NEWSLETTER OF THE CATHOLIC PARISH OF ST SWITHUN WELLS
12th October 2014
Our Mission: LOVE GOD – LOVE OTHERS – MAKE DISCIPLES
www.stswithunwellsparish.org.uk
Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth
Registered Charity No. 246871
Sunday Cycle: Year A.
Weekday Cycle: Year II
Psalter Week 4
TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
HANDED ON A PLATE
We’re Christians, but most of us didn’t have to do very
much to earn the title. Our parents had us baptised
and sent us to Catholic schools. We were taken to
church as children and the habit has endured into
adulthood. There are few of us who have had to fight
for what we believe. Is it possible that as a result we
are sometimes indifferent to a faith we have been
simply handed on a plate.
In today’s parable, Jesus begins
with images that we can easily understand. A king is giving a wedding banquet in honour of his son.
We can see the parallels; this is
the Kingdom of Heaven, the king
is God the Father, and the son being honoured is Jesus. The king
sends out servants to invite the
chosen guests, but the servants are ignored and even
mistreated. Finally the king gives up on the chosen
guests and invites anyone and everybody who wants
to come. The group of guests who eventually turn up
represent the Gentiles. Then the story takes a peculiar
turn. The king bumps into one of his guests who is not
dressed appropriately and the poor guest is thrown
out into the darkness where there is much weeping
and gnashing of teeth! What’s going on here? This
poor guest didn’t ask to be invited in the first place,
and perhaps he didn’t possess a decent suit! To be
cast out because he wasn’t well dressed seems harsh.
What we must realise is that this story is little to do
with dress code and everything to do with attitude. In
biblical days, when guests arrived at a wedding banquet the appropriate attire was provided at the door.
All the guest had to do was put the attire on. The fact
that the inappropriately dressed guest did not put on
the attire provided now puts him in a different light.
He obviously thought all he had to do was turn up for
the party, and he did so in a spirit of indifference. He
got things very wrong. Similarly sometimes we think
that all we have to do in life is go through the motions. We know that we are all invited to share in
God’s Kingdom, but sometimes we think all we have
to do to get there is attend church and keep some
rules. How often do we sit through Mass thinking of
what we are going to do later in the day? How often
do we switch off to the needs of others? Sometimes
we fail to see Christianity as an all-embracing way of
being, and when we fail to see this we fail to clothe
ourselves in the goodness God expects.
We don’t need to earn our invitation to share in God’s
Kingdom, this is given freely, but we do need to think
long and hard about how we respond.
PRISONERS’ SUNDAY
Pray, Act, Give
Pact is a charity that supports prisoners, exoffenders and their children and families to make a
fresh star and help to reduce the harm caused by imprisonment, particularly for the children and families
who are left behind by providing:
- Family support workers, visitor centres at prisons for families visiting a relative in prison, supervised play areas inside
prisons for prisoners’ children, befrienders in court for when
a family member is sentenced, a helpline for prisoners’ families and friends, resettlement support for ex-offenders.
As Pope Francis has urged us:
"It is not in soul-searching... that we encounter the
Lord. We need to go out to the outskirts where there is
suffering, blood-shed, blindness that longs for sight and
prisoners in thrall"
On this special day, be inspired by his example and:
> Pray for prisoners, their children, families and all of
those affected by imprisonment.
Please see PRISONERS’ SUNDAY prayer on page 3.
> Act by volunteering for Pact.
> Give online at www.prisonadvise.org.uk
Parish Office: St. Edward the Confessor Church, 191/193 Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford, SO53 2DU
Tel.: 023 8027 3882.
Email: [email protected].
Office hours:: Wed 8.30am-4.30pm Thurs 8.30am - 4.30pm Fri 11.30am - 3.00 pm. Newsletter items should be received by Wed 9.00 am
Readings for next Sunday 19th October
Twenty-ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Gospel:
1st reading:
Psalm 95
2nd reading:
Matthew 22.15-21
Isaiah 45:1.4-6
‘Give the Lord glory and power’.
Thessalonians 1.1-5
This week’s Gospel:
Matthew 21:33-43
"Invite everyone you can
find to the wedding”
In this banquet we will be happy
and every tear will be wiped awa
from our eyes.
