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Mass Intentions

Sunday 20th	9.30 am Fr Orrell 6.30 pm Parishioners
Monday 21st	St Agnes 9.15 am Eucharistic Service
Tuesday 22nd	9.15 am Fr Michael Flatley
Wednesday 23rd	9.15 am Special Intention
Thursday 24th	St Frances de Sales 9.15 am Emmet Fitzmaurice
Friday 25th	Conversion of St Paul, Apostle 9.15 am Eucharistic Service
Saturday 26th	Sts Timothy and Titus 9.15 am Kathleen Crank
Sunday 27th	Education Sunday 9.30 am Special Intention (D ) 6.30 pm Special Intention (P)

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sacred Heart Saturday12 noon - 12.30 pm

Friday Devotions - none during this time

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Notices

Leigh Deanery Day
Our parishes yesterday, today and tomorrow
Session 3
This aspect of the day proved to be extremely interesting, highly informative and thought provoking. This session consisted of two interrelated parts for consideration and discussion. The first part was centred on a brief presentation of the history of the Catholic Community in the Leigh Deanery. The second part of this session was devoted to thinking about the issues of parish and mission in the light of our recent history.
PART 1 - History, Milestones and Change The'Fortress Parish'
A way used by sociologists to describe the kind of parish that grew up in England after 1850 and that flourished during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It was a tightly organised, enclosing community within which virtually every aspect of life (marriage, education, social life, religious life) took place. Catholics were often marginal people and their parishes were all-embracing social enclaves which provided them with fortress-like defenses against the real or perceived attacks of a hostile, secular society,(Hornsby-Smith 1987: 22-3)
The Fortress' Defenses
*Parish schools
*Expectation (and patrolling) of weekly Mass attendance
*All recreation going on within
*Expectation of marrying-in the community
*Marking of rites of passage
*Parish devotions Or, as the Cardinal put it . . . From 1850 onwards we have fr the most part been trying to look after our own. We built our churches, we established our schools and the religious orders flourished. However, we were on the whole content to remain in the periphery of Church and social life here in England and Wales.
But just how secure was this fortress?
Bishop Goss, St Bridget's, Liverpool (14.01.1872)
*There are from 150,000 to 200,000 Catholics in Liverpool, and only 50,000 went to Mass
*Liverpool was rapidly reaching a 'state of nominal Catholicism' Marriage statistics 1903 - 1912
*1 in 5 marriages was a mixed marriage
*On average only around 10% of these took place in a Catholic church The 20th Century In post war Britain the Social and economic changes combined with the effects of the Second Vatican Council led to the breakdown of the 'Fortress Parish', but, we have attempted 'business as usual'. The fall in the number of priests has made us realise that the system is no longer sustainable!
PART 2 - Issues of Parish and Mission Today and Tomorrow
At its best, a parish is a community of baptised, committed believers, who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, give witness to Christ amongst themselves and in the world Clare Barbour, Priests and People August 2001, p312
What is a Parish today and tomorrow ?
*It is there that the Church is seen locally
*It is the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters, as Pope John XX111 was fond of saying, to be the 'village fountain' to which all would have recourse in their midst.
*The parish is the place where the very mystery of the church is present and at work.
*The parish is not principally a structure, a territory or a building, but rather the family of God, a welcoming family home. cfl 26
Next week we will examine ideas about Parish with reference to Church, Eucharist and Ministry
David Levien

Pharaoh to Freedom
Practice for singers Wednesday 23rd January 7.30 pm Central Methodist Church

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Forthcoming Events

Astley Youth Band
St Richards Parish Centre Friday January 25th
Time : 8 pm - 10 pm
£3.00 Tickets (outside Mass or 870646)
Raffle Proceeds in aid of HCPT

St Joseph's Players
The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe at St Joseph's 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 £5.00 ; Children £3.00

Friends of Sacred Heart School Irish Night
Friends of Sacred Heart School Irish Night featuring Joe Connelly. Refreshments will be available.
Sacred Heart Parish Club on Friday 8th February at 8 pm
Tickets £2.00 available from the Parish Club, school or 883865

Walsingham Pilgrimage
Mon 27th May - Thursday 30th May
Due to increases both in Transport and accommodation the Total price will be: £96.00 ; £80 juniors
Deposits £5 per person is now due

Information

White Flower Appeal
Today, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will be making their annual White Flower Appeal after all Masses in support of their vital work to gain protection for defenceless unborn children and in their fight against the legislation of euthanasia. The threat to the sanctity of human life is growing ever greater. Please give generously.