Newsletter 16th January 2010
Jan 15th, 2010 | By pat | Category: NewsletterDear Friends,
Thank you to those Parishioners who emailed etc to say, “Are we going to do something for Haiti?”. Spurred on by them I say let’s have a collection this weekend and next after Masses which we can then pass on to Cafod for the Haiti fund. CAFOD, has immediately pledged £100,000 to Caritas partners to assist with the relief effort following Tuesday’s earthquake on the Caribbean Island of Haiti.
As rescue efforts search for survivors among the rubble following the earthquake, CAFOD’s partners will be carrying out needs assessments. At present there are no accurate figures of the number of dead and those made homeless by the quake, but it is clear that with a population of around 9 million people with 3 million living in the devastated capital Port Au Prince, very substantial humanitarian assistance will be required. The money pledged will help supply water, food, medicines and shelter to the most vulnerable in the worst affected areas.
Speaking at his weekly general audience, Pope Benedict XVI also appealed to the international community and individuals to be quick and generous in their aid. “The Catholic Church will immediately activate (its aid) through its charity institutions in order to respond to the most urgent needs of the population,” he said.
We are so blessed in so many ways when you look at what the people of that poor country have had to contend with over the years. Let’s be generous in our giving.
Someone else sent me the following which you may not have seen before.
If you could fit the entire population into a village of 100 people, maintaining the proportions of people living on the earth, that village would consist of 57 Asians, 21 Europeans, 14 Americans, 8 African. There would be 52 women and 48 men. 30 Caucasians and 70 non-Caucasians,
30 Christians and 70 non-Christians, 89 Heterosexuals and 11 Homosexuals.
6 people would possess 59% of the wealth and they would all come from the USA.
80 people would live in poverty. 70 would be illiterate. 50 would suffer from hunger and malnutrition. One would be dying. One would be born. One would own a computer. One, (yes, only 1) would have a university degree.
If we looked at the world in this way, the need for acceptance and understanding would be obvious.
But look at it this way
If you woke up this morning in good health,
you have more luck than 1 million people who won’t live through the week.
If you have never experienced the horror of war, the solitude of prison, the pain of torture, were not close to death from starvation, then you are better off then 500 million people.
If you can come here to Holy Apostles without fear that someone will assault you or kill for doing it, then you are luckier than 3 Billion people.
If you have a full fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep,
you are wealthier than 75% of the world’s population.
If you currently have money in the bank, in your wallet, and a few coins in your purse,
you are one of the 8 priveledged few amongst the 100 people in the world.
So let’s give up feeling sorry for ourselves (when we do) and whining (when we get into that mode),
and appreciate what we have and be generous with it.
Yours devotedly Canon Pat Browne, Parish Priest
Last Sunday’s Collection came to £1043.24
The week before it was £964.50.
Thank you to everybody who gave who gave so generously to the Christmas Collection. The December Standing Orders came to £3738.05
PPC Meeting (Parish Pastoral Council )
on Tuesday at 7.15pm in the White Room
Do you have a child for Baptism in the next few months? If so, there is a meeting for parents in
the Priests’ House at 7.00pm on Wed 27th January
Art Classes Monday mornings from 18th January in the hall. Contact Alice 07714200505
New Readers and Eucharistic Ministers
We are looking for new Readers and new Eucharistic Ministers for the Sunday Masses. If you would like to volunteer for either of these ministries please contact Fr Pat on Pimlico@rcdow.org.uk or 020 7834 6965. Training will be given.
Readers Training Day
There will be a training day for all Readers old and new on Saturday 13th February in the Parish Hall from 10 till 1.00pm. I would be very grateful if every Reader would respond to this invitation by coming along that morning, and letting me know within the next two weeks whether or not they are able to. Existing Readers need to confirm that they are prepared to continue in this Ministry of Reader. So please do not ignore this invitation – get back to me one way or another.
Eucharistic Ministers Training Day
There will be a training day for all Eucharistic Ministers old and new on Saturday 6th March from 10am – 1.00pm here in the Parish Hall – led by Fr John Hemer MHM – Professor of Scripture
Please pray for William (Bill) O’Connell age 80 of Henry Wise House Lillington Gardens whose body will be received into Church at 4.30pm on Monday 18th Jan and whose Requiem Mass will be on Tuesday 19th at 10.00am. John (Sean) Murphy age 65 late of Peabody Ave whose Requiem Mass will be on Thurs 21st January at 10.00am and Joan Bartholomew of Greenwood, Cambridge St (Funeral Details Later) May They Rest in Peace
Jive and Rock N Roll Dance
Strictly Come Dinner Dance is up again this year on the 23rd of January from 7.30 to 11.00pm in the Parish Hall. Join us for a great evening where Jive and Rock N Roll Dance will be demonstrated and coaching will be given by professional instructors. Dinner from 8.00 and dance floor up to the end for the most courageous, this is a great way to start the year in style together. Price is £15 per person, including food one raffle ticket and a glass of wine. All proceed will go to the Project “a farm for Turkana in Kenya” Donations for the raffle will be appreciated.
Day for Dads (there will be one for mums later). This will be at Allen Hall Seminary 28 Beaufort Street SW3 (just leading onto Battersea Bridge) from 9.45am till 4.00pm on Sunday 28th February. More details from Fr Pat.
Thursday 21st January @ 7pm: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010. ’Abide in Me’ will be a Prayer Vigil bringing together. The Prayer Vigil will include readings from Scripture, music, dance, prayers and a short and inspirational talk followed by a meal of soup and bread with creative arts provide by The Bard School. For more information contact: peterrkingsley@googlemail.com
Turkana Committee Meeting after the 10.30am Mass today (Sunday)- anyone interested in our twin parish in Kenya is warmly welcome. Rita (evenings) on 0207 9766311
Do you want to write an article for the parish web site?
We are looking for parishioners to write about themselves and their experience as a Catholic.
Do you want to tell us about your family, where you come from and what it means for you to be a Catholic at Holy Apostles? Are you in a ministry of the parish and you want to tell us about what it means tio you to do this? Or, perhaps, do you want to tell us about what it means for you to be a Catholic parent, a doctor, a banker or a policeman? Then why don’t you write an article on “What it means for me…” and get it published on www.holyapostlespimlico.org. For more info contact Manlio on manlio_trovato@talk21.com or 07887 676034.
