HOLY FAMILY PARISH Don Bosco Chapel Fortbaan 79 2900 Schoten www.holyfamilyantwerp.org MAY / June 2010 Year C Sunday Mass 10:30am Fr. Francis Peerlinck, Pastor
MESSAGE FROM FATHER: CELEBRATIONS CONGRATULATIONS & THANKGIVINGS Dear Parishioners! May is traditionally the month, in which we celebrate the sacrament of First Holy Communion in Holy Family Parish. This year eight children - four girls and four boys - will make their First Holy Communion on May 9th. After a year of preparation in catechesis, liturgy and prayer with their teachers and parents the children are ready for the encounter with the Lord in the sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharist. We congratulate the children, their parents and teachers for the efforts made during several months of preparation for this unforgettable day in their life. We hope that this further step into their religious life may help them grow into Christian adulthood in a world that scarcely favored the growth of faith in God and unselfish love of the neighbor. June is traditionally the month, in which we have our Picnic Sunday, and have to say farewell to parishioners who leave as they have another appointment in business, and end another parish year as school also ends. Our Picnic Sunday will be on June 6th, pretty soon this year, as we still will celebrate the sacrament of Baptism of Sophie Lieberherr on June 13th. On June 27 th we shall have our last Eucharistic celebration before we leave for vacation. We thank the Youngs for their hospitality, so that we can have our yearly picnic, and for all their efforts made for the parish - in council, liturgy and catechesis. We wish them all the best in their homeland, in family and business. We also congratulate the Lieberherr family with their new baby, Sofie and wish the whole family a lot of joy and happiness. July and August are the months we go on vacation. I wish everybody a nice vacation after a year of work and care for all kinds of things. As I was last year in the Far West/Alaska, I will be this year in the Far East/Laos, hoping for some interesting encounters with the people in its cultural and religious background. That I will share my experiences with the congregation at the first mass in September may be evident. That first mass in Holy Family Parish will be on September 12th, exceptionally late, as I stay for some obligations to my family, some confreres, and my home parish in Moorsel /Aalst. On August 31st it will be fifty years that I was ordained a priest in our monastery of Louvain. I will celebrate that joyful event on August 29th in my home parish, and the same event for Father Herman in Gent, what I cannot refuse. I ask for understanding of the parish. Thanks for everything in the past parish year... Gods blessing be with us. Father Francis Peerlinck
HAPPY BIRTHDAY A big warm Happy Birthday Wish goes out to Marie Barnett who celebrates her birthday today! We would like to wish Marie all the very best today and in all the days to come! Rosanne also celebrates a birthday this month. She s in the states celebrating with her family. PRAYERS AND SPECIAL INTENTIONS For all children and students who face examinations in June, that they may be successful and get the rewards they deserve. For all people who are going on vacation, that they may enjoy a nice vacation and come back renewed in mind and heart. For anyone suffering emotional or physical difficulties, that they soon have peace and relief and are able to enjoy the positive and good in their lives.
IT S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN We have yet again reached far too quickly, that time of year when many families will be uprooted. Schools are in their final weeks, the movers will be arriving in due course to pack up your home for the next move, either to a new destination, or back to home ground. Remember that each one of you is a part of Holy Family Parish, and even though new doors open for you, we who remain behind, still remember you. Please take time to add an insertion into our family album. This grey album can be found on the table in the rear of the Church at the entrance. If you are able to include a family photo, all the better to remember you with. Please inform Vivianne Staplehurst (viv@verijke.com) if I am not at Mass, that you wish to take the album home and try to remember to return to Holy Family for others to add their entry. This album has already travelled to various parts of the world, through the enthusiastic zest of various removal companies! Please try to ensure that this does not happen again as it takes months before it is returned to us.
