Castleford Team Parish Parish Magazine - February 2016 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.
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CLERGY Rector: Fr. Michael Wood, 01977 518127 The Rectory, 15 Barnes Road, Castleford WF10 5AA rector@castlefordteamparish.org.uk Team Vicar: Fr. Mark Watkins, vicar@castlefordteamparish.org.uk
01977 511659
Asst. Curate: Fr. Kevin Greaves, 01977 512404 The Vicarage, Churchfield Lane, Glasshoughton WF10 4BP curate@castlefordteamparish.org.uk Polish Priest: Fr. Gregory Ruszczynski, revgreg@email.com
07596 422507
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
February 2016
THE RECTOR’S LETTER Dear Friends, What better way is there to begin my post-Christmas holiday than sitting down with a nice mug of coffee and writing my letter for this magazine? That must be a sign, to use a phrase from an elderly parishioner; that I am in God’s pocket. Although I have just described this as my post-Christmas holiday it could equally be described as my pre-Easter holiday because this year the one is very much the other. So within a week of getting back there is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. We are encouraged these days to celebrate, to have a good time, in effect to pack-up all our cares and woes but real life isn’t like that. Life cannot be one long party: as well as the ups, there also has to be downs and Lent is one of the downs. It is during Lent we take stock. This year we are taking stock of our own lives, is there anything we need to change but we are also asking you to take stock about the church as well. We are looking at a time of Stewardship Renewal. You will hear more about this in a few weeks’ time, simply though we are asking people to reflect upon how much they are able to give to support our work and the upkeep of our buildings. Some will be able to say I can, some will say I can’t and there is always someone who will say I won’t; all we are doing is asking people to take stock. To help us reflect our Lent course this year is called “Free to Give,” which is based on the book of Exodus and the journey from captivity to freedom. During the first week the movie EXODUS will be shown in Hightown hall and the groups will meet on Monday evenings at Fr Michael’s house and Thursday afternoons in Fr Mark’s house. Do
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February 2016 (continued from page 3) please come and join in, by doing so we will be strengthening ` ourselves but we will also be working to strengthen our churches as well. It may not always feel like it and it is not just me at the start of my holiday but we are all in God’s pocket may this year’s Lenten journey be a time for us to reflect upon the blessings we have received with gratitude and thanksgiving. With my love and prayers
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LETTER FROM ST JAMES THE LEAST OF ALL Historically, the Church of England has had its share of eccentric clergy. Even nowadays, hiding away in remote parishes, there are still some colourful clergy about. Clergy such as the elderly, Anglo-Catholic Uncle Eustace, who is incumbent in the small parish of St James-theLeast-of All, somewhere in Very Rural England. Eustace despairs of his nephew, Darren, who has become an Evangelical curate in a busy urban parish… and so he writes letters, to try and properly ‘educate’ Darren in parish life.
ON THE ART OF DRINKING WELL The Rectory St. James the Least of All My dear Nephew Darren You closed you last letter with the remark that it was time to retire to bed with a cup of cocoa. That may be all very well for the pious intensity of a theological college - although a stiff whisky was always acceptable in my day - but it is not a style to continue once in the parish. I do feel obliged to give you a few hints about what should and should not be drunk in public as a parish priest. Morning visits are to be discouraged, but if one is unavoidable, and you are invited to have a drink, then it has to be coffee. It is the only time of day when a mug is acceptable - provided, of course, that it is china. In the afternoons one changes to tea, but only from cups. Blended varieties may be all very well for Curates in their first year, but it should be Darjeeling for an incumbent. Fruit teas are for Quakers only. (continued on page 9) 8
