Cathedral Church of St Marie, Sheffield Everyone Welcome

Divine Mercy Sunday
Cycle A - 30th March to 5th April 2008

For the apostle Thomas, Christ's wounds are the source, first, of his doubt - for how could anyone so wounded appear alive? - then, after experiencing them for himself, of his solid and deep belief. Thomas represents all those who cannot believe in the testimony of other people. In today's Gospel, it is the community, his closest friends, whom Thomas cannot believe. In Luke's Gospel we heard that none of the male apostles had belived the report of the women whom angels had told that Jesus had risen. These earlist Christians were not gullible dupes, not simple people, easily persuaded. They needed proof. It took the real experience of the empty tomb and the Easter appearances to convince them.

Our faith too is not simply in other people, despite it coming to us "from the apostles". Our faith is in God, mediated through human testimony that confirms our own experience of encountering God. We do believe that, through their own experience, the authority of the apostles and of the scripture writers is authentic, and that it has been passed on to us down through the centuries.

But we also have grace-filled moments of encountering God ourselves, in the sacraments, in prayer, in events in our everyday lives. Like Thomas, we too have a living community of fellow disciples that tries to communicate to us the reality of the risen, living Lord. Like Thomas, we can enter into the mystery of God's care for us given concrete reality through Christ's wounds of love.
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Vacancies

St Thomas More Catholic Primary School - Headteacher

St Thomas More Catholic Primary School seeks to recruit a Headteacher for September 2008. Closing date 10th April, interviews 17th April.

For an application and information pack or to arrange a visit, contact Lynette Atkin on 0114 246 8020.
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St Wilfrid’s Centre

Requires a commission based sales person to sell hand-crafted football clocks which are made at the centre. Also a volunteer hairdresser is needed to come in once a week or fortnightly. Please ring Kevin Bradley on 0114 255 5720 for more details.
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Together for Regeneration

Together for Regeneration (TfR) requires two energetic and resourceful people, who enjoy a constant challenge, to fill the following posts:
Two Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector Regeneration Advisers
To provide organisational and project development support to Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector groups in Barnsley and Doncaster. £25,219 pa + non-contributory pension. Funded by The National Lottery through Big Lottery Fund for 3 years. Please see the notice board for details on how to apply.
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Workplace Chaplaincy - Volunteer Chaplain - Sheffield Forgemasters

Sheffield Forgemasters are looking for a replacement chaplain to take over when Bob Warwicker retires in the summer. An "Intruduction to Chaplaincy" event and site tour takes place on Tuesday 22nd April for anyone interestes in finding out more. Contact 0114 275 5865 for more details or to book an appointment.
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Diocese of Hallam Caring Service: Part-Time Parent Support Worker.

Circa £22,000 pro rata. Applicants should possess relevant qualifications, experience and be prepared to study for a higher degree. Informal enquiries to Susan Tym on 0114 255 4790 or applications form from Mrs Anne Ashton Hallam Pastoral Centre, St Charles Street, Sheffield S9 3WU, ring 0114 256 6453 or email aashton@hallam-diocese.com
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‘In Reality’ Project

A fresh vision of Youth Mission and Ministry in the Diocese of Hallam
See the notice board, answer the questions - if the answers are ‘yes’ contact Judi Shimmell on 0114 256 6464 or email jshimmell@hallam-diocese.com
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Accommodation Needed

Can Anyone Help?
A young Taiwanese lady at the University of Sheffield is in need of accommodation for her final year. If anyone has a room to let please contact Marie at the Cathedral Office for further details.
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Annonciate (Nono) Nimpagaritse

This parishioner and member of the Music Group was arrested by Immigration Authorities when she went to ‘sign-on’ on 28th February and was deported on 5th March. Burundian officials refused her admission because the papers provided by UK Immigration were inadequate. She was returned to the UK and since 8th March has been in Yarlswood Detention Centre in Bedford. On 12th March after the intervention of Howells Solicitors she was given temporary admission and a train ticket to Sheffield where she is currently safe with friends. This provides us with a little more time to pray and to consider what action we might take as Body of Christ at St Marie’s. Philip Jakob
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Apostleship of Prayer

The February booklets are available at the back of the Cathedral for those who are following this method of prayer introduced to us by Fr Michael Beattie SJ.
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Assembly II - Re-discovering the Treasure

Today along with the newsletter you will be given copies of an article that will be published in the next edition of the Hallam News. I want to draw your attention to the article because it speaks of developments occurring within our local church and asks the people of every parish in the diocese to ensure they are well represented and are participating fully in what is the local mission of our church. St Marie’s is part of the North Sheffield Deanery and is asked to send 15 delegates to a gathering that will be held at Ecclesfield High School on Saturday 5th April 2008. The Parish Pastoral Council will welcome all who declare an interest in taking part in the assembly meeting and assisting the parish to take an active part in ‘Re-discovering the Treasure’ of our faith and mission.
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Baptismal Preparation

