St Peter's Parish in Biggleswade

Today's Reflections in Bible Alive

2012-02-04T07:51:00.000Z

Today's reflection is one which hits home for me. It's mainly about prayer, but it's pointing out that Jesus felt the need to retire and pray, that he wanted his disciples to do the same and of course that we should try to do so when we can.

I liked reading that: it's a simple task for me to perform every day, pray . . .

Chris

Extract from today's Daily Reflections from Bible Alive

2012-01-29T16:05:00.000Z

I thought that today's Daily Reflection was apt, as often it is. On Jesus's power to drive out evil spirits (today's Gospel, Mark 1:21-28):

"Try this today: whatever circumstances or problems you face, whatever trials or trauma you are going through, praise God for his love and mercy. ‘The power of praise releases the power of God into a set of circumstances and enables God to change them if this is his design’ (Merlin Carothers).

‘Lord Jesus, you came with authority and power. Teach me to avail myself of your grace so I may praise your name and know your power.’"

Chris

Father Raphael

2012-01-29T16:02:00.000Z

Here's a typical photo of our visiting priest Father Raphael chatting outside St Peter's after Mass today.

Chris

Contact with webmaster

2012-01-18T18:27:00.002Z

Do note that you can send a direct comment to me by clicking on the "© threeshoes design" at the bottom of the page (scroll right to the bottom).

Chris

Daily relationship with God

2012-01-18T06:27:00.000Z

I read yesterday's (Tuesday's) Daily Reflection in Bible Alive and it makes clearer, to me at least, what I should be doing every day, throughout the day: maintain a relationship with God. I can't pretend that I am very good at making this happen during my day, but I do try. The thought is based on Bible Alive's reflection on Mark 2:23-28, Jesus's telling the Pharisees that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

It is particularly comforting if things are going wrong, to have a chat with God, perhaps in the person of Jesus. And it is gratifying to express your gratitude when things are going right, or if something wonderful happens. If only I could remember more often . . .

This is the paragraph that got me thinking:

"Perhaps today we can simply take up the thought that our own time – each hour of the day – is a way of being in relationship with God. We can view our day today as one which is lived in God’s presence. If we have work that we do, we can see it as sharing in God’s creative work. If we have a family to care for and nurture, we can view our day as fulfilling our vocation to parenthood – a vocation given by God. Let us ask God to bless our day and let us dedicate our day to him."

But the whole of yesterday's Daily Reflection is worth reading, in my view.

Chris

Ease of reading the website

2012-01-09T20:40:00.000Z

Someone has commented that the typeface on the website was too difficult to read. I've increased the size as a temporary measure, but I shall research other ways of improving the accessibility of the website.

Do let me know what you think.

Chris

p.s. I have changed the colour of the text (the links) in the sidebar of the Blog (this page), but I'll also look at a facility to increase the size of any text by the reader. The BBC's website has such a facility. I want to avoid making the text any larger as it would take up rather too much room.

Thanks for your comments.

Chris

The Wisdom of John Henry Newman

2012-01-08T07:15:00.000Z

This quote from John Henry Newman is in today's Reflections from Bible Alive; I found it quite inspiring.

‘God has created me to do him some definite service. He has committed some work for me which he has not committed to another. I shall do good. I shall do his work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place – while not intending it – if I do but keep his commandments and serve him in my calling. Therefore I will trust him.’

Chris

Improving the Website

2012-01-07T08:22:00.000Z

Do let me know if you want to put something on the website, or if you would like to see an addition to the information displayed (or, indeed, how it is displayed). The website is a resource for the Parish, for all of us, so use it if you wish.

God bless

Chris

Prayer for today — St Anselm

2012-01-07T07:58:00.000Z

O Lord my God,
Teach my heart this day where and
how to see you,
Where and how to find you.
You have made me and remade me,
And you have bestowed on me
All the good things I possess,
And still I do not know you.
I have not yet done that
For which I was made.
Teach me to seek you,
For I cannot seek you
Unless you teach me,
Or find you
Unless you show yourself to me.
Let me seek you in my desire,
Let me desire you in my seeking.
Let me find you by loving you,
Let me love you when I find you.

