Our Lady of Good Counsel

& Guardian Angels Parish

54 Harvey Street,
Elton, Bury BL8 2RD
Tel: 0161 764 1630

Email: olgcga@b nternet.com

Parish website:
www.guardianangels-parish.org
Parish Twier: @olgcga
Diocesan website:
www.salforddiocese.org.uk

Newsleer for the weekends - 13th/14th June 2015

The Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year of St. MarkYear B)
PLEASE REMEMBER
IN PRAYER

THIS WEEKENDS
SCRIPTURES

OUR SICK:
Bro. Nicholas Hutchinson,
David Lindley, Dominic Gamble,
Eileen Cock, Margaret Reilly,
Elaine Hardman, Ray Fitzwalter,
James Scanlon, Jody Turon,
Austin Sweeney, Michael
Dewsnap, Phyllis Daly, Maurice
Berry, Joan Grimshaw, Margaret
Reilly, Sean Reilly, John Cullen,
Joan Hearle, Phillip Bailey, Alan
Radcliffe, Mary Hanson, Joyce
Greenhalgh, Maddie Clayton,
Paddy Harrison, Larry Hindes,
Lillian Graves, Alex Riley, David
Saulius Balsys, Barry Irving,
Margaret Reilly, Michael
Naughton

TODAYS READINGS
First Reading: Ezekiel 17: 2224. I make low trees grow.
Psalm 91: It is good to give you
thanks, O Lord.
Second Reading: 2 Corinthian
5: 6-10. Whether we are living in
the body or exiled from it, we are
intent on pleasing the Lord.
Gospel: M ark 4: 26-34. It is the
smallest of all the seeds, yet it
grows into the biggest shrub of
them all.

LATELY DECEASED:
Jackie Young
Lewis Bailey
ANNIVERSARIES:
Eileen Malone
Len Page
Mary Lawrence
Les Ratcliffe
To include someone on the prayer list
please give their name to Fr. Paul, put
it through the letterbox of the Parish
Office, call the Office on: 0161 764
1630 or e-mail to
olgcga@btinternet.com
Please use the White Mass Intention
envelopes for Mass intentions which
you will find in the porches. Thank
you.
When adding the name of someone
sick please ensure that you have their
permission (or the permission of their
family). The list is updated each week.
and because of space the names of the
sick will be removed
from the list after four
weeks. You can ask for
them to be added again.

NEXT WEEKENDS
SCRIPTURES (Year B)
First Reading: Job 3: 1,8-11
Psalm 106
Second Reading: 2 Cor 5:14-17
Gospel: Mark 4: 35-41

'CIRCLE OF PRAYER'
St Theresa of Lisieux
Deanery
For the week beginning Sunday
14th June 2015 we pray for our
own parish of Guardian Angels,
and Fr Paul our Parish Priest. I
also think it would be
particularly fitting on this
occasion to remember in prayer
this week Fr Cribben and Fr
Frank who have both died since
the last time it was our week in
the Circle of Prayer.

SERVICES THIS WEEK

Saturday 13th June: Eleventh Sunday of the Year
7.00 pm: Mass
Sunday 14th June: Eleventh Sunday of the Year
8.45 am: Mass
10.30 am: Mass
12.15 pm: Baptisms
Monday 15th June:
9.15 noon: Eucharistic Service
Tuesday 16th June:
7.00 pm: Eucharistic Service
Wednesday 17th June:
9.15 am: Mass
Thursday 18th June:
9.15 am: Eucharistic Service
10.00 am: Mass at St Gabriels H.S. (Fr Paul only)
11.30 am: Mass at St Gabriels H.S. (Fr Paul only)
Friday 19th June:
9.15 am: Mass
Saturday 20th June: Twelfth Sunday of the Year
7.00 pm: Mass
Sunday 21st June: Twelfth Sunday of the Year
8.45 am: Mass1st Communions
10.30 am: Mass1st Communions
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday 14th June: at 6.00 pm
Saturday 20st June: at No confessions
The Rosary (for the sick and peace)
7.00 pm each Monday

It is the smallest of all the

seeds, yet it grows into the
biggest shrub of them all .

The Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

14th June 2015
If you wish to contribute to the View from the Pew,
please contact the Parish Office. These are anonymous
comments from parishioners.
Todays Gospel passage comes from a sequence called Marks
day of parables. In the parables we can meet Jesus as an imaginative
friend who is explaining his concerns and hopes to us.
Mark begins his day of parables with three seed parables. The
first is the parable of the seed that grows mysteriously to produce a full
harvest, and the parable of the mustard seed, the smallest seed familiar
to Palestinian farmers, which can produce a bush ten or twelve feet
high. The most striking feature of these parables is the contrast between
the tiny seed and what it goes on to produce. The Kingdom Jesus announces is not a worldly triumph (something we need constantly to be
reminded of); of its nature it has beginnings which are unimpressive and
obscure by human standards. But in the end it initiates the realisation of
the final achievement of God. Reference to the sickle and harvest echoes what the prophets had said about the End-time. Marks audience,
who had already seen the Church grow from being a marginal Jewish
movement into an international fellowship, would have appreciated the
prophetic promise of the original parable of Jesus. The birds of the air
may be an echo of this. The seed growing mysteriously has a lesson for
every age. The growth of the Kingdom of which the Church is the
first-fruits and sign in the world, is Gods work, a work that is vast
and mysterious and is often humble and hidden.
The whole life of Jesus, we can say, is a parable, leading us into
the mystery of Gods generous and merciful dealings with us. As we
come to appreciate the Kingdom Jesus announced, and see him caring
for Gods people in their needs, we come to know the commitments
which shaped his human existence.
To receive our Parish Newsletter by e-mail each weekend, simply
e-mail the Parish Office on:
olgcga@btinternet.com with the tag line newsletter and we will
add you to the list. Follow us on Twitter also @olgcga for reminders
and updates on parish events.
Follow the Department for Evangelisation: @SalfordDFE
WEEKLY OFFERINGS
The Offertory Collection for:
For the weekend 6th/7th June was:
Envelopes: 850.09 Loose collection: 342.85
Total: 1192.94
Thank you for your generosity.
If you wish to join the Gift Aid scheme please see Fr Paul at the back of
Church after Mass. It only takes a couple of seconds!
MINIBUS DRIVERS
If you cannot fulfil your rota duty, please arrange a swap with another
team. Thanks.
This weeks team: Gareth Davies & Kevin Dilger
Next weeks team: George Ponka & Simon Carlon
Spaces on the Minibus: We cur r ently have some spaces on the minibus for the 10.30 am Mass minibus run. If you or someone you know
would benefit from this fantastic service please call the Office.
Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to volunteer or for
more information.

The Clusterers
Sunday 28th June
Castleshaw/Delph
Hilly in places
Leader Jeff Smith0161 764 7269

We are all back to normal this weekend, with childrens liturgy of the Word taking place at both Masses.
Fr Paul
The new Eucharistic Ministers & Readers Rotas
are now available to collect from the
Welcome & Information Centre.

PARISH DIARY
Saturday 13th June
10.00 am 1.00 pm: Sacramental Programme Family Day
Tuesday 16th June
Tuesday Club: Music & Dance
UCM: Natter Night and reports from Rally and Ireland.
Thursday 18th June
St Gabriels H S Full Governing Body Meeting
7.30 pm: Seeking Christ Group Meeting re: Quiz Night
Sunday 21st June
8.45 am & 10.30 am Masses: First Communions
Tuesday 23rd June
Tuesday Club: Lunch/Bingo
8.00 pm Meeting No 1Proclaim 15 at St Hildas Parish
Hallfor our cluster of 3 parishes
Thursday 25th June
7.30 pm Baptism Preparation Meeting (2)
Friday 26th June
7.30 pm Quiz NightParish Centre (see page 4 for full
details)
Tuesday 30th June
8.00 pm Meeting No 2Proclaim 15 at St Josephs Parish
Hall, Ramsbottomfor our cluster of 3 parishes
Thursday 9th July
8.00 pm Meeting No 3Proclaim 15 at St Hildas Parish
Hallfor our cluster of 3 parishes
Saturday 11th July
Proclaim 15National Evangelisation Conference in Birmingham.
3.00 pm: Wedding Service of Rebecca Baxter and Paul
Lowe
Thursday 16th July
End of Year Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes School
Friday 17th July
End of Year Mass at Guardian Angels School
Friday 24th July
Wedding of Damian McKenna & Carolyn Edgington
Friday 7th August
Wedding of Sophie Baxter & James Harvey-Hamilton
APF Mill Hill June 2015
Would APF-Mill Hill Promoters please collect their
books, magazine, etc, from the Welcome & Information
Centre. The amount collected last quarter was 775.07
Many thanks.
If anyone has not had their Red Box opened in the
last 12 months and would like it opened please phone 761
5195 and we will arrange to empty it.
The annual APF-Mill Hill Mass at Salford Cathedral
will be on Saturday 20th June at 3.00 pm followed by
refreshments. All are welcome.