February 2016 (continued from page 8) If an inappropriate vessel is offered, then the drink should be accepted, but left untouched. Since the visit will be discussed in the finest detail throughout the parish the moment you have left, your host will soon learn why and not make the same error a second time. It is for the same reason that if you ever want to circulate a piece of news round the parish as quickly as possible, never put it in the parish magazine, just mention it casually during one of your visits. Everyone will know by tea time. Alcoholic drinks must be carefully judged. A sherry - dry, naturally - is probably best if you are invited to lunch. In the early evening a gin and tonic would be the drink of choice. To ask for whisky would indicate that you are about to go over to Rome, and a mineral water that you have your roots in non-conformity. Beer is never drunk in someone’s house unless you suffer from some personal tragedy, such as being the diocesan youth chaplain. However an occasional beer in the pub with the bell-ringers (who will be real ale fanatics to a man) or after choir practice - which seems to be the real purpose of holding practices anyway - or as a treat for the sacristan, will show you are a man of the people. It is some years since I visited the pub. Understanding wine should be taught at every theological college as an essential part of the ministry. Develop a taste for claret, dear boy, and you will be starting your journey towards high office. And perhaps you should give that tin of cocoa to the verger. Your loving uncle, Eustace 9
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February 2016 CROSSWORD Across 1 Success or wealth (Deuteronomy 28:11) (10) 7 Forbidden fruit for Nazirites (Numbers 6:3) (7) 8 Concede (Job 27:5) (5) 10 Look at (Psalm 48:13) (4) 11 Much in evidence after weddings (8) 13 Condense (Job 36:27) (6) 15 Breakwater (6) 17 Give a tan (anag.) (8) 18 More usually now called Pentecost, — Sunday (4) 21 After living for 365 years, it was said of him that ‘he walked with God’ (Genesis 5:23–24) (5) 22 Trampled (Judges 9:27) (7) 23 For example, Miriam, Deborah (Exodus 15:20; Judges 4:4) (10) Down 1 Arrogance (Proverbs 8:13) (5) 2 Roman poet from first century BC (4) 3 So rapt (anag.) (6) 4 Declare again (2 Corinthians 2:8) (8) 5 Paul’s ‘fellow worker’, to whom he sent two epistles (Romans 16:21) (7) 6 God’s foreseeing care and protection (Job 10:12) (10) 9 Traditional form of Roman Catholic Mass (10) 12 ‘The Lord... has given the — of Israel to David and his descendants for ever’ (2 Chronicles 13:5) (8) 14 ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my — ’ (Luke 1:46 –47) (7) 16 The central element in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, identified and interpreted by Daniel (Daniel 2:31) (6) 19 ‘On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of — will not overcome it’ (Matthew 16:18) (5) 20 City where Paul was under house arrest for two years (Acts 28:16) (4)
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February 2016 PUZZLES WORDSEARCH
February is the month of romance. Millions of Valentine cards will be sent in the next week or two, as we celebrate our romantic love for that special person in our lives. But there are other kinds of love to celebrate: and on Candlemas we remember Mary and Joseph taking their baby son to the temple to present him to God. Jesus’ whole life was a loving present to us from God. Through his death for us on the cross, and his resurrection, his love can now transform anyone’s life. Romances can die, but God’s love for us is always there. But it won’t do us much good – unless we accept it! Valentine, Rose, Romance, Love, Present, Restaurant, Hearts, Kiss, Hug, Girlfriend, Boyfriend, Fiancé, Worship, Repentance, Angels, Baby, Temple, Mary, Candlemas, Presentation
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February 2016 All in the month of FEBRUARY It was:500 years ago:- on 18th Feb 1516 that Mary I, Queen of England (155358) was born. She was also known as Mary Tudor or Bloody Mary. 400 years ago:- on 26th Feb 1616 that Galileo was ordered by the Catholic Church to abandon his opinion that the Earth and planets revolve around the Sun (known as the Copernican theory). He was banned from holding the opinion, promoting it, or teaching it. 200 years ago:- on 20th Feb 1816 that Rossini’s opera ‘The Barber of Seville’ was performed for the first time, at the Teatro Agentina in Rome, Italy. It was poorly received, but quickly became a huge success. 100 years ago:- on 28th Feb 1916 that Henry James, American-born British novelist (The Turn of the Screw, Daisy Miller, etc) died. 60 years ago:- on 11th Feb 1956 that two members of the Cambridge spy ring, British diplomats Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean, announced that they had defected to the Soviet Union. They had both vanished in mysterious circumstances in 1951. 40 years ago:- on 11th Feb 1976 that John Curry won Britain’s firstever Olympic gold medal in figure skating. (It was also Britain’s first medal at the Winter Games for 12 years.) 25 years ago:- on 1st Feb 1991 that South Africa President F W de Klerk announced his intention to repeal all apartheid laws. 10 years ago:- on 18th Feb 2006 that British rock band the Rolling Stones played the world’s largest free rock concert on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. An estimated two million people attended.
