History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Fordhouses Wolverhampton 2000 – 2007 2000 On 15th April 2000 the spring edition of St. Anthony's News was published. Welcome to the 28th edition of our school / parish magazine. Thanks to all the people who contributed to its production: the writers, advertisers, administrative staff and children of the school. Full copy of this publication is available on Appendix 58 In the spring 2000 edition of St Anthony’s News the Births and Deaths were published. Baptisms Chloe Elise Hawkins Alexander Liam Hawkins Charlotte Sophie Ward Carrie Leanne Allen Thomas Nevin Smith Kerry Anne Pearce Kathleen Lilian Taylor Aidan Nicholas Stokes Eloisa Florence Souto Kathryn Eleanor Carter Alistair Aaron Jarvis Deaths Margaret Hogan Gertrude Crutchley John Konowalczuk John Ayers Cecelia Rogan Ursule Sakalys James Howe Robert O’Dowd Eileen Orme Special Event in Lent A Penance Service with the opportunity for individual confession will take place on Friday 14th April at 7.30pm History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 1 Wolverhampton. (2000 – 2007) Holy Week Services Passion (Palm)Sunday April 16th 10.00 am Mass (with distribution of Palms) Maundy Thursday April 20th 7.30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Adoration at the Altar of Repose until 11.00 pm (Concluding with Night Prayer of the Church) Good Friday April 21st 3.00pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 7.30pm Stations of the Cross Holy Saturday April 22nd 10 - 12 Noon Confessions 8.00pm The Easter Vigil Easter Sunday April 23rd 8.00am Mass 10.00am Mass In the spring 2000 edition of St Anthony’s News the following articles appeared:- From Our Parish Priest Reflections This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of St Anthony’s school and on Tuesday 13th June, the feast of St Anthony, Bishop Pargeter will visit the parish and celebrate Mass for us at 10.30 am. I hope as many of you as possible will be able to attend. On that day he will also bless the school’s Millennium Garden, which serves as a reminder to us that this is a Jubilee Year, a year of special favour from God, in which we celebrate the 2000th birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. At the Mass on that day, it is my pleasure to announce that Mrs Anne Morgan will receive the special award of ‘Benemerenti’ from His Holiness Pope John Paul II in recognition of her faithful service to the parish and school as well as for her work in the local community. I should like to pay tribute to her excellent contribution over the years to the life and work of the school in particular. The school’s continued success and the Christian values it maintains have been greatly supported and fostered through her leadership and example. Her award is well deserved. Sadly, she will retire from St Anthony’s at the end of the year 2000, and the governors of the school are now engaged in a process of appointing a new headteacher who will carry forward the great work that has been done already and develop it further. I would ask you to pray for a successful outcome to this process. For some inexplicable reason the number of those children entering St Anthony’s school this year is less than in previous years. I would ask those of you who have not enrolled your child to begin school this year to do so as soon as possible. Priority is given to those children from Catholic families living in the parish, but there are usually some spaces available each year for children of non-Catholic families. We have a very good and happy school, committed to high standards in education and the promotion of the Christian values of love of God and our neighbour. I would commend its continued support to you. Finally, as the Season of Lent moves towards the celebration of the great feast of Easter may I remind you that you are most welcome to attend any and all of our Easter Services the details of which are published each week in the parish newsletter and posted on the door of the church. May the light, peace and joy of the Risen Christ dwell in your hearts and homes this Easter. God bless you all. History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 2 Wolverhampton. (2000 – 2007) School News Millennium Mementoes The P.T.A. gave each child in the school a souvenir mug featuring the St. Anthony’s badge and the words ‘celebrating the new Millennium’ The local churches in Fordhouses provided all the school children in the area with a beautifully illustrated copy of St. Mark’s Gospel. The Gospels for our children were blessed by Fr. Tony at the first assembly of the new Millennium and then distributed by the Rev. Philip Dennison from St. James Church. Fund-raising So far in the year 2000, the children have contributed the following;- £100 to the Holy Childhood Missionary Society £50 to UNICEF £200 to ‘Make a Wish Foundation’ They are at present collecting for Father Hudson’s Society which is our annual Lenten good cause, and also buying daffodil badges to support the Marie Curie Cancer Care Foundation. A big thank you from all these very grateful recipients to such generous children and parents. Request for Prayers About three years ago the little sister of three boys at St. Anthony’s was diagnosed as suffering from a form of leukaemia. Hayley Korbaly received treatment including chemotherapy and was able to attend Nursery before starting in Reception class last September. Just before her 5th birthday in February it was learned that she required further treatment. This would mean a bone marrow transplant if a suitable donor could be found. Fortunately her eldest brother Thomas, who now attends Our Lady & St. Chad’s School, was found to be a perfect match. The transplant will go ahead as soon as Hayley is considered ready for it. Please pray for the success of this operation. Hayley is a very brave little girl and our thoughts and prayers are with her and all her family at this very difficult time. A happy and holy Easter to you all. Anne Morgan NOTE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND AMERICANS: One shilling = Five pee. It helps to understand the antique finances of the Witchfinder Army if you know the original British monetary system: Two Farthings = One Ha'penny. Two Ha'pennies = One penny Three pennies = A thrupenny bit Two thrupences = A sixpence Two sixpences = One shilling or bob Two bob = A florin One florin and One sixpence = Half a crown Four half Crowns = Ten bob note Two ten bob notes = one pound (or 240 pennies) One pound and One shilling = One guinea. The British resisted decimalized currency for a long time because they thought it was too complicated. History of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, Page 3 Wolverhampton. (2000 – 2007) Call her Rosemary ! I must begin by apologising for talking about Christmas at Easter but as anyone who knows me will tell you, I’ve never been one to be ‘up to date’. Also, and more importantly, if I leave this until the Christmas issue a good opportunity might be lost. I had this idea you see, well actually I pinched it from the office I work in! At Christmas instead of buying cards for colleagues that you see every working day, we all gave a contribution to charity. Truly a plan with no drawbacks - no wondering that you’ve forgotten someone, no chasing around to deliver on time, plus the money for good causes. So, I thought, what if the good people of St Anthony’s adopted this idea and instead of sending cards to each other, signed a huge card and gave a donation to the Church Roof fund. I’m sure some imaginative individual could make us a card or perhaps a section of wall in the church porch could be set aside for individual cards wishing everyone a happy Christmas. Well, it’s worth a thought. AP. ARENT Full transcript available see Appendix 61 I’M FINE THANK YOU There is nothing the matter with me I’m as healthy as I can be I have arthritis in both of my knees And when I talk I talk with a wheeze. My pulse is weak, my blood is thin But I’m awfully well for the state I’m in. Arch supports I have got for my feet, Or I wouldn’t get onto the street, Sleep is denied me night after night But every morning I find I’m alright. My memory’s failing, my head’s in a spin But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in. How do I know that my youth is all spent? Well my ‘get up and go” just all went But I really don’t mind when I think with a grin I’m awfully well for the shape that I’m in. Old age is golden I’ve oft heard it said But sometimes I wonder as I get into bed Wooden leg in the corner and teeth in a cup Glass eye in the drawer until I wake up Ere sleep overtakes me I say to myself “Is there anything else I could leave on the shelf?” I get up each morning and dust off my wits And pick up the paper and read the ‘obits’ If my name is still missing I know I’m not dead So I have a good breakfast and go back to bed With a packet of fags and a bottle of gin And I really don’t care about the state I get in! History of St.