Music and Singing in our Liturgies

Awaken Your
Catholic Faith
Sometimes important
things get away from us
things like faith.
Is this you? Too busy?
Not been to church in a while? Children asking questions
about faith that youre not sure how to answer? Looking for
an opportunity to explore your faith? Were you baptized and
then not confirmed or didn't make your first communion? Do
you know people who are in this position?
Awakening Faith will be just right for you. This is a
six week programme which includes topics such as
Spirituality Can I Accept Gods Mercy? Can the Mass
Make My Life Meaningful? and The Church and Me. You
can learn and ask questionsall in a friendly and confidential
setting with other parishioners.
Please tell other people about this six week
programmethey will all be made most welcome.
If you would be interested in attending or would like
more information about it, please call the Parish Office on
0161 764 1630 or e-mail us on: olgcga@btinternet.com.
If you would like to join us, please complete the form below and return to the Parish Office, and we will be in
touch with you.

Thinking of
becoming a
Catholic?
Seeking Christ is a programme aimed at people who want to look at the Catholic
church, who have either been baptised in another Christian
tradition or never been baptised.
Initially there are eight sessions in the programme to
help welcome and engage those who are thinking of possibly
becoming a Catholic. There is of course no obligation after
completing the eight week programme, but if people decide
they would then like to move forward to becoming a catholic
we can then help them to move forward.
If you know of people who might be interested in this
programme please let them know about it. If they want any
further information they can contact the Parish Office on
0161 764 1630 or by e-mail on olgcga@btinternet.com
If you would like to join us, please complete the form below and return to the Parish Office, and we will be in
touch with you.
I am interested in attending Awakening Faith or
Seeking Christ
Name: ..
Address: ..

Why do we have music at Mass?

Music has always played a key part in peoples worship.
Whether sung or instrumental, its task is to serve and support the prayer
of the people as they give thanks and praise to their God.
When we sing as a congregation during the Mass we are drawn
together. We are united both in the action of singing and in the belief
that our song expresses. Our songs express the faith of the Church.
They help to nourish and strength this faith.
Within the celebration of Mass, music can heighten the liturgical
texts so that they speak more richly and fully.
The joy and enthusiasm which music adds to a communitys
worship of God cannot be gained in any other way. So St Augustine
was right when he said: One who sings well prays twice.
Here in our Parish we have three Sunday Masses. This means
that the Mass each person comes to is their Sunday Mass. Over recent
months the attendance at our Masses has been steadily increasing
(which is wonderful!). We must ensure that each Mass is as enriching as
the other two Masses. Having recently started the Childrens Liturgy of
the Word at the 8.45 am, we seem to be getting more people at this
Mass also.
For the 7.00 pm Mass and the 8.45 am Mass we have been very
fortunate that John Cullen has, for several years now, played at both
Masses each weekend. Unfortunately at the moment John is in hospital
and has been for the past few weeks. This means that at the moment we
have unaccompanied singing (led by mein the hope that I dont pitch
it too high or too low!). In a parish of our size, with good Mass attendances we probably have people in the benches who are able to play
musical instrument, or help lead the singing, but have never thought
about offering to be involved in it at any of the Masses.
There are other occasions when (aware that many people are
working) it would be very helpful if there were people to help lead the
singing, such as at funerals. We always have an organist for funeral, but
so often it is almost a duet (me and the organist) when it comes to singing the hymns! So, lets all have a think about what we could do !
If you would like to be involved in the music and singing in Church
please fill in the form below (ticking the relevant boxes) and return it to
the Parish Office. We can then see how we can move forward into the
future.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I would like to be involved in the music and singing at

Church. (Please tick the relevant boxes)
I could be involved at :

I can:

7.00 pm Mass
8.45 am Mass
10.30 am Mass

Play a musical instrument

(instrument ...)

Help to lead the singing

I could help lead the singing at Funerals:

..

Name: ...
E-mail: ....
Tel: No: ...
PLEASE RETURN TO THE PARISH OFFICE
(or e-mail the office on olgcga@btinternet.com)

Tel No: .
E-mail address: .

Please return to the Parish Office asap.

