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 weekend - 5th /6th September 2015

Twenty-Third Sunday of the Year (Year of St. MarkYear B)
PLEASE REMEMBER
IN PRAYER

THIS WEEKENDS
SCRIPTURES

OUR SICK:
Bro. Nicholas Hutchinson,
David Lindley, Elaine Hardman,
Michael Dewsnap, Phyllis Daly,
Maurice Berry, Margaret Reilly,
Sean Reilly, Joan Hearle, Phillip
Bailey, Alan Radcliffe, Mary
Hanson, Maddie Clayton, Paddy
Harrison, Larry Hindes, Lillian
Graves, Alex Riley, Michael
Naughton, Phil Bailey, Ted
Whiley, Bill McPhee, Joe Barrett,
Patsy Frazer, Steven McGuiness,
Barbara Kendal, Tom Divinney,
John Durcan, James Cassidy,
Caroline OKeefe, Adila, Rebecca
Russell, Maureen McNicoll,a very
special intention.

TODAYS READINGS
First Reading: Isaiah 35:4-7
The eyes of the blind will be
opened, the deaf will hear.
Psalm 15 Response: My soul,
give praise to the Lord.
Second Reading: James 2:1-5
God chooses the poor to inherit
the kingdom.
Gospel Reading: M ark 7:31-27
Jesus cures a deaf man.

LATELY DECEASED:
Gladys Abram, Bryan Smith,
ANNIVERSARIES:
James Maurice Bogue, John
Wolfenden, Cath Rogerson, John
Little, Joseph Chan, Muriel Page,
Anne Bowe.
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: Isaiah 50:5-9a
Psalm 116
Second Reading: James 2:1418
Gospel: M ark 8:27-35

'CIRCLE OF PRAYER'
St Theresa of Lisieux
Deanery
For the week beginning Sunday
6th September we pray for the
people of St Johns, Rochdale
and St Gabriels, Castleton and
their Parish Priest Fr Michael
Johonnett.
All ministers please remember
to find a replacement to fill in
for your duties if you are going
away on holidaythank you.
Fr Paul.

You are now able to access the

weekly parish newsletter from
our twitter feed @olgcga
Dont forget we have
Tea and Coffee in the
Parish Centre after the
10.30 am Mass each Sunday
come and join us!

SERVICES THIS WEEK

Saturday 5th September: 23rd Sunday of the Year
7.00 pm: Mass
Sunday 6th September: 23rd Sunday of the Year
8.45 am: Mass
10.30 am: Mass
Monday 7th September:
9.15 am: Eucharistic Service
Tuesday 8th September:
9.15 am: Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes School (Key
Stage 2) for the new school year.
Wednesday 9th September:
9.15 am: Eucharistic Service
Thursday 10th September:
9.15 am: Mass
Friday 11th September:
9.15 am: Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes School (Key
Stage 1) for the new school year.
Saturday 12th September: 24th Sunday of the Year
7.00 pm: Mass
Sunday 13th September: 24th Sunday of the Year
8.45 am: Mass
10.30 am: Mass
12.15 pm Celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday 5th September: at 6.00 pm
Saturday 12th September: at 6.00 pm
The Rosary (for the sick and peace)
7.00 pm every Monday
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.
Special Wedding Anniversaries
This weekend we offer our CONGRATULATIONS to
Pat and Ray Grant on the occasion of their Golden
Wedding Anniversary this week, and also to Julie and
Mike Kernaghan on the occasion of their Silver
Wedding Anniversary also this week.
Please be assured that you parish community is remembering you in prayercongratulations!

23rd Sunday of the Year

6th September 2015
If you wish to contribute to the View from the Pew,
please contact the Parish Office. These are anonymous

comments from parishioners.

