Newsletter

2nd Sunday of Advent 8th December 2024 Psalter Week 2

Our Lady's & St Benedict's Newsletter with the parish news. Click image (left) to download
If anyone would like to help with any other aspect of parish life, please see the Parish Life page for ideas and contact details.

See below for Parish bank account details, collections & Sweepstake info
We are looking for some more volunteers to clean Our Lady’s & St Benedict’s – please email marnhull@prcdtr.org.uk if you’re able to help.

Anchor 1

Please click on the Newsletter image to see this week's news.

The Bishop's Conference of England & Wales News

Please pray for the sick of the parish: David Parish, Coral Harrow, Betty Walford, Joyce West, Barbara Frost, Tony White, Bob Horton, Hilary Drake, Jeremy Cusden, Jan Carson, Nigel & Sarah Mackay, Brian White, John Graham, Jane Raw.

If anyone knows anyone sick or housebound and would like a visit, please let Fr Cletus or the Deacons know.

'Holy Spirit, make my heart open to the word of God, make my heart open to goodness, make my heart open to the beauty of God every day.' Pope Francis

Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. It marks the start of the Church’s liturgical year. In 2024, we enter Cycle C.

Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘coming’. It’s a key time in which we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord coming into the world as the incarnate God of love.

The liturgical vestments priests wear during the season are purple, matching the candles lit on each Sunday of Advent. Purple is a colour typically associated with penance. The exception is the third Sunday – Gaudete Sunday – when priests wear pink vestments – the colour of rejoicing.

"Advent has a two-fold character: for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered; and likewise when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. For these two reasons, Advent is a period for devout and expectant delight."

Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year

New Lectionary

A new edition of the Lectionary, the book which contains the readings which are proclaimed at Mass, will come into use in England and Wales on the First Sunday of Advent 2024

Centenary Year 2025

The 2025 calendar year sees the global Catholic Church celebrating A Jubilee Year, called ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. There is much for us to be excited about within this Papal initiative. However, in our Parish, 2025 will be even more exceptional as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ coincides not only with the move to the new church in Gillingham, but also with the tercentenary celebration of the founding of a catholic mission in Marnhull in 1725 by Fr Thomas Cornforth (when it was still ‘illegal’ to be a Catholic). Individually important, these three strands in combination herald a significant and poignant year for the Church, our Diocese, our Parish and all of us as Catholics. Rob Vitali has kindly agreed to my request to lead the planning and coordination for our parish tercentenary celebration within this context. It is an important parish and diocesan event, and will involve the school, while other parishes and organisations will also have an interest and want to contribute. However, it is also your event, and I expect many of you will generate your own understanding of how you might wish us to celebrate. I have asked Rob therefore to draw these ideas together, alongside the required formalities, into an event proposal. I want you to feel personally involved and I ask that if you have ideas, you might also consider leading, coordinating or simply contributing to them to turn them into practical elements of the overall event. We are yet to fix a celebration timescale, but I am aiming for the summer, most likely in July or August. Rather than imagining it as a single day’s event, there is a potential to sequence a number of contributory events together over a short period to give the tercentenary even greater impact and meaning. Rob is of course a regular at Our Lady’s, but he can be contacted by email: Rob.vitali@me.com. He would welcome your ideas and proposals, but I would encourage you to talk them through with others first to gauge if they have wider support. Let’s work together to celebrate our tercentenary and to make 2025 a successful year.

Statement on 2nd Reading of Assisted Suicide Bill 29th November 2024

Cardinal Nicholls: "Be Careful what you wish for" Podcast

Following the decision of MPs to vote in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at the Second Reading today (29 November), Bishop John Sherrington, Lead Bishop for Life Issues, said:

“We are disappointed that MPs have voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill progressing through parliament. We believe that this bill is flawed in principle and also contains particular clauses that are of concern. We ask the Catholic community to pray that members of parliament will have the wisdom to reject this bill at a later stage in its progress.

“In addition to being opposed to the principle of assisted suicide, we are particularly concerned with clauses in the bill that prevent doctors from properly exercising conscientious objection, provide inadequate protection to hospices and care homes that do not wish to participate in assisted suicide and allow doctors to initiate conversations about assisted suicide. We ask that these voices be heard in the next stages of the Bill to strengthen the deep concerns about this proposed legislation.

“We have expressed the view, during this debate, that genuine compassion involves walking with those who need care, especially during sickness, disability and old age. The vocation to care is at the heart of the lives of so many people who look after their loved ones and is the sign of a truly compassionate society. It is essential that we nurture and renew the innate call that many people have to compassionately care for others.

“It remains the case that improving the quality and availability of palliative care offers the best pathway to reducing suffering at the end of life. We will continue to advocate for this and support those who work tirelessly to care for the dying in our hospices, hospitals and care homes.”