Journey in Faith –
or Becoming a Catholic
Do you know someone who has expressed an interest in becoming a
Catholic or is curious about what Catholics believe? Do you know an adult who has not been
confirmed yet? Often an invitation from a friend
or neighbour is all a person needs to take the next
step to find out more about the Catholic Church
and its teachings.
If you do, please bring them along to Journey in
Faith, Wednesday evenings
at St Edward the Confessor Church, Chandlers
Ford between 7.30pm and 9pm
Or contact Deacon Paul Owen on 02380 658251
October - Month of the Rosary
The Rosary will be prayed on :
Wednesday, 22 October at 2 pm
At the home of Susan Johnston,
9, Danebury Gardens SO53 4NQ
Tuesday, 28 October, at 7 pm
At the home of Tony & Pauline Wilson,
11, Alexandra Road, SO53 2BP
ST. SWITHUN WELLS FELLOWSHIP GROUP
at St. Swithun Wells Church, Fair Oak
Wednesday 15th October 7.45-9pm
Our second session exploring Pope Francis' "Evangelli
Gaudium" with Deacon Bob Birtles. Everyone is very
welcome.
Enquiries: Peter Baggott: 023 8069 4060
Deacon Bob Birtles: 023 8069 2416
PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE CHANGES
TO THE TIMES OF MASS, ROSARY AND
CONFESSION AT HOLY CROSS CHURCH
First Holy Communion
Preparation
If your child is in school year 3 or
above and would like to make their
First Holy Communion in 2015,
please contact the parish office to register your interest
by Friday 17th October.
The first meeting, for parents only, will be on Tuesday
21st October 7.00pm at St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School, Hillcrest Avenue, Chandlers Ford, SO53
2JP
•
Parents must attend this meeting
•
Bring a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate
•
Application forms will be given out & completed at
the meeting
FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
TIME-OUT ZONE monthly get-together
for everyone aged 15-19 (or aged 14 if in
Year 10): Next session is SUNDAY 26th OCTOBER in
Holy Cross Resource Centre, Eastleigh, 7.00-8.30
pm: games, food, chat and faith-focus.
We are using the new Youth Alpha film clips: this
session - “Who is Jesus?”
New people always welcome - give it a try! Under-18s:
collect a Parental Consent Form from your church or
download from parish website homepage – bring completed form with you.
FOR OUR YOUNG
PEOPLE
Next session of INSPiRE for anyone in School
Years 6 to 9 is WEDNESDAY 22nd OCTOBER
from 7.00-8.30pm in Holy Cross Resource Centre. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to get together once a month with other young people
from across the parish, while thinking about
what it means to be a Christian.
If you haven’t been before, you will need to
bring a completed Parental Consent Form - collect one from your church or download from the
parish website homepage.
WEEKLY MEDITATION PRAYER
Every Friday 11am at The Wisdom Centre
www.christianmeditation.org.uk
WE STILL NEED ONE MORE PERSON TO
COME FORWARD. DRIVERS URGENTLY
NEEDED A St Swithun Wells school bus based at
St Andrew's, needs more drivers before it can
operate for children in the St Andrew's area. Without it some
families are prevented from attending. We need a roster of 3
or 4 MEN OR WOMEN to make it feasible.
One person is unlikely to take it on,
but could. Drivers will be paid.
If you can help, call Graham Alldred on 01794 517 360 or St Edward's Parish office.
CLEANERS NEEDED AT THE RESOURCE CENTRE
BEHIND HOLY CROSS CHURCH. We are trying
to organise a rota. If you can spare some time,
please contact Jackie Higgins on 02380 620718.
We welcome into our Community of Faith:
Lila Newey who will be baptised on Sunday
12th at Holy Cross Church
SCHOOL OPEN DAYS
St Mary’s College
www.stmaryscollege.co.uk
Wednesday 22nd October, 9-12.30pm
Thursday 23rd October , 9-12.30pm
Coffee at St Edward’s
every Wednesday after
10.00am Mass.
Churches Together in Eastleigh
19th October at 3.00pmn at St Boniface
Rededication of the Chandler’s Ford
War Memorial.
