joyful hope - the assumption · pancake day 4 womens’s world day of prayer 5 you are living...
TRANSCRIPT
Joyful Hope A Seasonal Magazine for the Parishioners of
The Assumption and St Thomas More
Edition No 3. The Season of Easter 2012
I have risen, and I am with you still, alleluia
Contents
Editorial 1
The Sunday Gospels 2
Cricket at Beeston 3
You must be as old
as me 4
Pancake Day 4
Womens’s World Day
Of Prayer 5
You are Living Stones 5
Come and listen to
Fr John 6
St Thomas More’s
new colour 6
Liturgical Calendar 7
What’s on 7
Crossword Fun 8
W e are by our nature, vulnerable to the impact of determining factors. They shape
our ability to influence things and they limit the impact of any change we want to
make happen. These limits frustrate us and tend then to dampen our enthusiasm
and curb our eagerness to show our dynamism. The greatest of these limiting factors is time.
It is such a barrier to all things mortal. It becomes a dead weight, a terminus that acts as an
obstacle to our ambitions. Such is its nature that we even give it a value so that it functions
almost as a currency to be bartered and exchanged. – if only I had more time! Such thinking
can have no place in our thoughts about the Resurrection!
T he trouble is, is that we have to use the limiting and constraining vehicle of language
to try to describe something which stands outside our ability to verbalise it. As a re-
sult, we have to use words and phrases like “resurrection” or “spiritual body” or
“another form” to describe an event that is outside the concept of space and time. When we
read the gospel narratives about the resurrection, we notice that none of them actually at-
tempt a description, precisely because of the inadequacy of language. What they do describe
is the impact of the reality of the event on those who experienced it. Take John’s account, he
tells us how it was still dark and that by implication the disciple goes into a pitch-black tomb
and sees. It’s clear that the language is being used in a very particular way that directs us
away from the literal meaning of the words. Mary Magdala sees the Risen Lord and mis-
takes him for the gardener! But who is being described if not the Creator when in the Book
of Genesis the Lord God strolls in the cool of the evening in the Garden of Eden. And what
about the stone? The passive tense is used to describe that the stone had been moved away
from the tomb implying that no human hand was involved here. All of this language is call-
ing us to find meaning beyond the words as written. It is the language of faith that speaks of
the lucidity of our belief through the opaqueness of our limiting vocabulary.
T his is what transforms us and brings into the new creation that we have now become
through our faith in Jesus Christ. It brings into focus all those things that limit us
physically and expresses the spiritual power that we now have to challenge and then
to change them. All of our fears, all of our anxieties, all of our concerns, which by their very
nature are governed by physical and emotional constarints, are now confronted by a pro-
found and deep spiritual joy, that overcomes the grip of those physical and emotional con-
straints on us, releasing us from our bondage.
T he apostles, the disciples and the women who experienced the resurrection were all
of them shaken to the core by what happened. Whatever they felt, one thing is cer-
tain. They no longer felt constrained by the limitations of either their environment,
their status, their caste, their fear, their worries or their concerns. All of these no longer held
sway over them. The resurrection transformed them into heralds of the Good News, from
fishermen to fishers of men, for whom the physical boundaries of time and place no longer
presented any difficulties. Let us pray for that same experience this day. Haec dies quam
fecit Dominus! Rejoice and be glad!
HAPPY EASTER!
Exult, let them
exult, the hosts
of heaven
The crossword The crossword The crossword The crossword
Across:
7. Word used by a leper to describe their
condition (7)
8. North African town where Augustine
was bishop (5)
9. The first son of Jacob (3)
10 John 3:7 Do not be …. when I say: You
must be born from above. (9)
12. Cube shaped monument believed to
have been built by Abraham and Ish-
mael (5)
14. A body of mystical teaching of
rabbinical origin (7)
16. He was known as ‘The red priest’ (7)
18. Country where the Hebrews were en-
slaved (5)
19 Jewish rebel army that founded the
Hasmonean Dynasty in 164 BC (9)
20. Little devil (3)
21. Alternative spelling for the name of the
8th Century English Saint Osgyth (5)
22. Venetian Painter 1696-1726 (7)
Down: 1. Author of a novel about the visit of the devil to the Soviet Union (7)
2. The gall given to Jesus to drink on the cross was a mild form of what
(4)
3. The ancient or biblical name for Iraq (6)
4. A type of Spiritual being (6)
5. The renunciation of a religion (8)
6 Title of the risen Jesus (4)
11. John 20:22 After saying this he breathed on them and said: ….. the
Holy Spirit. (7)
13. The paraclete (8)
15. A responsory sung by a choir in Gregorian Chant (8)
17 They numbered five (6)
18. The greatest Christian Festival (6)
19. The common name for the Eucharistic celebration (4)
20. A conventional religious painting on a small wooden panel (4)
Did You Know that? Did You Know that? Did You Know that? Did You Know that?
