St Benedict’s Social Club Rowan Rd Batchley

Available for hire Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals and other occasions.

Telephone the Club on 01527 60345

BINGO Every Sunday 2.30pm & Monday 8pm

Hadzor Prayer Group Friday mornings 11am-12.30pm to reflect on the Gospel for the coming Sunday. Refreshments provided

St Mary’s Alvechurch Ecumenical Faith Group On the third Wednesday of every month at 10.30 am – all welcome

New LIFE Care Service in Redditch By appointment

telephone 07516 257409 Free National Helpline 0808 802 5433

In the porches there are some LIFE cards which we would ask you to take and place in your doctor’s surgery

“My house shall be called a house of prayer” Please be sensitive to those who want to pray in silence before Mass. Before Mass Talk to God During Mass Listen to God After Mass Talk to each other

Statue Visitation for the Consecrated Life

Parishioners are invited to receive the statue of Our Lady for one week and place her with flowers and candles in a prominent position in the home. Each day you are committed to praying the rosary to which parishioners can be invited to join in if you so wish. If you would like to participate in this, please see one of the clergy or contact the parish office.

ROTA SO FAR ......... Sunday 10th September 2017 Susan Salam Sunday 17th September 2017 Vera Whyte Sunday 24th September 2017 Sarah Reynia Sunday 1st October 2017 Ann Glennon Sunday 8th October 2017 Caroline Holland If your date is not convenient for you, please either swap with someone else or let the parish office know. Could you welcome the statue of Our Lady into your

home? - Yes? - please contact the parish office!

If you wish to contact the parish St Vincent de Paul group, please telephone

07531 818731 (the SVP phone) and leave

a message with your contact details so we can

return your call.

THE SHRINES OF OUR LADY & THE SACRED HEART To have the lamp burn for your intentions or loved ones, please contact the parish office, suggested donation £5.

Fellow Catholic Parishioners please come and join us

The Catenians - a Catholic men’s association

‘Strengthening family life through friendship and faith’ The Redditch Circle meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month at the Abbey Hotel and welcomes new members. For further information please contact Andrew Farrell on 07767831548 or Brian Green on 01527 543111

Mount Carmel Seniors Group

Thursdays at 2.30pm St Benedict’s

September 21st Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Trip leaving St Benedict’s at 10am (There are seats still available for this trip) September 28th Seated Exercise October 5th Bowls & chat Forthcoming events: 16th November Christmas Market at Bath Turkey & Tinsel at Bideford, Devon _________________________________________________________________

Job Vacancies at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School

Caretaker—payscale Grade 2 pt 10-13. Hours 7am-9.15am Monday—Friday term time only inc. holidays working as agreed with Headteacher. Closing date 12 noon 2nd October.

Cleaner with keyholder responsibility—payscale Grade 2 pt 10-13, Hours Monday-Friday 2.45pm-5.45pm term time only plus banked hours to be agreed with Headteacher. Closing date 12 noon Monday 2nd October.

For both posts, please ring Mrs R Kennedy 012527 546398 or email school office office@mountcarmel.worcs.sch.uk for details and application form.

(Syro Malabar Rite) Monthly Mass 6.15pm Rosary followed by Mass,

First Saturday of the month

Coffee Shop

at St Benedict’s,

Batchley

Wednesdays

10am—12noon

Legion of Mary Mondays 10am Parish Centre All welcome

Save the date! Get your Glitter Ball ready, sequins on and disco ball up as Our Lady of Mount Carmel First School PFA

presents ‘STRICTLY COME DANCING’ on Saturday 14th October at St Benedict’s Social Club, Batchley Redditch B97 6NB. The contestants include parents, members of staff, past pupils and Fr Craig! We even have a panel of judges! Contestants and judges will be revealed via MCS PFA Facebook page in September. Please like and follow us on Facebook. Tickets Adults £5 & children £2.50 each, on sale from mid September, more information coming soon.

Thought for the day ….

Christian prayer extends to the forgiveness of enemies, transfiguring the disciple by con-figuring him to his Master. Forgiveness is a high-point of Christian prayer; only hearts attuned to God’s compassion can receive the gift of prayer. Forgiveness also bears witness that, in our world, love is stronger than sin. The martyrs of yesterday and today bear this witness to Jesus. Forgiveness is the fundamental condition of reconciliation of the children of God with their Father and of people with one another.

