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 - 13th/14th February 2016

The First Sunday of Lent (Year of St. LukeYear C)
PLEASE REMEMBER
IN PRAYER

THIS WEEKENDS
SCRIPTURES

OUR SICK:
Bro. Nicholas Hutchinson,
David Lindley, Elaine Hardman,
Joan Hearle, Bill McPhee, Joe
Barrett, Rebecca Russell, Maureen
McNicoll, Steven Rogers, Patricia
Gough, Val Heywood, Phil
Williams, John Dutton, Val
Herbert, Ann Corrigan, Fred
Allen, Denis Haydock, Joan
Grimshaw, Mavis Walsh, Colette
Stabler, Michael Dewsnap, Joyce
Greenhalgh, Laurence Hayes,
Cecilia & John Hickie, Bill
Brewer, Ruby Thompson, John
Dalecki, Jane Dalecki, Margaret
Reilly, Terri Hemmert. John Ingle,
Mary James. Dr. Stephanie Clarke,
Helen Jeffers, John King, Malcolm
Platt, Philomena Robinson,
Gordon Bland.
LATELY DECEASED:
Mary Patricia Walton, Anna
Louise Cavanagh, Moira Jones,
Alan Morgan, Louise Hamer,
Patrick Nolan,
ANNIVERSARIES:
John Cannon, Florence Green,
Kathryn Bannister, Thomas
ODowd, Josephine Coligan,
Thomas & Kathleen McDowell,
Richard & Mary Welsh.

First Reading: Deuter onomy

26:410 The Lenten fast, like the
Exodus, leads to a land flowing
with milk and honey.
Psalm 91 Be with me, O Lord,
in my distress.
Second Reading: Romans 10:8
13 The journey of faith is open to
all.
Gospel Reading: Luke 4:113
The fast can be a sign that we
live on more than bread.

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 C)
First Reading: Genesis 15:512, 17
18
Psalm: Psalm 27
Second Reading Philippians
3:174:1
Gospel Reading: L uk e 9:28b36

'CIRCLE OF PRAYER'
St Theresa of Lisieux
Deanery
For the week beginning Sunday
14th February we pray for the
Parish of Our Ladys, Langley
& St John Fisher, Boarshaw &
their Parish Priest Fr Tadhg
Mullins.

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.

Question of the Week.

In this Lent of the Year of Mercy, how can I say no to selfishness and power over others, and
yes to placing myself in Gods
merciful hands?

SERVICES THIS WEEK

Saturday 13th February: 1st Sunday of Lent
7.00 pm: Mass
Sunday 14th February: 1st Sunday of Lent
8.45 am: Mass
10.30am: Mass
Monday 15th February: Lent Weekday
9.15 am: Eucharistic Service
Tuesday 16th February: Lent Weekday
7.00 pm: Mass
Wednesday 17th February: The Seven Holy Founders of
the Servites
9.15 am: Mass
Thursday 18th February: Lent Weekday.
9.15 am: Eucharistic Service
Friday 19th February: Lent Weekday
9.15 am: Mass
Saturday 20th February: 2nd Sunday in Lent
7.00 pm: Mass
Sunday 21st February: 2nd Sunday in Lent
8.45 am: Mass
10.30am: Mass
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday 13th February: Confessions at 6.00 pm
Saturday 20th February: Confessions at 6.00 pm
The Stations of the Cross (for the sick and
peace)
7.00 pm in Church

You are now able to access the weekly parish newsletter

from our twitter feed @olgcga

WEEKLY OFFERINGS
For the weekend 6th/7th February was:
Envelopes: 978.35 Loose collection: 338.68
Total: 1317.03
Thank you for your wonderful generosity.
If you wish to join the Gift Aid scheme please contact the Parish
Office and we will be able to organise it for you. It only takes a couple
of seconds but it brings in extra revenue to the Parish! For every 1.00 a
gift-aider gives to the Parish, it is worth 1.25 to the Parish.
Important Note for all Gift-aiders:
Please notify the Parish Office if you:

Want to cancel your gift-aid declaration

Change your name or home address

No longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains

We are still looking for the owners of these envelopes: 110,

94. There is money being paid in with these envelopes but we
cant claim the tax because we dont know who they belong
to. Many thanks.
Fr Paul.

From this weekend we now have the Liturgy of the Word with
children at all of our weekend Masses!
If you would like to be a part of the team presenting the Liturgy
of the Word with Children at any of the Masses please contact
the Parish Office for further information. We could do with a few
more volunteers for all the Masses. Many thanks. Fr Paul.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME 2016
The full programme for 2016 has now been arranged and will
shortly be in the post to all the parents of the children in Year 3 in our
two primary schools. However, If your child is currently in Y ear 3, and
is in a school other than Our Lady of Lourdes or Guardian Angels,
please let us know that you wish to have your child on the next Sacramental Programme please contact the Parish Office, either by handingin the form below or send the details by e-mail. Please note that children need to be registered by 1st March 2016.

