Newsletter 3rd February 2002

Mass Intentions

Sunday 3rd	9.30 am Richard Ash 6.30 pm Special Intention (P)
Monday 4th	11 am Requiem Mary Margaret McHugh
Tuesday 5th	St Agatha 9.15 am Fr Michael Flatley
Wednesday 6th	St Paul Miki, and his Companions 9.15 am Bridie Devine
Thursday 7th	9.15 am Ken Heaton and Heneghan Family
Friday 8th	St jerome emiliani 9.15 amEucharistic Service
Saturday 9th	9.15 am Sally Meadows
Sunday 10th	9.30 am James Leonard 6.30 pm Special Intention

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sacred Heart Saturday12 noon - 12.30 pm

Friday Devotions - Stations of the Cross 7pm

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Notices

Leigh Deanery Day - 8th December 2001 session 5
The last session of this important day of reflection and prayer centred on the need to focus on finding a way forward on our journey of faith and commitment to Our Blessed Lord and his Church within this deanery. Issues raised presented themselves in the form of a series of questions subject to prayerful consideration and future discussion. Announcing the future finding a way forward.
How does this make us feel ?
*Some of the issues already examined can feel like bad news - that is the spin the media seems to like to make on it!
*Is the Church dying ? 'draw up the drawbridges'
*'Make the Church more select and exclusive by a more consistent approach in admission to the church'
*Admit only practising Catholics to Catholic schools (Deanery Consultations)
What can we learn from all this ?
*We need to distinguish between :
i)What the Church of Jesus Christ is . . .
ii)And the structures it uses to carry forward its mission
*The first of these is constant - the second changes according to cultural and historical circumstances.
The Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ includes :
Drawing people out from isolation and individualism into communion . . .
Through the Sacraments, and especially around the Eucharist..
Celebrated in communion with its local bishop . . .
And therefore within the Communion of the universal Church . . The Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ includes :
With the mission of transforming the world through the active proclamation of the kingdom . . .
Expressed not least in loving service to the poor
The BIG Questions
*Do our current models/expectations of local parish and ministry BEST enable us to do that today ?
*Have we to move from an inward looking fortress model into something else ?
*What will we have to give up?
* What will each of us have to take up ?
*How do we sing the Lord's song in this new and strange land? A Last word from the Cardinal
*Do not think that the indifference of so many people in the Church, or those baptised into the Church, is just due to the alien culture. We have to ask ourselves whether it is so because we have not yet managed to find exactly where it is that people itch? And they do itch. Among the many young people whom I have met over the years there is a desire for the things of God and the willingness to work for his kingdom, a willingness to sacrifice themselves for the end. I think the time has come to turn from looking at, as it were, the dark side and examine how, as John Paul ll often quotes from Luke, 'we launch out into the deep.'
Questions
*What has given you hope today ?
*Have you found any new ways of looking at the situation ?
*What do you think is the most important task for the church in this deanery ?
David Levien

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Forthcoming Events

Walsingham Pilgrimage
Mon 27th May - Thursday 30th May
Due to increases both in Transport and accommodation the Total price will be: Ł96.00 ; Ł80 juniors
Deposits Ł5 per person is now due

Pilgrimages to Fatima & Lourdes
There are 6 places left for the pilgrimage to Fatima on 10th May 2002 and 6 places left for Lourdes on 2nd September 2002. If anyone is interested in either of these two pilgrimages, please contact Veronica Worrall 671118 for a brochure and further information.

St Joseph's Players
St Joseph's Players present The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe at St Josephąs Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh.
Week 1~Wednesday 30th January - Saturday 2nd February;
Week 2 ~ Tuesday 5th February - Saturday 9th February Tickets from Boardman's, Bradshawgate, Leigh
Adults Ł5.00 ; Children Ł3.00

Friends of Sacred Heart School Irish Night featuring Joe Connelly Sacred Heart Parish Club Friday 8th February at 8 pm. Tickets Ł2.00 available from the Parish Club, school or 883865 Refreshments will be available.