Welcome to the Catholic Parish of Stamford

Saint Mary and Saint Augustine The Presbytery, 13 Broad Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1PG Telephone: (01780) 762010

Parish Priest: Father Simon Gillespie Mobile: 07760 372105 Email: simon@nottinghamcatholic.com Deacons: Reverend Charles West-Sadler (retired); Reverend Robert S Dawson (retired)

Parish Secretary: Lauren Senior Telephone: (01780) 762010 Email: office@catholicstamford.com Parish Safeguarding Representative: Tony Williams Telephone: 01780 756456 Email: angant@talktalk.net

Parish Director of Music: Ruth Proctor Mobile: 07826 017487 Email: ruthproctor73@gmail.com Parish Hall Manager: Anna Barwell Mobile: 07789 283140 Email: anna.barwell@tiscali.co.uk

Parish Primary School: Saint Augustine’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Stamford (01780) 762094 Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham Diocesan Website: www.dioceseofnottingham.uk

Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Company Number: 7151646 Charity Number: 1134449

Fourth

4th and 5th May 2019 : Third Sunday of Easter

On Saturday (4th May) we celebrated the feast of the English Martyrs of the Reformation. An extract is given below from the homily preached by Pope Saint Paul VI at the Mass of Canonisation on 25th October 1970:

To all those who are filled with admiration in reading the records of these Holy Martyrs, it is perfectly clear that they are worthy to stand alongside the greatest martyrs of the past; and this not merely because of their fearless faith and marvellous constancy, but by reason of their humility, simplicity and serenity, and above all the spiritual joy and that wondrously radiant love with which they accepted their condemnation and death. The unity existing between these men and women depends from the deeply spiritual cast of mind which they had in common. In so many other respects they were completely different — as different as any large group usually is: in age and sex, in culture and education, in social status and occupation, in character and temperament, in their qualities, natural and supernatural, in the external circumstances of their lives. So we find among these Holy Martyrs priests, secular and regular, religious of different orders and grades; and we have, amongst the laity, men of the highest nobility and those who rank as ordinary, married women and mothers of families. What unites them all is that interior quality of unshakeable loyalty to the vocation given them by God — the sacrifice of their lives as a loving response to that call.

The high tragedy in the lives of these martyrs was that their honest and genuine loyalty came into conflict with their fidelity to God and with the dictates of their conscience illumined by the Catholic faith. Two truths especially were involved: the Holy Eucharist and the inalienable prerogatives of the successor of Peter who, by God’s will, is the universal shepherd of Christ’s Church. Faced with the choice of remaining steadfast in their faith and of dying for it, or of saving their lives by denying that faith, without a moment’s hesitation and with a truly supernatural strength they stood for God and joyfully confronted martyrdom. At the same time such was the greatness of their spirit that many of them died with prayers on their lips for the country they loved so much, for the King or Queen, and not least for those directly responsible for their capture, their sufferings, and the degradation and ignominy of their cruel deaths. May our thanksgiving go up to God who, in his providential goodness, saw fit to raise up these martyrs. Martyrs of England and Wales : Pray for us!

Presbytery Safety

Work is very much in progress in the presbytery, so please take particular care by the building site. For some of the week it might be necessary to restrict access to the (back door of) the parish hall. Please take particular care where a board has been laid over the usual footpath, whilst this is being dug up. Remember to put any post into the new post-box in the church porch, or pop into the parish office in the front half of the parish hall, if the door is open.

Available to take away this weekend

Have a look at the back of church and consider taking home some of the following: X Our diocesan newspaper – May edition X Walk with Me – an Easter prayerbook with a daily reflection X Eastertime Children’s Calendar – with a prayer or a through for each day X Children’s weekly newsletters, both ‘Look’ for younger children and ‘Icthus’ for

older children, both free of charge Many of these end up in the recycle bin, so if they’re of interest, do take them!

Collections in the Porch

So that the back of church is a little tidier, and to give a bit of extra space, some new wicker baskets have been placed in the porch for those things we regularly collect and provide. Please use them well!

X Younger children’s books – for use during Mass or any time in church X Donations of milk bottle tops X Donations of used stamps X Donations for the Stamford Food Bank

Thank you for your continuing generosity!

