‘I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith…’
How wonderful it must be to near the end of our life and be able to say that. It reminds us of so many things - that life is a journey, or a race, or a ‘good fight’ - all of it, not just the public bit, or the productive bit, or the religious bit, or the young bit, or the adult bit… Every day matters; every day is a new chance to draw closer to God. But the fact that Paul can say ‘I have kept the faith,’ implies that there was a chance he wouldn’t - and that reminds us that saints don’t sail through life free from doubt and torment. A saint is someone who faces their doubt and torment and journeys on. But most of all, the joy of being able to say those words ourselves at the end of our life on earth should strengthen us to persevere in our vocation, as Peter and Paul did in theirs.

Please pray for the sick and elderly of our parishes, including: Kath Parton, Cecilia Akers, Nell Potter, Martin Poole, Linda O’Rourke, Norman Gallagher, Julie Bostock, Norah Chalk, Michael Somers, Julie Copner, Noreen King, Barbara Foster, George Sheridan, Margaret Pankhurst, Lillian Thomas, Eloise Ramsay, Agnes Barnett, Hilda Taylor, Tim Gibson, Eunice Bridgett, Sheila Shenton, Agnes Miles, Angelena Buxton, Barbara Byrne, Betty Durber, Jean Ford, Beatrice Jayasuriya, Marie Wedgwood, Holly Taylor, Elizabeth Rudd, Emily Watts, Edna McNicholas, Jean Allen, Jo Manley, Julie, Patricia Tector, Keith Olsen and all those who have asked for prayers.  May the healing touch of the Lord be with them. 

Healing Service next Sunday, 4pm for both parishes. It will be a simply service which will involve the laying on of hands and an opportunity for everyone present to light a candle. These candles will be then used in both parishes to be kept burning throughout the year to Mary, protector of life. May I remind you of that request of sensitivity to anyone who attends. It really is important that everyone feels they can come safe in the knowledge that only others who also come will know of their attendance. Thanks.

Please pray for Christopher Miller who was ordained priest at St Wulstan’s this Saturday.
Happy Birthday to Rachel Bunting who was 18 on Saturday - another one we should be really proud of! And congratulations to Lawrence Hagan who got a first in his degree - very impressive!

Counters please note:
Due to holiday commitments, the counting rota has been revised and updated.  Please take a copy today.

Prayers for the Living As you know, we designate July specifically as the month we particularly pray for our loved ones who are living. It’s a simple idea and a healthy balance to November when we specifically remember the dead. Sometimes prayers, especially Mass intentions - are like flowers: we get the idea that we offer them for people when they’ve died. But we all have many loved ones who we would like the whole parish to pray for anonymously, for all sorts of reasons. So, as usual, there is the Prayers for the Living box at the back of church with white envelopes for names of loved ones, and brown envelopes if you want to add a Mass offering to the names as well. Then the Mass offerings go towards Masses throughout the year for the ‘Intention of the Living’ - each of one which will be for all those named in all the envelopes. During July, the prayer box will be brought up in offertory and the people remembered during Masses.

St Werburgh’s Hall Painting Thanks to those who have volunteered to help with the hall painting at St Werburgh’s on Fri 4th and Sat 5th July. I reckon we need one more volunteer for Friday, and one for Saturday. Friday starts at 10.30am; Saturday at 9am. Thanks.

Now Available: June Catholic Today, July Day by Day Bible Readings

Missalettes A last reminder to all of you who use the missalettes provided that they do have their uses - especially for the young, the hard of hearing and the newcomer - BUT! the readings and especially the Gospel should be proclaimed, and therefore listened to. Please, put the missalettes down for the readings and listen to them. Read them beforehand while waiting for Mass - we’ll even start putting a few out during the week for you to take so that you can ponder the readings beforehand. Take the missalette home and read them again in the quiet of you home afterwards, but during the Mass the readings should be listened to. The church is very clear about this - it is not yet another quirk of Fr Stephen. Please take heed.

HEDNESFORD PILGRIMAGE would anyone wishing to join the Deanery Pilgrimage to the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Hednesford on Sunday 6th July, please phone John Hartley on 01782 680621.  Coach £7 leaves Holy Trinity at 12 noon.

CAFÉ The last two sessions will be on 8th and 15th July - a week later than I previously thought. I have to go to Birmingham for a Mass on the evening of 1st July.  We’ll be in the hall unless the paint fumes prove too much!?!

Urgently needed – volunteers to help with the Flower for the Altar.  You do not have to be an expert - some training will be given.  Perhaps a couple of people could work together as a team – all offers gladly accepted.

Confessions: 10.30-11.30 am at St Werburgh’s, 5.25- 5.45pm at St John’s

Roger is leaving us already! To endure a 5 day 250 mile cycle ride across the diocese to raise money for Fr Hudson’s which does so much good work with the elderly, orphans, disabled, the poor and most vulnerable in our diocese. Keep him in your prayers; there’s also a sponsor form at the back of church if you want to support his effort with a donation.

LLANDUDNO We’re sticking with the 13th July - monies please. And we’ve had a few cancellations, so we could do with a few more of the empty seats taken - as well as wanting your company of course.  We set off at 11.30am and return around 9pm.

Adoration Passion: An event packed with some of the very best Christian Artists from the UK and around the world will be staged at Trentham Gardens on the 18th and 19th July.  Tickets are available from the Methodist Book Centre, Gitana Street 01782 207200 or Clayton Parish Booklet  Not getting much response from people who lead groups regarding photos! I know most of us aren’t great about having our photos taken - I’d rather mine not be in - but it is helpful. If you don’t want your photo in, at least tell Andrew that; it’s now holding us going to print.   acgoodall@ntlworld.com