June 2010 Deanery
Corpus
Christi
to
the
Priory
Ruins
Sun
13th June 3pm. The
Corpus Christi
Procession for
the Parishes of Coventry took place on Sunday 13th June, beginning at
St Osburg’s
3pm. The Procession will proceed through the
Shopping Precinct, to the Priory Ruins of Coventry’s Benedictine
Cathedral. After prayers for God’s blessing on the Pastoral Visit
of Pope Benedict and Benediction, everybody sang 'Salve Regina' in
honour
of the
reinstated Statue of Our Lady of Coventry, thanks to Keith Millage.
Children making their First
Holy Communion were invited to come in their new clothes, and petals
were strew along part of the route. Prayers started at 4pm as the bells
sounded on all the churches nearby. Canon Garry Byrne explained the
history of the Benedictine Monastery that had existed here over 900
years ago. Photos link
Archdiocese
of Birmingham
Pilgrimage to Evesham is Sat 12th June. Mass
1.00pm in the Abbey Grounds. Principal celebrant Right Reverend Dom
Aidan
Bellenger Abbot of Downside. Followed by procession with the image of
Our Lady
to the Church of St Lawrence. Benediction with the
Blessing of the sick at 4.00pm. The pilgrimage intentions for the
conversion of
England
for the forthcoming visit of the Holy Father and the Beautification of
Cardinal
Newman. For the Priests of the Archdiocese and for the Peace of the
world. A
Marian shine in Worcestershire on the River Avon. This is a place where
our
Lady appeared in the 8th century to a swineherd named Eoves, sending
him to the bishop with a request that a shine be built in honour and
to the
glory of God in the forest nearby. Evesham was a favourite Place of
Pilgrimage
until the reformation.
May 2010
Seminar
on the Sacred Priesthood on Pentecost Sunday 23rd May at St
John Vianney Church,
Mount Nod.
Among the contributors will be Bishop David McGough. 2.00pm
Coffee and welcomes. 2.20 History of the Priesthood 3.00 St
John-Marie Vianney 3.45
Priest & People 4.25 Priestly
Sacrifice 5.05 Thanks and Buffet. So
that we might know and love our priests more.
Archdiocese of
Birmingham Pilgrimage to Walsingham Sat 8 May and led by his
Grace
Archbishop Bernard Longley and Bishop David
McGough. This
year will be the 25 anniversary of the pilgrimage. 11am Arrivals,
1.45pm Celebrated Mass, 3.30pm Procession to the Priory grounds for
Benediction. 5.30 Departure.
Sponsored Walk
and Family Picnic Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May, 12 noon in aid of
the Fr Hudson’s Society in the grounds of
Bishop Ullathorne Catholic Secondary School. Thanks to all who
supported
the Fr Hudson’s Walk on Bank Holiday Monday at Bishop Ullathorne. The
event raised over £800 from entrance, raffle and sales.
April
2010
Start date for the renovation of St.
Osburg's! After all our patient waiting, work will now
start on St Osburg’s in the last week of this month. Our last Sunday in
the church in its present condition will be on Pentecost Sunday, 23rd
May. We ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit on our project. During that
week we will move into the parish hall for Mass and the celebration of
the Sacraments for the duration of the work, which is scheduled for 40
weeks. It will probably be February 2011 before we are back in the
church. 9/5
Papal Visit press conference on
Friday 19 March, at the Metropolitan Cathedral
and Basilica
of St Chad, Birmingham link
Archbishop
Bernard
Longley was the principal celebrant and preacher at a Mass of
Welcome
celebrated at Christ the King, Coventry on Wednesday 3rd March.
Priests and Deacons from the deaneries of Coventry, Rugby and Warwick
were
represented. He was accompanied by Bishop Kenny. Among the celebrants
was
Bishop Kenney. There were some 50 priests and 10 Deacons present.
During his
sermon Archbishop Longley recalled his Mass of Installation and stated
that he
realised that just as he had entered the doors of the Cathedral there
would be
many other doors in the diocese that he must approach and enter to be
truly
part of its life. He also reflected in the first reading on the words
from
Saint Peter “He is the living stone, rejected by human beings but
chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him so
that you, too, may be living stones making
a spiritual house as a holy priesthood to offer the spiritual
sacrifices made
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Earlier in
the afternoon the Archbishop had the opportunity to meet and pray with
Priests
and Deacons from three Deaneries in Coventry, Rugby and Warwick who to
Christ
the King Community Centre. The Deans of
these areas are Canon Garry Byrne Coventry, Canon Edward Stewart
Warwick
and Fr Philip Harrop Rugby. Photographs
of Archbishop
Bernard Longley Mass of Welcome - link
January 2010 Youth Mass and Activities
afternoon at St John Fisher Church, Coventry - Sunday 31st January
Coventry Deanery Youth Event! There will be a special afternoon
of activities next Sunday (31st January) from 2pm at St John Fisher
Church in Wyken. It is for young people from across the city. The day
begins at 2pm and there will be various activities and workshops for
different interest groups during the afternoon, leading to Sunday Mass
at St John Fisher Church at 5.30pm. We need to encourage as
many young
people of our families, schools and parishes to take part in the
afternoon, and then any priests and families who might be able to, to
come along and be part of the Mass which concludes the day. St John
Fisher Church, Tiverton Road,
Wyken,
CV2 3DL.
Please
remember
in
your
prayers
the
repose
of
the
soul
of
Mgr
Tom
Gavin
who
passed
away
in
the
early hours of Christmas Day.
Thomas Joseph Gavin
MA, born 28
March 1922. (Chaplain of Honour
1969, Prelate of Honour 1978; Canon 1982). Ordained 21 July 1946;.
Cambridge 1966-49; Ampleforth College 1949-50; Cotton 1950; Headmaster
1967-78; St Thomas More 1978-2004, Retired 2004.
