2014 12 parish magazine (dec14&jan15) v1 0 (final) web

Castleford Team Parish Parish Magazine

December 2014 & January 2015

50p

The churches of: All Saints, Church Street, Castleford, All Saints, Lumley Street, Hightown; St Michael & All Angels, St Michaels Close, Smawthorne and St Paul the Apostle, Pontefract Road, Glasshoughton.

CLERGY Rector:

Fr. Michael Wood, 01977 518127 The Rectory, 15 Barnes Road, Castleford WF10 5AA [email protected]

Team Vicar:

Fr. Mark Watkins, 01977 511659 The Vicarage, St Michaels Close, Castleford WF10 4EY [email protected]

Asst. Curate:

Fr. Kevin Greaves, 01977 512404 The Vicarage, Churchfield Lane, Glasshoughton WF10 4BP [email protected]

Polish Priest:

Fr. Gregory Ruszczynski, 07842 883648

Lay Pastoral Minister:

Mrs Lynda Maw 01977 518078

Parish Office: (Enquiries for Baptisms)

Saturdays at 10.00-10.30am at All Saint’s Church, Castleford.

Editor, Magazine & Pew Sheets (including Diary Dates):

Andrew Goyns, 01924 898593

[email protected]

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(continued on page 4)

THE RECTOR’S LETTER Dear Friends,

How do you make a Rector feel inadequate? It’s not the start of a joke, but a real question. The best way to make a Rector feel inade-quate is to show him another Rector’s or Vicar’s letter in their maga-zine – they are always miles better than the one which you write. With that in mind I was made to feel very, very inadequate recently when I was shown a parish magazine and the Vicar’s letter was about twelve pages long, yes, twelve pages long. It must take the whole month to write the letter for the next magazine and it must also take the whole month to read it as well.

We have to be careful not to create the notion that eternity is some-thing which will drag on. Eternity is not something about which we should dread but is something we should be excited about. George Herbert said that “E’en eternity’s too short to extol thee” Eternity is too short a time to praise God, not to dread him

This is the December and January edition of our magazine and as such it covers the seasons of Advent and Christmas, eternity and earthli-ness. Because we don’t do eternity too well, then Christmas be-comes all the more important. If we cannot deal with the God who walked the earth in time however will we deal with the God who reigns in heaven as our king and judge?

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(continued from page 3)

Did you notice that the day after Remembrance Sunday all of the big Christmas adverts started on tv? For some reason this year none of them seem to be advertising anything, they are all telling somewhat sentimental stories. Perhaps the adverts are all reminding us of the eternity we have to live through in the run up to Christmas with con-stant synthetic jollity.

As we move into Advent and towards Christmas may we never lose sight of the fact that God comes to us as the baby at Christmas that we might live with him in eternity.

With my love and prayers for a Christ-filled Christmas.

P.S. please don’t tell the other vicar of the comments I made about their magazine letter!

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A new feature courtesy of Parish Pump Youth Ministry expert Martin Saun-ders write passionately about the need for churches to re-embrace work with young people.

YOUTH WORK FROM SCRATCH

If we’re going to see the church across the UK seriously re-engage young people, then we’ll need an army of volunteer leaders and help-ers to take on the task. This is where many churches’ attempts to launch or sustain a youth work fall down: if perhaps they can’t afford to take on a paid youth worker, they fear they won’t be able to find the number or quality of volunteers needed to run a youth group from within their congregation.

Most churches do however contain enough people who – with the right training, support and resources – can serve as great volunteer youth workers. Often the problem is perception, and the way this opportunity to serve is ‘pitched’ at the congregation. Here then are three key steps for recruiting and keeping a great volunteer youth work team:

1. Sell the vision. An appeal for volunteers is best made by a church’s main leader – this communicates that youth work is an im-portant priority for the church. They should talk about the need in their community, and a vision of what could be, rather than point out the absence of young people in the church.

2. Offer many ‘entry points.’ Many people will be put off because they imagine a ‘youth work volunteer’ to be someone who runs groups and activities. So offer many different ways of getting involved, from mentoring one or two young people, to praying for the group each week, to helping out at the actual youth group sessions.


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3. Offer training and resources. Once you’ve identified some potential volunteers, it’s important to invest in them. Many churches have volunteer youth workers who’ve remained involved for decades because of this kind of investment. For a relatively small financial outlay, volunteers will feel valued and feel more confident in their skills – a small book, conference and training budget will help this. Youthwork the Conference (held in Eastbourne each November) is a great weekend conference for youth work volunteers.