Parish Newsletter by Email

The parish newsletter is emailed each week to those who have requested it, which helps to keep parishioners informed of what’s happening (even those who might be away for a weekend) and reduces some of the printing costs (also saving the planet!). If you’d like to receive the parish newsletter by email simply email Father Simon and you’ll be added to the list the following Sunday. Easy!

Forthcoming Events in our parish, community and diocese

The Parish Film Night will be showing, on Saturday 4th May in the parish hall at 7.15pm. All are welcome – Popcorn available!

The Diocesan Beauvale Pilgrimage will be held during the afternoon of Sunday 5th May in honour of local martyrs of the reformation Saint John Houghton and Saint Robert Lawrence. Details on the poster in the porch, or from s.doona@ntlworld.com

The Parish Friendship Group will meet for a Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy Sale at Bridget’s home, 28 Ancaster Road, PE9 1DG, on Tuesday 7th May from 10.00am until 12.00 noon. All are very welcome.

Sacramental Preparation continues on Thursday 9th May at 6.00pm in the parish hall.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society meets in the parish hall (Broad Street entrance) at 6.15pm on Thursday 9th May.

God in my life: Invitation, Mission, Gratitude, a talk by Father John McCay, will be held at the Rosmini Centre on Saturday 11th May at 2.00pm – further details from 01509 813078 or rosminicentreinfo@gmail.com.

Vocations Sunday – Sunday 12th May – watch out for the poster in the porch and a special prayer from Bishop Patrick at each Sunday Mass!

A Healing Mass will be held at the Rosmini Centre on Friday 17th May at 7.00pm – further details from 01509 813078 or rosminicentreinfo@gmail.com.

An Introduction to the Book of Ecclesiastes will be given by Father Antonio Belsito IC at the Rosmini Centre on Tuesday 21st May at 7.00pm – further details from 01509 813078 or rosminicentreinfo@gmail.com.

The Carers Sitter Service AGM will be held on Thursday 23rd May at 7.30pm at Wake House, 41 North Street, Bourne PE10 9AE. See the leaflet in the porch for details.

Lectio Divina will be held at the Rosmini Centre on Saturday 25th May at 3.00pm – further details from 01509 813078 or rosminicentreinfo@gmail.com.

A Day with Mary will be celebrated at the Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham, Norfolk, on Sunday 2nd June from 11.40am. Full details are on the poster in the porch, or see www.adaywithmary.org

The fourth Diocesan Blessed Sacrament Procession will be celebrated in Nottingham on Sunday 2nd June, starting from 2.00pm. Bishop Patrick will preside, and invites people from across the diocese to join him. More details on the poster in the porch.

The Nottingham Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham takes place on Saturday 15th June, under the leadership of Bishop Patrick. Put the date in your diaries now, and closer to the event we’ll look to arrange a coach from our parish.

March for Life – Saturday 11th May

The day will start at 9.30am with an indoor festival called LifeFest19 in the Connaught Rooms, Covent Garden. This will comprise of workshops, children’s activities, education stalls, speakers and prayer. Everyone will then process across the city for keynote speeches in the afternoon. For details please visit www.marchforlife.co.uk

Nottingham Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage

Forms are still available at the back of church, or from Father Simon, for this year’s Pilgrimage. We will be in Lourdes Sunday 14th – Friday 19th July, and travel (full board) starts from £729. Why not make this a Parish Pilgrimage?

Training with Stamford Street Pastors

Stamford Street Pastors are going to run the following training days which we would like to invite volunteers from other churches and community groups to join us for. There will be no set charge but donations are welcome:

• Drug and Alcohol Awareness run by Hope UK, 9.00am-12.00noon, Saturday 18th May

• Listening Skills run by Pat Dale using the Acorn framework, 9.30am-1.00pm, Saturday 8th June

• Mental Health run by MHFA, Saturday 22nd June (TBC) For further details, and to book places by 10th May, please contact Elizabeth Goodwin (Co-ordinator, Stamford Street Pastors): stamford@streetpastors.org.uk or 07827 602499

Prayers for Sister Katrina Alton CSJP

Sister Katrina Alton will celebrate her profession of final vows as a Sister of Saint Joseph of Peace at Sacred Heart Church in Carlton, Nottingham on Saturday, 4th May.

