6th Sunday of Easter – 6th May 2018
By Fr David In Newsletter Blog On May 4, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters
The Bishops have taken a risk this week with putting the celebration of the Solemnity of the Ascension back to its proper day which is always the Thursday before the 7thSunday of Easter. I say taken a risk as there is a chance that few people will come to our celebrations because it is outside the rhythm of Sunday worship – which was why the Bishops moved all the Holydays to a Sunday in the first place – to enable as many people as possible to participate in the celebration.
I do urge you to come to mass. In fact we have three opportunities for you as we are also celebrating a Vigil Mass on the Wednesday evening, one on Ascension Day in the morning and one in the evening at 8pm. After all, I can’t expect you to come to church without providing the opportunities to do so.
What will you find if you do come? Well, you will “get” Mass which will be remarkably like all other masses! And yet, like all other masses it will be subtly different – having its own story and prayers which enable us to participate in the Paschal Mystery in a deeper way.
I always worry, slightly, when I see, or write, those words “Paschal Mystery” because I’m ever so slightly anxious that no one really knows what they mean or, worse, assume that they are a sort of code meaning “something too difficult for lay people to understand.” Which might just be the worst thing of all because it will mean that, instead of engaging in the ‘mystery’ you will remain outside it – thinking it is too specialist for the likes of you.
Paschal mystery is made of two words – Paschal and Mystery. The latter is a kind of special word which is shorthand for something that God has revealed, rather than covered over, or ‘mystified’ as we might say. God himself is mystery and can only be understood, or experienced by what he chooses to reveal about, and of, himself. So, the Incarnation of Jesus in Bethlehem is part of that Mystery in which God makes himself known to our senses in a way that shares in our lives and we in His.
The Paschal Mystery, however, is obviously connected with Easter – with Christ’s dying and rising and with his Ascension. Through these things God is revealing something about himself that he invites us to be part of. We participate in this Mystery through the liturgy and through faith – but not just, or only, my personal faith but also the faith of the Church. By this participation we share in the events of Jesus passion, death and resurrection – and here’s the bit for Ascension Day – also in his Ascension into heaven to be with the Father. Jesus takes our humanity into heaven with him – and so completes the ‘circle’ of the incarnation – God becoming man and man being sanctified by God. We experience this sanctification through the outpouring of the Spirit which we celebrate at Pentecost – the final piece of the Paschal Mystery. Through the gift of the Spirit we are linked forever to God’s own life through His Son – it is His gift to us for the building up of His Body and for the salvation of the World.
As I wrote for Holy Week – as Catholics we can’t justbelieve these things we have to experiencethem which is what liturgy is all about. I hope you will share in that experience this Thursday.
With my love and prayers – Fr David
Ascension Day– Thursday 10this a Holy Day of Obligation with Vigil Mass at 7pm on Wednesday and at 10am in Cranleigh and 8pm in Bramleyon Thursday. The Mass is offered for the people.
The Parish AGM 2018 will be held Tuesday 22ndMay at 7.30pm at the Cranleigh Parish Meeting Room. All are welcome and business for the agenda to be advised to jcromcloud@icloud.comas soon as possible please.
Agenda
Opens at 7.30pm
Welcome and Prayer
Parish Priest’s Report
Pastoral Group Reports
Care Group [Jane Harding]
Churches Together [Win Bracking]
Pokot Report
Safeguarding Report [Angela Sargeant]
Financial Report [John Federer/Skip Koblintz]
Any Other Business (notified)
Close at 9.00pm
Everyone is welcome to join us on Sunday 3rd June to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi.
Come to St John’s seminary in Wonersh for an afternoon of fun and celebration, followed by a traditional Corpus Christi procession led by Bishop Richard.
Join us in the beautiful grounds at 12.30 to enjoy a picnic lunch with other families, or simply come along at 1pm for the afternoon to enjoy the activities provided – there will be something for everyone including:
Meeting Bishop Richard
Take a guided tour of the seminary
Learn more about Jesus as His presence in the Blessed Sacrament –with short talks from the seminarians
Prayer stations, an opportunity to take time to reflect
Arts & Crafts – children will make banners and musical shakers to use in the procession
Outside fun and games
A music session – and learn some songs to sing during the procession
If you have recently received your First Holy Communion please do take the opportunity to come in your “fine apparel” and walk with the Bishop in the procession.
After the procession there will be tea and cakes provided by the seminary. In order to cater for tea please contact Katherine.bergin@dabnet.org to book a place.
Coach Trip to the English Martyrs Catholic Churchin Worthing to see the reproduction of the Sistine Chapel.
Only two Sistine Chapel Ceilings exist in the world.
The first was painted in the 16th Century by Michelangelo Buonarroti and is located in Vatican City, Rome, Italy.
The second was painted between 1987-1993 by Gary Bevans in Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex, England.
After a pilgrimage to Rome in 1987 for the Beatification of 85 English Martyrs, parishioner Gary Bevans noted that the Sistine Chapel Ceiling was practically the same shape and size as the ceiling of his parish church of the English Martyrs, West Sussex. A natural artist and full-time sign writer he contemplated recreating an exact copy. After receiving permission from his parish priest and local Bishop he began the work in 1987 in his free time as a gift to the Church. It took him five and a half years to complete. The Sistine Chapel Reproduction in English Martyrs Church is the only known copy of the ceiling in the world.
Cranleigh and Bramley Parish are hoping to run a coach day trip to see this wonderful work.
