and renew the face of the earth. Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, Saint Helen s Parish, Caerphilly The End of the Season of Lent~Easter 19 th May 2013 As the Father sent me, so I am sending you: receive the Holy Spirit THE WORD THIS WEEK We arrive at the fiftieth day - the completion of the Easter Season, and the completion of the Paschal Mystery: the Lord has died, is risen, has ascended to heaven and now gives birth to his Church, by sending the Spirit upon the apostles. This feast of the gift of the Spirit is so significant for us, because it marks the handing on of Jesus' ministry to the Church - in the Church we are guaranteed the presence of the Lord, in his sacraments, in his ministers and the gathered Church, in the Blessed Sacrament and in his Celebrated Word. It also marks the fulfillment of our thoughts about baptism throughout this season: the gift of the Spirit which we receive in Confirmation is the `seal' of our baptism, guaranteeing and confirming all that baptism achieves. WELCOME and CONGRATULATIONS to our 24 new Communicants: Joseph Cairnes, Ben Farley-Hoyland, Scott Hopkins, Dylan Jones, Rhys Jones, Sam Monkton, Scott Morgan, Sean O Gorman, and Evan Wells on Saturday evening; and Carrlisa Alleyne, Hazel Branley, Isabel Branch, Giulia Celestini, Ellen Cushion, Charlotte Deane, Olivia Harris, Sam King, Seren LeConte, Molly Newsam, Amy Rivers, Caitlin Seaborne, Danilella Viernes, Ryan Warlow, and Isabella Yates on Sunday morning. As well as the celebrations at Mass and at many family gatherings to mark their sharing in Sacramental Communion for a first time this weekend, we are invited to celebrate their Second Holy Communion with them all next weekend at the 10am Sunday Mass, and afterwards in the Hall with photos, certificates, cake, and refreshments. And we keep them in our prayers and draw them ever closer to us in the Communion of Christ s Body, the Church. TAKE AND EAT, TAKE AND DRINK : In a change to previous practice, the children sharing Communion for a first time today are given the choice to accept the invitation Christ gives us all, to drink his Blood as well as eat his Body: This is not more Communion, nor a better one, just a fuller sign. These children have been shown how to receive from the chalice, as were those Confirmed ten days ago. The group in between are also free to receive under both kinds, but if they wish to they will need to be shown how: Parents may feel they can do this themselves, or they may want to ask for a practice in church. WE ARE ALL INVITED but the invitation is changing slightly from the weekend of the 15 th /16 th June: From Sunday June 16 th Sunday morning Mass will be at 10.30am. Please take home and study the enclosed copy of the Archbishop s letter explaining all this today.
MASS AND SERVICES DURING THE WEEK: Sat 18 th May 6.30pm Brenda Cook Sun 19 th May 10.00am The New Communicants Mon 20 th May (7 th Week in Ordinary time, year 1) 10.00am Margherita Antoniazzi (PJ) Tues 21 st May 10.00am Service of the Word, with Communion Wed 22 nd May 10.00am Service of the Word, with Communion ADORATION 2 to 4 pm, & 6 to 8 pm. Thurs 23 rd May Dedication of the Cathedral Church 10.00am Service of the Word, with Communion Fri 24 th May 7.00pm Jill Goldsmith (GG) Sat 25 th May The Most Holy Trinity 6.30pm Mona Clinch (JO B) Sun 26 th May The Most Holy Trinity 10.00am The People of the Parish (with a Baptism) May, THE MONTH OF MARY : As well as the Church s ongoing Easter celebrations in the Pentecost gift of the Holy Spirit who builds us into Christ s sacramental Body, the Church, tradition also encourages us to remember Mary, Mother of the Church, in the month of May. So we pray the Rosary 20 minutes before each weekday Service. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 5.45pm to 6.15pm, and at any time arranged with the Parish Priest. SHARING FAITH CATECHESIS A CHILD FOR BAPTISM? To have your child baptised, please make sure you book into the Parish PREPARATION for BAPTISM, which continues THIS WEDNESDAY, 7.30pm in the Hall. To register, please see the green form Your Child and Baptism available in the porch, fill it in and return it. PARISH PREPARING for RECONCILIATION and COMMUNION reaches its high point today. After that we have a final meeting for the Children in church at 6.30pm on Tuesday, and a second Communion all together (followed by a party) next Sunday, and then from there on in, it s all about living it! INITIATION FOR ADULTS: To know more about the Catholic Faith, please contact the parish priest, or speak to one of the regulars