NEW WEBSITE: www.stmarysmendlesham.org.uk

Vicar Father Philip T Gray, B.A. S.S.C. Mendlesham Vicarage; 01449 766359

Hon Assistant Priests

Fr Timothy van Carrapiett,SSC. 01394 271338Fr Haley Dossor, B.A. S.S.C. 01394 448188Ordinand Mr. Peter Freeman

Churchwardens also St Joseph Centre Bookings:Andrew Fleming 01449 711065 Tina Pipe 01449 766339

PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, MENDLESHAM

Sunday Services9.30 a.m. Parish Mass & Address every Sunday

Saturdays: First Mass of Sunday - 7.30 pmDaily Mass: See calendar at end, but also check porch

notice sheet & weekly bulletin.

Daily Morning & Evening Prayer: Times on porch notice sheet

Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick & Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament: please contact Fr. Philip.

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions): Saturdays 6.30 pm or make an appointment with Frs. Philip, Haley or TimothyPilgrims – Children’s Group: Mondays in St Joseph’s Centre: 6.00 pm-7.00 pm

1st May – 2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER & MAY FIESTA9.30: Sung Mass, Crowning of May Queen & Morris Dancing 11.15(approx): May Procession through village & BenedictionBuffet Lunch in St Joseph’s Centre2.00 – 4.00: Art Exhibition in St Joseph’s Centre

2nd May ST GEORGE’S DAY (transferred from 23rd April because of Easter) - Street Fayre Day9.30: Mass (church) 10.00 – 5.30: Art Exhibition in St Joseph’s Centre2.00 pm- 4.00 pm: Armoury open5.00: Benediction

5th May 9.30: Requiem Mass – May Anniversaries

6th & 13th May

2.30: Mass at Mason Court – all welcome

17th May 7.00: Tour of Church & Armoury - £5

28th May Pilgrimage to Shrine of Our Lady of Grace – St Mary Elms, Ipswich. 12.00: Mass, lunch, procession, Benediction

30th May NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM

31st May VISITATION OF OUR LADY – monthly Healing Service6.00pm: Exposition of Blessed Sacrament for silent prayer6.30 pm: Mass, Laying-on of hands & Anointing for Healing8.00 pm: Night Prayer & Benediction

Christian Aid Week 15 -21 May

House-to house collection to help end poverty in the world. Please give

generously. There will also be a churn in church where you can make a donation

THIS MONTH AT ST MARY’S

LOOKING BACKAt the AGM of the Friends of St Mary’s (7th March) Ken Abbott was elected as Chairman and Les Arnold as Secretary, taking over from Liz Palfrey and Marjorie Rousseau, who have both done sterling work for the church restoration. Thanks, too, to Ferdi Vincent for his work as treasurer. The income for 2010 was £9068.41 – a 37% increase from the previous year, but £23,815.89 was spent on major work to the church. In March 6 leaks in the lead roof to the nave were sealed. We have also authorised a report on the bells to see when it will be safe to resume ringing. This will inevitably involve some expenditure.

FROM THE PARISH REGISTERSNAMING & BLESSING21st March (in school) – ANNABELLA ELIN CHIPPERFIELDHOLY BURIALA solemn Mass of Requiem was offered for DOROTHY PHILLIPPA HEAD in St Mary’s on Wed. 30th March prior to Cremation at Nacton. Her cremated remains were buried in Cornwall1st April: MALCOLM WILFRED (MIKE) FOREMAN – Aged 76

LOOKING AHEAD12th June: St Mary’s Flower Festival & Exhibition of Christening Robes3rd July: Open Gardens Day (Friends of St Mary’s)12th – 14th August: Patronal Festival Weekend, including: Fireworks to music, Real Ale, a concert with Laura Wright & the Edmund Octet, a 1930s Jazz afternoon with the Brandeston Pickles, barbecue & refreshments. ......Watch this space!

This year is the 950th anniversary of the Lady Richeldis’ vision of the Virgin Mary at Walsingham. What are people’s experiences of Walsingham? ‘You feel there’s something here. People have been trying to get me here for years. It’s new to me, and it’s making me think...’ (Fr Paul John from Newport)‘As soon as I walked through the arch I felt I’d left one world for another. After the homily

FR PHILIP WRITES...

explaining, for the first time in my life I went to Confession. I did it quickly in case I turned back!’ (Steven from Monmouth)‘Bishop Lindsay asked me to say something about what had had the most profound effect on me during my first year at the Shrine, and I reflected that it has been the Healing Ministry of the Shrine’s life that has completely bowled me over. Seeing people being liberated from burdens that many have carried for years and helping them, through the Church’s Healing Ministry, to return to their daily lives to face, in many cases, some very significant challenges, has been a truly humbling experience and an enormous privilege.’ (Fr Stephen Gallagher, Shrine Priest)

Why is Walsingham so important?I believe there are places where the veil between this life and the next has worn very thin, and Walsingham is one of them. I believe the Virgin Mary did appear there and promised that anyone who came to her Shrine would receive help.

Why is Mary so important?i. She is Mother of God made man – ‘Veiled in flesh

the Godhead see’;ii. She was the first Christian disciple – the first to say,

‘Yes’ to God: ‘I am the slave of the Lord’’;iii. She is ‘full of grace’ – wholly open to God’s will;iv. She was a model of prayer: at Cana – ‘They have

no wine,’ then to the servants in seemingly impossible circumstances – ‘Do whatever He tells you.’;

v. She stood at the foot of the Cross when so many disciples fled;

vi. Jesus gave her to all Christians (represented by St John) as Mother. Mary is Mother of the Church. She is the new Eve (that is, mother of all who live) and Christ is the second Adam;

vii. She was at Pentecost at the birth of the Christian Church;viii. She is now with Christ in glory in body and soul (Rev 12);ix. She prays with us and for us in the Communion of Saints.

+ + +PILGRIMAGES TO WALSINGHAM

Mon 30th May: National Pilgrimage – 12.00 Mass; 2.30 Sermon, Procession & Benediction.

Mon 27th June: Day Pilgrimage led by Fr Philip – see bulletinMon 29th August: Pilgrimage for Healing & Renewal – 12.00 Mass; 2.30 Anointing & Benediction