2014 03 parish magazine web2

Castleford Team Parish

Parish Magazine March 2014

50p

CLERGY Rector: Fr. Michael Wood, 01977 518127 The Rectory, 15 Barnes Road, Castleford WF10 5AA frmw@hotmail.co.uk Team Vicar: Fr. Mark Watkins, 01977 511659 The Vicarage, St Michaels Close, Castleford WF10 4EY wattycm@me.com Asst. Curate: Fr. Kevin Greaves, 01977 512404 The Vicarage, Churchfield Lane, Glasshoughton WF10 4BP fr.kevin@minister.com 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 magazine@castlefordteamparish.org.uk

March 2014

THE RECTOR’S LETTER Dear Friends, We are just about to slip into Lent and I hope you have considered joining us for our Lent course “Not a tame Lion” which is based mainly on the movie The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and the movie Shadowlands. Many of you will have seen the Lion, the With etc. but perhaps not so many of you will have seen Shadowlands.

Shadowlands is a most unlikely love story between C.S. Lewis, who was usually called Jack and Joy Davidman. Jack was an intellectual; nearly all of his working life was spent either in Oxford or Cambridge University and one of his closest friends was J.R.R. Tolkien. He was an atheist who came to see at last the ultimate sense in belief in general and the Christian faith in particular. In some ways Lewis was a bit like Professor Brian Cox is now, he was a media personality, often called upon to broadcast on the wireless and the new-fangled thing called television. Joy Davidman was an American, a Jewess and a communist who wrote poetry. The couple began a friendship through writing and that led….. for more you need to see the film or come to the course.

Shadowlands is described as ‘a story of a faith which can endure beyond even the deepest grief.’ There are seven books in the Narnia series, you will be pleased to know that most of them haven’t been turned into Lent courses. Both books and films in some ways are about searching, striving, death but above all resurrection.

It was the hymn writer Arabella Hankey who tells us that in ‘Lent we may begin earnestly to mourn for sin.’ At one time it was easy to (continued on page 4)

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March 2014 (continued from page 3) oppress people through the threat of sin and damnation, that thankfully has gone but I suspect in many ways we have slipped just a little too far in the opposite direction and although we fight for the right of our personal freedoms we do not always focus upon personal responsibility and upon the times when we don’t take our responsibilities especially towards God as seriously as we ought. So Lent is important because it gives us chance to express grief and pray for our relationship with God to be made right once again.

The story of the relationship between C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman was a true love story. During this holy season of Lent we should also be looking at the love story which is the relationship between God and his people.

With my love and prayers.

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W A L S I N G H A M 2014 Our Yearly visit to Walsingham will be from Tuesday 27th until Friday 30th May. We leave Castleford after Mass at 10 and get home around 5 on the Friday.

Walsingham is a beautiful village in Norfolk, where it is believed Our Lady appeared in a vision and requested that a house be built to resemble the Holy House of Nazareth. There is time to worship in our own group and with others who are visiting, the accommodation and food is excellent, delightful grounds, a very good pub and there is always time for a visit to the coast or to one of the many attractions in the area. It is a wonderfully relaxing and spiritually invigorating occasion.

Since I first visited the shrine in 1968 I have been back many, many times, The place has been transformed in so many ways but it is a place I never tire of visiting and no matter how often I have been there is always something new to see or something which makes a penny to drop in a way it hasn’t before.

The cost for full board is £167 (plus a little extra for travelling expenses) for children above 5 years old it is £100 and children under 5 are free.

If you have never been before, do consider coming with us.

A deposit of £20 is required, please.

See Father Michael with your deposits.

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RESEARCH REVEALS THAT CHURCHGOERS SUPPORT ARCHBISHOP’S CREDIT UNION ROPOSAL Research by Church Urban Fund has revealed that churchgoers are twice as likely to support credit unions as others.

The research also shows many of those that attend church on a regular basis agree that churches should actively support credit unions, in order to strengthen alternatives to payday loans. More than four in five of those surveyed agreed that payday loans exploit people without access to cheaper forms of credit and almost half believed that churches should raise awareness of credit unions in their local communities, allow them to use church premises, and encourage church members to volunteer their professional skills.

The Chair of the Church Urban Fund, the Rev Paul Hackwood said: “The establishment of credit unions in churches is a great example of the kind of social action that is seen to be at the heart of the Christian faith. As one focus group participant put it, ‘Here’s a practical way of supporting the poor and that’s what Jesus wanted us to do’.”