Anchor Training for
Catechists
22nd November, 10am-1pm
St Edward the Confessor, Chandler's Ford
with an optional workshop in the afternoon.
Bring a packed lunch. The day is free of charge.
Come and find out about this simple, interactive faith formation for adults. Anchor is a
simple Faith resource which allows adults to
discover or rediscover the essentials of the
Catholic Faith through Scripture and art.
www.anchoryourfaith.com
DO NOT
STAND STILL.
WE ALL HAVE
TO WALK, TO
TAKE A STEP
EVERY DAY,
WITH THE
LORD’S HELP.
Pope Francis addressing
prisoners at Isemia prison.
Christmas Cards on Sale
at St Edward’s during the weekweek-ends
18th/19th & 25/26th October
There will be also a CAFOD information table
where you can find out more about CAFOD,
our Parish Connect 2 Project and how you can
help CAFOD in ways which will not cost you
anything!!
To the whole Parish for your
generosity for the Harvest Fast
Appeal. If you forgot your envelope last week, you can still hand it in this week
KNIT & NATTER at St Edward’s
13th October 2-4pm.
Every 2nd Monday in the month.
Come and meet new people and remember,
if you can’t knit, you can natter… Tea and coffee provided.
Any queries: Maureen Stephenson 02380 252104
PRISONERS’ SUNDAY PRAYER
Good and Gracious god,
In your Son Jesus Christ
You offer us the way to new life.
We pray:
For those imprisoned by grief and fear as a result of the
actions of others
For those imprisoned in gaol and cell as a result of their
own actions; and
For those who can find no other life that in the never ending imprisonment of evidence and crime
Jesus said come to me all who are weary and carry heavy
burdens: Give those who are wearied by imprisonment the
courage to change; and to those who carry the burden of
another’s imprisonment, an abiding hope, so that we and
all your children may be free.
We ask this in Jesus ’name.
RIP
Remember in your prayers the soul of:
Monica O’Driscoll
whose Requiem Mass will be celebrated at
St Edward’s on Tuesday 14th October at 11.30am.
May her soul rest in peace
NEXT WEEK’S SECOND COLLECTION
FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS
WE ACKNOWLEDGE WITH THANKS
Last week’s collections (incl weekly standing orders)
St Edward the Confessor: £347.55 (S/O £816.15)
Special Collection for CAFOD: £1,156.68 (incl £131.68 gift aid)
Our Lady Queen of Apostles: £2823.50 (S/O £438.46)
Special Collection for CAFOD: £263.15
Holy Cross & St. Swithun Wells: £416.31 (S/O £315.02)
Special Collection for CAFOD: £496.04
St. Joseph’s & St. Andrew’s: £606.58 (S/O £409.78)
Special Collection for CAFOD: £555.01
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES: St Swithun Wells Primary School 023 8026 6210; St George Catholic V.A. College 023 8032 2603;
St Anne’s Catholic School 023 8032 8200;
Charlton House 023 8067 7575 / St Mary’s College 023 8067 1267
Mass Times for our Six Church Communities
PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE CHANGES TO THE MASS , ROSARY & CONFESSION TIMES AT HOLY CROSS
TIME
CHURCH
9.300am
HC
Sat 11th
5.00pm
St Sw
Vigil Masses
6.00pm
OLQA
6.00pm
St J
6.30pm
St Ed
Nijolé Vilimé RIP
Sun 12th
28th Sunday of
9.00am
9.00am
HC
St Ed
Polska Msza Święta
Paulina Lesniczuk FM
Ordinary Time
9.15am
SA
DATE
Sat 11th
MASS INTENTION
DATE
TIME
CHURCH
Eileen Monaghan RIP
Thurs 16th
9.30am
HC
Maria Jacobs RIP
St Hedwig
10.00am
St Ed