During the Profession Mass Sister Katrina will profess vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience, for life. "Professing my final vows means living my commitment as a CSJP, rooted in prayer, so that I may live our charism of peace through justice as an authentic follower of the nonviolent Jesus whose heart was forever open to the least, the last and the lost," said Sister Katrina. It has been more than 30 years since the UK region of the Congregation has had someone make their final vows. Today Sister Katrina lives in Hyson Green, Nottingham with two other CSJP sisters. Her current ministry involves spiritual accompaniment to women discerning their discipleship as well as those struggling to find their place in the church. She is also a peace activist, focusing on the arms trade, and organizes a regular ecumenical prayer vigil at the Heckler and Koch gun manufacturers in Nottingham. She writes and gives talks on justice and peace. "I also try to leave my place of privilege and move to the periphery of society in order to encounter those facing economic poverty and exclusion," she says. In addition to volunteering at a soup kitchen, she and another Sister of St. Joseph of Peace are planning to open a house of hospitality in the presbytery and "old church" at Sacred Heart Carlton, currently under renovation, to welcome women made destitute by the asylum system. The Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Peace was founded in Nottingham in 1884 by Mother Clare (Margaret Anna Cusack). She was a woman deeply moved by the social conditions of her times, and sought to challenge oppressive structures, and address the causes of poverty and oppression. The focus of our Congregation is to promote peace through justice, and we have sisters and associates across the UK, US, and in Haiti. For more information, visit the Congregation website at www.csjp.org

A resume of the recent Parish Finance Committee meeting

The finance committee met on Wednesday 20th March, and welcomed the parish secretary, Lauren Senior, to her first meeting. Topics under discussion included:

X Payments from HMP Stocken chaplaincy department; X Annual Diocesan Financial Return; X Health and Safety Report; X Safety for access to the parish hall; X Presbytery Refurbishment project update, including fundraising; X Parish census; X Parish hall matters.

A resume of the recent Parish Pastoral Council meeting

The pastoral council met on Monday 8th April, and welcomed the chair of the parish finance committee (Joe Scott) and the primary school headteacher (Rachel De Wet) to join the meeting. Topics under discussion included:

X The parish Retreat Day at Launde Abbey; X The Sacramental Preparation Course; X School Masses; X Children’s Liturgy; X Diocesan Social Action and our parish response; X The Bishop’s Diocesan Spiritual themes and our parish response; X The presbytery refurbishment project; X Churches Together Week of Prayer for Christian Unity; X Aid to the Church in Need promotion; X Parish cultural and religious visits.

Job Opportunities in our Parish Primary School

Position: Class Teacher (Year2/3) – Maternity leave Salary: MPS / UPS – NQTs welcome to apply Contract Length: September ‘19 until 31st May ‘20 We are seeking a proactive Primary Teacher who will support the delivery of high quality teaching and learning and who will inspire our children to achieve their full potential. This would be an ideal opportunity for someone seeking their first primary teaching role; equally, the post would offer excellent opportunities for experienced teachers looking to develop their professional expertise.

Position: Class Teacher – EYFS or Y6; Salary: MPS / UPS – NQTs welcome to apply; Start date: September 2019 We are seeking a proactive Primary Teacher who will support the delivery of high quality teaching and learning and who will inspire our children to achieve their full potential. The role will be to either teach EYFS or Year 6 dependent upon experience. This would be an ideal opportunity for someone seeking their first primary teaching role; equally, the post would offer excellent opportunities for more experienced teachers who are looking to develop and enhance their professional expertise.

Position: Assistant Head Teacher; Salary: L2 – L5; Start date: September 2019 We are seeking a proactive Assistant Head Teacher who will have a timetable of 80% teaching and 20% remission. You will be responsible for Teaching and Learning and setting expectations of staff. Your classroom teaching responsibility will be either in EYFS or Year 6 dependant on the experience of the successful candidate. This role will suit either an experienced colleague or someone wanting to take their first step onto a Senior Leadership Team. Training and support will be given both in school and throughout the Trust.

For details about any of these positions please contact our recruitment partner, Jessica Galvin on 0114 217 1556 or jessica.galvin@hays.com to request an application pack. The application deadline is Tuesday 13th May at 12.00 noon.

Job Opportunity in our Diocese

The Diocese has a vacancy for a Chief Operating Officer based at Willson House next to the Cathedral in Nottingham. This new role will provide an exciting opportunity to make a pivotal contribution to the Church’s mission by managing the resources of the Diocese in a creative and professional manner. The COO will report to the Episcopal Vicar for Finance and Administration who is a member of the Board of Directors. Details of the position can be obtained by emailing financial.secretary@nrcdt.org.uk and asking for them and for an application form. The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Tuesday 28th May.

