FR. JOHN TO MOVE ON! BUT NOT YET!!

Fr. John writes:

At this time of the year Bishop Crispian usually announces the clergy ‘moves’ in our diocese.  At the ordination Mass on Saturday, Bishop Crispian told the people that he had appointed Fr. Paul Leonard as the new assistant priest in our parish to replace Fr. Gerry.  He also said that Fr. Gerry is to be given a new appointment  in the diocese.  Fr. Gerry will leave the parish at the end of August, then take his holidays before beginning his new appointment at the end of September.  Fr. Gerry is a member of the Missionary Society of St. Paul and had a one year contract with the diocese, this is being extended for Fr. Gerry to continue to minister in the diocese.  Our prayers and good wishes are with Fr. Gerry for his contribution to our community over the past year.

Our congratulations and best wishes to Fr. Paul Leonard on his Ordination to Priesthood on Saturday 4th July.  Fr. Paul will now have a holiday before replacing Fr. Gerry at the end of August.  I am sure you will give him a warm welcome when he joins us and every assistance in settling in as Assistant Priest in the parish.

Today I wish to tell you of yet another change in the parish.  Bishop Crispian has appointed me to the parish of St. James in Reading to replace Fr. Dominic Golding, whom many of you will know (his parents live in Woolston and are members of the community at St. Joseph’s).  St. James’s Church is one of the oldest in the diocese, built after the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 in the ruins of Reading Abbey.  These days it has a very large immigrant community. 

The new Parish Priest is to be Mgr. Vincent Harvey who is one of three Vicar Generals in our diocese and a member of the Bishop’s Council.  He is currently the Parish Priest of Holy Ghost Parish in Basingstoke and the newly built church of St. Bede.  He has all the gifts, attributes and experience to be a great Parish Priest of one of the busiest communities in the diocese.  In my view, this is a very good appointment for the parish.  He is due to have a three month sabbatical beginning at the end of August.  So the changeover will be postponed until the middle of January when Fr. Dominic will move to Basingstoke, Mgr. Vincent Harvey to Southampton and I move to Reading. 

Change is never easy, moving into a new community is always difficult.  I have been in this parish for 10 years, so I guess it was inevitable that I should be asked to move on around this time.  It’s all change here at the City Centre, we have much to talk about, in due time we will begin the handing over process, but this is enough for today.

TODAY  -  SUNDAY 5th July

CHILDREN’S MASS 9.00am and 10.00am

MASS OF THANKSGIVING / FIRST MASS at 11am.  The Presider will be the newly ordained priest Fr. Paul Leonard.  Presentation of new chasuble to Fr. Paul before Mass, thank you for your contributions which enabled us to purchase this beautiful vestment, the balance of the money collected will be given to Fr. Paul as a gift.  To date £450 has been collected.

SECOND COLLECTION—Church Building Fund.

MASS OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK at 3pm

St. Anne’s School Hall.  Please join us for this special time of healing and prayer.  Singers are welcome to join the choir.

STUDENTS CHOIR 7.00pm Mass, rehearsal 6.00pm. 

THIS WEEK

SING IT!  Monday 6th July at Springhill School 6.30pm—9.00pm.

JOHN’S GOSPEL—A MAGIC POOL a study day with Fr. Nicholas King SJ, Tues. 7th July 10.30am—3pm.  Cost £12.50 incl. Lunch.  Venue—St. Bede’s, Popley Way, Basingstoke, RG24 9DX.  See Notice Board.

SCHEHERAZADE—Musical at Springhill School, Tues. 7th, Wed. 8th, Thurs. 9th July, 7.30pm.  Tickets from school office.  Tel. 8033 3954.

STEWARDSHIP GROUP to meet 7.30pm on Wednesday 8th July in St Edmund’s Presbytery

CHURCH CLEANERS BBQ—6.00pm on Thursday 9th July at Pam and Brad’s home, 2 Baddesley Close.

NEXT WEEKEND

‘THE MAN JESUS’ a day of reflection for RCIA Teams 10.00am - 3.30pm, Wisdom House, Romsey, SO51 8EL, Saturday 11th July.  Cost £15.00.  Tel: 01329 835583, e-mail  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THE CHURCH Saturday 11th July 10.00am—3.00pm at St Bede’s Church, Basingstoke.  This is to raise awareness of physical or emotional abuse suffered by both men and women, and to offer practical advice on helping to end the abuse.  Tel: 01329 835583 to book - no charge.  See Notice Board.