The church is the UK’s biggest youth work provider by far, and that’s because of the army of volunteers who serve each week. This tradition must continue – and increase – if the church is going to better engage with young people.


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CROSSWORD Across 1 Provisional meeting place of God and the Jews (Exodus 25:9) (10) 7 David’s third son, killed when his head got caught in a tree during a battle with his father (2 Samuel 18:14–15) (7) 8 They ruled much of the west coast of South America in the 15th and early 16th centuries (5) 10 Small deer of European and Asian ex-traction (4) 11 Seized control of (Numbers 21:25) (8) 13 Terror (Luke 24:5) (6) 15 First World War heroine shot by the Germans in Brussels, Nurse Edith — (6) 17 Stormy (8) 18 A bitter variety of this, together with lamb and unleavened bread, was the Passover menu for anyone ‘unclean’ (Numbers 9:11) (4) 21 Arson (anag.) (5) 22 How John Newton described God’s grace in his well-known hymn (7) 23 Habitation (Isaiah 27:10) (10) Down 1 ‘ — and see that the Lord is good’ (Psalm 34:8) (5) 2 ‘The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as — as a lion’ (Proverbs 28:1) (4) 3 One of the exiles, a descendant of Parosh, who married a foreign woman (Ezra 10:25) (6) 4 He escaped from Nob when Saul killed the rest of his family and joined David (1 Samuel 22:19–20) (8) 5 City and lake in Central Switzerland (7) 6 ‘Offer your bodies as living — , holy and pleasing to God’ (Romans 12:1) (10) 9 Pouches carried by horses (Genesis 49:14) (10) 12 One who accepts government by God (8) 14 Aromatic substance commonly used in Jewish ritual (Exodus 30:1) (7) 16 He asked Jesus, ‘What is truth?’ (John 18:38) (6) 19 Are (Romans 13:1) (5) 20 ‘You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will — his people from their sins’ (Matthew 1:21) (4) Solutions on page 31.

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PUZZLES WORDSEARCH

Wordsearch for December :

Once, in Royal David’s City

How will Christmas begin for you this year? For millions of radio listeners, it will begin on Christmas Eve with the clear treble voice of a single Cambridge choirboy. As has happened every year since 1919, he will begin the hymn ‘Once, in Royal David’s City’ at the service of Nine Lessons and Carols, broadcast from King’s College Chapel. The hymn was written by a Mrs Alexan-der in 1848, who was inspired by the Apostles’ Creed: ‘….born of the virgin Mary.’ It is a superb introduction to Christmas: ‘Once, in royal David’s city, stood a lowly cattle-shed, where a mother laid her baby, in a manger for his bed. Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child. He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all; and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall. With the poor and mean and lowly lived on earth our Saviour holy.’

Christmas, Millions. Radio, Eve, Treble, Cambridge, Choirboy, Royal, Hymn, David, City, King’s, College, Chapel, Alexander. Apostles, Creed, Virgin, Mary, Jesus, Christ, Little, Child, Earth, Heaven, Lord, Manger, Stall , Shelter, Cradle, Poor, Mean , Lowly, Saviour, Holy.

SUDOKU EASY INTERMEDIATE

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The Rev Dr Gary Bowness continues his tongue-in-cheek letters from ‘Uncle Eustace’…

ON WHY CAROL SERVICES ARE SO DANGEROUS

The Rectory, St. James the Least

My dear Nephew Darren

So: you are excited about being invited to plan your first Carol Service. The dangers involved are only slightly less than being invited to judge the best cake made by the Ladies’ Group. You seem to have no idea of the lifelong offence you will inevitably cause. In decades to come when you will either be a seasoned old clergyman – or more likely a double glazing salesman – you will be remembered as “the Curate who offended Mrs Smith.”

First, you have to decide which groups are going to be represented to give the readings. If the Brownies were asked last year, then it has to be the Cubs this me. But don’t forget that every third year, the Boys’ Brigade must be asked, or they will take their revenge and get their flag tangled in the nave chandelier come Remembrance Sunday. If someone represents the choir, then over a four year period, all four voice parts must be called on – and if the organist isn’t asked on the fi h year, then all hymns subsequently will be played at double speed and with one verse missing. Should one person have been invited to read for two successive years, then their annual appearance there-a er will be taken as an inalienable right for the rest of their life me – and probably longer than that. To drop them may well invoke legal proceedings.

