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St Clare of Assisi
Catholic Church
DOWNSFIELD ROAD, CHESTER CH4 8HH
Priest: Fr Martin Onuoha, mobile: 07748229598 .
Tel 01244 671015,
Diocese of Shrewsbury, Registered Charity 234025.
Parish Website: www.stclareschester.org
Psalter Week I
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT 22nd February 2015
St Clare s Year of Outreach
DEDICATION: February is dedicated to The Holy Family
Day of Prayer for The Unemployed
THE NEED OF A CHANGE OF MIND
Is there any relationship between what is going on in
our world and the message of Christ? Does our faith have any answers to the ongoing tragedies caused by human stupidity, viciousness, and evil that we witness
day after day and week after week?
Jesus, fortified by his testing in the desert, begins his
public ministry by proclaiming the "good news of God." (Mk 1:12-15) This good
news is that the moment of fulfilment had arrived, that God's kingdom is near. To
believe in this Kingdom, though, repentance is needed, "a change of mind".
In a real sense, this sums up the purpose of Lent. Like Jesus we spend time in "the
desert" in order to purify our minds and hearts in order to gain "a change of mind." A crucial part of
this change of mind is not to act "like the world;" not to repay violence with violence and not to succumb to hatred - even hatred of those who have committed unspeakable atrocities. The good news
is only recognizable when we "put on Jesus Christ" and imitate the example he set for us.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS: every Friday in Lent, immediately after the 7pm mass. Please volunteer on the sheet at the back of Church if you can lead any of the Fridays.
CONFESSION also available at this time
THE GIFT OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE The Bishops of England and
Wales have asked us to reflect on the gift of Marriage and Family Life. Therefore
during Lent after the Saturday evening and Sunday Masses , there will be a
meeting (just 30-40 minutes) in the Parish Room, to discuss a bible passage and
consider the questions in the leaflet enclosed with the Newsletter,
This week the first passage is Genesis 12: 1-9 and the
question to consider is What are your joys and hopes of marriage and family life today?
The Bishops wish to hear the views of you, the laity, so please pray
about the contents of the leaflet, and come to share your views with the group after each weekend
Mass. A leader will have been nominated to chair each meeting, and to report back to Fr Martin. He
will then report back to the diocese for onward transmission to Rome to be considered at the 2015
Synod in Rome on the Family.
Remember please to pray for special blessings on
Oldfield Way
Each week the parish community is asked to pray for all in our parish area, especially for the intentions of all
the residents of a particular road. This week may we please ask you to pray for God s blessings and graces
on all on Oldfield Way Next week Argyll Avenue.
Weekend Masses:
Confessions
Saturday 6pm
Saturdays 5pmSunday 9.30am
5.45pm and by
11.15am(Latin)
arrangement
Weekdays: Please see back page
Children s Liturgy
Sundays 9.30am
in Sacristy
For Baptisms, Confirmation,Weddings and Funerals:
Please call or email Fr Martin at the
contacts above.
EASTER CHICKS. They are being knitted
now so Cream Eggs are needed. Give to
Judy please.
ANNIVERSARY
Please remember Lucia Baldaz in your
prayers during the week as her anniversary
falls about now.
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR
SICK
Tracy Alman, Margaret Borrows, Joan Bullough, Jack
Cannon, Rita Cannon, Pat
Cleaver, Andy Cowley,
Helen Creaney, Peter Curtis, Marion Davies, Edward,
Emmanuelle, Erica Finn,
Mary Frain, William Galvin, Michelle Gentile,
Halina Holman, Dave & Kim Horton, Ann &
Arthur Hunter, Julie May Gibson, Joan
F.John Hall, Kath Heffernan, Hilary, Ken
Houghton. Injured people in Palestine & Syria
Alan Joinson, Gladys Joinson, Elizabeth, Ann
Leach, Sandra Lenel, M.D.,Monica Mannion,
Mary McDonough, Zoe Murray, Peter Nickson, Ann O Gorman, Enid Owen, Rosemary
Prendergast, Pam Roberts, Ann Sanderson,
Elizabeth Shaw, Peggy Shone, Freda Tyldesley, J.T, Marcelo Vignau and Gaynor Whitmarsh.
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS ILL?
Whether Catholic, non-catholic
or non-Churchgoing, Father Martin would
be very pleased to visit them. With their
permission, just give him a ring to arrange
FOOD BANK COLLECTION
The next collection will be NEXT weekend,
28 February/1 March, In addition to the
regular non-perishable food items slicingTinned meats Sponge puddings tinned or mi
crowaveable.Toiletries (but not toilet paper) F
eminine hygiene products Disposable razors
Tin openers for homeless people
TEA/COFFEE is available in the Parish
Room after the Sunday 9.30 am Mass. Or
even before the 11.15 Mass. Tea or coffee
on Sunday provided by CAFOD.
