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Parish News for the
Catholic Parish of St John the Baptist, Andover
North West Hampshire Pastoral Area
St John the Baptist, Andover and St John Fisher, Whitchurch
Office: Alexandra Rd, Andover, SP10 3AD Tel: 01264 352829
Father Austin email: agurr@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Office email: stjtb@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Website: www.catholic-andover.org.uk
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Jackie Kelly: cp_stjohntb@btinternet.com
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9.00am - 3.00pm. NB: CLOSED on Wed.
10th and 11th January 2015 - The Baptism of the Lord
Thought for the Week
There is something enormously moving about the picture of Jesus going down into the waters of the Jordan. It is an
embrace of his mission. It is an entry into the world of human suffering. It is a sign of his humility, for John the Baptist
regarded Jesus as supremely holy. Accordingly, Jesus had no need of baptism. But he enters into the waters as a sign of
his solidarity with humankind. He will be with men and women in their weakness, so that they may become strong. He
will be with them in their suffering, so that he can bring them healing. He will be with them in their ‘lostness’, so that he
can help them to find the way.
The baptism also points forward, to the whole life of the Church. Jesus enters into the life of the world so that we can,
in our turn, enter deeply into his life. Hence John the Baptist's prediction that Christ will baptise with the Holy Spirit.
Christ has come among us as God's living presence among us, so that we, in all the perplexities of life, can have the grace
of the Holy Spirit to encourage us and guide us. The waters of the Jordan become a river that flow through every font,
and through it every generation has the opportunity to come to know Christ and to share his life, because this is the first
of the sacraments and the beginning of sacramental life.
Life never seems completely free of conflict. There are misunderstandings and differences in places of work, in
families, in communities. More seriously, from time to time we become aware of forces which threaten to undermine
all that is good. Jesus in stepping into the waters of baptism showed his willingness to engage with this sinfulness of the
world. In his whole life, his ministry, his teaching, his death and resurrection, he wrestled with and overcame the sources
of sin and conflict. When we find ourselves struggling with the same things, we need to reflect, perhaps, that this is our
baptismal calling. We are joined to Christ in baptism, and we therefore join him in the struggle for good against evil, for
truth over against lies, for holiness against sin.
And if we feel sometimes that the struggle is hard, we need to remember what St John tells us in the letter we hear
from him today, that in Christ the victory is already assured. Our translation from the Jerusalem Bible with its antiquated
language of begetting rather obscures the point. Here is the New Revised Standard Version (1 John 5.4-5): Whatever is
born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the
world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?' We shared not only his death in baptism, but also his
resurrection.
Fr Terry Tastard
Diocesan Prayer Intentions: 11th January 2015 - 17th January
These are arranged so that in the course of a year we pray for each parish of our Diocese and the Catholic organisations
within it. Sunday: Those to be baptised this year, their godparents, families and catechists.
Monday: ‘Called and Gifted’ Programme Tuesday: Catenian Association. Wednesday: Army Chaplains and Personnel.
Thursday: Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Chaplains and Personnel.
Friday: Verbum Dei Communities in the Diocese. Saturday: Parish of Holy Family, Southampton.
Festive Thanks . . .
.
Thank you to everyone for the many generous gifts, cards, ‘Christmas cheer’ and good wishes I received for this
Christmas Season, your kindness and thoughtfulness is very much appreciated. I would like to wish you all a very
Happy and Holy 2015 and may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts and in your homes. Father Austin.
Thank you to the flower arrangers - to Pat, Fran and Heather - for their talents and time - the flowers in the Church
this Christmas were simply gorgeous! Well done! (If anyone would like to join this talented bunch then please give Pat
a ring on 357369) Thank you also, to all the cleaners who made the Church sparkle - they would love to have more
hands to help them! (If that’s you, then please contact Margaret on 365790)
Thank you to Chris and Kathy Kirby for giving up their time (again) to arrange the crib in the Church - your hard work is
much appreciated, not least by the Knight of the Holy Sepulchre who are the recipients of the crib offerings for their
work in the Holy Land . A total of £245.39 was collected.
St John the Baptist Primary School Applications for September 2015
If you have sent in your application to the school it is VERY IMPORTANT that you make sure
that you have sent in your SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FORM.
If you haven’t, then you must contact the school as a matter of urgency, as there is a high
risk of you not being offered a place for your child.
The school number is 01264 361806
Refresher Course for Child Protection/Vulnerable Adults on Saturday 17 th January @ 10.00am – 12.30pm
Venue: St John the Baptist, Alexandra Road, Andover SP10 3AD
This training is aimed at those who had training in Child Protection and/or Vulnerable Adults over 3 years ago and are
now required to attend a refresher session. However, those who have not yet attended any Safeguarding training in the
Diocese are also able to attend as it will provide an understanding until they are able to undergo full training by the
Diocese. People who wish to attend will need to register with Soraya Ciccarone PA to Diocesan Safeguarding
Co-ordinator & Diocesan Financial Secretary Tel: 023 92 816396/023 92 825430 Email:
soraya@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk to book a place so that a check can be kept on numbers attending .
