WELCOME TO ANY VISITORS AND TO THOSE WHO HAVE COME TO LIVE IN THE PARISH - Please make yourself known to Father Kenneth or Deacon Michael and fill in and return the Census Form attached to the Welcome and Information Sheet if you are newly resident here.  There is a blue box for completed forms near the door.

THE SAN JOSE ARTICLES—issued in March 2011 strongly assert the right to life of every human being from conception to death and that there can be no right to abortion under international law.  The articles, signed by human rights lawyers, scholars, diplomats and medical and international policy experts, are brief.  If you would like a copy please ask Fr Noakes.

CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY—STAMPS FOR CHILDREN! - Please remember to save your stamps from all your Christmas cards and place them in the orange box in the hall.  Thank you for your support.  Small things lead to greater things.  Claire Warren 01202 736833 fundraising@ccsplymouth.org.uk.  Wishing a holy and peaceful Christmas to you all.

CHILDREN FIRST—The newsletter of the Catholic Children’s Society (Plymouth) is now available at the back of Church or on the Society’s website www.ccsplymouth.org.uk.  Please try to see a copy to appreciate the work of the Society and how the donations you made in summer are being put to good use.  Thank you for your support.  Claire Warren fundraising@ccsplymouth.org.uk 01202 736833.

NEW MISSALS - Sunday Missals are now available in the Hall for those who ordered them.  Weekday Missals should arrive in February.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR PARISH ORGANISATIONS—A helpful list, giving names and phone numbers for the many groups active in the Parish, is now available.  Please take one and keep it for reference. Also click on the Groups button the LH side of this web page. The collators (Charity Action Group) apologise to those concerned and ask that you add to your list Organists: Keith Newman 01202 882553 and Jean Wierzbicka 01202 885184 and Assistant Sacristan: Jean Scott 01202 883872.

ST CATHERINE’S KINDERGARTEN—currently has places available for children aged from 2 years 9 months.  The Kindergarten provides a happy, secure and caring environment, encouraging children to reach their full potential through play and is situated within the grounds of St Catherine’s Primary School in Cutlers Place, Colehill.  To find out more please contact the Kindergarten leader, Clare Joint on 01202 883763.

RECYCLING IN AID OF THE CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY (PLYMOUTH) - Help make a difference to a child’s life by recycling.  The following items can be posted in the orange charity box situated in the Hall:
STAMPS—used, unused, UK or foreign.  Stamps should be left on envelopes, or  cards, leaving about half a centimeter round the edges.  They shouldn’t be peeled off as they reduce their value.
POSTCARDS   with or without stamps
FOREIGN CURRENCY—notes or coins
KEYS with or without their locks
WATCHES working or not
MEDALS
METAL BADGES
If you require any further information please contact Val Sweetlove on 01202 886170

EXPLORERS AND NAVIGATORS—Explorers runs for young people post First Communion to Year 6 and Navigators Year 7+.  Both these groups meet on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month from 6.30—8.00 pm—Navigators.  Please send an e-mail to Teresa (teresamaguire@ymail.com) asking for a copy of the programme.  Future events include Carnival Float making, Film Night and Advent wreaths.

WHO'S WHO IN ST CATHERINE'S PARISH-The Charity Action Group are updating the “Who's Who in St Catherine's Parish” which Douglas Manning compiled about ten years ago.  It was a small leaflet distributed to Parishioners and surprised people with the range of activities and organisations.  We hope the update will also inform and encourage more participation in Parish Life.  Please will everyone look at the list on the Board in the Hall and provide information if you can.  There may be omissions, please add information at the end.  Queries to Oonagh Linehan 848597.

“OPEN DOORS”- AT WIMBORNE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, 10-11.30 am  on Wednesdays, at the Church in Chapel Lane. Tea and coffee and Tradecraft stall. All welcome.

RUNNING IN ROME FOR THE DIOCESAN CHILDREN’S SOCIETY—I am hoping to take a group of people to Rome in March to run the Rome Marathon.  In return for their fundraising efforts we will pay their registration and provide two nights accommodation.  They will also receive the obligatory running vest and lots of help and support along their journey to the race!  Clare Warren, Fundraising Officer, 01202 73683

VISION AID OVERSEAS-25 years ago, a vision was born.  To celebrate 25 years of helping the world to see, Vision Aid Overseas' founding Chairman, Brian Ellis, has published a special 25th Anniversary Edition of Sight for Sore Eyes, his seminal history on the work of the charity.  Sight for Sore Eyes is available to download on the Vision Aid Overseas website.