If you would be interested in joining the coach please register your interest to jcromcloud@icloud.comas numbers will determine the size and cost of the coach which could be 29 or 53 seaters.
The Over – 50’s coffee morningswill now be held on the second Wednesday of each month and therefore will take place on 9thMay, 13thJune and 11thJuly. All are welcome and friends will be warmly welcomed.
Could you and your family be welcomers to our Parish Masses? The Cranleigh rota is in need of more welcomers, the people who organise the porch, hand out the hymn books and greet parishioners and visitors with a warm welcome. If you would like to be added to the rota for the Cranleigh Vigil Mass or the Sunday Cranleigh 11am Mass please send your interest to jcromclouc@icloud.com.
Jane Penson will host an Afternoon Tea Partyon Sunday 10thJune from 3pm. Please let Jane have your RSVP if you would like to join this event. Tel 271102
Sunday 20thMay – The Nel Familyare leaving the Parish and relocating at the end of the month. We will host a farewell party after the 11am Mass [at which there will be blessing for them] in the Cranleigh Parish Meeting Room. Everyone is then invited to join the Churches Together Pentecost Picnic Cranleigh Common, opposite the Baptist church (in the Baptist Church if wet) from 12.00/12.15. Bring a picnic lunch and any suitable outdoor games further information 01483 274148
Reserve the date of Sunday 10thJune midday for joining the St Cuthbert Mayne Summer Fair which will involve a BBQ, games and refreshments. All are welcome. There will be no onsite parking on this day.
The Cranleigh Parish are very grateful to have such a good relationship with St Cuthbert Mayne Primary School who allow use of the playground to park our cars in during the weekend Masses. Please note they are due to undertake some groundworks in the playground in the next few weeks and so we will have much reduced parking. Please always remember to park considerately in the surrounding roads and to respect the school playground at all times.
Forthcoming Funerals:
11.05.18 10.00 STM Antony Bell
17.05.18 11.00 JCROMSr Catherine Burgess
18.05.18 11.00 JCROM Tom Forristal
Brian Longman’s funeralwill take place on Thursday 3rd May, 11am at St Augustine’s Abbey.
Cremation 12.45 followed by lunch at 1.30 at The Manor Inn, Godalming. Please contact Sheila and let her know if you are coming as she needs to know numbers for catering. Her telephone members are 01483 505814 or 07986 155492.
Cranleigh Yoga – Start your week the right way!
Come and join us for 55 minutes of yoga followed by tea and biscuits. The class is open to adults of all levels. Monday mornings at 9am in the St Andrews Room in St Nicolas Church Room, Church Lane, Cranleigh. Please contact Jemima at cranleighyoga@outlook.comor join on the day. The first class if free and thereafter £8 per session.
ADORE (Alton Day Of REnewal) – Saturday 19th May 11.00-4.00
You are warmly welcome to a mini-retreat day (or morning/afternoon) of spiritual refreshment and renewal, focussing on Renewal and Mission. At Alton School, Anstey Lane, Alton GU34 2NG. 11.00am Rosary; 11.30am Mass; 12.15 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; 1.00pm Shared lunch (please bring finger food to share); 2.00pm Praise & Worship; 2.30 Talk “Proclaiming the Lord’s Favour” by Fr Simon Penhalagan; 3.30 Prayer for healing. We end about 4pm.
For more information and directions, see poster or website: http://www.altonrenewal.com Or telephone Alastair Emblem on 01252 714809. Following month’s meeting: 23rd June. Guest speaker Revd. Andrew Micklefield “Good News for the Poor.”
Catholic Radio needs funds to expand – please support us!
Heaven’s Road Catholic Radio needs ongoing funds. We broadcast 24/7 with a wide mix of Catholic-orientated programmes including prayers, original features and music. Our Mission is to celebrate our Catholic Faith – and bring the joy and comfort of Our Lord to our listeners, especially those confined to their homes and unable to attend Mass or other parish activities.
We’re a not-for-profit Catholic online Radio which is a run by a small team of unpaid volunteers and is funded entirely by donations from our friends and listeners.
Visit our website and listen to inspiring programmes on the Radio, watch live daily Holy Mass from 25 churches in England and Ireland and Listen Again to our 400+ podcasts. We hope you’ll find something there to inspire you!
St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, Guildford GU5 0QX
www.heavensroadfm.com admin@heavensroadfm.com
School Lay Chaplain
Part time -20hrs per week
Term time only
Required from September 2018
We are looking for a well-qualified, energetic and enthusiastic School Lay Chaplain to join our team.
In this role you would provide spiritual and pastoral support to the pupils and staff of the school, bearing witness to the mission statement and maintaining and enhancing the distinctive Catholic nature of the school. The post demands personal qualities of self-motivation, empathy and emotional resilience.
Candidates should ideally be practising Catholics with a sound knowledge of the liturgy, and experience of working with young people. This is an opportunity to work in a highly regarded and successful co-educational school with motivated students and a very supportive ethos. In return we offer a rewarding environment, supportive colleagues, a wonderful group of children to work with and a competitive salary. For further details, please refer to our website www.barrowhills.orgor contact the HR Department on Tel 01428 686358, email HR@barrowhills.org. Closing Date: by Noon on 8thJune 2018, however applications may be considered on receipt. We are fully committed to equality, diversity and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. All successful applicants will be required to complete an Enhanced disclosure through DBS. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from under-represented groups
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