of the
Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd - Newsletter
|
A Year of Patronage of St. Joseph - Foster father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
|
|
|
LOCKDOWN THREE Due to our Excellent Stewardship we continue to maintain the Church open (for private prayer daily - 8.45 a.m. - 12 noon) and for all celebrations of Holy Mass Thank you for abiding by the direction of the stewards at all times. Our disciplines of "Social distancing", and of receiving the Lord on the throne of the hand only, our constant cleaning of hands with soap under running water, as well as using the cleansing gels. Do this and we can maintain safety for all and continue to remain open. Thank you once again for your kind co-operation. |
ONLINE MASS BOOKINGS: Currently to fulfil "Track & Trace" we must book a place for Mass. Please use either 0794 815 1264 (Marie Langford) or www.massbooking.uk for the time being. |
|
LENTEN THOUGHTS: There is a story told, when Lord Carey was Archbishop of Canterbury. Apparently Mrs Carey answered the telephone one day to the request: "Can I speak with the Archbishop?" to which she replied, "I'm afraid not; it's his day off!" Not to be put off the caller said; "but it will only take ten minutes", to which Mrs Carey replied: "That's what the other 35 callers have already said this morning!" I was thinking of this when deep in preparation of important correspondence that "ping" came from the mobile! Another message. Yes it's tempting to be distracted, but Oh! "After your recent enquiry, please fulfil this survey and let us know how we did!" Waterstones, the book sellers! A quick check of the "bin" to find a further 16 possible surveys, all proclaiming "it'll only take a few minutes of your time!" How long though is a few minutes. However, "Every cloud has a silver lining" we are told, so it set me thinking. Perhaps Lent is the time for a Spiritual Survey! After this week, how much better do I know the Gospels? What are the Corporal Works of Mercy and am I practising them? What are the seven deadly sins? What are the cardinal virtues? What about my personal relationship with My Lord, Jesus? Am I really one of His apostles with a mission, and if I dare, am I an evangelist of His Good News? Well there's still time to rise with Him to a New Life of Baptism at Easter and become a missionary community, seeking out the lost. Take a spiritual health check and see how the Holy Spirit inspires you over the next five weeks! |
|
|
YOU ARE CALLED; ARE YOU LISTENING? + HOLY HOUR & STATIONS OF THE CROSS +. Responding to a request and encouraged by the Bishop's suggestion of creative liturgy, each Saturday for the next four weeks we shall celebrate a Holy Hour at 12 noon in the Church (The Holy Hour for the Little Shepherds of Fatima was a great success!). To fulfil all safety requirements there will be a slight difference to the normal approach of "journeying". The Blessed Sacrament will be on the Sanctuary in Exposition, whilst the Holy Hour will be led with meditations for each Station of the Cross whilst we remain in our places in Adoration. There will be no journeying between each Station to distract from the Blessed Sacrament. Read now below for a further opportunity whilst the Holy Hour continues. |
|
|
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION: Again many have been asking for availability. The Benedictine Fathers have made themselves available for this on a Saturday between 12 and 1 o'clock (post meridian) but fulfilling all social distancing requirements. Therefore we can reverently leave the Holy Hour and go to one of the priests in either of the halls. The space provides necessary air circulation and social distancing. Both priest and penitent must face the same direction and so either a kneeler or chair will be available for use and one of the stewards will immediately sanitise after each penitent. Thus we can celebrate the Sacrament with the Lord in safety during this time of anxiety, assured, we are socially distanced, in a large space with fresh air flow and sanitisation both before and after the Sacrament. |
|
|
EASTER LILIES: The Paschal Candle for Easter and the beyond was delivered this week and sponsored by the generous donation of one of the parishioners. Thank you. Would you like to donate an Easter Lily for one of your loved ones: it could be a birthday, a marriage, an academic achievement, thanksgiving for health, a babies christening; all matters for rejoicing and thanksgiving. You may wish to commemorate a loved one. Easter Lily envelopes for your purchase and dedication are now available in the Church to support the parish Flower Guild. |
|
|
YOU ARE CALLED; ARE YOU LISTENING? Are you looking for a challenge? Why not join the Vocations Team at their Zoom Café on Monday 1st March, 7.30 p.m. - 9 p.m. where you will have an opportunity to ask questions and chat with Religious Sisters and Priests about vocation. A warm welcome awaits you. For further information, or to register your place, please email Diane at vocationsadmin@dioceseofnottingham.uk. They look forward to seeing you (for 18 years and over). |