SATURDAY EVENING MASS. Tea/Coffee is
available on Saturdays after Mass.
Church Cleaning Group 2
DATES FOR OUR DIARY:
Sundays in Lent: Discussion in parish Room
Fridays in Lent: Stations of the Cross/
Confessions
March 4 SVP fundraising play Port Sunlight..
March 6 Woman s World Day of Prayer.
1030am Salvation Army Citadel, St Anne Street
Newtown.
March 20-22. Pantasaph Weekend Retreat.
God Alone Is Enough . Charismatic Renewal
Retreat led by Fr Chris Thomas.
July 11.National Catholic Evangelisation Conference, Birmingham.
HOLY FATHERS INTENTIONS FEBRUARY
General Intention: That prisoners, especially
the young, may be able to rebuild lives of dignity.
For Evangelization: That married people who
are separated may find welcome and support in
the Christian community.
JUSTICE AND PEACE. J&P Election Planning Meeting due to be held on Saturday 28
February at St Columba s in Chester from
10.30am to 12.30pm. To register for the day
please contact Pauline McCulloch at the Curial
Offices telephone 0151 652 9855 or email
Pauline.mcculloch@dioceseofshrewsbury.org.
NOTICE TO PARISHIONERS AND FIRST
COMMUNION CANDIDATES
Parents, don t forget to bring your
signature letter to each Mass, and parishioners
you may be asked to sign one as part of welcoming the children into the fullness of our
community
THE ROSARY
is said 20 minutes before every Mass
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY
COMMUNION AND LECTORS
The Diocesan Liturgy Commission invites all
Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion on the Wirral to: A TRAINING DAY
on 28th February at Ellesmere Port Catholic
High School Capenhurst Lane, Ellesmere Port,
Cheshire, CH65 7AQ.
Please inform Fr Martin that you are willing
to attend and he will be submitting a list of
names from the parish. The Day will start 10am
and conclude at 3pm with the commissioning of
all the attendees at 3pm. Please see the poster
at the back of church for more details.
PROCLAIM 15 PRAYER: Loving Father, You so loved the world that you sent us your only Son, that
we might believe in him and have eternal life. May we encounter Jesus Christ anew this day and live the
Good News with joy. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to go out to the whole world and proclaim our faith with confidence. Give us the courage to witness to the Joy of the Gospel by our words and
actions. Help our parish to become more welcoming and missionary, so that you may be known and loved
by all people. We make this prayer through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever, Amen.
Our Lady, Star of the New Evangelisation, Pray
for us. Blessed John Henry
Newman, Pray for us.
St Thérèse of Lisieux, Pray for us.
The Call, the Journey and the Mission
Pope Francis describes marriage and family
life as a call, a journey and a mission and he
has asked the whole church to reflect on this
gift: how we proclaim it, how we live it and
how we support each other, especially when
family life is difficult. Your input is needed.
ADORATION
Every Sun and Wed
Tuesday and Thursday
8.30-9.30am.
3- 4pm.
A Holy Hour in front of the Blessed
Sacrament is worth more than a thousand years
of human glory -St Padre Pio
VACANCY-SCHOOL CHAPLAIN The Governors of St Nicholas Catholic High School (Northwich,
Cheshire) wish to appoint a School Chaplain to work with school staff to ensure the Catholic ethos of the
school is maintained and spiritual values safeguarded Application forms and full details are available to
download from www.st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk.
DAY OF REFLECTION
organised by
'A.C.T.S ('ADULT CATHOLICS TOGETHER
SPIRITUALLY'). Sat 28nd February Wistaston Hall,
Crewe CW2 8JS 9.30am- 5pm . The theme of
the day is, 'The Tale in the Sting' - a look at the parables. Cost £20 (£15 for unemployed/students). If
you are aged 18 35 you are more than welcome
to join us, or wish to know more about it please
contact Siobhan at siobhanbc@talktalk.net or
tel: 0161 477 2783 / 07761 138947 .
OPPOTUNITIES FOR CATECHISTS
Formation day for all catechists Sat 14th March
A look at First Sacraments Tues 21st April
Sharing the Word with children Tuesday 28 April
RCIA an invitation Tuesday 16 June
Conference for Confirmation Catechists
Saturday 20th June
Other dates and various venues available
See Fr Martin, or Pauline McCulloch on:
0151 652 9855
CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY. The first of this year s family Fast Days is on Friday 27 February.