Then there is the ba ng order to be considered. Someone from the church council will take it as a deliberate slight if they are placed low-er in the order than a representa ve of the Men’s Fellowship and so self-respec ng bell ringer would voluntarily follow a brass cleaner.


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(Continued from page 14)

If you do not specify where they should read from and how the readings should end, then a form of ecclesias cal infla on will happen. If the first reader speaks from the chancel step, the next one will go to the lectern; a er the sanctuary and pulpit have been u lised, the final reader will probably ask you to move so he can take your place. The varia ons on “Here endeth”, “This is the Word of the Lord”, and “Thanks be to God”, are endless and will increase in length as the Service progresses. The final reader will probably end with a lengthy exegesis on what he thinks the passage means, correc ng whatever you said in your sermon.

I once made the mistake of not telling all readers which Bible transla on to use. One, an Old Testament expert, therefore decided to read in Hebrew. Not to be outdone, another read her Gospel passage in Greek – apologising beforehand that it may not be a perfect rendering, as she was spontaneously transla ng it from the English. And some say Chris ans are not compe ve.

You have two alterna ves: either repeat last year’s Service without any altera on, saying that it could not be improved, or design your own – and then take Christmas off.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

Christmas Quiz(P18) Answers – Question (1) Cliff Richard, (2) 1957, (3) Carrot, (4) Oliver Cromwell, (5) Puny Pete, (6) Julius 1

st , (7) White, (8) 16

th , (9) France, (10) 364, (11) St Stephens

Day, (12) Norway, (13) Clockwise, (14) Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, (15) Mexico, (16) Advent Sundays, (17) 1984, (18) From the Latin word, (19) Holiday Inn, (20) Christmas crackers.

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DEMENTIA TRAINING DAY

It was wonderful that almost thirty of us from across the parish spent a substantial part of the day together on November 8th. It was a long day but there was so much information passed on to us and so much for us to think about over the next few months. We are grateful to Dr Trevor Adams for spending the day with us (even though he did get on the wrong train from London and got to Leeds via Lincoln)

It is hoped that 1 million people will eventually train to become Dementia Friends, helping to create a dementia friendly community, in our small way we have now added to that number.

We were given five tips about becoming a dementia friend, simple, but so easily forgotten

Dementia is not a natural part of aging It is caused by diseases of the brain, Alzheimer’s is the most

common It is not just about memory loss – it can affect the whole way of

thinking and working It is possible to live well with dementia There is more to a person than the dementia

The thing I was reminded of a few times is that with dementia, like with many other illnesses, we should always look at the person and not at the disease.

Thank you to all who took part in the day.

Thank you to those who fed and watered us as well, that was also very much appreciated.

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SOUTH AFRICA 2014: HOW IT ALL WENT

Hello all!

As you may remember, back in May 2013, I asked for your donations towards my fundraising for a school trip to South Africa to take part in a conservation project. So a few months have passed since I arrived back from South Africa on my conservation project, and it still feels like I've only been back a day! So much happened over those two weeks that I still haven't quite got over it all! The project was a huge success. Our team managed to complete an extensive portfolio of research during our time there, as well as the majority of us (including myself) returning as fully qualified scuba divers. It was thoroughly enjoyable throughout the two weeks and its an experience I most certainly, won't soon forget. I'd like to thank everyone from the Parish that supported me for the project. As something which required a lot of support through fundraising, it's fair to say that without the help of others, I wouldn't have had this amazing experience. Once again, a huge thank-you to you all and hopefully I'll see some of you soon and share some of the details on the project.

Thanks again.

Callum Ferrier

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THE CHRISTMAS QUIZ

There are no prizes for this quiz but it might be nice to share this with friends over a mince pie or the odd glass of mulled wine. (The answers can be found on page **).

Which singer had a hit with “Mistletoe and Wine”?

In which year did the Queen make her first Christmas television broadcast? Was it 1955,1957 or 1959?

What is traditionally used as a snowman’s nose?

Which historical character banned Christmas in England?

Before Charles Dickens decided on the name Tiny Tim in “ A Christmas Carol” he gave the character another name. Was it Puny Pete, Little Harry or Sickly Bob?

Which Pope chose the 25th December as the day for a Christ Mass. Was it Paul 1st, Paul 3rd or Julius 1st?

What colour are Mistletoe berries. Are they red, white or a deep purple?