Having your child baptised at Guardian

Angels.
If you are planning on having your child baptised,
please pick up a leaflet from the Welcome and
Information Centre, which outlines our baptism
preparation programme.
Please note that the first thing that parents have to do is contact the
Parish Office (telephone on 0161 764 1630 or call in) to book onto
the First Meeting, held on the first Sunday of each month. Please do
not just turn up for the meeting without first booking in through the
Parish Office. This means that our Baptism Preparation Team have a
workable number of people each month.

Planning on getting married in 2016

at Guardian Angels?
Please remember that all couples are required to
give at least 6 months notice (by Diocesan Law) in order to
marry in the Church. So, if you are planning on getting married in 2016
and have not yet made contact with us and booked in your wedding,
please do so as soon as possible.
Please telephone the office (0161 764 1630) to make an appointment for an initial meeting with Fr Paul, so that the availability of the
Church can be checked and details can be put in the Parish Diary.
VACANCIES IN THE DIOCESE
There are currently two vacancies at Wardley Hall, the Bishops
residence. The first is a PA to the Bishop, the second is housekeeping
with catering.
Full details are on the posters in the Porches.

Friday 26th June 2015

The 11 new members of the Church, who were received at the Easter
Vigil are organising a Quiz Night for the Parish. They are organising it
to firstly express their thanks to the Parish for the warm welcome they
have received, and secondly to raise some funds for the parish.
The group met recently to discuss details etcso, here they are.
Starts at 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre.
5.00 per person (under 12s free)
Includes a meat-less supper
(i.e. cheese & onion pie & vegetarian pasties)

Tickets are on sale after all the weekend Masses from this
weekend onwards.
Flowers on the Sanctuary.
If you would like to have the flowers on the
sanctuary in memory of someone or something special just
let Fr Paul or Sharon know and they will arrange it, or you
can simply put all the details on an envelope, and put the donation in the
envelope and pop it through the office letterbox.

Proclaim 15 is the title for the national Catholic Evangelisation conference, taking place on July 11th in
Birmingham. Obviously places at the
National Conference are very limited
(40 people from the whole of our
diocese) but to enable parish communities to take part
in the project as a whole, materials have been produced
for 3 parish meetings.
We are going to have the three meetings for our cluster
of parishes, Guardian Angels, St Hildas, Tottington,
and St Josephs, Ramsbottom. We are going to hold the
meetings in a different venue each week(and they are
three different meetings).
THE DATES AND VENUES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Meeting One: Meeting Jesusthe only one who can
save me on Tuesday 23rd June at St Hildas, Tottington
Meeting Two: L earning to be a m issionary disciple
on Tuesday 30th June at St Josephs, Ramsbottom
Meeting Three: Jesus is alivego and tell my brothers Thursday 9th July at Guardian Angels, Bury.
All three meetings begin at 8.00 pm

Please join us for these meetings. Please make every

effort to attend at the other two churches also, not just
the meeting at Guardian Angels. We will take the minibus to St Hildas & St Josephs for those without
transport. Please sign up on the sheet at the back of
Church. Many thanks. Fr Paul.

ITEMS FOR THE NEWSLETTER

Please submit all items for inclusion in the newsletter to the
Parish Office no later than Wednesday evening.
Either pop them through the Office letter-box or e-mail them
in. Anything received after Wednesday evening cant be guaranteed to make it into the next weekends newsletter.

A big thank you to all our agents, and to everyone taking part
in the 10 Week draw. The second draw will take place this
Sunday in Parish Centre Tea and Coffee after the 10.30.
Come and join us.
Week Four: (7th June)
50.00
No: 409
Gaynor Birkett
Agent:
Mary DRosario
25.00
No: 183
Ann Stansfield
Agent:
Debbie OBoyle

The Woodies
The flowers on the sanctuary this weekend are in memory of
Kathleen and Edward Feast (anniversaries around this time) and
Clara Walton (who would have had a birthday around this time).
(At the moment we have a lot of dedications for flowersbut they will
all appear over the next few weeks.)

You are now able to access the weekly parish newsletter from our
twitter feed (@olgcga

There are places available at Woodies (like the Brownies).

Monday night 6.30 pm8.00 pm in the Parish Centre.
Immediate start for 8 year old girls and waiting list for 7 year
olds to start in October.
If interested please contact Debbie on 07895583376
Dont forget we have Tea and Coffee in the Parish
Centre after the 10.30 am Mass each Sunday
come and join us!