Upcoming Activities & Offerings
IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Thur. Aug 15th -- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Holy Day of Obligation)
Dates for SECOND COLLECTIONS
Sun. Sep 15th -- Home Missions
Resources to help you pray
Fr Luke writes: ‘Following last week’s homily several people asked me for details about the prayer apps and websites I mentioned. Therefore, I include a supplement with this week’s newsletter. (It is based on one we use in the IGNITE Youth team which lists useful resources and apps.) The teaching supplement on the Creed will resume next weekend.’
Interested in becoming a Catholic?
Want to know more about the Church?
Perhaps you are a Catholic but missed out on making your confirmation as a youngster.
If this is you, please consider joining our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) programme. Please write to Fr Luke expressing your interest.
Children’s Liturgy at St Johns’ Mildenhall
Emily Burbridge and Sarah Limmer undertake children’s liturgy every fortnight during term time. Children’s Liturgy will resume in September.
We are working towards a Children’s Liturgy at St Thomas’ too.
Setting up St John’s for Sunday Mass
St John’s is used during the week by various community groups. This is one way in which we fulfil our mission in the local community. It means that we have to clean and set up the church each week. The most important task on these occasions is to prepare the altar for mass. Lorna, Jo and Janine help with this at the moment, but we do need some others to provide backup when any of these may be away. Please speak to Fr Luke or Philip Kemp.
Talking in Church and Silence before Mass
Fr Luke writes: One of the strong points of both Brandon and Mildenhall communities is the warmth of welcome one experiences when coming into Church. Without compromising on this warm and friendly atmosphere, I would like to take the opportunity to gently remind people that when we come to Church we come to pray and we need to be mindful of others who wish to pray. The general talking, hustle and bustle that occurs before Mass is not conducive to prayer and preparation for the Eucharist.
At Brandon I regularly invite people to silence a few minutes before we begin Mass in order to recollect ourselves and focus our hearts and minds on the awesome mysteries we are about celebrate.
We will begin a similar thing at Mildenhall in a few weeks’ time. I propose to have the bell rung a few minutes before the start of Mass. When the bell is rung this will be an invitation for talking to cease and silent prayer to begin. Please also respect others who may be trying to pray before and after Mass by keeping talking to a minimum in and around the main body of the Church. (This does not apply so much to Mildenhall after Mass as we have a Blessed Sacrament chapel for people to pray in whilst teas and coffee continue at the back of Church)
Silent and prayerful preparation is something that Pope Francis asks us to take seriously, the Pope says: “Mass is the highest form of prayer and not an appropriate moment for small talk. At church, Catholics should spend their time in silence before Mass, preparing to meet with Jesus instead of engaging in "chitchat,”. Silence is so important…we are not going to a show. Silence prepares us and accompanies us." – General audience Nov 15th 2017
IF SILENCE IS GOLDEN, PLEASE GIVE JESUS A LITTLE OF YOUR GOLD
Our Food Banks
We are collecting for the foodbank at Brandon each week. Please help local families in crisis by buying items and bringing them into St Thomas’ or St John's as our collection points.
Milk (UHT or powdered), Sugar, Long life Fruit Juice, Cereals, Tinned sponge pudding, Tinned Tomatoes, Tinned vegetables, Soup, Tinned rice pudding, Tea bags/instant coffee, Instant Mash, Rice, Tinned meat/fish, Tinned Fruit, Jam, Biscuits/snack bars
Pasta or Pasta Sauces are not currently needed.
Justice & Peace Group
Your local J&P Group brings together Brandon, Mildenhall and Newmarket as our two parishes work together to promote practical action in support Catholic Teaching. We:
- Arrange exhibitions & displays;
- Organise peace vigils;
- Provide resources to celebrate church festivals (from Easter chicks to Peace Poppies);
- Run campaigns (e.g. “Share the Journey”) to support people in need in the UK and elsewhere round the world;
- Raise funds for specific projects;
- Keep people informed about J&P Matters.
We always welcome new members to the group. You don’t have to come to meetings! You can join by using Skype of Face Time or just receive and respond to our monthly Update.
The Justice & Peace Group usually meet on the first Monday of each month. All are welcome.
Talk to Tom or Gill Caple for more information: 01638 716474
Prayer
O Lord Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, full of compassion and maker of peace, you lived in poverty and suffered persecution for the cause of justice.