CLEARING OUT/ MOVING? ~~~~~~~~~ VIVIANNE STAPLEHURST If you are in the process of a Spring clean or having to pack up and move and have items you wish to get rid of, please remember that the Zenith Centre is always happy to have them. Items such as bed linen, towels, clothes, shoes, small toys and small kitchen items as well as lamps or small items of furniture, (i.e. bedside table) can always be used. Baby furniture / prams are always in need. My big car has just been sold and therefore I can only take a few bags in my far smaller vehicle. Otherwise, you can deliver direct to the Zenith Center in De Marbaixstraat 22, Antwerp. They are open for deliveries Monday and Thursday mornings from 9-11 am If you have any questions, please contact Vivianne Staplehurst tel 0475759303 or viv@verijke.com
HOLY FAMILY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Congratulations to our 1st Communion Class! Job well done to our 2nd/3rd and 6th grade students and parents by Katie Young It is hard to believe yet another year, that is school year is on the tail end of closing. As the school doors will come to a close come the end of June, our religious education classes will come to a close slightly sooner. Holy Family s religious education program this year consisted of 19 children whom met each Sunday after mass for 1 hour. We have a communion class of 8 students, a 2nd/3rd grade class of 4 students and a 6th grade class of 5 students. Our 8 Communion students have been preparing all year with the guiding patient hands of their teacher Brigitta Cescato for their First Penance which will take place on May 2nd after mass and their First Communion that will take place on May 9 th at 11 am. I am very pleased to announce our 8 Reconciliation and Communion children are: Matteo Cescato Angela Cescato Joaquin Herz Fiona Redmen Oliver Redmen Lucy Hickson Hudson Winslow Cora Winslow
Thanks to their parents the following students have been continuing their religious education studies each Sunday as well; Our grade 2 and grade 3 students are; Eric Frattaroli Ariana Frattaroli Ryann Young Courtney Young Our 6th grade students are; Peter Stephan Claudia Villacian Sydney Young Anya Brilus Vilaria Cescato Please congratulate all the children mentioned in this note for their efforts and continued interest in furthering their religious education. It has been a true pleasure being this year s Religious Education Director. I wish you all the best during your summer holiday and hope your children will return to the religious education program at Holy Family Church in September. STAYING IN TOUCH~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ROSANNE For any of the families that will be leaving us this year, if you are interested, be sure to visit our website, www.holyfamilyantwerp.org to see our monthly bulletin. This could be a way of staying informed about what we are doing and what s happening with your Family in Belgium.
THE CARPENTER ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ALAN BARNETT When God became man he didn t become a king or a great politcal leader, as many thought the Messiah would be. Instead he became a working man. The Gospels show us Christ as a healer, Teacher and miracle worker, But these activities lasted only three short years. For the rest of his life on earth He worked as a village carpenter. There was nothing spectacular about his work. He didn t make tables and benches by means of miracles, but by the hammer and saw. And as far as we know, nothing he made ever set in fashion Trends or became collectors items. Though many of us see our daily tasks as dull and boring, We must not underestimate their importance. There is little we can say about them That God s Son could not say when he became man And lived among us. Lord, by your continuing presence with us, Help us to see the value of our daily tasks, And to do them faithfully So that we may grow in wisdom and in favor, Both with God and with people.
PRAYER CONNECTION Herewith the International Christian Women s Club kindly invites you to join us in prayer on: Tuesday May 11, 2010 at the home of Suzette Oberholster (address will be sent out later). We start at the usual time of 10 o clock in the morning. Peace in Christ, Sharmini (tel. 03 354 01 43) Marie-Louise (tel. 03 605 71 88) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The special Bring-a-dish - prayer connection for June will be held on Tuesday the 8 th of June At the home of Sharmini, Kasteeldreef 127, Schilde. We also start as usual at 10 o clock in the morning -------------------------------------------------------------------- In Christ, Sharmini (tel. 03-354 01 43) Marie-Louise (tel. 03-605 71 88) Please note already the dates! We hope to see you all and if you need more information, have a prayer request or need a ride please do not hesitate to contact us.
PARISH PICNIC NEWS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ROWENA Our Annual Picnic and Mass will be held on June 6 th, 2010 at the home of Kevin and Katie Young. Address: Torfheidedreef 8 2970 SCHILDE Time: 11am Mass followed by picnic. Cost: 7.50 per adult 5.00 per child (2-12 years) FREE for Babies under 2 We need to form a committee for set up and clean up. Please let Rowena know if you would like to help by May 30th. If you have a BBQ and would be willing to help out by bringing it ahead of time and cooking some meat for us on the day of the picnic, it would be very much appreciated. Please talk to Kevin or Katie to make arrangements for bringing and setting up your BBQ. In order to have a better organized event RSVP is required by June 3rd, by 5:00 PM. Payments can be made by bank transfer to the following account: KBC Account No. 409-6566161-81. Please include your name and how many people will be attending in the MEMO. Alternatively you can fill in the slip on the bottom of the invitation on the following page and return it with cash to Mrs. Barbara Noels at the AIS school Library or to Rowena in Church. Even if you can t stay for the picnic, you are most welcome to come for Mass. Lets pray for beautiful weather
Vacation Bible School 2010 Egypt Joseph s Journey from Prison to Palace August 9-13, 2010, 9am-12noon@ de Olijftak Kapel, Brasschaat Contact Jared Baker for more details, jaredmbaker@gmail.com or 0479 488 644. LIBRARY BOOKS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BRIGITTE Anyone with books, videos or CD s borrowed from the library is kindly requested to return them before the summer vacation! PLEASE MAKE A NOTE Mass on May 9 th for First Holy Communion will begin at 11:00. This will give families some extra time to prepare for this special day. Our picnic mass on June 6 th will start at 11:00 as well.