ANNUAL MASS FOR THE CATHOLIC DISABILITY FELLOWSHIP at St Edward’s Church, Chandlers Ford at 3.00pm Saturday 11th July.  All with disabilities, friends and family are welcome.  Tel: 023 9236 9183.  See Notice board.

ORDINATION TO DIACONATE Phil Harris from Southampton and James Macauley will be ordained Deacons by Bishop Crispian in Rome on Saturday 11th July.  Fr John, Fr Kevin Hoiles and Fr Mark to attend.  Please pray for Phil and James. 

“SING & SWING” MUSICAL CELEBRATION with Central Hall Community Gospel Choir at 7.30pm Sat. 11th July in Central Hall in aid of the Mayor’s 1st Charity event.  Tickets £5.00.  See Notice Board.

SEA SUNDAY - 12th July,  Fr Jack Padua to preach at all Masses and to preside at 10.00am Mass.

APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA:  Anne Monaghan (Home Care Co-ordinator) is running in the London 10K Race, on Sunday 12th July in support of the Apostleship of the Sea.  If you would like to sponsor Anne and her running mate, Geraldine Potter from St Boniface Parish,  you may call into Parish Office or visit their website:– www.justgiving.com/annemonaghan.   This is  a cause close to our hearts, living in the  sea port of Southampton.

GOSPEL CHOIR 7.00pm Mass Sunday 12th July, rehearsal at 6.00pm.  All are welcome.

NEXT WEEK

ST. ANNE’S SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT EVENING—6.30pm Mon. 13th July in St. Edmund’s Church. 

SING IT!  - Mon. 13th July 6.30 –9.00pm at Springhill School.

SPRINGHILL SCHOOL LEAVERS MASS—11am Wed. 15th July in St. Edmund’s Church, Presider Fr. Anthony Gatt.  Parents welcome.  

PARISH FINANCE GROUP 5.30pm Wed. 15th July St. Edmund’s Presbytery. 

CITY CENTRE PASTORAL GROUP 7.45pm Wed. 15th July St. Edmund’s Presbytery.

FAITH ALIVE GROUP—8.00pm Thurs. 16th July in St. Edmund’s Presbytery. 

WEDDING BELLS—Philip Codrai to Bettina Kohler on Fri. 17th July at 3.00pm in St. Edmund’s Church. Our congratulations and best wishes to them both.

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND 24th -  31OCT

A meeting for all has been arranged for 8.00pm on Friday 17th July in St Edmund’s Hall.  If you are unable to attend, please contact Fr John.

WEDDING BELLS IN IRELAND—Matthew McFadden , Youth Co-ordinator of SAYIT and Una Conway from Springhill School

are due to marry on Saturday 18th July in

the North of Ireland.

SING IT! CONCERT - Millbrook Christian Centre Sat. 18th July.  Another opportunity to hear the now famous SING IT! Gospel Choir. N. Manning Tel. 07714255602. Tickets £5.00.

GENERAL ITEMS

CREDIT UNION - THINKING OF BORROWING MONEY?  Great savings and affordable loans with Solent Credit Union - pick up a leaflet and contact 023 8178 8007.

PLANNING A FUNCTION– St Joseph’s Hall now available 3 days a week and evenings, for functions, all day events etc.  Contact Parish Office - 8033 3589. E-mail solentcredit  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

YOUTH MINISTRY CO-ORDINATOR—the Management Group have completed short listing and are due to do the interviews on Wed. 15th July. 

SUMMER CAMP ‘Fanning the Flame’ 17th - 21st Aug. in St Dominic’s Priory, Sway, for young people,    10—25 yrs  - recommended.  Tel: 01590 681874.  

 A.P.F. ANNUAL MISSION MASS—at Christ the King, Bitterne, Thurs. July 23rd at 7.30pm.  Followed by a film of Mission Work in Papua New Guinea.  Led by Fr. Frank Thompson.

