Our parish serves a most beautiful area of Yorkshire and includes much of the Southern Dales part of the National Park, and part of the Forest of Bowland, one of the country's designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The church of St Boniface in Bentham is also served from this parish. See St Boniface Parish Priest: Rev. Father Francis Smith, The Presbytery, Tillman Close, Craven Terrace, SETTLE, North Yorkshire, BD24 9RA Telephone: Settle 01729 822525 Bentham 015242 61315 Website: http://www.ssmaryandmichael.co.uk Click here for the Parish Facebook page Diocese of Leeds Registered Charity No. 249404 Please click here for the WEEKLY BULLETIN View the PARISH BOUNDARY  The First Sunday of Advent and unbelievably the seasonal pressures are already mounting! The glossy magazines are trying to sell ‘the perfect Christmas’, yet for many we probably don’t really want Christmastide to be about things but about family. And as we know consuming more “stuff” isn’t sustainable for our planet either. Responding to Pope Francis’ teaching that we are called to recognise the need for changes of lifestyle, production and consumption (Laudato Si’ para 23) here are two suggestions to get more out of Christmas with less waste:
More tips towards a ‘LiveSimply’ Christmas: - Think about creating a ‘reverse’ Advent Calendar. Put something aside every day in Advent for someone in greater need. Non-perishable food items can be added to our food bank collection. - Look at the Reflective on-line Advent Calendar at cafod.org.uk/Pray/Advent-Calendar Each day there is a reflection from the day’s Mass readings, prayer and a suggested action towards global justice. - Upgrade to LED Christmas tree lights where appropriate, saving energy and running costs. World Climate Summit Whilst world leaders have been trying to make progress at the climate summit in Poland thank you to everyone who is doing their bit to care for our common home. It is said that each Christmas a staggering 1 billion Christmas cards are binned, enough wrapping paper is used to stretch to the moon, and up to 40% of festive food is thrown away. Here’s a couple of last-minute tips: - Make gift tags from old cards - Avoid the shiny metallic wrapping paper which is made from either plastic or metal foil. It cannot go for recycling and causes serious problems at recycling paper mills. - Consider giving some of your time (e.g. babysit, gardening, DIY) as a present. - Subscriptions to charities (e.g. RSPB, Woodland Trust, National Trust, Friends of the Earth, North Craven Heritage Trust) make gifts that don’t end in landfill. This is the last LiveSimply note for 2018 - back in the New Year. Have a blessed Christmastide. For further tips see LiveSimply Refugee ReSETTLEment Community Sponsorship – as part of living in solidarity with the poor the parish has committed to take a significant role in the community volunteer group, planning with the Home Office to enable a Syrian family displaced by the war to settle and flourish here. At this stage there are groups looking for housing, teaching English, Arabic interpreters, planning publicity and finance. They need more help now with each of these areas and to build up fundraising and safeguarding teams; nearer the time volunteers for transport, accompanying to appointments, help with IT, etc. It is much better if lots of people can each do a bit. To find out more or offer help contact Paul Kelly at settle.refugee@gmail.com or come along and listen at the next group meeting. There are some flyers and contact forms on our meeting room table at St Mary & St Michael's church. Listen to Dr. Paul Kelly being
interviewed about the . . . . . . Syrian Resettlement Project. Refugee ReSETTLEment Group Social Friday Dec 14th 7.00 – 8.30pm
Parishioners have a significant role in the community group planning to enable a Syrian refugee family to settle and flourish here. Come to our church hall on Friday to hear an update on developments in the project so far, the timeline, and plans for the next stage. It will be a sociable event with a Bring & Share supper and a chance to chat to volunteers across the local community. |  Mass Times Saturday Vigil 6.00pm Sunday 11.15am Tuesday 10.00am Thursday 10.00am Friday 12.00 noon Holy Days 7.00pm Confessions Saturday 5.15 - 5.45pm & on request Baptisms & Weddings By appointment Please click here for . . . Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church added to liturgical calendar . . . On Saturday 3rd March 2018, the Vatican announced Pope Francis’ decision that the Church celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as "Mother of the Church" every year on the Monday after Pentecost, as a way to foster Marian piety and the maternal sense of the Church. . . .Catholic News Agency
and video clip on Parish Facebook page |
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