St Augustine of Canterbury

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This week, I just want to say a simple thank you to everyone who participated in last Sunday afternoon’s Liturgy of Prayerful Remembrance.  Usually, it has been attended mainly by the families of people whose funerals have taken place in the parish during the previous year.  This year, many more people came to pray for loved ones who have died in the past year but whose funerals took place elsewhere.  So it was much more of a whole parish coming-together, remembering our loved ones and praying that they are in peace with God.

It was a very moving and prayerful Liturgy and a witness to our belief in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Throughout the month of November, we continue to pray:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace.  Amen.

With my loe and prayers,

Michael

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

This week, I’m writing to the Catholic and Christian families in school.  For a good while, I’ve been concerned about how few families from school celebrate Mass on a Sunday.  In choosing to send your children to a Catholic school - albeit in a multi-faith context - you presumably had some commitment to wanting your children to grow up benefiting from a good religious education.  A good religious education - such as the children in our school receive - fosters a child’s emotional, psychological, moral and spiritual development, as well as developing their intellectual capacity to think critically and reflectively about the key issues of human existence.

When your children were baptised, you were reminded that parents are “the first educators of [their] children in the ways of faith”.  School can only do so much.  It if the attitudes, beliefs and practices of parents and families that are crucial.  In the Catholic faith, Sunday Mass - if possible, as a family - is an essential element in a child’s religious upbringing and nurturing.

I do beg you to think seriously about your parental responsibilities in this matter.  You want what’s best for your children in every way.  I believe that a happy and fulfilling life of faith is an essential part of what’s best for every child.

With my love and prayers,

Michael

Sunday, 30th. November from 2 to 4 p.m. in St. Augustine’s school hall:  We need contributions for various stalls as well as volunteers to help setting up, staffing stalls and clearing up afterwards - see the lists at the back of the school hall after Masses or contact Tony Cox on 01772 555407.

Tickets are available for our parish Winter Draw.  Please take some to sell to family, friends, neighbours and colleagues.  We have had cash donations to cover the first prize - thank you.  Further donations towards prizes, including cash prizes, would be most welcome.  Please leave contributions at the Parish House marked for the attention of Ron Davis.

We would like to recruit more readers and ministers of the Eucharist for Sunday Masses.  Please consider carefully whether you could take on one of these very important ministries and let Michael know as soon as possible.  Thank you.  Please also consider the important ministries of assisting with the Liturgy of the Word with Children and sacramental preparation.

We are hoping to recruit some new altar servers for the 10.30 a.m. Mass on Sunday mornings.  If you would like to give it a try, please see Jo or Laura at Mass or contact Father Michael.

We would like to recruit more readers for Sunday Masses, especially at the 8.30 a.m. Mass.  If you feel that you could take on this important ministry, please let Michael know as soon as possible.  Thank you.  Please also consider the important ministries of assisting with the Liturgy of the Word with Children and sacramental preparation.

This is an eleven-week course for all those who wish to share their Catholic faith with others, organised by the Diocesan Education Service in collaboration with the Maryvale Institute.  The course will run on Tuesday evenings in Garstang, on Wednesday evenings in Barrow and on Thursday evenings in Lancaster.  For further details, pick up a leaflet from the Parish House, contact Hilary on 01524 841190 or at educationservice@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk and she will be happy to help you.