Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Churchdown, Gloucester

Parish Priest: Father Paul Brandon Tel: 01452-713254

E-mail: churchdown.ourladys@cliftondiocese.com Web site: www.ourladyschurchdown.org.uk

Lent Week 3 D.P.L. St. Gregory’s & St. Thomas More, Cheltenham 15th March 2020

In the Church Hall

Sunday, 15th March Third Sunday of Lent

8.30 am Mass: Pro Populo. 10.30 am Mass: George family RIP 11:30 First Holy Communion Class in school.

No Coffee Club after Mass.

Private Hire: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Monday 16th March Weekday of Lent

9.15am: LOTWWHC

Tuesday, 17th March Feast of St. Patrick

9.15am LOTWWHC

No Coffee and tea after Mass

Wednesday, 18th March Weekday of Lent

6.30pm: Exposition with Rosary 7.00pm Mass: For Peace.

SVP Parish Group: 1st Wed of month at 6:30; Private hire: 2nd Wed of the month at 7:30

Thursday, 19th March Solemnity of St. Joseph

9.00am: Morning Prayer 9.15am Mass

HALL HIRE: To book the Church Hall, please call 01452 713 254

Friday, 20th March Weekday of Lent

10:00 am Requiem Mass: Ann Gorman, RIP. 6.00pm: Stations of the Cross

MEDITATION Group from 1:00 pm PRIVATE HIRE: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Saturday, 21st March Weekday of Lent

9.00am: Morning Prayer 9.15am Mass: M.V. George 9.45am-10.15am: Confessions

PRIVATE HIRE: 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Sunday, 22nd March Forth Sunday of Lent

8.30am Mass: Pro Populo. 10.30am Mass

Coffee Club: after 10:30 am Mass every Sunday

Private Hire: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

IN OUR PRAYERS ANNIVERSARIES: David White (18th), Yolanda Chetcuti (19th), Norman Burridge (20th), Eileen Ryland (20th).

PRAYERS for the SICK: Pat Crompton, Consolacion De Dios Blanco, Carol Benson, Wynn McGhee, Terry Pool, Ian Villanueva, Vicky Dunn, Natalie Edwards, Nigel Lamb, Doreen Baker, Kieran Anderson, Brian Phillips, Maria Kent, Christopher Brown, Thomas Jayaseelan, Gordon Palmer, Michelle Cooke, Caitlin Godden, Alex Geddes, Maggie Hansell, Bernadette Metcalf, Martin Thomas, Rebecca Lansdown, Angela Woulfe, Peter Kost, Kerrie Lane, Ian Wright, Nathan Wright, Carol While, Geraldine Armitage, Renee Taylor, Eileen Maguire.

We welcome everyone who is joining us today, and hope that you find it helpful to spend five minutes of silence and reflection before Mass: We pray the Diocesan Prayer together:

God our Father open the horizons of our minds and hearts so that we can see what hope your call holds for us. Pour out the overflowing gifts of your Spirit so that we, your church, may become a people of hope for our world. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Lady. Woman of Hope, pray for us. St. Peter, Rock of Hope, pray for us. St Paul, Apostle of Hope, pray for us.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION for Sunday, 8th March was: £701 Collection for CAFOD : £366:76 Thank you.

Coronavirus update The Diocese implements the following measures with immediate effect:

Distribution of communion will be restricted to the host being given by the hand only and not the tongue

The Chalice will be withdrawn

Individuals should not shake hands at the sign of peace

Ministers of the Eucharist should sanitise their hands before and after the distributing communion

Withdrawal of Holy Water at entrance

Offertory basket not to be circulated. Collection to be taken on departure

Hymn books not to be used

No Coffee after Mass

Self isolate if you are feeling unwell (high temperature & new continuous cough) for seven days. For more info: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/health-social-care/coronavirus-guidelines/

Clifton Diocese (a company limited by guarantee) registered in England and Wales under number 10462076 |Registered Charity No. 1170168 | Office: St. Ambrose, North

Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol, BS8 3PW

Gospel Reflections: 3rd Sunday of Lent

In the Jewish faith, water was used often as a powerful metaphor. In such a semi-arid environment water was a precious gift

to relieve thirst and bring refreshment. Within the UK we have recently experienced anything but a thirst for water – such

have been the terrible floods affecting so many people. However, in today’s Gospel, we will hear of a different thirst which

needs quenching. Jesus is thirsty, because he is tired and hot, but there is another kind of thirst in him – a thirst for the

woman, he meets at the well, to be transformed. Jesus offers living water, a spring of water welling up to eternal life. This is

the water we all thirst for, the living water of the Holy Spirit. Lent is a time to quench our thirst, to rediscover the meaning of

our life in Christ. It is a special time of encountering Jesus, to be transformed by him, just as the woman was transformed. The

Lord wants to give us living water so that we might have life and have it abundantly. Drinking from this well, changes us so

that we become, like the woman, true disciples, ready and able to share what we have encountered; the love of Christ in all its

fullness.