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THE REAL EASTER EGG
The Real Easter Egg. Orders are now being within the Parish for these Easter Eggs. Because Easter is early this year the closing date for orders is Sunday 21st February. The egg that shares the Easter story. This year The Real Easter Egg range has had a makeover and each single egg includes a unique copy of the Easter story in the shape of a pull out 37 cm high cross illustrated by Helen Cann. The Original milk chocolate egg includes images of spring and three crosses on the box with Mark’s resurrection text under the lid. It also includes a Fairtrade milk chocolate Yummy Bar. The Special Edition egg this year comes with an olive wood holding cross (continued on page 17) 16
February 2016 (continued from page 16) Tastes good and does good. The Real Easter Egg remains the only Fairtrade chocolate Easter egg to have an Easter story booklet in the box and to make a charitable donation from sales. Since its launch in 2010, the number of Real Easter Eggs sold has been rising. The volume of sales means that production of Fairtrade chocolate has had to be moved from Europe to the UK. This is a great success story which churches and schools have played a part in making happen. In addition more than ÂŁ200,000 has been donated to charitable and educational causes. Where to order. Order forms are now available in all our Churches. Please place your order at the Church that you regularly attend. Also at the time of completing the order please give your money to your churchwarden. Fr Kevin
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February 2016
READINGS FOR FEBRUARY 2nd February -
7th February -
CANDLEMAS (W) Malachi: 3: 1-5 Psalm : 24: Hebrews: 2: 7-18 Luke: 2: 22-40; The Sunday next before Lent (G) Exodus: 34: 29-35 Psalm: 99: 2 Corinthians: 3: 12-4.2 Luke: 9: 28-43a;
10th February -
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;
14th February -
The First Sunday of Lent (P) Deuteronomy: 26: 1-11 Psalm: 91: 1-11 Romans: 10: 8b-13 Luke: 4: 1-13;
21st February -
The Second Sunday of Lent (P) Genesis: 15: 1-12, 17-18 Psalm: 27: Philippians: 3: 17-4.1 Luke: 13: 31-35
28th February -
The Third Sunday of Lent (P) Isaiah: 55: 1-9 Psalm: 63: 1-9 1 Corinthians: 10: 1-13 Luke: 13: 1-9.
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CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY Tuesday 2nd
CANDLEMASS 7.30pm Sung Mass at Castleford followed by drinks.
Tuesday 9th
5-7pm Pancake Party at Hightown Hall—Tickets available.
Wednesday 10th ASH WEDNESDAY the first day of Lent 10am Mass with Ashing at St Paul’s 12noon Mass with Ashing at St Michael’s 7.30pm Sung Mass with Ashing at Hightown Sunday 14th
6.30pm Evensong & address at Castleford
Tuesday 16th
7pm following the Mass with Stations of the Cross at Castleford the Stewardship steering group meets
Thursday18th
7pm Hightown Hall the movie Exodus will be shown
Sunday 21st
6.30pm Evensong & address at Castleford
Monday 22nd
7pm Lent Group begins at The Rectory
Tuesday 23rd
7pm PCC meets after Mass at Castleford
Thursday 26th
2pm Lent Group begins at St Michael’s Vicarage
Sunday 28th
10am Parish Mass at Hightown 6.30pm Evensong & address at Castleford
As has been our custom for many years during Lent we follow the Stations of the Cross during Tuesday & Wednesday Mass at Castleford and Hightown. ADVANCE NOTICE Monday 18th April - Annual Parochial General Meeting at St Paul’s 7pm 19
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DEMENTIA UPDATE Dear Friends, I recently had a meeting with Katie Thomas a new member of the Social Contact Team for Age UK, Wakefield District. Her role is to specifically work with people who have dementia and their carers. The meeting was one of getting to know each other as well as giving an overview of the work in the Parish on dementia. At the end of the meeting Katie said that in her opinion the Parish has achieved such a lot in a relative short period of time. And that she looks forward to working with the Parish in the future when promoting our events to people she is working with. It’s always nice to hear positive comments from people/organisations on what we have achieved and that is down to all your continued support. So let me give you an overview of what has achieved since the last magazine and what we are planning to do. In December the Parish held it’s first Dementia Friendly Carol Service at the Parish Church. The Service was attend in total by 25 people including some from Cymar House and also partner organisations from the Wakefield Dementia Action Alliance (WDAA). The feedback from all was very positive. Through The Alzheimer’s Society a WDAA partner, Wakefield Carers contacted the Parish to discuss the possibility of using one of our church halls for a new Castleford Dementia Support Group. After an initial meeting with the group leader, they have agreed to meet the second Wednesday of every month in the Parish Rooms. They have initially booked the hall up to the end of this year. The Support Group is available to all who have dementia and their carers. The first meeting was held in January and was well attend for a first meeting. Please let all your friends and neighbours know about this group as it is vital that people in Castleford are aware of this valuable support. Please see the advert in this magazine for more details. In January I attended the first WDAA meeting of the new year. At the meeting it was announced that the group have now 50 partner organisations, which is a milestone for the group. One of these is The Henry Moore Clinic in Castleford. (continued on page 21) 20
