Legion of Mary

From Saturday 26th July to Friday 1st  August members of the Peregrinatio pro Christi (The missionary branch of the Legion of Mary) will be visiting our parish. During the week they will be calling on as many homes as possible. Please welcome them and keep them in your prayers.                    

Thank you

Upper Room

We thank all those that helped to transform the Upper Room; parishioners, plumbers, electricians, painters, etc, etc.  Pictures of the transformation have been placed on the display at the back of church.  Please take time to have a look and celebrate the achievement of those who were involved.  If you would like to take a look around the Upper Room then why not visit on a Sunday Morning when the Parish Office is open!

Prayers for the Sick

Each Sunday we pray for those who are sick and housebound and mention certain people by name.  These prayers are requested by family members.  However, it sometimes comes to our attention that people are still being prayed for even after they have recovered to the embarrassment of the individual concerned. We would ask you in these cases to please let the Parish Office know if the name/s can be removed from the prayers.

First Communion & Confirmation 2009

Currently there is no information available.  Please keep checking this newsletter for updates.

Knights of St Columba

The Knights will be presenting the Relic of St Edmund Campion at the 7.30pm Mass next Thursday 31st July.

School Admissions

If you are applying for a school place and need a reference  Fr. Martin will be available the last week of July and 1st week of August.

Want to know more about the Catholic Faith?

1. Final session before the summer break  for adults is on Monday 28th July.  Topic:  Eucharist?Centrality in Catholic Life. It is hoped to resume sessions on Monday 15th September.

2. Session for children (aged 7-13) TODAY 10.30?11.30am in the Claret Room. (via the Parish Office).

Confirmation & Communion Photos

Proofs are available to view and copies ordered from the Parish Office during the following times:- Monday?Friday: 10.00am-1.00pm & 2.00-4.00pm.  Monday-Thursday: 7.30-8.30pm. (Voluntary staff permitting).  Saturday 11.30am?1.30pm.  All orders must be placed by 31st July.

Water Company Policy

The Water Companies are ignoring churches charitable status and starting to charge Churches for the amount of area (i.e. roofs and car parks) that will collect rainwater and discharge it into the sewer network. 

This will effectively raise most churches water bills by hundreds if not thousands of pounds.
Please sign the government on-line petition on http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ChurchWaterBills which, apparently, needs  at  least  15,000  signatures  to be noticed.

Church Re-Decorating

We hope that the next stage in our ongoing programme of improvements will be the painting of the interior of the Church.  If any parishioner has knowledge of interior design, colours etc, please speak to Fr Martin. With such a big undertaking, we want to get it right!

The Sound of Music at the London Palladium

See the London Christmas Lights/Tree on Wednesday 3rd or Thursday 4th December 2008, 7.30pm performance.

Top priced seats (?55.00) only ?22.50 + ?5.50 coach = ?28pp ? minimum age 3yrs.  Leaving Hayes 5.15pm sharp, back around 11pm.

Please ring Elaine on 020 8848 0013 with definite numbers by 26th September. ? payment ASAP but by 31st October latest.

"In the Footsteps of the Founder"

(A few places are still available)

To celebrate the bi-centenary of the birth of St. Anthony Claret, a Pilgrimage "In the Footsteps of the Founder" has been organised from Saturday 11th October to Monday 20th October 2008. 

The total cost is ?650.00.

To obtain a booking form please contact Fr. John O'Byrne cmf, Buckden Towers , Buckden, St. Neots, Cambs. PE19 5TA. Telephone 01480 810344 or email john@claret.org.uk.

Cheques to be made payable to Claretian Missionaries Trust.

Sponsored Walk:  Fulcrum Challenge

One of our young parishioners, Marianne, has been put forward to take part in Fulcrum.  (This is a Leadership Development Programme and will enable those who participate to gain an ?AS? level award ?The Certificate of Personal Effectiveness?.)  Part of the programme will entail Marianne travelling with a team to a remote area of Africa where they will be working on a ?Village Community Project?.  (Village Community Projects revolve around improving the education facilities for primary school children in a remote and socially-deprived village. The students are faced with a building or renovation project they have to self-manage. Chosen by the village elders, these projects have sustainability and are of great worth to the community.)  Marianne needs to raise ?1,550 to take part in this worthwhile project and is kicking off her fundraising by organising a sponsored walk. 

If you would like to support Marianne sponsor forms are available in the Parish Office.

Claretian Family Day

This annual event will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August at Buckden Towers , an opportunity to join those from other Claretian parishes round the country.  A coach has been booked, cost is ?10 per adult??5 per child.  If you would like to join in this celebration, please leave your name and details in the Parish Office.  You will need to pay for your seats at the time of booking and please book early to avoid disappointment. 

Parish Garden Party

A Garden Party in support of  Mission Belize and the Building Fund will be held in the garden of Botwell House on Sunday 24th August, commencing at 1.00pm?food and drink available.  Please come along and support this popular annual event.