Statement on Second Reading of Assisted Suicide Bill - Catholic Bishops' Conference

Oppose Assisted Suicide

The Bishops Conference of England & Wales is calling on all Catholics in England and Wales to unite in prayer and compassionate action to oppose assisted suicide. In early September 2024, when parliament returned and a Bill on assisted suicide (so-called assisted dying) started its passage through the House of Lords, our Lead Bishop for Life Issues, Bishop John Sherrington, called for Catholics to unite in prayer and compassionate action.

That call is renewed now as on 26th November, the House of Commons will hear the secon reading of a new bill on assisted suicide tabled by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. Act Now! Contact your MP: The charity Right to Life UK has a simple online mechanism to voice your opposition. It takes little more than a few minutes to input your postcode, make sure the suggested text suits your viewpoint and submit your message to ask your MP to stop assisted suicide being rushed into law.

Click here to: contact your MP

Watch actor and disability rights advocate Liz Carr’s BBC documentary on assisted suicide, Better Off Dead? where she examines the impact of one of the world’s most extreme assisted suicide laws in Canada. Watch for free online (you do not need a TV licence): righttolife.org.uk/betteroffdead

(Catherine Robinson, Right to Life https:// righttolife.org.uk/)

"Catholicism" - Bishop Barron's inspiring 10 part film series will be shown fortnightly on Tuesday & Saturday throughout November. Please click on the Newsletter image for details.

https://www.cbcew.org.uk/statement-from-the-bishop-elect-of-plymouth/

His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Philip Moger as the new Bishop of Plymouth.

A priest of the Diocese of Leeds for over 40 years, Bishop Moger has, until now, served as an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Southwark. Following the news of his appointment, Bishop Moger said: “I’m very honoured to be asked by Pope Francis to be the 10th Bishop of this great Diocese of Plymouth. I know that the diocese has been without a bishop for the last two years, so I am very grateful to Canon Paul Cummins, who has administered the diocese during the vacancy so ably and generously, and all who have supported him. I look forward to visiting and getting to know the clergy, religious and lay faithful in this beautiful part of the Lord’s vineyard”. Canon Paul Cummins said: “We welcome Bishop-elect Philip to the Diocese of Plymouth as our new shepherd. … We pray that all the saints of the Diocese of Plymouth walk with you each step of the way. Know that a warm welcome and our prayers await you as you take up your new role among God’s people. We look forward to your arrival.”

To read the full article: Pope Francis appoints Bishop Philip Moger as the new Bishop of Plymouth - Catholic Bishops' Conference (cbcew.org.uk)

Parish Summer Tea Party at Our Lady's, Marnhull -

It was lovely to see so many Parishioners come together for the Summer tea party. Despite the gloomy weather, tea, cake and much laughter was shared by all. Many thanks to Annette & Heather for organising this event and everyone who helped to make this such an enjoyable event.

Jubilee photography project

As we prepare for the year of Jubilee, Caritas Diocese of Plymouth would like to invite you to reflect on Care for Creation and how we live this out in our churches and communities today. To explore this issue Caritas would like to collect and share photographs by parishioners of people and places in the diocese. We would like to explore three themes that call to mind the reflected glory of the Lord in the beautiful world we are asked to care for. The themes are Beauty, Good Choices and Humanity. To find out more please follow the link https://wp.me/ paTncV-a2d

Marriage Preparation Resources

Plymouth Diocese has partnered with SmartLoving to create a wealth of online resources and courses to support couples so that they can grow together in faith and love. For all those who are preparing for marriage or already married and wishing to enrich or help their marriage, click on the link: Plymouth - SmartLoving

Have you filled out a "Diocese of Plymouth, Keeping in Touch with us" Form?

If you would like to join the Parish and receive the Newsletter by email, please fill out a form at the back of the Church. If you already receive the Newsletter by email, please make sure that you have filled out the form - we are obliged to have your written consent to store your contact details. If I don’t receive the form with your consent, I will have to take your name off the email list

Please return the forms in person to the Deacons/Fr Cletus/Harriet or email it to the office on: marnhull@prcdtr.org.uk.

Click on the link to download the form:

Documentary on Sr Clare Crocket (1982 - 2016), a young actress who was called to religious life and died aged 33 in an earthquake. You will not fail to be moved & thankful for this saint for our times. To find out more about Sr Clare and her religious order click on the link: https://www.homeofthemother.org/en/

The Sons and Daughters of God - Message & Invitation

The Sons and Daughters of God (I Figlii di Dio) is a worldwide community based on prayer. Every Friday at 7 pm (after Benediction at 6.30pm), there will be weekly meetings at Saint Edward's Church, Shaftesbury, to which all are invited. If you would like to find out more please contact Shaun MacLoughlin on 07568942164 or David Minto on 07889035898.

Also please see Home | Comunità dei Figli di Dio (comunitafiglididio.net)

Gillingham Food Bank Appeal

If every Parishioner brought in just one item, this would make a huge difference.

To make a financial contribution, please visit the website:

https://gillingham.foodbank.org.uk/

Bank Details

PARISH BANK DETAILS

Sort Code 55-61-09

Account Number 07388381

A/C Name - PRCDTR Marnhull R.C. Parish

Natwest Blandford Forum.