In todays readings Isaiah proclaims the healing of our God given senses and Jesus cures the man who was deaf and dumb.
Do I who have no problems with these two senses take these gifts for
granted? Certainly those who have speech or hearing difficulties do not.
How do I use these gifts?
If I talk too much then I cannot hear. If I laugh too readily, make
the clever and witty comments to turn something into a joke, then I can
dismiss what I do not want to hear, or fail to take it seriously.
Do I need to ponder on the opening sentence of the Rule of Saint
Benedict, listen carefully, my child, to the masters instructions, and
attend to them with the ear of your heart? Do I need to listen in silence
to the promptings of the Spirit and the words spoken to me by others, to
ponder them before I reply? Do I truly believe that these God given
gifts should not be abused and therefore act accordingly?
NB. The heart at the time of St. Benedict was the centre of
who we are, our total personality.
WEEKLY OFFERINGS

The Offertory Collection for:

For the weekend 29th/30th August was:
Envelopes: 755.57 Loose collection: 272.55
Total: 1028.12
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: Marcia & Lawrence Cook
Next weeks team: Gareth Davis & Simon Carlon
Spaces on the Minibus: We curr 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.
Having got some new volunteer drivers, we are now in
need of a few more non-drivers who would like to team up with
drivers in helping the people we collect to get into the minibus. If
you would be interested in doing this please contact the Parish
Office.
Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to volunteer
or for more information.
The Parish Minibus Fund

As I think everyone knows by now, we launched a special

fund in order to start building up some money that we have set aside
for when we will have to replace our parish minibus. The minibus is
a great asset, bringing some of our older parishioners to Mass (who
wouldnt get here without it), enabling our two schools to take the
pupils on trips that would be too expensive because of the cost of
coach hire, different parish groups using it, and of course being a
very visible sign of the presence of the parish in our area. Many people have said they didnt realise that it was used so much! People
have been very generous over these past few weeks with individual
donationsthank you so much.
This week we have received donations of 50.00, 58.00
(from the Cartmel trip), 20.00 & 100.00 (a big thank you to the
doners!) Therefore the running total in the fund currently is:
2933.00

PARISH DIARY
Sunday 6th September
10.30 am Mass: Welcome and Presentation for Baptism
After 10.30 am Mass: Baptism Preparation Meeting (1)
Tuesday 8th September
9.15 am Opening Mass of School Year OLOL Key Stage 2
Tuesday Club: Trip to Ryecroft Hall
7.30 pm Paul Vallelys talk at St Gabriels H SHow Pope
Francis will change Catholic Social thinking. (see page 4 for
full details)
UCM: No Meeting - Talk at St Gabriel's on Pope Francis
Wednesday 9th September
10.30 am: Social Events Meeting (Parish House Meeting
Room)
7.30 pm Jesus. A Pilgrimage Session 1, in the Parish Centre
Thursday 10th September
7.30 pm Bereavement Support Group Meeting (Parish House
Meeting Room)
7.30 pm Proclaim 15 Diocesan Delegates Meeting (Parish
Centre)
Friday 11th September
9.15 am Opening Mass of School Year OLOL Key Stage 1
Tuesday 15th September
Tuesday Club: Bingo
6.30 pm Year 7 Welcome Mass at St Gabriels H.S.
7.30 pm Jesus. A Pilgrimage Session 2, in the Parish Centre
Wednesday 16th September
9.15 am Opening Mass of School Year at Guardian Angels
School (in school)
8.00 pm Parish Management & Resources Group Meeting (in
the Parish House Meeting Room)
Thursday 17th September
7.30 pm Jeremy Duffs talk at St Gabriels H SPeter s
Preaching: The Gospel of St Mark (see page 4 )
Sunday 20th September
3.00 pm Meeting with the Malta & Rome Pilgrims (Parish
Centre)
Tuesday 22nd September
7.45 pm Introductory Meeting for Seeking Christ & Awakening Faith, in the Parish Centre.
Wednesday 23rd September
7.30 pm Jesus. A Pilgrimage Session 3, in the Parish Centre
Thursday 24th September
10.00 am 12.00 noon: Macmillan Coffee Morning
7.30 pm Baptism Preparation Meeting (2) Walsingham Room
Friday 25th SeptemberSaturday 3rd October
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Malta & Rome in the footsteps of St
Paul. (Parish Office will be closed during the Pilgrimage)
Wednesday 30th September
7.30 pm Book Club (Parish Centre)
Question for the Week: Noting the communal aspect of
this healing and of most conversions, since others brought the
man to Jess, have I brought anyone to Jesus lately? Is there
someone I should invite?
The Parish outing to Cartmel was a great success. We are
sure that everyone enjoyed the day, and we were very lucky
with the weather, the sun was shining brightly when we arrived and despite clouding over a little in the afternoon, we
were lucky in that we didnt get wet!