Where does the word Easter come from.?
No-one is exactly sure but St Bede the
early English historian writes the follow-
ing regarding the Anglo Saxon months:
Eosturmonath has a name which is now
translated "Paschal month", and which was
once called after a goddess of theirs named
Eostre, in whose honour feasts were cele-
brated in that month. Now they designate
that Paschal season by her name, calling
the joys of the new rite by the time-
honoured name of the old observance."
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8
9 10 11
12 13 14 15
16 17 18
19 20
21 22
Here are a few thoughts sent in by a parishionerHere are a few thoughts sent in by a parishionerHere are a few thoughts sent in by a parishionerHere are a few thoughts sent in by a parishioner
If you aren’t poor enough to take charity, then you
are rich enough to give it.
Cherish all your happy moments; they make a fine
cushion for old age.
The mind grows rich from what it receives, the
heart from what it gives.
An hour with your grandchildren can make you
feel young again; anything longer than that and
you start to age quickly.
You’re getting old when you enjoy remembering
things more than you enjoy doing them.
Give God what is right, not what’s left!
Liturgical Year B Liturgical Year B Liturgical Year B Liturgical Year B ---- The Year of St Mark The Year of St Mark The Year of St Mark The Year of St Mark
The Season of Easter 2012 The Season of Easter 2012 The Season of Easter 2012 The Season of Easter 2012
The Sunday Gospels of Eastertide Year BThe Sunday Gospels of Eastertide Year BThe Sunday Gospels of Eastertide Year BThe Sunday Gospels of Eastertide Year B
The Gospels for the weekdays of Eastertide take us on a sweeping journey through the Gospel of John and
this journey is partially reflected in the Sunday Gospels too.
Easter Sunday: John gives us his version of the story of the ‘empty tomb’. We live out the panic of Mary
Magdalene when distraught and in tears she tells Peter and John what has happened. They run off to the
tomb to see for themselves and what they ‘see’ confounds them. Now they understand since what they see
they ‘see’ with the eyes of faith.
The Octave of Easter : It is the evening of the day of the resurrection and Jesus appears to the disciples
and they receive the Holy Spirit. Thomas is not with them and we can only guess why. Perhaps he was too
upset to be with the rest, but they don’t neglect him. Eight days have passed and he is now with them
again and Jesus appears amongst them and Thomas receives his benediction.
Third Sunday : Luke’s piece of fish! The disciples remain unsure about the nature of the Risen Lord. Is it
for real or is it a vision? It’s a question which has crossed everyone’s mind and Luke wishes to reassure us
that the risen body of Jesus is a physical body but that understanding this in the scriptures is what matters.
Fourth Sunday : One the earliest depictions of the risen Christ was as the Good Shepherd: the one who
knows his sheep and he lays down his life for them. It is a beautiful image and assures that we are loved
and cared for by one who will never abandon us unlike the hired hand, who when difficulties arise runs
away. Jesus is our mediator with the Father and he knows each one of us by name.
Fifth Sunday : The image of the vine as a model for the Church is a powerful one. Each one of us, as a
member of the Church is connected with the Father and with each other through Christ. There may be
times when we feel separate and apart yet because we remain on the vine we remain part of a love that
feeds us and nurtures us no matter how distant things become.
Sixth Sunday : The love with which the risen Lord feeds us is a total giving of self, and loving in this way
changes us. No longer are we concerned with what we earn for ourselves but through the example of
Christ we live to love as he has shown us.
Ascension Sunday : At last St Mark makes an appearance! Jesus returns to the Father and gives us our
commission to preach the gospel that notwithstanding the obstacles placed in its path will overcome them
since the Lord is at work in them and in us.
Pentecost Sunday : The circle is now complete. The Spirit breathed onto the disciples by Jesus on Easter
Day now animates them to burst forth from the Upper Room to proclaim the gospel. The nature and qual-
ity of the Spirit is disclosed by Jesus; the Spirit will lead us to the complete truth through which we are
liberated.
The ZONE3 Group Come and join with your
friends
What’s On and Where? What’s On and Where? What’s On and Where? What’s On and Where?
St Thomas More Glenwood Avenue WollatonSt Thomas More Glenwood Avenue WollatonSt Thomas More Glenwood Avenue WollatonSt Thomas More Glenwood Avenue Wollaton
Masses throughout Eastertide are as follows:
• Weekend Masses are on Saturday evening at 6.30
pm and Sunday morning at 10.45. am
• Weekday masses are celebrated at 9.00 am on
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and at 7.30 pm
on Monday Wednesday and Friday.