Job Opportunity

The University of Nottingham Catholic Chaplaincy are currently seeking a new Catholic Lay Chaplain for the coming academic year (2019/2020). This is a full time paid position (37.5 hours a week) with live in accommodation offered, and for an initial one year contract, starting in August 2019. The position offers a great opportunity for anyone recently graduating from University and thinking about a career within Lay Chaplaincy, taking a gap year out, or seeking to further their pastoral experience within a University setting. Previous experience is not essential as full training will be offered, but relevant pastoral / lay chaplaincy experience and experience of University life is preferable. The deadline is Monday 6th May and interviews will be held on Friday 10th May. For more information please contact Father Jonathan Rose (Catholic Chaplain to the University of Nottingham) by email: bishop.privatesec@dioceseofnottingham.uk

From our Parish Primary School

Easter Mass We started the new Pentecost Term with a lovely Mass in school to celebrate Easter, led by Father Simon. The children led the prayers, reading, offertory and Malgosia served on the altar. There was lots of joyful singing as the whole school reflected on Jesus’ glorious resurrection. As a school, we are focussing on this term’s theme of ‘missionary discipleship’ and how we can spread the good news and serve our community.

Many Thanks for your Generosity

Envelopes £284.00 Loose plate £264.95 Standing Order £305.00 Collection Total £853.95

200 Club Winners

March’s 200 Club (not previously published) winners are: First Prize - £200 – Number 71 (Mary Fenn)

Second Prize - £100 – Number 84 (David Forrest) Third Prize - £50 – Number 12 (Father Simon Gillespie)

April’s 200 Club winners are: First Prize - £200 – Number 69 (James Nix)

Second Prize - £100 – Number 85 (David Forrest) Third Prize - £50 – Number 49 (Sophie Fegan)

Thank You from Cafod

A letter is on the parish noticeboard from Cafod, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, thanking parishioners for £947.70 raised during this year’s Lent Fast Day. The letter gives further information about how the money will be spent and ways in which parishioners’ generosity will directly affect the lives of those in need.

Lighting candles in church

We are blessed to have our church open during daylight hours each day, and for moment of prayer to be available to the people of Stamford. It’s good to see candles alight before the statue of the Sacred Heart and the statue of Our Lady, and there is a 24-hour light lit before each statue each morning. Please take care when lighting the votive candles to use the tapers available, and not to light the votive candles directly from the 24 hour candles. This will reduce the risk of fire, and ensure that the larger candles remain burning and are available for other worshippers.

Pope’s Prayer Intentions for May

The Church in Africa, a Seed of Unity That the Church in Africa, through the commitment of its members, may be the seed of unity among her peoples and a sign of hope for this continent.

Sunday’s Motet and Antiphon at the 11.00am Mass

Motet: Ave Maria! blessed Maid! Lily of Eden’s fragrant shade! Who can express the love that nurtured thee, so pure and sweet, making thy heart a shelter meet for Jesus’ holy Dove! Ave Maria! Mother blest, to whom, caressing and caress’d, clings the eternal Child; favour’d beyond archangels’ dream, when first on thee with tenderest gleam the new-born Saviour smiled. Ave Maria! thou whose name all but adoring love may claim, yet may we reach thy shrine; for he, thy Son and Saviour, vows to crown all lowly lofty brows with love and joy like thine.

Antiphon: Simon Ioannis, diligis me plus his? Domine, tu omnia nosti : tu scis, Domine, quia amo te. Alleluia. Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? Lord, you know all things: You know, O Lord, that I love you. Alleluia.

