Joyful Hope A Seasonal Magazine for the Parishioners of

The Assumption and St Thomas More

Edition No 3. The Season of Easter 2012

I have risen, and I am with you still, alleluia

Contents

Editorial 1

The Sunday Gospels 2

Cricket at Beeston 3

You must be as old

as me 4

Pancake Day 4

Womens’s World Day

Of Prayer 5

You are Living Stones 5

Come and listen to

Fr John 6

St Thomas More’s

new colour 6

Liturgical Calendar 7

What’s on 7

Crossword Fun 8

W e are by our nature, vulnerable to the impact of determining factors. They shape

our ability to influence things and they limit the impact of any change we want to

make happen. These limits frustrate us and tend then to dampen our enthusiasm

and curb our eagerness to show our dynamism. The greatest of these limiting factors is time.

It is such a barrier to all things mortal. It becomes a dead weight, a terminus that acts as an

obstacle to our ambitions. Such is its nature that we even give it a value so that it functions

almost as a currency to be bartered and exchanged. – if only I had more time! Such thinking

can have no place in our thoughts about the Resurrection!

T he trouble is, is that we have to use the limiting and constraining vehicle of language

to try to describe something which stands outside our ability to verbalise it. As a re-

sult, we have to use words and phrases like “resurrection” or “spiritual body” or

“another form” to describe an event that is outside the concept of space and time. When we

read the gospel narratives about the resurrection, we notice that none of them actually at-

tempt a description, precisely because of the inadequacy of language. What they do describe

is the impact of the reality of the event on those who experienced it. Take John’s account, he

tells us how it was still dark and that by implication the disciple goes into a pitch-black tomb

and sees. It’s clear that the language is being used in a very particular way that directs us

away from the literal meaning of the words. Mary Magdala sees the Risen Lord and mis-

takes him for the gardener! But who is being described if not the Creator when in the Book

of Genesis the Lord God strolls in the cool of the evening in the Garden of Eden. And what

about the stone? The passive tense is used to describe that the stone had been moved away

from the tomb implying that no human hand was involved here. All of this language is call-

ing us to find meaning beyond the words as written. It is the language of faith that speaks of

the lucidity of our belief through the opaqueness of our limiting vocabulary.

T his is what transforms us and brings into the new creation that we have now become

through our faith in Jesus Christ. It brings into focus all those things that limit us

physically and expresses the spiritual power that we now have to challenge and then

to change them. All of our fears, all of our anxieties, all of our concerns, which by their very

nature are governed by physical and emotional constarints, are now confronted by a pro-

found and deep spiritual joy, that overcomes the grip of those physical and emotional con-

straints on us, releasing us from our bondage.

T he apostles, the disciples and the women who experienced the resurrection were all

of them shaken to the core by what happened. Whatever they felt, one thing is cer-

tain. They no longer felt constrained by the limitations of either their environment,

their status, their caste, their fear, their worries or their concerns. All of these no longer held

sway over them. The resurrection transformed them into heralds of the Good News, from

fishermen to fishers of men, for whom the physical boundaries of time and place no longer

presented any difficulties. Let us pray for that same experience this day. Haec dies quam

fecit Dominus! Rejoice and be glad!

HAPPY EASTER!

Exult, let them

exult, the hosts

of heaven

The crossword The crossword The crossword The crossword

Across:

7. Word used by a leper to describe their

condition (7)

8. North African town where Augustine

was bishop (5)

9. The first son of Jacob (3)

10 John 3:7 Do not be …. when I say: You

must be born from above. (9)

12. Cube shaped monument believed to

have been built by Abraham and Ish-

mael (5)

14. A body of mystical teaching of

rabbinical origin (7)

16. He was known as ‘The red priest’ (7)

18. Country where the Hebrews were en-

slaved (5)

19 Jewish rebel army that founded the

Hasmonean Dynasty in 164 BC (9)

20. Little devil (3)

21. Alternative spelling for the name of the

8th Century English Saint Osgyth (5)

22. Venetian Painter 1696-1726 (7)

Down: 1. Author of a novel about the visit of the devil to the Soviet Union (7)

2. The gall given to Jesus to drink on the cross was a mild form of what

(4)

3. The ancient or biblical name for Iraq (6)

4. A type of Spiritual being (6)

5. The renunciation of a religion (8)

6 Title of the risen Jesus (4)

11. John 20:22 After saying this he breathed on them and said: ….. the

Holy Spirit. (7)

13. The paraclete (8)

15. A responsory sung by a choir in Gregorian Chant (8)

17 They numbered five (6)

18. The greatest Christian Festival (6)

19. The common name for the Eucharistic celebration (4)

20. A conventional religious painting on a small wooden panel (4)

Did You Know that? Did You Know that? Did You Know that? Did You Know that?