The research also identified the steps that need to be taken to significantly increase membership of credit unions amongst churchgoers, to develop a better alternative to payday loans. It recommends that: Future communications should explain to churchgoers, particularly those on middle or high incomes, both the need for them to join a credit union and the benefit to them of doing so. Churchgoers should be encouraged to help credit unions become more attractive to a range of potential members. The Church should work with partners (continued on page 11) 10

March 2014 (Continued from page 10) to develop a network of peer influencers trained to answer people’s questions, share case studies about how credit unions can help and give advice on practical ways in which churchgoers can support locally.

These recommendations will contribute to the development of a strategy to significantly increase membership of credit unions amongst churchgoers.

PANCAKE PARTY HIGHTOWN CHURCH HALL Shrove Tuesday March 4th 5 –6.30pm Cost £2‐50 per family Pancakes, drinks, games, play space, children's raffle, grown‐up’s raffle 11

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THE COLLECT FOR ASH WEDNESDAY It is easy for some people to mock Archbishop Cranmer, he was responsible for creating the Book of Common Prayer and yet some of his writings are some of the most beautiful in the world in style certainly and at times in content.

There was a Collect created for each Sunday of the year and for some of the special occasions in the year as well. A Collect is a prayer which is usually said at the beginning of the service and as its name suggests collects our thoughts together. Many of the Collects we use Sunday by Sunday are prayers which were written by Thomas Cranmer but have been given a bit of a modern makeover.

Of all his prayers probably none is more beautiful than the one which uses words from Psalm 51, written for the Book of Common Prayer in 1549 and has been used in the Church of England on Ash Wednesday virtually ever since: ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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March 2014 CROSSWORD Across 1 The earth is one (6) 4 ‘On a hill far away stood an old — cross’ (6) 7 ‘I am the — vine and my Father is the gardener’ (John 15:1) (4) 8 The Caesar who was Roman Emperor at the me of Jesus’ birth(Luke 2:1) (8) 9 ‘Your — should be the same as that of Christ Jesus’(Philippians 2:5) (8) 13 Jesus said that no one would put a lighted lamp under this(Luke 8:16) (3) 16 Involvement (1 Corinthians 10:16) (13) 17 Armed conflict (2 Chronicles 15:19) (3) 19 Where the Gaderene pigs were feeding (Mark 5:11) (8) 24 What jeering youths called Elisha on the road to Bethel (2 Kings 2:23) (8) 25 The Venerable — , eighth‐century Jarrow ecclesias cal scholar (4) 26 8 Across issued a decree that this should take place (Luke 2:1) (6) 27 Come into prominence (Deuteronomy 13:13) (6) Down 1 Where some of the seed sca ered by the sower fell (Ma hew 13:4) (4) 2 Sexually immoral person whom God will judge (Hebrews 13:4) (9) 3 Gospel leaflet (5) 4 Physical state of the boy brought to Jesus for healing (Mark 9:18) 5 Tugs (anag.) (4) 6 To put forth (5) 10 Na onality associated with St Patrick (5) 11 Leader of the descendants of Kohath (1 Chronicles 15:5) (5) 12 ‘A er this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping — heel’ (Genesis 25:26) (5) 13 At Dothan the Lord struck the Arameans with — at Elisha’s request (2 Kings 6:18) (9) 14 ‘Peter, before the cock crows today, you will — three mes that you know me’ (Luke22:34) (4) 15 Spit out (Psalm 59:7) (4) 18 ‘When I — , I am s ll with you’ (Psalm 139:18) (5) 20 Concepts (Acts 17:20) (5) 21 Thya ra’s dealer in purple cloth (Acts 16:14) (5) 22 Does (anag.) (4)

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WORDSEARCH

PUZZLES

Life is full of ups and downs: after blessings, hard times often follow. They are not meant to destroy us but to help us grow spiritually by deepening our faith and dependence on God. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil – to give him the opportunity to stand fast against the enemy. The devil’s temptations were based on half -truths, which Jesus rejected by standing firm on the whole truth of Scripture. The truth sets us free!

Holy, Spirit, Jordan, Wilderness, Tempted, Devil, Fasted, Hungry, If, Bread, Alone, Kingdom, World, Authority, Glory, Worship, Me, Serve, Jerusalem, Pinnacle, Temple, Stone, Foot, Angels, Bear, Strike, Test, temptation.

SUDOKU EASY

INTERMEDIATE

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MARCH CALENDAR Monday 3rd

7.00pm Reception of Kath Baggott into Church (Castleford)

Tuesday 4th

11.45am Requiem Mass for Kath Baggott 5.00-6.30 Pancake Party in Hightown Hall This will include games and both a junior and adult raffle. Please come along and support the youngsters of our Parish. An enjoyable time on offer for all ages. £2.50 per family.

