Parish of St Margaret Clitherow 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A) 20th July 2014

LITURGICAL CALENDAR

GOSPEL REFLECTION

The farmer, in ’s Gospel story, planted good seed in his field and expected a bumper harvest. Soon a host of sturdy green shoots sprang up, covering the field from end to end. It looked as though his expectations would be fulfilled. But then, one morning, he discovered weeds growing among the young shoots of wheat - not just an odd weed here and there, but weeds everywhere. He got a terrible shock. He was bitterly disappointed. When he looked at the field now, all he could see were the weeds - the wheat seemed to have disappeared. He later calmed down and thought it through. This enabled him to see things in a different perspective. True, there were some weeds in his precious field, but there was wheat too, wheat that was just as green and vibrant as ever. He would have to be humble and patient. He would have to work hard on the wheat, coaxing and encouraging it in the hope that it would outgrow the weeds. So the farmer set to work. It wasn’t easy, but he tried to concentrate on the wheat. He eventually noticed that by reaching and straining upwards the wheat grew stronger. He took heart from this because it meant that by making the wheat struggle harder, the weeds were actually having a beneficial effect on his crop.

Sooner or later the weeds can appear in our field – friends betrays us or let us down, a partner disappoints us or proves unfaithful, or we get hurt by someone else. We are shocked and hurt by many things in life, especially when we are hurt by those closest to us. The badness of bad people we expect - we can arm ourselves against them. But the badness that sometimes prevails in good people can take us by surprise and hurt us even more. For a while, at least, we tend to see everything as bad and we can become very negative.

The world is a mixture of light and darkness, of good and evil. Wheat and weeds grow side by side in Archdiocesan the same person. This even happens to us, if we are honest about it. But all is not lost. There is good Mission Statement in us too and we must hold onto this fact. No one understood this more than Jesus. Even in the apostles, the weeds persisted, yet he didn’t write them off.

As we think about the meaning of God’s Word in our lives this weekend let us remember that, even though God makes the Last Judgement, he loves us for we are - his children. Therefore, let us never give up hope that God will count us among the wheat rather than the weeds, and welcome us into the harvest of his eternal Kingdom.

Psalm Response O Lord, you are good and forgiving. Taking to heart the last words of the Lord Gospel Acclamation May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Jesus, we will go into the world to proclaim enlighten the eyes of our mind, the Good News to the so that we can see what hope his call holds for us. whole of creation. PARISH NEWS World War 1 Commemoration Exhibition It is proposed to create an exhibition to commemorate the This Week centenary of the First World War and to remember those members of the armed services who fought in the Great War Lourdes Departure Mass and all other armed conflicts up to the present day. The Today (Sunday) at 3.00 pm in the Cathedral. Archbishop Malcolm exhibition is to be displayed in St Ambrose Barlow church will preside. All are welcome. hall in October. If anyone has any photographs, memorabil- ia or stories, either about yourselves or members of your A Celebration of Anniversaries family that you would be willing to share or put on display for the proposed exhibition, please contact Steve Cooper Fr Dave invites you to join him and other parishioners, who are (876487) or Jack Farrimond (884689) as soon as possible. celebrating a special anniversary this year, for a Mass of Thanks- Thank you. giving on Monday (21st July) at 7.00 pm at Holy Family, and afterwards for refreshments in the large hall. At the end of Mass, there will be a collection for ‘Let The Children Live’ – a small charity that tries to help little children living on the streets of Columbia.

Lourdes ‘At Home’ Day Friday 25th July 2014 at St Ambrose Barlow

8.00 am Early Morning Mass Prayer Group 8.30 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament The Padre Pio Prayer Group are joining other prayer groups (until 11.00 am) for a Day of Prayer at St Pio’s Shrine in Pantasaph. If you 12.00 noon Mass of Anointing of the Sick would like to be there, please contact Pat on 01942 895566 (followed by lunch) for further details and to book a place. Alternatively, come 7.30 pm Holy Hour & Procession along to the prayer group’s hour of prayer, which takes place at St Ambrose Barlow every Tuesday evening at 7.00 pm. At the back of each church, there are two sign-up sheets: one sheet asks whether or not you would like to be anointed, are Thank You staying for lunch or need space for a wheel- Kathleen Connelly writes: “I would like to express my chair; the second asks for volunteers to help sincere thanks to Fr Dave and fellow members of the parish with the day. Please look at the lists and sign for all the good wishes, cards and gifts which I received last up. Many thanks. weekend at the celebration for my birthday. Special thanks go to those who organised the refreshments after the 11.00 When visiting Lourdes, it is customary to am Mass. May God bless you all.” leave written petitions (prayers) at the Grotto where Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette. Tony Woodward writes: “Please pass my thanks and appre- If you would like your petition(s) to be pre- ciation to the wider Church community for their support at sented at the Grotto in Lourdes, please bring the Funeral and their prayers for my mum, Wyn Woodward.” them to the Lourdes ‘At Home’ Day in a sealed envelope marked “Petitions”, and we will ensure that they PARISH NOTES are presented in the Grotto at Lourdes during the summer. Newsletter Preparation - if you could help us to prepare the grounds (setting Please ensure items for the newsletter are sent in by out chairs, putting up gazebo’s, etc), please come along to St Wednesday evening. Thank you. Ambrose Barlow on Thursday 24 July: 7.00 - 8.30 pm. Flowers - if you would like to help prepare the flowers for the day, Clergy Addresses please contact Fr Paul. Fr Paul Seddon Music - if you would like to help with the singing, please come St Richard’s Presbytery, Mayfield Street, Atherton, along and join the group on the day. M46 OAQ Fr Dave Heywood CAFOD & Traidcraft Holy Family Presbytery, 208 Chaddock Lane, Boothstown, CAFOD and Traidcraft will be open in Holy Family Church Hall Worsley, Manchester M28 1DN after the morning Masses next Sunday (July 27th). Tea, coffee, soft drinks, toast, etc., and delicious home made cakes will be Finance available, and all the proceeds from these refreshments will go to The monies for the five church communities of the Parish of our CAFOD project "Connect2Ethiopia". All are welcome, so St Margaret Clitherow are held in one account. So please please come along if you can. make all cheques payable to St Margaret Clitherow (Please note the spelling of ‘Clitherow’). Thank you.