|
|
ARNOLD FOOD BANK: Thank you for your continued generosity. This is a tremendous ministry in the parish and one of the Corporal Works of Mercy surely, "to feed the Hungry". Thank you also for your kind cooperation in taking your gifts to the Centre Reception Area. This is a tremendous help both practically for Ray who generously takes offerings to the Food Bank each week, and of course ensures hygiene in our present situation. Thank you. |
|
|
FAMILY FAST DAY (Cafod) took place last Friday. There is still time to give to reach vulnerable communities around the world with water and to provide other vital support. Donate online at cafod.org.uk/give or by using one of our envelopes. You can also easily give via text. Text LENT to 70460 to donate £10. Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you'll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you'd like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text LENTNOINFO to 70460. For more information please see our Privacy Policy: cafod.org.uk/Legal-information/Privacy-notice |
|
|
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION: Confirmation. Details and a letter from Fraser were forwarded this week. If you haven't received your yet, please get in touch, and please return the form as soon as possible. We are working for you! First Confession and Holy Communion: As reported last week the Candidates packs are in process of preparation and will be available shortly for collection from the Gilbert Room. You will receive a mailing in this regard during this week with arrangements for collection and advising of the "Zoom" programme that our Catechists, Rachael and Katie are preparing. |
|
|
MARRIAGE PREPARATION: In the first instance, Couples requesting the Sacrament of Marriage should contact Fr. Philipp to make the necessary arrangements. Our Church is a Registered Building for Civil Marriage and Fr. Philipp is the Principle / Responsible Registered Person,). This means that if we fulfil requirements of Church and State, all marriages at the Good Shepherd are fully valid in Church and State. The parish also provides a programme of preparation. |
|
|
ANNOUNCING A GRAND EASTER RAFFLE: Three tremendous, nay sumptuous Easter hampers have been donated to us to support the parish debt. Raffle tickets will be available at a £1.00 for a strip of five and the Raffle will be drawn in time for Easter celebrations in the home. Check out the "Spring Pop Up" in the narthex to support your parish community and take a chance! Your tremendous support for "Dr. Greenfingers Bulb Market" and the "Pop Up with Raffle" over the last few months has been deeply appreciated in meeting the material / financial needs of the parish. |
|
|
APPREICATION FOR THE REPOSITORY: Your continued and tremendous support is much valued. Thank you. Mrs Godfrey continues to refresh the Repository as well as maintaining the much loved devotional articles of Faith. Check out the Repository for your "St. Patrick's Day" and Easter greetings cards and celebratory needs. |
|
|
NEWS FROM OUR FAITH IN FAMILIES COORDINATOR: (Formerly the Catholic Children's Society) Our grateful thanks to all boxholders. Jim Thompson is making arrangements for forwarding your generosity to FIF. Donations can be made "on line" also. Check out Faith in Families (Nottingham) website. |
|
|
THESE WE HAVE KNOWN: The late Paul Vincent Durante RIP of Loretto Cottage, Mapperley Plains, whose Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, 2nd March at 3.15 p.m. prior to Committal at Gedling Crematorium. The late Shirley Burke RIP of Sherwood will be received into the Parish Church on Wednesday, 10th March at 6.00 p.m. in Vigil, prior to Requiem Mass at 11.30 a.m. on Thursday, 11th March. Interment in the family vault at Redhill Cemetery after the Funeral Rites in the Church. The Late Ottavio Giannino RIP of Woodthorpe, whose funeral rites will take place in the Parish Church Wednesday, 17th March at 10.30 a.m. prior to committal at Carlton Cemetery at 11.30 a.m. The Late Kevin Finn RIP, of Arnold who died peacefully this week surrounded by family. Many will remember Kevin, who attended Saturday Vigil with his late wife Roisin RIP for many years here at the Good Shepherd. Arrangements will be announced as soon as they are available. The late Mary Ewart RIP of Coventry, the mother of Carmel Ryan of our parish community, who died peacefully in her 99th year this week. May Our beloved dead now find peace with the Lord, and pray for our union with them once again in the joy of Heaven one day. |
|
|
Dear parishioners: PLEASE CONTINUE to offer courtesy to our neighbours when parking cars in the vicinity of the Church. Thanks! |
|
Last updated 26.2.2020 |
3 Thackeray's Lane, Woodthorpe, Nottingham, NG5 4HT. Tel: (0115) 926 8288