Are you coeliac? We have special hosts for those who are
coeliac. If you need a special host, please come to the sacristy
before Mass and ask the sacristan to put a coeliac host out for
you. Please also let Fr Paul know that you will be coming up
for a coeliac host.

After the summer recess Guardian

Angels Book Club is ready to start
up again. We meet in the Parish
Centre lounge on the last Wednesday of each month. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 30th September 2015 at 7.30pm.
Everyone is welcome. A variety of books are discussed (and
swapped) from historical fiction, chick lit, the Classics and
crime. We even have our own gossip columnist!! With a glass
or two of wine/soft drinks and nibbles the evenings are always relaxing and unlike conventional book clubs there is
absolutely no pressure to read a set book. We look forward to
meeting new members and if you are interested in joining us
simply come along on 30th September or contact Jill on 0161
763 1651.

Awaken Your
Catholic Faith
Awakening Faith is a six week
programme which can help people
to be re-introduced to faith and the
church. It is all done within a relaxed and comfortable setting.

Thinking of
becoming a Catholic?
Seeking Christ is a programme
for people who want to have a
look at the Catholic church, people 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 or someone you know are interested in either of
these programmes and want further information, please let
them know that they can contact the Parish Office on 0161
764 1630 or by e-mail on olgcga@btinternet.com
Anyone wishing to join us for one of these programme,
can complete the form below and return to the Parish
Office, and we will be in touch with you.

THE INTRODUCTORY MEETING FOR

SEEKING CHRIST AND AWAKENING FAITH
WILL BE ON TUESDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER at
7.45 pm IN THE PARISH CENTRE.
I am interested in attending Awakening Faith or
Seeking Christ
Name: ..
Address: ..
..

Planning on getting married in 2016 or even

2017 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.

Jesus: A Pilgrimage
Fr James Martin, SJ brings the Gospels to life in
Jesus: A Pilgrimage. We begin our sessions very soon. In
preparation for Session One, please read the Introduction and Chapters 1 & 2. To help us to plan and pr epare for the sessions, if you are planning on coming along,
please let us know by completing the form below.
DATES FOR OUR MEETINGS:
Wednesday 9th Sept, Tuesday 15th Sept, Wednesday 23rd Sept,
Thursday 8th October, Thursday 15th Oct, Thursday 22nd Octall
beginning at 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre.
We have tried to use different evenings to enable as many people as
want to take part to be able to.
If you would like us to order a copy of the book for you, then you
can indicate that also on the form below. Please return to the Parish Office as soon as possible. Many thanks. Fr Paul.

------------------------------------------------

JESUS. A PILGRIMAGE SESSIONS

I am intending taking part in the Jesus. A Pilgrimage Meetings after
the summer holidays.
 Please order a copy of the book: Jesus. A pilgrimage for me
NAME: .
TEL NO:
E-MAIL:
Please return to the Parish Office as soon as possible to enable us to plan
the evenings (or simply e-mail us)
Many thanks, Fr Paul.

The Clusterers
Dear Clusterers,
My apologies that walks have not gone as planned in recent
weeks due to ill health. May I suggest that you still meet and walk at the
dates and times as scheduled for the time being until you can appoint a
new leader who can re-schedule to his or her availability.
I hope to be well enough to jon you in the future but for now it is
not possible.
Thank you for your support and keep walking.
Jeff Smith
If any further information is required or new members/leaders
are interested please ring me on 0161 764 7269.

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

Thursday 10th September 2015

Anglezarke & Healey Nab (some steep parts).
Leader: Jeff Smith 0161 764 7289
10.00 am departure from the Parish Centre Car Park.

