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

30th and 31st March 2019 : Fourth Sunday of Lent Laetare Sunday : Mothering Sunday

Bishop Patrick has invited us to read the Pope’s Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exaultate, Rejoice and be Glad. Here is an extract for us to meditate on this week:

(Paragraph 63) There can be any number of theories about what constitutes holiness, with various explanations and distinctions. Such reflection may be useful, but nothing is more enlightening than turning to Jesus’ words and seeing his way of teaching the truth. Jesus explained with great simplicity what it means to be holy when he gave us the Beatitudes (cf. Matthew 5:3-12; Luke 6:20-23). The Beatitudes are like a Christian’s identity card. So if anyone asks: “What must one do to be a good Christian?”, the answer is clear. We have to do, each in our own way, what Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount. In the Beatitudes, we find a portrait of the Master, which we are called to reflect in our daily lives. (Paragraph 64) The word “happy” or “blessed” thus becomes a synonym for “holy”. It expresses the fact that those faithful to God and his word, by their self-giving, gain true happiness.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy”

(Paragraph 80) Mercy has two aspects. It involves giving, helping and serving others, but it also includes forgiveness and understanding. Matthew sums it up in one

golden rule: “In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you” (7:12). The Catechism reminds us that this law is to be applied “in every case”, especially when we are “confronted by situations that make moral judgments less assured and decision difficult”. (Paragraph 81) Giving and forgiving means reproducing in our lives some small measure of God’s perfection, which gives and forgives superabundantly. For this reason, in the Gospel of Luke we do not hear the words, “Be perfect” (Matthew 5:48), but rather, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you” (6:36-38). Luke then adds something not to be overlooked: “The measure you give will be the measure you get back” (6:38). The yardstick we use for understanding and forgiving others will measure the forgiveness we receive. The yardstick we use for giving will measure what we receive. We should never forget this. (Paragraph 82) Jesus does not say, “Blessed are those who plot revenge”. He calls “blessed” those who forgive and do so “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). We need to think of ourselves as an army of the forgiven. All of us have been looked upon with divine compassion. If we approach the Lord with sincerity and listen carefully, there may well be times when we hear his reproach: “Should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” (Matthew 18:33).

Seeing and acting with mercy: that is holiness.

Cafod – Emergency Appeal for the victim of Cyclone Idai

Bishop Patrick has written to each parish in our Diocese asking for a collection to be taken this Sunday to support the work of Cafod and the Disaster Emergency Committee in seeking to provide vital humanitarian aid for the millions of people in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, made homeless by Cyclone Idai.

Accordingly we’ll take a second collection at Masses on Sunday to support of our brothers and sisters in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Celebrating Mothering Sunday

As we come to this midpoint in Lent we celebrate Mothering Sunday, and pray for our Mothers, whether with us or (ewe pray) in the company of the saints. Today is a wonderful opportunity to thank them all for everything they do, and in a special way at the 9.00am Mass the children of our primary school will help animate our liturgy and thank their mothers with a small gift for each of them.

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.

Forthcoming Events in our parish, community and diocese

The Sacramental Preparation Group continues to meet on Thursday 4th April at 6.00pm in the parish hall.

The Saint Vincent Society meets in the parish hall (Broad Street entrance) at 6.15pm on Thursday 4th April.

The Churches Together Lent Lunch will be held on Friday 5th April (and on each Friday in Lent) from 12.30pm in the URC Hall (opposite us) on Broad Street. See the poster in the church porch, and do come along!

The Parish Film Night will be showing The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, on Saturday 6th April in the parish hall at 7.15pm. All are welcome – Popcorn available!

The Parish Pastoral Council will meet on Monday 8th April at 7.00pm. Any discussion or agenda items to the secretary, Thomas Fegan: feganthomas@icloud.com

Praising, Praying and Healing led by Rev Trevor Dearing will be hosted at Stamford Free Church on Sunday 7th April at 3.00pm. See the poster in the porch for details.