He was the only priest to have played international rugby after being
ordained – he won two caps for Ireland in 1949 End of an era as top
priest dies
from Coventry Evening Telegapgh. 29/12/9 .pdf online link
Funeral of
rugby-playing Coventry priest
Monsignor Tom Gavin . 07/01/10 .pdflink
Hundreds at funeral of Rugby playing Coventry priest Monsignor Tom Gavin 13/1/10 pdf
online link Independant
Catholic News Obituary: Mgr Thomas Joseph Gavin - Priest who
played International Rugby 4/1/10
Vesrion in word .doc Coventry: funeral of Mgr Tom Gavin 13/1/10
December
Season of Advent 2009 - Details
of Penance Services
during Advent in Coventry link
St
Elizabeths: Christmas Appeal -
Order Apostles of the Jesus in England..pdf
St Elizabeths Christmas CArd .pdf
November Unlock
The Music
Winter Festival -Seasons of Life Sun 15th Nov St
Elizabeths
Church.flyer.pdf
Please
follow the link to view a
photos of Unlock the Music concert link
Welcome
to
Coventry!
Two
priests
have
recently
moved
to
parishes
in
Coventry:
Fr
Paul
Edwards
has
become
Parish
Priest
of
St Patrick’s, and
Fr Paul Johnson (recently ordained from Oscott) has been appointed
Assistant Priest at Christ the King.
September Cardinal
Newman
Catholic School 40th Anniversary. Beginning a year of
celebrations ..Mass at Christ the King Church, on Friday, 25th
September,
at 7.30pm, with Bishop
William
Kenney.
Photos
link
The annual Archdiocese
of Birminham
Pilgrimage to Harvington Hall, Shrine of
the English Martyrs,
will take place on Sunday
6th September. Mass begins at 3.00pm. Confessions are available from
1.45 – 2.30pm. Free Parking, teas, Picnic area. Free times tours
of the Hall are available to all
pilgrims but must be booked. http://www.harvingtonhall.com/
The Harvington
pilgrimage goes back to the closing years of the 19th century and arose
as an act of devotion to 'The Martyr of Harvington'. John Wall
was a Catholic priest who ministered in Worcestershire in the
latter part of the 17th century; he was arrested, tried and executed at
Worcester for exercising his priesthood in 1679. To begin with the
devotion to the martyr was confined to this parish, but through the
efforts of successive parish priests and especially because of the
donation of Harvington Hall to the Archdiocese of Birmingham in 1923,
the Pilgrimage was promoted thtoughout the diocese and came to extend
to all the Catholic martyrs of the Midlands. The pilgrimage takes
place annually on either the last Sunday of August or the first Sunday
of September - a date as close as conveniently possible to the feast of
St. John Wall; Both the Hall
and the parish church form the martyr's shrine.
The
Relics
of St Therese of Lisieux visit England
and Wales – This September, the
relics of St Therese are to be taken around England
and Wales
for veneration and prayer. This happened in Ireland in 2001 and was a
time of
great blessing. They will visit St Chad’s Cathedral, then the Catholic
Church in Coleshill, dedicated to St Therese, and finally the Oxford
Oratory. A
full itinerary for the visit to Birmingham,
Coleshill and Oxford
is now available on the Archdiocese of Birmingham website: www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk
.
Choose from over 600 of the UK's
best-known retailers
including many popular names such as Amazon, Next, Argos, John Lewis
and HMV, and when you shop using the links on the easyfundraising web
site up to 15% from every purchase you make is donated to the cause you
choose to nominate such as Catholic Charities - Archdiocese of
Birmingham. It doesn't cost a penny extra to shop and raise
funds, and as many retailers now give you extra discounts when you
buy online! http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk
August St
Elizabeth’s African Day Mass on 9th August 2009 at 2.30pm It was a
fantastic day.The Mass was
inspirational and the singing by Coventry Catholic Choral Group was
uplifting.Click on picture for larger
image. The Multi-Cultural congregation
got wholeheartedly
involved.The Garden party afterwards
was colourful and well attended where the Lip-smacking food was enjoyed
by
all.Special thanks and praise to all
those who prepared and served the food.The
weather
was
Heaven
sent.Main
Celebrant was
Father Michael Episcopal
Vicar for the Religious and Parish Priest for Our Lady of The
Assumption.Other Priests celebrating were
Father Des
Parish Priest for Holy Family, Father Arul Parish Priest, and Father
Jimmy
Parish Priest for St Mary & St Benedict. Father Paul from Sierra
Leone a
student at Coventry University residing at St Elizabeth’s.Fr Gordian from Nigeria a student at Coventry
University residing at St Osburg’s.Father
David
a
visiting
Priest
from
Kenya.
Father
Moses
Parish
Priest
for
St
Elizabeth's
and
Deacon
Gerry
O’Reilly
from
Christ
the King Parish.
Day for Life – the day in the
Church’s year dedicated to
celebrating
the dignity of life from conception to natural death – will this year
focus on the theme of suicide. The main emphasis of Day for Life in
2009 will be on the pastoral dimensions of this difficult and sensitive
subject. http://www.dayforlife.org/
Poor
Clares Fundraising
This event to
support the convent at Baddesley Clinton is holding a Quiz Night on
Saturday 11th
July from 7pm (for 7.30pm) at the new venue of: Lapworth Village Hall,
Old Warwick Road, Lapworth, B94 6LD.. £5 per person. Details from
Fundraising
co-ordinator, Matthew Bowen on 07801 538776.
For more information on the Poor Clares see link
Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage
to Hednesford to Pray for the Sick, Sunday 6 July 2008,
Celebrated by
Bishop David McGough, From 3pm - Rosary, Hymns and Sacrament of
Reconciliation
4.00pm Holy Mass. Our Lady of Lourdes
Catholic Church, Hednesfordhttp://www.ourladyhednesford.com/
June Year
for Priests – www.yearforpriests.org.
