Cathedral Church of St Marie, Sheffield Everyone Welcome

Laetare Sunday
Cycle A – 2nd March to 8th March 2008

Often we are so familiar with the prayers of the Mass that we can automatically and with ease make our profession of faith. The words, Lord, Son of God, and other titles, readily fall from our lips but are they born out of a real knowledge of Jesus or are they more formulaic? The man born blind has no previous knowledge of Jesus or his true identity, but meeting Jesus changes his life and his outlook on life and its purpose. His belief in Jesus and his acceptance of Jesus as Lord mean that he will never be the same again.
We have a head start on the man born blind, as we know Jesus and his true identity; however, our discipleship may be hampered by spiritual blindness and that blindness may affect our ability to call Jesus Lord and worship him. Let us ask the Lord to open our eyes to the areas of our lives that stunt our spiritual growth and knowledge. It may be that we are selfish, prejudiced, hypocritical, lacking compassion and so forth, and yet do not see it and therefore are not able to worship the Lord as we would like.

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As the Ministers of Communion leave with Holy Communion for the sick:
The Lord healed those who were sick and restored sight to those who were blind. Take the body of Christ to those in our midst who are sick, that they may know the comfort of the Lord’s closeness through this Holy Eucharist.

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Please pray for: Earl Jesse Stevens, Kath Jarman, Alice Green, Betty de Soysa, John Castley, Margaret Ryan, Ruth Bleakley, Lynne Todd, John Ashton, Margaret Lamb, Irene Kielbus, Doreen Boyden, Norman Upton, Brian Holt, Jean & Eric Addington, Kathryn Broughton, Brenda Vimpany, Barry Hunt, Lisa Monks, Anne Payne, Damien Osako, Bernadette Farrell, Jean O’Callaghan, John Douglas, Lesley Harrison, Betty Hebden, Jan Jennings, Martin McDermott and all those who are suffering mentally, emotionally or physically.

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We Pray for: Pauline Fidler, John Matthews and all those who have died recently.

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Anniversaries Occurring About This Time: James Prendergast, Harry Crookes, Tommy Doyle, Frank Carline, Monica Doyle, Thomas Francis Doyle (2nd) Elizabeth Towers, Francis Robert Adamson, Stanislaw Kozarki (3rd) Dunstan Lobo (4th) Mary Wiggett, Philippa Barratt (5th) Robert Maromani (6th) Emily Clark (7th ).

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Hallam Support for LIFE - Weekend 1st / 2nd March
LIFE’s annual appeal and collection for its work in the diocese takes place this week. It is 40 years since the Abortion Act 1967 came into force on 27th April 1968. Since then there have been 6.4 million abortions: the current rate is 700 per day. Through its work in offering counselling and advice, as well as practical help, LIFE has always sought to be there so that women know they have an alternative and that no one should be allowed to force them into abortion. The local LIFE services can be contacted through LIFE’s national contact points: National Helpline 0800 915 4600: www.lifecharity.org.uk www.preghelp.org.uk www.lifefertilitycare.co.uk
Text-to-Talk 07786 200 330

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Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor’s message last week brought the moral issues raise by the Human Fertilization and Embryology bill to our attention. You will find some postcards at the back of the Cathedral which are already set out for you to complete with your name and address and the name of your MP. Please do take one with you and vote against the issues Cardinal O’Connor has made us all aware of. “Now is the time to draw the line”

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Asylum Seeker Deportations
Two Members of the Sunday evening Music Group were arrested by Immigration Authorities when they went for their regular ‘signing on’ at West Bar Police Station.
Marie Blanche detained on Monday is expected to be removed to Cameroon on Monday.
24-yr old, Annunciata, reported on Thursday afternoon, was shown a Home Office refusal letter and detained immediately without time for appeal. Her removal to Burundi is set for Wednesday. A solicitor is pursuing the alleged procedural irregularities in her case.

Please hold these two women in your prayers and the many asylum seekers who have found sanctuary in this city and who have graced this cathedral parish. They will be very frightened at this moment and will need the support of the whole Body of Christ.

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The Traidcraft Stall will be open for business at all Masses this weekend
Two weeks ago Sulan Allyne and volunteer members of her staff in the Traidcraft shop were threatened at knife point and robbed. This was obviously very upsetting and we would like to thank Sulan for her continued commitment to bringing us the fairly traded products here at St Marie’s.

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Way of the Cross - Fridays in Lent
St Charles, Attercliffe invites you to walk the Way of the Cross with them every Friday evening during Lent. It begins at 7pm and is followed by Benediction.

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Stations of the Cross
The Walsingham Association will lead the Stations of the Cross on Tuesdays at 12noon. Bishop John reminds us of the old tradition of people using the Stations of the Cross for their own needs and you are encouraged to walk around the Cathedral, stop and say a brief private prayer at each station during this season of Lent.

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Parish Pastoral Council - Tuesday 11th March
St Marie's Parish Pastoral Council's next meeting will be at 7:30pm in the Houlden Hall. Topics for discussion will include the Keeping in Touch initiative, Re-ordering of the Cathedral and the forthcoming Diocesan Assembly. All are welcome to attend.

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Lenten Course - Theology & Film for Lent 2008 - Wednesday 20th March
A film & discussion group led by Ian Maher (CA) and Rev Noel Irwin commences Wednesday 20th February for four consecutive weeks. To be held at the Victoria Hall from 7.30pm until 9pm - arrive 7pm for coffee. Details of the films under discussion are on the notice board.

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Diocesan Assembly II - Saturday 5th April
To be held at Ecclesfield High School. This day will be for our deanery and will cover subjects such as: Youth, Pastoral Care, Liturgy/Spirituality, Adult Formation, Justice and Peace and Finances. The PPC are keen that St. Marie's is well represented. If you would like to take part, or have any questions, please contact Frances Taylor on 0114 240 0975 or email at - Frances.Taylor@stmariecathedral.org
Please do pray for the themes to be covered by the Assembly which are: Spirituality, Faith Development & Liturgy, working to build the Parish Community & Reaching Beyond our Parish Boundaries in Mission, Evangelization and Justice & Peace.

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Making Everybody Welcome - Saturday 12th April
A workshop designed to help parishes care for those suffering mental health issues together with their families and carers. This will take place at St Wilfred’s Centre from 9.30am to 3pm. Places are limited so please use the booking forms available at the back of the Cathedral if you would like to attend.

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St Thomas More Deanery Quiet Day - Sunday 13th April
Once again, our Quiet Day will take place at Mount St Mary’s, Spinkhill from 9.30am to 5pm. The theme for the day is ‘The Good Shepherd’. Booking is essential as numbers are limited and no one will be admitted without a prior booking. The cost is £10 - children go free. See the notice board for more details and how to book.

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Lourdes 150th Celebration - Sunday 11th May
Taking place at St Anthony’s Priory, Solihull. Coaches leave at 10.30am from the Crucible. Cost is £10.90 per person - to book call 0114 231 1494.

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St Vincent’s Furniture Store Fundraiser - Thursday 29th May
The event is sponsored by the Hilton Hotel, Sheffield who has offered free use of their banqueting suite. Guest speaker: The Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe MP. The evening will include: hot and cold buffet, local musicians and singers and plenty of car parking spaces. 7pm for 7.30pm. Cost is £25 per person and tickets will be on sale at the beginning of March. Advance bookings can be made - details on the notice board.