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 Cycle 2 Week 1
Sat 20th First Mass of Sunday 6 pm Mass
Sunday 21st 4th Sunday of Easter
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
9 am Mass Chatteris
11 am Mass in March (People of the Parish)
Mon 22nd No Mass
Tues 23rd St George Patron of England 10 am Mass
Wed 24th 10 am Mass at the Convent, 11 Princes Walk
Thur 25th St Mark 10 am Mass
Fri 26th 10 am Mass
Sat 27th First Mass of Sunday 6 pm Mass
Sunday 28th 5th Sunday of Easter
9 am Mass Chatteris
11 am Mass in March (People of the Parish)
Mon 29th St Catherine of Siena No Mass
Tues 30th 10 am Mass
Wed 1st May 10 am Mass
Thur 2nd St Athanasius 10 am Mass
Fri 3rd SS Phillip & James 10 am Mass
Sat 4th The English Martyrs 6 pm Mass
Sunday 5th 6th Sunday of Easter
9 am Mass Chatteris
11 am Mass in March (People of the Parish)
Mon 6th No Mass
Tues 7th 10 am Mass
Wed 8th 10 am Mass
Thur 9th The Ascension of the Lord Holyday of Obligation
10 am Mass
7 pm Mass
Fri 10th 10 am Mass
Sat 11th First Mass of Sunday 6 pm Mass
Sunday 12th 7th Sunday of Easter
World Communications Day
9 am Mass Chatteris
11 am Mass in March (People of the Parish)
Mon 13th No Mass
Tues 14th St Matthias 10 am Mass
Wed 15th 10 am Mass
Thur 16th 10 am Mass
Fri 17th 10 am Mass
Sat 18th First Mass of Sunday 6 pm Mass
Sunday 19th Pentecost Sunday
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: Jason O’Grady, Maria Fiore, Maria Saporito, Jeanie German, Nicholas Harding, John Fosbueary, Kathleen Bull, Michael Moore, John Jones, Maria Vanderwyden, Rose Tubbs and Keith Edmonds.
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.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Tues 30th April (transferred from Sun 28th)
Mass 10 am followed by coffee/ tea
Evening prayer 7 pm followed by “refreshments”
There is a proposed trip from our Parish to Medugorje on 2nd May – 5th May 2025. If you would like to go or have further information please contact Lesley on 07947143864. I will need to know on or before April 26th.
Christian Aid lunch, Wednesday 8th May, at St Peter’s, 12 – 1.00 pm
Women’s Group, Monday 13th May at 7.30 pm.
Cake sale, Sunday 19th May, after 11 am Mass.
Escorted Tour to Westport, Knock & Co Mayo, 26th May 2024. See the poster on the hall porch noticeboard
Ministers of the Eucharist rota: Please add your name to the rota in the front porch.
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
A Message from Bishop Peter on the Second Collection for the Priest Training Fund
We are blessed in our diocesan family with three seminarians, a student for the priesthood residing in South Africa, and a possible candidate for entry to formation in September of this year. There is also an encouraging number of other men discerning a potential vocation to the priesthood, so it is all the more vital for the future of the diocese to enable adequate financial support for the training of priests. The cost of training our diocesan students for the current year will amount to £92,418. I urge you to be as generous as possible in supporting the annual second collection, which last year raised approximately £20,000.
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.
21st April: £315.01 plus standing orders
The 2nd collection for the Diocesan Priest’s Training Fund raised £272.80
Thank you for a generous parish donation of £1040.
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
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Parish Contacts
• Parish Priest: Fr Nicholas Kearney 01354 650788 email:nicholas.kearney@rcdea.org.uk
• 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