and ask them to help you come along and see. MARRIAGE At least 6 months notice (preferably 12 months) is needed: Before making any arrangements please see the priest to avoid any disappointments. The PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP meets in the hall on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday from 9.30am to 11.30am. The S.V.P. meets on Monday,, at 7.45pm in the hall. The SUNSHINE CLUB meets on Thursday at 2.00pm. The YOUTH CLUB Meets on Thursday at 6.30pm in the hall. CHURCH CLEANING: Team B this Saturday, 25 th May. The MINISTERS OF COMMUNION are asked to let us know their availability to serve over the summer, via the forms being distributed today. Remember, re-commissioning on Corpus Christi. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift that's why we call it the present!!!!! PARISH QUIZ THIS FRIDAY 7.30pm
VOCATION DISCERNMENT: Is God calling you to be a priest? If this is a real question for you and you don t know what to do next; or if you want to find out more about the priesthood and explore the notion of vocation, then why not come along to the new monthly Vocation Discernment Meetings which will take place at the Cornerstone at Saint David s Cathedral, Cardiff. The first meeting will take place on Friday 7 th June at 6.30pm and the second meeting will be on Friday 12 th July at 6.30pm. Further information:- Fr Paul Millar, 01656 782789, e-mail frpaul@btinternet.com. A STRAWBERRY CREAM TEA! Tickets on sale this weekend for a strawberry cream tea, 2pm on June 14 th to raise funds for SEBEYA, our new Connect 2 parish in Ethiopia. If your Cafod box needs emptying please hand it in at the back of church: Many thanks for the 65.50 from boxes recently collected. Need a new box? You will find them on the hymn book shelves at the bottom! CAFOD - ECUMENICAL WALK OF WITNESS: In this Year of Faith, join an ecumenical walk around Cardiff churches on June 1 st, to help bring an end to global hunger. Starting at the Lightship in Cardiff Bay at 9.30am, ending in Cardiff city centre at 2pm, we join with supporters from Christian Aid and Tearfund to pray and take action on hunger. Join us for the full walk, part of the walk, or for the shared picnic at Bute Park at 12.00 on the day. See the poster at the back of the Church for full details or contact CAFOD South Wales on 029 2045 3360, email southwales@cafod.org.uk G8 Rally in London 8th June: On Saturday 8 June thousands will gather in Hyde Park, London to make a big noise asking world leaders to stop the silent scandal and injustice of hunger. The day will start with an ecumenical service with Archbishop Vincent Nicholls at 11.00, before processing to Hyde Park for a family friendly rally with thousands coming together from across the UK. Coaches to London are available for a suggested donation of 10 from Swansea, Bridgend, Cardiff and Newport. Please contact CAFOD on 029 2045 3360 for details. HOSPITAL: If you, or anyone you love, or any of your Catholic friends or neighbours are going into hospital, whether for a shorter or a longer period, please be sure to contact the Catholic Chaplain: Even if you are asked your religion on admission (and it doesn t always happen now), the chaplains are not given that information: So they only know you are in if you tell them, and they are not meant to visit unless you specifically invite them. For the Royal Gwent, please ring Sister Veronica, 01633 858539; for the Heath, please ring Brother Brian Butler on 02920 743230; for the Royal Glamorgan, please ring Father Silvio Briffa, 01443 421929; for Ysbty Ystrad Fawr, please ring Father John on 02920 883192. PARISH PRAYER LIST: Our prayers are asked especially for Darren Bray who is critically ill, and for his family at this time. We remember also Julie Hallett, seriously ill. Many who are sick or housebound in the family of the Parish ask for continuing prayers, including: Danny McGee May Powell Pamela Griffiths Ceri Amies Mary Stallone John O Dwyer Sheila Harris Bridie Tolan Sarah George Philip Smith Pat Emanuelli Josephine Lewis Dorothy Waters Jean Kerrigan Frank Colley Tony Lewis John Maguire Cecelia Mawby Pam Pitten Lloyd Jones Shelagh Carter Paul Morrissey Vincent Clinch Paul Costigan David Mabey Valerie Donovan Pamela Cronin Denis Cronin Carol Morrissey Jean Evans Shirley Evans Peggy Coll Joe Coll Denise Carolan Sheila Humphries Christine Ellis Martin Yates Catherine Hammond REQUIESCAT IN PACE: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Domenico Porcu, who died in the Gwent on Wednesday. We offer our condolence to his Family.