Pastoral Area Website www.leighpastoralarea.co.uk

Catholic School Websites Happy Holidays www.st-maryshigh..sch.uk We wish all the children and staff in our schools a very happy www.athertonsacredheart.wigan.sch.uk Summer holiday. It has been quite a year for everyone and a very www.boothstownholyfamily.wigan.sch.uk busy one. We hope you enjoy the sunshine and have a relaxing www.saintambrosebarlow.wigan.sch.uk break whether you are going away or staying in sunny Booths- www.saintgabrielsprimary.co.uk town, Hindsford, Higher Folds, Tyldesley, Astley, Leigh or Atherton! www.saintrichards.wigan.sch.uk FORTHCOMING EVENTS SUNDAY MASSES DURING AUGUST This year, for the first time, we have not been able to secure Charity Evening the assistance of other priests to allow each of us to have a Charity Evening for recovery after typhoons on Friday 1st August break during the month of August. In other words, we do not at 7.30 pm at Sacred Heart Centre, Leigh. Extra parking next have a priest for every Sunday Mass in the Pastoral Area door at Crown House. Fr Pat O’Donoghue, Columban regional during August. Therefore, given that the numbers attending director of the Philippines, will give a presentation. Bring & Buy, Sunday Mass are generally lower during the summer, we Raffle, Tombola and various stalls including home-made. Some- propose to cancel the lower attended Masses at the two thing for everyone. Tickets £1 (including refreshments) available churches that have two Sunday Masses for the month of from Sr Megan (01942 683554), who will be pleased to receive August. So Holy Family will have one Sunday Mass at donations, prizes and/or gifts for the stalls. Cheques payable 9.00 am and St Joseph's will have one Sunday Mass at to "Columban Fathers". 10.30 am. (The 11.00 am Mass at Holy Family and the 8.30 Could anyone offer transport to Fr. Pat (from Birmingham to am Mass at St Joseph's will resume at the beginning of Leigh) on 1st August? If so, please phone 01942 676962. September). By doing this, three priests can cover all the Sunday Masses each week during August, allowing the Line Dancing fourth a break. We realise this is not ideal, but it is the best There will be a Beginner’s Class of Line Dancing on Thursday we can offer without making substantial alterations to the 7th August from 1.00 – 2.30 pm at St Ambrose Barlow Church Sunday Mass schedule at this time. The Pastoral Area Clergy Hall. Cost - £3.50. Come along, keep fit, make new friends and join the fun. Ring Teresa on 01942 792293 for more details. PAUL GOGGINS MP Fr Dave writes: I was privileged to be able to attend a Emmaus Group Memorial Mass for Paul Goggins last Wednesday at St An early notice that the Emmaus Group will meet again after the Margaret’s Church next to Westminster Abbey. Joining Wyn Summer break. Because of all the changes and the sacramental and the family were MP’s from all programmes, we haven’t met for a while. The meeting is intend- the parties. Canon Pat Browne, the ed for anyone who has become a new member of the Catholic Catholic Duty Priest at Parliament, Church in the last few years. It is a very informal meeting where presided and Bishop John Arnold, you can bring your questions and hopefully someone – not Fr auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, Paul(!) – can answer them, or at least know a man that can! The preached. Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP, next meeting will take place in St Richard’s Parish House on MP and Andy Burn- Wednesday September 3rd at 7.00 pm. Please come along and ham MP spoke very movingly about join us. Paul’s time as a member of parliament and the effect he has had on so many by his dedication, faith and genuine care for St Joseph’s Prayer Centre, Formby the poor and the marginalised. The occasion marked the RETREATS first time Mass had been celebrated in St Margaret’s since Are you seeking time and space to pray the Reformation. Sincere thanks to the Dean of Westminster and be renewed in body and spirit? for his welcome and support. Why not come to St Joseph’s for one of these retreats? July 27 – Aug 2 Fr Ian Kelly presents NEW FROM CJM MUSIC “Rebirth in joy and hope as evangelisers” CJM Music have just released a beautiful setting of the ‘Hail Aug 26 – 31 Fr Tony Slingo presents “Soul Care” Mary’ by Chris Rolinson - from Boyce & Stanley's Christmas Sept 1 – 4 Sr. Brenda SMG presents “How we can album: The Promise. The prayer is interpreted in British Sign become joyful promoters of the Gospel of Life” Language and movement by Kevin Atkinson and Danielle www.stjosephsprayercentre.com Walker of More Than Dance - a company based in the North Tel. 01704 875 850 East, which runs workshops around the country in school and community groups. You can see and hear the song on YouTube under “Hail Mary by Boyce & Stanley”. You can find out more about CJM Music here: www.cjmmusic.com

