Current Events
ATTENTION!
IF THE CAR PARK IS FULL WHEN YOU ARRIVE FOR MASS, PLEASE PARK ELSEWHERE. USE ONLY THE DESIGNATED SPACES AND DO NOT BLOCK OTHER CARS IN!! THE PARISH OFFICE IS DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT PARKING CONTINUALLY. IF BLOCKING IN CONTINUES TO OCCUR, WE WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO KEEP THE CAR PARK CLOSED AT ALL TIMES. PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT USE HALLMARK HULME’S CAR PARK OR YOU WILL RECEIVE A FINE.
SILENCE IN CHURCH
Please may I remind everyone to be mindful of other people who are praying in Church before and after Mass. Make sure that your mobiles and any devices are switched off and, also not to speak during Mass itself. Why don’t you come along to the Parish Hall after Mass on Sundays to speak to other parishioners while having a cup of tea?
POLITE NOTICE
Please do not use the donation station in St George’s church to pay for items from the repository shop. It is set up for offertory donations ONLY and it is not possible, for accounting purposes, to identify from the report produced payments which may have been made for goods. Thank you.
BAPTISM COURSES IN 2025:
From January, if you are planning to have your child baptised here at St George’s or Our Lady Queen Peace, you will need to attend a baptism course beforehand. Next year our courses will be held on the following Saturdays: 8th February, 10th May, 13th September and 15th November. The courses take approximately two hours. Godparents and grandparents are welcome to come along. Please contact the parish office by email; stgeorge.worcester@rcaob.org.uk to let them know if you would like to attend. Baptisms take place on Sundays 1.00 pm at St George’s and 11.30 am at Our Lady Queen of Peace and application forms are available from the parish office.
URGENT!!! - OPPOSE ASSISTED SUICIDE
Archbishop Bernard has asked that we write to our MPs to oppose the bill which seeks to legalise
assisted suicide. He has stressed the importance that a personal letter can have on the
understanding and attitude of our members of parliament, particularly if people feel able to refer to
their own experience. It can be an effective way of influencing our representatives’ decision making on this vital issue.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales website has resources available to assist
you and lays out in detail the Catholic position on this subject Oppose Assisted Suicide – Catholic
Bishops’ Conference (cbcew.org.uk). Cardinal Vincent Nichols has also written a Pastoral letter
calling on Catholics to act to oppose this bill. You can read the full text of his letter here using this
link 241013-Pastoral-Letter-VN-Assisted-Suicide.pdf (cbcew.org.uk)
You can also access resources and contact your MP by visiting www.livesworthliving.org.uk
This is the biggest threat to the vulnerable in a decade, and we need a huge effort to lobby MPs.
DON’T DELAY. ACT TODAY!!
MASS OF INDUCTION
I sincerely wish to thank you all for your participation at my induction Mass. It was a joyous occasion
coming together to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in the history of these parishes as I began
my ministry as your parish priest. I thank Bishop David, all clergy from our own diocese and other
places. I also thank all people of God who had joined in these celebrations. Very grateful to those who
have organised the buffet and contributed it. God bless you all.
There is an item on the Diocesan website with photos from the Mass.
Click on this link to view
THANKSGIVING MASS AND PRESENTATION:
Canon Brian is coming back this Thursday, 7th November to celebrate a thanksgiving Mass at 7.00pm for his long and dedicated ministry here in Worcester. After Mass there will be an opportunity to meet up with him in the Centre while having some light buffet supper. Canon Brian’s induction Mass as Dean of St Chad’s Cathedral will take place on Friday, 29th November at 7.00pm to which parishioners of St George’s and Our Lady Queen of Peace are warmly invited.
NEW LECTIONARIES:
The books that contain all the readings we use at Mass are being changed. As you know the original language of Sacred Scriptures were Hebrew and Greek. Jesus spoke Aramaic. His original words, therefore, have been the subject of many translations. Bishops of England and Wales have changed the translation we use, to make it closer to the original. The new translation must be in place from First Sunday of Advent, so our parish needs to purchase a set of Lectionaries and the Book of the Gospels. They will cost £1090 for each parish, and so I appeal to you if any of you would like to purchase these in memory of your loved ones and in memory of your family. Please speak with me- (canonjohn.batthula@rcaob.org.uk) or contact the parish office. Thank you for your support.
GROWING IN HOLINESS – MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS
Welcome to the Month of Holy Souls! Traditionally, the month of November is dedicated to praying for our departed brothers and sisters. As we reflect on the Catholic teaching that “all who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, undergo purification to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (CCC 1030). We invite you to join our Holy Souls series through talks, prayers, and devotions, as we come together to support the Suffering Church. “The souls of the departed are eager for our prayers.” – St. Dominic.
WHEN: Every Tuesday, 7:30 PM.
WHERE: St. George’s Catholic Church
MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS
During November, Mass will be offered for those whose names have been written on special “November Mass Envelopes”. Please write the names of your deceased family members and friends clearly and place them in the casket along with your offerings. Envelopes are available at the back of both churches.
Knights of St Columba
We meet on 12th November at 7.30pm in the Parish hall.