(St Anselm)

Help needed with Christmas Bazaar

2011-11-18T17:02:00.000Z

Here's a message from the Entertainments Committee:

I am sure that you have noticed the sheets of paper spread about the Church, asking for help with the Christmas Bazaar, but perhaps you feel that you wanted more details before volunteering to help.
Let me give you some dates and times, and then perhaps, you can allocate some of your time.

On the evening of Wednesday, 23rd November, at 7pm, people will be in the “Basilica” (the long hut beside the car park), to sort out donations.

On Thursday, l 1st December, after the 9.30am Mass, we will move the chairs and kneelers, and bring in the big tables, and that evening at about 7pm, we will be filling the tables.

On Friday 2nd December, Mass will be celebrated in the Sanctuary behind the folding doors. After Mass is finished, we will continue to sort, separate and prepare for the next day as well as decorating everything, while the Market Square lights are being switched on.

On Saturday, 3rd December, about 9am, we will tie the Bazaar notices to the railings nearby, prepare the potatoes and other food in the clubroom and wait for the fresh cakes to be brought in.

At 11am our local MP, Alistair Burt, will open the Bazaar, which is when we will need help behind the stalls.

At the end of it all, some unsold items will be put back in the “Basilica” prior to recycling. The floor has to be swept, the money counted, and all the furniture replaced ready for the 6.30pm Mass. We would be very grateful if you would talk to us about helping, even If it is something you have never done before!

Chris

New Roof, looking good!

2011-10-15T11:44:00.000+01:00

Here is my first photograph of the front of St Peter's with its new signs and roof. It looks great, in time to welcome Father Eamon to his new parish.

Chris

New lists of ministers.

2011-09-18T14:46:00.000+01:00

I've updated the lists of Eucharistic Ministers and Readers for this period. The ones there seemed to be quite out-of-date, but so I must have forgotten to insert the newest ones for a while.

Sorry.

Chris

Farewell Fr Tad

2011-08-06T07:16:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Fr Tad for again visiting us and giving us a different view of the world and of witness from a different perspective. Fr Tad left a couple of documents on the Parish noticeboard, documents relating his work in Russia. He sent them to me a few days ago to put on the website and this seemed to be the best place for them.

I hope that you enjoy reading them, but let me know if the format is difficult, or if the documents won't open on your computer.

God bless

Chris

Brief history of Russia – Fr Tad

Fr Tad's memories

Christian Aid

2011-05-05T10:04:00.016+01:00

Another way to help put an end poverty and injustice in the world is by supporting the efforts to raise funds for Christian Aid. For more info click here for fundraising ideas or the parish notice board.
Or listen to the following video:

And if you would like to get involved in the week of activities in Sandy or Biggleswade then please contact Alban on: 681537 or e-mail him on olly1bin@btinternet.com.

Finally I hope the following reflection may help us consider those experiencing severe poverty and injustice in our prayers especially during this week.

Today's reading

2011-04-11T06:32:00.000+01:00

Today's reading, John 8:1-11, is one of the most applicable to today's world, I think. Jesus gives us the stricture that only someone without sin should judge sinners. The woman caught in adultery is accused by many, but none will admit to being sinless and all leave her alone with Jesus:

"Has no one condemned you . . .? Then neither do I."

I think of "road rage" an example of judging others; I see someone else on the road who has done something inappropriate while driving and I judge them immediately; I have to work hard to remember that I too might have been guilty of such a manoeuvre not to long before, and calm down. Jesus does not condemn them and nor should I.

Chris

Jesus's promise

2011-03-21T06:58:00.000Z

Part of today's reading, Luke 6:36 – 38 is a wonderful passage. It's amazing to think of Jesus saying this all those years ago. To do with how the Father will treat you if you treat others well,

6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive.”

Chris

St Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T06:16:00.000Z

Today, Thursday, is St Patrick's day. He was kidnapped by pirates and taken to Ireland where he spent 6 years of hard labour. Later, when back in England, he heard a call to return to Ireland and he did so as a priest – to bring people to Christ.

In the Confession and Letter to Coroticus, his intimate relationship with his Lord and Saviour is revealed.
‘Keep me as the apple of your eye;
Hide me in the shadow of your
wings.
I sing as I arise today!
I call on my Creator’s might;
The will of God to be my guide,
The eye of God to be my sight,
The word of God to be my speech,
The hand of God to be my stay,
The shield of God to be my strength,
The path of God to be my way.’
(St Patrick)
Bible Alive® 17 March 2011.