Second Collection this weekend

is for Catholic Evangelisation

Exploring the World of the Bible

Beginning this Friday September 22nd, 11am-12noon in the Parish Centre, thereafter the first Fri-day of each month, 11am-12 noon, during school term time.

40 Days for LIFE

Wednesday 27th Sept—Sunday 5th November During this period peaceful prayer Vigil outside ‘Marie Stopes’ Abortion Centre, Arthur Road, B15 2UL 8am—8pm daily. Come and hear Marie’s story: ‘From 5 abortions to healing with Christ’ a testimony you will never forget. ‘40 days for Life’ Kick-off event on Sunday 24th September, 3pm in the Upper Clois-ter Room, B’ham Oratory, 141 Hagley Rd, B26 8UE. All welcome. For further information contact Isabel on 07773 501721.

Cafod Appeal this weekend at all

Masses—’Campaign Power To Be’

for safe, reliable, affordable and renewable energy for the poorest communities in the world. There are cards available in church and at the centres to be completed and returned to Cafod who will send them to the UK Executive Director of the World Bank Group.

Sponsorship required …..

Trevor Hughes, a parishioner and husband of Brigeen Hughes is doing a 26 mile walking marathon on the night of Saturday 23rd September. This is an organised walk in London known as the ‘Shine Walk’. He is trying to raise £2,500 for Cancer Research. Anyone who would like to sponsor Tre-vor on his way, please see Brigeen after Mass or call at the Parish Office where there is also a Sponsorship Form.

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL, REDDITCH

Beoley Road West, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 8LT (01527) 63096

Email: office@mtcarmel.co.uk Website: www.ourladyofmountcarmel.co.uk

The Parish is part of the Archdiocese of Birmingham: Registered Charity No.234216

Parish Clergy: Fr Anthony Rohan, Fr Craig Davies, Fr Cornelius Safe

Permanent Deacons: Revs Des Chilton & Peter Griffiths

NEWSLETTER 1778 TWENTY–FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A 17TH SEPTEMBER 2017

Parish Mass Book 69, Ecclesiasticus 27:30-28.7 Psalm 102, Romans 14:7-9, Gospel Matthew 18:21-35

PARISH WEBSITE UPDATE: www.ourladyofmountcarmel.co.uk Journey in Faith, Baptism Enquiries, Wedding Enquiries etc,

The Parish Safeguarding Representatives are

Mrs Jane Craig & Mrs Linda Gordon

Journey in Faith

at Mount Carmel

Thursday Evenings

7pm Mass, 7.30pm Meeting

First Session this Thursday 21st September

Mass Times & Intentions

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A

Week beginning Sunday 17th September 2017

Saturday Mount Carmel 5.00 pm Celine & Frank O’Gorman Hadzor 5.00 pm People of the Parish

Sunday Mount Carmel 8.15 am Jack & Edna Green & Dorothy Brace 9.45 am Mass in Polish 11.15 am Bridget Wynne (a) 6.00 pm Billy Hewitt Alvechurch 9.45 am Bill Norton (b’day a) Feckenham 10.15 am James Daniel Durrant

Monday Mount Carmel 9.10 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am Derek Skinner (a) Patricia Rolinson

Tuesday Mount Carmel 9.10 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am Christopher McNamee (a) 6.00 pm In Thanksgiving (Mgt Brannan) St Thos More Sch 9.00 am School Mass

Wednesday Mount Carmel 9.10 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am Michael Hughes (a) 5.00 pm Mass in Polish

Thursday

Mount Carmel 9.10 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am Ints of Jobin Peter & Mgt Gavin 6.30 pm Exposition 7.00 pm James Doyle

Friday Mount Carmel 9.10 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am Regina’s mother 5.00 pm Mass in Polish St Bede’s Sch 2.15 pm Class Mass (8JHB) Galton Trust

Saturday Mount Carmel 9.10 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am John & Anna Karbi (a)

(The following fulfils Sunday Obligation) Mount Carmel 5.00 pm Paddy & Nellie Darcy (a) Hadzor 5.00 pm People of the Parish

Twenty-fifth Sunday of the Year Cycle A

Week beginning Sunday 24th September 2017 Mount Carmel 8.15 am Christopher McNamee (b’day a) 9.45 am Mass in Polish 11.15 am Jan Burak (a) 6.00 pm Breda Thomas & family Alvechurch 9.45 am Geo, Val, Peter & Paddy Higgins Feckenham 10.15 am Div Coyne (Wedding A)

Parish Diary ….

