Welcome

Welcome to the Catholic parish of March and Chatteris.

The Parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel & St Peter

8 St Johns Road, March, PE15 8RJ

Diocese of East Anglia. Registered Charity Number 278742

Serving the communities of March, Chatteris, Manea, Wimblington & Doddington

Masses This Week

Lectionary: Sundays Yr B  Weekdays Cycle2 Week 3

Fri 8th St Felix 10 am Mass

Sat 9th First Mass of Sunday 6 pm Mass

Sunday 10th 4th Sunday of Lent
9 am Mass Chatteris
11 am Mass in March (People of the Parish)

(Confessions are available before Mass)


Please pray for those who are sick or housebound: Fr Ivan Weston, Estelle Misso, Claire Reynolds, Margaret Griffiths, Beryl Dow, Anna Sullivan,  Angela Mattox, Sr Mary Fitzpatrick, Michael Jenner, Iris Dean and all those known to us.

We also remember those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Margaret Dolan, Eric German, Rosina Cantwell, Imelda Randall, Joseph Naughton, Florence Deering, Jenny McCrudden, John O’Grady, Ken Pope, Eileen Homden Patrick McGovern, Susanna Roberts, Anita Clements and Stanislaw Tętnowski


News and Events 

Please join us for teas and coffees in the hall after 11 am Mass each Sunday


Wednesday Evening Prayer:  You are warmly invited to join us for Evening Prayer on Zoom, every Wednesday at 5.00 pm for 5.15 pm. This is prayer and hymns based on the psalms, scripture readings and Mary’s prayer, The Magnificat.

There is a zoom community of over 20 people. Please feel free to join them – once or regularly.  

If you are new to the prayer meetings, please request a Zoom link by emailing fmmputney2021@gmail.com


 


Lent 2024

Easter duty every Catholic should attend Mass and when necessary go to Confession between Ash Wednesday and Pentecost.

Lent talks – Thursdays 7.30 pm from 15th February – Redemption, Death, Judgement and Purgatory, Hell, Heaven – each Thursday a short talk with an opportunity for discussion – it is hoped to make a recording available on “Whatsapp”    These talks will take place in the house.

Pray for Peace
Fridays in Lent 7 pm with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Reconciliation Service Saturday 9th March 11 am. It is hoped there will be an opportunity for confessions in Malayalam and Polish as well as in English!


Parish WhatsApp

Did you know that we now have a parish WhatsApp group? Join the group and be in contact with each other throughout the week! Ask for prayers, hear about upcoming events, and see videos of Fathers Lent series! 

Sign up by contacting Jason on 07701300096. Signup sheets are in the church as well. 


More Readers required at Mass: If you are able to read at Mass, particularly on Saturday evening, please speak to Fr. Nicholas or email: marchrcnewsletter@gmail.com


Ministers of the Eucharist rota: Please add your name to the rota in the front porch.


Modern Slavery Helpline

A new group began to form in the Diocese last month, to help to cut modern slavery here. In a month, it has grown to nearly 30 members. During 2022, in our Diocese alone, 746 souls were found enslaved and rescued. Police describe this number of enslaved people, as the tip of the iceberg: there are an estimated 4,500 more enslaved people in our diocese waiting for us to find them. Pope Francis wants us to “find” enslaved people. All that means is learning (simply) to spot the signs and safely report them to the Modern Slavery Helpline 08000 121 700. The new group is looking for young & older volunteers to join the group. No previous knowledge or experience required, just a wish to end slavery in our diocese. Please contact john_simong@hotmail.com to discuss possibly volunteering and read about the issue and see the leaflet about St Bakhita (regarded as the patron saint of Modern Slavery) at https://www.rcdea.org.uk/caritas-east-anglia/modern-slavery


CSSA audit backs safeguarding services in Diocese of East Anglia
The Diocese of East Anglia has been awarded a judgment of Comprehensive Assurance by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) in an audit of its safeguarding provision.
The audit was conducted in Spring 2023 and the Executive Summary of its findings have been published here. It is hoped that parishioners and visitors to our diocese will be reassured by its findings. Bishop Peter, clergy and all who work and volunteer in the diocese are encouraged by it and remain committed to following up on the small number of recommendations to further improve. Particular gratitude is due to the Diocese’s Safeguarding Coordinator and Administrator, and to all Parish Safeguarding Representatives for their hard-work and commitment, which is reflected in this report.
Web link to use:
https://www.rcdea.org.uk/cssa-audit-backs-safeguarding-services-in-east-anglia/


The spring edition of Mission Today (Missio) is available on the table in the hall porch.


Financial Matters

Thank you for the recent Sunday Collections.

10th March: £269.22 plus standing orders

Now that our branch of NatWest has closed in March, all collection money has to be taken to Wisbech. If you are able to help, please consider setting up a standing order instead of cash using the following details:

Bank; NatWest Bank
Account Name: Our Lady’s RC Church
Sort Code 53 – 81 – 42
Account Number 86729101
Please add your name in the reference box

Please make cheques payable to ‘Our Lady’s RC Church’

We are still carrying a large debt on our hall (funded by a Diocese loan) and whilst our outgoings are relatively light at the moment our main source of income is the weekly offertory. 

The offertory is to support your Priest, the church and the poor.


