THE CATHOLIC PASTORAL PARTNERSHIP OF , , & UNDER THE PATRONAGE AND PROTECTION OF OUR LADY OF GRACE SUNDAY BULLETIN THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD SUNDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2020 CHURCHES A WORD FROM THE PARISH PRIEST Biddulph English Martyrs’ Church, Church Road, Biddulph, Last week, I received noti- A500 all the way up to ST8 6NE fication that the boundaries Brindley Ford. All of this Goldenhill St Joseph’s Church, of the old Fegg Hayes par- makes little difference to High Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 ish had finally been re- people and where they 5RD drawn and that the Arch- prefer to go to Mass. But it Kidsgrove St John the Evange- bishop had issued the de- is important that places list’s Church, The Avenue, cree to make those bound- have a proper parish and a Kidsgrove, ST7 1AE aries official on 9th Janu- proper parish priest. The Packmoor St Patrick’s Church, ary. That means that I am fact that this process has Mellor Street, Packmoor, Stoke- now officially the Parish taken the best part of seven on-Trent, ST7 4SN Happy Candlemas! The Priest in Packmoor, New- years, though, gives you a Feast of the Presentation of chapel, and clue to the speed of the KEY CONTACTS the Lord reminds us that Brindley Ford. You proba- working of the Church! Parish Priest Jesus, the Light of the bly thought I already was! Rev Fr Julian C Green As you see, we have a two World, first appeared as The new boundaries of the Assistant Priest week bulletin again this the light as a baby, enfold- parishes mean that all of Rev Fr Prabhakar Pamisetty MF week. The reason is that I ed in the arms of Our those areas mentioned, St Joseph’s Presbytery am going on back to Spain Blessed Lady. The Feast which were formerly part 715 High Street for the next section of the day is filled with meaning of St Bernadette’s Parish, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 5RD Camino. This time I will when we consider that are now part of English Tel: (01782) 782121 be walking a long section Jesus, who proclaimed Martyrs’, Biddulph. The pp.partnershipparishes@gmail. of the Way, from Mérida himself to be the New Brindley Village estate is com to Salamanca. That is a Temple of God, came to now in St Joseph’s Gold- Parish Secretary total of about 282km, the Old Temple in Jerusa- enhill parish. We also took Teresa Harding about 175 miles, which I lem. He who is the Word the opportunity to tidy up Tel: (01782) 782121 will cover in 12 days walk- made flesh came so that the boundary between Email: partnershipparishes ing. Please do sponsor me @gmail.com we, who live the life of Tunstall and Goldenhill online or in church, so that Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Fri human flesh, might be- parishes, making the A527 I can get nearer the target! 9am to 3.30pm. Weds, Thurs come Temples of God too. the new boundary from the 9am to 1pm. SAINT OF THE WEEK Safeguarding Our safeguarding reps are: St Joan de Lestonnac leave. She returned Biddulph: Mary Lomas 1556-1640 to Bordeaux and founded a Goldenhill: Suzanne Meakin St Joan was born in Bor- new congregation, the Kidsgrove: Denise Hewitt deaux, France, in 1556. Congregation of the Reli- Packmoor: Peter Whitehouse They can be contacted through She married at the age of gious of Notre Dame of the Parish Office, or call the 17. The happy marriage Bordeaux, and several Diocesan Team on 0121 230 produced four children, young girls joined her as 6240 or safeguarding@rc- but her husband died sud- novices. They ministered birmingham.org denly in 1597. After to victims of a plague that Website her children were raised, struck Bordeaux, and www.partnershipparishes.org she entered the Cistercian worked against the spread monastery at Toulouse but of Calvinism. Joan served The Parishes are part of the Archdiocese of Birmingham: Registered Charity no. poor health forced her to as superior until her death. 234216 PAGE 2 SUNDAY BULLETIN Goldenhill Packmoor Kidsgrove The Sacrament of Forgiveness (Confessions) Biddulph Biddulph Sun 8.30am Goldenhill Sun 10.30am Kidsgrove Sat 6pm Packmoor Sun 6pm

Saturday 1st 6.30pm Holy Mass of Sunday Mark & Teresa Foden Sunday 2nd 9.00am Holy Mass Catherine & Leonard Johnson Presentation of the 11.00am Holy Mass Int Bernadette McGough Lord (Candlemas) 6.30pm Holy Mass Barbara Heath Monday 3rd 6.00pm Holy Mass Holy Souls St Werburgh Tuesday 4th 9.15am Holy Mass Eileen Marrow Feria 9.30am Morning Prayer 2.15pm Holy Rosary 6.00pm Holy Mass Private Intention 8.00pm Prayer Group Wednesday 5th 6.00pm Holy Mass Holy Souls St Agatha Thursday 6th 9.30am Holy Mass (in school) Private Intention St Paul Miki & Comps 6.00pm Holy Mass Holy Souls Friday 7th 9.30am Holy Mass (in church) Private Intention Feria First Friday 6.00pm Holy Mass Denis McGinley Saturday 8th 9.15am Holy Mass Private Intention Our Lady 6.30pm Holy Mass of Sunday Sandra Nixon Sunday 9th 9.00am Holy Mass Mary Nixon Fifth Sunday of Ordi- 11.00am Holy Mass Michael Meaney nary Time (A) 6.30pm Holy Mass People of the Parish Monday 10th 6.00pm Holy Mass Holy Souls St Scholastica Tuesday 11th 9.15am Holy Mass In Thanksgiving (MJ) Our Lady of Lourdes 9.30am Morning Prayer 2.15pm Holy Rosary 6.00pm Holy Mass Denis McGinley Wednesday 12th Feria 6.00pm Holy Mass Holy Souls Thursday 13th 9.30am Holy Mass (in school) Private Intention Feria 6.00pm Holy Mass Eileen Marrow (SVP) Friday 14th 9.30am Holy Mass (in school) Private Intention Ss Cyril & Methodius 6.00pm Holy Mass Holy Souls Saturday 15th 9.15am Holy Mass Private Intention Our Lady 6.30pm Holy Mass of Sunday Winefride & Leonard Atherton Sunday 16th 9.00am Holy Mass John A Lacey Sixth Sunday of 11.00am Holy Mass John Martin Ordinary Time (A) 6.30pm Holy Mass People of the Parish THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD PAGE 3

