who did so much for Willy during her illness, it really has been appreciated by the family. And also Gerry who brought Willy Holy Communion every week, that gave her great strength and consolation. Joyce was Ray's eldest sister and the last of the family and she was aged 91. May they rest in peace. Amen. Please remember also Barbara Marshall's friend Ernest Squire who died on Monday, leaving a wife Clare. And also Geoff Oldershaw, husband of Helen Comisky, who died this week. May they all rest in peace. Amen.

"If only we could accept down to our marrow that God loves us, then people like me would not feel they had to try so hard to win God's love. Perhaps we would not feel so compelled to do so many cartwheels and juggling acts in order to catch God's eye. Perhaps we could be content to be who we have been created to be, and not compare ourselves with others, either favourably or unfavourably." (Christina Rees)

News from St. Anthony's: Holy Island Pilgrimage and Picnic, organised by CAFOD. Saturday 23rd June – the pilgrimage starts at noon (cars and coaches meet at Purdy Lodge on A1 at 11.15 a.m.), followed by a picnic on the Island and Mass celebrated by Bishop John Arnold at 3.00 p.m. in the Priory Grounds. Safe crossing times are from noon until 8.40 p.m. If there is sufficient interest it may be possible to share a coach with other parishes. For more details speak to Sheila Swift on 348272.

The Annual Humber Bridge Cross: Saturday May 12th starting at 2.00 p.m. This is the 25th year it has been held and for the first time CAFOD has been involved. There are a number of sponsor forms in the porch and a list if you wish to take part. If you have walked for Christian Aid before ( as Leo has been doing as our representative for years) continue to do so. If you use a CAFOD form the money will go to CAFOD. There will be a marquee on the north bank in the car park near the tourist office, with two registration points. You will be given details on how to send money collected directly to the CAFOD office in York. Have a great day out! Any queries speak to Teresa Ulyatt on 845355.

Prayers for our sick and housebound and their carers: Margaret and Nick Norton, Ivy Behan, Willy and Ray Parker, Lilian and Peter Fowlston, Betty Eagan, Jean Wiles (in Castle Hill), Canon Cox (in Hull Royal), Paddy and Mary Falvey, Jean Rowlands, Joan Bottery, Margaret Price, Anita Marshall, Cynthia Smith, Chris Leech, Haralda's husband, Andrea Gardham, Ursula and Philip Stainton, Rolf Kennedy, Betty Swallow, Patricia Priest.

Wedding Bells: Congratulations to Rachel Land, daughter of Anne and Geoff, who today, Saturday, married Richard Farr at All Saints in South Cave, with me in attendance!

Christening: Congratulations also to Clare O'Loughlin and husband Jason, whose first child Mary is being christened today at 1.00 p.m. at Holy Cross. "Remember, the birth of a baby is God saying he wants the world to go on."

Congratulations to Betty Eagan who celebrated her 80th Birthday last week. Betty knew Fr. Tony as a child at Warter! And congratulations also to Jean Wiles who celebrated her 87th Birthday last week too. Pray for her and her husband Ken as she is in Castle Hill at the moment.

The Roots of Priestly Celibacy: Fr. David Hodges OCSO, a monk from Caldey Abbey writes to The Tablet recently:
"Clerical celibacy was part of the Gregorian Reforms. Having married priests led to abuses, including nepotism in ecclesiastical offices and also the tying up of church lands in families of priests. There were repeated attempts throughout the Middle Ages to enforce celibacy on those in Holy Orders. In 1073, Gregory VII declared all clerical marriages invalid. Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, delayed the effects of the papal ban in England, declaring that he would not dissolve any marriage. In 1093, at the Synod of Melf, Pope Urban ruled that sons of priests would no longer be admitted to holy orders except as canons regular or as monks. The Second Lateran Council of 1139 made the marriage of clergy not only unlawful but also invalid. Clerical celibacy is, therefore, a matter of church discipline, which could easily be changed. The spirituality which later grew up around it has a value, but are there not considerations of a more urgent practical nature, such as the chronic shortage of good vocations to the priesthood, which should take precedence over it?"

Mass Intentions for the coming week:
Saturday – 6.30 – Ron and Doris Lawrance
Sunday – 10.00 – Baby Sophia Walton (ill)
Monday – 9.00 – Fr. Tony (RIP)
Tuesday – 9.00 – Willy Parker (RIP)
Wednesday – 9.00 – Ray's Intentions
Wednesday – 12.10 – Fr.Tony's Requiem at St. Charles
Thursday – 9.00 – Kim (Clarke) [RIP]
Friday – 9.00 – Jim Gardham
Saturday – 9.00 – The Parish
Saturday – 6.30 – Bill Kemp (A)
Sunday – 10.00 – James Whincop (B)

Anniversaries this coming week:
Saturday – Norman Parker (Ray's brother), Patrick Fowlston (Peter and Lilian's brother) and Hilda Franklin (Joan Gibson's sister).
Sunday – Bill Kemp (Jean's husband) and Doreen Reekie.
Monday – Julian Mamro, John Abel (Betty Gilson's father), Mary Courtenay and Frank Hall.
Tuesday – Elizabeth McNicholas (John's aunt), Ken Artuso and Norah Haughey (Mike's mother).
Wednesday – John Ellis
Thursday – Peter Lawlor (Rosemarie Browne's father) and Alice McNicholas (John's mother).
Friday – Sally McQuillan
Saturday – Joseph Parker (P. Parker's husband) and Clarice Cornthwaite (Chris Clarke's grandmother).