A community of worship

Christ is always present in his Church…He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass not only in the person of His minister …. But especially in the Eucharistic species. By His power He is present in his sacraments… He is present in His word…He is present finally when the Church prays and sings… Adapted from Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.

The above words reminds us how the presence of Christ is our business.
Challenges – are we discussing and talking about the call to priesthood with our children and grandchildren?

Would you be willing to serve at Mass?

Would you present bread and wine?

Present in the Eucharistic species – remember that Jesus Christ is present in our Church in the tabernacle!

In His Word – would you consider reading at Mass?

Would you think about helping visitors and newcomers find their way around?

When the Church prays and sings – what about helping our musicians, finding time for personal prayer etc.?


If I, your Lord and master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash each others, feet” John 13. 14

Practical service in our parish:
1 Cleaning and gardening
A small number of people keep our church and front garden clean and tidy – one hour a month could achieve a lot. If you are interested please contact Lesley Kennedy via marchcatholicpriest@gmail.com

2 Counting the collection
This requires about 1 hour per week. Contact Richard Ramsay if you can help please on marchrcnewsletter@gmail.com

2b Finance Committee and Treasurer
A Finance Committee is a requirement of canon law. This is a group of people willing to advise on how we manage our money e.g. if we need a repair to our heating system would you help check estimates etc.
If you can manage a household budget and look after your own property you are probably qualified. Please speak to Father Nicholas about this.

2c Treasurer – we have to keep track of our income and expenditure and prepare annual returns for the diocese. Much of the work is done through the bank but we need someone familiar with internet banking and spread sheets to help with this.

3 Our Service should go beyond the Church door
Can you help with the Food Bank and Christians against Poverty – see notice
Can you help visit housebound people in our own parish – contact Father Nicholas if you are interested.

 


You  will  be  my  witnesses  …. to  the  ends  of the  earth  (Acts 1.8)

How  are  we  witnesses  as a  parish ?

Catechesis”   comes   from a   Greek  word   meaning   to  hold  on  to  or  possess  –  so  it  means  knowing  what  we  have  as  Catholic  Christians.

At  a  baptism  the  new  Christians    ears and  lips   are  blessed  with the  following   words :

May  the  Lord  open  your   ears  to  hear  his   word  and  your  mouth  to  speak  his  praise.

In  catechism  we   discover  then  what  we  have  been  given,  so  that  we  can  pass  it  on  to  others.

WE  have the  following  opportunities:

Children’s  liturgy 

This  takes  place  during  the  first  part  of  our  Sunday  11am  Mass  and  is  directed  at  children  under  7. It  is  not  a  lesson  but  an  opportunity  to  explore  and  pray  about t he  readings  of  the  Mass  in  a  way  suited   to  their  age.

First  Communion  Preparation

This  is   available   for  children  aged   7  and  above.  Our  present  course  is   about   to  conclude  with  the   celebration  of  First  Communion  on  11th  June.

What  we  need  :

Catechesis   for   children  aged   10  and   above. This   would  include   preparation  for   Confirmation

Catechists

Can  you  help  ?

Please  speak  to  Father  Nicholas  or   Mrs  Theresa   Cannon  if  you  are  interested

What  about  the   grown -ups  ?

We  all  need  some   input  at  different   times. WE  have  had  talks  after  weekday  Mass  and   in  the  evening.  WE  are   investigating  widening  our  scope  through  use  of   zoom  or   Facebook.  Could   you  help  ?

Why  do  all  this  –  what  we  know  a bout  we  can  talk  about  and   act  on   so  that  we  can  become  bearers  of   Good  News  for t he  people  around  us  !


If you are willing to take on the administration for the red Missio Boxes please contact Fr Nicholas or email marchrcnewsletter@gmail.com. Training will be provided.


Interested in working with children and young people?

Leaving  school or university in the summer and deciding what to do next? In between jobs, or would like to do something ‘different’? The Diocesan Youth Service is looking for people age 18-35 to join the Ignite Team, sharing the Gospel Message with young people. These are full-time positions initially for either 12 months (September intake) or 6 months (January intake), with training, food, accommodation and a monthly allowance provided. For more information see www.rcdea.org.uk/youth


Do you play a musical instrument? The music group play at the 11 am Mass about once a month. All ages and skills welcome. If interested, please email marchrcnewsletter@gmail.com


Readers required for Mass: If you are happy to read at the 6pm or 11am Masses, please email marchrcnewsletter@gmail.com or contact Fr Nicholas.


WE DESPERATELY NEED PEOPLE TO KEEP THE CHURCH AND HALL ETC. CLEAN AND TIDY. ALSO TO DO WEEDING IN FRONT OF CHURCH.

Many hands make light work. If anyone can manage 1 or 2 hours a month, that will be very helpful.

Please contact Lesley to join the rota on 07947143864 or 01354 680401


 

Parish Contacts

• Parish Priest: Fr Nicholas Kearney 01354 650788 email: marchcatholicpriest@gmail.com
• Deacon: Rev Martin Wells 01354 741488 email: mwells42@btinternet.com
• Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (fmm) 01354 652266 
• Newsletter: Please submit items for consideration to: marchrcnewsletter@gmail.com
• All Saints Inter-Church Academy Primary, County Road March 01354 659000
• Please visit the Parish website for the latest updates: https://www.catholicchurchmarch.co.uk/

May God bless you and keep you safe this week