You chose the Cross as the path to glory to show us the way of salvation. May we receive the word of the Gospel joyfully and live by Your example as heirs and citizens of Your kingdom. Amen.
Dealing with Climate Change
On Sunday, July 7th, the Justice & Peace Group facilitated a shared lunch and discussion on what a parish might do to counteract or reduce the effects of climate change. Here are some of the ideas that emerged:
A. Become a Live Simply Parish
B. Use Solar Panels/Raise money for Solar Panels
C. Become a plastic-free parish?
D. Educate the kids in the Children’s Liturgy
E. Make a commitment as a parish to:
• Turn off lights when not in use
• Make sure all our lights are LED bulbs
• Check the lights
F. Have a walk/cycle to mass Sunday (for those who can)
G. Share cars to get to Church using less fuel.
Many other suggestions were made as well, some of which are already in place. There’s no doubting that more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of local action, and not just waiting for world leaders to solve the problem.
If you have suggestions about practical actions we can take, please contact Gill or Tom Caple
Our Common Home
Ten years ago the UK Government took a global lead and passed the pioneering Climate Change Act committing us to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Recent research by climate scientists has stressed that this is no longer enough. We need to go further, faster. Unless we make dramatic changes, the damage caused by climate change will be irreversible. We need to reach ‘net zero’ emissions by 2045 at the latest. This is based on the science behind keeping global temperature rise below 1.5C. Several countries have already committed to reach this target. The UK as a global leader on climate change must join them to ‘revive’ our common home. So what can we do?
For further information about the national campaign go to www.cafod.org.uk/climate
Justice & Peace Recent Activities
Working with Adult Faith Formation (AFF)
AFF is a group that has come together to work together in their spiritual development. They meet monthly on Thursday evenings and Tuesday lunchtimes for prayer, talks by invited speakers and study sessions.
In February the J&P led an event on Intercessions. AFF members took part in an interactive session involving discussion, practice in composing intentions and reflection. The papers supporting the session can be obtained from Tom Caple. Participants said that the session was helpful.
The session was repeated (with suitable adjustments) for the Tuesday Lunch Club. It also got a positive response.
Stations of the Cross
We led a poetry-based Station service at OLISE on Palm Sunday. Each participant read a relevant poem at each station. Across the echoing church, each reading draped us with insights and reverence for Christ’s gift of sacrifice. It proved a very moving way of remembering Jesus’s journey.
Nonviolence Works
Nonviolence Works is a network of Christian Peace Organisations, including Pax Christi, committed to furthering peace in communities. The network has evidence that there are ways other than violent intervention to resolve differences and bring an end to wars. It publishes cases that show how nonviolent approaches can and do work. We will publish examples from time to time. Here are three:
Norway 1942
Teachers refused to co-operate with the pro-Nazi Quisling regime and, although many endured prison, the obligation to teach Nazi doctrines had to be withdrawn.
Mozambique 1989-92
The Rome-based Community of Sant” Egidio brokered an agreement between RENAMO and FRELIMO forces, ending ten years of war.
Guatemala 2007
Young stilt walkers used circus acts and carnival in the streets to transform the climate of violence spread by brutal youth gangs.
NON-VIOLENCE WORKS!
I made a choice
War changed my life. For us ordinary people of Croatia, the violent disintegration of Yugoslavia came so suddenly we were confused. The war and the logic of war spread like a violent fire. From a culture of nationalism to the fear-ridden images of the enemy, to being surrounded by Serbian forces bombing us… I started to think like others, there was no other way. It is them or us… While we were thinking and praying in a small group we spoke about the meaning of love for our enemy in this very situation. …. I started to think, what would it mean to love my enemy in this time of war? I could not find the answer. But then I made a choice, from my will. So, I chose to love my enemy as Jesus would. This choice was my first move from the logic of violence, and I felt I could breathe again.
My next step was to think how would I defend life? I would defend life but not by killing. But what if I needed to defend the life of my children? I don’t know what I would do in such a situation. But this transition from the logic of violence opened my heart and my mind to ask: what could I do for peace and the end of the war? I met someone who was an ethicist and then a conscientious objector. … And this was the beginning of the peace movement, the Centre for Nonviolence and Human Rights in Osijek, from the middle of the war.