Tsunami and nuclear worries

2011-03-12T12:38:00.000Z

I reckon that there are a load of people in Japan who need our prayers; just a thought . . .

Chris

Ash Wednesday

2011-03-09T06:21:00.000Z

Today is Ash Wednesday. We have until Easter Sunday, on 24 April, to do our spiritual "spring cleaning". May each of us be able to pray and improve during this wonderful period of repentance and renewal. May we all make contact with God and experience his mercy.

Chris

Updated pages

2011-02-12T13:57:00.000Z

Rather belatedly I have updated the pages for Readers and Eucharistic Ministers. I'm sorry to have taken so long about it, but do have a look and see if it works for you.

Chris

Feast of the Presentation of our Lord

2011-02-02T06:18:00.001Z

Today is the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, when Jesus was presented in the temple by his parents. Today we hear the "Nunc Dimittis" by Simeon (Mass is at 0930 at St Peter's).

This prayer is in the Bible Alive © Reflections for today; it's rather beautiful and I thought it worth repeating here:

That true light which enlightens every man coming into his world, has come. Brethren, let us all be enlightened, let us all be filled with light…let us all go together bright with that light to welcome with old Simeon that everlasting shining light. Rejoicing with him in our souls, let us sing a hymn of thanks to the begetter and Father of the light, who has sent the true light and driven away the darkness and made us all to shine with light.’
(St Sophronius)

Chris

2011-01-12T17:20:00.003Z

"Religious Freedom – the Path to Peace"

by Fr Rob Esdaile

Our society seems uncertain how to proceed when it comes to freedom of religion. Yes, of course, people must be free to believe what they wish to believe; yet organised religion is often viewed as the root of conflict, rather than as a means to find healing for our world. The major fault-lines in global politics are conveniently attributed to the influence of different faith-traditions, rather than (for instance) competition among the major industrial nations for oil and other commodities. Within our own country, whole faith-communities are sometimes regarded with suspicion, even monitored by the security services for possible subversive activities. And there is sometimes a suggestion that it would be much easier if those who have a religious faith kept it entirely private.
On Peace Sunday this year (16 January 2011) Pope Benedict has asked us to reflect on the theme of ‘Religious Freedom – The Path to Peace’. He, of course, isn’t suggesting that believers need quietly to ignore each other or to try not to get noticed by others. His line of thought is, rather, that the spiritual dimension is an essential part of our humanity, and that, unless we attend to this, listening to the inner voice of conscience and becoming people of prayer, we cannot hope to attain peace, either personally or as societies and nation-states. Indeed, without developing our religious life we cut ourselves off from the well-springs of peace and from the possibility of being freed from the destructive patterns of past behaviour.
The Catholic approach to the matter is as follows: we believe that all are children of God, bearing the divine image and likeness (see Gen 1.26-27), whether or not they have a religious faith; and if the love of God is our origin, that same love is also our destination. So history is not simply a matter of chance. It is also the story of Salvation, the place of encounter between creatures and their Creator. Here and now the Spirit of God is at work, speaking to the heart and inviting our response.
We believe that God speaks, not just in the Church but in the whole of Creation, and that Revelation has reached its climax in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Here the Word has truly taken flesh. Here God dwells among us, transforming history from within. But, precisely because we believe this, we must be committed to dialogue, seeking the presence of God in our nonChristian neighbours and in secular culture, too; seeking the signs of the action of the Spirit in our world; looking for allies in our search for God’s Kingdom and God’s Justice in our broken world.
Of course, Christians, and Catholics in particular, have not always been champions of freedom. We still live with the scars (and the hostilities) caused by the Crusades, by the Inquisition, by ‘Christian’ AntiSemitism. Yet one of the great fruits of the Second Vatican Council has been, for Catholics, the commitment to religious freedom and to dialogue with people of other faiths and none. Today the Pope calls on us humbly to use our religious freedom, firstly to deepen our own faith; secondly, gently to witness to that faith to others while also patiently listening to their insights; and thirdly, together with them, to pursue the peace that the world so craves but which our humanity can only achieve by attentiveness to the Spirit of God.

