| Prayer |
PRAYER FOR FATHER PAUL AND OUR PARISH –
We pray for our priests,
Remembering those who are burdened or unwell.
We pray especially for our priest Father Paul,
In your love and mercy
Heal and strengthen him.
For each one of us is frail.
We can do nothing without you.
Through the power of your Spirit
Grant us healing and the forgiveness of all our sins:
The grace to love you, with our whole heart;
Obeying your Will in all things.
Grant too, the grace to love each other
Even as Jesus has loved us.
In your merciful love,
Lead us all to our heavenly home,
Place of eternal blessedness
Where in Everlasting Joy
And in union with Mary the Mother of Jesus,
With all the angels and saints
With the whole company of Heaven,
We may praise and bless you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
For ever and ever. Amen.
PRAY FOR THE SICK –
Your prayers are requested for the following who are sick: Sue Condon, Peter Flynn, T Tagliaferro, Jo Hurst, Luke Lambert, Sheelagh Clarke, Mike Pomeroy, Hope Ellis, Kavitha Davis, Bernadette Shepard, Irene Ziegart, Joanna Finley, Becky Almond, Eric Minshull, Pat Harris, Michael Inak, Florence Jess Smith, Dave De-el, Gwenda Newton, John Davies, Dorothy Barry, Patricia Davies, Thomas Laurie, Christine & John Busby, Fr. John Osman, Anne Elliot, Ethan Browne, Andrew Martin, Pat Lunney, Breda Smith, Janet Fowler, Gene Murphy, Basil and Doris Weaver, Norman and Eileen Slatter, Jessica James, Thomas Kirby, Fr. Burton Whitehead, Nichola Southey, Eleanor Stonell, Mick Kinnane, Molly Cowley, Sr. Joan Ryan, Mike Ryan, Arthur McCambridge, Frankie Ostrowski, Monica Smith, Dominic Spiteri, Christine Horne, Pio Corpus, Ethan James Calver, Elizabeth Keswick, Fr. Paul Martin, Audrey Rapson, Anna Lewis. Father Patrick Armstrong, Euan Murra, Elsa Mansell.Heavenly Father, source of all healing, visit and heal your servants from all physical and spiritual ailments, through the grace of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
CYCLE OF PRAYER –
During the Easter Season we are asked to pray for these intentions: New members of the church, Vocations, The Right use of the media, The Church, Human Work.HOLY FATHER’S MISSIONARY INTENTION- That the risen Christ may be a sign of certain hope for the men and women of Africa.
| News |
ABSENCE–
Father Paul Smith will be away this week. If you need a priest in an emergency please contact Canon Mervyn Tower at St. John’s in Banbury. Telephone: 01295 262073. Thank you.SECOND COLLECTION–
The second collection this weekend will be for the Papal Visit deficit.QUIZ NIGHT–
A huge thank you to Jan & Chris Hartley who kindly organised our Quiz Night - a fabulous fun time was had by all and they raised a magnificent £273 plus £300 on the bar making a grand total of £573. It was wonderfully organised, from the little helpers, the theme of the questions to the delicious Domino Pizzas!! We hope they will do another one later in the year with even more people taking part.BICESTER CHORAL AND OPERATIC SOCIETY–
Present Haydn's 'The Creation' in Church on Saturday, 12th May, at 7.45 pm with Guest Conductor Justin Lavender, Professor of Vocal Studies at the Royal College of Music. Tickets £12 (£10 concessions) from S. H. Jones, Sheep Street, Bicester, or Tim Lane, or online.TRINITY –
is the name of 3 instrumentalists from the 9am choir, Carol, Jacob and Sarah. They have produced a new CD of 10 popular hymns. Cost is £5.00 with all profits going to Parish funds. Please give them your support. Available after the 9.00 am Mass, or contact the Parish Office.100 CLUB RELAUNCH–
The next draw will take place during coffee after 9.00am Mass on Sunday, 27th May.CHRISTIAN AID WEEK–
13th to 19th May: Every year the churches of Bicester raise between £5,000 - £6,000 for CA. Nationwide £13 million is raised for poor communities around the world. This year’s theme is "Lets give the tools to help people in poverty out of poverty" with a focus on Sierra Leone. Please sign-up for a street on the list displayed in the church porch and pick-up a collectors pack. There are other ways you can help: There will be a collection at Wyevale garden centre on 18th & 19th May. We need a few collectors to cover a two hour slot so please volunteer for this. Families can also deliver (but not collect) the CA envelopes by joining people from other churches at Bure Park on Sunday 13th May. Again, please sign up for this. For information please contact Neil or Ann Poole.MAY FAYRE–
