25th February 2001

Mass Intentions

Sunday 25th                9.30 am Birthday (CU)
                                   6.30 pm Adrian Murphy

Monday 26th               9.15 am Norman Heaton

Tuesday 27th              9.15 am Vincent McKiernan

Ash Wednesday 28th ~ note earlier Mass time
                                     9 am Ann & Thomas Conway
                                  7.30 pm Elizabeth Cronaughe

Thursday 1st March    9.15 am Charles & Margaret Mary Ann Hurst

Friday 2nd                  9.15 am Eucharistic Service

Saturday 3rd               9.15 am Joe Westwell

Sunday 4th                 9.30 am Parishioners
                                   6.30 pm Evelyn and Thomas Ivie

Fr Fallon's Mass Intentions: Eileen Kane, Margaret Dermott x 2, Brian Gartland, Mrs E Picton

Lenten Devotions : Morning Prayer Monday - Saturday 9 am
Holy Hour with Stations of the Cross Friday 7.00 pm
Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 12 - 12.30 pm
Emmaus Group Friday after Holy Hour

Archdiocesan Mission Statement - A report on the meeting held last Saturday is available on a separate sheet. Please take one home with you.

Congratulations to
        Laura Joyce             Teri Hargreaves              Samantha Aldred
  Mairead McLoughlin       Naomi Holden                  Louise Tootill
    Kirsty Hammond           Rachel Walsh                 Michael Lardner
         John Hill                Christopher Morris             Martin O'Kane
    Amanda Kane             Nicola Pemberton               Danny Weir
    Patrick Travers            Elizabeth Eastham
    James and Matthew Pilkington
who were Confirmed on Wednesday

Mission Appeal
This year the Medical Missionaries of Mary are making an appeal throughout the Archdiocese. Sister Maura will preach at all Masses on Saturday and Sunday at Sacred Heart and St Richard's churches. The annual retiring collection for the Missions will be taken.

Churches Together in Atherton Ecumenical Lent Study Evenings using the book ' Looking at the Cross ' by Brian Haymes.
Five one hour sessions starting at 7.30 pm and led by the respective clergy of each church.
Tues March 6th Baptist Church
Tues March 13th St Richard's Church
Wed March 21st Central Methodist Church
Tues March 27th Independent Methodist Church
Tues April 3rd Parish Church

Women's World Day of Prayer
Friday 2nd March, 2001
Informed Prayer, Prayerful Action prepared by Christian Women of Samoa
Independent Methodist Church Mealhouse Lane 7.30 pm
Speaker: Mrs Maureen Hirst of Mosley Common
All Welcome (Men, Women and young people)

St Patrick's Eve Family night
Friday 16th March St richard's Parish Centre
Tickets will be on sale at school Monday 26th February 8.45 am - 9.15 am & 3.00 pm - 3.30 pm

St Richard's 'Garden Party' Parish Social
Friday 30th March 7.30 pm St Richard's Parish Hall
Tickets £1
A Pastie, a game of Bingo and a chat about who's doing what at this years' Garden Party on June 10th. If you want a say, or to help, make sure you put your name down only at the Social !!

Playschool Jumble Sale
Friday 16th March at 6 pm Admission 10 p Jumble can be left anytime or ring Susan on 793773 for collection.

Information

Wigan's Safe as Houses Scheme.
Phone Victim Support on 01942 322033 and ask about this scheme which offers the services of a joiner to advise on home security, especially to those who are vulnerable, and will fit any locks or devices necessary for Ł5. A good idea for a an early Mother's Day present ?

Sign of the Times - Good News . . .
Many of you will know that the Parish has had four big celebrations from Monday to Wednesday. Yet few would have realised I wasn't here from Sunday to Monday. I was away at a Conference with many other Priests who have responsibility for two or more Parishes. Despite having to leave early, I was very grateful for the time I was able to spend at the Conference and it did achieve a great deal and tremendous work was done. There were many people here in the Parish helping to ensure that each important event went smoothly in the church and the Parish Centre. A big thank you for their valuable contribution regardless of how small they feel it was, without it that little piece of the the jigsaw would not have been done and certainly would have been missed. Come Wednesday evening I was immensely proud of the Parish community and greatly humbled by your faithful services. God bless your service and strengthen you in the good work you do.

Some Bad News . . .
This week Fr Graeme from Sacred Heart Leigh is having an emergency operation to save his eyesight. Please pray for its success and Fr's speedy recovery. Although his weekend Masses will be covered the priests in the Deanery will be responsible for his hospital duties.

Eucharistic Ministers :             9.30 am                  6.30 pm
                                       Bernard Brundrett     Maureen Longworth
                                        Cecelia Hopkins           Jim Nestor
                                          Frank Varley             Carol Nestor
   Next Week 4th March    Cecelia Hopkins            Jim Nestor
                                         Frank Varley              Carol Nestor
                                      Bernard Eckersley          Neil Hurley