GUILD OF ST BONIFACE—The Guild exists to support the Bishop of our diocese in meeting some of the expenses incurred by him in performing his duties.  Annual subscription £5.00, life subscription £150.  Please take a leaflet from the back of the Church.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER ENGLAND AND WALES-Marriage Encounter arranges weekends to help couples deepen their relationship.  The weekends are challenging but also full of support and encouragement from a well prepared and caring team of couples and a priest.  Engaged Encounter arranges weekends for couples preparing for marriae. See the list on the notice board in the hall entrance.

SOME DEFINITE PURPOSE - Papal Visit legacy resources for Catholic individuals and parishes, now available.  Please read and pass on to others, perhaps by returning your copy to Church.

“OUR MASS” - Monthly group for 9, 10 and 11 year olds, during 11 o'clock Mass at the same time as children's Liturgy.  “Understanding and joining in Mass for ourselves”.  Group runs on first Sunday of each month excluding special feast days.  Please come along when Father asks children to come up.  We will show you where to go.  Come along when you can.  See Janine Hanes for details 01258 880868.

SERENITY - is a Caring Addiction Service supported by Catholics, other Christians and people with no particular faith allegiance.  Their office is in Bournemouth and they are seeking financial help and also prayer support and volunteers.  A leaflet and newsletter are available at the back of Church. 

ROSARIES FOR HOSPITAL - Mgr Ron Hishon was most grateful for the most recent gifts of rosaries old and new from our parishioners here.  His appeal for rosaries continues-even broken or damaged ones which are repaired and made good.  He also reminds us to ensure that hospital chaplains are made aware of parishioners admitted to either Poole or Bournemouth Hospitals.  This is often overlooked in the worry of coping with a relative or friend admitted to hospital.  Clive Bishop

FOWEY RETREAT - A list of retreats and events for 2012 is on the Church notice board.  There are also some leaflets about this Cornish Retreat Centre run by a Catholic married couple, Robbie and Sara Low. Details and costs are on the website (www.foweyretreat.co.uk) or you can contact Robbie or Sara on 01208 871517. 

FAIR GROUND - ”Making gifts that go further easier to come by..”.  By selecting items in the Traidcraft or Created catalogues we can support small-scale producers around the world.  Catalogues are available at Wimborne's fair trade shop, Fair Ground, located in the Cornmarket. 

THE CATHOLIC PRIEST Answering God's Call-some free copies are available.  Archbishop Vincent Nichols has said “Undoubtedly, God continues to call men to priesthood. Books like this will help those who hear the call to recognise it for what it is”.  The book has been produced as part of the Catenians' Vocation initiative.

PERSECUTED AND FORGOTTEN? - This book produced by ACN (Aid to the Church in Need) highlights the hardships faced by Christians in many countries.  More Christians are persecuted than members of any other religious group.  Borrow this book from the back of Church to inform your prayers, and return it when you have read it.

PRAY-AS-YOU-GO is a daily prayer session designed for use on protable MP3 players, iPods and PCs to help you pray whilst travelling to and from work, study, etc.  A new prayer session is produced every weekday.  It is not a Thought for the Day', a sermon or a bible- study, but rather a framework for your own prayer.  Lasting between ten and thirteen minutes, it combines music, scripture and some questions for reflection.  The aim is to help you to:
become more aware of God's presence in your life
listen to and reflect on God's word
grow in your relationship with God
It is produced by Jesuit Media Initiatives, with material written by a number of British Jesuits and other experts in the spirituality of St Ignatius of Loyola.  Although the content is different every day, it keeps to the same basic format.  You can find it at http://www.pray-as-you-go.org.

SACRED SPACE is a similar but PC based prayer aid.  The compilers invite you to make a 'Sacred Space' in your day, and spend ten minutes praying here and now as you sit at your computer with the help of on-screen guidance and scripture chosen specially every day.  Find it at http://sacredspace.ie

VINCENTIAN VOLUNTEERS: a positive opportunity for young people to have a challenging experience in serving vulnerable people, and living in a community with other like-minded volunteers.  Accommodation and living expense provided.  Volunteer year is from September 2009-July 2010.  If you would like to know more please contact Sr Barbara Quilty DC at 0161 226 9561 or 0161 209 9156 e-mail: barbaraquilty@hotmail.co.uk or visit our website: www.vincentianvolunteers.org.

