St. Gabriel’s 140 Lawton Road, Alsager Parish Priest: Fr. Tony Grace 1 Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 2DE Permanent Deacon: Rev. Eddie Miller Tel: 01270 877736 3 May 2020

www.stgabrielsalsager.org.uk th St. Gabriel’s School & 4 Sunday of Easter

Playgroup, Tel: 875770 St. Thomas More Catholic High School. www.st- thomasmore..sch.uk

Fr. Tony will be celebrating Mass privately on a daily basis in Church and your intentions

will be included. Please leave any mass intentions through letter box of presbytery or email. There will be no public Masses or Services in St. Gabriel’s . The church is now closed until further notice. Fr.Tony & Deacon Eddie are remembering you all in our prayers.

Dear Parishioners, these are indeed strange times. The Covid 19 Virus has changed the ways of the world - quarantine, social distancing, handwashing and the other social consequences for us all - isolation from family members, work affected, income and much more. It does give us a chance to pause and re-assess our values and priorities. What are the really important things that matter? Many things we were anxious about a few weeks ago now seem not so important compared with the big issues now confronting us. Perhaps it gives us a bit more opportunity for prayer and devotion. Luckily, we can live stream Mass, Exposition and Vespers, which gives a sense of spiritual support and normality. This crisis will pass eventually. Times will get a bit easier, but we can bring with us, valuable insights, lessons and a strengthening of our faith. God bless you all, Fr Tony & Deacon Eddie. For Information about the live-streaming of the celebration of Mass, Exposition and Vespers by Mark at , each day in our diocese, please go to http://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org

Gospel Reflection; Easter’s empty tomb is a call to conversion. By this tomb, we should know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Messiah, as Peter preaches in today’s First Reading. He is the “Lord,” the divine Son that David foresaw at God’s right hand (see Psalms 3; 110:1; 132:10–11; and Acts 2:34). And He is the Messiah that God had promised to shepherd the scattered flock of the house of Israel (see Ezekiel 34:11–14, 23; 37:24). As we hear in today’s Gospel, Jesus is that Good Shepherd, sent to a people who were like sheep without a shepherd (see Mark 6:34; Numbers 27:16–17). He calls not only to the children of Israel, but to all those far off from Him—to whomever the Lord wishes to hear His voice. The call of the Good Shepherd leads to the restful waters of Baptism, to the anointing oil of Confirmation, and to the table and overflowing cup of the Eucharist, as we sing in today’s Psalm. Again, on this 4th Sunday in Easter, we hear His voice calling us His own. He should awaken in us the response of those who heard Peter’s preaching. “What are we to do?” they cried. We have been baptized. But each of us goes astray like sheep, as we hear in today’s Epistle. We still need daily to repent & to seek forgiveness of our sins. We are called to follow in the footsteps of the Shepherd of our souls. By His suffering He bore our sins in His body to free us from sin. But His suffering is also an example for us. From Him we should learn patience in our afflictions, to hand ourselves over to the will of God. Jesus has gone ahead, driven us through the dark valley of evil and death. His Cross has become the narrow gate, through which we must pass to reach His empty tomb—the verdant pastures of life abundant.

The National Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham will continue its full liturgical programme and this will be available to all via the Internet (www.walsingham.org.uk ) Also there is a link to St Anthony’s website to access their streaming service. https://www.churchservices.tv/stanthonyswythenshawe https://www.mcnmedia.tv/cameras.

2 Watch a Mass from home. Some churches will stream masses, so a couple of links have been added to our Website on the Mass Times and Prayer Resources page. http://www.churchservices.tv/shrewsburycathedral/embed#tab-player or Church Services TV: https://www.churchservices.tv/timetable/

In this Year of the Word, the Catholic ’ Conference have set us all a challenge to join together in reading St Matthew’s Gospel, just a few verses each day. See https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/events/the-god- who- speaks/bible-basics/saint-matthews-gospel-day- by-day/

Prayer app - you may wish to try either https://www.sacredspace.ie/ or https://pray-as-you- go.org/home/ or daily reflections at http://ln54.blogspot.com

Join us each Wednesday for inspirational prayer and reflection at www.rpbooks.co.uk/blog as we are guided by Fr Denis McBride.