A Divine Mercy Sunday Service will be held on Sunday 28th April in Saint Joseph’s church, Oakham, at 2.30pm. All are very welcome to attend.

Reminder – Mid Lent Fair

During the annual Mid-Lent Fair Broad Street (as well as much of central Stamford) will be closed to vehicular traffic from 12.00 noon next Sunday (31st March) until 6.00am the following Sunday (7th April).

Our church will be open as usual during the week.

40 Days for Life : Prayer Volunteers Needed

Are you looking for a challenge during Lent, involving prayer and self-sacrifice? Are you saddened to see the harm done to babies, women and families through abortion? 40 Days for Life is a Christian campaign group whose purpose is to save the lives of unborn children through prayer, fasting and community outreach. With the support of Pope Francis and Bishop Patrick we are running our fourth campaign in Nottingham during Lent 2019. The aim of our prayers is simple: we are praying for an end to abortion. But we also offer support – moral and practical – to women who may be under pressure to have an abortion which they do not want, and which they may come to regret. Our vigil is prayerful, peaceful, and non-judgmental. If you care about abortion, and the harm it is doing to our families and friends, please pray with us, between Ash Wednesday (6th March) and Palm Sunday (14th April) or contact us at 40daysforlifenotts@gmail.com. What a fantastic way to prepare for Easter! And as Jesus told us: ‘What you do for the lest of these, you do for me.’

Parish Friendship Group

Lunch Date for your Diary We plan to have lunch at Second Helpings at Barn Hill Methodist church on Saturday 30th March at 12.00 noon. They do a very good lunch and afterwards we place our donations in an envelope. This helps to fund a very good local cause which we feel it is important to support, particularly during Lent. Ring Bridget (01780 482170) or Maria (01780 762657) for more information and to give us a rough idea of numbers. All are very welcome!

HMP Stocken – our parish prison

Kairos Prison Ministry would like to invite you to an Envisaging day on Saturday 30th March at Kingsgate Community Church, Parnwell, Peterborough PE1 4YT, starting at 9.30am. Kairos is a 30 year-old charity that transforms the lives of broken men and women in prison. The Kairos Inside course is open inmates of all faiths or none and a trained team of 24 share their own experiences of God’s releasing love and forgiveness in their lives. Kairos has a mission to Stocken Prison planned for October this year and is looking for helpers for Prayer, Publicity, Patisseries (making cookies!), Pennies (donations via website) and Participation on the inside. There will be 5 training sessions before the mission. If you think this is something you could get involved in, then please come along on 30th March to find out more. Please let Ian Collis know if you would like to attend on 07771 566533 or iancollis2011@gmail.com. Lunch will be provided.

LACY : Leicestershire Active Catholic Youth

LACY Countryside Stations of the Cross on 7th April at Mount Saint Bernard Abbey. Our Stations of the Cross take place during Lent offering the opportunity to all young people, their families and friends, to be involved by reflecting and dramatizing that special journey to Calvary with Jesus. We commence at 1.30pm with the Stations around the Abbey and then coming into the Abbey for an uplifting and reflective Celebration of Mass. Further information from paulinepayne@hotmail.com

Lenten Mass in Lincoln Cathedral

The parishes of Lincoln have arranged to have Mass celebrated in Lincoln Cathedral at 7.00pm on Thursday 11th April (Thursday before Holy Week). Parishioners from across the county are very welcome to attend.

On-line Resource for Lent

New Pilgrim Path explores and shares the rich spiritual resources of the internet. Visitors are helped to find sites that are relevant to them at the particular stage of their journey. They have pages devoted to a range of resources, including daily prayer, online retreats, inspirational reflections, spiritual poetry, religious broadcasts and many others. Each week they also feature a ‘Website of the week’. ~For more information, please go to www.newpilgrimpath.ie

Lent – extra chances for prayer

We are called to pray more in Lent, and so we might make prayer a regular part of our daily devotions. In church we have these extra opportunities:

X we will have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for half an hour each Thursday evening after Mass (7.30pm-8.00pm) and on Saturday mornings (9.00am-10.00am);

X we will make the Stations of the Cross each Sunday at 4.15pm; X we will celebrate Solemn Vespers with a reflection led by parishioners, each

Sunday at 5.00pm. There are also Stations of the Cross booklets at the back of church which can be used for making the Way of the Cross in church, or taken home for private devotions.

Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 2019 : Forms are at the back of church

From our Parish Primary School

FOSA Cupcakes Mother’s Day Thank you to the Friends of Saint Augustine (FOSA) team who were in school this week helping some of the pupils to decorate cupcakes for Mother’s Day. Josh said, ”it was really fun, there were lots of choices of sprinkles and treats.” Byron added, “It’s probably going to be delicious!”

Open Classrooms We held another ‘open classroom’ session this week and lots of parents and grandparents came along to see mathematics in action. One of the year 6 pupils commented, “my mum was very impressed with what I knew about finding the area of shapes.”

Football Report by Liam On Thursday, Saint Augustine’s took part in a competitive football tournament at Malcolm Sargent School. Despite the hot weather, we still played really well and came 6th out of 7 teams. We played 6 matches, lost three, drew two and won one. We were resilient even when we were losing 2-0 and we came back to draw 2-2 in that match. Well done everyone!

In the Parish Repository

Easter cards are now on sale at the back of the church, which we have sourced from two religious communities in England: the Carmelite nuns at Quidenham, and the Benedictine monks of Saint Michael’s Abbey, Farnborough. In buying them, you will be helping to support their communities and work. In addition to Easter cards, the parish has also begun sourcing a wider variety of greetings cards from Saint Michael’s Abbey Press. These include Mass cards (both for the living and the dead), cards celebrating the Sacraments, and Our Lady and other saints, and general cards - all with beautiful designs created by the monks themselves.

Presbytery Refurbishment – Fundraising Update

The financial year ends this weekend, and after that we’ll have a consolidated position showing all the monies raised and donated throughout this financial year – already in excess of £50,000! More than a quarter of what we need raised!

If you’ve not yet had opportunity to donate, take a pink form from the back of church today to find out what’s happening and how you can help!

200 Club – New Year Renewals

Thanks you to everyone who’s renewed their membership for the coming year. If you’ve not, or you want to join (we need another four members to reach the break-even point) monies should be paid this weekend to be included in the draw next Sunday. Remember, £200, £100, and £50 is won monthly by a member of our parish, and a further annual draw of £2,000 in February! Please note that the March draw is being postponed to 7th April in order to allow those who are renewing their membership time to pay their money for March. Please pay by Thursday 4th April to be included. The rearranged first draw of this year will take place after the 9.00am Mass on Sunday 7th April.

Sincere thanks to everyone who’s supported the Club in its first year!

Many Thanks for your Generosity

Envelopes £344.41 Loose plate £289.42 Standing Order £305.00 Collection Total £938.83

Sincere thanks for all your generosity!

Holy Week and Easter – an Invitation

Put these dates in your diary now and make every effort to come to church over that Great Week which we prepare to celebrate through our Lenten journey: Palm Sunday (14th April)

X Masses at 6.00pm vigil and 9.00am; then a Procession (as last year) from Saint Michael’s Churchyard at 10.30am, leading into the 11am Mass;

X Sung Vespers in church at 5.00pm. Maundy Thursday (18th April)

X The Mandatum Mass of the Lord’s Supper, with the washing of feet, at 7.30pm, and then Watching before the Blessed Sacrament until midnight;

X Compline (Night Prayer of the Church) will be celebrated at 11.50pm. Good Friday (19th April)

X Tenebrae (Office of Readings and Morning Prayer) at 9.00am; X Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 10.00am; X An Ecumenical Walk of Witness, starting from Saint Michael’s church on the

High Street, will begin at 12.00 noon; X The Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday will be celebrated at 3.00pm.

