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 - 14th /15th March 2015

The Fourth Sunday of Lent (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, Stefan Sikorski,
Michael Dewsnap, Kathleen
Warburton, Phyllis Daly, Maurice
Berry, Joan Grimshaw, Margaret
Reilly, Sean Reilly.
LATELY DECEASED
John Simpson
Cedric Spencer
Ian
Brenda McGuiness
Billy Reilly
Christine Griffin
ANNIVERSARIES
George Telford
Eileen Flynn
Harry James
Christopher Yarnold (baby)
Joan Watson
Ian Taylor
Bernard Francis Maloney
Alan Parkinson
Paula Murray

TODAYS READINGS
First Reading: 2 Chronicles 36:
God anoints Cyrus to free the
Israelites 14-16, 19-23
Psalm 137: O let my tongue
cleave to my mouth if I remember you not.
Second Reading: Ephesians 2:
4-10 God, rich in mercy, has
saved us through Christ
Gospel: John 3:14-21 Gods
great love for the world in Christ.

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: Jeremiah 31:3134
Psalm 51
Second Reading: Hebrew 5:7-9
Gospel: John 12:20-33

'CIRCLE OF PRAYER'
St Theresa of Lisieux
Deanery
For the week beginning Sunday
15th March 2015 we pray for the
parish of St Hildas, Tottington,
for the parishioners and Fr Chris
McGrane their Parish Priest.

SERVICES THIS WEEK

Saturday 14th March: The Fourth Sunday of Lent
7.00 pm: Mass (Laetare Sunday)
Sunday 15th March: The Fourth Sunday of Lent
8.45 am: Mass (Laetare Sunday)
10.30 am: Mass (Laetare Sunday)
Monday 16th March: Lent Weekday
9.15am: Eucharistic Service
Tuesday 17th March: St Patrick
7.00 pm: Mass
Wednesday 18th March: St Cyril of Jerusalem
9.15 am: Mass
Thursday 19th March: St Joseph
9.15am: Mass
Friday 20th March: Lent Weekday
9.15 am: Eucharistic Service
Saturday 21st March: The Fifth Sunday of Lent
7.00 pm: Mass
Sunday 22nd March: The Fifth Sunday of Lent
8.45 am: Mass
10.30 am: Mass
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday 14th March Confessions at 6.00pm
Saturday 21st MarchConfessions at 6.00pm
The Stations of the Cross (for the sick and peace)
7.00 pm in Church
As we go to print, we have still not had confirmation of
John Simpsons funeral. Once again, we would suggest
calling the Parish Office after the weekend if you want
to find out the details.
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.
N.B. There are no flowers in Church during the Lenten
Season.
EASTER FLOWERS: If you would like to make a
donation to the Flowers in Church for Easter, please
place it in an envelope and clearly mark it Easter
Flowers and post it through the Parish Office letterbox. Thank you.
You are now able to
access the weekly parish
newsletter from our
twitter feed (@olgcga)

The Fourth Sunday of Lent

15th March 2015
If you wish to contribute to the View from the Pew,
please contact the Parish Office. These are anonymous
comments from parishioners.
Many consider a line from todays Gospel as the heart
of the Christian message: For God so loved the world that he gave his
only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost, but
may have eternal life.
God loves us unconditionally, indeed, says Paul, we are Gods
work of art. Todays Old Testament covenant story bids us see all
things, even historical disasters and human tragedies, as part of Gods
plan. The most unlikely people, like King Cyrus, can be instruments of
Gods will. Let us open our hearts to todays scriptures.
MINIBUS DRIVERS
If you cannot fulfil your rota duty, please arrange a swap with another
team. Thanks.
This weeks team: Sue and Pat Moriarty
Next weeks team: Marcia & Lawrence Cook
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.
New Drivers to join the rota: A parish thrives as it strives to serve
people. To do this we need people to offer a little of their time to serve
other members of the community. One of the great blessings for many
people over the past few years has been the opportunity to attend Mass
by being collected on the minibus 10.30 am Mass run! Many people
wouldnt be able to get here for Mass without the minibusbut of
course we need drivers to drive the minibus. Our list of drivers is getting
very small which means the drivers are on the rota more often. The
more drivers we have the better, then people arent on the rota too often.
If this is something that you think you could help out with, it is a very
valuable contribution to the life of the parish, and especially in our outreach to those who wouldnt get to church otherwise.
You dont have to be a regular 10.30 am Mass-goersome of our current volunteers normally go to one of the other weekend Masses apart
from when they are on the minibus. (We have had 2 new drivers volunteer this weekstill room for plenty more!). Please contact the Parish
Office if you would like to volunteer or for more information