Bible Study Group
The first meeting will be on January 19th at 7.30pm in the parish hall. The books have all been ordered and we
are assured that they will be delivered well before that date. The cost of each book is £5.99 and can be paid for at this
first meeting. Any questions, please contact Rosemary Beckingham or Sharon O'Leary.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
The week of prayer for Christian Unity for 2015 runs from 18th January to 25th January. To celebrate this, some churches
will be exchanging ministers to preach at services, there will be lunchtime prayer sessions during the week and there will
be a united service to finish the week.
The Lunchtime Prayer Sessions will take place at Bridge Street Methodist Church from 12.30pm to 1.00pm from Monday
to Friday starting on 19th January and finishing on 23rd January. Each session will be followed by the opportunity to
have a cup of tea or coffee afterwards. Different church leaders will be leading the sessions through the week.
The United Service takes place at Andover Baptist Church on Sunday 25th January starting at 6.30pm.
Do make the most of these opportunities to celebrate our oneness in Christ.
Catenian’s Wednesday Walk . . . .
Come and join us on Wednesday 28th January - for a walk followed by lunch! We meet at The George in Vernham Dean
at 11.00am where we will end up for lunch at the end of our walk. Everyone is welcome to come along to get some fresh
air, some exercise with good company and a well deserved lunch at the end!
CAFOD NEWS
We wish you a very Happy New Year and would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the support you have
given us in 2014. Last year, advertising in parish newsletters really helped us reach more people across the diocese, we
really appreciate it. We are also aware of many links made to our blog (www.cafodportsmouth.wordpress.com)
on parish websites. Thank you for that too. It all helps.
CAFOD Portsmouth Supporters’ Meeting
CAFOD Portsmouth will be holding a meeting for all supporters on Saturday 31st January 2015
from 10.00am until 1.30pm at St Bede’s RC Primary School (Popley Way, Basingstoke, RG24
9DX ). Booking essential. Please ring 01252 329385 or email: portsmouth@cafod.org.uk by
26th January 2015.
CAFOD are thrilled to announce that all their Lenten fundraising will have double the impact this year because they
have been awarded UK Aid Match funding for their Lent 2015 appeal. This means the UK Government will match pound
for pound every donation given to the appeal, up to a total of £3.5 million. All donations made as a result of your
Lenten activities that happen from Ash Wednesday 18th Feb 2015 to Wednesday 17th May 2015 will qualify.
Lent Fast Day itself will be on Friday 27th February 2015.
New Year’s Resolution
Could you help out CAFOD in 2015? We really need people to help in a wide variety of ways. For more information please
go to cafodportsmouth.wordpress.com or contact Lynda at the CAFOD office on 01252 329385
or email Portsmouth@cafod.org.uk
A Day with Mary
at St John’s Catholic Cathedral, Portsmouth on Saturday 7th February 2015.
A day of instruction, devotion and intercession based on the message given at Fatima in 1917.
8.45 am Video presentation in the Cathedral Hall on the Message of Fatima
10.00 am Mass in Honour of Our Lady - Celebrant and preacher: The Rt Rev Philip Egan: Entry
Procession of Our Lady. Angelus Crowning. Sung Litany
The Five Joyful Mysteries
12.00 pm Lunch break (Please bring packed lunch)
1.00 pm Exposition and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Luminous Mysteries
Sermon on Our Lady by Canon Dominic Golding VG
The Five Sorrowful Mysteries. Silent Adoration.
Meditations on the Passion
3.15 pm Tea break
3.45 pm Sermon on Our Lady by Fr John Lawrence Polis FI
The Five Glorious Mysteries. Act of Consecration. Benediction
Enrolments in the Brown Scapular and Miraculous Medal Finish 5.00 pm
During the day: Confession and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Special Collections since September 2014 . . . . (with Gift Aid, not including direct cheques to the charity)
Very many thanks for the following collections - your generosity is, as ever, outstanding.
Home Mission Sunday - £345.65; Racial Justice - £365.50
Cathedral - £552.58; CAFOD Harvest Fast Day - £1,755.44
Missio - £1,158.22; Bamenda - £1028.28
Below is the list of second collections for the coming year. If you would like to Gift Aid these collections (and your
regular donations to the Parish) then it’s easy. Simply contact the Parish Office and we will send you the relevant forms.
All it takes is a simple Gift Aid declaration form and your details (which are confidential, and never shared with a third
party) plus a signature and everyone can benefit from an extra 25% . Free and without any hassle. You can have a box
of envelopes which are all dated with a number on them and use them for future collections - they are simple and
easy to use!
CAFOD Lent Fast Day - 27th February
Volunteer Missionary Movement Appeal - 14th/15th MArch
Clergy Training Fund - 26th April
World Communications– 17th May
Peter’s Pence - 28th June
Apostleship of the Sea - 12th July
I know Christmas has only just passed, but this is just to let you know that our CAFOD Lent Soup Lunches begin on
Monday 23rd February and will be held each Monday until 30th March. Mass on those Mondays will be at 11.30am.