PARISH DIARY
Tuesday 16th February
Tuesday ClubLunch & Bingo
7.45 pm: Lenten Programme Begins. Parish Centre (see pg 4)
Friday 19th February
CAFOD Family Fast Day
Saturday 20th February
10.00 am1.00 pm Safeguarding meeting. Salford Diocese
Safeguarding Commission. Parish Centre.
Tuesday 23rd February
Tuesday Club: Music and Dance
7.45 pm: Lenten Programme. Parish Centre (see page 4)
Wednesday 24th February
7.30 pm: Book club in the Parish Centre
Tuesday 2nd March
Assembly at St. Pauls Primary. (Fr Paul only)
7.45 pm: Lenten Programme. Parish Centre (see page 4)
Thursday 3rd March
8.00 pm Parish Management & Resources Group
Friday 4th March
2.00 pm: Service for Womans World Day of Prayer.
Tuesday 8th March
7.45 pm: Lenten Programme. Parish Centre (see page 4)
Wednesday 9th March
7.30 pm: GA Full Governors Meeting
Thursday 10th March
7.30 pm: OLOL Full Governors Meeting
Saturday 12th March
10.00 am: 12.00 noon Sacramental Programme Meeting for
parents and children in the Parish Centre
Sunday 13th March
Presentation of the Children on the Sacramental Programme at
the 8.45 am Mass and 10.30 am Masses
Helping Hands Sunday (more details to follow)
Tuesday 15th March
7.45 pm: Lenten Programme. Parish Centre (see page 4)
Thursday 17th March
5.00 pm: St. Gabriels Full Governing Body Meeting.
Sunday 20th MarchPalm Sunday
Tuesday 22nd March
7.00 pm: Cluster Reconciliation Service at Guardian Angels

CARITAS SUNDAY
The first parents and childrens meeting is on Saturday 12th March at
10.00 pm in the Parish Centre.

--------------------------------SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME 2016.

I would like to register my child for next years
Sacramental Programme.
Childs name: ..
School they attend: .
School Year they are currently in: ...
Address: ....
Tel No: ....
E-mail address: .
PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO THE
PARISH OFFICE ASAPAND NO LATER THAN
1st March 2016. Thank you.

Two weeks ago we had the diocesan retiring collection to

support the work of CARITAS in our diocese. The total
amount donated for this work is: 620.01.
Many thanks for your generosity once more.
AWAKENING FAITH AND SEEKING CHRIST
We continue on TUESDAY 16th February by attending the
Lenten Programme in the Parish Centre, after the 7.00 pm
Mass.
Baby changing facilitieswe have realised that not everyone
knows that we have baby changing facilities in the toilet for
the disabled in the foyer of the Parish Centre.
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, & a link to the newsletter each weekend.

Tweet of the week:

Gospel: What does it mean to take up your cross? One
answer: To let die anything that keeps you from responding to
Gods voice in your life.
James Martin SJ (author of JesusA pilgrimage)

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: Al & Tom Butterworth
We currently 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 Parish Minibus Fund
Many people have been very generous over these past few
months with individual donationsthank you so much. In the past
week we received a donation of 20.00 therefore the running total in
the fund currently is: 11,428. 05
Great news!!! W e have a replacement minibus! Its being
made ready for us at the moment, so more details next weekend.

Diary of Social Events.

2016
The Social Events group met recently to put together the Calendar of Events for the forthcoming year. These events help
fundraise for the Parish but are not just about raising money! They are more about bringing the Parish community
together and helping continue building community.
Saturday 9th April - Posh Race Night (Grand National
Day)
Saturday May 21st MayDay trip to Guys Hamlet,
Garstang. Great Family Day out (Details to follow)
17th JuneTottington Band, Beer & Brass
Sunday 3rd JulyFamily Olympics Sport Day and Hog
Roast.
Monday 29th August Cartmel Races.

READERS, EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS AND WELCOMERS

ROTAScopies of all the rotas can be found in the Welcome and Information Room.

Saturday 17th SeptemberWine Tasting Quiz

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.
Please Note: We dont have flowers on the sanctuary
during the Season of Lent.

Sunday 4th DecemberChristmas Extravaganza

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.
Our Lady of Lourdes R C Primary School, Bury.
Required for 1st September 2016
KEY STAGE ONE CLASS TEACHER (MPS)
The Governors are seeking to appoint a full time class teacher from 1st
September 2016 on a temporary contract for one year. We welcome
applications from NQTs.
The successful candidate will:
Be a practising Catholic with a clear understanding and commitment to the Catholic ethos of our school.
Be an excellent classroom practitioner who has high expectations
of all their children.
Have the ability to work as part of a team.
Be an enthusiastic, inspirational and caring teacher.
Informal visits to school are warmly welcomed and strongly encouraged. Please contact the school office to make an appointment.
All Applicants must complete the latest CES application form.
Closing date for applications: Midday on Fr iday 4th March
Shortlisting: Tuesday 8th March
Interviews: Fr iday 18th March 2016 (Full details on porch poster)

October- Date TBAQuiz Night.