In what century were mince pies first eaten in England? Was it the 14th, 15th or 16th

What country does the word Noel come from?

In the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, how many gifts were given in total?

By what name is Boxing Day also known as?

The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square is given by what country to the UK, is it France, Norway or Sweden?

Tradition dictates that when making mince pies for Christmas one should always stir in which direction?

What are the names in western folklore of the Three Wise Men or The Three Kings?

Poinsettias originally come from which country, is it Mexico, Canada or Australia?

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What are the four Sundays before Christmas known as?

In what year was Band-Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas first released? Was it 1984,1986 or 1987?

Where does the word carol in a Christmas Carol come from? Is it from Saint Carol who wrote the first one, is it from the Norwegian word Karolitz meaning choir, or is it from the Latin word meaning flute player who accompanies a circle of dancers or singers.

The song White Christmas appeared in which 1942 film?

What Christmas item was invented in 1847 by Tom Smith who was a London baker. Was it Christmas crackers, the Christmas cake or the Christmas card?

The questions and answers to this quiz were set by myself so if they are any errors I take full responsibility and blame it on the excitement of the season. Fr Kevin

(Ed. Answers on page 15)

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DIARY DATES FOR DECEMBER

Wednesday 10th - 7pm PCC Meeting at Hightown

Friday 12th - 7.30pm Mass at St Michaels to celebrate the Centenary of the laying of the Foundation Stone of the Mission that preceded the present church (see article page 20)

Sunday 14th - 6.30pm at St Paul’s Nativity & Christingle Service

Tuesday 16th - 2.00pm Henry Moore School Carol Service at St Michael’s

Thursday 18th - 9.30am & 11.00am at St Paul’s Park Junior School Carol Services 10.00am Henry Moore School Christingle Service at St Michael’s 1.30pm at Castleford Three Lane Ends School Christmas Service

Tuesday 30th - 7pm Mass at Castleford as usual Wednesday 31st - 10.00am Mass at St Paul’s No Mass at Hightown

JANUARY DATES (ADVANCE NOTICE) Thursday 1st - THE NAMING OF JESUS 10am Mass at St Michael’s Tuesday 6th - THE EPIPHANY 7.30pm Sung Mass at Castleford Monday 19th - 7pm PCC Meeting at St Paul’s

For details of Services and Activities from Sunday 21st December over the Christmas period see page 25.

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READINGS FOR DECEMBER

7th December - The Second Sunday of Advent (P) Isaiah: 40: 1-11 Psalm : 85: 1-2, 8-end 2 Peter: 3: 8/15a Mark: 1: 1-8;

14th December - The Third Sunday of Advent GAUDETE SUNDAY (Purple or Rose) Isaiah: 61: 1-4, 8-end Psalm: 126: 1 Thessalonians: 5: 16-24 John: 1: 6-8, 19-28;

21st December - The Fourth Sunday before Advent (P) 2 Samuel: 7: 1-11, 16 Psalm: 89: 1-4,19-26 Or Canticle : Magnificat Romans: 16: 25-end Luke: 1: 26-38;

25th December - CHRISTMAS DAY (W)

Isaiah: 52: 7-10; Psalm: 98: Hebrews: 1: 1-12; John: 1: 1-14;

28th December - The First Sunday of Christmas ® THE HOLY INNOCENTS Jeremiah: 31: 15-17; Psalm: 124: 1 Corinthians: 1: 26-29; Matthew: 2: 13-18.

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HIGH DAYS AND HOLY DAYS FOR DECEMBER

1 ANDREW THE APOSTLE (transferred)

3 Francis Xavier, Missionary, Apostle to the Indies, 1552

4 John of Damascus, Monk, Teacher of the Faith, c.749

Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon,

Founder of the Li le Gidding Community, 1637

6 Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c.326

8 The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

13 Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304

Samuel Johnson, Moralist, 1784

17 O Sapien a

Eglantyne Jebb, Social Reformer,

Founder of Save the Children, 1928

24 Christmas Eve

25 CHRISTMAS DAY

26 Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr

27 John, Apostle and Evangelist

28 The Holy Innocents

29 Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury,

Martyr, 1170

31 John Wycliffe, Theologian, Reformer, 1384

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HIGH DAYS AND HOLY DAYS FOR JANUARY

1 THE NAMING AND CIRCUMCISION OF JESUS

2 Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishops, Teachers of the Faith, 379 and 389

