The Immaculate Conception & St. Joseph - Newsletter
Part of the Avon Stour Pastoral Area. Registered Charity No: 246871
www.avonstourpastoralarea.org
Rev Tom Grufferty.
67 Purewell, Christchurch BH23 1EH Tel: 01202 483 340
Fr Tom email: Office email:
Deacon Hugh Parry email: Tel: 07971 071 571
Richard Martin Director of Lay Formation for ASP Area. email: Tel: 07990 826 934
Youth Council email: Safeguarding Rep: Reena Kellaher 07802 954 936
Christchurch fellowship of churches web site: www.christchurchfellowshipofchurches.org.uk
Morning Prayer: 9.00am Mon – Fri Confessions: After Masses on Saturdays
Mass: Mon - Thurs 9.20am Fri 7.30pm Sat 10am Fr Tom’s Surgery Hours: Every Friday 4.30 - 6.30pm
Sunday Masses: Saturday 6.30pm Sunday 9.00am & 10.45am
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Monday - Thursday 8am to 9am. Saturday 9am to 10am
Friday 9.00am to 7.30pm, (1st Friday of the month until 10pm)
St Joseph’s School: Dorset Road Christchurch. BH23 3DA 01202 485 976 Headteacher: Miss Louise Buxton.
St Peter’s School: St Catherine’s Rd Southbourne B’mth. BH6 4AH 01202 421 141 Headteacher: Mr David Todd
9-10 September 2017 23rd Sunday Page 125
Mass Times Changes.
Those who normally attend 10:45 Mass on Sunday should note that this Mass will no longer exist after Sunday 17th September. This will be the last 10:45am Mass here at St Joseph, it will be transferred to Holy Redeemer, 15 Kilmington Way, Highcliffe, BH23 5BL
Fr. John Cooke arrives as the Parish Priest of Christchurch and Highcliffe on the week of September 18th. Please, note the new Mass Times as follows: Saturday Vigil Mass, 6:30 Christchurch, Sunday 9:00 Christchurch, 11:00 Highcliffe. Monday 10:00 (Fr. Brian), Tuesday 10:00 Highcliffe, Wednesday 10:00 Christchurch, Thursday 10:00 Christchurch, Friday 10:00 Highcliffe. No Saturday morning Mass until Fr. John stops working in Winchester Prison.
10.45am Welcoming Group
Thank you to all those who have helped welcome others to our Mass over the years. As you know we will be losing our 10.45am Mass as from Weekend of 23/24th September. Our new Parish Priest, Fr John Cooke will be saying Mass in the Holy Redeemer Church, Highcliffe at 11.00am from that date onwards.
EST~~~Richard Martin.
Shortly after I announced that I was moving on from Christchurch I asked Richard Martin to prepare a summary review of his achievements since he was appointed as Lay Formation Director in December 2015. Attached to the Newsletter this week is that report which sets out clearly his aims, vision and achievements especially this last year. As he said last weekend “he is engaged in building blocks across every Parish in the Pastoral Area”. Running in tandem with all his excellent work is the activity and enthusiasm of the Evangelisation Strategy Team. Together we have had a wonderful missionary enterprise and my personal prayer is that this will continue to grow and flourish in the years ahead. I am personally delighted to have played a little part in the whole exercise. May you have blessings galore.
Monthly House Communions. For some time Fr.Tom has been taking Holy Communion to five people in the parish once a month at their request. Is there two Eucharistic Ministers who would like to take over this mininistry? Ideally one Minister would visit two house-bound people while the other Minister would visit three other people in two Nursing Homes. See Fr.Tom if this is something you could do.
RACE NIGHT REMINDER
This week-end will be the last chance to purchase tickets, name a horse, choose your supper for the event. Any queries please phone Ann Thompson on 01425 272823.
SAYING FAREWELL TO FR.TOM
Fr Tom will celebrate his last Masses with us over the weekend of 16th /17th September. There will be an opportunity to say our good-byes at a ‘Bring & Share Supper’ following the 7.30pm Mass on Friday 15th September. Everyone who wishes to is more than welcome to join us for both the Mass and celebration there after.
Fr.Tom’s New Address:
From September 18th will be ,13 Halsey Close, Alverstoke, Gosport, Hampshire, P012 2PJ
CATHOLIC GRANDPARENTS ASSOCIATION
The Avon and Stour branch of the Catholic Grandparents Association, meets at St Joseph’s parish centre on the 4th Tuesday of the month, except July, August and December. The next meeting will be at 10.00am on Tuesday 26th September. All are welcome to pray wit us for our families and those around the world. Contacts:- Ann-Marie on 01202 463488 and Jane on 01202 020375.
Come to the Feast
Following Richard’s talks last weekend, please now sign up for any of the Taster Sessions,
Whichever one is most convenient for you. You can sign up by email, text, phone, via the website https://rmartin236.wixsite.com/feast or by signing the list at the back of the Church.
Details on the posters, leaflets and website.
Eucharistic Ministers:
Would Ministers who currently minister at the 10.45am Mass on a Sunday who have not already informed me of their intentions, please let me know over the next few days whether they wish to minister at the Saturday Mass or the Sunday 9am Mass or come off the rota altogether. Please telephone me on: 01202 471204 or email me at . Ministers who are going to Mass at Highcliffe and wish to continue ministering should make themselves known to the Parish Co-ordinator. Thank you. Mike Cooper.
The Feasts of the Epiphany and the Ascension 2018
The Vatican has approved a decision from the Catholic bishops in England and Wales to move two Holy Days of Obligation back to their original dates. Effective starting on December 3rd. The first Sunday of Advent of this year, the Catholic dioceses in England and Wales will celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord on January 6, and the Ascension of the Lord on the Thursday after the 6th Sunday of Easter.
CHRISTCHURCH FOOD BANK
Through the free school meal ‘holiday hunger’ scheme, we processed 174 vouchers for 82 needy families, giving out almost 5,000 food items. Thank you for your help. This has pretty much emptied our shelves of everything except soup and cereal. So any in-date tins and packets of other basic non-perishables would be most welcome. Thank you from all the team and those that need the Foodbank.
Celebrate Weekend at St. George Catholic College, Sat. 30th September & Sun 1st October:
Full details can be found on: www.celebrateconference.org or by phoning Peter & Lynda on: 02380292058.
Last year we were fully booked, so it would be advisable for anyone wishing to attend to apply in good time. For reasons of security and safeguarding we are not able to accept anyone who “turns up on the day”.
ST JOSEPH’S LUNCH GROUP – WEDNESDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 12.30 – 1.45PM
Brownies/Guides
The Brownies and Guides will be back in action as from Thursday 14th September.
Malcolm the Parish Cat says farewell this Sunday: I must say farewell this week as I will be very busy now until the imminent arrival of his nibs in Alverstoke. I have been to No.13 and I think I will be very happy there; it is where all the Alveristrocracy live! Thanks for all the interaction and I did enjoy all those feline love letters. They made be purr many times. Meow for now.