Where does the word Easter come from.?

No-one is exactly sure but St Bede the

early English historian writes the follow-

ing regarding the Anglo Saxon months:

Eosturmonath has a name which is now

translated "Paschal month", and which was

once called after a goddess of theirs named

Eostre, in whose honour feasts were cele-

brated in that month. Now they designate

that Paschal season by her name, calling

the joys of the new rite by the time-

honoured name of the old observance."

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8

9 10 11

12 13 14 15

16 17 18

19 20

21 22

Here are a few thoughts sent in by a parishionerHere are a few thoughts sent in by a parishionerHere are a few thoughts sent in by a parishionerHere are a few thoughts sent in by a parishioner

If you aren’t poor enough to take charity, then you

are rich enough to give it.

Cherish all your happy moments; they make a fine

cushion for old age.

The mind grows rich from what it receives, the

heart from what it gives.

An hour with your grandchildren can make you

feel young again; anything longer than that and

you start to age quickly.

You’re getting old when you enjoy remembering

things more than you enjoy doing them.

Give God what is right, not what’s left!

Liturgical Year B Liturgical Year B Liturgical Year B Liturgical Year B ---- The Year of St Mark The Year of St Mark The Year of St Mark The Year of St Mark

The Season of Easter 2012 The Season of Easter 2012 The Season of Easter 2012 The Season of Easter 2012

The Sunday Gospels of Eastertide Year BThe Sunday Gospels of Eastertide Year BThe Sunday Gospels of Eastertide Year BThe Sunday Gospels of Eastertide Year B

The Gospels for the weekdays of Eastertide take us on a sweeping journey through the Gospel of John and

this journey is partially reflected in the Sunday Gospels too.

Easter Sunday: John gives us his version of the story of the ‘empty tomb’. We live out the panic of Mary

Magdalene when distraught and in tears she tells Peter and John what has happened. They run off to the

tomb to see for themselves and what they ‘see’ confounds them. Now they understand since what they see

they ‘see’ with the eyes of faith.

The Octave of Easter : It is the evening of the day of the resurrection and Jesus appears to the disciples

and they receive the Holy Spirit. Thomas is not with them and we can only guess why. Perhaps he was too

upset to be with the rest, but they don’t neglect him. Eight days have passed and he is now with them

again and Jesus appears amongst them and Thomas receives his benediction.

Third Sunday : Luke’s piece of fish! The disciples remain unsure about the nature of the Risen Lord. Is it

for real or is it a vision? It’s a question which has crossed everyone’s mind and Luke wishes to reassure us

that the risen body of Jesus is a physical body but that understanding this in the scriptures is what matters.

Fourth Sunday : One the earliest depictions of the risen Christ was as the Good Shepherd: the one who

knows his sheep and he lays down his life for them. It is a beautiful image and assures that we are loved

and cared for by one who will never abandon us unlike the hired hand, who when difficulties arise runs

away. Jesus is our mediator with the Father and he knows each one of us by name.

Fifth Sunday : The image of the vine as a model for the Church is a powerful one. Each one of us, as a

member of the Church is connected with the Father and with each other through Christ. There may be

times when we feel separate and apart yet because we remain on the vine we remain part of a love that

feeds us and nurtures us no matter how distant things become.

Sixth Sunday : The love with which the risen Lord feeds us is a total giving of self, and loving in this way

changes us. No longer are we concerned with what we earn for ourselves but through the example of

Christ we live to love as he has shown us.

Ascension Sunday : At last St Mark makes an appearance! Jesus returns to the Father and gives us our

commission to preach the gospel that notwithstanding the obstacles placed in its path will overcome them

since the Lord is at work in them and in us.

Pentecost Sunday : The circle is now complete. The Spirit breathed onto the disciples by Jesus on Easter

Day now animates them to burst forth from the Upper Room to proclaim the gospel. The nature and qual-

ity of the Spirit is disclosed by Jesus; the Spirit will lead us to the complete truth through which we are

liberated.

The ZONE3 Group Come and join with your

friends

What’s On and Where? What’s On and Where? What’s On and Where? What’s On and Where?

St Thomas More Glenwood Avenue WollatonSt Thomas More Glenwood Avenue WollatonSt Thomas More Glenwood Avenue WollatonSt Thomas More Glenwood Avenue Wollaton

Masses throughout Eastertide are as follows:

• Weekend Masses are on Saturday evening at 6.30

pm and Sunday morning at 10.45. am

• Weekday masses are celebrated at 9.00 am on

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and at 7.30 pm

on Monday Wednesday and Friday.

The Church of the Assumption FosterAvenue The Church of the Assumption FosterAvenue The Church of the Assumption FosterAvenue The Church of the Assumption FosterAvenue

Masses throughout Eastertide are as follows:

• Weekend Masses are on Saturday evening at 5.30

pm and Sunday morning at 9.00 am and Sunday

evening at 6.00 pm.