2011-01-07T17:21:00.000Z

Over this weekend and the next, we will be conducting a parish census. It is more than four years since the last census was taken and our parish records need to be updated. Accurate and complete information about who is living in the parish and pastoral area is vital to strengthening the Catholic community.
You will find a Census card on your seat together with a pen/pencil; would one representative of each household please complete the card and hand it to an usher as you leave the Church after Mass.
The Census is collecting basic information including name, address, telephone and email. Please be assured that the Census information will be used for Church-related activities only. This includes mailings in the parish and Together in Faith, a parish and diocesan fundraising campaign.

Chris

2010-12-25T07:12:00.000Z

Lord Jesus, today I glory in a truly marvellous exchange. You, the redeemer, came to complete your wonderful work. We through our sin had broken the bond that made us children of God. We had to be reconciled with our Father. This could not be done by one who came from the old wild and diseased trunk – a new branch, healthy and noble, had to be grafted in. I rejoice and praise you for your humility and love. May my heart give you glory and honour on this most holy of days.

©Bible Alive, 25 December 2010

2010-12-17T15:58:00.000Z

The times for the services at Christmas are in the latest News Bulletin.

Chris

2010-11-27T21:36:00.004Z

2010-10-20T23:15:00.008+01:00

James Day represented our parish, as one of the approximately 2500 young pilgrims attending the Pope’s recent visit to London - here’s his report of the day…

Several young people from different parishes in the Northampton Diocese met at Toddington Services on the M1 in the early hours of Saturday morning, before boarding the diocesean coach to London. The coach had started form Northampton Cathedral an hour or so earlier and had already picked up others at a couple of stops before this. Next stop was Edgware station and a train through to Victoria, where we walked around to Westminster Cathedral and joined up with the rest of the young pilgrims (one from each parish in country) in Westminster Cathedral’s piazza.

Although we were outside we could fully participate in the Mass and Holy Communion was brought out to us, shielded by umbrellas in the papal colours of yellow and white.

The highlight of the service was when the Holy Father came out on the steps of the Cathedral. He spoke directly to us and give us his blessing. I waved the papal flag that Canon Michael had kindly given along side hundreds of others and the colourful banners from various pilgrim groups.

The Mass finished around noon and we processed in our diocesan groups, each with different coloured t-shirts, to Hyde Park for lunch and an afternoon of entertainment and preparation for the Vigil that evening.

We had a super position at the evening vigil. We were in the Golden Circle immediately in front of the Sanctuary.

One of the most amazing things during the service was that with 80,000 people there were several minutes of absolute silence during the Benediction. The vigil ended at about 8:15, and the Pope was driven off for a good night’s sleep before the Beatification of John Henry Newman in Cofton Park the next day.

We made our way back to Edgware station to meet our coach only to find it had gone to Edgware Road! It arrived eventually and we got back to Toddington just before midnight. I got home tired but very happy having had a super day to remember for the rest of my life.

Press the play button to see photos from the day - be sure to lookout for the bottle green shirts of the Northampton diocese youth:

James Day

2010-10-03T02:13:00.008+01:00

Barbra Sunderland and I atteded the Diocesan Justice and Peace Conference this weekend.
About 100 people from within the diocese attended.
The day started with a short service from the Justice and Peace group of John Henry Newman justice and peace group in the St John the Apostle Church, LUTON.

We were then treated to an opening address from Bishop Peter who endorsed the work of Justice and Peace in the diocese and explained how this fits with his vision for a thriving catholic community, and the Pope's recent encyclical.
Discussions and presentations followed about how we are rewarded in our working lives and how we may choose to invest in ethically; how Catholic Social Teaching helps us towards Gods Kingdom and consideration of Security for the Common Good.

All in all a very interesting and thought provoking day.

We were asked to draft an action plan to take the work of Justice and Peace and the Catholic Social Teaching back into our parishes...

I will share the action plan at the next Parish Meeting - see details below - and will publish it on this page in the weeks following the meeting. But for now I thought I'd share an absolutely wonderful inspiring piece of Christmas music (O Magnum Mysterium) that was videoed at Westminster Cathedral....