February 2016 (Continued from page 20) Part of the meeting was given over to presentations from the Alzheimer’s Society and Trading Standards. The presentation from the Alzheimer’s Society was very informative and gave an overview of the important work the society does both locally and nationally. I’m now in the process of negiotating a date and time for the presentation to be given to the Parish. The presentation from Trading Standards was from The SAFER Project team. This team raises awareness on various types of scams. These crimes regrettably are on the increase across the country and vulnerable people are often the target. As a Parish we have agreed for The SAFER Project Team to come and deliver two presentations, the first on doorstep crime and the other on telephone scams. Please keep an eye out for more details nearer the time. We will also be having another Dementia Friendly Church Service, but this will be in the spring so that the weather isn’t a factor when people are considering when to come. Again please look out for details nearer the time. Well my friends I will close now, till next time. As always thank you for your continued support. God Bless Fr. Kevin
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HIGH DAYS & HOLY DAYS IN FEBRUARY 1
Brigid, Abbess of Kildare, c. 525
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THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE (CANDLEMAS)
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Anskar, Archbishop of Hamburg, Missionary in Denmark & Sweden, 865
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Gilbert of Sempringham, Founder of the Gilbertine Order, 1189
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The Martyrs of Japan, 1597
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ASH WEDNESDAY
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Sigfrid, Bishop, Apostle of Sweden, 1045
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Janani Luwum, Archbishop of Uganda, Martyr, 1977
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Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, c.155
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George Herbert, Priest, Poet, 1633
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OSWALD - THE SAINT FOR LEAP YEAR There is a saint for Leap Year: St Oswald of Worcester, who died on 29th February 992. His family story was extraordinary, and full of some surprising ‘leaps’, all by itself. It provides a tantalising glimpse of what happened to at least one of those pagan Viking warriors who settled in Anglo-Saxon Britain. For Oswald’s great-uncle had come to England c 865, as part of the ‘Great Heathen Army’ of Viking invaders. But his son, Oswald’s uncle, Oda, forsook paganism, and not only converted to Christianity, but actually ended up as Archbishop of Canterbury. From there, Oda was in a position to help his nephew, Oswald, which he did. Oda sent young Oswald to be educated at the abbey of Fleury, then a great centre of learning. There Oswald absorbed the Benedictine ideals which would guide his later life and work. Back in England, he became bishop of Worcester in 961, and with the support of King Edgar, eagerly joined in major reforms of the Anglo-Saxon church. In 972 Oswald was made Archbishop of York, and seems to have taken a great interest in renewing the church in the Danelaw. He founded Ramsey Abbey, which became one of the great Fenland monasteries. Oswald was a popular Archbishop, who was in the habit of washing the feet of the poor every day in Lent. On the 29th February 992 he had just completed this service at Worcester, when he collapsed and died. Later Oswald and his successor at Worcester, Wulfstan came to be the two chief saints of Worcester. You can see them together, for instance, flanking the tomb of King John before the high altar of the cathedral.
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THE QUEEN - A MESSAGE FROM THE CHURCH BUILDINGS COUNCIL With the approval and agreement of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the Church Buildings Council is encouraging every parish church in England to organise a festival on the weekend of 10-12 June 2016 to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday and her role as head of the Church of England. This will coincide with official celebrations taking place in London. The variety of potential forms for the celebrations is huge, from flower festivals to organ, bell-ringing or choir festivals, food or even beer festivals! – and it is hoped that, wherever possible, every church will take part. In addition, to coincide with the Queen’s birthday we hope that every church will be able to organise an exhibition of the life of its parish over the previous 90 years. Such exhibitions should, by charting the changes in the lives of our communities since 1926, highlight the ways in which parish churches have been and remain the focus of those communities, and be a celebration both of our churches and of the people that they serve. We hope that most parishes will be able to find photographs, artworks and oral history connected with their church and the local area. Though the onus will be on parishes to arrange their events, the Church Buildings Council will act as a hub for ideas and as a central co -ordination point. We will soon be sending out guidance on the organisation of these events, and all relevant guidance will be available on the ChurchCare.co.uk website. Details of events will appear on ChurchDays.co.uk. 24
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FR. KEVIN’S CHRISTMAS QUIZ (THE ANSWERS) 1.
Rockin around it from the song ‘Rockin around the Christmas Tree’. 2. Answer Sap of Commiphora Myrrha and used for embalming the dead. 3. Silent Night. 4. A Turkey, though he had to go back the following year to get the Paxo! 5. George the Fifth (in 1932). 6. Christmas Past, Christmas Present, Christmas Yet to Come, and Jacob Marley. 7. Cosaques which is French for Cossacks. 8. Germany circa 1570. 9. St Stephens Day. 10. White Christmas by Bing Crosby.