Prayer: O Jesus,
our great High Priest, hear
our
humble prayers on
behalf of your priest, Father________. Give him a deep faith a bright
and firm hope and a burning love which will ever
increase in the course of his priestly life. In his loneliness, comfort
him. In his sorrows, strengthen him. In his frustrations, point
out to him that it is through suffering that the soul is purified, and
show him that he is needed by the Church, he
is needed by souls, he is needed for the work of redemption. O loving
Mary, Mother of priests, take to your heart your
son who is close to you because of his priestly ordination, and because
of the power which he has received to carry on
the work of Christ in a world which needs him so much. Be his comfort,
be his joy, be his strength, and especially
help him to live and to defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy. Amen.
Diocesan
Administrator Bishop William Kenney has been
elected be Diocesan Administrator until Our Holy
Father appoints a new Archbishop.
Ecumenical
Service Sunday 28th June 2009. On the occasion of the closing of the
Pauline year there was an Ecumenical Service at St Paul’s Church of
England Coventry on Sunday 28th June 2009 at 3.00pm. This
followed on from an Ecumenical Service held there to celebrate the
start of the Pauline year. This Service of Celebration was organised by
St Elizabeth’s Catholic Church Coventry and St Paul’s Church of England
Coventry. It was led by Fr Paul Yambasu from St Elizabeth’s and
Canon Jim Canning of St Paul’s. On the day the Vicar of St Paul’s, Revd
Canon Jim Canning welcomed everyone and also gave thanks and praise to
the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI by name for his instructions for
calling the Year of St Paul. Singing was by St Paul’s own Choir and by
the renowned Coventry Catholic Choral Group The Choir from St John
Fisher School led by Colette Cunningham gave an angelic rendering of
their singing. Guest Speaker was the Lord Mayor of Coventry Jack
Harrison MBE who spoke very well about the day and directed sincere
words of encouragement towards the young people who were present.
Refreshments, strawberries and cream also tea and biscuits were laid on
and served by St Paul’s Church community.
Link to photos
A
Priests dedication
re-enacted 21st June
2009. In 1759, 250 years ago this year, a
Dominican priest, Father Matthew Thomas Norton, O.P., secretly
established a mission at Hinckley. In the early days he would
walk to Leicester or Coventry in the disguise of a vegetable seller,
his wicker basket having a false bottom concealing his Mass
requesites. It is related that on one day he received a sick call
from Leicester. He walked there to attend to the dying
person. When he got back to Hinckley he received a similar
message from a family in Coventry. He immediately set out
again. The two journeys add up to 54 miles and have been
commemorated this month. Greg Drozdz and 5 other parishioners of
St Peter’s, Hinckley (http://www.stpetershinckley.org.uk)
,
walked
to
Coventry
and
back
this
Saturday,
20th
June.
They
said
a
prayer
at
the
site
of the Mass House in Little
Park St., and then come here to St Osburg’s for rest and refreshments
before the return journey. Photograph: Left to right John Farrell,
Stuart Glasgow, Greg Drozdz
(as Father Norton) and Colin Amaral PAT
Testing - what's it all about link
Deanery
Corpus Christi Procession to Greyfriarts Sun 7th June link
to
photos
What a day. Despite a weekend of continual rain day and night it
finally stopped at about mid day. Canon Garrys prayers were
answered. There was a great turnout for the procession.
The
Processon started at St Osburg's at 3pm and walked through the City
Centre precinct, to what
remains of Greyfriars Monastery, the Spire of Christ Church in New
Union Street.
This is the fourth and last of
the Monasteries in
Coventry where we have adored The Blessed Sacrament.
The Tower and Spire in New Union Street formed the centre of the Church
of the Grey Friars built in 1359, with stone from a quarry nearby owned
by the Black Prince. The Friary was destroyed in 1542 but the Spire was
left standing in a garden until 1829, when Christ Church was built
around it.
The Church was
destroyed during the bombing of the City in
April 1941 but the Tower and Spire once again survived. The base of the
tower is now used as a pub! The manager, Mick Leap, made
everybody most
welcome. The Procession concluded with a Service and Benediction at
Christ Church
Spire. The children who had made their First Holy Communion also took
part and their path was strew with flower petals.
The Franciscan Monks were called ‘Grey Friars’ because of the colour of
their habit. This year is the 800th Anniversary of the first
Profession in the Rule of St Francis. The Sermon and
Benediction will be given by Bro. Paul Coleman,
O.F.M.Cap. a parishioner of St Osburg’s who was ordained three years
ago and is now Vocations Promoter for the Franciscan Capuchins in this
country.
The procession was held on Ttrinity Sunday as there is a Diocesan
Priests Retreat in Ars France starting next weekend.
Fr Garry wants to thank everyone who made
the Blessed Sacrament Procession, to the remains of the
Franciscan Monastery, such a memorable event.A special thank you to Brother Paul Coleman, O.F.M. Cap. for
leading the
Procession and giving the homily.He also
thanks the children who carried the symbols of loaves of bread and
grapes and
Mrs McGeever, the First Holy Communion
children who strew the flowers, the servers, the Choir and Organists,
the
canopy bearers, the banner bearers, the Knights of St.Columba for
stewarding
the Procession, Veronica for the flowers, and all the priests, deacons
and
people who took part.
May
Unlock the Music
Concert . link
to
photos
On
Sunday 31st May Unlock the Music proudly presented “Songs of Life and
Love” at St Elizabeth’s Church, Coventry. The event raised £164
which
has been equally divided between St Elizabeth’s Parish Church Funds and
Unlock the Music.
A wide range of songs and music were performed including
Daneille
Phillips singing “Ave Marie” and later in the concert “From a
distance”, Jenny King singing “Après un Reve” and “I could have
danced
all night”. Young Sarah Higgins, performed two songs “Prayer” and
“Caste on a Cloud”. At the end of the concert everyone joined Danielle
in singing “I can see Clearly” by Johnny Nash. Parish Priest Fr Moses
said that he really enjoyed the concert and his favourite songs
included "From a Distance" and "Ave Maria". Others in the audience were
impressed with the Flutist and Saxophonist. Everyone commented on
the
high standard of the performances. Unlock the Music have agreed
to put
on another performance in St Elizabeth's Church in November 2009.