Turn your speakers up, click on the play arrow and ENJOY.

LATIN
O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
jacentem in praesepio!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare
Dominum Christum.
Alleluia.

ENGLISH Translation
O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
Christ the Lord.
Alleluia!

Regards,

2010-10-01T16:51:00.000+01:00

The next meeting will be in the front room of the church on Wednesday 13 October. All are welcome, and if you want to influence the running of the Parish you should come and take part.

Chris

2010-09-21T23:43:00.016+01:00

Parish Pilgrimage to Cofton Park

To see the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman

Sunday 19th September 2010

Some 24 of our parishioners (13 Adults and 11 children) rose in the very early hours (1.30am in my case) on Sunday morning to be at St Peter's church in time to commence their pilgrimage to Cofton Park.

It was very dark when we arrived in the car park where we regrouped into a six car convoy to St Gregory's RC Middle School, Biddenham where we joined with other pilgrims from other Parishes around the Bedford area to get on to the coaches to take us to Birmingham's Cofton Park. There was even a small traffic jam, at 3:00am, at the school car park. Soon after, there were well over a hundred Roman Catholics milling about the entrance to the school, on Biddenham Turn, awaiting the arrival of the coaches. I can't imagine what the residents must have thought was going on as a line of 8 coaches arrived at that time in the morning - just as the rain started to fall.

We were allotted a coach together with 25 parishioners from the Sacred Heart Church Flitwick and by 3:35am we were on our way. Roughly two hours later we arrived at the Bus Park where hundreds of coaches lined to enter the coach park. It was a logistical marvel how they managed to pack so many coaches into this huge coach park - we could hardly walk in a single line between the buses.

We alighted from the coach in darkness just after 5:30 am and began our mile long walk to Cofton Park in an orderly, well mannered crowd. I remember thinking how good humoured we all were considering the time in the morning - especially Maggie who had, the previous evening, attended the Vigil in Hyde Park.

We entered the park just as the sun was rising above the tree-line and I was quite astounded by the very smooth and efficient way that the crowds of people were ushered into place. The park is a natural amphitheatre and we could see as we walked across the upper part of the park at about 6:30am that tens of thousands of people had already taken their place in the park before we had arrived. We chose a spot that offered a good view of the proceedings, with plenty of room to accommodate our group comfortably, and we'd see at close hand the procession of priests that would flow down the hill to the impressively designed Alter. But we knew the Pope would be barely visible to the naked eye from where we were. That said, huge screens had been erected that meant we would all have a good view of what was taking place.

We settled down and got comfortable and tucked into our packed "lunch" boxes for our breakfast. The crowds continued to flow by as the sound system checks were taking place and the various choirs were bursting into song.

I took an opportunity to do a recce on the rest of the park before the official proceedings commenced. I was amazed at how many people were packed in around the lower part of the hill and everyone I met was in good spirits. I noticed one area that had a better vantage point than where we sat and I asked them light heartedly "at what time of day did you have to get here to secure such a vantage point?" their reply was just after 3:00am...!!!

At 7:30 just as the rain began the choir began to chirp up in preparation for the Radio 4 Sunday Worship broadcast, "This day was made by the Lord" click here to listen to it.

Soon after this there was a wave of expectation through the crowd as the Helicopters began to arrive and the procession of the Priests from the Seminary began to stroll past us down the hill.

Then we spotted Pope Benedict's Helicopter and the crowd began to cheer. There's no doubt in my mind that he would have been able to hear those cheers from up above. We watched as he landed and was presented to the dignitaries including Princess Michael of Kent and the Duke of Norfolk. Pope Benedict traversed the lower end of the park and soon after the Beatification service began. See BBC coverage for details.

I've run out of time to say much more, however more comments will be added later. So for now I'll summarise by saying that notwithstanding the early rise, the long day, the cold & damp; wind and the driving rain we endured too, the whole day was a truly wonderful day; and everyone came back exhausted but very much uplifted from the experience. I think celebrating mass with so many other Christians, in full communion in the presence of the Pope, in the open seeing the fullness of God's beautiful creation just added another dimension to praising God and that feeling of joy will last with us always.

