1. St Peter's Catholic Church Cirencester (Linked with St Michael’s Tetbury) Weekly Newsletter w/c 5 Jan 2014 - Christmas Wk. 2 - Yr. A Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord NEW YEAR MESSAGE– Pope Francis The New Year will be brighter only if everyone steps outside their safe havens, gets involved and works together to solve local problems with generosity and love, Pope Francis said at the annual Te Deum prayer service to thank God for his blessings in 2013. He asked people to reflect on how they have spent the past year. “Have we used it mostly for ourselves, for our own interests or did we know to spend it for others, too? How much time did we set aside for being with God, in prayer, in silence, in adoration?” People should also reflect on how they used their time to contribute to their communities. The quality of life in a community – how it runs and looks – depends on everyone, he said in his homily. “Have we contributed, in our small way, to making [our communities] liveable, orderly, and welcoming?” the Pope asked. “What will we do, how will we act in the New Year to make our (city) communities a little bit better?” To read more visit the Catholic Herald website at: www.catholicherald.co.ukwww.catholicherald.co.uk Priest in Charge: Fr. Isidore Obi. St Peter’s Catholic Church, 7 St Peter’s Road, Cirencester,GL7 1RE. Tel: 01285 652087 Email: frisidore@stpeterscirencester.org While Fr. Issy is away there is only an answerphone service. In an emergency please contact Fr. Saji at Malmesbury (01666 – 822195)frisidore@stpeterscirencester.org St Peter’s Website: http://www.stpeterscirencester.org Diocese: www.cliftondiocese.comhttp://www.stpeterscirencester.org www.cliftondiocese.com Sat 4 Jan Polish Mass 5.00 pm First Mass of Sunday 6.00 pm People of the Parish Sun 5 JanMass 11.00 am (Tetbury Mass 9.00 am). Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord People of the Parish Mon 6 JanMass 9.00 am.People of the Parish Tue 7 JanNo Mass St Raymond of Penyafort Wed 8 Jan10.00 am Liturgy of the Word & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Thu 9 JanMass 6.30 pm. People of the Parish Fri 10 JanNo Mass Sat 11 JanFirst Mass of Sunday 6.00 pmPeople of the Parish Sun 12 JanMass 11.00 am (Tetbury Mass 9.00 am). Feast of the Baptism of the Lord People of the Parish CONTACTING US MASS TIMES THIS WEEK THE ROSARY: Mon – Fri, 8.40 am, the Rosary is said in the Church. CONFESSIONS: Confession time for the parish is every Saturday at 5.00 – 5.30 pm. It could also be arranged by appointment with the priest in the parish. Baptism of the Lord Sunday Readings: CTS NSM page 128. Is 42:1-4. 6-7; Ps 28:1-4, 9- 20; Acts. 10:34-38; Mt 3:13-17; Mobile phones should be completely turned off in church – not left in Silent mode. Page 119 onwards in the CTS New Sunday Missal (People’s Edition). Entry: Behold, the Lord, the Mighty One, has come; and kingship is in his grasp, and power and domain. First Reading: Is 60:1-6. Response: All nations shall fall prostrate before you O Lord. Second Reading: St Paul to the Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6. Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! We saw his star as it rose and have come to do the Lord homage. Alleluia! Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12, Communion Antiphon: We have seen his star in the East, and have come with gifts to adore the Lord. SUNDAY MASS INFORMATION & RESPONSES – 5 th Jan Production of this Newsletter has been made possible by the sponsorship of the following Parishioner’s business. If you would like to sponsor a future special edition newsletter contact the parish office. MASS ARRANGEMENTS - early Jan While Fr. Issy is away for the first 3 Sundays after Christmas Fr. Liam O’Connell, from Dublin, is staying with us (at the Presbytery) until Monday 6 Jan and has kindly agreed to cover this weekend’s Masses. Fr. Saji Mathew, from St. Aldhelm’s Malmesbury, will also be helping with some of the week day and weekend masses. Our sincere thanks to both.