• Weekday masses are celebrated at 9.00 am on

Wednesday and at 1.00 pm on Tuesday, Thursday

and Friday.

Who’s WhoWho’s WhoWho’s WhoWho’s Who

Parish Priest: Fr Ephraim Nwachukwu

25 Foster Avenue Beeston NG9 1AE

Tel: 0115 9228145

Email: assumptionmary@google.com

Deacon:

Rev Mr Anthony Cordes

339 Wollaton Road NG8 1FQ

Tel: 0115 9280574

Email: anthonycordes@hotmail.co.uk

Retired Priest:

Fr John Abbott

70 Bramcote Lane NG2 2NG

Tel: 0115 9174051

Email: bouncerdog100@hotmail.co.uk

Please feel free to contact the clergy if you wish to

discuss any matter you would like to speak to them

about. They will be only too willing to lend a help-

ing and caring hand.

If you’re in year 7-13 at school then you’re are

invited and we’d love to see you!

Come and join in our Pizza and

Quiz Night at The Assumption

Parish Hall on Friday 25 May

2012 from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm

The St Thomas More Social Committee presents a unique opportu-nity to come enjoy a shared table with your friends.

So bring some food and drink and relax on the desert island with Fr John

CHURCH OF THE CHURCH OF THE CHURCH OF THE CHURCH OF THE

ASSUMPTION ASSUMPTION ASSUMPTION ASSUMPTION

CRICKET CLUBCRICKET CLUBCRICKET CLUBCRICKET CLUB

St Thomas More gets a spruce upSt Thomas More gets a spruce upSt Thomas More gets a spruce upSt Thomas More gets a spruce up Over two days in February four hardy souls donned their overalls, mounted ladders and

scaffold with brushes and rollers in hand and gave the sanctuary a fresh coat of paint.

Last year the cricket club had its best season ever -

Played 22, Won 19 and Lost 3. Wow!! Is this the

same club that used to be beaten by everyone 23

years ago? Yes it is. Parishioners of the Assump-

tion, Beeston; St Thomas More’s, Wollaton and St

John’s, Stapleford formed the team known as

CACC (Church of the Assumption Cricket Club)

in 1989.

The club began when Christ Church, Chilwell,

having played us at football in the winter, invited

us to play two games of cricket. We managed to

have 4 fixtures that first season by also playing

against Beeston Rylands Methodists. The club is

indebted to all the original 17 members for bravely

facing defeat on a regular basis in the early days.

We even had our very own umpire, Gilbert.

We have seen young lads grow into students and

sadly leave for pastures new. We have seen young

fathers grow a little older and come along with

their sons to restore the average age of the club to

something more respectable. A thriving club needs

a constant stream of youngsters coming through

and we have that. We have ex league players who

now enjoy playing for a friendly, yet determined,

non-league club. They are an inspiration to the rest

of us and they also know the rules. We have men

that haven’t played since school (long, long ago

for some) and then find that the old line and length

with their bowling is still there and the cover drive

with their batting resurfaces again. Oh, how those

comments of old ring true:

• “What is human life but a game of cricket”

Duke of Dorset in 1777.

• “Cricket is the greatest game that the wit of

man has yet devised” Sir Pelham Warner.

• “Cricket is more than play, it is worship in the

summer sun”. Edmund Blunden.

We only play non-league, friendly cricket matches,

against some of local church teams, against The

Holy Spirit and St. Luke’s West Bridgford and

now against non-church teams as well, being on

our best behaviour when we play against the

Mansfield Police.

The club became a real cricket club when Sarah

started to provide cricket teas. They are said to be

the best teas in the fixtures for miles around, I

agree totally, especially after finishing off with a

slice of Sarah’s lemon drizzle cake.

After a long hard match in the field we retire to the

local pub to refresh our spirits if we lost or to cele-

brate the win. In the winter we have a few pub

nights to keep in touch, then we have eight winter

nets Friday evenings at Trent Bridge, the Mecca of

cricket to us Nottingham folks.

The club has not been without its sad times. The

death of our first captain, Bob, in our early years

and the death of our wicket keeper, Tad, a few

years ago. We present the CACC Tad Kieniewicz

Sportsmanship Trophy at the AGM each year in

his honour.

