It is with great sadness that we prepare to bid farewell to Father Mark. In barely two years as our PP, all and sundry have grown to love him; for his spirituality, guidance, good humour, care of the elderly, the young and as a tremendous pastor. We are holding a party in the hall on Saturday August 30th, commencing after 6.30 Mass, with Nobby Clarke's music and dancing. We welcome everyone to the event and hope that you will bring along your lovely dishes, as on previous occasions in the hall. A bar will be available. Please add your name to the list on the wall in the vestibule. Any queries/donations to Mary Flood 01242 580456.
We recently saw the first of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Kerala community monthly masses being celebrated here at St Thomas More’s. The mass will alternate monthly between St Peter’s and here. It was encouraging to see such a large number of families coming together to worship and praise God on a Sunday afternoon. You are invited to the mass which will be celebrated by Father Saji at St Thomas More on the 7th September at 5pm, followed by refreshments and an opportunity to meet in the hall.
The last Mass at CGH will be on 12th September. The intention for Majorie Hall will be said privately by one of the Priests.
The Friends of St Mary’s Parish Church present Trio Mellion “The Voice of the Pilgrim”, songs from the 14th Century – Zarah Hible and Ingrid Prosser mezzo soprano, Elizabeth Oxley soprano, at St Mary’s on Friday 12th September at 7.30 pm. No tickets – just come to Cheltenham’s beautiful 11th Century Church. Retiring collection.
This has been celebrated twice at St Gregory’s over the last month. Its popularity had been much under estimated, the first Mass had a congregation of about 100 people and the second of between 50 & 60 people. Among those who attended were the curious, those who wished to be reminded of the Mass of their upbringing and those who had been longing for its celebration for years. While the regularity of the EF mass cannot be guaranteed the next mass will be on Saturday 6th Sept at 11.15am. It is a great opportunity for all to experience the richness of the liturgy of the Church and participate at a Mass in a style different to what we are used to.
Classes for all ages on Wednesdays at Hatherley Village Hall, Up Hatherley. Beginners 5pm. Advanced 5.45pm. £4 a lesson. Non competitive. Come along or call Mary on 01452 856238.
Early in August Pat O’Leary will be moving to Ireland. On behalf of the parish, thank you for all that you have done over the years. Her address will be: 79 Lime Tree Avenue, Kilminchy, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Ireland.
Sarah Hennessey works for the Catholic Children's Society and together with her husband Paul and a team of around 8 other volunteers they will be taking part in the Malmesbury triathlon on 24th August to raise funds for the work of the Society. If you would like to sponsor them, you can do so online at http://www.justgiving.com/ccstriathletes2008/. or alternatively you can send cheques, payable to CCS Adoption, directly to the Society at 162 Pennywell Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0TX. If you are a tax payer and would like to Gift Aid your sponsorship, please contact CCS on 0117 935 0005 or email sarah.hennessey@ccsadoption.org. At any time there are around 4,000 children in the UK waiting for adoptive families who can transform their lives by offering love and stability that they may never have experienced before. With heartfelt thanks for all you do to support our work and every good wish for a happy and relaxing summer.
The Gospel of Matthew shows how Jesus builds on the foundation laid in the Old Testament to inaugurate the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Lessons start with a half hour ‘homework’ review followed by a one hour video.
The course includes:-
Don’t be deterred by the fact that the course goes on for 34 weeks, you can come as often as you can and you certainly won’t be disappointed. The Thursday evening classes begin on 18th September, 7.15pm – 9.00pm and the Friday morning classes start on 19th September 10.00am – 11.45am. The classes will end in the Spring with appropriate breaks for school holidays and half terms. All classes will be held in The Old Priory at St Gregory’s. There will be a small cost of £20 per person to cover materials.
To register please contact Anne Harriss 01242 693378 or Mary Makowski 01242 257713 a.s.a.p.
All Saints Road, Cheltenham on Saturday 6th September from 10.30 – 12.00. All funds are for needy families with children in Bethlehem. Coffee and biscuits, Bric-a- brac, raffle and goods from Bethlehem will be available. £1 admission.
St Joseph’s Parish, Tewkesbury have a one bedroom retirement flat for sale close to Tewkesbury Town Centre in a purpose built block. £87,500 ono. Enquiries to Father Richard Dwyer (01684 293273).
