St Bernadette's

Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed! Alleluia.

The Holy Season of Easter continues towards its fulfilment at Pentecost. Pentecost (the original Jewish feast was 50 days since Passover) is more than the Sunday it falls on, it describes something of our life now...we are all gifted in Baptism to be the presence of
Christ in our world. Today’s feast day marks the Ascension, when The Lord was removed to heaven and his followers waited...waited for the Advocate that He had promised. And so as followers of Jesus we wait...wait for our Pentecost gifts from the Holy Spirit to mature.

The Sacrament of Ordination to the Diaconate and the Priesthood. 
A couple of months ago I wrote in the bulletin of three people who were coming into full communion with the Catholic Church via the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. One of these people was Masaki Narusawa, who originates from Japan, and until
recently was a priest in the Church of England. Last week Masaki received permission from His Holiness the Pope which enables him to be admitted to Holy Orders in the Catholic Church. Masaki is a married man with a grown up family. The leader of the Ordinariate, Mgr Keith Newton (himself a former Anglican Bishop, now a Priest in the Catholic Church), alongside our own Bishop Michael Campbell OSA, have asked that Masaki be ordained to the Diaconate in London (on Pentecost
Sunday) then to the Priesthood here at St Bernadette’s on Sunday June 10th at 3pm. So we hold Masaki and his family in our prayers at this time and ask the Lord to bless them with peace and fulfilment. More details of Masaki and his journey of faith next week.

The Sacrament of Confirmation. I have arranged that Bishop Michael should be with us in the parish on the evening of Monday 19th November for a Mass at 7pm. During this Mass Bishop Michael will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. This means that shortly we will begin a programme of preparation for this Sacrament for all those who wish to enrole for preparation. More details in the coming weeks.

Mass of Inauguration. The new Head Teacher of our Primary school, Mrs Michelle Holden, will mark her new responsibility within our community with a celebration of Mass on Wednesday May 23rd at 7pm. Lets have a good turn out and pray for God’s blessing on our great school.

Other notices.Marriage...the Sacrament of life Commitment: please keep in your prayers the following couples from our parish who are to be married in the coming weeks: Judith Hargreaves and Michael Duffy (May 10 in Portugal), Jennifer Ismay and Christopher Hilton (June 2), Mark Whittler and Debra Forsyth (June 4). May God bless their love and commitment to each other. May He turn it into the love which benefits the whole church and community. Also congratulations to Len and Kath Simpson on their 40th Wedding Anniversary.

Blackpool Deanery Clergy Conference. May 15th here at St Bernadette’s. I would appreciate help producing a starter, and deserts for this conference, and some help serving it/clearing it up in the parish hall. Please speak to Fr Steve or Eileen if you can help.

Pilgrimage to Rome March 2013. About 10 people came to Wednesday’s meeting. If anyone hasn’t yet declared an interest but wants to come please write down your details and give them to one of the priests.