Lizzie Perring is a performer, write and singing teacher, she teaches
in Coventry and learn more about her and what she does by visiting
www.unlockthemusic.co.uk. Unlock the Music’s keeper of the sound is
Roger Greasby from Born in a Barn www.borninabarnstudio.co.uk.
Sarah Higgins is a 10 year old who attends Holy family RC Primary
School.
Jenny King is studying criminology with psychology at Coventry
University and sings for pleasure and also is a professional belly
dancer.
14 year old Danielle Phillips is an experienced performer she attends
Theatre Train and is a member of the Coventry Cathedral choir.
Lyndsey Gallagher is studying at Coventry Performing Arts and has
performed extensively in a range of theatre styles. She has been
recently filming with Channel 4 for their “Embarrassing Bodies” series.
Austin Wootton is a local lad has returned to performing at the tender
age of 79.
Darrell Springer has an HND id Performing Arts. He is currently
rehearsing the part of Tyrone Jackson in “Fame” for the Meridan Academy.
Alannah Norton starting playing the flute 9 years ago when she was 7
years old. Alannah is now studying at Princethorpe.
Tilly James attends Stratford Grammar School for Girls and is 12 years
old. She has been studying the saxophone for 2 years.
Ernie Boxall performed 2 poems that he had written himself.
Ivan Vickers acted as host for this concert. www.unlockthemusic.co.uk
Double
Celebration.
The
11am Mass On Sunday 17th May was a double celebration for St Thomas
More in Coventry.
Firstly for those children making
the First
Holy Communion.
Secondly football team winning both the cup (on the 16th May) and the
league in Church competitions this season, playing under the Auspices
of the Andrew Robinson Young People’s Trust. (The Trust seeks to work
with young people of Coventry, to help them grow in faith as well as to
enjoy day trips and residentials. The Trust was set up in memory of
Andrew, a parishioner of St Thomas More Parish and a seminarian at
Oscott College, who died of cancer in 2001). The excitement and
anticipation was very evident for those children making their
First Holy Communion and their families despite a very wet day.The
children’s beautiful singing included starting with Mozarts "Ave
Verum Corpus" and concluding with of Elgar’s "Ave Verum", as a
reflection on their thanksgiving to God for the gift of the Eucharist.
The mass concluded with Fr Timothy Menezes thanking all the parents,
those who helped prepare the children and the children themselves for
making this such a wonderful celebration. The previous weekend had seen
the other year two class making their First Holy Communion .
'Brother
Marcel
Van'
by
Jack
Keogan
launched at
St
John
Vianney
Church
on
Sunday
26th
April
at
3.00pm.
The book "Conversations"
translated by Jack Keogan was launched at St.John
Vianney Church,
Coventry, on Sunday, April 26th at 3 pm. The launch was
well-attended with priests and people from Coventry and elsewhere. The
simple but moving
service was presided over by Father Jonathan Veasey and started with
the
'Magnificat' beautifully sung in Vietnamese by Father Michael Ho and
the
Vietnamese fathers and sisters present. The other visiting priests
included
Monsignor Thomas Fallon, Canon Tom Farrell and Father Anthony Franey, a
priest
from the Nottingham diocese and a childhood
friend of Mr Keogan. Also present was Mr Tom Longford, the managing
director of
Gracewing Publishers, relatives including his wife Beatrice, his son
Damien and
his daughter Sally. Gracewing's editor was based in the Venerable
English College
in Rome and
Mr.Keogan described the frisson of excitement that he felt that
his manuscript
was being edited in this hallowed place.
"Conversations"
is the record of exchanges between Our Lord and Brother Marcel Van, a
young
Redemptorist lay brother during his novitiate year of 1945. The
conversations were
recorded by the young lay brother at our Lord's request, who told
Marcel that
the message of these conversations was for the whole world.
Conversations
in which Our Lord tenderly expounds his infinite love for mankind.
Cardinal
Schonborn in his preface to the book speaks of the riches of
themes,
of insights and of experiences overflowing in these
conversations...which
will lead us right to the centre of the immeasurable love of Christ".
Brother
Marcel was imprisoned by the communists in North Vietnam and after
trying to
escape, disguised as a woman, in order to return with consecrated hosts
for his
fellow-Catholics, he was captured put in irons and placed in solitary
confinement. He died in prison, on July 10th 1959, aged 31,
consumed with
consumption and burning with love for his Saviour.
The initial
stages leading, hopefully, to Brother Marcel's beatification, have
already
commenced under the auspices of Bishop Guy Bagnard, the Bishop of
Belley-Ars,
the diocese of our patron, St.John Vianney.
Father
Jonathan, after the book, the only translation available to the
English-speaking world, was blessed by the assembled priests, expressed
the
hope that this launch would send the remarkable testimony to God's love
for us
around the world.
A typically
sumptuous St. John Vianney reception brought the happy and unusual
occasion to
a close. Photos
link
Book link
Easter
Monday
Mass
Monday
13th
April. Bishop Kenny celebrated
Mass at
St.Osburg’s with the people and
priests of
Coventry and district. This custom originated in Birmingham in
the early part of the last century. Link
March
Lent
- Prayers at the statue of Our
Lady of Coventry, City
Centre, Fridays at 1.40pm.
February Joint
Ecumenical Service for the Year
of St. Paul 1/2/8 6pm. On a very
cold and icy Sunday evening, a packed congregation gathered in Christ
the King, Coventry,
for
an
Ecumenical
Service
to
commemorate
for
the
Year
of
St
Paul.Bishop William Kenney
led the Service with guest preacher the
Rt Rev John Stroyan, the Bishop of Warwick and assisted by the Dean of
Coventry, Canon Garry Byrne. The occasion marked the arrival of Icon of
St Paul
in Coventry,
which
has
been
given
to
the
diocese.