Please make cheques payable to “PRCDTR Marnhull RC Parish” and send to : The Parish Priest, The Presbytery, Old Mill Lane, MARNHULL, DT10 1JX.

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS BY STANDING ORDER & GIFT AID

Please consider donating via Standing Order. Whether you are a tax payer or not this is a simple method, and even better for fundraising is the option of Gift Aid from taxpayers. If you would like applications for either or both of these it would be most valuable to the parish -please contact the Treasurer, Pam Snell - via: marnhull-treasurer@prcdtr.org.uk

Online banking payments is another alternative but the REFERENCE FIELD i.e. your surname and gift aid envelope number, must be completed so that we can identify donors. This is particularly important if you are a taxpayer allowing Gift Aid reimbursements, although non-tax payers can use this method also. For forms and further information please phone Pamela Snell [ Parish Treasurer] on: email: marnhull-treasurer@prcdtr.org.uk

Gift Aid 2024

The Gift Aid envelopes for tax year 2024/25 are now available at the back of each church. Apologies for the delay in getting them to you. Any queries please contact Paul Bowe at marnhull-giftaid@prcdtr.org.uk

Pilgrimages

Buckfast Abbey Events & Retreats

Garden Retreat 14th-18th October 2024. For more information & to book:

https://www.monasticretreats.co.uk/directory/buckfast-abbey/

ARTICLES, INFO & OLDER NEWS

Fr Joseph and the children of St Mary's RC School Marnhull at their annual May procession 2024

New Lectionary in Church & Missals

The Lectionary we use in church is changing. The new one will be used for all liturgy from 1st Sunday in Advent this year, so if you are tempted to buy a new Missal, it would be sensible to wait until the new edition is published in December 2024. The current missal will remain valid for all the prayers of the liturgy, it is just the readings that are changing.

Update on the New Church

We have now taken possession of the new church in Gillingham High Street. Renovation and conversion, taking approximately 6 months, will prepare the building for Catholic worship and community uses (within the mission of the Church). We have appointed a project manager, Philip Hughes Associates of Wincanton who will be responsible for all the internal and external works, and he will be supervised by Plymouth Diocese Property Commission and Father Joseph.

Planning permission is being sought to convert a portion of the ancillary church facilities into priests’ residential accommodation (a presbytery), and to form a new vehicular access and parking area off Barnaby Mead. We have had positive feedback from Dorset County Council for our initial planning enquiry. We will be creating a beautiful Sanctuary, installing a Confessional, creating a Sacristy, Vestry and Parish Office.

The dedication (name) of the church will be decided in due course by the Bishop of Plymouth. From a redundant Army church, we have acquired a beautiful altar, font and ambo made from Portland Stone, and they are stored with the stonemason. Some repair works to the building will start very soon. The intention is to enable this building to be converted, repaired and strengthened to sustainably meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of the community for many years to come. Once up and running this means that within our parish we will have the oldest and the newest churches in the diocese. Our Lady’s Marnhull is an historical and spiritual gem and it will remain the parish church and Mass will continue to be celebrated there. The new church will meet the varied and growing needs of our parish. Praise be to God.

SPUC PRAYER INITIATIVE TO PROTECT UNBORN LIFE IN OUR PRO-ABORTION SOCIETY
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, in conjunction with the Knights of St Columba, has launched a new prayer effort called, ‘Let Life Flourish: A Spiritual Bouquet.’ We are calling all people, Catholics especially, to pray for the protection of human life from conception to natural death. We are in a situation currently, where the legal framework for abortion may be voted down in parliament so that babies can be aborted with impunity up to birth and there will be no penalty for disposing of the body of a full-term baby. A concerted prayer effort is needed to combat this evil. Please go to https://www.spuc.org.uk/letlifeflourish and register the prayers you wish to contribute to this effort.
This is a timely pro-life opportunity for us to support an amendment to our abortion law which would reduce the time limit for legal abortion from 24 weeks to 22 weeks. Babies born prematurely at 22 weeks are thriving so there is a contradiction in our abortion law. Please collect a postcard today from the back of the church and post it to your MP in support of the amendment. (Polling from ComRes has shown that 70% of British women favour a reduction in the time limit from 24 weeks to 20 weeks or below).

Hospital Stays

f you have a stay in hospital and would like a priest to visit you, it is worth making a point of saying so to the nurse who admits you or getting someone to tell the Catholic Chaplain. Otherwise data protection rules may prevent the word getting through. Also, let the parish priest know, and try to make sure your records are up-to-date as far as your religion is concerned; apparently such records are not infrequently out of date or erroneous. This can of course be another reason why a priest wouldn’t be aware that you were in hospital.

Recycle your used ink cartridges and raise money for the Catholic Children’s Society, Plymouth at the same time. Please place used cartridges in the boxes in Our Lady’s Side Chapel and in the porch of St Benedict’s. Thank you.