Focus On

Taken from the weekly newsletter

Wednesday’s Talks and Discussion
The Bible and Our Faith.  These talks are designed to help deepen our knowledge of Sacred Scripture and Our Faith. Each talk outlines the history of the specific topic, reflects on how it brings us ever closer to the God (our theological understanding), and stresses its importance on a practical level in our daily lives. A small booklet is available for each talk.
Each talk allows participants to reflect in small groups on particular questions, where they can listen to and learn from others and share their own views if they desire (with tea and biscuits to help!). An open forum follows where everyone has an opportunity to listen, share and ask questions.
The programme runs from September to Easter, in term time only, from 7-8.30 in the Library. A copy of the programme is put on the notice board and Parish website, The next set of talks will examine Prayer and Spirituality, with reference to specific biblical books and the different Spiritualities existing in the Church. Tony Janew.

 

Altar Servers
You will all have seen our dedicated team serving at the altar at Christ the King and St. Augustine’s. They are fulfilling a very important and ancient function within the church. A role which dates back to the early days of the church, when priests were accompanied by an acolyte on their travels. Historically, a ministry which was performed solely by men and young boys, and often seen as the first step to a vocation in the priesthood, it is now open to all, and we have many faithful young boys and girls, as well as one or two more mature servers, turning out regularly to assist at mass. Many have been serving for a year or more and have been admitted to the Guild of Saint Stephen, and received their medal, in recognition of their devotion. Anyone who has made their First Holy Communion can become an Altar Server, and if you are interested you should speak to one of the priests or deacons, or Michael, or Mrs McManus. At Christ the King training of new servers usually takes place in the Autumn. For Saint Augustine’s  please ask one of the Priests. All servers at Christ the King, and the priests and parishioners, owe a debt of gratitude to Tony Jackson who trained and set the standards for serving at Christ the King for many years, and I know is still remembered fondly by many of you. We aim to maintain the standards he set.
Michael Baldwin.

Saturday 6pm choir

Just over 6 years ago I asked Fr Clarke if a few of us could start a music group to lead singing at the 6 O’clock Saturday evening Mass, once a month. Primarily the intention was to encourage the young people our Parish to join. He was very much in favour of this and as the organist decided to retire, we began to sing and play every week. Unfortunately we were only joined by a couple of teenagers, most of use are more ‘mature’ in years – in age anyway.

We use both traditional hymns as well as the more modern ‘folk’ hymns. We prepare for each Mass by looking at the readings and choosing hymns which we feel are more appropriate.

People have various commitments, but we usually have up to 6 to instruments and 5 or 6 vocalists. We are eager to welcome any new members, no matter what age, whether they can play an instrument or would like to sing. We are not professional but we try to lead the congregation in giving praise or glory to God and hopefully sometimes inspire someone, bringing them closer to God.

We practice once every two weeks on a Monday evening at 7.15 in the choir loft. If you would like to join us just pop up and see us in the loft after Mass. Dorothy Field.

 

Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary

Pictured above  sister Ruth, Rita and Anne.

 

Sisters Anne, Rita and Ruth belong to the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary founded in 1924 by Bishop Joseph Shanahan for evangelising the women of Southern Nigeria. Between them they have done over 100 years of missionary work in Africa . Anne, after many years as a teacher in Kenya and Zambia, worked with women and AIDS orphans in the Zambia Copperbelt. Rita was engaged in preventative medicine, health education and the training of nurses in Zambia and Mozambique. In Nigeria Ruth produced Christian radio and TV programmes and videos and taught media and communication skills to church personnel

In 2003 they joined us in Christ the King, on mission to the people of Coventry. Rita is Parish Sister with special interest in Pastoral Care. Anne ministers as a chaplain’s assistant at the hospital, visits in the parish and preaches Mission appeals. Ruth concentrates on work with other Christians and faiths and is on the parish Justice and Peace group with special interest in asylum seekers.

www.holyrosarymissionarysisters.org

 


Justice and Peace Group
The aim of the Group is to raise awareness of  justice and peace issues and to take action when and where appropriate.  Formed three years ago, we started the Fair Trade shop in CTK and  Saint Augustine’s and the parish has now obtained  Fair Trade status. We support CAFOD campaigns, for example the Climate Change cards  sent to the Prime Minister and the Live Simply Campaign. The parish has sent donations for food to the Peace House in Coventry which supports destitute asylum seekers and has collected  items to send to the Coventry Churches Refugee Centre. At Christmas time we encourage parishioners to send cards  to Prisoners of Conscience and messages to Christians in Bethlehem. The parish supported Pax Christi when it displayed  the Peace Icon in Church. Parishioners raised money to send to a local organisation, CORD, which provided six toilets for homes in Burundi. Coventry is intending to become a City of Sanctuary and we hope that the parish will participate.  Christ the King and St.Augustine’s schools have joined in many of these projects and two of their pupils work in the Fair Trade shop. We meet once a month in the Library. New members are welcome to join us. For more information contact Freda Lambert on  01676 522908.