Wednesday 5th

ASH WEDNESDAY 10.00am Mass with imposition of ashes at St Paul’s 12.00noon Mass with imposition of ashes at St Michael’s 7.30pm Sung Mass with imposition of ashes at Hightown

Thursday 13th

7.00pm for 7.30pm Bishop James of Knaresborough will be at St Giles, Pontefract to meet the people of the area and to lead a short act of worship.

Wednesday 19th

PCC Meeting at Hightown at 7.00pm

Tuesday 25th

THE FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION Sung Mass with Stations of the Cross at 7.00pm at Castleford

Sunday 30th

Parish Mass for Mothering Sunday at 10.00am at Hightown

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READINGS FOR MARCH 2nd March

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The Sunday next before Lent (G) Exodus: 24: 12-18 Psalm : 2: 2 Peter: 1: 16-21 Matthew: 10: 13-16;

5th March

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ASH WEDNESDAY (P) Joel : 2: 1-2, 12-17 Psalm: 51: 1-18 2 Corinthians: 5: 20b-6.10 Matthew: 6: 1-6, 16-21

9th March

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The First Sunday of Lent (P) Genesis: 2: 15-17, 3. 1-7; Psalm: 32: 1-10; Romans: 5; 12-19; Matthew: 4: 1-11;

16th March

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The Second Sunday of Lent (P) Genesis: 12: 1-4a; Psalm: 121: Romans: 4: 1-5, 13-17; John: 3: 1-17;

23rd March

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The Third Sunday of Lent (P) Exodus: 17: 1-7 Psalm: 95: Romans: 5: 1-11; John: 4: 5-42.

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March 2014 (continued from page 17) READINGS FOR MARCH (continued) 25th March (Tuesday)

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THE ANNUNCIATION OF OUR LORD TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (W) Isaiah:

7:

10-14

Psalm:

40:

3-11

Hebrews:

10:

4-10

1:

26-38

Luke: 30th March

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The Fourth Sunday of Lent (P) (MOTHERING SUNDAY) Exodus: Psalm: 2 Corinthians: John:

2: 34: 1: 19:

1-10 11-20 3-7 25b-27

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March 2014 The Rev Dr Gary Bowness continues his tongue-in-cheek letters from ‘Uncle Eustace’…

ON WHY PEWS SHOULD BE UNCOMFORTABLE The Rectory St. James the Least My dear Nephew Darren Visits from your parishioners are always welcome. But I did not expect them to return to you complaining because our pews are uncomfortable.

Pews are meant to be uncomfortable. The unshakeable belief of our congregation is that the more uncomfortable the pew, the holier the worship must be. By the same token, an 8am Service is more fervent than one at 11am, since it is much more socially inconvenient. If you add on enduring sub-zero temperatures and damp, then sainthood clearly beckons. Your people may be used to lolling in upholstered chairs in tropical temperatures, but I am sure such comfort places their souls in grave peril.

Our pews were built five hundred years ago when people were several inches shorter and many pounds lighter and so could accommodate themselves on them perfectly adequately. The fact that a twenty -first century body is in constant danger of sliding off the seat and requires knees to be folded somewhere near ears at least helps to keep minds focussed – apart for Colonel Wainwright, who still manages to sleep peacefully throughout Mattins every Sunday. (continued on page 21) 20

March 2014 (continued from page 20) I could point out that your chairs make kneeling almost impossible – although I suspect that posture is not encouraged in your church, as people would then be unable to read the words on your overhead projector or wave their arms about quite as easily during the hymns.

While the majority of our congregation find the Anglican crouch perfectly adequate, you can see those who flop to their knees on hearing “let us pray” from the clouds of dust sent up from suddenly compressed hassocks, which were purchased to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Accession.

I may also point out that our box pews are very useful for modern times. Once a family is seated, with the door firmly shut, then any toddler is penned in and unable to use the aisles as a racing circuit.

Medieval carpenters were clearly forward thinking people. Admittedly, box pew doors do tend to stick and few manage to look dignified while they wait for step ladders to be brought before they can climb out.

If only you would remove your chairs and substitute benches without backs, turn off all heating and replace carpets with slate slabs, I am sure your congregation’s religious zeal would soar.

Your loving uncle, Eustace

PARISH WEBSITE www.castlefordteamparish.org.uk For those who use a computer, are you aware that the parish has a website? You can now view the weekly Pew Sheets online and the Diary Dates and Calendar are up to date.

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March 2014 FEATURE - Notes & Pictures 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 ONE This is a record of a pocket book kept by my maternal Grandfather Fred Pincher, Army Number 432539. Between 21st October 1917 and 23rd June 1917 he was a member of the 66th Division (East Lancashire Regiment) and served in the Labour Corps on salvage work in Northern France and Belgium during World War 1.