The
service started with the Bishop thanking everybody for making the
effort on
such a cold evening. The service was enriched by singing of the
congregation
and well chosen hymns, with readings from the letter of St Paul to the
Corinthians and to the
Philippians. During the service the Rt Rev John Stroyan preached on the
life of St Paul
quoting
both the scriptures and making many references to people over the last
2,000
years including
Saint Basil the Great, Cardinal Basil Hume, John
Drane, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict, as well as the Monks on Mount Athos. He also spoke about his recent
experiences in Syria
praying for peace. The evening was completed with refreshments and a
chance to
discuss the service.
The
year of St Paul
runs from 28 June 2008 to 29 June 2009 and this occasion is one of
many liturgies being celebrated by the Catholic Church throughout the
world for
this Jubilee year. In early July Archbishop Vincent was presented with
an icon of St Paul by the Society of St
Paul and St Paul's
Bookshop.
This
icon
is
now
making
its
way
around
the
diocese
staying
for
one
to
two
weeks
in
designated parishes. Photos links Year
of
St Paul(among other
things) for Young People: www.stjames-cathedral.org/kids.
To learn more about the Year of St Paul, go to www.annopaolino.org
SPRED
is a group of young
people with disabilities who have attended Special needs schools. They
meet to
explore and celebrate our Catholic Faith. Each member has a ‘Dedicated
Faith
Friend’ who enables them to be an active part in the session. The
session ends
with a shared lunch provided by one of the ‘faith Friends’. They meet
fortnightly on Saturdays at All Souls Church,
Hearsall Common 12.30 – 2.30 pm for 6 sessions each term. Fore
more information ring Barbara 76674495
The
Planning Application of Tesco Stores, De Montfort Way, was
granted with a few
minor alterations last Thursday 29th January. The Planning meeting was
attended by
St Joseph Worker Parish Priest Fr Jordan and Jim Conry (Chartered
Surveyor), a number of Parishioners and residents of Canon Park Estate.
Voting by committee members was 3 in favour, 1 against and 2
abstentions. 3 Local Councillors, several residents, and Jim Conry (for
the parish) spoke about their concerns with regard to the application
of the Tesco Store and its effect on the surrounding area especially
the Canon Park Estate. Comment
in St
Joseph the Worker newsletter 1/2
Coventry
Evening telepgraph: .pdf January 2009 Training for Future
Priests. On 29th January 2009 at 7:00pm Msgr Mark
Crisp, Rector of
Oscott College will be delivering a talk at the church of the Precious
Blood and All Souls, Coventry. The theme of this talk will be seminary
formation and the changes within society and the Church over the
past fifty years which have an effect on this. This talk is free and
refreshments will be provided. The
Crisis in Gaza.
Our area Bishop, William
Kenney, is in Bethlehem
as part of the Co-ordination of Episcopal Conferences in support of the
Church
in the Holy Land. This was set up in Jerusalem
in October 1998 at the request of the Holy See and is organised by the
Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. The Holy Land
Co-ordination meets every
January in the Holy Land. Archbishop Kelly of Liverpool
writes:
"The Church in the Holy
Land has a unique vocation and this week Bishop William Kenney CP and I
will be
travelling to Bethlehem along with bishops from
Europe and North America to be in solidarity with the Latin Patriarch
and the Local Church
through the Holy Land Coordination. This is one of the means by which
we seek
to stand alongside the Christians living throughout Israel,
the West Bank and Gaza.
“The purpose of the Holy
Land co-ordination has always been to accompany the Churches in the
Holy Land
in their fidelity to two God-given tasks: never to be silent in the
face of
injustice or violence and always to proclaim and live the
reconciliation
accomplished by our Lord on a hill called Calvary.
The situation in Gaza makes this visit of
solidarity, above all in prayer, by Bishops from North America and
Europe a clear call from the Holy Spirit as we begin
2009.
“I join with the Holy
Father and the leaders of the Church in the Holy Land
in their prayer for the dead, the injured, the broken hearted, those
who mourn
and live night and day in fear. We all need the fulfilment of that
blessing
first entrusted by the Lord God to Moses:
‘May the Lord bless you
and keep you. May the Lord
let his
face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord uncover his
face to you and bring you peace."
Radio
4 Morning
Worship from St Thomas More 11th Jan at 8.10 am. Jo Boyce
and Mike Stanley will lead the music for the live broadcast for the
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Mass will be at 8.10am next
Sunday. Therefore, there will be no 9am Mass, but the 11.00am & 6pm
Masses will be celebrated as normal. Everybody is welcome to take part
in the broadcast but you are asked to make yourselves available for a
rehearsal this Saturday afternoon (10th), from 2pm – 5pm. You are asked
to be at church for 7.30am next Sunday, as there will be a brief
rehearsal before the broadcast. Please wrap up warm on both days, but
be in good voice! December 2008
New Book on the
History of the Diocese. This lavishly illustrated book
consists of chapters on major themes such as the development of the
diocese’s population and structures, the bishops, the contribution of
the religious orders (male and female), Catholic schools and social
care, art and learning. The second half of the book consists of brief
histories of every parish in the diocese. Most parishes have
copies of this book for sale. Ask your parish priest. Or, you can buy
it at the cathedral bookshop. Price: £20.
Ordination
of
Dominic
Cosslett
20/12/8 This weekend we congratulate Fr
Dominic Cosslett on his Ordination to the Priesthood. Ordination photos (86) link
First
Mass of Fr Dominic Cosslett 21/12/8 9am
Sunday 21/12/8First Mass photos (23) link
Photobox link for
photos
Fr
Dominic
will
be
appointed
as
Assistant
Priest
at
St
George’s
Parish,
Worcester,
in
Jan.
Boyce
&
Stanley
The
Promise
Christmas
Concerts.
20 Dec St Thomas More 2pm and 7.30pm.
Click on
image for larger picture.