Baptism Preparation Courses at Our Lady’s are as follows: Course A: 19th April / 26th / 3rd May / 10th May; Course B: 13th Sept / 20th Sept / 27th Sept / 4th Oct Baptism preparation course takes place after 10.30am Mass in St Mary’s School. For more information, please contact Parish Office tel. 1452- 713254 or via email churchdown.ourladys@cliftondiocese.com

VACANCY: PARISH ADMINISTRATOR at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Churchdown to work Tuesday – Friday, 9.30am – 12.30pm (12 hours per week). The position involves all aspects of parish administration which need to be performed with discretion and confidentiality. The successful applicant will be computer literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Publisher systems. The Parish Office is situated in the Presbytery. Closing date: Friday 20th March. For an Application Form and Job Description telephone the Presbytery on 01452 713254 or e-mail churchdown.ourladys@cliftondiocese.com Our Lady’s Parish Safeguarding Representative needed: If you would like to volunteer to be the Parish Safeguarding Representative (PSR) please, speak to Fr Paul. Role description: The PSR has responsibility for promoting good and safe practices in all activities involving children, young people and adults and for providing advice on child and adult safeguarding matters within the Parish or Congregation. The PSR is the link between the Parish or Congregation and the Safeguarding Coordinator. The PSR will have relevant training and a sound knowledge of the national policies and procedures and know who to contact if a concern or allegation is raised. The PSR has a key role in the administration of the safer recruitment process, including facilitating the DBS Disclosure process at a local level.

Prinknash Abbey Retreat Day: All are warmly welcome to attend this teaching and training Retreat Day at Prinknash led by Revd John Ryeland, Director of the Christian Healing Mission in London. VENUE: Prinknash Abbey Meeting Room. Bring packed lunch or purchase food/drinks in Prinknash Abbey tea room. Saturday, 21st March 2020 starting at 10.30am-4.30pm; Entry: Donation

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2019/20: FHC Programme continues on Sunday, 15th March 2020 at 10.30 am Mass and continues in School Hall after Mass. The Gift of Forgiveness.

Formation Day for Special Minister of the Holy Eucharist and Readers. At St. Patrick’s, Brockworth on Sat. 28th March. 10:45am- 3pm. (Mass at 10aqm.) Led by Sarah Adams, Director for the Department of Adult Education and Evangelisation for the Clifton Diocese. For all current ministers. Please bring a packed lunch. Please speak with Fr. Paul if you would like to become a reader or Sp. Minister. Prayer & Praise Meeting at St. Peter’s, London Road Thur. 19th March 7:30pm. Speaker: Dick Venning. Reflecting on: ‘What is in a name?’ ‘Behold’ Event: This year marks the start of ‘Behold, Your Mother’ when the people of England are being invited to dedicate themselves to Mary, Mother of Jesus, in 2020. The official dedication will take place on 29th March. For more information and how to get involved go to https://www.behold2020.com/#1. From Carol Magill Parish Gift Aid Administrator. We are nearing the end of the 2019/20 tax year and that requires new envelopes for the new 2020/21 tax year for anyone who gift aides their weekly donation to the parish via the blue envelope scheme. To help with the distribution of these blue envelopes, I will be in the Narthex both before and after both Masses on Sunday 29th March and Sunday 5th April. The new weekly envelopes for tax year 20/21 starts on Sunday 12th April. If you pay by Standing Order you need do nothing and if anyone requires any white envelopes for non gift aided donations these are always available in the Narthex but I can point you in the right direction. If anyone, who is currently not gift aiding their donations but would like to know how the scheme works, please come and chat to me in the Narthex on those Sunday or email me on - ga.churchdown.ourladys@cliftondiocese.com. The benefit of gift aiding donations to the parish is enormous. Clifton Diocese (a company limited by guarantee) registered in England and Wales under number 10462076 |Registered Charity No. 1170168 | Office: St. Ambrose, North

Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol, BS8 3PW

Our Common Home (The Environmental Crisis): Using the resources prepared by CaFE for the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales sponsored by CAFOD on Wednesday evenings’ in St Augustine’s Church Hall GL4 6DT starting promptly at 7.30pm, refreshments from 7.15pm we will deepen our understanding of the Churches teaching on the environment as well as our understanding of the crisis we are facing and what we can do about it. Wed. 18th March Before the Flood a 2016 National Geographic Documentary Film. All welcome

Lenten Lunches at St. Augustine’s, Matson are cancelled. Please join St Peter's High School Choral Society for their annual Lenten concert 'Heaven & Earth', at St Peter's RC Church, Gloucester GL1 3EX at 7pm on Tuesday 31 March. This charity offering will feature our wonderful Year 7 Choir, students in all year groups, former students, staff, parents & instrumental ensemble performing Rutter's beautiful Requiem and Carter's uplifting Benedicite. Tickets are £5 (£3 for concessions) and are available from the school Reception (01452 520594) or by emailing boxoffice@sphs.uk.com or on the door. Diocesan Summer Camp: Living Your Faith – Diocesan Summer Camps: Bookings are now being taken for the ‘Living Your Faith’ Diocesan Summer Camps. The camps will be held over one week at Viney Hill Christian Outdoor Centre in the Forest of Dean, with two age streams being available. Monday 10th – Friday 14th August 2020. The cost of the camp is £210 per person which includes accommodation, all food, catechesis & outdoor activities, & Diocesan T-shirt. Bookings can be made online by visiting www.cliftondiocese.com To secure bookings, a non-refundable deposit of £40 per person is required. Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment. To contact the Volunteer leaders, email: summercamps@cliftondiocese.com Pilgrimage to Northern Spain organized by Clifton Diocese in celebration of forthcoming 500th Anniversary of Saint Ignatius at Manresa led by Bishop Declan as a part of diocesan celebration of the Year of Communion. Those interested in taking part in this year’s pilgrimage just need to complete the booking form and return with a deposit to Tangney Tours (Pilgrim House, Station Court, Borough Green, Kent, TN15 8AF). For further information please contact Tangney Tours on 01732 886666 or Adult Education on 0117 9025595 / adult.education@cliftondiocese.com. Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2020: Bishop Declan invites you to take part in the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes on Friday 21st August until Friday 28th August. Coach and Jumbulance leave on Thursday 20th August. Further information on email Lourdes@cliftondiocese.com or phone 01179025590 option 7. Vacancies – Clifton Diocese: Potential Role of Qualified Finance Manager – 3 days per week. The Finance team in Alexander House have a potential vacancy for a part-time qualified Finance Manager on a fixed term contract for up to 12 months. This role may suit someone who is recently retired and is considered a short term engagement. If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Lyn Murray, Chief Operating Officer, on 0117 902 5598 or Lyn.Murray@cliftondiocese.com Office Administrator Part-time (24 Hours per week worked over five days). 2year fixed term contract. This vacancy provides an opportunity to join the Curial team based in Alexander House, Bristol as an Office Administrator working within the Finance team. The role reports to the Diocesan Financial Administrator. The Finance team is a small but very busy team. Flexibility, attention to detail and excellent organisational skills are essential for this role. Salary and other benefits: circa £20,000 pa pro-rata depending upon experience. 33 days holiday per annum including public holidays and a 5% matched contributory pension scheme. For full details of this vacancy and an application form visit: www.cliftondiocese.com/diocese/working-for-us For an informal discussion about this role please contact Janet Parker, Diocesan Financial Administrator, Clifton Diocese on 0117 902 5591. Closing date for receipt of applications: Wednesday 18th March 2020 School Admission Appeals Panel Members: The Department for Schools and Colleges are looking to recruit new panel members for School Admission Appeals. The appeals generally take place during the months of May, June and July. However, there are popular schools across the diocese who also have a few in-year appeals during the academic year. As a panel member you will receive regular training and can claim for travel expenses. During the bulk appeals (May – July) or when there are several appeals to be heard in one day, then lunch and refreshments are also provided. Every appeal panel consists of both lay members and education members. Our panels are made up of three members, with one member also chairing the hearings. If you would like to find out more about how appeals are conducted and what is involved, or to book onto the training please contact Jenny Fitzgerald on 0117 9025599 or by e-mail to: Jenny.fitzgerald@cliftondiocese.com The training session will be at Alexander House, 160 Pennywell Road, Bristol, BS5 0TX on Monday, 23 March from 10 am until 12.30 pm.

Clifton Diocese (a company limited by guarantee) registered in England and Wales under number 10462076 |Registered Charity No. 1170168 | Office: St. Ambrose, North Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol, BS8 3PWP