The following slide-show has a few photographs of the day to view (you can replay it as many times as you like):

Attending from ST Peter's Biggleswade:
Clare Neville; Loretta, Jack & Ben Faulkner; Paul, Matthew & Grace Flood;

Lin Graves; Adrian & Florence Hillman; Barry & Linda Huber; Alban Macdonald;

Apple Pagaran; Gillian Phillips; Nick Whitehead; Rosemary Williams; Maggie Pyrah;

Tessa Wallace; Chris, Maria, Alexander, Natasha & Jonathan Adams.

Kindest regards...

2010-08-22T21:56:00.000+01:00

This email has arrived from our CAFOD representative

Chris

~~~

Following my email of 6 August I have today sent another email to all Parish Priests.

Since that first email the situation in Pakistan has continued to get worse. In what has been described as a "slow motion tsunami" by the UN, the people of Pakistan are facing a disaster like few the world has ever seen. The devastating floods that now stretch for more than 600 miles have killed at least 1,600 people and left up to 20 million in need of emergency help. Your prayers are urgently needed.

People have lost homes, crops and livestock, and are now at risk from deadly water-borne diseases such as cholera. Because the need is so urgent and the scale of the crisis so great, if they have not done so already, we are asking parishes to consider holding a special collection on the weekend of 28/29 August for the CAFOD Pakistan Floods appeal.

Many parishes have already held collections, for which many thanks, and many of you have been influential in ensuring the funds have come to us swiftly. However, with funds coming in every day, I have decided to send this same email to all parishes. I hope you will excuse me! CAFOD has already committed £750,000 but our partners have indicated that they will need over £2.5M to meet the needs they have already identified!

To help your collection run more smoothly:
1. Order gift aid envelopes for your parish collection by calling 020 7095 5682 or email communityfundraising@cafod.org.uk
2. If time is short, download a gift aid declaration form at http://www.cafod.org.uk/worship
3. Print off this reply coupon, to send with your donation, at http://www.cafod.org.uk/worship
The links to these are both in the first section of the page where you will also find a link to a bidding prayer and a PowerPoint presentation.

Our partners have so far reached 23,000 people - but so many more need our help now and to recover in the long term. With your support, our partners can provide:

* Emergency kits including plastic sheeting, blankets, water purification tablets and soap
* Temporary latrines to improve sanitation and prevent disease from spreading
* Life-saving medicines and emergency health care

Colette Fearon, our head of Asia programmes says: "We are very concerned by reports of cholera, because we know it can spread quickly in cramped conditions. Our partners have experience of providing relief to people in disasters, so we are confident that we can get help to those that need it most and help them recover in the coming months and years."

We know that you will be planning second collections to support other causes in early autumn, as well as supporting us on Harvest Fast Day. But we hope that you will understand the people of Pakistan need our help urgently. Because it is vital for us to continue our long-term development work around the world, we are not asking you to divert your Harvest collection to Pakistan.

We greatly appreciate your continued support and ask you to keep those affected by this disaster in your prayers. Below is a bidding prayer for the people of Pakistan to use in your parish:

We pray for the people of Pakistan who have been bereaved or lost their homes and possessions in the recent floods: that they may know that they are not forgotten and may find hope of rebuilding their lives.
Lord, in your mercy....

Download this and an individual prayer for the people of Pakistan at http://www.cafod.org.uk/worship

Find out more about our response at http://www.cafod.org.uk

CAFOD is raising money for the DEC Pakistan Floods appeal - 13 aid agencies working together at times of disasters and emergencies.

If you have any questions, please visit the website, or call me on the number below.

Many thanks,

Frank Sudlow
CAFOD Diocesan Office
St Gregory's Catholic Primary School
Grange Road
NORTHAMPTON
NN3 2AX
Tel: 01604 785 254
website: www.cafod.org.uk
"The efforts of aid agencies is not sufficient, nor is government assistance. The world economic and financial systems must be so adapted as to see that developing countries receive social justice" - Charles Grant, Bishop of Northampton, speaking at Vatican II

2010-05-31T07:03:00.000+01:00