2017Date to be confirmedParish Celebration of 60

years since the opening of our Church.
We hope as many people as possible will be able to support
them and of course if anyone is available to help organize
some of the events please let Fr. Paul or Sharon know.

Guardian Angels Parent and Toddler Group.

The group continue to meet on Monday afternoon in the Parish Centre. There has been a wonderful influx of new babiesand so we are asking if anyone has any Baby bouncers that they can donate to the group for all the new babies
to use when they come along on a Monday.
Please contact the Parish Office if you have one that you no
longer require, and we can tell you the best time to drop it
offalso any parents who want more information about the
group, please contact the Parish Office on 0161 764 1630.

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.

Dont forget we have Tea and Coffee in the

Parish Centre after the 10.30 am Mass each
Sundaycome and join us!
Pancakes on Shrove Tuesday
Very many thanks to the parishioners. Due to their generosity we made 225 for Sister Joan at the CARITAS Centre in
Bury and Bury Young Carers to share equally. Thanks to
Father Paul and Sharon for their support. We could not have
done it without you and the pancake makers and donors of
raffle prizes of the UCM.

LENT
AND THE YEAR OF MERCY
Walking to Jerusalem
This year during Lent the children in our primary schools are going to walk to Jerusalem! They are
not physically going to walk there of course, but
through acts of kindness etc they will add up miles and hopefully
we will reach Jerusalem by the end of Lent (if we all get involved in
it, we might even make it back home as well!).
Of course many of the acts of kindness could also be done
by adultsso parishioners we would love it if you can join in as
well and help the children.
The distance from Bury to Jerusalem is 2303 miles. If
anyone does any of the activities listed below, you can fill in the
form and each Sunday you can put the return mileage slip into the
offertory and then we will collate the miles here in the Parish Office
and have an update on the newsletter each Sunday in Lent.
WALKING TO JERUSALEM WEEK ONE
You do one mile for each of the following

Participate fully in classroom prayers each day

Play nicely with others at playtime
Pray at least one decade of the Rosary
Eat a family meal together
Visit an older neighbour or a grandparent
Saying encouraging words to someone
Do a random act of kindness for someone
Say thank you to the person serving your lunch
Attend Mass
Donate food for the homeless and poor
Donate some money to charity
Help tidy up your classroom
Do a chore at home that you dont normally do (eg washing
up!)
Participate in family sharing time
Say your Morning and Evening prayers with your family
Say your grace before meals
Attend the Parish Lenten Programme (Tuesday evenings in
the Parish Centre)

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

FIRST WEEK OF LENT

WALKING TO JERUSALEM
I HAVE WALKED . MILES THIS PAST WEEK.
(just put your weekly total in the space provided)
Please put this mileage slip into the offertory basket
next Sunday.

OUR LENTEN PROGRAMME

As usual, we will be having a special Lenten programme each Tuesday evening in Lent (after the 7.00 pm
Mass) in the Parish Centre. The sessions begin this coming
Tuesday (16th February.)
This year we are using as
the basis for our Lenten Course a
little publication entitled Lift up
your hearts. We will be using other things as well during the Tuesday evening sessions, so, do join us
and fight the temptation just to use
the booklet at home. We will all get
so much more out of it by listening
to one another during the Tuesday
evening sessions.
This booklet has been written and published by Dr Mark Nash who works in the Archdiocese of Southwark, and is someone myself and Sharon
have worked very closely with over the past few years. It is
a booklet produced for the Archdiocese of Westminster,
and the materials in it are excellent, and so should lead to
some good discussion and faith sharing. Lift up your
hearts looks at certain scripture passages that are particularly relevant for the Season of Lent and also for the Year
of Mercy.
We have already sold over 60 copies of the booklet,
and there are more copies available to buy this weekend
(2.00 a copy). So put the Tuesdays of Lent dates in you
diary now and come and join us. We also have a selection
of books for Lent available to buy at the back of Church.
Our Lady of Lourdes R C Primary School, Bury.
Required for 1st September 2016
ASSISTANT HEADTEACHER POST (Key Stage Two)
Salary L2 L5 (Leadership scale) NOR:187
The Governors of Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School
are seeking to appoint a motivated, creative and inspirational Assistant Headteacher to join our committed and enthusiastic team.
. The successful candidate will:
Be a practising Roman Catholic with a strong commitment to Catholic education
Be an outstanding teacher
Be a role model with high expectations of pupils
achievement and behaviour
Work collaboratively with staff, governors, pupils and
parents and the wider community to ensure that all children
will reach their potential
Have experience in leading a curriculum area and is
able to develop strategies to raise attainment.
Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Put children at the very heart of everything they do.
Visits to our school are strongly encouraged. Please contact
the school office.
Applicants must complete the latest CES application form.
Closing date for applications: Midday on Fr iday 4th
March 2016
Shortlisting: Tuesday 8th March 2016
Interviews: Thur sday 17th March 2016
For Full details please see the poster in the porch