Fred was born in June 1889 in Sherburn near Scarborough, East Yorkshire the youngest of six children. Due to a birthmark he was born blind in his left eye, therefore during his Army service he was classed as less than A1. This fact prompted him to write the following poem in the back of the pocket book.

Only a British Tommy one of the salvage mob Unfit to carry a rifle but ready for any job Up in the morning early cheerfully doing his bit Filling a wagon or trolley using a spade or a pick With shells for the boys in the trenches He works away with a will For he knows that the boys will thank him And old Fritzy will foot his bill Not much honour or glory But he works in the danger zone With his old tin hat and gas bag As a guard for dangers unknown And when the war is over And the labourers work is done A grateful country will thank him Even though he’s not A1 (continued on page 23) 22

March 2014 (continued from page 22) The first entry in the pocket book is written on Saturday 20th October 1917 at Ripon, Yorkshire.

About 10.30am on the above date we were told we were leaving in the afternoon for France, this came rather sudden as we had everything to prepare. We left Ripon Station at 6.10pm, arriving at Folkestone on Sunday morning about 4.00am. We left Folkestone the same afternoon at 4.30pm on a boat for France. We arrived at Boulogne at 6.10pm after a very smooth passage, with no ill affects whatever. Our camp was about a mile away from the docks, imagine our dismay when we were put under canvas, although it is warm here during the day it comes in very cold at night. They did not have room for us all, we were three hundred strong, so some slept in the dining hall and others out in the open, poor beggars, they were wet through next morning for it had rained heavily during the night.

The Scout Group at their Summer Camp at Windermere in 1925.

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PUZZLE SOLUTIONS CROSSWORD WORDSEARCH

SUDOKU SOLUTIONS EASY

INTERMEDIATE

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HIGH DAYS AND HOLY DAYS FOR MARCH 1

David, Bishop of Menevia, Patron of Wales, c.601

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ASH WEDNESDAY

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Perpetua, Felicity and their Companions, Martyrs at Carthage, 203

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Edward King, Bishop of Lincoln, 1910

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Patrick, Bishop, Missionary, Patron of Ireland, c.460

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Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, Teacher, 386

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JOSEPH OF NAZARETH

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Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 687

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Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, Reformation Martyr, 1556

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Walter Hilton of Thurgarton, Augustine Canon, Mystic, 1396; Paul Couturier, Priest, Ecumenist, 1953; Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, Martyr, 1980.

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THE ANNUNCIATION OF OUR LORD TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

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Harriet Monsell, Founder of the Community of St John the Baptist, Clewer, 1883

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John Donne, Priest, Poet, 1631

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THE ANNUNCIATION OF OUR LORD Tuesday 25th March On the floor of the Holy House in Nazareth, an inscription reads ‘Verbum caro hic factum est’; ‘the Word was made flesh here’, When the Blessed Virgin said ‘yes’ to the Angel Gabriel, the Word became flesh and dwelt in her womb for nine months. The Annunciation is the prologue to the mysteries of Holy Week: the Incarnation happened so that we could be redeemed; the child conceived on this day was born to die for our sins and conquer death.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE COMMUNION AT HOME? IF YOU ARE HOUSEBOUND OR UNABLE TO COME TO CHURCH, PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF THE CLERGY AND THEY WILL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOU TO TAKE COMMUNION AT HOME.

OUR MINISTRY TEAM RECOGNISES THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF MINISTRY AND IS KEEN TO HELP.

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March 2014 PARISH OFFICERS PCC Secretary: Mrs Mavis Whitehead PCC Treasurer: Mr Andrew Goyns Stewardship & Gift Aid Secretary: Mr Arnold Randall Family & Children’s Worker Mrs Karen Richardson CHURCHWARDENS David Field, Castleford: 01977 707120 Mavis Whitehead, St Paul’s 01977 550529 Pauline Morris, St Michaels 01977 668790 Ian Fletcher, Hightown 01977 550139

01977 550529 01924 898593 01977 278611 01977 552524

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 30

SERVICES All Saints’ Castleford SUNDAY Mass (Said) Sung Mass (except last in month) Tuesday Mass (Said) Saturday Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary

8.00am 9.30am 7.00pm 9.30am

All Saints’ Hightown SUNDAY (except last in month) Sung Mass Wednesday Mass (Said)

10.45am 7.00pm

Saint Michael and All Angels SUNDAY (except last in month) Sung Mass Thursday Mass (Said)

10.45am 10.00am

Saint Paul’s, Glasshoughton SUNDAY (except last in month) Sung Mass Wednesday Mass (Said)

9.30am 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 See diary section and weekly pew sheets For all the latest News & Information from around the Parish go to:

www.castlefordteamparish.org.uk