For further information and to book tickets,
please telephone 01675 466254
or go to www.cjmmusic.co.uk/boxoffice. Coventry
Cyrenians is a local
charity who
work with homeless & vulnerable people. Over Christmas they will
provide
meals on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & Boxing Day catering for
between 150
and 300 people. To provide this service they need help,
volunteers to help on any of the days can contact Shirley Morris
on 76228099 or if you can help in any other way ‘phone Jo
Page on the same number.
November 2008 The
Blessing of the Crib in Coventry City centre took place on
Sunday 30th November. The cold evening did not stop people turning out
and in good voice. The Carol service was led by Canon Gary Byrne, Dean
of the Coventry Deanery. There were many teachers and children from the
Catholic schools in Coventry, who helped with the readings, prayers,
and carols. The Nights of St Columba also helped with the organization
of the event as well as Coventry One. The crib will be on display
through out the Christmas period in Smithford Way, City Centre. More
photos link Fr Michael Cleary RIP
– Please
pray for the repose of the soul of Fr
Michael Cleary. He had associations with this parish and celebrated his
First Mass at St Thomas More on Christmas Day 1972. He was a
Divine Word Missionary, and was most recently parish priest of St Mary
on the Quay, Bristol. May he rest in peace. Biography & obituary: www.stmary-on-the-quay.com.
In
response to an instruction from the Archdiocese in Autumn 2007 for
Churches to comply with Product Appliance testing requirements,
a team
has now been set up in Coventry to test all the Parishes in
Coventry Deanery. The team, led by Mike Perry, have identified
and procured the necessary equipment and relevant training. The team
have now started to test in the Coventry area. The team consist
of Mike Perry, Kris Pears, con McHugh, Jim Rossiter, jack Upton,
Christopher Haas, pat Flyn, John McCrea. The photograph shows a
feedback session following testing at St Thomas More.
Portable Appliance Test or PAT,
is a process by which electrical
appliances are routinely checked to see whether they are safe. The
correct term for the whole process is In-service Inspection &
Testing of Electrical Equipment. When people work with electrical
appliances, health and safety regulations say that the appliance must
be safe. Many types of equipment require testing at regular intervals
to ensure continual safety; the interval between tests depending on
both the type of appliance and the environment it is used in.
October 2008 October
–
the
Month
of
the
Holy
Rosary
- Prayers at the statue of Our
Lady of Coventry, City Centre, Fridays at 1.40pm. The Bronze Statue
was a gift to the city to mark the millenium carved by
Sister Concordia of Minster Abbey. Following a tour of local parishes
the statue is now in the ruins of the priory in the city centre. The
ceremony was held in the Coventry Cathedral on 11/3/1 attended by 2,500
people . Click on picture for full view.
Coventry Deanery Justice
& Peace Day – to be held in the Margaret Roper Room, St
Thomas More, , this Saturday 1st November, from 10am to 1pm. A talk by
David McLoughlin, Renowned Speaker and Theologian, on ‘The Disturbing
Nature of Jesus’ Justice and Peace – an ongoing challenge to
disciples’. This will be an excellent talk, by a most dynamic and
engaging speaker.
Corpus
ChristiOctober 3rd
is the 50th Anniversary
of the opening of the church. There will be a Mass of Thanksgiving in
the evening followed by refreshments in the social club. Keep the
date free July 2008 Year of St. Paul Ecumenical Service
5th July 2008 at St. Pauls Coventry link
Pope
Benedict XVI
spoke of the
importance of the Apostle Paul for Christians today and announced that
this year dedicated to him will focus on ecumenism. In Coventry
we will be celebrating the Pauline Year with an Ecumenical Service on
Saturday 5th July at 3.00pm led by Fr Moses Pitya Parish Priest of St
Elizabeth’s and Canon Jim Canning at St. Paul’s Church of England
Foleshill Road, Coventry. Please try and attend if possible bring
someone with you. More information .pdf
Congratulations
Deacon Bob
Devaney at Sacred heart who was
ordained
to the priesthood on Saturday July 12th at St Chad’s Cathedral. Please
keep them all in your prayers.
Congratulations to
Canon Tom Farrell,
Parish Priest at Christ the King, who celebrated his Silver
Jubilee
of Ordination on Friday 18th July . Congratulations to Fr
Dominic Kavanagh, who
was ordained
at Sacred Heart who is also celebrating his Silver
Jubilee.
June 2008 Coventry
Deanery Corpus Christi Procession 8/6/8link Photographs link
This began with prayers in the the ruins of the Whitefriars Monastery,
processing along the footpath to the
ruins of the Carthusian Monastery of London Road with
Benediction.
March
2008 Ammendment
to
the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill 10/3/8.
Deacon Gerry O’Reilly arranged for representatives of our
Deanery to meet the three Coventry MP’s on 10th March, at The House
of Commons. Link
February 2008
Christ the King 75th Anniversary Friday 29th February Parish
Jubilee
Mass - Photographs
link
Deanery
Corpus
Christi
to
the
Priory
Ruins
Sun
13th June 
Please
remember
in
your
prayers
the
repose
of
the
soul
of
Mgr
Tom
Gavin
who
passed
away
in
the
early hours of Christmas Day. 
End of an era as top
priest dies
from Coventry Evening Telegapgh. 29/12/9 .pdf online link
Independant
Catholic News 
Obituary: Mgr Thomas Joseph Gavin - Priest who
played International Rugby 4/1/10
Vesrion in word .doc
Daily Telegraph Sat
16th JanuaryObituary .pdf
link
Unlock
The Music
Winter Festival -Seasons of Life Sun 15th Nov St
Elizabeths
Church.flyer.pdf
inal
Newman
Catholic School 40th Anniversary. Beginning a year of
celebrations ..Mass at Christ the King Church, on Friday, 25th
September,
at 7.30pm, with Bishop
William
Kenney.