Holy Saturday (20th April) X We will spend the day in silence and stillness, waiting at the tomb; X During the day we’ll pray the Liturgy of the Hours in church: X Tenebrae (Office of Readings and Morning Prayer) at 9.00am; X Sext (Midday Prayer) at 12.00 noon; X Vespers (Evening Prayer) at 4.30pm.

EASTER DAY (21st April) X We will begin Easter with the Solemn Vigil and Mass of the Resurrection at

4.30am (followed by bacon sandwiches and prosecco in the parish hall); X Sunday Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 8.00am; X Masses as usual at 9.00am and 11.00am; X Sung Vespers (Evening Prayer) of Easter Day at 5.00pm.

Lenten Penitential Services and Station Masses

Sunday 7th April – Confessions at 4.00pm in Saint Joseph, Oakham Tuesday 9th April – Confessions at 7.00pm in Saint Mary Immaculate, Grantham Wednesday 10th April – Confessions at 7.00pm in Saint Francis (Convent), Melton Thursday 11th April – Confessions at 7.00pm in Sacred Heart and Saint Gilbert, Bourne Friday 12th April – Confessions at 7.00pm in Saint Mary and Saint Augustine, Stamford

From Pope Francis

During the Pope’s recent Apostolic Journey to the United Arab Emirates (3rd – 5th February) he signed a ‘Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together’. The Apostolic Nuncio has asked that this document be made as widely available as possible, and so the text is reprinted below.

INTRODUCTION Faith leads a believer to see in the other a brother or sister to be supported and loved. Through faith in God, who has created the universe, creatures and all human beings (equal on account of his mercy), believers are called to express this human fraternity by safeguarding creation and the entire universe and supporting all persons, especially the poorest and those most in need. This transcendental value served as the starting point for several meetings characterized by a friendly and fraternal atmosphere where we shared the joys, sorrows and problems of our contemporary world. We did this by considering scientific and technical progress, therapeutic achievements, the digital era, the mass media and communications. We reflected also on the level of poverty, conflict and suffering of so many brothers and sisters in different parts of the world as a consequence of the arms race, social injustice, corruption, inequality, moral decline, terrorism, discrimination, extremism and many other causes. From our fraternal and open discussions, and from the meeting that expressed profound hope in a bright future for all human beings, the idea of this Document on Human Fraternity was conceived. It is a text that has been given honest and serious thought so as to be a joint declaration of good and heartfelt aspirations. It is a document that invites all persons who have faith in God and faith in human fraternity to unite and work together so that it may serve as a guide for future generations to advance a culture of mutual respect in the awareness of the great divine grace that makes all human beings brothers and sisters.

DOCUMENT In the name of God who has created all human beings equal in rights, duties and dignity, and who has called them to live together as brothers and sisters, to fill the earth and make known the values of goodness, love and peace; In the name of innocent human life that God has forbidden to kill, affirming that whoever kills a person is like one who kills the whole of humanity, and that whoever saves a person is like one who saves the whole of humanity; In the name of the poor, the destitute, the marginalized and those most in need whom God has commanded us to help as a duty required of all persons, especially the wealthy and of means; In the name of orphans, widows, refugees and those exiled from their homes and their countries; in the name of all victims of wars, persecution and injustice; in the name of the weak, those who live in fear, prisoners of war and those tortured in any part of the world, without distinction; In the name of peoples who have lost their security, peace, and the possibility of living together, becoming victims of destruction, calamity and war; In the name of human fraternity that embraces all human beings, unites them and renders them equal; In the name of this fraternity torn apart by policies of extremism and division, by systems of unrestrained profit or by hateful ideological tendencies that manipulate the actions and the future of men and women;

