Parish Priest: Fr Shyju Chacko
The Presbytery (Old School House), Main Street, Aston le Walls
Telephone: 660592
Please check with Father Shyju or the Church notice board for service times etc.
WEEKLY MASS TIMES:
ALW: Sunday 10:45
Tue, Wed, Thu & Fri 10:00
Dec 2022/Jan 2023
Christmas Service 2022
Xmas Masses
Aston Le Walls – Sacread Heart & Our Lady Parish
24th Dec
- 04.00pm – Childrens’ Christmas Crib Service
- 08.30pm – Carols – 9pm Mass – Aston Le Walls
24th Dec.
- 09.00am Christmas Mass – King Sutton
- 11.00am: Christmas Mass – Aston Le Walls
Oct/Nov 2021
Listening to understand
The daughter of a friend was struggling at school, so she took her to a child psychologist. The psychologist asked the child about her family. The child said that her mother makes the family pray a lot and often reads the Bible to them. The psychologist said, “That must make you feel very uncomfortable.” Instead of asking the child how she felt, she was telling the child how she felt! Listening attentively to others, hearing what they have to say, and responding appropriately is so important if we are to have healthy relationships with them.
How often do I find myself not really listening to others but planning what I want to say and waiting for them to stop so I can have my say? We like to put others right and tell them what they ought to do, but rarely is that appropriate. Here is good advice I read recently. Accept without judging; value moments of silence; ask questions to check your understanding; accept that there may be no simple solution; accept that emotions can be high. The task is not to solve but simply to listen. Good luck, and may others listen attentively to you!
June/July 2021
I enjoy listening to the song ‘This is me’, from The Greatest Showman.
“I am not a stranger to the dark
Hide away, they say
‘Cause we don’t want your broken parts
I’ve learned to be ashamed of all my scars
Run away, they say
No one’ll love you as you are.”
The song made me think about my own attitudes. Those who are different, those who come across as misfits can face discrimination and prejudice. I find I can so easily be guilty of judging and condemning. The song reminded me of the parable in Luke’s Gospel about the Great Banquet. Those invited fail to turn up, so the organiser sends out his servants, saying, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and press people to come in.”
We all want others to accept us as we are, not as we should or ought to be.
May we all work for an inclusive society.
Apr/May 2021
It has been a pleasure to share in Sunday Evening prayer on Zoom with our C of E brothers and sisters. With the vaccination program going so well, we may be able to have a Pentecost service where we are physically together and can sing, “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord!”
At the R.C. church we had to cancel services for several weekends, but now we open again. We will have Holy Week services but they will be much shorter than normal.
People wonder why we read about the crucifixion on Palm Sunday. In some countries Good Friday is a normal working day so it is not possible to get to church. It was so in Cuba until recently, a Christian country with an atheistic communist regime. Easter Sunday is April 4th this year. Occasionally it falls on April 1st. It is a nice coincidence. The joke is on those who tried to get rid of ‘this Troublemaker’. For us he is still very much alive and active. The next recurrence is 2029.
As I write this it is equinox, birds singing, flowers blooming, blossom on the trees, there is new life all around us, and soon an extra hour of light in the evening!
Feb/Mar 2021
9 Jan 2021 – Notice from Father John: I am sorry, but due to the age of our parishioners, the smallness of our church, and the severity of the risk to life, it has been decided to cancel all Masses at Aston le Walls with immediate effect and until further notice.
For more information please speak to Father John or visit the website above.
Dec 2020/Jan 2021
Please note, you must book for Services, ring Rebecca on 07903 253467 or for further information speak to Father John.
First Mass of Christmas (Children and Family Mass) Christmas Eve 5pm – Aston Le Walls
“Midnight Mass” beginning with carols and readings at 9.30pm by candlelight, with Mass commencing at 10pm. Christmas Eve – ALW
Christmas Day Mass – St Peter and St Paul’s, King’s Sutton 9am – Sacred Heart and Our Lady, Aston Le Walls 10.45am.
All are welcome!
Feast of St Stephen – Boxing Day, 10am Aston Le Walls
Best wishes for 2021 Fr John Conroy
Oct/Nov 2020
I am Fr John Conroy and I replaced Fr James Evans in September. Fr James in now based in Northampton, working as secretary to our new bishop. Previously I was in Ilfracombe, north Devon. Ilfracombe is right on the coast and has a 9 metre tide which means dramatic changes in sea level. There are delightful clifftop walks, and in good weather South Wales is in view. On coming to Aston le Walls I thought I would greatly miss the coastal walks, but there is an excellent network of footpaths and bridleways here, and the countryside is beautiful. I particularly enjoy the walk around Boddington reservoir. It is strange to live in a village with no shop or pub, but as a clergyman I should be commenting that with two churches we have got our priorities right!