Sunday Twenty-fourth Sunday of the Year, Cycle A, Psalter Week 4

Counting Team D Monday 10am Legion of Mary in Parish Centre 7pm Mount Carmel Choir Practice 7.30pm Narcotics Anonymous in Parish Centre

Wednesday 7.30pm Parish Council Meeting in the Parish Centre 7.30pm St Benedict’s Committee Meeting

Thursday 7.30pm Journey in Faith, Session 1, Introduction to the Bible

Friday 11am Bible Study in the Parish Centre

Saturday Tea & Coffee in the Parish Centre after 5pm Mass Tea & Coffee after 5pm Hadzor in the Newman Room

Flowers : Jen Turner, Joan McHugh, Sheila Russell Wedding 1pm—White Flowers Sunday Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A, Psalter Wk 1

Counting Team E _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Date for your diary ……………

The Big Bible Study 2017 Saturday 30th Sept

St George’s Catholic Church, Worcester

Registration from 9.30am, 10am-1pm. Led by Rev Alison Mackay HEBA Regional Baptist Minister, Most Rev Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, Rt Rev John Inge, Bishop of Worces-ter. PRAY, STUDY, EAT—£4 per person For further information visit www.cafe-worcester.org.uk

World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel

A week of prayer, education and action to support an end to the occupation of Palestine and a just peace for all. A special Prayer Vigil for Peace Wednesday 20th September at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Row, Moseley B13

Confessions at Mount Carmel

During Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Benediction Saturdays 10-10.50am

On the 1st Saturday of the month the Rosary will be said

after Devotions

Tuesday Evenings 6.30pm-7pm

Indesit Built-in Double Oven with Grill Good Condition—If interested contact Hilary Hewitt on 01905 772164

Tuesday Saint Theodore of Canterbury

Saint Januarius

St Theodore was born at Tarsus, Turkey, about 601. He died in Canterbury on this day in 690. He was a monk in Italy who was not ordained priest until he was appointed Archbishop of Can-terbury by Pope Vitalian in 666 at the age of 65. He arrived in England in 669, and for the rest of his life reorganised and re-formed the life of the Church throughout the country, holding visitations and synods, establishing new dioceses and a great school at Canterbury, and reconciling divisions between those of the Celtic and those of the Roman tradition. He is remembered for his scholarship and for his bringing unity and organisation to a divided church. (Fourth Century) St Januarius was bishop of Benevento, Italy. He died a martyr in Naples during the persecution of Diocletian. His dried blood contained in a phial liquefies several times each year.

Wednesday Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon,

Paul Chong Ha-sang &

Companions

(Nineteenth Century) The Christian Faith was introduced into Korea during the 17th century through the zeal of a group of laypersons. But from the very beginning these Christians suf-fered under terrible persecutions that, over the course of the 19th century, gave the Church many martyrs. Outstanding among these was the first Korean priest and devoted pastor, Andrew Kim of Taegu, and the lay apostle, Paul Chong of Ha-sang. Among the Korean martyrs who struggled valiantly for Christ were bishops and priests, but for the most part they were laity, men and women, married, single, young and old.

Thursday Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle

Also called Levi, he was the son of Alphaeus. He was a publican, that is, a tax collector for the Romans. His profession was hateful to the Jews. Nevertheless, our Lord called him. Matthew is one of the Twelve Apostles. The details of his evangelisation are un-known, as is of his martyrdom which took place in Persia. Tradition unanimously acknowledges him as the author of the first gospel. His name appears among the other apostles in the Roman Canon.