Jim Lowe

CACC Hon President

Desert Island Discs With Fr John

(Discover more about Fr John’s life and

favourite musical) Date : Sunday 22nd April 2012 Time : 12.30 pm Venue : St Thomas More Admission : Shared Table. Donations baskets on tables for Building Fund

Women’s World Day of Prayer 2 March 2012Women’s World Day of Prayer 2 March 2012Women’s World Day of Prayer 2 March 2012Women’s World Day of Prayer 2 March 2012

This event was held at Kings-

wood Methodist Church Wolla-

ton. The theme of the liturgy

was “Let Justice Prevail” which

was centred around the condi-

tions and concerns of women in

Malaysia, particularly in the

areas of education and employ-

ment. There were a number of

displays showing pictures from

Malaysia and the liturgy cen-

tred on the prayer of the women

of Malaysia for mercy, forgive-

ness and justice. A number of

ladies from St Thomas More

Parish attended and here are

some photos

You must be as old as me

I remember a caravan in Ingoldmells

And playing cards ‘neath a calor gas light

We used huge metal tubs for toilets

Which were mysteriously emptied at night

Queueing for water at the stand pipe

And carrying it back to the van with pride

Stripped to the waist in the morning

And washing in the freezing cold outside

We used to walk into Skeggy

The beach seemed miles from the sea

If you remember drinking pop in The Ship pub yard

You must be as old as me.

I remember outside lavies

Sit quiet say your prayers

Never had toilet tissue

Just newspaper-cut into squares

Whitewash, dust and cobwebs

A perfect haven for mice

In the winter paraffin lamps glowed warmly

To stop the water from turning to ice

A den for the kids to play in

The glorious lavatory

If you remember outside plumbing

You must be as old as me

I remember listening to the radio

Dick Barton Snowy and Jock

Take it from here, Ray’s a laugh

And especially Tony Hancock

The Goons with Milligan and Secombe

Peter Sellars was Major Bloodnock

Jet Morgan journeyed into space

With sidekicks Lemmy and Doc

Al Read said “You’re not trying to get in

Here are you? I said you’re not trying to get

Here you’ll be lucky”

And if you remember some of those shows

You must be as old as me.

You are Living StonesYou are Living StonesYou are Living StonesYou are Living Stones

Having read the Bishop’s document “You are Living

Stones” on the renewal of the Parochial Structure of the

Diocese I suppose the first question to ask is how will it

effect us in the parishes of the Assumption and St Tho-

mas More? I think from the outset one of the things

which we need to focus on is the gifts which we already

possess within our communities and to look to how we

can both build on and enhance what we already have so

as to make our parishes work better.

I think that it is worth saying from the outset that both

our parishes already have experience of operating as

parishes which share a parish priest. Since 2003 St Tho-

mas More has existed within such a framework, firstly

with St Mary’s Hyson Green and St Paul’s Lenton, and

since 2006 with The Assumption. The Assumption too

before being linked with St Thomas More was sharing

its priest with St John the Evangelist Stapleford. From

the point of view of the document we are already

“ahead of the game” and therefore know to some de-

gree what is to be expected and this is also true for the

majority of parishes within the deanery. Therefore let’s

recognise that we shouldn’t enter into this consultation

period with any fear.

A parish above everything else is a living expression of

the presence of God. In all that it does, be it in its litur-

gical life, its communal life and its interaction with the

world, the parish exists through the witness of its peo-

ple. Consequently the whole thrust of parish life is gen-

erated as a movement upwards and outwards from the

people of God living in the parish into the world. As

Catholics this movement is nurtured and fed, sustained

and fostered through the sacramental life of the parish.

Of course this is primarily evidenced by the Eucharistic

life which the parish expresses both in what it does and

how it seeks to put it into practice. Gathering together

for the celebration of the Eucharist is therefore para-

mount.

However if the Eucharist can only be celebrated on a

Sunday in the parish, then whilst the Parish Priest re-

tains the central liturgical role at the Eucharist he must

act to animate the people of the parish. He must seek to

help and assist them in understanding their own role

within the “priestly life” to which we are all called

through our baptism. Yes each one of us is called by

Christ to live out our baptismal vocation to be priest,

prophet and king in a way that expresses our ministerial

function within our parish and beyond. In the absence

of a resident priest in the parish this means recognising

we have the responsibility for making the parish the

place where the love of Christ is made manifest. The

sacramental life of the parish still goes on by virtue of

the acts and deeds of its parishioners, guided by the

Holy Spirit. The absence of a resident priest does not

imply that the prayer life, the liturgical life or the catho-

lic social life of the parish unwinds. The more we are

able to advance this understanding the more will our

parishes grow and strengthen in their witness to the call

of Christ to be his disciples and to follow him.

Pancake Day 2012Pancake Day 2012Pancake Day 2012Pancake Day 2012

Both parishes held a Pancake day supper

which were greatly enjoyed. Funds were

raised for various good causes and we

thank you all for your generosity.

This poem was sent in by a parishioner of St Thomas MoreThis poem was sent in by a parishioner of St Thomas MoreThis poem was sent in by a parishioner of St Thomas MoreThis poem was sent in by a parishioner of St Thomas More