The Church of the Assumption FosterAvenue The Church of the Assumption FosterAvenue The Church of the Assumption FosterAvenue The Church of the Assumption FosterAvenue
Masses throughout Eastertide are as follows:
• Weekend Masses are on Saturday evening at 5.30
pm and Sunday morning at 9.00 am and Sunday
evening at 6.00 pm.
• Weekday masses are celebrated at 9.00 am on
Wednesday and at 1.00 pm on Tuesday, Thursday
and Friday.
Who’s WhoWho’s WhoWho’s WhoWho’s Who
Parish Priest: Fr Ephraim Nwachukwu
25 Foster Avenue Beeston NG9 1AE
Tel: 0115 9228145
Email: [email protected]
Deacon:
Rev Mr Anthony Cordes
339 Wollaton Road NG8 1FQ
Tel: 0115 9280574
Email: [email protected]
Retired Priest:
Fr John Abbott
70 Bramcote Lane NG2 2NG
Tel: 0115 9174051
Email: [email protected]
Please feel free to contact the clergy if you wish to
discuss any matter you would like to speak to them
about. They will be only too willing to lend a help-
ing and caring hand.
If you’re in year 7-13 at school then you’re are
invited and we’d love to see you!
Come and join in our Pizza and
Quiz Night at The Assumption
Parish Hall on Friday 25 May
2012 from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm
The St Thomas More Social Committee presents a unique opportu-nity to come enjoy a shared table with your friends.
So bring some food and drink and relax on the desert island with Fr John
CHURCH OF THE CHURCH OF THE CHURCH OF THE CHURCH OF THE
ASSUMPTION ASSUMPTION ASSUMPTION ASSUMPTION
CRICKET CLUBCRICKET CLUBCRICKET CLUBCRICKET CLUB
St Thomas More gets a spruce upSt Thomas More gets a spruce upSt Thomas More gets a spruce upSt Thomas More gets a spruce up Over two days in February four hardy souls donned their overalls, mounted ladders and
scaffold with brushes and rollers in hand and gave the sanctuary a fresh coat of paint.
Last year the cricket club had its best season ever -
Played 22, Won 19 and Lost 3. Wow!! Is this the
same club that used to be beaten by everyone 23
years ago? Yes it is. Parishioners of the Assump-
tion, Beeston; St Thomas More’s, Wollaton and St
John’s, Stapleford formed the team known as
CACC (Church of the Assumption Cricket Club)
in 1989.
The club began when Christ Church, Chilwell,
having played us at football in the winter, invited
us to play two games of cricket. We managed to
have 4 fixtures that first season by also playing
against Beeston Rylands Methodists. The club is
indebted to all the original 17 members for bravely
facing defeat on a regular basis in the early days.
We even had our very own umpire, Gilbert.
We have seen young lads grow into students and
sadly leave for pastures new. We have seen young
fathers grow a little older and come along with
their sons to restore the average age of the club to
something more respectable. A thriving club needs
a constant stream of youngsters coming through
and we have that. We have ex league players who
now enjoy playing for a friendly, yet determined,
non-league club. They are an inspiration to the rest
of us and they also know the rules. We have men
that haven’t played since school (long, long ago
for some) and then find that the old line and length
with their bowling is still there and the cover drive
with their batting resurfaces again. Oh, how those
comments of old ring true:
• “What is human life but a game of cricket”
Duke of Dorset in 1777.
• “Cricket is the greatest game that the wit of
man has yet devised” Sir Pelham Warner.
• “Cricket is more than play, it is worship in the
summer sun”. Edmund Blunden.
We only play non-league, friendly cricket matches,
against some of local church teams, against The
Holy Spirit and St. Luke’s West Bridgford and
now against non-church teams as well, being on
our best behaviour when we play against the
Mansfield Police.
The club became a real cricket club when Sarah
started to provide cricket teas. They are said to be
the best teas in the fixtures for miles around, I
agree totally, especially after finishing off with a
slice of Sarah’s lemon drizzle cake.
After a long hard match in the field we retire to the
local pub to refresh our spirits if we lost or to cele-
brate the win. In the winter we have a few pub
nights to keep in touch, then we have eight winter
nets Friday evenings at Trent Bridge, the Mecca of
cricket to us Nottingham folks.
The club has not been without its sad times. The
death of our first captain, Bob, in our early years
and the death of our wicket keeper, Tad, a few
years ago. We present the CACC Tad Kieniewicz
Sportsmanship Trophy at the AGM each year in
his honour.