In the name of freedom, that God has given to all human beings creating them free and distinguishing them by this gift; In the name of justice and mercy, the foundations of prosperity and the cornerstone of faith; In the name of all persons of good will present in every part of the world; In the name of God and of everything stated thus far; Al-Azhar al-Sharif and the Muslims of the East and West, together with the Catholic Church and the Catholics of the East and West, declare the adoption of a culture of dialogue as the path; mutual cooperation as the code of conduct; reciprocal understanding as the method and standard. We, who believe in God and in the final meeting with Him and His judgment, on the basis of our religious and moral responsibility, and through this Document, call upon ourselves, upon the leaders of the world as well as the architects of international policy and world economy, to work strenuously to spread the culture of tolerance and of living together in peace; to intervene at the earliest opportunity to stop the shedding of innocent blood and bring an end to wars, conflicts, environmental decay and the moral and cultural decline that the world is presently experiencing. We call upon intellectuals, philosophers, religious figures, artists, media professionals and men and women of culture in every part of the world, to rediscover the values of peace, justice, goodness, beauty, human fraternity and coexistence in order to confirm the importance of these values as anchors of salvation for all, and to promote them everywhere. This Declaration, setting out from a profound consideration of our contemporary reality, valuing its successes and in solidarity with its suffering, disasters and calamities, believes firmly that among the most important causes of the crises of the modern world are a desensitized human conscience, a distancing from religious values and a prevailing individualism accompanied by materialistic philosophies that deify the human person and introduce worldly and material values in place of supreme and transcendental principles. While recognizing the positive steps taken by our modern civilization in the fields of science, technology, medicine, industry and welfare, especially in developed countries, we wish to emphasize that, associated with such historic advancements, great and valued as they are, there exists both a moral deterioration that influences international action and a weakening of spiritual values and responsibility. All this contributes to a general feeling of frustration, isolation and desperation leading many to fall either into a vortex of atheistic, agnostic or religious extremism, or into blind and fanatic extremism, which ultimately encourage forms of dependency and individual or collective self-destruction. History shows that religious extremism, national extremism and also intolerance have produced in the world, be it in the East or West, what might be referred to as signs of a “third world war being fought piecemeal”. In several parts of the world and in many tragic circumstances these signs have begun to be painfully apparent, as in those situations where the precise number of victims, widows and orphans is unknown. We see, in addition, other regions preparing to become theatres of new conflicts, with outbreaks of tension and a build-up of arms and ammunition, and all this in a global context overshadowed by uncertainty, disillusionment, fear of the future, and controlled by narrow-minded economic interests. We likewise affirm that major political crises, situations of injustice and lack of equitable distribution of natural resources – which only a rich minority benefit from, to the detriment of the majority of the peoples of the earth – have generated, and continue to generate, vast numbers of poor, infirm and deceased persons. This leads to catastrophic crises that various countries have fallen victim to despite their natural resources and the resourcefulness of young people which characterize these nations. In the face of such crises that result in the deaths of millions of children – wasted away from poverty and hunger – there is an unacceptable silence on the international level.

