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’splease 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.
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 youdo not feel
at
ease in a group situation, you can also ring a free phonehelp 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.
