The Sick: The Diocese, on advice and under Data Protection Regulations (May 2018), asks us not to name individuals, but to pray for them as a group within the Parish Body as those in particular need.
Anniversaries: Mollie Weld, Molly Bergin
HOME COMMUNIONS If you require Holy Communion at home, please contact John Ridge: [email protected], Fr Kentigern or Fr Bernard either by e-mail or leave a telephone message by 8.00pm on Friday evening stating whether you require a weekly visit or a one-off call. Someone will then be in contact to arrange a suitable day and time to visit.
EASY FUNDRAISER Do you regularly shop online? Did you know you could support your church at the same time? For more information speak to Tracey in the Parish Office and see information leaflets in the Hall.
WORLD COMMUNITY OF CHRISTIAN MEDITATION Meets each week: Mondays at 2pm - 3pm in St Ben’s Hall: contact Mary Sturges Thursdays at 8pm - 8 45pm on Zoom: contact David and Sue Walsh Should you wish to join either group contact Mary Sturges 01439788563.
CHRISTIAN MEN OF THE VALLEY Meet each Monday at 8.00pm to share faith, friendship and interests.
FABRIC PROJECTS Works have cost £35000. All contributions to these costs will be gratefully received.
CAFOD Donate to CAFOD’s Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal at cafod.org.uk/ipc or call 0303 303 3030. or to the Sudan Crisis Appeal: cafod.org.uk/SudanAppeal or call: 0808 58 588 85.
SOCIAL AND FELLOWSHIP GROUP Rearranged meeting will take place in St Benedict’s Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 30 January. All Welcome.
ASSISTED SUICIDE We can still defeat assisted suicide! There is a clear path toward the assisted suicide Bill being defeated at Third Reading. Early analysis shows that at least 36 MPs supported the Bill but have concerns that mean they may vote NO at later stages. Just 28 MPs switching their stance to NO would ensure it is defeated at Third Reading. We need MPs to know that their constituents want them to vote NO at Third Reading. Please take action now and visit www.righttolife.org.uk/ASvote to find out how your MP voted and ask them to vote against the Bill at Third Reading. See also the posters and website information.
MIDDLESBROUGH FOODBANK Thank you for all your contributions to the Epiphany Delivery. I’m afraid the stats aren’t great… GOODS: 67.4kg. CASH: £10 NEXT MFB DELIVERY: TUES. FEB.11th, DEADLINE: MON. 10th - 12 NOON,
METHODIST ASYLUM PROJECT Next Delivery: Wednesday, January 29th. Delivery of winter clothes shoes, boots for adults and children. Bedding including pillows, duvets, covers and sheets. Kitchen tools, pans and dining items. Small toys, soft cuddly toys, travel bags and suitcases. Please offer all these donations in the best possible condition. These are received with such gratitude and the best possible smiles. Cottage open from Saturday 25th more info Mary S 01439788563 As ever Thank YOU.
MISSION TO MALAWI Maria Toone will shortly be travelling to Malawi to work with the Jacaranda Foundation. If you would like to support her efforts you can donate using the following website, https://www.jacarandafoundation.org/donate or by using our digital collection plate.
CAFOD EVENT A Year of Hope: An Introduction to the Jubilee Year with the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development 2025 is a Jubilee year, but what does that mean? Catholic talk show host and author Nana Churcher, and CAFOD’s Simon Giarchi will be hosting Fr Jan Nowotnik (Director of Mission for the Bishop’s Conference), Christine Allen (CAFOD’s Director) and Kayode Akintola (CAFOD’s Head of Africa) and more for a lively start to the Jubilee. With a special appearance by Catholic band Ooberfuse. Saturday 18 Jan, 10:30am-midday, online. All welcome. Register here for free: cafod.org.uk/jubilee
JUSTICEAND PEACE If you agree that the so-called ‘Assisted Dying Bill’ represents another nail in the coffin of civilisation, then tell your MP you want him to think again and vote against. Last week we looked at the rise in the number of killings which has occurred in Oregon, in The Netherlands and in Belgium attendant upon the legalisation of assisted suicide and/or euthanasia, proof irrefutable of the « slippery slope » disputed by those who favour the legalisation of what they euphemistically refer to as ‘assisted dying’. What of Canada, thought to be the most likely model for the U.K. to adopt when considering regulations? Scrap the principle and safeguards will be eroded. This happened astonishingly quickly in the case of Canada which legalised euthanasia and assisted suicide in 2016. Since 2017 the number of deaths under the law had risen by over 350% by 2022. The vast majority had been euthanised: very few had chosen self-administration of the drugs. As ever, the poor are over-represented in the figures. Visitors to foodbanks are enquiring about MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying). Other reasons given include trouble with paying the rent, and hearing loss. Homelessness and poverty are acceptable qualifying conditions for euthanasia for about 30% of Canadians. In 2021 Parliament pronounced as eligible from 2027 those whose sole underlying medical condition was mental illness. Canadian ‘Dying with Dignity’ wants to extend eligibility to children: others believe “unjust social circumstances” should suffice as a condition. Disabled people are understandably anxious about how they will be affected by on-going Canadian legislation. In 2019 a Québec court pronounced that limiting MAiD to those whose death was reasonably foreseeable breached the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Two years later the federal government legislated accordingly with Bill C-7. (Sources The Christian Institute. U.K. and ch.7 of The Reality of Assisted Dying, ed. Hughes and Finlay 2024)
MIDDLESBROUGH FOODBANK DEAR MFB SUPPORTERS, Our delivery on Jan.7th, though smaller than usual, perhaps because of the wintry weather, was gratefully and cheerfully received as always! Tracey and the volunteers welcome our visit and are always touched by the goodwill we bring from all of you! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR KINDNESS AND CONTINUING GENEROSITY AND THANK YOU TOO TO ALL WHO DONATE ON-LINE! NEXT DELIVERY: TUES. FEB.11th DEADLINE MON. FEB. 10th -12 NOON PLEASE REMEMBER, EVERY SINGLE DONATION COUNTS! Donations should be left at the back of Our Lady and St Benedict’s Church as always. THANK YOU ALL! PPS MFB GIFT AID forms are now available at the back of church for individual donations of cash and cheques. If you are able to, please could you hand them into the office along with your donation?
SYCAMORE SESSION TWELVE CREATION, FALL, SALVATION
St Benedict’s Hall Thursday 23 January from 10.15am or Friday 24 January from 7.00pm
ALL WELCOME
Our Lady and St. Benedict’s and St Hilda’s Community prayers.
Monday 30th December 10.00 a.m. St Ben’s Monday 13th January 10.00 a.m. St Hilda’s Monday 27th January 10.00 a.m. St Bens’s Monday 10th February 10.00 a.m. St Hilda’s