Online giving to the Parish. For those Parishioners who normally give in the collection at Mass and wish to help the Parish at this time, an online donation page to allow you to donate to the Parish has been added to the Parish website. Please be aware that a minimum donation of £5 is requested if giving in this way. You can also Gift Aid your donation to help the Parish further. If you want to Gift Aid your donation, please tick the box shown on the screen even if you have previously completed a Gift Aid Declaration form in favour of the Parish for regular giving made by Offertory Envelope or Standing Order. An Online giving page has now been created for the Parish using InvestMyCommunity.com The page can be found at: https://investmycommunity.com/not-logged-donator/page/stgabrielalsagerdioceseofshrewsbury2167 For more information, please contact Sue Edge, our St. Gabriel’s parish planned giving and gift aid coordinator on 01270 876090. Thank you for your support.

Missio Home schooling activities for children. https://missiontogether.org.uk/school-closures-home-activities At Missio, we are committed to supporting our sisters and brothers around the world, through any challenges, struggles and hardships. We will continue to work as best we can during this coronavirus pandemic. https://missio.org.uk

The Eucharist in Scripture, six half hour talks by gifted speaker and theologian Dr.Scott Hahn are being offered completely free online for a limited time. This study helps unlock the meaning of covenant, sacrifice and sacrament as understood in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. In this Year of the Word and while we are not able to receive Sacramental Holy Communion, this is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the Mass and increase our hunger for the Lord -see https://stpaulcenter.com/free-stream/ for details

Please pray for the eternal rest of the recently deceased, Patricia Fox RIP, Cath Bevan RIP, Deacon Peter Bravey RIP, John Edward Rich RIP, Hugh Ecob RIP, John Boote RIP, Norah Felth RIP, Irene Mary Jones RIP, Christopher Callow RIP, Patrick Longworth RIP, Margaret Quinn RIP, Margaret Curtis RIP, Kathy Perry RIP, Kieran McGrath RIP, Martin Boyle RIP, Oliver Dorrian RIP, Fr. Antony Conlon RIP & Reg Smith RIP. Please keep our loved ones & their families in your prayers & those whose anniversaries occur around this time: Samuel Bagshaw, Tom Carnes, Eric Wheeler, John Bagshaw, Karen Bastiman, Carol Cliffe, Kathleen Shallow, Andrew Richards, Michael Squara, Harry Tams, Julia Stammers, Lee Collins.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK: Especially for Pascal Pley, Brendan O’Toole, Peter Mc Dermott, Fr. Jim McGrath, Mary O’Neil, Frances O’Hagan, Clare Ingram, Patricia Capp, Sheila Gibson, Luchia Capper, George Lawton, Isla Pither, Marian Connolly, Dave Poole, Myriam Goutte, Sharon Fisher, Annie Shallow, Brenda Turner, Elsie Turnock, Margaret Pearson, Ian McKay, John Monks, Terry Orford, Dorothy Eccles, Alex Santini, Kay Charlesworth, Margaret McGreevy, Peter Pulford, Betty Bostwick, Joan Phillips, Ben Thomas, Denise Nolan, Helen Edwards, Norman Tams, Baby Hunter, Francis Dockery, Jo Woolf and all in our hospitals & nursing homes.