Saturday, 19th May. This is a joint event organised by St Mary’s School and Parish volunteers. If you would like to help run a stall or help in any way, please add your name/s to the stall/s you would like to help with on the day. List of stalls can be found on the notice board. Donations of bottles, cakes, raffle prizes and plants have been requested. Please deliver to the John Paul II Centre or to school (on the day). More about the Fayre here.BRING A BOTTLE–
Donations of bottles are needed for the fete next weekend. Deliver to school or to the parish office.Thank you.JOB VACANCY–
Programme Leader-Alton Castle Youth Retreat Centre are seeking an enthusiastic and committed, practising Catholic to lead residential programmes with young people aged 10–13 years as part of a vibrant Catholic community. Salary: £11,000- £13,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience plus live-in accommodation (due to the residential nature of the post, it is a requirement to live on-site). Hours: 40 hours per week, requires some evenings and occasional weekends. For an application pack, please e-mail: sharon@altoncastle.co.uk Closing date for applications is May 18th. More about Alton Castle here.MINISTRY OF WELCOME –
Many thanks go to Karen Ingram for organising rotas and welcomers over the past few years. Sue Wilde has kindly offered to take on this role. Please contact her if you would like to join the rota, update your contact details or availability. Thank you. More about this ministry here.THE OXFORD MARRIAGE PREPARATION TEAM –
This is a small group of volunteer married people who run days for engaged couples to prepare them for their marriages. We are looking for people to join the Team tohelp with giving presentations, administration and hospitality. Full training will be given. Please contact the Parish Office if you are interested.
CATHOLIC FAITH - MARRIAGE –
At Masses recently, we received a Letter, full text here, from Archbishops Vincent Nichols and Peter Smith on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. It is a statement for Catholic Faith about marriage and issued in the light of the forthcoming consultation by the Government on changing the legal definition of marriage. In the light of this letter, you are asked to consider signing the Coalition for Marriage’s online petition which can be found at www.C4M.org.uk It reads:“I support the legal definition of marriage which is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. I oppose any attempt to redefine it.”
The Archbishops also say that after Easter there will be a more detailed leaflet on the Government’s consultation itself, for distribution in parishes, to assist Catholics in making their own response to the consultation.
LAUDATE HYMN BOOKS –
We have a number of hymn books that have not been commemorated. If you would like to commemorate a book, possibly in memory of a departed loved one, to mark and anniversary or for any other reason please email details to admin@immaculate-conception.org.uk alternatively deliver clearly written details to the parish office or post through the presbytery letter box. Price: £6.00 per copy. Please make cheques to ‘Parish of the Immaculate Conception.’ Naturally, all books would be retained in church for general use and not retained for the private use of each individual donor.SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION - CONFIRMATION –
Retreat Day - Saturday, 12th May, 12.00 noon at the John Paul II Centre. Confirmation practice - Sunday, 20th May, 4.00 - 5.00 pm in church.FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - The lessons will be held on Saturdays from 9.00 am - 10.00 am on the 19th and 26th May.