It is clear in this context how the family as the fundamental nucleus of society and humanity is essential in bringing children into the world, raising them, educating them, and providing them with solid moral formation and domestic security. To attack the institution of the family, to regard it with contempt or to doubt its important role, is one of the most threatening evils of our era. We affirm also the importance of awakening religious awareness and the need to revive this awareness in the hearts of new generations through sound education and an adherence to moral values and upright religious teachings. In this way we can confront tendencies that are individualistic, selfish, conflicting, and also address radicalism and blind extremism in all its forms and expressions. The first and most important aim of religions is to believe in God, to honour Him and to invite all men and women to believe that this universe depends on a God who governs it. He is the Creator who has formed us with His divine wisdom and has granted us the gift of life to protect it. It is a gift that no one has the right to take away, threaten or manipulate to suit oneself. Indeed, everyone must safeguard this gift of life from its beginning up to its natural end. We therefore condemn all those practices that are a threat to life such as genocide, acts of terrorism, forced displacement, human trafficking, abortion and euthanasia. We likewise condemn the policies that promote these practices. Moreover, we resolutely declare that religions must never incite war, hateful attitudes, hostility and extremism, nor must they incite violence or the shedding of blood. These tragic realities are the consequence of a deviation from religious teachings. They result from a political manipulation of religions and from interpretations made by religious groups who, in the course of history, have taken advantage of the power of religious sentiment in the hearts of men and women in order to make them act in a way that has nothing to do with the truth of religion. This is done for the purpose of achieving objectives that are political, economic, worldly and short-sighted. We thus call upon all concerned to stop using religions to incite hatred, violence, extremism and blind fanaticism, and to refrain from using the name of God to justify acts of murder, exile, terrorism and oppression. We ask this on the basis of our common belief in God who did not create men and women to be killed or to fight one another, nor to be tortured or humiliated in their lives and circumstances. God, the Almighty, has no need to be defended by anyone and does not want His name to be used to terrorize people. This Document, in accordance with previous International Documents that have emphasized the importance of the role of religions in the construction of world peace, upholds the following: - The firm conviction that authentic teachings of religions invite us to remain rooted in the values of peace; to defend the values of mutual understanding, human fraternity and harmonious coexistence; to re-establish wisdom, justice and love; and to reawaken religious awareness among young people so that future generations may be protected from the realm of materialistic thinking and from dangerous policies of unbridled greed and indifference that are based on the law of force and not on the force of law; - Freedom is a right of every person: each individual enjoys the freedom of belief, thought, expression and action. The pluralism and the diversity of religions, colour, sex, race and language are willed by God in His wisdom, through which He created human beings. This divine wisdom is the source from which the right to freedom of belief and the freedom to be different derives. Therefore, the fact that people are forced to adhere to a certain religion or culture must be rejected, as too the imposition of a cultural way of life that others do not accept; - Justice based on mercy is the path to follow in order to achieve a dignified life to which every human being has a right; - Dialogue, understanding and the widespread promotion of a culture of tolerance, acceptance of others and of living together peacefully would contribute significantly to reducing many economic, social, political and environmental problems that weigh so heavily on a large part of humanity; - Dialogue among believers means coming together in the vast space of spiritual, human and shared social

values and, from here, transmitting the highest moral virtues that religions aim for. It also means avoiding unproductive discussions; - The protection of places of worship – synagogues, churches and mosques – is a duty guaranteed by religions, human values, laws and international agreements. Every attempt to attack places of worship or threaten them by violent assaults, bombings or destruction, is a deviation from the teachings of religions as well as a clear violation of international law; - Terrorism is deplorable and threatens the security of people, be they in the East or the West, the North or the South, and disseminates panic, terror and pessimism, but this is not due to religion, even when terrorists instrumentalize it. It is due, rather, to an accumulation of incorrect interpretations of religious texts and to policies linked to hunger, poverty, injustice, oppression and pride. This is why it is so necessary to stop supporting terrorist movements fuelled by financing, the provision of weapons and strategy, and by attempts to justify these movements even using the media. All these must be regarded as international crimes that threaten security and world peace. Such terrorism must be condemned in all its forms and expressions; - The concept of citizenship is based on the equality of rights and duties, under which all enjoy justice. It is therefore crucial to establish in our societies the concept of full citizenship and reject the discriminatory use of the term minorities which engenders feelings of isolation and inferiority. Its misuse paves the way for hostility and discord; it undoes any successes and takes away the religious and civil rights of some citizens who are thus discriminated against; - Good relations between East and West are indisputably necessary for both. They must not be neglected, so that each can be enriched by the other’s culture through fruitful exchange and dialogue. The West can discover in the East remedies for those spiritual and religious maladies that are caused by a prevailing materialism. And the East can find in the West many elements that can help free it from weakness, division, conflict and scientific, technical and cultural decline. It is important to pay attention to religious, cultural and historical differences that are a vital component in shaping the character, culture and civilization of the East. It is likewise important to reinforce the bond of fundamental human rights in order to help ensure a dignified life for all the men and women of East and West, avoiding the politics of double standards; - It is an essential requirement to recognize the right of women to education and employment, and to recognize their freedom to exercise their own political rights. Moreover, efforts must be made to free women from historical and social conditioning that runs contrary to the principles of their faith and dignity. It is also necessary to protect women from sexual exploitation and from being treated as merchandise or objects of pleasure or financial gain. Accordingly, an end must be brought to all those inhuman and vulgar practices that denigrate the dignity of women. Efforts must be made to modify those laws that prevent women from fully enjoying their rights; - The protection of the fundamental rights of children to grow up in a family environment, to receive nutrition, education and support, are duties of the family and society. Such duties must be guaranteed and protected so that they are not overlooked or denied to any child in any part of the world. All those practices that violate the dignity and rights of children must be denounced. It is equally important to be vigilant against the dangers that they are exposed to, particularly in the digital world, and to consider as a crime the trafficking of their innocence and all violations of their youth; - The protection of the rights of the elderly, the weak, the disabled, and the oppressed is a religious and social obligation that must be guaranteed and defended through strict legislation and the implementation of the relevant international agreements. To this end, by mutual cooperation, the Catholic Church and Al-Azhar announce and pledge to convey this Document to authorities, influential leaders, persons of religion all over the world, appropriate regional