Seraphim, Monk of Sarov, Spritual Guide, 1833 Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah, Bishop in South India, Evangelist, 1945

6 THE EPIPHANY

10 William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1645

11 THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST

12 Aeiredof Hexham, Abbot of Rievaulx 1167

13 Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher, 367. Kentigern (Mungo), Missionary Bishop in Strathclyde and Cumbria, 603; George Fox, Founder of the Society of Friends (Quakers), 169

17 Antony of Egypt, Hermit, Abbot, 356; Charles Gore, Bishop, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932

18 Beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity;

19 Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, 1095

20 Richard Rolle of Hampole, Spiritual Writer, 1349

21 Agnes, Child-Martyr at Rome, 304

22 Vincent of Saragosa, Deacon, first Martyr of Spain, 304

24 Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, Teacher of the Faith, 1622

25 THE CONVERSION OF PAUL

28 Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Philosopher, Teacher of the Faith, 1274

30 Charles, King and Martyr, 1649

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A 100 YEAR OLD ADVENT Last month I penned a short article about how on Michaelmas Day 1914, the idea of a Mission Church in Smawthorne was put forward by Mr. Bland to the then Rector of Castleford Parish Church, Canon Hewitt. I suspect that Mr. Bland, who later became Lord Bland so I understand, was something of a Mover and Shaker in his day, as just a few weeks later, on December 12th.2014, no less a personage than The Archbishop of York, William Cosmo Gordon Lang, dedicated the ‘Old Drinking Club’ in Hugh Street and so the story proper of St. Michael and All Angels, Smawthorne began during Advent just a few months after the start of the Great War. Cosmo Lang, who was elevated to the See of York at the then almost unprecedented young age of 44 and just 18 years after his ordination as Priest, would go on to become the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1928 to 1942. He would come in for much criticism over the years for his handling of some very difficult situations, including the Abdication Crisis of 1936 and his support of the Appeasement policies in May 1937. On his retirement however he was sufficiently well thought of to be made 1st. Baron Lang of Lambeth, and he certainly served during some very trying and difficult times. And the Smawthorne Mission itself began in a time of great turmoil and change. Those major industries which were for many, many years at the centre of Castleford life, giving employment and purpose to so many who would work in them or rely on them for their livings, were growing at a great rate, so Smawthorne and other areas were expanding to accommodate the many families who migrated into the area - many from other Mining and Heavy Industry areas of the UK and beyond, needed housing, schools, shops and markets and of course, a local place of worship.

The Archbishop of York, William Cosmo Gordon Lang

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Cosmo Lang and Lord Bland were both men who were motivated by a very strong moral standard and ethical responsibility to make the lives of those they encountered better. The Archbishop himself felt that he never quite lived up to his own standards and calling and continued to serve through his work in the House of Lords right up until his death in 1945. Whether either of these great men would have seen their work in this light I don’t know, but they both in their own ways had the intention of bringing God into the everyday lives of all people, from the great Lords, Ladies and Monarchs of the day to the men, women and of course children of Britain. The founding of the Mission Church of St. Michaels in Smawthorne 100 years ago can certainly be seen as an ‘Advent’, for it put Christ right in the middle of their community. And each of the 100 Advent Seasons since have served to remind the people of what would soon become the ‘Parish of St Michael, Smawthorne’ both of the reality of that first coming amongst us of Jesus in Bethlehem, and of the future coming amongst us with Power and Authority of Jesus the Coming King. That first Advent 2000 years ago and the times and seasons surrounding the beginnings of St. Michaels in Smawthorne were in many ways similar. They were times of both local and international turmoil with possible invasions and occupations, wars and rumours of wars causing hardship and suffering, especially amongst the poor and the ordinary peoples of the land. The coming into those worlds of the Word Made Flesh was to such ordinary folk, as God Himself became One with us, One of us and One for us. If you can, this Advent, at 7.30pm on Friday 12th. December, come and join us at St Michaels Church for a Foundation Centenary Mass and then afterwards for a Celebration Supper. May I also take this opportunity to wish you all a very Blessed Advent and, when we get there, a very Happy Christmas and New Year. God Bless Father Mark

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DEMENTIA – THE PARISH JOURNEY SO FAR. Dear Friends,

Since the last update on our plans on dementia so much has happened.