TRADECRAFT STALL –
Next weekend at all Masses.PIETY STALL –
The stall has now merged with Traidcraft and will be available in John Paul II Centre after 9.00 am & 11.00 am Masses. Anyone willing to volunteer to help please approach any of the current helpers, thank you.WEEKLY SCRIPTURE GROUP –
Studying scripture for Sunday Mass, and prayer for the parish/individuals. Every Thursday between 8.00 and 9.30 pm. Please contact Nick StJohn for further details.NOTICES IN THE CHURCH PORCH –
Please do not leave notices in the porch or place them upon the parish notice board without seeking the permission of the parish office beforehand.| The John Paul II Centre |
 Forthcoming events in The John Paul II Centre. Saturday, 12th May - Retreat day for the Confirmation candidates from 12.00 onwards. Sunday, 13th May - Cath Moyse, Eileen Penhallow and Jacqui Corton with two other friends have entered their team Bicester Buddies in the Daybreaker 2012 sponsored walk in aid of Helen & Douglas House Hospice on 19th May. To raise some additional funds for the hospice they will be serving bacon rolls priced £2.00 each in the John Paul II Centre after 9.00 am Mass on Sunday 13th May. Visit their team page. Friday, 25th May - Coffee morning. All welcome.  Friday, 25th May - Pilgrims who travelled to the Holy Land in February would like to invite parishioners to their reunion and viewing of DVD taken on the trip from 7.15 pm at the John Paul II Centre. The bar will be open and you are invited to bring your own large portion of supper and there will also be a raffle. Saturday, 2nd June - Fr. Paul Smith would like to invite you to our Diamond Jubilee Parish Picnic commencing at 7.00 pm. Bring your own picnic food (no beverages to be brought onto the premises please). The licensed bar will be open. Tables of 8-10 people, please bring your friends and families for a fabulous indoor picnic celebration for Thwe Diamond Jubilee. Lots of gams and music and a fireworks display courtesy of Garth Park! Be patriotic and wear something red, white and blue. Please reserve your places on the list on the board. |
CENTRE MANAGER–
Penny Haslam has been appointed as Centre Manager on a part time basis (3 days per week) commencing on 21st May. An advert will appear to recruit a full time Deputy Centre Manager in due course. In the meantime a small group of volunteers will continue to run the centre on an interim basis. For all centre enquiries please phone 324 307 or email npc@immaclate-conception.org.ukJOHN PAUL II CENTRE ~ OCCASIONAL HOURLY PAID STAFF/ VOLUNTEERS –
Do you have time to spare during the day or in the evening? The John Paul II Centre has a small group of dedicated workers/volunteers but we are now looking to recruit a pool of occasional staff to help with serving food and /or bar work. (Events include anything form small meetings, funerals to corporate and social events for over 100 people.) Hours are flexible and could also suit students or the retired. Please contact Lucia at the Parish Office for more details or email to lucia@immaculate-conception.org.uk.NEW WEBSITE:
The John Paul II Centre now has its own website hereHOMEMADE CAKE AND PRODUCE SALE –
Last weekend's Cake and Produce Sale raised a fantastic £135.45! A huge thank-you to all who made contributions or bought from the stall. The next Sale will be on the weekend of 5th/6th May.JOHN PAUL II CENTRE BAR –
Open every Sunday after the 11.00 am Mass.SUNDAY COFFEE IS BACK –
Come along for a coffee and meet new and old fellow parishioners after 9.00 am and 11.00 am Masses this weekend and every Sunday in the in the main hall downstairs of The John Paul II Centre. Come along...all welcome!PARISH OFFICE –
The parish office is located on the first floor of The John Paul II Centre. If the main doors are closed, then please press the buzzer located near the doors and wait for a member of staff to respond. When you exit the building please ensure that the door is fully closed. The telephone number is 01869 253 277.| Regular Features |
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET –
This is being recited every Tuesday at 2.00 pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel All are welcome.BABY AND TODDLER GROUP -
Meets every Thursday from 9.15 am to 10.45 am in the Presentation Convent during term-time. Come along or Contact Katrina O'Malley. More details.CATHOLIC SINGLES –
