Dear Friends Everywhere!
This is a great favourite of mine, today's Gospel, and I will be using it with Class 4 for their Friday Class Mass. Making and colouring fish is an obvious, but I will push the Year 6 further to make a net with all their creations fixed on, to bring up as part of the Offertory. Last week Class 2 brought up o.s maps, a compass, Atlas and a walking stick as the current theme at the moment is “Following Jesus.” I have used this for three weeks up to press and it will close on 10th. February when we close for Half-term and return in time for the start of Lent!
Once more, up here in the hills we have been subject to thick ice, following the pretty snow, and augmented by the cold temperatures. People cannot believe it when they arrive in the area as the general comment is, “There is nothing where we are!” Well, it certainly lasted even today, and a little dog called Tink had us all gasping and laughing. Her owner had found her a pink fluffy dog coat complete with little legs, a hood and a bobble on top. She looked amazing in her exclusive attire.
Unfortunately I missed St. Agnes' Eve ( 20th. Jan. ) as I was busy scribbling my notes from a Zoom Meeting on Hedgerows. It was quite a week for Zoom Meetings, as I had another on 17th. January over the teacher's ballot and strikes, which enabled me to liaise with my Head and the school Staff. All amicably settled, which is what our world needs in large measure. On Thursday I was part of a gentle demonstration to save our lovely village Surgery which is under threat ( Closure or take-over from unwanted sources.) Although we are small compared to others, it is a wonderful family Practice and much loved in our local villages. Big is not always best.
Fr. P and I are enjoying a rose-scented candle which is lit in the evenings; the perfume lingers for hours. That is another way we have discovered to get through these January days. Another treat for me are Crosswords, and when you are out of practise as I, it is more than an exercise in brain gym. Here's hoping that practise improves the skill.
On that note I will close. As ever, take care, keep warm and look forward to the forthcoming Spring. Enjoy the RSPB Garden Birdwatch next weekend. Should you participate, then good luck with your recordings.
Remember your daily Rosary and pray for peace in the Ukraine.
Keep away from frozen canals, ponds, and lakes. The chances are the ice will be very thin, and could cause accidents. We have mentioned this before both here and on our Parish and School Newsletters.
Jane
Most weekends we have our young people helping with the Collection, collecting Missalettes at the end of Mass and taking part in the Offertory Procession. We try to alter our front of church Tableau each week to fit in with the Gospel of the Day, and a short explanation is given to the Congregation.
People show great interest in what the Catechist does each week!. Our parish is a small country one, and through the Sunday Mass our little ones get to know each other before entering our school.
Fr. Peter Charles Crowther obl. sbso | The Presbytery, Bury Lane, Withnell, Chorley, PR6 8SD | Tel 01254 830 995 | Archdiocese of Liverpool 1199714
© 2023 St Joseph's Catholic Church, Withnell. All Rights Reserved.