In Ilfracombe there were seven Christian denominations. We got on very well together, praying together and having joint services and activities. I know a new priest has been appointed to our Anglican church. I look forward to meeting him and his parishioners.
Ilfracombe is very hilly; I enjoy cycling and was looking forward to level roads here, however I have had to push the bike up several hills. I am thinking of buying an electric bike, but the variety on sale is quite enormous, I will just have to start taking ‘test cycles’ on different models.
I appreciate the friendliness of all I have met so far and look forward to making more friends.
Fr John
Do check the Parish Website or Weekly Newsletter for updates and other announcements and in the meantime, do keep safe, sane and well!
Parish Priest: Fr John Conroy
The Presbytery (Old School House), Main Street, Aston le Walls
Telephone: 660592,
Email: sacredheart_alw@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.sacredheart.btck.co.uk
Aug/Sept 2020
Parish Priest: Fr James Evans Telephone: 660592
Happy birthday to…. our Church which on 11th July celebrated its 193rd anniversary of first opening in 1827. Although a small building in comparison to other churches, our church is one of the oldest Catholic churches, post Reformation, in the Diocese of Northampton and the area. Ad multos annos!
A Re-Opening of our Churches On the weekend of 20th / 21st June (and subsequent weekends) we opened our church once again for people to come in for times of private prayer. To comply with strict hygiene and social distancing requirements the church inside has been reconfigured with hand sanitising points, stewards on hand to guide and kindly ensure the church is clean after each session.
Unfortunately, now, with the 2 metre social distancing requirements, this has greatly reduced the number of people we can have at any one time in the Church. However, the response from parishioners to support and pray was good. All this was further enhanced when from 4th July churches and other places of worship were permitted, with the same stringent regulations as before, to open for public worship. Due to the complexity of matters, we did not celebrate our first Mass until the following weekend. Thanks to the generosity of stewards, we currently celebrate a public Mass on Saturday evening (6pm) and Sunday morning (10.45am), and one day during the week. On other days, Fr James says a private Mass, for the people and for various intentions. A booking system has been established, so we can ensure we can accommodate everyone who wishes to attend Mass. Obviously, people who have been advised to remain shielding, or feel vulnerable due to age or underlying health issues, or have Covid-19 type symptoms should stay away for a while. The “take-up” for places has been good, and we strive to reach out to every parishioner with the newsletter and other spiritual material, either through email, the postal service and/or telephone calls. Although the church must remain closed to the public, outside of public Mass times, we persevere in our Christian faith, continue to follow the appropriate guidelines, and remain positive and hopeful for the future!
“I can see clearly now…” Those who have passed the Presbytery recently may have noticed a couple of days of activity as various workmen and machinery finished replacing the windows on the top floor, began just before lockdown in March of this year! I am delighted to advise that all the windows have now been fitted and cladding has been placed on the gables of the two front windows facing Main Street. Hopefully, this has enhanced the overall look of this aged building, which has undergone many transformations during its history – it should also help make the house a little more economic to run!
Moving On… After almost six years as parish priest and a proud member of this Village community, I will be moving at the end of August to “pastures new”. The new Bishop of Northampton, the Rt Rev David Oakley, has asked me to become his priest secretary. I will also be available at weekends to support the Cathedral parish in Northampton. This “call” came as quite a surprise to me, but after a period of prayerful discernment, I have accepted this new pastoral ministry. Both Moses and Sheba (my cats!) and I will be moving to live at Bishop’s House during the last week of August, though I plan to celebrate Mass with the Parish (as best we can) on 29th/30th August!
I should like it held on record that I was very happy to be appointed as parish priest here and have really loved being here in Aston le Walls. I am incredibly grateful for the initial welcome I received when I first arrived in September 2014 and the ongoing friendships which have developed since then. We have journeyed together in many ways, and I enjoyed being a part of our Village life and the opportunity of meeting many different people and families, whether Christian or not. I shall miss the likes of “the Scarecrow Trail”, the quizzes, fundraising events, the ‘’Act of Remembence on or around 11th November, and other Village events, and of course St Mary’s RC primary School. Hopefully, I have helped enkindle a sense of warm acceptance and hospitality with our two churches presence here – it has been a privilege for me to work alongside, and as a good friend, with Rev Stevie Cross and the congregation of St Leonard’s on many matters from the annual Harvest Festival, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Palm Sunday and sharing of our respective church celebrations!
The good news is that another priest will be coming! He is Fr John Conroy, and I am sure he will introduce himself to you when he arrives – he currently is priest-in-charge at the Catholic parish in Ilfracombe, north Devon. Do please say “hello” to him and make him feel as welcome as you have welcomed and supported me!