THANK YOU, MASS SERVERS AND MUSICIANS by Barbara Noels Father would have a hard time handling things on the altar if it wasn t for our Mass servers. The music might be duller if not helped by young people playing instruments and singing. He and the whole parish appreciate their readiness to participate, their cheerfulness, and dedication. The parish would like to offer the mass servers a gift. Please see Mrs. Noels at the picnic in June for a small token of appreciation from the parish. Remember, any child who has received First Holy Communion may apply to serve Mass. See Father at the beginning of the new parish year on September 12th. Want to sing and/or play an instrument? Contact Mrs. Olga Wouters after Mass. AFTER MASS TREATS We would also like to thank everyone who has provided after-mass treats during the past months. Everyone enjoys these goodies whilst having the opportunity to socialize with members of our Church Community. Also to Dominique who, not only prepares our coffee and treats every Sunday, as well as baby-sitting, but spends time after we depart in cleaning up the social hall and washing dishes. We owe her a very big thank you for looking after us every week.
WHO S DOING WHAT IN MAY & JUNE The Altar servers this Month are: 02/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline & Sydney 09/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ First Communion Class 16/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peter & Claudia 23/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sam & Kelly 30/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Arianne & Adrianna 06/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sydney & Ryann 13/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Claudia & Peter 20/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Valeria & Anya 27/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kelly & Adrianna Liturgy Readers: 02/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rowena 09/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ First Communion Class 16/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alan 23/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Barbara 30/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brigitte 06/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rowena 13/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alan 20/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Barbara 27/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rosanne Eucharistic Ministers: 02/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brigitte 09/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ First Communion Class 16/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Barbara 23/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Leo 30/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alan 06/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brigitte 13/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kath 20/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Leo 27/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alan If you have any questions, please contact Rowena
Children s Liturgy Leaders: 02/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Claudia 09/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ No Children s Liturgy 16/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ No Children s Liturgy 23/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ No Children s Liturgy 30/05/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Claudia 06/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Claudia 13/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ No Children s Liturgy 20/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Claudia 27/06/2010: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Claudia If you have any questions, please contact Claudia
Parish Council 2009/2010 Pastor... Fr. Francis Peerlinck... 03 232 2546... frans.peerlinck@scarlet.be President... Kevin Young... 03.311.7793... young.belgium@yahoo.com Vice President... Alan Barnett... 03 464 2468 Treasurer. Brigitte Preusz.... 014 70.78.28.....brigitte.preusz@telenet.be Religious Ed.... Katie Young...03.311.7793... young.belgium@yahoo.com Parish Registration... Paul Van den Bossche...03 322.7753... 44meurope@gmail.com Bulletin... Rosanne Pizzella... 03 322 7753...mswazoo@scarlet.be Hospitality... Sunshine..Vivianne Staplehurst.03 633 0797..viv@verijke.com Liturgy... Rowena Verhees...03 605 4380... roalex@scarlet.be Advisor... Barbara Noels...03 664 7231... BNoels@AIS-antwerp.be Music..... Eric Wouters & Olga Velez UPCOMING EVENTS: May 2 nd Sacrement of First Reconcilliation for the First Communion class. 9 th First Holy Communion with Mass beginning at 11:00 June 6 th - Annual Parish Picnic, 11:00 mass with picnic to follow. Mass AND picnic to be held at the Young residence. 27 th Last mass at Holy Family before summer break. Mass at 10:30 August 31 st Father celebrates 50 years as an ordained priest. September 12 th First mass of the new year at Holy Family. Mass at 10:30 HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!