2. PARISH FINANCES Weekend 28/29 Dec £318 Gift Aid £398, tax rebate £95. Total £811 Many thanks for your generosity. Clifton Diocesan Trustees Reg. Charity No 233977 PRAYER Your Prayers are needed for… Those who Sick, including: Agnes Moran, Patrick MacDermott, Irene Spaul and Elizabeth Catling. (Please inform Fr. Issy of any sick person especially those that require a visit.) Those whose anniversaries occur at this time.. Prayer Requests: St Peter’s Book, for you to write your prayers, can be found at the back of church. If you have an urgent request for prayer, contact the Prayer Line on 01451 860609 or 01666 860387 CARE & DEVELOPMENT IN OUR PARISH HOME VISITS If you would like a visit or Holy Communion at home, please ring the parish office (652087) to make arrangements. DIOCESAN NEWS TEA/COFFEE & CATCH UP Please do join us for coffee in the hall after Sunday Mass. It is a great way to catch up with old friends and make new ones. We welcome anyone who is visiting in our parish for the first time TO JOIN US. Young People’s Evening – Sat. 1 st Feb If you are at Primary school make sure the first Young Peoples Evening for 2014 (a folk mass & social in the Hall afterwards) is on your calendar for Sat 1 st Feb. There will be Food, Cartoons & Candle Making (supervised). Teenage (and adult) helpers are also very welcome! Please put your name on the list in the porch to come or to be a helper. Thanks! FIRST HOLY COMMUNION & CONFIRMATION Preparations for First Holy Communion and Confirmation for the candidates in our parish begins later this month. If your children are of age to prepare and receive either of these sacraments next year, please do contact Fr. Issy. We would need more catechists if we have candidates for confirmation. Deanery News CHRISTIAN UNITY - 2014 The 2014 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is from 18-26 January. Peace Sunday is 19 Jan. Please keep this important time in your thoughts as we start a new year and some space in your diary for that week. The schedule of services will follow next week although we already know that the St Peter’s service will be Sat. 25 th Jan.. Guitar Masses in Fairford The parishioners of Fairford & Cricklade are organising regular Saturday Night Guitar Mass: with music led by one of their older teenagers, featuring modern worship music. If you would like to be involved with singing get there early - at 5pm! The first mass will be on Sat. 25 Jan starting at 6 pm. For more information about how to get there and any news updates go to their website: www.stthomasparish.plus.comwww.stthomasparish.plus.com 100 CLUB The Dec. 100 club draw will be drawn today 5th January 2014. If you would like to join the Club as an additional means of supporting your parish please see Lina Watts or contact Sarah Bayse on 01286 659239 or send her an email Sarab61@hotmail.co.ukSarab61@hotmail.co.uk VATICAN NEWS Prayer Intentions for January The Pope's universal prayer intention for January 2014 is “that all may promote authentic economic development that respects the dignity of all peoples”. His prayer intention for evangelization is “that Christians of diverse denominations may walk toward the unity desired by Christ”. So it would be fitting to bring this intention to life by supporting the activities of Christian Unity week in Cirencester. MEDITATION GROUP The next meeting will be Thursday 9th January 2014 after the 6.30 pm Mass in the presbytery meeting room. All are welcome Celebrating Marriage 8 Feb Bishop Declan has invited the whole Diocesan community, especially married couples, to join him at a Eucharist Celebration in Clifton Cathedral, as part of Marriage Week, on Sat. 8 Feb at 12 pm. The mass is open to everyone and particularly those who are celebrating any significant wedding anniversary - silver (25), pearl (30), ruby (40), sapphire (45), golden (50), emerald (55), diamond (60) or beyond… If you have such an anniversary this year please let Fr. Issy know – preferably by email or a note to the Presbytery - as Bishop Declan would like to send you a personal invitation. More details on the poster in the porch and the website www.cliftondiocese.com. We hope many of you will be able to make it.www.cliftondiocese.com Assisi Pilgrimage 2014 The Diocesan is organising a pilgrimage to Assisi led by Bishop Declan from 22 – 29 July 2014. It costs from £799 per person. Booking has opened with a deposit payable of £160 pp. to reserve a place (there are only 50 paces). Details of the trip and schedule are on the notice board and the Diocesan website. www.cliftondiocese.comwww.cliftondiocese.com Catechist’s Course - 2014 Catechists’ Formation Course – this could be for you! Starting this week in Swindon, the course seeks to encourage and enthuse those engaged in handing on faith to others. You’d be more than welcome, all you need to be is keen to know more, keen to understand, and keen to help others in the life of our Christian community. For more details, please contact the Adult Education department on 0117 902 5595.