6.00pm
St J
Fri 17th
9.30am
HC
St Ignatius of
Antioch
10.00am
St Ed
6.00pm
St J
9.30am
HC
MASS INTENTION
Our Lady on Saturday
9.30am
11.00am
Eileen Alford & Family
Annie Carville RIP
OLQA
SA
Holy Souls RIP
11.00am
HC
Mon 13th
10.00am
St Ed
St Edward The
Confessor
10.00am
10.00am
HC
Holy Souls RIP
OLQA
Tues 14th
9.30am
HC
St Callistus I
10.00am
St Ed
10.00am
10.00am
OLQA
SA
Wed 15th
9.30am
HC
St Teresa of Avila
10.00am
St Ed
St Sw 9.30 am
Eleonor de Melo’s Bday
Sat 18th
Michael Lane FM
Holy Souls in purgatory specially
dedeased member of FOSS
St Luke
People of the Parish
Sat 18th
5.00pm
St Sw
Helen Christian FM
Vigil Masses
6.00pm
OLQA
6.00pm
St J
Nathaniel Parris-Dollard’s Bday
6.30pm
St Ed
People of the Parish
Requiem Mass. Monica O’Driscoll Sun 19th
9.00am
HC
Polska Msza Święta
9.00am
9.15am
St Ed
SA
9.30am
OLQA
11.00am
SA
11.00am
HC
29th Sunday of
Ordinary Time
Joanna Wilson-Brosnan RIP
Monday
Jackie Callow RIP
Olivia Lee RIP
Thanks giving - Joseph Anthraper
The Holy Rosary followed at 10.00am by Morning Prayer with Word and Communion
(cancelled if there is a Mass at Holy Cross at 10.00 on Mon am)
St J
7.30 pm
St Ed 9.30 am
AND
St J
6.00 pm
PRAYERS St A 10.00 am
St Ed 8.25 am
HC
9.10am
ROSARY
St Ed
HC
St Sw
St A
St J
OLQA
Tuesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday
Saturday
The Holy Rosary in the Oratory of Marie Louise House, Newton Lane, Romsey
The Holy Rosary
Evening Prayer with Word and Communion
Morning Prayer with Word and Communion
The Holy Rosary
The Holy Rosary
St. Edward the Confessor,191-193, Winchester Rd, Chandler’s Ford, SO53 2DU
Holy Cross, 53, Leigh Road, Eastleigh. SO50 9DF
St. Swithun Wells, Allington Lane, Fair Oak, SO50 7DB
St. Andrew’s, Fleming Avenue, North, Baddesley SO52 9EP
St. Joseph’s Oratory, 26 Abbey Water, Romsey, SO51 8EJ
Our Lady Queen of Apostles, Martin Street, Bishops Waltham. SO32 1DN
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Tuesday Thursday Thursday Friday -
HC No Adoration. Holy Hour 7-8pm
St Ed after Mass, closing with Benediction 8.30pm
St J from 12.00 noon until 6.00pm.
St A following Morning Prayer until 11.00am
Malayam (Syro-Malabar) Rite
1st Friday of the month 5.00 pm
The Holy Rosary, followed by Mass at
Holy Cross.
Fr David O’Sullivan Tel: 023 8061 2430
(Parish Priest)
mob: 07554 427063
[email protected]
Deacon Bob Birtles Tel: 023 8069 2416
[email protected]
www.deaconbob.co.uk
Fr George Ngwa Tel: 02380620795
[email protected]
Tel: (Assistant Priest)
Deacon John di Meo Tel: 01794 515688
[email protected]
Canon Alan Griffiths (Assistant Priest)
[email protected]
CONFESSION (SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION)
POLISH PRIEST : Fr Zbigniew Budyn
Tel: 023 8178 6316
Deacon Paul Owen Tel: 023 8065 8251
[email protected]
Deacon Paul Hollingworth Tel: 01794 524287
[email protected]
Saturdays:
Co-ordinator & Adviser for Catechesis & Formation:
10.00am Holy Cross Church
Richard Martin Tel:023 8065 8338
RETIRED PRIEST: Fr David Whitehead
12 noon St. Edward the Confessor Church
[email protected]
5.30pm Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church Holy Cross Resource Centre & Fin Admin: Twitter:@RichSSW
Linda Roberts Tel: 023 8065 8339
5.30pm St. Joseph’s Parish Centre.
Sundays:
8.45am St. Andrew’s Church.
[email protected]
Parish Administrator: Cristina Carretero
Tel: 023 80 27 3882
[email protected]