REMEMBRANCE MASS
Our Lady Queen of Peace and St George ’s Parishes Friday, 8th November at 7pm at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church If you would like the name of a recently deceased member of your family to be read aloud during this Mass, please add their name to the list at the back of the church. Candles will be lit during the Mass to remember all our deceased family and friends. Please note that this list of names is separate from the November Dead List and Mass Offering, which are collected at both parishes and included in all masses for the Month of the Holy Souls.
Nine Lessons and Carol
There will be a meeting for anyone involved in the Nine Lessons and Carol Service following the 9.45am family Mass on Sunday, 10th November in St George’s Parish Hall. This will be a chance for all to meet up and discuss the logistics of the service and answer any questions you may have. Anyone who would like to help on the night is most welcome to make themselves known. This is a service for all the parishioners of Catholic Worcester. It is a chance for us all to come together to celebrate Christ’s birth.
24 HOURS OF PERPETUAL ADORATION Can you spend an hour with the Lord!
On Friday, 6th to Saturday 7thDecember, starting with First
Friday Mass at 10 am followed by Exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament. Adoration will include Mass at 6pm, 12 Midnight and
Benediction 11.30 am. There will be an opportunity for those who
wish to go for confession.
Signup sheets are in both parishes. So please sign up the sheet at the back of the Church.
LOURDES 2025
Every year, hundreds of pilgrims from across the Archdiocese of Birmingham join together for the Lourdes Pilgrimage. 2025 is the Year of Jubilee and Archbishop Bernard invites you to come with us on this very special occasion in the life of the Archdiocese: “It’s a great experience to be together with upwards of 700 fellow pilgrims.”
The pilgrimage dates have been announced: Saturday 24 – Friday 30 May 2025, and you can now express your interest in a place or get more information by scanning the QR code on your phone, or by visiting www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/lourdes.
ST GEORGE’S FAMILY MASS
: On Sunday 10th November at 9.45 am I encourage all parents to bring their children to this Mass. Children who haven’t made their First Holy Communion will be encouraged to participate in children’s liturgy.
A JOURNEY IN FAITH - RCIA
A JOURNEY IN FAITH (RCIA) THURSDAY EVENINGS AT 7PM IN THE PARISH HALL
14th November – ‘Jesus Christ the Son of God’
21st November – ‘Holy Spirit – The Church – community of believes
5th December – ‘Baptism’
12th December – ‘Living the Christian life’
Enquiry is a time of discovery!
If you want to know more about the Catholic faith or are thinking of becoming a Catholic, you are invited to attend
‘A Journey in Faith’ sessions
ATTENTION ALL EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS & READERS.
We are required to sign a consent form, allowing our images to be broadcast on the Mass Livestream.
Please find forms at the back of the church. Please return them in an envelope to Susan Fairman or
hand them into the Sacristy for her attention.
Prayers in support of First Confession candidates
You are invited to pray for the children who will shortly be making their first confessions. A notice board at the back of church shows all their names – please take a slip from the left-hand side wallet, write the name or names of the children you will especially pray for and then place it in the wallet on the right-hand side. Thank you
WORCESTER CIRCLE NEWMAN ASSOCIATION
Next meeting on Wednesday 13th November at 7.30pm Theme: Young People and the Church’s Mission by Yemisi Wisoba, Parish Development Worker, Kenelm Youth Trust. Venue: St George’s RC Church Parish Hall, Sansome Place Worcester, WR1 1UG (Car park postcode WR1 1UT)
PARISH PASTORAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meeting on Wednesday, 13th November at 7.00pm in St George’s Parish Hall. Agenda and Terms of reference will be sent soon.
CHURCH AND HALL KEYHOLDER DECLARATION
Everyone who has keys for the church and Hall needs to sign “Keyholder Declaration Form” before 10th November. Please contact the Parish Office. May I ask all Keyholders of the Presbytery to return the keys before 10th November. Thank you for your cooperation.
University Of Worcester
The next meeting for University students will take place on Sunday, 3rd November at 7.00pm in St George’s Parish Hall.
Don’t forget that I am cooking Indian supper for you all to enjoy.
Look forward to seeing you all.
All welcome.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
There are flyers available at the back of church with a list of items you can and cannot include in the shoe boxes. Please hand in boxes for St. Georges to Susan in the parish office. For Our Lady Queen of Peace, we can put the boxes in the jubilee room this year. On Friday 15th November we will be packing the shoe boxes at St George’s Parish Hall and would like to invite you all to join us. We are planning to begin at 3.30pm. Before that we will be ferrying everything from Our Lady’s over to St Georges Hall. We are scheduled to begin at 12 noon and would appreciate any available assistance. If you are able to help, please inform me beforehand. Thank you. All are very welcome. God bless you all for your generosity. We have received so much. Sr. Christine.
Friends of the Holy Land
Many thanks to everyone who supported last weekend’s FHL coffee morning as helpers, contributors or attendees which raised £941! A great effort for a great cause.
PARENTS WITH CHILDREN PREPARING FOR THE SACRAMENTS - SYCAMORE SESSIONS
There will a break in the sessions now until the next session which takes place on Thursday, 14th November at 7.30pm. The theme is “The Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation”. Please let us know you are coming by emailing Cecilia on Cecilia.dm1@icloud.com or text 07402 525 879. Please speak to the catechists if you require further information.