3 MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS WEEK COMMENCING 3 MAY 2020 Saturday 2 May Mass Timothy Sturgis RIP & Catherine Bevan RIP 4thSunday of Easter Peter McDermott (sick) & Joan Philips (sick) 3 May Mass Amyas Stafford-Northcote RIP & John Boote RIP & Debbie Boote Day of Special Prayer for (Anniv) & Peter McDermott (sick) Vocations Denise Nolan (sick) & Dorothy & Helen Edwards (sick) Monday Mass Kieran McGrath RIP, Oliver Dorrian RIP & Margaret Quinn RIP 4 May Martin Boyle RIP & Mary O’Neill (sick) & Pascal Pley (sick) Simon The English Martyrs Wickham (sick) & Janet Proudlove (sick) & Brendan O’Toole (sick) & for the end of the Coronavirus Tuesday Mass Margaret Curtis RIP & John Boote RIP & 5 May Tom Carnes (Anniv) & Harry Tams (Anniv) & Norah Felth RIP Wednesday Mass Kathy Perry RIP 6 May Reg Smith RIP Funeral Service of Kathy Perry RIP 11am Crewe Crematorium Thursday 7 May Mass Kieran McGrath RIP Funeral Service Friday Mass Patricia Lady Talbot of Malahide RIP 8 May In Honour of the Holy Trinity Saturday 9 May Mass John Bagshaw (Anniv) & John Boote RIP & Joan Phillips (Sick) & Luchia Capper (sick) Sunday 10 May Key workers supporting us & Teri Orford (sick) 5th Sunday of Easter Mass Fr. Antony Colon RIP & Mr. Bergeron (sick) & Nuala Coffey (sick) Please contact Fr. Tony at [email protected] for newsletter items Diocese of Shrewsbury, Registered Charity Number 234025 Parish Safeguarding Officers, Cathie & Tony Smith 01270 879961

A prayer for spiritual communion My Jesus, I believe that you are present in this Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot, at this moment, receive you in the Sacrament come spiritually into my heart. I embrace you and unite myself, wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you.” – “Act of Spiritual Communion” by St. Alphonsus, prayed Sunday evening by Paulist Fr. Paul in the chapel of our motherhouse in New York City

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Sickness prayer published by the Episcopal Conferences of Europe:

God our Father, Creator of the world, almighty and merciful, out of love for us You sent your Son into the world as the doctor of our souls and our bodies, look upon your children who, in this difficult time of confusion and dismay in many regions of Europe and the world, turn to you seeking strength, salvation and relief, deliver us from illness and fear, heal our sick, comfort their families, give wisdom to our rulers, energy and reward to our doctors, nurses and volunteers, eternal life to the dead. Do not abandon us in the moment of trial but deliver us from all evil. We ask this of Thee, who with the Son and the Holy Spirit, live and reign for ever and ever. Amen. Mary, mother of health and hope, pray for us!

5 Further prayers for those who are ill and resources can be found at https://www.cbcew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/prayer-flu-viruses.pdf

CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF AND WALES Mass for the Sick and their Families, NHS Front-Line workers and those working in Social Care

The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales recognise that this time of the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting every person in our countries. Those who are sick, and their families, are suffering many hardships of isolation from contact with those they love. Our front-line workers in hospitals and in care homes all over our lands are giving exceptional service to those who are vulnerable at this time.

In order to show a spiritual solidarity with all those who are involved in the ways described above, each week from next Thursday, a Catholic Bishop will celebrate Mass in their Cathedral which will be live-streamed for people to join. This will take place every Thursday at 7.00pm 7th May, Bishop Marcus Stock,

14th May, Bishop Robert Byrne CO, Newcastle Cathedral

21st May, Bishop Mark Davies,

28th May, Bishop Terence Drainey, Cathedral

By visiting the Cathedral webpage, or the Bishops’ Conference Webpage (cbcew.org.uk) links for the live-streaming of these Masses can be found.

Rev. Canon Christopher Thomas, General Secretary 16th April 2020 http://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/National-Masses- Timetable.pdf

Cheshire East, Mental Health Helpline - 0300 303 3972Local NHS Trust, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP), has launched a new mental health helpline for residents of Cheshire West, Cheshire East and Wirral. Open 24 hours a day, seven-days a week, it is open to people of all ages including children and young people who need urgent Support, explaining the Coronavirus. What to do if you need urgent mental health help: • Please call 0300 303 3972 and our dedicated local NHS staff will support you to access the help you need; • The helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to people of all ages – including children and young people; • The helpline is now the first port of call for mental health help – it is operated by people in your local area who will know

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During this pandemic crisis, please see if you can offer any assistance to any elderly person living on their own. A regular call to an elderly relative or neighbour can break down a sense of isolation.