Readings at Masses this week

Monday Acts 6:8-15; Psalm 118(119):23-30; John 6:22-29 Tuesday Acts 7:51-8:1; Psalm 30(31):3-8.17.21; John 6:30-35 Wednesday Acts 8:1-8; Psalm 65(66):1-7; John 6:35-40 Thursday Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 65(66):8-9.16-17.20; John 6:44-51 Friday Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 116(117); John 6:52-59 Saturday Acts 9:31-42; Psalm 115(116):12-17; John 6:60-69

Liturgy this Sunday and next Sunday

This week Next week

Celebration Third Sunday of Easter Fourth Sunday of Easter Cycle & Psalter Year C, Week 3 Year C, Week 4 Mass Page 265 Page 268 Penitential Rite C, page 8 C, page 8 First Reading Acts 5:27-32.40-41 Acts 13:14.43-52 Psalm Psalm 29:2.4-6.11-13 Psalm 99:1-3.5 Second Reading Apocalypse 5:11-14 Apocalypse 7:9.14-17 Gospel John 21:1-19 John 10:27-30 Preface Easter 2, page 74 Easter 3, page 74 Eucharistic Prayer Two, page 24 Three, page 28 Memorial Acclamation C (Save us, Saviour) C (Save us, Saviour)

Prayers For . . .

All who have died recently; especially: X Brian Goodwin who died on Saturday 27th April, and whose Requiem Mass will

be celebrated later in May; X Sister Dolores Whyte, a Presentation Sister from Matlock, who died on

Saturday 27th April. May they rest in peace!

All our parishioners and friends who have asked for our prayers: especially Lesley Michels, Rosemary Henley, Paul Trotter, Michael Paine, Barbara Martin, Lorraine Martin, Eileen Brentnall, Daniel Dopson, Joy, Hariet McBain-Allan, Kate Myers, Kitty Hughes, John and Julia Newman, Maria Pinto, Catherine Farndell, Marie Lunny, Mary Patrick, Dympna Middleton, Vincent Kelly, Sister Attracta, Verlia Duque, John and Stella Chapple, Jo and Bernard Raffo, Victoria Crouch, Peter Herrick, Mark Grab, Rosa Maria Santos, Kenneth Court, Veronica Hosking, Beth Coleman, Joan Middleton, Pat Dancer, Augusta Deane, Irene Mulligan, Nora Hunt, Valerie Pellier, Fiona Ruddle, David Cooke, Helen Allen, Jean Maker, Anna Orme, Lucy Court, Debbie Reed, Ken Woods, Lilian Popple, Anne Woods; Monsignori Jonathan Moore and Joseph Phelan; Canons John Berry and Michael Bell; Fathers John Cairns, Anthony Colebrook, Hugh Doherty, James Hannigan, Christopher Hogan, James Lynch, Frank McLaughlin, Neil McLaughlin, Robert Rutledge, Michael Tutcher, Daren Brown, Kevin Clark, David Bowler, Joe O’Hanlon, John Warrington and Richard Finn OP; Deacons Stephen Doona, Bill Hutchinson, and Bob Dawson.

A reflection from ‘Marriage Matters’

Things change, miracles happen. Today’s Scripture speaks into the heart of our marriage relationship. When Jesus comes into Peter’s life and work, just as He comes into ours, things change, ‘miracles’ happen: He invites, serves and asks profound questions: “do you love me?”. He challenges: “feed… look after…”. Peter found forgiveness and a commission; so can we when responding to His call: “follow me”.

An invitation from the parish choir

Your choir is looking for new members; all ages and experience welcome. Very many thanks to our current choir for all their work over the Easter Octave. Please come and give your support and see what it’s like on Friday evenings at 6.45pm in church.

Masses and Services this Week

Saturday 4th May THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER 6.00pm Mass Charles, Louise, Ann Harris, and Bob Spiers, RIP 7.00pm Confessions Sunday 5th May THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER 9.00am Mass Pro Populo (people of the parish) Tea and coffee after 11.00am Mass Angus Forbes’ intentions Tea and coffee after 5.00pm Sung Vespers Monday 6th May Easter Feria 7.00pm Mass Priest friends in heaven Tuesday 7th May Easter Feria 9.00am Mass Rosalie Bolland RIP Wednesday 8th May Easter Feria 7.30am Mass Father Len Kofler; The Institute of Saint Anselm Thursday 9th May Easter Feria 7.00pm Mass Father Ronald Escalante 7.30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Friday 10th May Easter Feria 10.00am Mass Rod and Elizabeth Holt and family - intentions 3.15pm Mass in prison Michelle Le Chevalier RIP Saturday 11th May Easter Feria No morning Adoration and Confessions FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 6.00pm Mass Roger Stead RIP 7.00pm Confessions Sunday 12th May FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 9.00am Mass John Marsh RIP Children’s liturgy; Tea and coffee after 11.00am Mass Pro Populo (people of the parish) Tea and coffee after 5.00pm Sung Vespers