The Parish Calendar is a way to see all the fixtures and events in the Parish's year. I update it from the Bulletin or when someone tells me about an event, so please do let me know if something needs to be in there.

But if you have frequent updates, why not do it yourself? I can help you to share the calendar and give you permission to insert events etc ... It's reasonably simple to learn how and I should be happy to provide a bit of coaching. You would just use the programme that you use to access the Internet and there you.

Chris

2010-03-28T08:04:00.000+01:00

The Sanctuary looks wonderful with the palms.

Chris

2010-03-04T19:19:00.000Z

Here is a copy of the paper in the back of the Church, Walking Humbly with our God. Please read and comment to Canon Michael.

Chris

WALKING HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD

Over the past few weeks, as part of the “Walking Humbly with Our God” programme, a series of conversations has taken place in which parishioners were asked to think about the strengths and weaknesses of the parish.

Thank you to all those who gave their time and thought to this process.

The following is a summary of the common themes that emerged:

Strengths

Blessing of weekday Mass
Good liturgy
Good music: musicians & choir
Thriving Family Mass.
Lots of Altar Servers.
Good parish administration.
Good co-operation among
parish organisations/groups. .
Good social activities.

Weaknesses

Poor take-up of the Sacrament of Confession
No provision for parish teenage youth.
Weekend parish – many only attend Mass on Sunday and Holy Days.
No Catholic school in the parish.
Because we have managed without a priest in the past, there is the worry that we might be left without a resident parish priest.

Further feedback would be welcome. If you wish to add any further comments, please put them in writing and hand them to Canon Michael.

2010-02-17T06:35:00.000Z

Today is Ash Wednesday. If you wish to find a little Bible study for each day in Lent, why not go to the Daily Reflections page. Here there are links to the Bible Alive reflections (from Alive Publishing) which you could read, together with the reading from the Bible.

Chris

2010-01-23T20:03:00.000Z

The next Parish meeting will be next Wednesday, after the 7:30pm Mass. Here is the agenda; feel free to come and help run your parish.

Chris

PCC Agenda 27.01.10

2010-01-18T10:59:00.001Z

Thanks to Phil Campion and the Baptist congregation for starting this week of prayer at the Biggleswade Baptist Church. Tomorrow we will be at the Methodist Church.

God bless

Chris

2010-01-05T08:08:00.000Z

A happy and holy New Year to everyone in the Parish.

I plan to talk to all the people who have a mention in the website and make sure that I have the information right.

Sounds like a New Year resolution ...

Chris

2009-11-19T13:10:00.000Z

There's a new person responsible for ensuring that all the Parish's fixtures, fittings and activities comply with Health and Safety rules: me.

I'll be checking around the fabric of the buildings and generally looking at activities with a critical eye, but please help me out by keeping your own eyes open for potential risks to anyone using the buildings or facilities of the Parish.

You can contact me using the link at the bottom of each page of this website.

Chris

2009-11-10T07:17:00.000Z

The next meeting is tomorrow, Wednesday 11 November; do come and make your contribution to running the Parish. The Minutes of the last meeting are on the Parish Meetings page.

Chris

2009-10-04T12:52:00.000+01:00

The dates are set for next year's First Holy Communion and the classes are being organised. Please see the First Communion page for more details, but the deadline for making your applications fast approaches ...

Chris

2009-07-26T12:24:00.000+01:00

Thanks very much to Father Tadeusz for his ministry while Canon Michael has been away. Here's a photograph to remember him by (sorry about the quality, it's a mobile phone photo; I'll use a proper camera next time).

Chris

2009-05-09T14:52:00.000+01:00

Well Julia and I really enjoyed the Murder and Mystery play last night. The food was just right (and it came at the right pace ...) and the play was great fun. Well done the Social Club for organising the evening, and to the Biggleswade Amateur Theatrical Society (www.bats.net.uk)

Here are some photos I took last night ...

Chris

2009-04-24T06:36:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Babs Gurney for the minutes of the last Parish meeting (on 18 February). You can find them on the Parish Meetings page.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday 13 May 2009 at 8pm, after the 7.30pm Mass.

Chris