Photos
link
The annual Archdiocese
of Birminham
Pilgrimage to Harvington Hall, Shrine of
the English Martyrs,
will take place on Sunday
6th September. Mass begins at 3.00pm. Confessions are available from
1.45 – 2.30pm. Free Parking, teas, Picnic area. Free times tours
of the Hall are available to all
pilgrims but must be booked. http://www.harvingtonhall.com/
The Harvington
pilgrimage goes back to the closing years of the 19th century and arose
as an act of devotion to 'The Martyr of Harvington'. John Wall
was a Catholic priest who ministered in Worcestershire in the
latter part of the 17th century; he was arrested, tried and executed at
Worcester for exercising his priesthood in 1679. To begin with the
devotion to the martyr was confined to this parish, but through the
efforts of successive parish priests and especially because of the
donation of Harvington Hall to the Archdiocese of Birmingham in 1923,
the Pilgrimage was promoted thtoughout the diocese and came to extend
to all the Catholic martyrs of the Midlands. The pilgrimage takes
place annually on either the last Sunday of August or the first Sunday
of September - a date as close as conveniently possible to the feast of
St. John Wall; Both the Hall
and the parish church form the martyr's shrine.
The
Relics
of St Therese of Lisieux visit England
and Wales – This September, the
relics of St Therese are to be taken around England
and Wales
for veneration and prayer. This happened in Ireland in 2001 and was a
time of
great blessing. They will visit St Chad’s Cathedral, then the Catholic
Church in Coleshill, dedicated to St Therese, and finally the Oxford
Oratory. A
full itinerary for the visit to Birmingham,
Coleshill and Oxford
is now available on the Archdiocese of Birmingham website: www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk
. 
Photos from 21/9 at Coleshill link
Visit Blogg: http://catholicrelics.wordpress.com/
Choose from over 600 of the UK's
best-known retailers
including many popular names such as Amazon, Next, Argos, John Lewis
and HMV, and when you shop using the links on the easyfundraising web
site up to 15% from every purchase you make is donated to the cause you
choose to nominate such as Catholic Charities - Archdiocese of
Birmingham. It doesn't cost a penny extra to shop and raise
funds, and as many retailers now give you extra discounts when you
buy online! http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk
St
Elizabeth’s African Day Mass on 9th August 2009 at 2.30pm It was a
fantastic day. The Mass was
inspirational and the singing by Coventry Catholic Choral Group was
uplifting. Click on picture for larger
image. The Multi-Cultural congregation
got wholeheartedly
involved. The Garden party afterwards
was colourful and well attended where the Lip-smacking food was enjoyed
by
all. Special thanks and praise to all
those who prepared and served the food. The
weather
was
Heaven
sent. Main
Celebrant was
Father Michael Episcopal
Vicar for the Religious and Parish Priest for Our Lady of The
Assumption. Other Priests celebrating were
Father Des
Parish Priest for Holy Family, Father Arul Parish Priest, and Father
Jimmy
Parish Priest for St Mary & St Benedict. Father Paul from Sierra
Leone a
student at Coventry University residing at St Elizabeth’s.
Fr Gordian from Nigeria a student at Coventry
University residing at St Osburg’s. Father
David
a
visiting
Priest
from
Kenya.
Father
Moses
Parish
Priest
for
St
Elizabeth's
and
Deacon
Gerry
O’Reilly
from
Christ
the King Parish.
Day for Life – the day in the
Church’s year dedicated to
celebrating
the dignity of life from conception to natural death – will this year
focus on the theme of suicide. The main emphasis of Day for Life in
2009 will be on the pastoral dimensions of this difficult and sensitive
subject. http://www.dayforlife.org/
Year
for Priests – www.yearforpriests.org.
Prayer: O Jesus,
our great High Priest, hear
our
humble prayers on
behalf of your priest, Father________. Give him a deep faith a bright
and firm hope and a burning love which will ever
increase in the course of his priestly life. In his loneliness, comfort
him. In his sorrows, strengthen him. In his frustrations, point
out to him that it is through suffering that the soul is purified, and
show him that he is needed by the Church, he
is needed by souls, he is needed for the work of redemption. O loving
Mary, Mother of priests, take to your heart your
son who is close to you because of his priestly ordination, and because
of the power which he has received to carry on
the work of Christ in a world which needs him so much. Be his comfort,
be his joy, be his strength, and especially
help him to live and to defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy. Amen.
Diocesan
Administrator Bishop William Kenney has been
elected be Diocesan Administrator until Our Holy
Father appoints a new Archbishop.
Ecumenical
Service Sunday 28th June 2009. On the occasion of the closing of the
Pauline year there was an Ecumenical Service at St Paul’s Church of
England Coventry on Sunday 28th June 2009 at 3.00pm. This
followed on from an Ecumenical Service held there to celebrate the
start of the Pauline year. This Service of Celebration was organised by
St Elizabeth’s Catholic Church Coventry and St Paul’s Church of England
Coventry. It was led by Fr Paul Yambasu from St Elizabeth’s and
Canon Jim Canning of St Paul’s. On the day the Vicar of St Paul’s, Revd
Canon Jim Canning welcomed everyone and also gave thanks and praise to
the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI by name for his instructions for
calling the Year of St Paul. Singing was by St Paul’s own Choir and by
the renowned Coventry Catholic Choral Group The Choir from St John
Fisher School led by Colette Cunningham gave an angelic rendering of
their singing. Guest Speaker was the Lord Mayor of Coventry Jack
Harrison MBE who spoke very well about the day and directed sincere
words of encouragement towards the young people who were present.
Refreshments, strawberries and cream also tea and biscuits were laid on
and served by St Paul’s Church community.