On the 8th November Livability came to the parish to deliver a days awareness session on dementia. The session was well attend with over 30 members of the congregation from all our churches and was held at All Saints Hightown in the church hall. The session was led by Dr. Trevor Adams who initially gave an overview of dementia. After the morning break a session was held on how we as individuals can become a ‘Dementia Friend’ which is an initiative by the government to raise awareness of dementia and also to break down the stereotypes that most people have. For those who attended this session you should register as a ‘Dementia Friend’ by visiting www.dementiafriends.org.uk and giving them your details. The online registration will ask you for a training session reference number at the moment please leave this blank. I have asked Livability for the reference number of the session and I am waiting to hear back from them.

The afternoon session then covered what actions we can take to become ‘Dementia Friendly’, this took the form of an activity where we broke into small groups to write down 2 actions for the Clergy, the PCC and for ourselves. Someone from each group then read out the actions that the group had come up with. Those presentations I have taken away with me and I am now in the process of combining common themes so that they can be presented at our next PCC meeting for information and consideration, as these then can be developed to form part of our Dementia Action Plan for Livability.

Throughout the day individuals had the opportunity to ask questions and also to share their own experiences. One comment made to me was ‘…the fellowship on the day for me was just as important as the training. To share experiences with people from other churches over lunch, was very special.’

On Monday the 17th November I had a meeting with The Alzheimer’s Society who are the lead partner for Wakefield Dementia Action Alliance (WDAA). I advised them on our awareness session with Livability and how as a parish are looking at developing support for people with dementia and also their carers. The meeting overall was very productive and as a lead partner The Alzheimer’s Society are very keen to work with us, with this in

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mind I am in the process of developing an Action Plan with their support so that we can become an active partner within WDAA. I have been advised that once the Action Plan has been accepted we will then be invited to the Launch of WDAA which will now be in January 2015 (delayed from October).

Later that same day I was then contacted by Simon Wallace, Project Manager Yorkshire and Humber for Dementia Action Alliance. He had been given some information about the parish from The Alzheimer’s Society and he wanted to express how beneficial it would be for the people of Castleford to have our parish supporting people with dementia and their carers. He also asked if I would be attending the Deanery Synod as he would be giving a talk to representatives of the unique role that the church can play within communities. I advised him that as a parish we would be at the deanery synod and we arranged to meet after synod to discuss where we are in our plans.

At Deanery Synod Fr. Bob Cooper introduced Simon Wallace who gave a presentation to representatives, he also held a session on Dementia Friends, so that the representatives could also register on line as a Dementia Friend . Simon was also very pleased to notice that we as a parish were already ‘Dementia Friends’ and that we were wearing our badges. At the end of the presentation I briefly advised synod on what we as a parish had done and how we are now in the process of becoming a Signatory Partner within the Wakefield Dementia Action Alliance. After synod I met with Simon who said he would like to be personally kept up to date on what we are doing because at this time we are the only parish at this stage in this area that are looking at Dementia as part of our mission within our local communities.

As you have just read there has been a lot of progress since my last update. I will continue to keep you informed on any developments in our forthcoming issues.

Your Friend

Fr. Kevin

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Sunday 21st December The Fourth Sunday of Advent 6.30pm Service of Lessons & Carols at Castleford Followed by Mulled Wine & Mince Pies

Monday 22nd December 10am Toddler Nativity & Party at St Pauls Wednesday 24th December CHRISTMAS EVE 3.00pm Torchlight Service and First Mass of Christmas at Hightown 8.00pm First Mass of Christmas at Castleford 11.30pm Midnight Mass at St Pauls

Thursday 26th December CHRISTMAS DAY 8.00am Mass of the Dawn at Castleford 10.00am Mass for the Polish Community at Castleford 10.00am Parish Mass for Christmas Day at St Michaels

Friday 26th December ST STEPHENS DAY 10.00am Mass at Castleford

Saturday 27th December 9.30 Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Castleford

Sunday 28th December THE HOLY INNOCENTS 8.00am Mass at Castleford

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(continued on page 31

FEATURE - Notes provided by David Field:

THE POCKET BOOK OF FRED PINCHER 1917-1918

Extracts from a pocket book kept by David Field’s maternal Grandfather Fred Pincher. PART NINE

Monday 4th March. We are now at Nobecourt Farm but leave today for Montigny Farm. Where I am installed at the Officers Club, but I am sorry to say that I am separated from my two best pals, although I have dropped in for a good job being Head Waiter and Assistant Barman.

