Spring 2012 - Grasshopper Hosting

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The Commissioning Mass was, once again, a time of rejoicing, thanksgiving and hope as we saw nearly one hundred members of our Diocesan Community commit themselves to bringing Christ to others. The Parishioners of St Barnabas’ Church once again helped us with the organization on the day. They with Fr Geoffrey Hunton, Parish Priest and Dean, made us feel most welcome. Thank you. Gradually, over the years, the Training Team has become ever more self-sufficient. We have now got our own laptop, projector and speaker system. In addition to the Sacred vessels etc., which we have had for some time, this year we went even further and bought our own Monstrance and a beautiful new Altar cloth. We realized that becoming less dependent on any Parish for these articles would be sensible so Fr John Daly came to our rescue, very handsomely! Believing that we cannot give what we do not ourselves possess, the training Team and the Executive members get together for a Day’s retreat, sometime before the Commissioning Mass, each year. This year we went to the Rosmini Centre where we had two inspiring talks given by Bro. Michael Burleigh, Novice Master at Mount St Bernard’s. The afternoon continued with Adoration and Evening Prayer and Mass celebrated by Fr Michael Eastwood. May I remind all Ministers that we have a Web site on which County Reports and other information can be readily accessed. Just open the Diocesan website and follow the links. The Chairman and Executive members of the Commission thank you all for your generous service and for your willingness to help those, who in their homes, need Christ’s presence and yours. Celia Bermingham (Secretary to the Commission) 2 County Reports Derbyshire There were again two Renewal Days in Derbyshire in 2011: on March 26th at St Mary’s Derby and May 14 th at St Anne’s Buxton. Thank you to so many of our Extraordinary Ministers for filling in the Questionnaires on the days; we hope to implement as many of these as possible at the Renewal Days in 2012. Watch this space. Bryn Kelly brought everyone up to date with the finances. His very valuable financial acumen is much appreciated. Both days were expertly led by Father Philip Scanlon with the theme “The Mass...what is it” He led us from Biblical beginnings to the crossing of the Red Sea showing how, in one act of salvation, God led His people through water, from slavery to the Freedom of the Promised Land. He drew our attention to the exact parallel with the Christian plan of salvation, whereby Jesus led His people through the waters of Baptism, from slavery and sin to the Promised Land of Paradise. In his second talk, he included our role at Mass, and visits to the sick. Extraordinary Ministers were able to air any concerns they had about taking Holy Communion into people’s homes or to hospitals. Fr Philip quickly put our minds at rest and everyone went home with a new attitude and a spring in the step. One person said all her worries disappeared at a stroke!!! Fr Michael could only attend our Renewal Days in the mornings but while at the Derby Day he gave a very fitting tribute to Anna Zimand and Bill Grattidge for their hard work at Renewal Days over many years. Derbyshire Extraordinary Ministers asked Fr Michael to say a Mass for them both, because we can never
epay them enough for all they have done not only for Derbyshire Extraordinary Ministers but also for the Secretariat. At Derby and Buxton Fr. Philip led us through beautiful meditations and intercessions at Holy Hour. The day concluded with Mass. We must thank all those people who gave their help and support at Derby and Buxton in so many ways. It was a pleasure to see so many of you at the Derbyshire Days and we look forward to seeing even more Ministers in 2012 when the Renewal Days are: March 10 th at St Mary’s Derby, and May 19 th at St Anne’s Buxton. Julie Corden Lincolnshire Lincolnshire continued this year with three Renewal Days, in the hope that Extraordinary Ministers in this large rural county would not have too far to travel. We were welcomed for a second year running in the parishes of Our Lady of Lincoln (Lincoln) Our Lady of Good Counsel (Sleaford) and St Bernadette’s (Scunthorpe). We are all indebted to the Parish Priests, Parish Contacts and parishioners of our three host parishes. The hard work of the contacts and the welcome we all received ensured that our Renewal Days were a really great get together and spiritual boost for us all. Our Renewal Days were enhanced by a very thought provoking talk by Deacon John Wilford. The title of his talk was “Thomas Watson the last Catholic Bishop of Lincoln”. He particularly linked Watson’s love and devotion to the Real Presence, with our work as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. After a lively business meeting, and a slightly more thorough registration process to facilitate an update of our records, we enjoyed a break for lunch prior to a quiet and reflective Holy Hour which Fr. Michael Eastwood and Deacon John Wilford led. We are especially grateful to Fr. Michael for being with us on each of our Renewal Days, and for Deacon John who on all three occasions spent the whole of the day with us. On Saturday October 8 th eighteen parish contacts met together for a meeting at Our Lady of Lincoln. There was much discussion of the challenges of the New Translation and Fr. Eastwood who was our celebrant at morning Mass, stayed to lead a question and answer session before travelling across the diocese to Crich to attend the Youth Formation weekend. That we were able to begin our day with Mass, and have the opportunity to sit and talk to Fr. Michael about anything that we had queries or concerns about made the meeting especially fruitful. Thank you Fr. Michael. We look forward to 2012 and the one Renewal Day to be held on May 12 th in the parish of St Peter & St Paul in Lincoln. Bishop Malcolm who will be the main celebrant at Mass, will be joining us for the whole day. We look forward to a day with a varied format and the opportunity to offer (via workshops) a choice of topics for the Extraordinary Ministers attending. It was really great to get ideas and suggestions from the parish contacts at the meeting. We would love to hear from those not able to attend the meeting, as we are keen to make Renewal Days really focussed towards everyone’s needs. Ethne Dawson Leicestershire and Loughborough Deaneries Both the 2011 Renewal Days were held at St Peter’s in Hinckley. The attendance around 300 was down from previous years. Those who attended commented on the superb facilities in the Parish Centre which had been dedicated in September 2010. The parish and Fr. Daly extended a warm welcome to all who attended. Many positive comments were expressed about the Spirituality, the content of the day and the good humoured way in which Fr Daly delivered his serious message. Fr. Daly concentrated on the practical aspects of our Ministry and the issues which could arise. He felt that the primary duty was to serve others and the Lord in a discrete and conscious manner .This involved mainly taking communion to the sick in hospital, to the elderly in residential care homes and those who are housebound. He said that people who had been active in the parish should even when ill feel that they are still an integral part of the parish. Fr 3
Page 1: Diocese of Nottingham Extraordinary
Page 5 and 6: Finally we would like to thank Fath
Page 7 and 8: If you have not heard from the EM C

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