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THE STORY BEHIND THE HYMN ‘WHO WOULD TRUE VALOUR SEE’ Who would true valour see, Let him come hither; One here will constant be, Come wind, come weather. There’s no discouragement Shall make him once relent His first avowed intent To be a pilgrim. Who so beset him round With dismal stories, Do but themselves confound; His strength the more is. No lion can him fright, He’ll with the giant fight, But he will have a right To be a pilgrim. Hobgoblin nor foul fiend Can daunt his spirit; He knows he at the end Shall life inherit. Then fancies fly away; He’ll fear not what men say; He’ll labour night and day To be a pilgrim. By John Bunyan (1628-88) John Bunyan wrote these words while a prisoner in Bedford jail. They appeared as a poem in his great work, The Pilgrim’s Progress. He would have been astonished to learn that his poem would ever go
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February 2016 What was Bunyan doing in jail? He had got caught up in the religious/ political tensions of the times, and suffered for it. John Bunyan was born in 1628, only a few years after the Pilgrim Fathers fled England for America, and religious freedom. Those were troubled times in England, with great tensions between King Charles and the Royalists, who were Catholic and believed in the divine right of kings, and the Parliament, as represented by Cromwell and the Roundheads. Bunyan had been brought up a Roundhead, and even became a soldier for a while in Cromwell’s army. When another soldier died in his place, Bunyan was stricken with grief, and went on to become a committed Christian. After the Restoration of the monarchy and the Established Church in 1660, Bunyan was viewed with suspicion as a Puritan sympathiser. He was ordered to stop preaching in public, but refused. He was convicted and altogether spent 12 years in prison. They turned out to be the most fruitful years of his life, for he took up the pen, and in the end reached far more people than he could ever have done by preaching locally. The poem appears in Pilgrim’s Progress at the point where Christiania and her four sons meet and help Mr Valiant-for-Truth on the road. They wash his wounds, give him food and drink, and learn his story. Mr Valiant-for-Truth was on his way from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. He relates the obstacles and battles along the way, and then launches into ‘Who would true valour see…’ The poem/hymn has been praised as ‘calculated to inspire the most doubtful spirit; the most disconsolate soul and to rekindle the fire of zeal and enthusiasm for the pilgrim journey.” … it was born out of Bunyan’s own struggle… to be a pilgrim.’ And it is the same faith, in the same Lord, and the same journey, that keeps millions of Christians in the Persecuted Church of today strong and looking forward… to the Celestial City! 27
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PUZZLE SOLUTIONS CROSSWORD
WORDSEARCH
SUDOKU SOLUTIONS EASY
MEDIUM
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ON A LIGHTER NOTE KEEP IT A SURPRISE Three-year-old Lily was helping her mother wrap a present for her father. While wrapping, her mother told Lily about keeping the present a secret so it would be a surprise. After the present was wrapped, Lily proudly put it under the tree. When her father asked her if he could shake it and guess what's inside, she said, very seriously, "No, T-shirts don't rattle." SANTA’S SLEIGH I remember when Father Christmas nervously went for his sleighdriving test. He came rushing back in a thunder of reindeer, and pulled up in front of the toy factory. 'Have you passed?' I asked. Father Christmas pointed to the front of the sleigh. 'See for yourself!' he called proudly. 'No-el plates!' FOOTBALLE’S CAROL A football supporter's favourite Christmas song? 'Yule never walk alone'. HOW TO GET MORE PRESENTS…. Joe: Did you get many Christmas presents? Jack: I sure did. A lot more than my four brothers. Joe: Why was that? Jack: On Christmas morning I got up two hours before them. CAROLS MISHEARD BY CHILDREN: Deck the Halls with Buddy Holly We three kings of porridge and tar On the first day of Christmas my tulip gave to me DON’T EAT What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations? Tinselitus. 33
February 2016 PARISH OFFICERS PCC Secretary: Mrs Mavis Whitehead 01977 550529 PCC Treasurer, Stewardship & Gift Aid Secretary: Mr Andrew Goyns 01924 898593 Safeguarding Officer: Mr Arnold Randall 01977 278611 Gift Day Secretary: Mrs Dawn Heyworth 01977 514515 Family & Children’s Worker Mrs Karen Richardson 01977 552524 CHURCHWARDENS David Field, Castleford: 01977 707120 Mavis Whitehead, St Paul’s 01977 550529 Pauline Morris, St Michaels 01977 668790 Ian Fletcher, Hightown 01977 550139
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DEPUTY CHURCHWARDENS
Hilary Wilkes, Castleford: Karen Ferrier, St Paul’s: Emma J Lisle, St Michael’s Susan Fletcher, Hightown
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