NEWS & VIEWS

HOLY BAPTISM this morning we welcome especially Na’ila Noimot Owolabi who will receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and has been given ‘Gabriella’ as her baptism name. Please keep her in your prayers as she begins her new life in Christ.

PARISH RETREAT Sixteen of our number are off to the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield on Tuesday returning on Friday.  This week, Mass on Tuesday will be at 9am and there will be no Mass on Wednesday – Saturday.

ST MARY’S OFFICERS We are asking members of our church family to seriously consider the call to serve as churchwarden for a minimum term of 12 months from next month, and for a Treasurer to serve likewise. These are important and significant roles within the life of our parish, but also ones that are rewarding. Please pray daily – using the special prayer below - that God will raise up lay leaders from among our number, and that we all might consider how we can contribute to our life together at St Mary’s.

SPONSORED WALK on Saturday Nicky Tann is trekking 26 miles to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society. You can donate at tinyurl.com/nickytann or by giving her cash.

ST MARGARET’S MAY FAYRE Saturday afternoon 12-4. Our MMU sister church is holding a traditional May Fayre. There will be a maypole, Morris-dancing, children’s activities and games, a barbecue, cream teas and cakes. Stalls include plants, books, crafts and toys, and at 1pm there will be a parade and crowning of the May Queen. All welcome.

ANNUAL MEETING our Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Meeting - St Mary’s AGM – will be next Sunday after Mass. Nomination forms for the posts of Churchwarden and to be a PCC member are at the back of church (and can be downloaded using the buttons below). We are asking all members of the church family to be present for the Mass and the following AGM that day so that we can begin the process of listening as outlined by Fr Gareth a few weeks ago. The address that day will set out the short and medium term vision for our church and ministry.

PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS We are making no attempt to compete with the celebrations that will take place across the nation and Commonwealth, but our service on Sunday 5 June will be a special celebration to mark this historic occasion, combined with the great feast of Pentecost.  We will have drinks and canapes after Mass that day, hopefully outside. We will need help before that to get the bunting up so please watch this space!

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR

the sick, distressed and bereaved

John & Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Lucy Ball, Jane Kew, Amberly Crediton, Charlotte Carney, Christine Taylor, Nik, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Daniel Drake, Claire Gray, Fr Jacob, Barbara Iggulden, Suzanne Spencer, Avelle Pugh, the Noory family, Karala Singham, Michael & Barbara Mann, Kate Lovesey, Bernard Street, Mel Taylor, Marian Semple, Julia & Steve, Fr Christopher, Joe Calvert; Susanne Jones, Renate Arnold

the recently departed

Sandy Semple

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Steve Iggulden

Tuesday

Violet Hensher

Wednesday

Eva Holland

Thursday

Pam Humphryes, Frederick Pfrang

Friday

Ronald Gorman

please pray for

our lay leaders

Fr Gareth has written 
a prayer for service to our parish 
and asks that it is prayed each day 
until the APCM on 29 May.

HOLY GOD, you call us to your service 
and our perfect freedom is found in service to you and others.

Raise up, we pray, leaders within our church family

 to serve as Churchwarden and Treasurer.

Open the ears of our hearts 
to your still small voice and give us the courage to respond.

We ask this in the name of the Servant King, 

Jesus Christ Our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

 one God for ever and ever. Amen

ORDER OF SERVICE