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.

Three Parish Pilgrimage

Saturday 5th September
As we go to press, the three parish pilgrimage hasnt yet taken
placewere keeping a keen eye on the weather forecasts though!
Hopefully we wont have a repeat of the torrential rain last year!
Well give you a report next weekend.
To receive our Parish Newsletter by e-mail each weekend, simply email 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, & a link to the newsletter each week. Follow the Department for Evangelisation: @SalfordDFE
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.
The Eucharistic Ministers, Readers &
Welcomers Rotas ar e now available to collect fr om the Welcome &
Information Centre.

Macmillans Worlds

Largest Coffee Morning

Thursday 24th September
25th Anniversary Year
Once more we are holding our Macmillan Coffee morning in
the Parish Centre from 10.00 am12.00 noon.
Once again Sue, & Pat and their team will be organizing the
Coffee Morning on behalf of our Parish Community. This is a whole
Parish event so involves the whole Parish and we need your help. If
you would like to help on the day please just let Sharon know in the
Office and we will pass on your name to the ladies. Tickets will be on
sale for 1.00 after all the Masses and from the Parish Office from this
weekend.
We would welcome donations of Bottles and other things for the
tombola and other stalls, bric a brac, books, cakes etc. Items can be
dropped off at the Parish Office please get things here no later than
Tuesday 22nd September (except the cakes which should be dropped
off at the Parish Centre on the day) so that the group can organise the
use of them in advance of the event. Many thanks.
Two new DVDs available from the Dept for Evangelisation (please
ask at the Office for a copy): 10.99 each

Fr Denis McBride: The Passion Narrative in the Gospels

David Wells: Evangelii Gaudium and the vision of Pope Francis for the Church.

PARISH MINIBUS OUTING

TO CHESTER
Our minibus outings are proving to be
very popular, and so Pat & Sue have organised another onethis time on Monday 14th
September to Chester. The minibus will leave
at 9.30 am from the Parish Centre Car Park. The sign up
sheet is on the table at the back of Churchjust a couple
places left on it.
Two talks organised by
The Department for Evangelisation in September.

Tuesday 8th September:

Paul Vallely (author of Pope Francis: Untying the
knots) will be speaking about:
How Pope Francis will change Catholic Social
thinking.
Thursday 17th September:
Rev Dr Jeremy Duff will be speaking about:
Peters Preaching: The Gospel of St Mark
(this is also the title of Jeremys new book, published in
June 2015)
Both talks will be at:
St Gabriels R.C. High School, Bridge Road,
Bury, BL9 0TZ
7.30 pm9.30 pm.
5.00 per person
(includes tea & coffee on arrival and at the interval)
The bookshop with both of the speakers new books will
be available (and they will sign them for you also!)

Please see the posters in the Porches for

full details.
NEWS FROM OUR SCHOOLS
This weekend it is news from Guardian Angels School
At Guardian Angels School we said farewell to Alex
Newcombe from the Nursery as she embarks on a new
challenge in childcare managerial work. We wish her well
in her new role.
For September an exciting year awaits us! Miss
Amanda Donoghue, Deputy Head teacher, has returned to
Guardian Angels after a very successful term as head
teacher in a Diocesan school in Preston. It is great to have
her back! We welcome Miss Anne Marie Salisbury (Y3)
and Mr John Barry (Specialist Maths) to the school for the
entire academic year.
We have 248 children on roll from September,
across eight classes from Nursery to Y6, all single age
groups. The older children will have lots of specialist
teaching as they get ready for High School.
It has been a quiet summer in terms of building
work. Two areas have been decorated and re-carpeted and
the school is looking spic and span.
Both our schools work very closely together to make
sure all the parish children have a happy and successful
start to their Catholic education, and we welcome the
excellent support we receive from Fr Paul, who is always
there to help us in our work!
For the new academic year we are looking forward
to another brilliant year of learning, fun and friendship. We
have also had some lovely news - Guardian Angels has
been designated a National Support School with Mr
Harrison becoming a National Leader of Education.