Newsletter 5th/6th March

NEWSLETTER 6TH MARCH 2016

East Grinstead Mass Centre-Our Lady & St. Peter

Masses next weekend

Reconciliation (Confession)

SICK/HOUSEBOUND VISITS – requests for visits and for Holy Communion in the Lingfield area – contact Deacon Ted.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – “Exposition takes place every Friday morning at Our Lady & St Peter’s between 09:00-1:00pm. Come let us adore Him.”

REFRESHMENTS – Everybody is cordially invited for refreshments after Sunday Mass at both St Bernard’s and Our Lady & St Peter’s churches.

WILLS & BEQUESTS – The Parish has benefited greatly in the past from the thoughtfulness of parishioners who have nominated the parish to receive funds from their estate. Please consider it.

GIFT AID OFFERINGS/DONATIONS – can be taken out at anytime throughout the year. It is a valuable source of additional income for the parish with no extra cost to the parishioners.

TODAY – Mothering Sunday.
1st Holy Communion children receive their crucifixes.

PARISH 100 CLUB – Congratulations to winners in the February draw: 1st £50, no 122, Mrs Salmon; 2nd, £25, no 80, Mrs Mulhearn; 3rd, £15, no 48, Mr&Mrs Joy. With thanks to our members, the 100 Club has donated £1,600 towards the expense of new carpeting at St Bernard’s.

EASTER FLOWERS – There will be a second collection at Masses this weekend towards meeting the cost of flowers in the churches at Easter and beyond. Gift Aid envelopes should be used if held.

THANK YOU FROM MISSIO – to the Parish whose Red Box and other subscribing parishioners contributed 3,618 pounds to the missions in 2015.

MISSION TODAY MAGAZINE – Complimentary copies of the Spring issue are available from the church table.

1ST HOLY COMMUNION – Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 11am, OLSP.

LENT BOXES – Parish lent boxes (to encourage your Lenten almsgiving) are at the back of the church. This is to raise money to help those going to Lourdes from our Parish. Please take one and return it after Lent.

LINGFIELD SVP CAKE SALE – After 9am Mass today (6th March) the SVP will be selling cakes in the hall. The proceeds are for the SVP’s Darfur (Sudan) Baby Feeding Project.

FAIRTRADE CAKE SALE – Today Sunday ( 6th March), after 10.30am Mass outside the Church and also in the Hall. This is in aid of the Redshirts Fundraising effort for this year’s Lourdes Pilgrimage.

TRAIDCRAFT – we plan to hold a coffee morning on Tuesday 8th March to promote Fairtrade. It will be from 10-12 in the morning and again from 2-4 in the afternoon, and will be at our home address of 5, Stream Park, Felbridge, opposite the Felbridge Hotel. If anyone wants to come and does not have transport, please contact us on 311435 and it will be arranged.

CATHOLIC WOMENS LEAGUE – Our Annual General Meeting will take place in the parish centre at OL&StP this coming Wednesday, 9th March, at 2:15 for 2:30. The meeting will be chaired by Mrs Kate Tomlin, our regional representative.

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUPS – EAST GRINSTEAD AND WORTH ABBEY – In E.G. we meet each Thurs. from 4.30-5.30pm. At Worth Abbey, meetings are held in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in the Abbey Church, on the 2nd & 4th Wed. of each month, from 7.45-8.45pm. For further details please contact Gabrielle on 01342 326118.

CARE IN EAST GRINSTEAD AND LINGFIELD – The Catholic Church is one of the 10 churches in the area that support the work of CARE. They have 364 Clients. Most of the work involves transporting folk to medical appointments, but they also help with gardening, shopping and other light tasks. Their services are stretched and they need more volunteers. Currently we Catholics provide 7 active volunteers. Can we provide more? Drivers – they can choose the days they help, choose the distances, they have their expenses met and are asked 3 or 4 days in advance – could this be you? Duty Officers – in their own homes are on duty about 1 day a month (they choose the day) and are available from 9am-5pm. They need competent computer skills, receive training; receive requests by phone and find a driver who can help. Could this be you? There’s also a need for gardeners, shoppers too. Our representatives with CARE are Patrick Kiley (OLSP) and Lala Micallef (St.B). Please think about it – speak to the reps. or to Fr. Steven or ring 01342 410086 or visit www.careineastgrinstead.co.uk

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT – runs until 13 March and various events have been organised by local schools, churches and community groups. A full list is available on Fairtrade EG’s website www.fairtrade-eg.co.uk and Fairtrade Lingfield and Dormansland www.rh7fairtrade.wordpress.com There will be Traidcraft after all Masses next w/e. Fairtrade banners are displayed on all churches and schools in the town saying Choose Products save lives . Buying Fairtrade goods in shops helps farmers and producers in developing countries to give a better life to their families.

RICH MAN POOR MAN FAIRTRADE LUNCH – a fundraiser for our young people going to Lourdes as Redshirts this Summer will be held at St Peter’s School at 12.30pm on Sunday 13. March. Make a note of the date in your diary and support this lovely Parish event. Tickets: £6 adults, £3 children under 14. If anyone wishes to donate raffle prizes please give to Fr Steven. Thank you.

OUR LADY & ST PETERS LUNCH CLUB – will meet on Wednesday the 16th March at 12.15pm. Please ring Ivy (323240) Jean (311295) or your driver if you are unable to come.

FRIENDS OF THE HOLY LAND – The AGM will take place in St Bernard’s hall on Sunday, 20th March, at 3:00pm. All are welcome, please see the poster on the church notice board.

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS: FATHER JOHN DEAR ON THE BEATITUDES – 7pm Thursday 31st March at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, London WC2H 8EP. Free but book your place at www.ekklesia.co.uk/events Father John is an internationally known voice for peace and non-violence. He was recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

DATE OF PARISH SPRING LUNCH – The revised date for the Parish Spring Lunch is 10th April.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: PARISH LUNCHES – 2016 The dates for this Year’s Parish Lunches are:-
Parish Spring Lunch – April 10th ;
Parish Summer Lunch – July 10th;
Parish Christmas Lunch – December 4th
As usual the lunches are at St Bernard’s Hall; gather at 12.30pm for 1.00pm. Make a note of the dates now and look out for the notices on the church notice boards.

SPRING CHARITY FEAST 2016 – taking place over 2 nights. Mon. 11th April – Tarana, Lingfield (Indian Food), 01342 832222; Mon. 18th April – La Farola, E.G. (Spanish Food), 01342 322399. Please book early to reserve your place.
All Meals £16 per head, of which £8.00 goes towards the Local Five Charities.

Also on Tues. 5th April EG. Charcoal Grill, 01342 410305 & Glanfield Food & Wine, 01342 325666 (donation); Tues. 26th April Shapla, 01342 313127 (donation). Please mention Charity Feast when ordering Takeaways.