Parents wishing to have their children baptised must attend the Baptismal Preparation programme which runs for three consecutive weeks, before any arrangements can be made for the baptism. Parents expecting a child are encouraged to take part in the course during the pregnancy. This has the advantage of simply arranging a date for the baptism to take place one the child is born. There are forms at the back of the Cathedral for anyone wishing to enrol. The next programme begins on 4th November.
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CURSILLO - An Experience in Christian Living

17th to 20th April
The next Hallam Cursillo will take place at Whirlow Grange Conference Centre, Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield. For further details contact Elizabeth Corcoran on 0114 236 9675
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Diocesan Assembly II

Saturday 5th April

A follow-up to the Diocesan Assembly three years ago takes place 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 and liturgy, working to build the parish community and reaching beyond our parish boundaries in mission, evangelization and Justice & Peace
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First Friday

Benediction and Exposition takes place from 2.30 to 3.30pm and will close with Evening Prayer.
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First Holy Communion 2008

Our parish First Holy Communion programme will begin on Saturday 12th April. If your child is, or soon will be, aged 8 (in Year 3 and above) and you would like to enrol them on this programme then please collect an application form from the priest in the sacristy after Mass. Completed forms must be returned by Sunday 6th April together with your child’s Baptism Certificate. PLEASE NOTE: This programme is only for those children who are resident within St. Marie’s parish boundaries and who have been regularly attending Mass at St. Marie’s. Children are expected to attend all the sessions.
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Fr Desmond's Leaving Do - Sunday 6th April

You are invited to Fr Desmond's party in the Houlden Hall at 4pm. He will be presented with your 'thank you and farewell' gift of £1400.00. Please do come along.
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Hallam Ascent

The next meeting is at Highbury Convent, Sandygate from 1,45pm to 3.45.
Hallam Diocesan Jubilee Pilgrimage to Lourdes: 1858-2008

To take place on 4th July to 11th July 2008. There are some booking forms at the back of the Cathedral or you can ring 01302 364552 if you would like any further details
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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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House Groups

Meetings take place regularly in several homes around the city. For further information or to get involved contact Gerard Stephens on 0776 201 7080 or gerard.stephens@stmariecathedral.org
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Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill

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”

The content of the bill can be found at http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2007-08/humanfertilisationandembryol...

The Cardinal's pastoral message can be found at
http://www.rcdow.org.uk/cardinal/default.asp?library_ref=&content_ref=17...
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Lectio Divina

House groups are now meeting regularly
….. in the Endcliffe Park, Dore, Ecclesall Road, London Road and Queens Road areas. For further information or to get involved, contact Gerard Stephens on gerard.stephens@stmariecathedral.org or 07762 017080.
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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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Making Everybody Welcome

Saturday 12th April

A workshop designed to help parishes care for those suffering metal 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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May Day Trek 2008

Monday 5th May
Please consider supporting this CAFOD and Christian Aid sponsored walk. Bishop John will start the event with an opening prayer before setting off with all the walkers taking part. You can sponsor him or a member of the parish by contacting the CAFOD office on 0114 268 7817. More details are on the notice board.
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Polish Mass - First Friday - 4th April

For the next few months Mass will be celebrated in Polish in the Cathedral at 6.30pm on the first Friday of the new month.

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Roving Youth Mass - Saturday 12th April

This is an opportunity for all young people of this diocese to attend. It aims to encourage young people in their faith by: deepening their understanding of the Mass, giving them ownership of Mass through their active participation, giving them reassurance that they are not alone and showing them that we belong to much more than our own parishes and having a good experience of worship.

Please arrive at 4.30pm to prepare for the 6pm Mass.
Musicians please arrive at 3.30 for the music rehearsal.

Food and refreshments after Mass.
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Songs from the Shows

An evening of music, song and mirth presented by Hugh Finnegan and Friends.
8pm as the Del La Salle Club, Beauchief.
Admission if free but you will have to pay to get out!!! All proceeds will go to charity.
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St Marie's School - Fun Quiz and Curry Night

Satruday 26th April - in support of the "Let's Get Cooking" Initiative!
Organised by the HSA from 8-11pm at the St William's Parish Hall (Ecclesall Road) for the over 18s. Tickets are £9 each and include meal and quiz entry.

Contact Nancy Cutinha, John Rafferty, Michelle Kirkbride or Dawn Reddin.
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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. Please see the notice board for more details and how to book..
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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.
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Vocations to the Priesthood

Please pray for the students from our Diocese who have just begun their training for the priesthood at the seminary in Ushaw. They are: Deacon John Windle, Kieran Fletcher, David Lochner and Lee Marshall. Edmund Montgomery is also studying at Ushaw and has just moved into his third year.
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‘In Reality’ Project

A fresh vision of Youth Mission and Ministry in the Diocese of Hallam
See the notice board, answer the questions - if the answers are ‘yes’ contact Judi Shimmell on 0114 256 6464 or email jshimmell@hallam-diocese.com
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