Jim Lowe
CACC Hon President
Desert Island Discs With Fr John
(Discover more about Fr John’s life and
favourite musical) Date : Sunday 22nd April 2012 Time : 12.30 pm Venue : St Thomas More Admission : Shared Table. Donations baskets on tables for Building Fund
Women’s World Day of Prayer 2 March 2012Women’s World Day of Prayer 2 March 2012Women’s World Day of Prayer 2 March 2012Women’s World Day of Prayer 2 March 2012
This event was held at Kings-
wood Methodist Church Wolla-
ton. The theme of the liturgy
was “Let Justice Prevail” which
was centred around the condi-
tions and concerns of women in
Malaysia, particularly in the
areas of education and employ-
ment. There were a number of
displays showing pictures from
Malaysia and the liturgy cen-
tred on the prayer of the women
of Malaysia for mercy, forgive-
ness and justice. A number of
ladies from St Thomas More
Parish attended and here are
some photos
You must be as old as me
I remember a caravan in Ingoldmells
And playing cards ‘neath a calor gas light
We used huge metal tubs for toilets
Which were mysteriously emptied at night
Queueing for water at the stand pipe
And carrying it back to the van with pride
Stripped to the waist in the morning
And washing in the freezing cold outside
We used to walk into Skeggy
The beach seemed miles from the sea
If you remember drinking pop in The Ship pub yard
You must be as old as me.
I remember outside lavies
Sit quiet say your prayers
Never had toilet tissue
Just newspaper-cut into squares
Whitewash, dust and cobwebs
A perfect haven for mice
In the winter paraffin lamps glowed warmly
To stop the water from turning to ice
A den for the kids to play in
The glorious lavatory
If you remember outside plumbing
You must be as old as me
I remember listening to the radio
Dick Barton Snowy and Jock
Take it from here, Ray’s a laugh
And especially Tony Hancock
The Goons with Milligan and Secombe
Peter Sellars was Major Bloodnock
Jet Morgan journeyed into space
With sidekicks Lemmy and Doc
Al Read said “You’re not trying to get in
Here are you? I said you’re not trying to get
Here you’ll be lucky”
And if you remember some of those shows
You must be as old as me.
You are Living StonesYou are Living StonesYou are Living StonesYou are Living Stones
Having read the Bishop’s document “You are Living
Stones” on the renewal of the Parochial Structure of the
Diocese I suppose the first question to ask is how will it
effect us in the parishes of the Assumption and St Tho-
mas More? I think from the outset one of the things
which we need to focus on is the gifts which we already
possess within our communities and to look to how we
can both build on and enhance what we already have so
as to make our parishes work better.
I think that it is worth saying from the outset that both
our parishes already have experience of operating as
parishes which share a parish priest. Since 2003 St Tho-
mas More has existed within such a framework, firstly
with St Mary’s Hyson Green and St Paul’s Lenton, and
since 2006 with The Assumption. The Assumption too
before being linked with St Thomas More was sharing
its priest with St John the Evangelist Stapleford. From
the point of view of the document we are already
“ahead of the game” and therefore know to some de-
gree what is to be expected and this is also true for the
majority of parishes within the deanery. Therefore let’s
recognise that we shouldn’t enter into this consultation
period with any fear.
A parish above everything else is a living expression of
the presence of God. In all that it does, be it in its litur-
gical life, its communal life and its interaction with the
world, the parish exists through the witness of its peo-
ple. Consequently the whole thrust of parish life is gen-
erated as a movement upwards and outwards from the
people of God living in the parish into the world. As
Catholics this movement is nurtured and fed, sustained
and fostered through the sacramental life of the parish.
Of course this is primarily evidenced by the Eucharistic
life which the parish expresses both in what it does and
how it seeks to put it into practice. Gathering together
for the celebration of the Eucharist is therefore para-
mount.
However if the Eucharist can only be celebrated on a
Sunday in the parish, then whilst the Parish Priest re-
tains the central liturgical role at the Eucharist he must
act to animate the people of the parish. He must seek to
help and assist them in understanding their own role
within the “priestly life” to which we are all called
through our baptism. Yes each one of us is called by
Christ to live out our baptismal vocation to be priest,
prophet and king in a way that expresses our ministerial
function within our parish and beyond. In the absence
of a resident priest in the parish this means recognising
we have the responsibility for making the parish the
place where the love of Christ is made manifest. The
sacramental life of the parish still goes on by virtue of
the acts and deeds of its parishioners, guided by the
Holy Spirit. The absence of a resident priest does not
imply that the prayer life, the liturgical life or the catho-
lic social life of the parish unwinds. The more we are
able to advance this understanding the more will our
parishes grow and strengthen in their witness to the call
of Christ to be his disciples and to follow him.
Pancake Day 2012Pancake Day 2012Pancake Day 2012Pancake Day 2012
Both parishes held a Pancake day supper
which were greatly enjoyed. Funds were
raised for various good causes and we
thank you all for your generosity.
This poem was sent in by a parishioner of St Thomas MoreThis poem was sent in by a parishioner of St Thomas MoreThis poem was sent in by a parishioner of St Thomas MoreThis poem was sent in by a parishioner of St Thomas More