Youth Ministry Volunteer wanted for NWHANTS Pastoral Area
We are currently looking for an enthusiastic young volunteer to commit for a period of 2 years on a part time basis to
help out with our exciting youth ministry activities and WYD 2016 preparations. The work required would average
between 7 and 10 hours per week to be worked mainly during evenings or/and weekends. In return, we will cover the
cost and expenses for you to study a Foundation Degree in Youth Ministry at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
The course is part time over 2 years and comprises distance learning along with occasional classroom lectures
(for which travel expense will be covered). Working under the supervision of the Project Coordinator you will gain
substantial knowledge and experience to transmit your faith and inspire the young people of our parishes.
Should you wish to carry on with your personal development, you could gain a BA in Theology by studying one more
year straight after successful completion of your FDYM. Application deadline is 16th February 2015 and the hope is that
your would start your studies after Easter 2015 but there is some flexibility on dates. For further information, please
contact Angie Carroll on 07462011155 asap.
Parishioner (housebound) needs help to resolve a small problem on his computer (to do with his NIS, and one or two
other issues). Anyone able to help please contact Patrick Pontet-Piccolomini 07748 944 147 or patrick@pontet.com.
If your New Year’s Resolution is to get fitter, then . . . . every Monday from 10.00am - 11.00am there is now a
Keep Fit Class in the Parish Hall. It is run by Anne Horner of the Fitness League. (www.thefitnessleague.com)
For further info please contact Anne on 394925
Mass Times and Intentions from 1-th January - 23rd January
Reconciliations each Saturday in Andover from 5.15pm - 5.45pm, and in Whitchurch before Sunday Mass.
Sat. 10th
Andover
Mass
6.00pm Carole Sellors RIP
Sunday 11th - The Baptism of the Lord
Whitchurch Mass
Reconciliations before Mass
9.00am John James McGlynn RIP - Anniversary
Farleigh School Mass 10.00am Andover
Mass
10.30am Irene Coveney RIP - Anniversary
Mon. 12th
Andover
Mass
10.00am Eddie Flood RIP
Tue. 13th
Andover
Mass
10.00am Louisa May Collins RIP - Anniversary
Andover
Wed. 14th
7.00pm - 7.30pm Healing Prayers
Andover
SOW
Thur. 15th Whitchurch Mass
10.00am -
10.00am Reverend Dom David Herbert O’Brien OSB (Ampleforth) RIP
Fri. 16th
Mass at St John the Baptist School at 9.30am - Special Intention
Sat. 17th
Andover
Mass
Andover: The Rosary
will be said each Saturday
morning at 10.00am and after
Mass or SOW on Fridays.
6.00pm Clifford Ramsubag RIP
Sunday 18th January - Second Sunday of Ordinary Time
Whitchurch Mass
9.00am Patrick White RIP
Farleigh School Mass 10.00am -
Andover
Andover
Mass
10.30am Kathleen Stefano RIP - Anniversary
Polish Mass 6.00pm - Confessions (Polish) from 5.00pm
Mon. 19th
Andover
Mass
10.00am Berendina Norton - For health and strength
Tue. 20th
Andover
Mass
10.00am The Intentions of the Calder Family
Andover
7.00pm - 7.30pm Healing Prayers
Wed. 21st
Andover
Thur. 22nd
No Service -
Fri. 23rd
Andover
SOW
10.00am -
Mass
10.00am Stan Evans RIP
Whitchurch: The Rosary
will be said each
Thursday morning at 9.30am.
Please pray for Eva Boshier, Patrick Pacini, Patricia Delahey, Daphne Channing, Debbie Smythe, Raiko Tyler, Kay Porter,
Audrey Stephenson, Jo Parker, Ian Johnson-Ferguson, Trisha Hillier, Esmé Coveney, Beatrice Bradley,
Fr Bob Ellwood SMM, Almuth Fisher, Maureen Bennett, Patrick Stewart, Frances Townend, Arthur and Sheila Cuffley,
Heinrich ’H’ Nita, Andrew Brown, Bill Hayes, Doreen Burke, Rita Lane, Mary and Alan Daws, Mary Lay,
Rosalie Fitzgibbon, Berrie Norton, Nan Mundy, Jean Charlwood, Anne Holt, Barry Addison, Cyril Twist
Tony Jackson and all those in need of our prayers.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of Mary Hughes, Richard Arnold-Jones and Penny Mussert.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.
Could all Ministers of the Word check if you have received your Reading List for January to April 2015 either in your
e-mails or via the pigeon holes in the porch.
If you haven't then please contact John Scicluna as soon as possible.
The next Baptism Preparation Course will be on February 27th and March 6th. Start time 7.30pm in the presbytery.
You can find registration forms in the porch and they are available to download from the Parish Website.
Please note that a course must be competed prior to arranging your baby’s baptism.
________________________________________________________________________
The next Marriage Preparation Course will be held on the following Sundays:
January 18th and 25th and February 1st, 8th and 15th Each evening will begin at 7.00pm in the presbytery.
If you are planning to get married in the coming year then you must contact the Parish Office and book your place on the
course. This also applies if you are resident in the parish but are planning to get married in another parish. In order to
complete paperwork, a minimum of six months notice of a forthcoming marriage is requested.