ART EXHIBITION—in St. Anne’s School, Tues. 14th, Wed. 15th, Thurs. 16th at 4.30pm. 

TWO APARTMENTS TO LET 48 BUGLE STREET, SOUTHAMPTON CITY CENTRE – a studio at £375pm and a one bedroom (top floor) at £595pm with stunning views over the harbour, possible car parking to be included.  Immediate occupation.

Tel. 023 8098 8881, Martin & Co.

RAPHAEL PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES—departs from Stansted Airport.  7th—11th Sep. 2009.  e-mail:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

CONGRATULATIONS TO ST. GEORGE CATHOLIC COLLEGE on their recent successful OFSTED

inspection.  Some comments received in the report:

· “Headteacher has set a very clear vision and direction for the school and has successfully driven through a wide range of improvements in a relatively short time”. 

· “The school provides good care, guidance and support”. 

· “Students have a mature and considerate attitude towards each other”.

Recently the school hosted a very successful Year 6 Fun Day for all its feeder schools.  It has a limited number of spaces available in Sep. Tel. 8032 2603 — Headteacher Mr. Graham Wilson.

OUR THANKS TO MIKE LUND-YATES who for many years has attended to the banking of the Sunday collection every Monday morning.  His commitment and dedication has been greatly appreciated.  We are sad to see Mike retire.  We would welcome any offers of individuals who would be willing to be part of a rota to help with the banking.  Offers to Fr. John, Fr. Gerry, Parish Off.

ALSO OUR THANKS TO CLAIRE LUND-YATES for her contribution to the 11am choir over many years.  We shall miss them both.

GIFT AID APPEAL—again we ask you to return the forms you have collected, my aim of 40 sign ups is looking a little shaky, please help me reach my target.  Gift Aid forms are available in the Sacristy or from the Parish Office.

DOUBLE PUSHCHAIR URGENTLY NEEDED if you are able to donate a pram that you no longer need for a very worthy cause, please contact Sr. Joanna on 023 8023 3572.

HCPT SOUTHAMPTON - GROUP 170 travelled to Lourdes this year for the first time, with 5 very ill / disabled children. We had a wonderful time and are looking to expand the group for the Easter 2010 pilgrimage which runs from Easter Sunday to the following Saturday and involves working with very ill/disabled children. It is a hugely rewarding experience. We are looking to add more members to our “full of fun and mischief” team. Tel. Roxy Paterson 07590312407/ www.group170.org.uk

DIOCESAN LEVY - every year we contribute a large sum towards the administration of the

diocese.  This year we have been asked to contribute £51,469.  This amount is calculated from the total income from the parish. This adds to our request that you be generous with your contributions at Sunday Mass. 

VISIT OF RELICS OF ST. THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX:

16th Sep. 2009, St. John’s

Cathedral, Portsmouth. 

Programme: 

9.30am: Bishop Crispian welcomes

the Relics of St. Thérèse to

Cathedral

11.00am  Bishop Crispian celebrates

Liturgy with schools of the Diocese. 

2.00pm:  Mass with Anointing of the Sick. 

7.30pm  Mass of Thanksgiving, Canon John Udris (Dean of Northampton) Cathedral) to preach.

10.00pm:  Night Prayer All-Night Vigil. 

Leaflets available at the back of the Church.  Also, booklets now on sale in the CTS rack.

NEW WEBSITE, NEW NAME, NEW LOOK:  Over the last few months a small group of volunteers has been working on creating a new parish website and we are pleased to announce that today the new site goes live.

It has a new address to reflect the parish's City Centre location, a new design, including a 'refreshed' version of the parish logo. Visitors to the site should be able to discover a wealth of

information about the parish and the communities it serves. New web address: www.southampton-city-catholics.org.uk and we urge you to bookmark this in your web browsers. 

The site content will be managed by members of the website team but parishioners and visitors are encouraged to send contributions, all of which will be considered and uploaded to the website, where appropriate. The team is already working on future developments for the website, which include the provision of online forms, but welcomes your thoughts, comments and suggestions for future developments, which can be sent either directly from the site once you have registered your details, or directly to the parish office.

Our thanks go to the website team, namely Jane Britt, Joe Crook, Jim Cummings, Father John, Leo Patrick, Martin Reid and Tony Wade."