Thursday 21st March. We are just getting nicely settled here at Montigny when on the morning of 21st March Jerry starts shelling us and commences his big advance. We are now three days on the move first staying at Nobecourt Farm (22nd March) then Doingt, near Perrone (23rd March) before arriving at Corbie. This is a bonn place and we get a champion billet.

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Monday 25th March to Wednesday 27th March. All of the civilians have been ordered to quit Corbie. These are most exciting times and Jerry bombs us every night. We are expecting to move again anytime, God knows where we shall land! Jerry is now within 20 kilometers of Corbie.

After leaving Corbie I along with three more got stranded and hand-ed over to a party bound for the base. We spent a night at Blangy-Tronville. Imagine our delight when one of our own corporals finds us here. He undertakes the charge of us and takes us back to our Division, a march of about eight miles. We do not mind this however as we wish to be back with the boys. We eventually find them at Lamotte, we are just in time as they are on the point of leaving. We marched to Villers Bretoneaux that night. Next Morning we are on the tramp again we rest at two villages one of which was Hangard, Jerry chased us out first shelling the place and then their aeroplanes used their machine guns, we eventually arrive at Boves just turned 10.00pm.


SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS CHURCH

SMAWTHORNE

FOUNDATION CENTENARY MASS

Friday 12th December 2014 at 7.30pm

Preacher: Ven. Peter Townley - Archdeacon of Pontefract

Refreshments after the service

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READINGS FOR JANUARY

4th January - The Second Sunday of Christmas (W) Jeremiah: 31: 7-14 Psalm : 147: 13-end Ephesians: 1: 3-14 John: 1: 1-18;

6th January - THE EPIPHANY (W)

Isaiah: 60: 1-6 Psalm: 72: Ephesians: 3: 1-12 Matthew: 2: 1-12;

11th January - THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST The First Sunday of Epiphany (W)

Genesis: 1: 1-5 Psalm: 29: Acts: 19: 1-7 Mark: 1: 4-11;

18th January - The Second Sunday of Epiphany (W) 1 Samuel: 3: 1-20; Psalm: 139: 1-5, 12-18 Revelation: 5: 1-10; John: 1: 43-end;

25th January - THE CONVERSION OF PAUL The First Sunday of Advent (W) Jeremiah: 1: 4-10; Psalm: 67: Acts: 9: 1-22; Matthew: 19: 27-end.

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EASY INTERMEDIATE

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Our 2014 Christmas Image

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CHURCHWARDENS

David Field, Castleford: 01977 707120

Mavis Whitehead, St Paul’s 01977 550529

Pauline Morris, St Michaels 01977 668790

Ian Fletcher, Hightown 01977 550139

DEPUTY CHURCHWARDENS

Hilary Wilkes, Castleford: 01977 733554

Colin Maw, St Paul’s:

01977 518078

Emma J Lisle, St Michael’s

Vacant, Hightown

Our Churches in Castleford Team Parish

All Saints, Church Street, Castleford

All Saints, Lumley Street, Castleford (Hightown)

St Michael & All Angels, St Michaels Close, Castleford

St Paul the Apostle, Pontefract Road,

Glasshoughton

PARISH OFFICERS PCC Secretary: Mrs Mavis Whitehead 01977 550529 PCC Treasurer: Mr Andrew Goyns 01924 898593

Stewardship & Gift Aid Secretary:

Mr Arnold Randall 01977 278611

Family & Children’s Worker

Mrs Karen Richardson 01977 552524

SERVICES All Saints’ Castleford

SUNDAY

Mass (Said) 8.00am

Sung Mass (except last in month) 9.30am

Tuesday

Mass (Said) 7.00pm

Saturday

Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary 9.30am

All Saints’ Hightown SUNDAY (except last in month)

Sung Mass 10.45am

Wednesday

Mass (Said) 7.00pm

Saint Michael and All Angels SUNDAY (except last in month)

Sung Mass 10.45am

Thursday

Mass (Said) 10.00am

Saint Paul’s, Glasshoughton SUNDAY (except last in month)

Sung Mass 9.30am

Wednesday

Mass (Said) 10.00am

LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH:

Combined Parish Mass at 10.00am - ( see diary section for venue )

FOR MAJOR SAINTS’ DAYS IN ALL CHURCHES

2014 12 parish magazine (dec14&jan15) v1 0 (final) web

Documents

magazine letter

castleford wf10

vicars letter

big christmas adverts

st michaels close

magazine pew sheets

st paul

glasshoughton wf10