Please collect an envelope as you leave mass this weekend and then REMEMBER to bring it back
(with contents) next weekend for the retiring collection, and Gift Aid it if you can. Storms,
droughts and floods are having a devastating impact on our poorest brothers and sisters around
the world right now. CAFOD works with local expert organisations to ensure that the affected people are not only able to survive, but to thrive. There is good news too: the UK Government has
promised to match every pound and penny you give this Lent to the value of £5m.
There will be a Lent Fast Day Supper at St Clare's (Soup and bread) in the Parish Room after
Stations of the Cross on Friday 27 February, please do join us.
CHESTER FRIENDS OF PALESTINE Wednesday 25 February at 7pm - invite you to "The
Stones Cry Out" - a Film by Yasmine Perni showing at The Unitited Church, Garden Lane, Chester
(Formerly the Methodist Church). Admission £3. chesterfriendsofpalestine@hotmail.com
Catholic Teaching
Apostolic Tradition and ecclesial traditions
The Tradition here in question comes from
the apostles, and hands on what they received from Jesus' teaching
and example ,and what they learned from the Holy Spirit. The first
generation of Christians did not yet have a written New Testament, and the New Testament itself
demonstrates the process of living Tradition.
Tradition is to be distinguished from the various theological, disciplinary,
liturgical or devotional traditions, born in the local churches over time. These are the particular
forms, adapted to different places and times, in which the great Tradition is expressed.
In the light of Tradition, these traditions can be retained, modified or
even abandoned under the guidance of the Church's Magisterium. - Catechism of the Catholic Church 83
D a t e / Ti m e
F e a s t / Co l o u r
Re adin gs
Offe re d Fo r
First Sunday in Lent
Year B
Gn 9: 8-15; Ps 24;
1 P 3: 18-22;
Marian Davies
(Recovery)
Sun 22/2 Adoration and
Benediction 8.30-9.30 am
Mass 9.30 am
Sung Latin Mass 11.15am
Anniversary of Bishop
Mark s ordination to the
Episcopate
Mk 1: 12-15
Patrick & Nancy
Mealey
People of the Parish
Tue 24/2 Adoration 3-4pm
St Anthony s devotion
&
Mass 7.00pm
Ferial
Purple
Is 55: 10-11; Ps 33;
Mt 6: 7-15.
Wed 25/2 Adoration and
Benediction 8.30-9.30 am
Mass 9.30am
Ferial
Jon 3: 1-11; Ps 50;
Lk 11: 29-32.
Marian Davies recovery
Est 4: 17; Ps 137;
Mt 7: 7-12.
Peter Curtis recovery
Ezk 18: 21-28; Ps 129;
Mt 5: 20-26
Michael Ashcroft
Sat 21/2
Vigil Mass 6 pm
Thu 26/2
Mass 9 .30am
Adoration 3-4pm
Fri 27/2
Mass 7pm
Followed by Stations of the
Cross/Confessions
Day of special prayer for
the needy & hungry of
the world
Ann & Billy Hanwright
Purple
Ferial
Purple
Ferial
Family Fast day
Purple
Sat 28/2
Vigil Mass 6.00pm
Second Sunday of Lent
Gn 22: 1-2, 9-13, 17-28;
Rm 8: 31-34
Joe Reilly
Sun 01/3 Adoration and
Benediction 8.30-9.30 am
Mass 9.30am
Sung Latin Mass 11.15am
Retiring Collection for
Family Fast Day
Mk 19: 2-10
Tim Ehlan
Purple
Michael Ashcroft
Youth Zone
YOUTH EVENT FOR LENT
On the afternoon of Sunday 1st March
at Holy Apostles & Martyrs in Wallasey there will be an afternoon of
prayer, reflection & celebration for the season of Lent. The afternoon will
begin at 3pm, with Mass at 5pm followed by a social time. The event is
aimed at young people from Year 8 through to young adult. . If you are
thinking of attending please tell Fr Martin, or Mr Murray, so they can warn
the organisers how many to expect. (for catering purposes) and to arrange enough transport.
There is only one real kind of poverty: not living as children of God and
brothers and sisters of Christ Pope Francis
Chester Christian Aid Lenten Lunches will be held every Wednesday during Lent starting on 25
February; from 12 noon - 1.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, Frodsham Street Chester.
Minimum donation £5
Are you new to St Clare s?
Everyone is welcome here. We would like
you to feel very much at home with us whether you are Catholic or not.
God loves us deeply, and enters our lives in various ways, and invites us to
know and love him more. This is His house and His arms are always open
to welcome, Forgive us if we fail to notice a new face in our midst. Please
join us for tea and coffee in the parish room after Mass.
THI S WEEK I N ST CLARE S SCHOOL
The school are on Half-Term Break until Tuesday, 24th February.