On Saturday 13th September, the Gloucester Historic Churches Trust will be having its annual sponsored Ride and Walk. Every year the Trust makes awards to church communities to maintain their buildings for worship and a significant amount of money awarded is raised through this sponsored event. We are appealing to you to help us give money back to communities which desperately need it in order to keep their churches open. You can do this by taking part or sponsoring a participant. Further information and sponsor forms are available from Sue Holbrook – 01242 577029.
Celebrate is a Holiday conference for all the family, organised by a team from Catholic Charastatic Renewal and opened to Christians from every part of the Body of Christ. It will be held on 1st & 2nd November at St Bede’s College, Bristol. For more information please contact tonywardley@contactme.co.uk / (01242 702211) or sam.loud@yahoo.co.uk / (0117 3306012).
Speaker – Sarah Johnson. Saturday 18th October at 4 pm, The Chapel, Prior Park College, Ralph Allen’s Drive, Bath, BA2 5AQ. Sara is the author of “Daring to be Different” and “Parents on Parenting” and writes for the Catholic Herald, The Times and The Telegraph. Sarah also facilitated a forum on medical ethics at Netherall House, Hampstead. Tickets £5 including light refreshments. Please see poster on notice board for contact details.
Are you Frail, Infirm, Elderly, Disabled or over 75? Do you need transport to help you get out and about? Cheltenham Community Transport can help you. Why not give them a ring and ask for more information. Alternatively, if you have spare time on your hands and drive, why not see if you can help get involved in this community initiative Tel: 01242 515388.
You may be aware that the Diocese is investigating the possibility of Christ College becoming an 11-18 Academy in 2011 in new buildings to be constructed on the current Kingsmead School site. An Academy would provide ‘state of the art’ facilities, an increased number of places for Catholic children, and a sixth form. A Newsletter explaining the project is available at the back of the church. Please take one and use the reply card to convey your views. Further information will be provided in the autumn. Views expressed now and in the autumn will help the Diocese and the Secretary of State to decide, around the end of this year, whether the project should go ahead. The Academy newsletter may be downloaded from the internet at http://www.caa4c.org.uk/. The site has lots of information and a questionnaire that can be filled in online.
On Thursday evenings at St Thomas More. Why not come along and try your luck. Eyes down at 8 pm.
The Gloucestershire Association for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS) can make use of your old computer if you are upgrading. Contact them on 01452 550528 if you have one that might be suitable.
Meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. The programme is for 2nd Tuesday – Catechesis; 4th Tuesday – Socialising, eg bowling, walks, meals and barbecues. For latest news please see the new website at www.cheltenhamcatholicadults.blogspot.com or ring Margaret on 07515 805015 or Damian on 07908 105787.
A date for your diary – a day of Recollection is planned for Saturday 11th October, which will be held at Sacred Hearts Church Hall. Further details later.
Anyone wanting to receive a copy of the Cheltenham Catholic Newsletter by email, please email Paul McCloskey at p.mccloskey@yahoo.co.uk
Sign-up for this useful round-up of news, views, events and other information from around our diocese. It is easy to do, just go to our website www.cliftondiocese.com - click on the newsletter icon and register your email address.
...old but clean hand knitted garments for unpicking and re-knitting. Please telephone 01242 522331. Can be collected by arrangement or dropped off in the sacristy.
Please make all requests for Baptism and Weddings, in writing, to Father Mark. Please Note: at least a months notice is required for baptisms and a minimum of six months notice is required for marriage preparation for the completion of the relevant paperwork and participation on the compulsory preparation courses.
This provides support for marriages, relationships and families. Are you interested in becoming a volunteer? Do you need help? Please see poster in porches for information and contact details.
Are you interesting in becoming a Catholic? If so why not take that first step and approach Father Mark.
The Catholic Children’s Society (CCS) needs adoptive parents for more than 4,000 children seeking a loving and secure family environment. The adoption process is rigorous and at this stage the CCS is asking people to come forward and find out more about adoption. If you are interested please contact CCS Adoption tel: 0117 935 0005 or info@ccsadoption.org. Alternatively, you can visit their website at www.ccsadoption.org where you can also hear podcasts.
This is an organisation which helps single, widowed, separated and divorced Catholics of all ages (over 18 years) meet other single Catholics, either one to one or through social events. All members receive a monthly bulletin, called Catholic Networking. For more information please tel. 0161 941 3498, visit the website www.catholicsingles.org.uk or email info@catholicsingles.org.uk
If you have a problem with alcohol and want some help why not contact ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS on 01452 418515 (24 hour service).