and international organizations, organizations within civil society, religious institutions and leading thinkers. They further pledge to make known the principles contained in this Declaration at all regional and international levels, while requesting that these principles be translated into policies, decisions, legislative texts, courses of study and materials to be circulated. Al-Azhar and the Catholic Church ask that this Document become the object of research and reflection in all schools, universities and institutes of formation, thus helping to educate new generations to bring goodness and peace to others, and to be defenders everywhere of the rights of the oppressed and of the least of our brothers and sisters. In conclusion, our aspiration is that: this Declaration may constitute an invitation to reconciliation and fraternity among all believers, indeed among believers and non-believers, and among all people of good will; this Declaration may be an appeal to every upright conscience that rejects deplorable violence and blind extremism; an appeal to those who cherish the values of tolerance and fraternity that are promoted and encouraged by religions; this Declaration may be a witness to the greatness of faith in God that unites divided hearts and elevates the human soul; this Declaration may be a sign of the closeness between East and West, between North and South, and between all who believe that God has created us to understand one another, cooperate with one another and live as brothers and sisters who love one another. This is what we hope and seek to achieve with the aim of finding a universal peace that all can enjoy in this life.

Abu Dhabi, 4 February 2019

His Holiness Pope Francis

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyeb

Student Cross

Due to a change of route the Student Cross will not be visiting Stamford this year. I would like to thank all parishioners who so kindly have been supporting this wonderful pilgrimage to date. The Student Cross organisers have promised to return next year and I hope I will be able to count once again on your great generosity in the future. Stephanie

Sunday Collection Envelopes

The boxes of envelopes for the new financial year are available at the back of church. Thanks to all those who took theirs last Sunday; if you didn’t please have a look this Sunday and take them home. There are also boxes for those parishioners with standing orders, containing just the second collection envelopes. If you don’t have a set and would like one, or a standing order form, or a gift aid please contact the parish secretary, Lauren, at office@catholicstamford.com

Liturgy this Sunday and next Sunday This week Next week

Celebration Fourth Sunday of Lent Fifth Sunday of Lent Cycle & Psalter Year C, Week 4 Year C, Week 1 Mass Page 168 Page 176 Penitential Rite C, page 8 C, page 8 First Reading Joshua 5:9-12 Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm Psalm 33:2-7 Psalm 125 Second Reading 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Philippians 3:8-14 Gospel Luke 15:1-3.11-32 John 8:1-11 Preface Reconciliation 2, page 39 Lent Two, page 70 Eucharistic Prayer Reconciliation 2, page 39 Three, page 28 Memorial Acclamation C (Save us, Saviour) C (Save us, Saviour)

Sunday’s Antiphon and Motet at the 11.00am Mass

Motet: Ave Maria - Arcadelt Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Ave Maria. Benedicta tu, benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis, Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis, Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis. Amen. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Hail Mary. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mary, pray for us. Amen.