“RESCUING DARWIN-GOD AND EVOLUTION IN BRITAIN TODAY” by Nick Spencer and Denis Alexander, published by Theos at £10 sounds a note of theological sanity within the media frenzy concerning Darwin and his legacy.  The authors argue that evolution does not demand atheism or amorality but is wholly compatible with a religious understanding of the universe.  You are free to download this 65 page book from www.theosthinktank.co.uk.

ST MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH 20-40's HOME GROUP
Where:  St Mary's Catholic Church, 211A Wimborne Road, Poole, BH15 2EG in the upstairs Committee Room.
When:   Every Tuesday evening
What time:  Mass at 7.00 pm in the chapel followed by home group at 7.45 pm.  It will be great to meet you!  Please contact Andrea Cronin M: 0791 7797528, e-mail: liveandy@gmail.com.

FOR OUR RECORDS—If you have received training in first aid please let Fr Noakes know via a note through the Presbytery door.  Thank you.

HOSPITAL CARDS - If you or someone from your family or a friend is likely to go into hospital for any length of time, there are hospital cards available requesting a visit from a Catholic priest or deacon or lay minister from the Church.  Just saying you are “RC” will not activate the system.  The cards are available at the back of Church.

THE EVANGELIST - Free copies of the magazine produced by St John's Seminary, Wonersh are available.  You will find it lively and challenging.

TURN 2 US -a registered charity, provides information on welfare benefits and grants in one place.  The charity can be contacted by e-mail: info@turn2us.org.uk

MAKING A WILL - If you are considering leaving some of your estate for the Diocese or the Parish, as some kind benefactors have done in recent years, Fr Kenneth has an information sheet which is helpful.  Please ask him for a copy, without any obligation!

CHOOSING A CARE HOME - If you have to make decisions regarding care for older people there is a free information service on 0800 389 2077 “Care Choices” which will provide you with a shortlist of care providers to meet your particular needs and preferences.  Fr Noakes has a copy of the June 2008 edition of “Care Select 2008”, a book about choosing and funding care.  Please ask him if you wish to borrow it

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY Should you need the SVP we meet on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in every month at 5.00 pm in the Church hall. See the Church Groups for more information. If you are living alone or know anyone in such circumstances and would like a regular telephone call or visit to check that all is well , please contact David Watts (881828), Kathy & Bernard Williams (842771) or Grace Laing (882970).

IF YOU HAVE TO GO INTO HOSPITAL please let your parish priest know. When you get there, ask to see the Roman Catholic Chaplain and request Holy Communion. With the present emphasis on confidentiality it is not enough to fill in the form and put RC against your name. If you just do that, nothing will happen.

There are also hospital cards available requesting a visit from a Catholic priest or deacon or lay minister from the Church. The cards are available at the back of Church.

The RC Chaplains are:
Wimborne Hospital: Father Kenneth Noakes
Poole Hospital: Deacon Declan McConville (tel:442167 or Poole Hospital admissions 665511)
Bournemouth Hospital: Father Ronald Hishon (tel:513380 - mob 07963 617031)

AT THE REPOSITORY & BOOKSTALL - Open in the Hall after 9.00 am and 11.00 am Sunday Mass, a good range of books, especially books of stories and prayers for children.

YOUCAT—Copies of the official Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church are available at £9.95, and would make an ideal Christmas gift for a young person.

BE AN INFORMED ADULT CATHOLIC - Buying and reading a copy of “Faith Today” at £1.95 will help you.  This is an official publication of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.

THE WORD OF GOD IN THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH - After the synod of Bishops meeting in October 2008 on this theme, Pope Benedict has made known the rich family of this synod in “Verbum Domini” now available at £2.50

PLYMOUTH DIOCESAN YEARBOOK 2012—now on sale at £3.  This is a most useful resource giving you information about our diocese, including Mass times at various Parishes.

CATHOLIC SOUTH WEST - now on sale at 50p.

FAITH TODAY - A new publication, commended by Archbishop Nichols, is now on sale at £1.95