Saturday Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

(1887-1968) St Pius, better known as Padre Pio, was born in Pietrelcina in Campania, Italy and joined the Capuchin commu-nity at Morcone. Ordained in 1910, he moved six years later to San Giovanni Rotondo in the Gargano peninsula. Bearing the wounds of Christ’s passion on his body, he became famous for his ministry in the confessional, his spiritual direction and his mircales. In 1956 he opened the ‘Home to Relieve Suffering’ near his friary. Despite his popularity, he faced much opposition, even from Church authorities. He was canonised in 2002.

Lamp at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mt Carmel

This week the lamp burns in loving memory of JOHN LYNCH (ANNIVERSARY) ….. Next week the lamp burns for the inten-tions of the GREEN FAMILY (30th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY)

Lamp at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart

This week the lamp burns in loving memory of JOHN LYNCH (ANNIVERSARY)….. Next week the lamp burns for the inten-tions of BERNADETTE (60th BIRTHDAY)

For the dead ...

Your prayers are asked for PATRICA ‘TRISH’ BLUNDELL Reception into church, Wednesday 4th October at 5pm, Funeral Mass Thursday 5th October at 11am, ALLAN BARBER Reception into church 5pm Thursday 5th Octo-ber, Funeral Mass 12 noon Friday 6th October, MICHAEL BOBOWSKI Funeral Friday 13th October at 11am, CLIVE HOLLAND Funeral details not yet known. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Please pray for the sick… Deacon Des, Carmel Fiolka,

Fred & Pauline Clarke, Jane-Christina Thomson, Bob & Caroline Holland, Mick Halloran, Chris Figgett, Kitty Fanning, Thomas Henry Burnside, Bridget Heatley, Winifreda Olga Hall, Brian & Devan Dixon, Pat Conner, Ita Hayes, Margaret Daly, Maureen Reavey, Gregory & Linda Daniel, Maura Lee, Margaret Clarke, Sean Harkin, Anthony Obinna, Margaret Leonard, Mary Hickey, Bill & Julie Hopkins, Rita Wilson, Pat Davis, Grazyna, Kazik & Krzys Juszkiewicz, Delia Bree, Gino Belmonte, John Henry Birtle, Martin Twomey, Mgt Maddison, Fiona Short, Jane Elliott, Selina Kilker, James Daniel Durrant, Gillian Reeves, Biddy Smith, An-drew Quinn, Martin Fawlk, Christopher Carr, Clive McColgan, Christine Watson, Maria Yates, Mark Yates, Josie Clarke

Congratulations …..

We welcome into God’s family Ruby Rae Walton & Charlie James Walters baptised last Sunday at Mount Carmel

PILGRIMAGE TO ROME Mon 23rd-Sat 27th October, flying from B’ham Airport. £750 per person (sharing). Single room supplement £150. Deposit £150.

FATIMA (Weekend Pilgrimage) Feast of the Immaculate Conception Thurs 7th-10th December £399.00 per person (sharing) Single room supplement £65. Deposit £150.

Holy Land Pilgrimage Sat 9th—Sat 16th June 2018. £1,300 per person (sharing). Single room supplement £250. Deposit £250.

Contact Andrew Oldnall on 0121 440 8623, mobile 07733 226063 or email andrewsoldnall@gmail.com for both Pilgrimages.

WEEKLY STATISTICS

Weekend 9/10 September 2017 1st Collection £804.03 2nd Collection £363.51 Attendance 690 (No Polish Mass count) These figures do not include Standing Orders

TREE OF HOPE

The tree of hope is near the statue of St Therese for anyone who wishes to hang a leaf for their own particular petition or sorrow. Feel free to take a leaf

and write a name or message on it to hang on the tree and spend sometime in prayer

SAINTS & FEASTS FOR THE WEEK …

Baptism To arrange for the baptism of your child/children you will need to contact the parish office on 01527 63096 or visit the parish website to find out when the next available Baptism Meeting is for you to attend. At this meeting you will be given the Baptism Form to take away with you for completion. Once completed please bring it with you to the parish office on a weekday morning between 10am—11am when one of the priests will be able to see you and book the date for baptism. Baptisms normally take place on a Sunday at 12.45pm in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. There is an administrative fee of £30 for Baptism which should be paid at the time of arranging the date.