How to plan a Catholic Funeral

Not exactly the most cheerful topic I grant you, but we all have to face it at some time! The leaflet prepared by the Archdiocese is intended to remind us of the choices and possibilities when we come to celebrate a Christian’s Funeral in our Catholic Tradition.

It is worth bearing in mind that if you want to ensure that there will be a particular form of Service or a Requiem Mass – or indeed the choice of Scripture Reading and Hymns - sometimes it is good to specify that in your Will; other family members may not always be aware of your last wishes and this is a good way of guiding them through what can be a particularly difficult time (particularly for those who are not necessarily familiar with our Catholic traditions). Again, these leaflets are available at the back of the churches.

What makes Sunday special?

This is the question which the Archbishop has placed before us and which will be discussed at a special Diocesan Assembly which will be held in Liverpool on  24th November this year.  Certainly it is the day when we come together for Mass – and that is a most important and central part of what it is to be a Catholic Christian. We recognise that our Faith is not lived in isolation but we need to have the support, the strength and the prayers of the whole Community.

As well as RECEIVING the support of others at Mass,  we receive the nourishment for our Christian living which are the Bible teachings and the gift of  Holy Communion. Not only do we receive, but we also GIVE our support  to others simply by our presence in church for the Liturgy; simply by making the effort and the choice to be present in the church at the time of Mass we are making a statement to others about what we believe and how central and crucial to our lives we see this expression of Faith. Sadly we know of many others who make the choice not to be present at Mass on Sunday – this is sad and diminishes us all, but it is their choice and we have to respect it. However we should do all we can to encourage our Catholic neighbours, family and friends to make the effort to gather for Mass on the Lord’s Day.

However Sunday can be made special in many other ways – perhaps it is the day when as a family we gather around a meal table and spend extra ‘quality’ time together. However with the increased opening hours of shops, the demands of finances at home meaning the need for over-time when it is offered, and indeed the general ‘busy-ness’ of our lives, sometimes these moments of quality get pushed to one side in favour of what seems immediately more useful or pressing. How do we achieve a fruitful and healthy balance in our living which will make Sunday not only a day for Mass and a day of Rest but also a day for family and for that wider sense of belonging which can make our lives worthy and wholesome?

Over the next weeks we will reflect further on some of the material which the Archdiocese have sent to us in preparation for this Diocesan Assembly. The Consultation Sheets prepared by the Archdiocese are available at the back of the churches.

Lourdes 2012

Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes which is due to take place from 20 to 27 July 2012.

As we are approaching the departure date of the Annual Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, we still have a limited number of seats available.

The seven night pilgrimage departs on the 20 July 2012. The cost of the fully inclusive package on the Pilgrim Section starts from £689 and is fully inclusive of return direct flights from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Lourdes, accommodation on a full board basis (daily breakfast, lunch and dinner), full religious programme organised by the Archdiocese of Liverpool and services of the Joe Walsh Tours’ team in Lourdes and at the airports.

Bookings are taken by Joe Walsh Tours, tel. 0161 8208790 and by email info@joewalshtours.ie.

As the time is tight at the moment a copy of the booking form is available from the Parish Office or from Canon Philip or Fr Brian.

St Mary’s School Summer Fayre

Saint Mary’s School this Sunday, 1st July, from 2.00 to 4.00 pm. Fun for all the family. All welcome.

Garden Party

Unfortunately the the Jubilee Garden Party, arranged for Friday 6th has been CANCELLED; it seems as if many people are either taking the opportunity of the extended break to be off – Island, or there are family gatherings already planned. Thanks (and apologies!) to those who have already expressed an interest and who offered to bake cakes and provide other goodies! We hope to arrange something of the like later in the Summer.

Did you know...

That the Pope has decreed the celebration of  a Year of Faith which begins on 11th October this year to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th Anniversary of the publication of  The Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Any ideas of how best we can celebrate this through our Parishes?

Thank you

Liam and Paul, the two Deacons who were with us last weekend, send their thanks for your warm welcome and for your prayerful support. Paul is being Ordained Priest on Friday (6th July ) at Saint Mary,Wigan and Liam is being Ordained on Sunday (8th July) in Saint Matthew, Liverpool.

Please remember them in your prayer.

Saints Peter and Paul

Tomorrow is the Feast of Saint Peter and Paul (29th June) and is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Masses will be: 6.30 pm this Thursday evening (28th June) at Saint Joseph Willaston
9.15 am at Saint Mary’s School
12.10 pm at Saint Mary’s Church
7.00 pm at Saint Anthony, Onchan.

At each Mass there will be a collection for Peter’s Pence, the annual donation from churches throughout the world, and from all people of goodwill, as a source of support for the Apostolic See.

Friends of the Holy Land: Update

Thank you to those who have expressed an interest in the formation of a FHL Group here on the Island.

Our first meeting will be at Saint Mary’s Presbytery (Hill Street, Douglas) on Thursday, 19th July at 7.00pm.

Anyone who would be interested in the work of this charity please visit: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk

Holyday

This coming Friday is the Feast of Saint Peter and Paul (29th June) and is a Holy Day of Obligation – one of the few present ones which are not transferred to the nearest Sunday!
Masses will be: 6.30 pm Thursday Evening (28th June) at Saint Joseph Willaston
9.15 am at Saint Mary’s School
12.10 pm at Saint Mary’s Church
7.00 pm at Saint Anthony, Onchan.