SAINT HELEN S COMMUNITY CENTRE THIS WEEK: Date Time Event Mon 20 th May 9.30am to 11.30am 7.45pm S.V.P. Tue 21 st May 1.00 2.00 pm Mimis Melodies Wed 22 nd May 10.00am to 12 Noon 1.30pm to 3.00pm 6.30 9.30pm 7.30 9.00pm Yoga W.I. Parents Prepare for Baptism (SMR) Thurs 23 rd May 9.30am to 11.30am 2.00 4.00pm 6.30 7.45pm Sunshine Club Youth Club Fri 24 th May 7.00 pm Parish Quiz Sat 25 th May 9.30am to 12.30pm Dance Sun 26 th May 11.00 am 12.30 6.30pm Communion Families Celebration NCT OFFERTORY COLLECTION 12 th May 2013 Gift Aid Weekly 214.60 Non Gift Aid Weekly 123.06 Gift Aid Standing Orders 559.26 Non Gift Aid Standing Orders 46.00 Loose 284.30 TOTAL 1,227.22 Many thanks LOTTERY BONUS BALL CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the Bonus Ball no. 34: Colin Everson, Christine Parr, and Bill Morrissey. A total of 69.00 was made for parish funds. TRY YOUR LUCK AGAIN THIS WEEK CHRISTIAN PRAYER. Section One: Prayer in the Christian Life: Chapter 0ne: The Revelation of Prayer ~ The Universal Call to Prayer Article 1. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT The Psalms, the prayer of the assembly (2588) The Psalter s many forms of prayer take shape both in the liturgy of the Temple and in the human heart. Whether hymns or prayers of lamentation or thanksgiving, whether individual or communal, whether royal chants, songs of pilgrimage or wisdom-meditations, the Psalms are a mirror of God s marvellous deeds in the history of his people, as well as reflections of the human experience of the Psalmist. Though a given Psalm may reflect an event of the past, it still possesses such direct simplicity that it can be prayed in truth by men and women of all times and conditions. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1992 Parish Directory Priest: Revd. John Kelly 20883192; Chair of Parish Council: Graham Taylor 20860919 Saint Helen s School: 20852532 Cardinal Newman School: 01443 494110 Hall: 20883192 Newsletter items: 20883192 Safeguarding Officer: 20864112 SVP: 20866838 Cafod: 20861930 Music: Brett Pugh 07971848734. Parish@sthelenscaerphilly.com www.sthelenscaerphilly.com NEWSLETTER: All items for inclusion should be emailed or posted through the presbytery letterbox no later than Wednesday evening please. Saint Helen s is a Parish of the Archdiocese of Cardiff, a Registered Charity.
TODAY S SCRIPTURE: Please follow the special Order of Service. Genesis 11: 1 9 or Exodus 19: 3 8, 16 20 or Ezekiel 37: 1 14 or Joel 3: 1 5. Response: Psalm 103 Bless the Lord, my soul: Lord God, how great you are, clothed in majesty and glory, wrapped in light as in a robe. How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your riches. Bless the Lord, my soul. All of these look to you to give them their food in due season. You give it, they gather it up: You open your hand, they have their fill. You take back your spirit, they die, returning to the dust from which they came. You send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth Romans 8: 22 27. Prayer of the Faithful: DAY MASS: Acts 2: 1 11. Response: Psalm 103 Bless the Lord, my soul! Lord God, how great you are, How many are your works, O Lord! The earth is full of your riches. You take back your spirit, they die, returning to the dust from which they came. You send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord last for ever! May the Lord rejoice in his works! May my thoughts be pleasing to him. I find my joy in the Lord. Romans 8: 8 17. Acclamation for the Gospel: Sequence: Holy Spirit, Lord of light,... Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Jesus said: I give you a new commandment: Love one another, just as I have loved you. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! John 7: 37 39. John 14: 15 16, 23 26. R/. Risen Lord, fill us with your Spirit