TWEETS FROM POPE FRANCIS

Do not be afraid to cast yourselves into the arms of God; whatever he asks of you, he will repay a hundredfold. LAST WEEK’S PARISH COLLECTIONS

With God, nothing is lost; Offertory Collection £1481.66 * but without him, everything is lost. Apostleship of the Sea £ 465.56 * * (Does not include totals from St Ambrose Barlow) To live as true children of God means to love our neighbour and to be close to those who are lonely and in difficulty. Thank you so much for your generosity

Jesus, help us to love God as Father SECOND COLLECTIONS and our neighbour as ourselves. Today Let The Children Live! To be friends with God means to pray with simplicity, Next Weekend Day for Life like children talking to their parents. Proceeds from the annual Day for Life collection will go to assist the work of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre The Church, by her nature, is missionary. She exists so and other life-related activities supported by the that every man and woman may encounter Jesus. Church. WEEK BEGINNING ST AMBROSE HOLY FAMILY ST GABRIEL’S ST RICHARD’S 20th July BARLOW 9.00 am (Sat) 6.00 pm (Sat) 6.00 pm Celia & William Kenneth Pendlebury Lilian & Patrick Welby SUNDAY Connelly 9.30 am 11.00 am 11.00 am A Private Intention Pastoral Area Tommy Laing 6.30 pm 12.30 pm Baptisms James Cawley

MONDAY 7.00 pm 12.00 noon Mass at St Joseph’s, Leigh Mass of Thanksgiving 9.15 am 12.00 noon 7.00 pm James & Kathleen Funeral Service for TUESDAY Prayer Group Howarth Jack Brierley

6.30 pm Exposition 9.00 - 10.00 am WEDNESDAY 7.00 pm Exposition Special Intention (D&J) 12.00 noon THURSDAY 10.00 am Funeral Mass for Mary Kevin Murphy Margaret Mulraney LOURDES ‘AT HOME’ DAY - St Ambrose Barlow FRIDAY 8.00 pm Early Morning Mass (followed by Exposition until 11.00 am) 12.00 noon Mass of Anointing of the Sick 7.30 pm Holy Hour and Procession 10.00 am SATURDAY Fr Edward Morrisey 6.00 pm 6.00 pm Special Intention (S) Paul & Connie Seddon 9.00 am 9.30 am Ann & Joe Thompson Thomas Laing NEXT SUNDAY 11.00 am 11.00 am 6.30 pm Seamus McNulty Terry Bradley Bernadette Kelly

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION LET US HOLD IN PRAYER This Saturday 10.30 - 11.00 am at Holy Family After 6.00 pm Mass at St Richard’s (or by appointment with one of the priests) Those who have died, especially: BAPTISMS Holy Family We welcome into the family of the Church Jack Brierley through the celebration of Baptism: Sacred Heart & St Richard’s Finley Larkin, Logan Higson Mary Margaret Mulraney Jeffrey Rawson & Elizabeth Thorpe. May God bless them and their families Those who are sick, especially: Holy Family Connie Crilly Kevin Hughes READINGS FOR NEXT WEEKEND Kathy Kenyon Brian Fry 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A) Rev Jim Melia Bridie Molyneaux Dorothy Hampson First Reading 1 Kings 3:5,7-12 Sacred Heart & St Richard’s Told by God that he could have any gift he wanted, Solomon Fred Lyth Margaret Hurley chose the gift of wisdom. Agnes Pilkington Arthur Lucas Shirley Leggett Phil Tomkins Second Reading Romans 8:28-30 St Ambrose Barlow Those who love God can turn everything to their spiritual Norah Atkinson Alan West advantage. Lynda Daly Margaret Ross Maureen Sommers Gospel Reading Matthew 13:44-52 St Gabriel’s What God offers us is so precious that it is worth everything we Anne Broad Pat Waring have. If you wish to add (or remove) someone from the prayer list, please contact Fr Dave by phone or email.