SHREWSBURY YOUTH MISSION. Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team are now fully online and are producing daily resources, prayers, and activities for young people. Over the coming weeks we will be building on our Holy Week success and doing a regular live stream. Their resources are on the website: https://www.symt.org.uk/

Redemptorist Sunday Sheet Download https://rpbooks.us15.list- manage.com/track/click?u=6b341178fc20f6586567e68cd&id=3204a9b103&e=e7cff2a55f

Vocations Sunday. This day flows from the broader culture of vocation, and is when the universal Church asks the Lord to send more labourers to the harvest. You are very welcome to download our Vocations Sunday resources to help promote this day, which, due to the current climate, are designed for online use. Resources for Vocations Sunday. https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/events/vocations-sunday-2020/ St. Joseph the Worker 7

In the chapel of the Catholic Information Centre in downtown Washington, a statue depicts Saint Joseph the Worker, cradling the sleeping baby Jesus in his arms, while he himself wears an apron and belt bearing the tools of his trade as a carpenter. The feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, which we celebrate today, offers a time to reflect on the patron saint of workers and on the spirituality of work. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, celebrated his inaugural Mass on March 19, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, and he 8 spoke about the special role of the spouse of Mary, the foster-father of Jesus who is not only the protector of the Holy Family, but the patron of the universal Church. In his homily, Pope Francis said, “How does Joseph respond to his calling to be the protector of Mary, Jesus and the Church? By being constantly attentive to God, open to the signs of God’s presence and receptive to God’s plans and not simply to his own…. Joseph is a ‘protector’ because he is able to hear God’s voice and be guided by his will.” Pope Francis also noted, “In the Gospels, Saint Joseph appears as a strong and courageous man, a working man, yet in his heart we see great tenderness, which is not the virtue of the weak but rather a sign of strength of spirit and a capacity for concern, for compassion, for genuine openness to others, for love. We must not be afraid of goodness, of tenderness!” Our new Holy Father said that the faithful, loving service of Saint Joseph is a model for the pope, who must serve others, especially the poor. In 2005 Pope Francis’s predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, offered his first Sunday blessing on May 1, the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. Pope Benedict pointed out that Pope Pius XII established that feast day “to stress the importance of work and of the presence of Christ and the church in the labour world.” Pope Benedict underscored how essential it is in today’s world to witness to the “Gospel of work” described in Pope John Paul II’s 1981 encyclical, Laborem Exercens (On Human Work). In that encyclical, Blessed John Paul II, who worked in a limestone quarry and in a water purification plant as a young man, emphasized the God-given dignity of human 9 work and of workers themselves, and he also wrote about a spirituality of work. He said that our daily work should present us with an opportunity to see how we share in the work of Christ, to see our work in light of the cross and resurrection of Christ. Our daily activity, then, takes on a deeper and fuller meaning when it is seen as part of Christ’s effort to renew the face of the earth. Saint Joseph was a simple carpenter whose love and faith taught Jesus important lessons about dedicating one’s life and work to the service of God and others. Whatever our occupation, we have the opportunity to honour God through our work. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” Saint Joseph showed us how our work can be holy. A wood carving at Saint Peter Church in Olney depicts Saint Joseph working at his carpenter’s table, teaching the trade to a young Jesus. Whether we work at a bench or with a computer, we can follow his example by making Jesus present in our work-day and lifting up our work to God’s glory, following the example of Saint Joseph the Worker.

https://cardinalsblog.adw.org/2013/05/01/st-joseph-the-worker

A People who Hope in Christ

A Message from the Metropolitan Archbishops of the in England and Wales

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, 10 The radiance of the risen Lord shines upon us. At a time when so many shadows are cast into our lives, and upon our world, the light of the resurrection shines forever to renew and restore our hope. In the words of our Holy Father, Pope Francis: ‘

The impact of Covid-19, both nationally and internationally, has been immense. So much of what we take for granted has changed. Our health and physical interaction, our capacity to travel and gather, have all been affected. There is uncertainty in our future, especially with work and the country’s economy. As we know, very sadly, large numbers of people have died because of the coronavirus, and others have been or remain seriously ill. Keyworkers, not least in the National Health Service and care sectors, are serving selflessly to sustain the life of our nation. Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone who is suffering because of Covid-19, and to all those battling to overcome its effects. May those who have died rest in peace and those who are bereaved find comfort.