Katarina Kruhonja, former Board member, Pax Christi International
Pray as You Go PAYG
A superb free App from the British Jesuits. Lots on the App including a daily 10-12 min prayer meditation, as well as Stations of the Cross, Rosary meditations and other prayer resources. If you have a smart phone download the App, it could help develop your prayer life and your friendship with Jesus. Why not try it out for Holy Week?
Interested in joining the Ignite Team?
Are you leaving school or university soon, in between jobs or would like to do something 'different'? The Diocesan Youth Service is looking for people age 18-30 to join the Ignite Team, sharing the Gospel Message with young people in a way they can relate to. These are full-time positions, with food, accommodation and a monthly allowance provided. Ideal as a ‘gap year’. For more information see www.rcdea.org.uk/youth .
CATHOLIC PEOPLE’S WEEKS (CPW) HOLIDAYS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
CPW offers a chance to enrich and develop your faith, as well as warmly welcoming people from other faith traditions who are in sympathy with the catholic tradition. Events range from 1-day meetings to 7-day holidays, from retreats to conferences to walking holidays. They vary from activities for whole families (in school holidays) to 18+ events: and they are affordable holidays in comfortable accommodation. A limited number of leaflets are available. For details talk to Gill or Tom Caple.
Your Red Box
TO BE A CHRISTIAN IS TO BE A MISSIONARY - YOU CAN HELP BY PRAYING FOR THE MILL HILL MISSIONARIES AND DONATING THROUGH USING A RED BOX.
THREE HUNDRED, FIFTY-NINE POUNDS AND NINE PENCE or £359.09 – that’s the amount of money donated through the Red Box Scheme for the first half of this year. Thank you very much!
Thank you for helping their Missionary work. Please keep up this good work for 2019.
Not got a Red Box? Some spare boxes are at the back of the church. Take one and tell Sue Dean or Fr Luke.
Paschal & Prayer Candles
Anna Liwak, the parishioner from Brandon who created out beautiful Paschal candles is now taking commissions for Candles.
Her candles are handcrafted and can be personalized for First Communion, Baptisms, Memorials, Anniversaries or any other important occasions. Individual prayer candles are also available.
For more information please contact Anna on 07741209889 or check out her facebook page: ‘Artistic Heart.’
Mary’s Month
May -- Mary’s Month
The Lord knows full well how His children have limited the time they have for each of the many tasks they put upon themselves to the point of exhaustion. This seems especially true today when life seems lived at breakneck speed.
So, in May we have the chance to slow a little, take time out from the daily hustle. This is because May is the Month of Mary, Christ’s Mother and, thus, the Mother of the Church.
She is the example, as well as the guide and inspiration, of everyone who, in and through the Church, seeks to be the servant of God and our sisters and brothers, and the obedient agent of the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
We have no evidence that Mary rushed about trying to do an impossible number of things all at once; nor that she scolded anyone; nor that she gossiped, argued or nagged to get her way. She took Time and did not let Time take her.
For Mary, God’s way determined her way (as in the Annunciation): she also knew that what she could not do, her Son would (Cana). Most of all, she understood that love - not the overbearing pressure of time - is the foundation and framework of a satisfied life,. Love springs from Faith and Mary lived a life of faith and piety. Piety is the virtue that protects us from reducing faith to unfeeling, loveless dogma and mindless praying.
So May is the time to renew our acquaintance of and love for God’s Mother. Saying one Hail Mary thoughtfully, or the Litany of Mary, are simple ways of renewing our reverence for her and reminding ourselves of the selfless, patient and faithful way she responded to God’s plan for her.
May this be the example we can follow in peace, freed from stress, now that the earth yields its fruits for us once more.
Our Lady of Walsingham
According to tradition, in an apparition to Lady Richeldis, the Blessed Virgin Mary fetched Richeldis’ soul from England to Nazareth during a religious ecstasy to show the house where the Holy Family once lived and in which the Annunciation of Archangel Gabriel occurred. Richeldis was given the task of building a replica house in her village, in England. The building came to be known as the "Holy House", and later became both a shrine and a focus of pilgrimage to Walsingham.
In passing on his guardianship of the Holy House, Richeldis' son Geoffrey left instructions for the building of a priory in Walsingham. The priory passed into the care of the Canons Regular of S Augustine, sometime between 1146 and 1174.
