Prayers for Pope Leo XIV
Message from Archbishop Mark O'Toole
"We pray earnestly for our beloved Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Now that we know that the recent operation was to remove a cancerous growth, we deepen our sense of solidarity with him and all battling cancer. I ask all parishes and communities across South Wales and Herefordshire to offer prayers for the Holy Father at masses over this next week, and to offer a Votive Mass for Pope Leo XIV this coming weekend."
The next SVP Youth group meeting for teens, in Years 7-11, is on March 29th after 10am Mass in the hall. We will be doing our final planning for the Children’s Stations of the Cross and we need readers and helper. The session will finish at 12:30pm.
Safeguarding for all : The care and safeguarding of those in our community is something we all need to be aware of, and the Diocese provide safeguarding sessions tailored for those who volunteer in each of our Parishes. We are planning to hold such a session for all Our Lady’s volunteers after Easter (SFX are holding their session over at Belmont in March). We’d like to have all Our Lady's volunteers get together to share good practice and look specifically at our own issues (this would include Eucharistic Ministers, Children’s Liturgy & Catechists, andYouth group workers, for example), so if this is you please watch this space for further details of the session for Our Lady’s - or email us on OLQMSafeguardingRep@Outlook.com if you’d like any further information, or want to put your name down in advance, thank you!
Here at Our Lady’s, and we are inviting years 7-11 to come join this group. Our motto is Love in Action ! The first meeting will be on Sunday 28th after 10am Mass in the parish Hall. The session will finish at 12:30pm. These sessions will be once a month, and its purpose is to serve our parish and community while learning about our faith in the process. If you know anyone aged between 7-11 who would be interested, then please come along. If there are any adults who can help either volunteers or support in other ways, please let me know. Any questions call me on 07792540333. Annie Ridgway.
If you would like a Mass to be said for your intention, there are envelopes available at the back of church for you to use. Holy Mass makes present the mystery of the Lord’s death and resurrection. There is no greater prayer than the Mass, since it is the most perfect offering we can make to God. In offering Mass for a specific intention, we are asking that the fruits of Christ’s redemptive power may be applied to the requested intention. The offering you make also helps support the clergy. I will try my best to accommodate your request however, if the date given is not available, the nearest possible date will be given. Please give a contact number so that I can ring you if need be.
O God, who in your providential design willed that your Church be built upon blessed Peter, whom you set over the other Apostles, look with favour, we pray, on Leo our Pope and grant that he, whom you have made Peter's successor, may be for your people a visible source and foundation of unity in faith and of communion.
WOW (Widow or Widowers) group Since 2022 we have steadily grown in numbers and now there are almost twenty of us, aged from 65 to 80+. We meet in the Belmont parish centre on the first Tuesday of the month at 11 O'clock, share a cuppa, cake and friendly chat. We also have some sort of activity, in March it was pancakes (as the meeting fell on shrove Tuesday) supplied by the kitchen at Belmont Abbey, and a quiz. Last month we had a game of “Bird Bingo” which was enjoyed by all. We go for the occasional meal out, the Cider Orchard Restaurant at the college being a particular favourite. In the summer months we have been on outings to local National Trust Properties. We go to parish events as a group meaning there is always someone you know to sit with. As a group we help with the Annual Summer Fete either as stall holders, washer ups or car park attendants. Although based at Belmont Abbey, the group is open to any widow or widowers not just parishioners, several of our members are non-catholic. That said, we always start the meeting with our WOW Prayer, where we particularly remember our loved ones’ anniversaries. New to this year I have also started to do a newsletter for the group. Anyone interested can just turn up on the meeting day or in any further info is required my email is: juliemirfin@btinternet.com . March 25 Newsletter
Our small team of volunteers needs more help with the soup lunches on Saturdays from 11.30am to 1.30pm. We serve tea, coffee, soup, bread & butter and biscuits to a small group of regular visitors. It is easy to do, no qualifications are needed except a willingness to be on a flexible rota and chat to those we support. Contact Denise, John or pop along one Saturday to see how it works. Thank you!
Our parish piety shop is now open for you to browse the wide selection of religious items and cards on offer. Please go and have a look what is on offer and if there is something you want but isn’t there let us know and we can try and order it for you.
We urgently need People to help with those parts of parish life that happen all the time but are rarely seen. If you can help count the collection (training will be given); cleaning the church, or to act as a welcomer please have a word with Father Andrew. Remember this is your parish family so if you can help in any way please do
Thank you for your continued financial support during these incredibly difficult and challenging times. Every Parish is struggling financially at the moment, and we are no different. We are especially grateful to all those who have signed up to new Standing Orders, posted their envelopes through the Presbytery door, and who have sent in cash and cheques. All your offerings are gratefully received. However, even during a cost of living crisis the bills still keep coming, and without your help we could go from a lockdown to a shutdown. Our Lady’s parish is running at a deficit this year. With this in mind I encourage you to think about: + Might you be able to Gift Aid your donations? If you area UK taxpayer, we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give at no extra cost to you! + Why not sign up to a Standing Order rather than using the envelopes or cash? Mandate forms are available. + We are also looking into the possibility of contactless giving Our Lady’s is a small church with a big hearted congregation who know how important it is to support the church both spiritually and practically. Thank you for all your help, big or small.