2009-04-14T06:25:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Canon Michael and all his organisers for a wonderful Easter Triduum. The servers did a wonderful job, I enjoyed listening to the readers and the decorations were just right. The joy of the resurrection at the Easter Vigil was almost palpable, and I gather that the Sunday 1000 Mass was completely packed. Wonderful!

Happy Easter, everyone.

Chris

2009-03-03T06:06:00.000Z

A great time was had by all and £250 was raised for charity. Well done to the Social Club and to all who attended.

Chris

(Photos courtesy of Alban Macdonald)

2009-02-28T19:05:00.000Z

There’s a FAB day (Fairtrade Association Biggleswade) next Saturday, 7 March at the Baptist Church in Biggleswade. It’s a day to raise awareness of the things that you buy every day for yourself or your family. There are loads of interesting events (see the poster below) so it should be a great day to enjoy as well as supporting Fairtrade around the world.

The organisation’s website is http://www.fabweb.org.uk/

2009-02-12T17:29:00.000Z

The next meeting of the Parish is at 8pm (after 7.30pm Mass) on Wednesday 18 February in the Club Room; why not come along and help to run the Parish for Canon Michael and the whole community?

The Minutes, kindly typed up by Babs Gurney, are available on the Parish Meetings page.

Chris

2009-02-02T05:56:00.000Z

Luke 2:22-40

“The Jewish people in Jesus’s day (and indeed in ours) awaited the consolation of Israel, the comfort that the Messiah would bring on his appearing (Isa 40:1 - 2). Simeon and Anna recognised immediately – clearly the work of the Holy Spirit – that Jesus was the Messiah, the ‘consolation of Israel’. Jesus is not just the consolation of Israel: he is the consolation of the whole world.”

Bible Alive

2009-01-05T06:54:00.000Z

Happy New Year to all readers of the Parish Blog. I promise to write entries more often this year, but I hope all parishioners will use the website more. Do let me know if there is anything that you think should be on the website. You can email me by clickiing on the Chris Barker link at the bottom of each page on the website.

God Bless

Chris

2008-11-01T16:28:00.000Z

Remember that there’s a meeting of the Social Committee on Wednesday this coming week. Meet in the Club Room at 7.30pm to discuss the Bazaar.

Chris

2008-10-26T13:01:00.000Z

Kodzo Selormey, a volunteer with the Society, was at Church today talking about the Society and its work. He emphasised that the work continued, notwithstanding its move away from the Catholic Church because of new laws governing adoption agencies. He thanked the Parish for its support over the years and asked us to continue that support: by considering adoption, providing financial donation and by praying for the Society and the children that it helps.

Chris

2008-09-21T17:04:00.000+01:00

The Small Faith Communities initiative of the Diocese of Westminster has created a study booklet for the Autumn period which assesses St Paul’s life, his works, his travels and his teaching. The booklet covers 6 weeks of study, from 19 October 2008, for both individuals and groups. Each week has a separate theme, namely: Paul the person; Paul and suffering; Paul and mystery/faith; Paul and Church; Paul and righteousness; and Paul and evangelisation.

Alban Macdonald is involved in an ecumenical bible study group in Sandy that will be using these booklets this Autumn and has arranged to get some additional booklets for others in the Parish who may be interested in studying St Paul too. For more information : see the page called Building Faith or contact Alban Macdonald on 681537.

Chris

2008-09-21T17:03:00.000+01:00

The next Parish Meeting will take place on Wednesday 26 November; as usual it will be at 8.00pm, after evening Mass.

Chris

2008-09-15T21:18:00.000+01:00

The next Parish meeting will take place on Wednesday, 2 days’ time. Here are the minutes of the last meeting. Do consider attending to meet our new Parish Priest and to help him find out more about his new parishioners.

Chris

PCC Minutes - 25.06.08

2008-09-15T21:17:00.000+01:00

We welcome Canon Michael to St Peter’s Biggleswade. I have updated the front page to show him (and his smile!).

Chris

2008-08-22T17:00:00.000+01:00

Since we must say farewell to Father Joe, an informal function has been organised for next Friday evening at 7.30pm. Fr Joe has worked very hard for us in rather trying conditions as first the “administrator” and latterly our Parish Priest. Let’s see him off with warmth and good wishes for his continued work in the Lord.

Chris

2008-08-21T15:11:00.000+01:00

The next Parish Meeting will take place on Wednesday 17 September at 8.00pm, after the evening Mass. If you wish to take part in the decision-making in the Parish do make sure that you are there ...

I’ll attach the minutes of the last meeting when I receive them.

Chris