An immensely popular place of pilgrimage during the middle ages, the shrine was destroyed during the Reformation and restored in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Slipper Chapel is now the centre of what has become the Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady and is regularly visited by people from the English dioceses and beyond. In mediaeval times this was the last staging post, where pilgrims began a 1 mile barefoot walk to the Shrine in the village. (Hence ‘Slipper’)
Our Lady of Carfin
Carfin Lourdes Grotto, is a shrine in Scotland dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, and was created in the early twentieth century. The "Carfin Grotto", as the shrine is locally referred to, was the brainchild of Father, later Canon, Thomas N. Taylor (died 1963), parish priest of St. Francis Xavier's Parish in the small, mining village of Carfin, two miles east of Motherwell.
Following a trip to Lourdes, Canon Taylor's vision was to build a religious memorial in honour of Our Blessed Lady. Since its opening in the early 1920s, the "grotto" has attracted pilgrims in the hundreds of thousands. For the past 90 plus years, the grotto shrine has offered a pilgrimage season with Sunday processions, rosaries, outdoor masses and dedicated Feast Day events which runs annually from early May until late September.
Our Lady of Knock
The evening of Thursday, 21 August 1879, was a very wet night. At about 8 o'clock the rain beat down in driving sheets when Mary Beirne, a girl of the village, accompanying the priest's housekeeper, Mary McLoughlin, home, stopped suddenly as she came in sight of the gable of the little church. There she saw standing a little out from the gable, were three life-size figures. She ran home to tell her parents and soon others from the village had gathered.
The witnesses stated they saw an apparition of Our Lady, Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist at the south gable end of the local small parish church, the Church of Saint John the Baptist. Behind them and a little to the left of Saint John was a plain altar. On the altar was a cross and a lamb (a traditional image of Jesus), with adoring angels
This is now Ireland’s National Marian Shrine, and is a popular pilgrimage centre, especially for those with illnesses or disabilities.
Our Lady of the Taper
Legend tells how, in the Middle Ages, a beautiful statue of Our Lady, her Son on her lap, and a burning taper in her hand, appeared on the banks of the River Teifi in Cardiganshire. Any attempt to move the statue to the parish church in Cardigan resulted in its reappearing at the spot where it first appeared. It became a place of pilgrimage and St Mary’s church was built on that spot in 1158. The original statue was destroyed in the Reformation.
At the beginning of the 20th century, monks from Brittany gave their abbey church the name of Our Lady of Cardigan and revived the devotion. They made the same dedication to the small church they built in Cardigan in 1912 The monks left in 1916 and the devotion lapsed.
In 1952, Bishop Petit learned that there had once been a shrine in Cardigan and decided to restore it. He commissioned a new statue, which was blessed in Westminster Cathedral in 1956.
The Shrine of Our Lady of the Taper is now the national shrine for Wales and parish for the people of Cardigan and surrounding areas.
Easter Celebrations around the world
Armenian Orthodox priests take part in a procession at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem in 2018.
Parishioners hold candles during the Easter Vigil mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a government-sanctioned Catholic church in Beijing, China, in 2018.
South Korean Christians pray during an annual Easter service rally at Yeonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, in 2018. About 10,000 participants prayed for peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
Christians in South Sudan re-enact Jesus being led to his crucifixion, in Juba in 2018. Christians are 60 percent of the population of South Sudan, approximately six million people, with the remainder of the population following traditional African religions and Islam, as well as other religions.
A Pakistani Christian girl prays with others during a Good Friday service at a church in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Palestinian Christians attend a service on Easter Sunday at the Saint Porfirios church in Gaza City on April 1, 2018.
Participants get ready for the Dance of Death during a Holy Week procession in Verges, Spain, on March 29, 2018. Dancers dress in body stockings with skeletons painted on them and carry symbols to stir the people and prepare them for a good death.
A girl participates in an Easter Sunday procession representing the resurrection of Christ, in the historic Brazilian city of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais State, on April 1, 2018.
A woman from Eritrea and her baby pray at the Stone of Anointing, where Jesus's body is said to have been anointed before burial, during rituals to celebrate Easter Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City in Jerusalem on April 1, 2018.
Penitents from the El Nazareno brotherhood walk to the Jesus Nazareno Church before a procession in Cordoba, Spain.