Italian Classes
The aim is to learn enough to make a holiday in Italy a bit more enjoyable. Some of the students have already recounted their adventures! We cover topics such as ordering in a restaurant, booking accommodation, asking for directions to places, shopping etc. We have three groups of students who attend classes every fortnight. There is an Advanced class on Thursday evenings, a Post Intermediate class on Wednesday afternoons and an intermediate class early evening on  Wednesday. Details from Judy 76403872.

Epilepsy Action
The Coventry Branch of the Epilepsy Action meet on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm in the Friends Meeting House, Hill Street, Coventry and admission is free. If you have epilepsy, or are affected by it and would like to join use you are very welcome. From time to time we have speakers.  If there is anyone or anything particular our members are interested in bit generally our members prefer to sit and chat to each other. Talking to some one who understand how you feel can be a great help. If you  do not feel at ease in a group situation, you can also ring a free phone  help line 0808 800 5050 between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday or you can visit Epilepsy Action website at http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/

Mercia Friendship Club.
For the over 50's will celebrate its tenth year anniversary this autumn and many of its members have been in it from the very beginning. We meet every Friday ,in the school term, from 1 to 3pm in the Community Centre and entrance costs 50p per person. This covers a cup of tea and biscuits, companionships and a variety of entertainment. It is purely a social club, but we do start with prayers for the sick and sorrowful of the parish. If we know a member is sick we visit with a card and a gift. Also if a member is missing for an extended period a phone call is made to keep in touch. Entertainment consist of Bingo, Line Dancing, Keep Fit, Quiz’s, Beetle Drive, Speakers, Musical groups and an end of term party. A holiday and occasional outing are also arranged. A weekly raffle enables us to subsidise a meal for all the members around Christmas and send donations to Myton Hospice, Macmillan Nurses and Mary’s Meals. Why not join us? There is always room for more.


Pastoral Care
We are a group of volunteers who visit people who are sick or housebound or live in Care Homes. We visit on request and in a spirit of trust and confidentiality. It is usually a short, friendly and regular visit. All Pastoral Care Volunteers have been C.R.B checked and carry and identity card. Parishioners who are no longer able to join the community for Sunday Mass welcome a visit and so feel connected to our Parish. As volunteers we value our ministry and find it very rewarding. If you know anyone who would like a visit please let us know and we would be delighted to arrange a visit as we till have volunteers available. Please ring the Presbytery 76591618 or leave a note through the letter box.

The Toddler Group
Christ the King Toddler Group began two years ago when it was suggested there should be something in the parish for parents and their young children. There was such a large amount of interest that groups were set up on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and they have been fully subscribed ever since.
The group is for children aged from birth to 4 to have fun and mix with other children. It’s also an opportunity for parents, grandparents and childminders to socialise with other parents and carers.
The children do lots of activities including playing with toys, jigsaws, drawing, colouring, play dough, card making, gluing and sticking, outdoor play and song time. Tea and coffee is provided for adults and the children have juice and biscuits at snack time.
A small donation each week covers the cost of refreshments and resources and any extra money is donated to a charity agreed by the group. Last year we donated to Cafod and twinned a toilet!
For more information contact Alison 07503 193449 (10am Tuesday’s) or Michelle 07941 171012  (9am Wednesday’s) or look on website for an information leaflet.
**Update** Feb 2011  New on  Mondays (10am) contact Bev 07855521102. For Tuesdays (10am) Alison on 07503193449 and for Wednesdays (9am) Michelle on 07941171012.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society has an excellent website telling us all about the incredible work they do www.svp.org.uk.
The SVP tries to assist all those in need on a person to person basis.  The Society respects religious liberty and values all people. The SVP is non-discriminatory, helping those in need regardless of their faith, colour, race, status or sexual orientation. It is non-judgemental and does not make value judgements about those asking for assistance. In short, the Society will aim to help anyone in need if it is within the local membership’s capability. An essential precept of the Society's work is to provide help while conscientiously maintaining the confidentiality and dignity of those who are served. Locally we are proud of our own SVP Group, and all the proceeds from the paper stall support them.  Jim Curtiss, in the stall, can give you more information and he tells us that we’re looking for more volunteers.  Special thanks are due to the pupils at Cardinal Newman School for the Easter eggs they donated this year.  People very appreciated your kindness.
Come on then, if you have just a little time, speak to Jim!

Legion of Mary
Did you ever think about helping with the Legion of Mary?  We meet in the library every Monday at 7pm.  You are most welcome to join us. 
The Legion of Mary was founded in Dublin, Ireland on 7 September 1921. It is a lay catholic organisation whose members are giving service to the Church on a voluntary basis in almost every country. The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work.
The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting, where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussion. Persons who wish to join the Legion must apply for membership in a Praesidium. So come along this Monday and find our more
.