A
Priests dedication
re-enacted 21st June
2009. In 1759, 250 years ago this year, a
Dominican priest, Father Matthew Thomas Norton, O.P., secretly
established a mission at Hinckley. In the early days he would
walk to Leicester or Coventry in the disguise of a vegetable seller,
his wicker basket having a false bottom concealing his Mass
requesites. It is related that on one day he received a sick call
from Leicester. He walked there to attend to the dying
person. When he got back to Hinckley he received a similar
message from a family in Coventry. He immediately set out
again. The two journeys add up to 54 miles and have been
commemorated this month. Greg Drozdz and 5 other parishioners of
St Peter’s, Hinckley (http://www.stpetershinckley.org.uk)
,
walked
to
Coventry
and
back
this
Saturday,
20th
June.
They
said
a
prayer
at
the
site
of the Mass House in Little
Park St., and then come here to St Osburg’s for rest and refreshments
before the return journey. Photograph: Left to right John Farrell,
Stuart Glasgow, Greg Drozdz
(as Father Norton) and Colin Amaral
PAT
Testing - what's it all about link
What a day. Despite a weekend of continual rain day and night it
finally stopped at about mid day. Canon Garrys prayers were
answered. There was a great turnout for the procession.
This is the fourth and last of
the Monasteries in
Coventry where we have adored The Blessed Sacrament.
The Tower and Spire in New Union Street formed the centre of the Church
of the Grey Friars built in 1359, with stone from a quarry nearby owned
by the Black Prince. The Friary was destroyed in 1542 but the Spire was
left standing in a garden until 1829, when Christ Church was built
around it. 
The Church was
destroyed during the bombing of the City in
April 1941 but the Tower and Spire once again survived. The base of the
tower is now used as a pub! The manager, Mick Leap, made
everybody most
welcome. The Procession concluded with a Service and Benediction at
Christ Church
Spire. The children who had made their First Holy Communion also took
part and their path was strew with flower petals. 
Double
Celebration.
The
11am Mass On Sunday 17th May was a double celebration for St Thomas
More in Coventry.
'Brother
Marcel
Van'
by
Jack
Keogan
launched at
St
John
Vianney
Church
on
Sunday
26th
April
at
3.00pm. 
Easter
Monday
Mass
Monday
13th
April. Bishop Kenny celebrated
Mass at
St.Osburg’s with the people and
priests of
Coventry and district. This custom originated in Birmingham in
the early part of the last century. Link
Lent
- Prayers at the statue of Our
Lady of Coventry, City
Centre, Fridays at 1.40pm.
Joint
Ecumenical Service for the Year
of St. Paul 1/2/8 6pm. 
The
Planning Application of Tesco Stores, De Montfort Way, was
granted with a few
minor alterations last Thursday 29th January. The Planning meeting was
attended by
St Joseph Worker Parish Priest Fr Jordan and Jim Conry (Chartered
Surveyor), a number of Parishioners and residents of Canon Park Estate.
Voting by committee members was 3 in favour, 1 against and 2
abstentions. 3 Local Councillors, several residents, and Jim Conry (for
the parish) spoke about their concerns with regard to the application
of the Tesco Store and its effect on the surrounding area especially
the Canon Park Estate. Comment
in St
Joseph the Worker newsletter 1/2
Coventry
Evening telepgraph: .pdf
Radio
4 Morning
Worship from St Thomas More 11th Jan at 8.10 am. Jo Boyce
and Mike Stanley will lead the music for the live broadcast for the
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Mass will be at 8.10am next
Sunday. Therefore, there will be no 9am Mass, but the 11.00am & 6pm
Masses will be celebrated as normal. Everybody is welcome to take part
in the broadcast but you are asked to make yourselves available for a
rehearsal this Saturday afternoon (10th), from 2pm – 5pm. You are asked
to be at church for 7.30am next Sunday, as there will be a brief
rehearsal before the broadcast. Please wrap up warm on both days, but
be in good voice!
This weekend we congratulate Fr
Dominic Cosslett on his Ordination to the Priesthood. Ordination photos (86) link
First
Mass of Fr Dominic Cosslett 21/12/8
Boyce
&
Stanley
The
Promise
Christmas
Concerts. 
The
Blessing of the Crib in Coventry City centre took place on
Sunday 30th November. The cold evening did not stop people turning out
and in good voice. The Carol service was led by Canon Gary Byrne, Dean
of the Coventry Deanery. There were many teachers and children from the
Catholic schools in Coventry, who helped with the readings, prayers,
and carols. The Nights of St Columba also helped with the organization
of the event as well as Coventry One. The crib will be on display
through out the Christmas period in Smithford Way, City Centre. More
photos link
In
response to an instruction from the Archdiocese in Autumn 2007 for
Churches to comply with Product Appliance testing requirements,
a team
has now been set up in Coventry to test all the Parishes in
Coventry Deanery. The team, led by Mike Perry, have identified
and procured the necessary equipment and relevant training. The team
have now started to test in the Coventry area. The team consist
of Mike Perry, Kris Pears, con McHugh, Jim Rossiter, jack Upton,
Christopher Haas, pat Flyn, John McCrea. The photograph shows a
feedback session following testing at St Thomas More.
Year of St. Paul Ecumenical Service
Pope
Benedict XVI
spoke of the
importance of the Apostle Paul for Christians today and announced that
this year dedicated to him will focus on ecumenism. In Coventry
we will be celebrating the Pauline Year with an Ecumenical Service on
Saturday 5th July at 3.00pm led by Fr Moses Pitya Parish Priest of St
Elizabeth’s and Canon Jim Canning at St. Paul’s Church of England
Foleshill Road, Coventry. Please try and attend if possible bring
someone with you. More information .pdf
Coventry
Deanery Corpus Christi Procession 8/6/8 link Photographs link
This began with prayers in the the ruins of the Whitefriars Monastery,
processing along the footpath to the
ruins of the Carthusian Monastery of London Road with
Benediction. 
Ammendment
to
the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill 10/3/8.
Deacon Gerry O’Reilly arranged for representatives of our
Deanery to meet the three Coventry MP’s on 10th March, at The House
of Commons. Link
Parish
Jubilee
Mass - Photographs
link