HELPING HANDS SUNDAY

The weekend21st/22nd March
(5th Sunday of Lent)
This is another one of our traditions helping to make
peoples lives a little easier. Most people know what we
need, but just in case heres the list! Because of limited storage space
please just bring items on the actual weekend. Many thanks in anticipation.
Easter Eggs (which will be distributed to the homeless)
Breakfast cereal, Sugar, Jam, Marmalade, coffee, tea, biscuits etc
Tins of meat, soups, beans etc (i.e. food that wont go off)
Toiletries, (all the usual things, toothpaste, combs, toothbrushes,
soap, etc)
Sleeping bags (new or used) which will be distributed to the homeless.
Gloves, scarves, woolly socks, shirts, jumpers, cardigans, coats, etc
(new or used)
We will be sorting out the goods on Monday morning 23rd March
after the 9.15 am Eucharistic Service. If you can give us an hour,
please come along and help. Items can also be brought to the
Parish Centre after the Eucharistic Service also. Thank you in
advance. P.S. If you would like to make a monetary donation, we
will pass that on to Cornerstones the Brothers or the Caritas Centre in Bury. Please put any monetary donations in a
clearly marked envelope and pop it through the Parish Office
letter-box. Many thanks.

WEEKLY OFFERINGS
The Offertory Collection for:
For the weekend of 7th/8th March was:
Envelopes: 974.42 Loose collection: 259.83
Total: 1234.25
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!

The Clusterers
Sunday 22nd March
Gawthorpe Hall & River Calder
Moderate. Leader Jeff Smith 0161 764 7269
9.30 am star t fr om Guar dian Angels Car Par k.
Thursday 9th April
Clitheroe to Mitton
Easy, riverside walk.
Leader Jeff Smith 0161 764 7269
10.00 am star t fr om Guar dian Angels Car Par k.

CAFOD Lenten Family Fast Day

Friday 27th February 2015
The total amount donated to the CAFOD Fast Day was:
744.58. Many thanks for your generosity.
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.

HOLY THURSDAY: 2nd April 2015

7.30 pm: Mass of the Lords Supper
(followed by watching at the altar of repose until
11.50 pm, when we celebrate the Night Prayer of
the Church)
GOOD FRIDAY: 3r d Apr il 2015
9.30 am: Morning Prayer of the Church
10.00 am: Stations of the Cross
3.00 pm: Celebration of the Passion of the
Lord
7.00 pm: Prayer around the Cross
HOLY SATURDAY: 4th Apr il 2015
9.30 am: Morning Prayer of the Church
8.30 pm: The Easter Vigil
(please gather in the Parish Centre at 8.15 pm)
EASTER SUNDAY: 5th April 2015
8.45 am: Mass of Easter Sunday
10.30 am: Mass of Easter Sunday

APF-MILL HILL March 2015

Would APF-MILL HILL Promoters please collect their books,
magazines, etc, from the Library.
The amount collected last quarter was 871.68. 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.
Apologies for the late arrival, but the magazinesonly arrived
from the printer on the 12th March.

A DAY OUT ON THE MINIBUS

Next outing: Monday 13th Apr il
Destination: Southport
Departs: Parish Centre Car Park at 10.00 am
Driver and co-pilot: Pat and Sue.
Suggested donation towards fuel: 5.00
To sign up: put your name on the list at the
back of Church (first come, first served)
ALL WELCOME

Maintenance Day
Saturday 28th March
10.30 am3.00 pm
This Maintenance Day will give us
the chance to clear up after the winter, and
get the whole Church site looking at its best
ready for the celebration of Holy Week.
There will be jobs that can be done by people of all
agesloads of work to be done!
As usual there will be a chippy lunch provided for
everyoneso come along and help out.

Another Story Must Begin

A Lenten Course based on
Les Miserables
We had a great evening on Tuesday,
reflecting on the character of Jean Valjean.
Next week we will be looking at the character
of Javert.
During the weekly sessions we will be exploring certain themes such as sacrifice, repentance, forgiveness, and
redemption, love and justice and explore some of the characters in the story.
So, do come and join us on the Tuesday evenings of
Lent, in the Parish Centre, and through the sessions, take the
opportunity to deepen your faith.
Everyone is welcome to join us.

Lenten Deanery Station Masses.

There is just one Deanery Lenten Station Masses remaining.
St Josephs, Heywood, 7.30 pm on Thursday 19th March
(Bishop John will be presiding at this Station Mass)
Question for the week: T o whom is God sending me this
week as an ambassador of unconditional love? That is, who
is the least likely person for me to reach out to?

Diocesan Pilgrimage to
Auschwitz-Birkenau, Krakow,
Czestochowa & Zakopane
Sunday 24th MaySunday 31st
May 2015
2015 is the year in which we commemorate the 70th
Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz Concentration
Camp (27th January 2015) and also the liberation of many
other camps. To commemorate this we have been asked to
organise this Pilgrimage once again this year. This year we
have been able to organise the Pilgrimage to take place
entirely during the May school half-term.
After the time spent in visiting and in reflection at
Auschwitz our focus then changes to spending time walking
in the footsteps of St John Paul II.