rededication of PARISH REGISTERS as the dowry of our lady Deaths

And also for the soul of Sandra Nix- The Friendship Club is a monthly You are all invited to be part of this on. Requiem Mass for the repose of meeting for older people, organised wonderful initiative of the Bishops of her soul will be offered at St John’s by Fr Hudson’s Care. The next meet- England & Wales: to rededicate Eng- Kidsgrove on Monday 17th February ing is on Tuesday 25th February, at land to Our Lady. This first hap- at 12noon followed by committal at the usual time of 2pm at Kidsgrove pened in 1381, when King Richard II Carmountside Crematorium. Town Hall. New people are always consecrated the country to Our La- welcome, so come and give it a try. If dy. The rededication has two part: Requiescat in pace you need more details or would like the personal consecration, which you to arrange transport please ring are all invited to take part in, and the Biddulph Refreshments To sup- 01782 269990 rededication of the country, which port Fr Julian's fundraising efforts for we are invited to participate in. Teenage Cancer Trust we are looking Friday 21st February: All are invited for volunteers to make a dozen cup- Prayer Group cakes and two slicing cakes to be Come and join our Partnership of to start the preparation for the Per- sonal Consecration, using the 33 day served each Sunday after Mass with Parishes’ Prayer Group at English tea and coffee. The donations will go Martyrs’ on Tuesday 4th February at Preparation booklets. Booklets are available next week. Please on- to his sponsorship for the Teenage 8pm. We meet on every second Cancer Trust. We already have four Tuesday. Everyone welcome! ly take one if you intend to do the Consecration. volunteers and would like a few more to join a rota. If you are able to help Wednesday 25th March: For those then please see Jackie Menzies. Heart to heart who have prepared: making a Per- Our weekly Heart to sonal Consecration to Our Lady Parish Priest’s Open House Heart with Jesus at St Sunday 29th March: The rededica- There is no Open House while Fr Joseph’s Goldenhill tion takes places around the country, Julian is away on the Camino. The will not take place for at Walsingham shrine, and in Cathe- next Open House, when Fr Julian is the next two weeks. drals and Churches at 12noon. That available to be seen by any parishion- The next Heart to Sunday we have Bishop McGough er, will be on Monday 17th Febru- Heart will be on with us. He will confirm the children ary. There will also be Open House Thursday 20th Febru- at St Joseph’s at 11am Mass. At the on 24th February and 2nd March. ary at 7.30pm. end of Mass we will join the national rededication. You are all invited to In memory of Jack Shufflebotham, Fr Care Home outreach share in a ‘bring & share’ buffet after. Julian is going to walk the Vía de la Kidsgrove The next Plata and Camino Sanabrés from Se- prayer service will be Sanctuary Lamps ville to Santiago de Compostela this at Ravenswood, The This week the lamps are dedicated for: year. The whole route is 1000km and Avenue, on Tuesday St John’s: Agnes Coates & Byrne he will be doing it in chunks of five 18th February at Family; Crotty, Davenport & Howle days/120km through the year. Please 11am. Families sponsor Fr Julian in aid of Teenage St Joseph’s: Special Intention (MM) Cancer Trust. You can do this at Biddulph The prayer service for www.justgiving.com/ our Biddulph Churches Together Week Commencing 9th February: fundraising/frjuliancamino group is Sunday 9th February at Park St John’s: Agnes Coates & Byrne Sponsor forms are in church to sup- Lane at 3pm. Family port Fr Julian’s Camino. Please on- We welcome everyone to come and join us. St Joseph’s: Kevin Potts ly sign up on the form when Sanctuary lamps can be dedicated. actually donating the money, to Minimum donation £5. Please help with keeping track of the Hospital Do you know of someone make a note of intention and pre- fundraising. in hospital? The chaplaincy are not ferred church. automatically notified. If there is an Follow Fr Julian’s progress at emergency, ask the nurses to call the Volunteers Required We need frjulianscamino.blogspot.com Chaplain on call. Otherwise, please more volunteers to help with the Catch up with the posts from the first call the chaplaincy on 01782 676400. church cleaning at English Martyrs’. two weeks, and follow the journey If you need any help with contacting If you can spare just a few hours a for the next two weeks which Fr them, please call the Parish Office. month please speak to Teresa Dutton Julian is walking with Tim McGough. FUNDRAISING counted. Thank you. the St Catherine Room, on the eve- nings of Friday 28th February, 6th, Biddulph & Packmoor 125 Club 13th and 20th March. The sessions Collections The subs for the 125 