When the Prime Minister announced the lockdown, this included places of worship and therefore Catholic churches. These measures were put in place to stem the general transmission of the virus. It is right that the Catholic community fulfils its role in contributing to the preservation of life and the common good of society. This must continue until the restrictions applied by the Government are lifted.

None of us would want to be in the situation in which we find ourselves. While the live-streaming of the Mass and other devotions is playing an important part in maintaining the life of faith, there is no substitute for Catholics being able to physically attend and participate in the celebration of the Mass and the other sacraments. Our faith is expressed powerfully and beautifully though ‘seeing, touching, and tasting.’ We know that every bishop and every priest recognises the pain of Catholics who, at present, cannot pray in church or receive the sacraments. This weighs heavily on our hearts. We are deeply moved by the Eucharistic yearning expressed by so many members of the faithful. We thank you sincerely for your love for the Lord Jesus, present in the sacraments and supremely so in the Holy Sacrifice

In the midst of isolation when we are suffering from a lack of tenderness and chances to meet up, and we experience the loss of so many things, let us once again listen to the proclamation that saves us: he is risen and is living by our side.’ (27 March 2020)

1 of the Mass. The bishops and priests of every diocese are remembering you and your loved ones at Mass each day in our churches as we pray ‘in hope of health and well- being.’ We thank our priests for this faithfulness to their calling. 11 As the Government’s restrictions are relaxed step by step, we look forward to opening our churches and resuming our liturgical, spiritual, catechetical and pastoral life step by step. This will also be of service to those beyond the Catholic Church who depend on our charitable activity and outreach through which much goodness is shared by so many volunteers from our communities.

None of us knows, as yet, how or when the lockdown will end. There is likely to be a phased return to travelling and gathering. As a church, we are now planning for this time and our discussions with the statutory public health agencies and Government representatives are ongoing. Together with Catholics across England and Wales we desire the opening of our churches and access to the sacraments. Until then, we are continuing to pray and prepare.

We want to acknowledge with gratitude the service of our fellow bishops and priests, our deacons and religious, our families and lay faithful, together with all our parish and school communities, for the wonderful ways the life of the faith is being nourished at this time, especially in the home. We also pay tribute to the Catholic organisations and networks that are working to support the vulnerable and needy.

On that first Easter day, the disciples were in lockdown and the doors were closed. In their isolation the Lord Jesus came among them and said ‘Peace be with you.’ May the peace of the risen Lord reign in our hearts and homes as we look forward to the day we can enter church again and gather around the to offer together the Sacrifice of Praise.

We unite in asking the intercession of Our Blessed Lady and assure you of our prayers and blessing

Yours devotedly in Christ,

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster

Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool

Bernard Longley Archbishop of Birmingham

George Stack Archbishop of Cardiff

John Wilson Archbishop of Southwark

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The Holy See LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO THE FAITHFUL FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The month of May is approaching, a time when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this “family” aspect, also from a spiritual point of view.

For this reason, I want to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of May. This can be done either as a group or individually; you can decide according to your own situations, making the most of both opportunities. The key to doing this is always simplicity, and it is easy also on the internet to find good models of prayers to follow.

I am also providing two prayers to Our Lady that you can recite at the end of the Rosary, and that I myself will pray in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you. I include them with this letter so that they are available to everyone.

Dear brothers and sisters, contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial. I keep all of you in my prayers, especially those suffering most greatly, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. I thank you, and with great affection I send you my blessing.

Rome, Saint John Lateran, 25 April 2020 Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist

Pope Francis

2 13 First Prayer

O Mary, You shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who, at the foot of the cross, were united with Jesus’ suffering, and persevered in your faith.

“Protectress of the Roman people”, you know our needs, and we know that you will provide, so that, as at Cana in Galilee, joy and celebration may return after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us. For he took upon himself our suffering, and burdened himself with our sorrows to bring us, through the cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God; Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from every danger, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

Second Prayer

"We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”

In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.

Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus. 14 Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.

Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

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