Is an organisation which helps single, widowed, separated and divorced Catholics of all ages (over 18 years) meet, either one to one or through social events. All members receive a monthly bulletin, called Catholic Networking. For more information please tel. 0161 941 3498, visit the website or email info@catholicsingles.org.ukCHURCH CLEANERS–
Volunteers are needed to join the church cleaning teams. If you have any time to offer to help clean your church, please contact the parish office for more details.APF MISSION BOXES –
if you box has not been emptied recently please bring it in, either to the welcomers or parish office. Calendars are available at the back of church. Our parish raised £1052.30 last year. Many thanks to the volunteer counters and collectors.MASS INTENTIONS –
Please use the Mass offering envelopes at the back of church. These can be posted through the front door of the presbytery or given to the welcomers. Please be sure to give plenty of notice if specific dates are required.HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF BIRMINGHAM 1850-2000 –
This hardback book has been published by the Archdiocese of Birmingham Historical Commission. Price £17.00. Available from parish office.CHURCH CLEANERS –
If time allows please could the church cleaners clean in the inner sacristy area. Please come to the presbytery/parish office for a key to gain access. Thank you for keeping our church so beautifully clean! More volunteers always needed, contact the parish office if you can help.WANTED –
Do you have any old photographs of parish life, the church (Priory Road or The Causeway), St. Mary’s School, etc. that could go into a parish archive? If so, please could you deliver these to the parish office marked with your name. These will be scanned and returned to you. Thank you. A selection of photographs can be seen here.BAPTISM ENQUIRIES –
Please make these by e-mail or by contacting the parish office during opening hours.BLUE DATA CARDS – Parishioners, especially new ones, please spend a moment completing a blue data card to let us know who you are. Existing parishioners, if your details have changed or if you are not sure if you have ever returned a card, please fill one in. They are available at the back of the church or from the welcomers.
JUSTICE AND PEACE –
Please see the notice board for some important information regarding Assisted Suicide, Cafod Family Fast Day, Fairtrade Fortnight, Vulture Culture, War on Want.BICESTER FOOD BANK BOX – Please remember to bring your weekly contributions. Many single items go a long way.
TRAIDCRAFT – Traidcraft is a Christian response to poverty, established in 1979 to fight poverty through trade. By buying these products you can help craft workers and farmers across Africa, Asia and Latin America to build a better future for themselves, for their families and for their communities. As well as goods on the stall you can order additional items through the catalogue, or buy online at www.traidcraft.co.uk For further information, please contact Ann Poole.
"My children, our love is not just to be words or mere talk, but something real and active." 1 John 3: 18.
| WEEKLY ROTAS. | |
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EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION This weekend: Saturday 6.00 pm: Confirmandi Sunday 9.00 am: B.Nichols, C.StJohn, L. and R.Weaver Sunday 11.00 am J.Maude, M.Lynch, 2 volunteers Next Weekend: |
MINISTRY OF WELCOME This Weekend: Saturday 6.00 pm: Confirmandi. Sunday 9.00 am: Volunteers please. Sunday 11.00 am: Schutz Family. Next Weekend: |
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LECTORS This weekend: Sixth Sunday of Easter (B) Acts of the Apostles 10: 25-26, 34-35, 44-48/Psalm 97/1 John 4: 7-10/John 15: 9-17 Saturday 6.00 pm: Confirmandi. Sunday 9.00 am: E.Hawkins, P.Pickering. Sunday 11.00 am: J.Hurst, N.Ward Next Weekend: |
CHURCH CLEANING :Team: 1 Next Week: Team 2 COUNTERS: 9.00 AM COFFEE This Weekend: M.Daniel, Mander Family, Conway Family Next Weekend: Mutton Family, Riley Family 11.00 AM COFFEE This Weekend: E.King, O.Willett Next Weekend: J.Martin, K.O'Sullivan, Sr. Elizabeth
FLOWER ARRANGERS' ROTA MASS ATTENDANCE LAST WEEKEND: THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO. |
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MASTERS OF CEREMONIES This weekend Saturday 6.00 pm: D.Hook. Sunday 9.00 am: C.Riley Sunday 11.00 am: A.Madden Next Weekend: |
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