club are due on are 7pm to 9pm. All welcome. Biddulph/Packmoor Gift Aid the 2nd February. If paying for a full £394.60, Non Gift Aid £170.41, year it is £51 and for half a year £26. Thanksgiving for Marriage Total £565.01. Goldenhill Gift Aid If you could kindly put your money There will be a Mass in thanksgiving £312.50, Non Gift Aid £170.60, in an envelope with your name on for marriage on two Saturdays: 9th Total £483.10. Kidsgrove Gift Aid and marked FAO Mary Jervis and May & 16th May. Both take place at £227.50, Non Gift Aid £151.80, hand to one of the following people, 12noon at St Chad’s Cathedral Bir- Total £379.30. Gloria Hancock, Kevin Hancock, mingham, followed by refreshments Goldenhill and Kidsgrove 200 Teresa Dutton, Sheila Plant or Paula in the Grimshaw Room. The Mass is Club This week 1st Prize £20, Paskin. There are quite a few num- for all married couples and for those No.79 H Brown; 2nd Prize £10, bers available, if anyone would like to planning to get married this year. For No.77 M Twomey; 3rd Prize £5, subscribe please speak to any of the more information contact Lianne Pap No.159 N Cook. above or ring Mary on 514829. on [email protected] Thanks for your continued support. Second Collections The pro-life collection will take place on the 16th Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes EANERY EYOND February. D & B 23rd - 30th May 2020 Kidsgrove Offertory Envelopes Through Lent with St Matthew Come and join the Diocesan Pilgrim- The new boxes of envelopes for St The priests of the Deanery are organ- age to Lourdes in May half term! If John’s parishioners are available to ising four evenings of study and pray- you would like to go on the pilgrim- collect at the back of church. er with St Matthew’s Gospel. This age, you can download from provides a great way for parishioners www.tangney-tours.com. Alterna- APF Red Boxes If you have a red tively you can phone the pilgrimage box from Biddulph or Packmoor, to engage with the Gospel in this Year of the Word. It is taking place at office on 0121 230 6288 or email: then please bring them to church [email protected] during February to be emptied and Our Lady & St Peter’s in Stoke, in

KEY VERSE: “You are the salt of the earth. . . . You are the NEXT SUNDAY’S GOSPEL light of the world" (v. 13, 14). TO KNOW: In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spelled out - what it meant to be a living sign of God's reign. In order to Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But influence the world for good, a disciple must be like "salt," if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is which caused others to thirst for God. In the ancient world good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be tram- salt was highly valued, so much so that it was often used as pled underfoot by men. ‘You are the light of the world. A currency ("salary"). Salt was also used to preserve food from city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a corruption, and to give it flavour. Jesus compared those who lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand no longer savoured God's truth with the process of cooking. where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way In Palestine, salt was laid at the base of the oven in order to your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing retain the heat. After a certain length of time the salt lost its your good works, they may give the praise to your Father power to heat and it was removed and thrown out on the in heaven.’ ground. Jesus' disciples could offer an important ingredient --- that added zest to peoples’ lives and help to preserve them from evil. Jesus also commanded his followers to do what he Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you, if your virtue goes no did, to give light to the world (Jn 8:12). The houses in Pales- deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will nev- tine were very dark with only a small window to give light. A er get into the kingdom of heaven. ‘You have learnt how it lamp was placed on a lampstand so that it would provide illu- was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone mination for the whole household. Jesus’ disciples should be does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say beacons of light to those who lost their way. But if we are to this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will an- be light we must be willing to be used up like the oil in the swer for it before the court. ‘You have learnt how it was lamp. Like John the Baptist, we must decrease so that Christ's said: You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you: if a light will increase (Jn 3:30). When others see this light they man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed will give glory to God. adultery with her in his heart. ‘Again, you have learnt how TO LOVE: In what ways can I be "salt" and "light" to my it was said to our ancestors: You must not break your oath, but community? must fulfil your oaths to the Lord. But I say this to you: do not TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to live in such a way that swear at all. All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” others can "taste and see how good the Lord is". if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’