COST PER PERSON:

850 per person
(deposit payable 150 per person)
COST INCLUDES:

Return flights Liverpool - Krakow (EasyJet)

Airport duty & passenger taxes

1 suitcase per person for the aircraft hold (20kgs)

Coach transfers in Poland & to and from LiverpoolBury

4 nights in 4* Arena Hotel & Spa in Tychy (on half

board basis)

3 nights dinner, bed & breakfast 4* Qubus Hotel in

Krakow

English speaking tour guide whilst in Auschwitz,

Krakow, Wadowice, Czestochowa, & Zakopane

Local guide at the Salt Mines (English speaking)

Tips for Guide & Driver and Entrance fee for

Auschwitz & the Salt Mines
WHAT IS EXTRA:
Single room supplement 175.00
TRAVEL INSURANCE: (with Pilgrimage Options)
35 per person aged 18 65
47 per person aged 66 - 75
60 per person aged 76 - 79
70 per person aged 80+

For a full itinerary and booking form please contact

Sharon Beech on 0161 761 0536 or 0161 764 1630
or e-mail to: sharon.beech@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
Places are limited, so early booking is recommended

PARISH DIARY

The Missionary Journeys of St Paul

Malta & Rome

8 days
Friday 25th September
Saturday 3rd October 2015
Following on from the very successful pilgrimages
in the footsteps of St Paul in Greece in 2009 and
subsequent pilgrimages to the Holy Land &
Turkey, the Department for Evangelisation is completing the journey in the footsteps of St. Paul with
his journey to Malta and his martyrdom in Rome.
During our 4 days in Malta we will
explore the sacred sites of Valletta, St.
Pauls Bay and St. Pauls Island. We will
visit Mdina, Mosta (the silent city), Rabat,
sail to Gozo and visit sites that relate to
the Order of the Knights of Malta. We will
take a short flight from Malta to Rome on the fifth day of
the pilgrimage.
Our final 4 days of the pilgrimage
will follow Pauls journey to Rome,
visiting various places associated with
St Paul. We will also attend the
Wednesday morning audience with Pope
Francis in St. Peters Square (dependent
on Pope Francis being in Rome). Whilst in Rome we will
also visit the Benedictine Monastery at Subacio, where
there is a fresco of St. Francis that is reputed to have been
painted whilst he was visiting the Monastery. We will
also visit the catacombs, and hope to visit SantEgidio, an
ecumenical community in Rome.

The itinerary is subject to minor change.

Price per person: 1225.00

Prices are based on two people sharing a twin
bedded room on a Half Board basis, and includes
flights and all entrance fees.
(A single room supplement of 199.00 is payable)
For a full itinerary and booking form please
contact Sharon Beech on 0161 761 0536
or e-mail to:
sharon.beech@dioceseofsalford.org.uk

Tuesday 17th March

Tuesday Club: Music and Dance
7.45 pm Lenten Programme Les Miserables Parish Centre
Saturday 21st March & Sunday 22nd March
Cake Sale after all the Masses in aid of our young parishioners going to Lourdes with Salford Diocese Pilgrimage
Tuesday 24th March
7.45 pm Lenten Programme Les Miserables Parish Centre
Wednesday 25th March
7.45 pm Bookclub: Film Night in the Parish Centre,
Saving Mr Banks
Thursday 26th March
7.30 pm: Fr Denis McBride speaking about The Passion
Narratives in the Gospels. St Gabriels HS (organised by
the Salford Diocese Dept for Evangelisation) at St
Gabriels H.S. (Re-arranged from the 4th March.)
7.30 pm Baptism Preparation Meeting in the Walsingham
Room
7.30 pm Bereavement support Group Meeting in the
Welcome and Information Centre
HOLY WEEK (see page 2 for full details of Triduum)
Sunday 29th March: Palm Sunday (10.30 am M ass
please gather in the Parish Centre)
Tuesday 31st March: 7.00 pm Cluster Reconciliation
Service at St Hildas Church, Tottington.
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

Awakening Faith & Seeking Christ

Please note that the next meeting is this Thursday (19th
March) at 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre.
On the first Sunday of Lent all eleven of our candidates and
catechumens from Guardian Angels attended the Rite of
Election at Salford Cathedral. They were individually presented to, and welcomed by Bishop John.
Please pray for all of them in this time of final preparation
as they journey towards the Easter Vigil. Our candidates
and catechumens are: (back left right) Alice, Katie, Wilf,
Jane, Stephen, Sarah, Jerome. (Front leftright)) Kirsty,
Sarah, Kay, Alison.