Antiphon: Oportet te fili gaudere, quia frater tuus mortuus fuerat, et revixit; perierat, et inventus est. O my son, so should you rejoice that your brother who had died to me has been restored to me: he who was lost has been found.

A Reflection from ‘Marriage Matters’

The need for gratitude and trust The Gospel illustrates the Father’s amazing forgiveness but the elder brother reacts angrily and is resentful and self-righteous. At times when we feel hurt and resentful and life seems unfair, and tensions rise, we can blame each other. Jesus’ message is to trust in our husband / wife, to look for their loving ways and to ask forgiveness for our own faults.

Prayers For . . .

All who have died recently, especially Sister Mary Joseph of Jesus ODC, and all those whose anniversaries occur about this time.

May they rest in peace!

All our parishioners and friends who have asked for our prayers: especially Barbara Martin, Robert Plant, 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, Kevin Gradwell, Joe O’Hanlon, John Warrington and Richard Finn OP; Deacons Bill Hutchinson, and Bob Dawson.

Pope’s Prayer Intentions for April

Doctors and their Collaborators in War Zones

For doctors and their humanitarian collaborators in war zones,

who risk their lives to save the lives of others.

Readings at Masses this week

Monday Isaiah 65:17-21; Psalm 29(30):2.4-6.11-13; John 4:43-54 Tuesday Ezekiel 47:1-9.12; Psalm 45(46):2-9; John 5:1-16 Wednesday Isaiah 49:8-15; Psalm 144(145):8-18; John 5:17-30 Thursday Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 105(106):19-23; John 5:31-47 Friday Wisdom 2:1.12-22; Psalm 33(34):16-23; John 7:1-2.10.25-30 Saturday Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 7:2-3.9-12; John 7:40-52

Masses and Services this week

Saturday 30th March FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (Laetare Sunday) Second Collection this Sunday for Cafod’s Disaster Relief of Cyclone Idai

6.00pm Vigil Mass Brian Chun RIP 7.00pm Confessions

Clocks go forward by one hour at 2.00am – don’t be late for morning Mass! Sunday 31st March FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (Laetare Sunday) 9.00am Mass Irena Dudek RIP (with our primary school) Tea and coffee in the hall after 11.00am Mass Kathleen Crilley RIP Tea and coffee in the hall after 3.00pm Ecumenical Service at Whitefriars 4.15pm Stations of the Cross 5.00pm Sung Vespers Monday 1st April Lenten Feria 7.00am Mass Thomas Fegan’s intentions Tuesday 2nd April Lenten Feria 7.30am Mass Anniversary of Rose Sherwood Wednesday 3rd April Lenten Feria 7.30am Mass Fiona’s intentions Thursday 4th April Lenten Feria 7.00pm Mass Ryan Collis‘s intentions 7.30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction Friday 5th April Lenten Feria 10.00am Mass Giovanni Martini 3.15pm Mass in prison Sister Mary Joseph of Jesus ODC, RIP Saturday 6th April Lenten Feria

9.00am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Exposition, Confessions FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT (Passion Sunday)

Retiring Collection for Easter Flowers 6.00pm Vigil Mass Sheila Kelly and deceased of the Kelly family 7.00pm Confessions Sunday 7th April FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT (Passion Sunday) 9.00am Mass Pro Populo (people of the parish) Children’s Liturgy; tea and coffee in the hall after 11.00am Mass John Herd RIP Tea and coffee in the hall after 4.00pm Reconciliation Service, Oakham (Saint Joseph’s church) 4.15pm Stations of the Cross 5.00pm Sung Vespers