At each Mass there will be a collection for Peter’s Pence, the annual donation from churches throughout the world, and from all people of goodwill, as a source of support for the Apostolic See. This is in harmony with a tradition dating back to the Gospel (cf. Lk 10:7) and the teaching of the Apostles (cf. 1 Cor 11:14)"

"‘Peter’s Pence’ is the most characteristic expression of the participation of all the faithful in the Bishop of Rome’s charitable initiatives in favour of the universal Church. The gesture has not only a practical value, but also a strong symbolic one, as a sign of communion with the Pope and attention to the needs of one’s brothers and sisters throughout the world."
Pope Benedict

Lamp Intentions at Saint Mary of the Isle this week:

Sacred Heart: Emma Healy Our Lady: People of our Parishes
Saint Anthony: Premature Twins

Please remember these intentions in your prayers this week. Thank you.

Ordinations for the Archdiocese

Good wishes to the first of those Ordained for the Archdiocese this weekend, Gerard Callagher from Saint Monica’s parish Bootle.

Birthday of John the Baptist

Today we keep the Feast of the Birthday of Saint John the Baptist. Cousin of Jesus and the one who ‘prepared the way’ for Jesus’ Mission and Teaching. We only keep the Birthdays of three people during the Church year - Jesus (December 25th), Mary (September 8th) and today, June 24th, John the Baptist. This hopefully helps us realise what an important person John is – he is, if you like, the link between the Old and the New Testaments – a Prophet in the style of the Prophets of the Old Covenant, but the one who ‘baptised’ Jesus - who brings the ‘new and eternal Covenant’ in his very self.

The Liturgy of the Church uses words spoken about John the Baptist in Morning Prayer each day. The prayer the Benedictus (Blessed be...) was spoken by Zechariah, John’s Father’ at his birth... so they are very suitable for today and could perhaps find a place in your Morning Prayers each day:

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty Saviour for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
(Luke Chapter 1 verses 68-79 )

We are still looking...

for numbers for the The Jubilee Garden Party planned for Friday 6th – it seems as if many people are either taking the opportunity of the extended break to be off – Island, or there are family gatherings already planned. Thanks to those who have already expressed an interest (and who offered to bake cakes and provide other goodies!). Depending on numbers received this weekend we will inform you how we can best proceed.

Welcome

We welcome today Reverend Paul Grady and Reverend Liam Collister who will be Ordained Priests in July for service in our Archdiocese ; they are with us for a day or two of preparation and reflection before their ‘big day’, so please pray with them and for them! This weekend we also welcome Team Leaders of Coach 9 which takes our young people to Lourdes for the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage; they are here to meet our pilgrims and to help them prepare for their time together. We wish them well!

Lourdes Youth Group

Lourdes Youth Group have obtained the tea and coffee concession at Laxey Fayre on 30th June. If anyone would like to make us some cakes/scones/buns/cupcakes to sell. Please contact Sheila on 475990. Thank you for your continued support.

Thank you

A big "Thank you" from the Catholic Women’s League to all who supported the Coffee Morning last Saturday at the Columba Club. £350 was raised which will go to the nominated CWL Charities for this year.

Lamp Intentions at Saint Mary of the Isle this week:

Sacred Heart: Emma Healy
Our Lady: Maria and Carol
Saint Anthony: Premature Twins

Please remember these intentions in your prayers this week. Thank you.

Happy Patronal Feast....

Last Wednesday was the Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua, and was the Patronal Feast for Onchan. Mass was offered for the continued health and well-being of our family, friends and Benefactors, It is good to celebrate our ‘Name Day’, the Feast of the Saint whose name we carry either through Baptism or Confirmation!

For a good cause...

The Friends of St Mary’s School have entered a team in the Race for Life 24hr Relay which is taking part on 25th August to raise funds for Cancer Research, however, we desperately need more team members. If you are interested please contact Rachel Jackson on 457404.

KSC Bike Ride

In aid of the Saint John Ambulance. This, Sunday June 17th, from 2.00 to 4.00 pm at the NSC, Douglas. Can you come along and ride – or sponsor someone who is riding? Please see a member of the KSC after one of the Masses this weekend. Thank you.

Lourdes Youth Group

Have obtained the tea and coffee concession at Laxey Fayre on 30th June.

If anyone would like to make us some cakes/scones/buns/cupcakes to sell. Please contact Sheila on 475990.

Thank you for your continued support.

Manx week in this Diamond Jubilee Year

Do you have any photographs of yourself meeting the Queen or a member of the Royal family? If so, and you would like to share those memories with our parishioners, please send them in to The Presbytery, Hill Street no later than 20th June and we will display them for Manx National Week (1st – 8th July). If you are sending an original please write you name in pencil on the back on the photo.

Please state which church you normally attend and we will try to ‘marry’ the pictures to the church!

IOM Friends of the Holy Land

Friends of the Holy Land was established in 2009 to support the Christians in the Holy Land. We work in close cooperation with the Christian churches in the region and in the UK.

Friends of the Holy Land is a charitable organisation supporting the Christians of the Holy Land – the "Living Stones" of our faith. They are suffering greatly and you can support them by making a donation, including them in your private prayer, joining an FHL Parish Group or by considering a pilgrimage. Our work is entirely non-political and is carried out with the backing and blessing of Anglican and Catholic Bishops in England and Wales.

The primary purpose of the Friends of the Holy Land is to support Christians in the Holy Land, to enable them to maintain a minimum level of quality of life such that the pressures to abandon their homeland are reduced. The Friends provide resources for small projects that make a big difference to Christians in the community. Funds contribute to the sustainability of the Christians, especially the most vulnerable.

How you can help our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land:

We are hoping to establish a branch of the Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) here on the Island. Anyone who would be interested in the work of this charity please see www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk and sign-up on the sheet at the back of church. Canon Philip will then arrange a meeting to look to the possibility of establishing this group.