I am sure we will meet again from time to time – I shall be keeping in touch with Village life and Northampton is not many miles away!
With my prayers and best wishes for you all!
Fr James
Do check the Parish Website or Weekly Newsletter for updates and other announcements and in the meantime, do keep safe, sane and well!
June/July 2020
A personal message from Father James:
Thank you for brightening my day! I wish to both acknowledge and thank the families concerned, and most especially the children, who not only created but then displayed the many decorated stones and tiles that have appeared around the Village these past couple of months. I have been most impressed by the creativity and perseverance shown; not only making these works of art, but then also moving the stones and tiles around the Village therefore producing variety and a pleasant surprise when you come across such artwork. They have all been lovely to see, and always made me smile as and when I have been on one of my walks! Thank you and Well Done! Fr James
Coronavirus Pandemic These have been rather strange times of late! None of us could quite have foreseen the way and challenges, and new opportunities, which we have faced these past couple of months, or so. This is certainly true for our churches. Although ours has not been able to open and celebrate any public worship (Mass, baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc) with a congregation since mid-March, we continue to hold all people in our prayers and continue to stay in touch. Thanks, also, to the ability to access various online media and social network sites, many of us watch and participate in the Mass streamlined from many churches in this Country and abroad. Fr James is still able to celebrate a private Mass each day, and often for various intentions. If you would like him to pray for any member(s) of your family or friends, do let Fr James know. The church is happy to support you, however best we can!
We are currently looking at how best we can safely open our church for times of private prayer, when permission is given. This is not just simply a matter of “opening the doors and hoping for the best”, we have to show we are doing all we can to minimise the risk of spreading the virus. As such, there are comprehensive guidelines and procedures which must be established before our churches may be authorised to open. Although no specific date is set for this opening for private prayer, early indications are that the beginning of July looks hopeful.
Pentecost Sunday which was on 31st May this year not only concluded the month of May, but also saw the end of Eastertide. Christians understand Pentecost Sunday as the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the first Apostles and Disciples, and a renewal of the same Spirit upon us all, the fruit of which was and is sometimes known as the ‘the birth-day of the church’. Perhaps we should best understand Pentecost Sunday not in terms of an ending to something, rather as the ‘springboard’ of new birth! As you read this and as a church, we are now in what is known within our church as “Ordinary Time”. This does not mean that nothing exciting happens! Liturgically, green is the colour of Ordinary Time, and the theological virtue of hope is symbolized by the colour green, just as the burning fire of love is symbolized by red. Green is the colour of growing things, and hope, like them, is always new and always fresh. It is a visual reminder, perhaps for us all, that as we continue to emerge from Lockdown, we might do so in Hope and Trust for our future! What sort of future do we wish to be a part of? Is it simply a case of hitting the “reset” button and carry on as we were before, or might we use this “new life” given us to build upon some of the many positive and hope-filled things, which have emerged in spite of the darkness of Coronavirus?
Mary Macmillan RIP Mary, who would have been known at the time connected with the Village as Mary Bateman, died in April at the age of 96 years young! She spent some of her childhood with her family growing up in our Village, attended and then taught at St Mary’s RC Primary School; first, as an unqualified past pupil, but eventually as a fully qualified teacher. This achievement made her immensely proud. She loved being with children. She retired in 1988, forty-eight years after she started teaching at the School. May she rest in peace.
Thank you NHS and Key Workers We have been more than happy to join the Nation on Thursday evenings, coming together in support and appreciation of our NHS, and others, either through clapping, or indeed the ringing of our church bells!
Do check the Parish Website or Weekly Newsletter for updates and other announcements and in the meantime, do keep safe, sane and well!
April/May 2020
Covid-19 Measures Please be assured that although our church congregation is unable to come together for public worship in the normal manner, we continue to hold each one of us in thought and prayers. If you would like us to pray for any particular member of your family or friends, do let Fr James know. We are happy to support you, however best we can! Thanks to the ability to access various online media and social network sites, many of us are able to watch and participate in the Mass streamlined from many churches in this Country and abroad. Our parish website gives suggestions to help you do likewise, should you wish to find out more information.
Baptism Celebrations During February we welcomed Grace, Audrey and Gabriel as new members of the Church in our Parish, which is always a pleasure. Currently all baptisms, First Holy Communions and Confirmations are “on hold” until the all clear is given….
Members from our Congregation participated in the annual Service marking World Day of Prayer (formerly the Women’s World Day of Prayer) on Friday 6th March at St Mary’s Church in Woodford Halse. It was a lovely celebration with a shared, buffet lunch after the Service
Renovation Work It was only possible to install half the new windows on the top floor of the Presbytery before the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday night, 23 March, which strengthened restrictions in the country’s attempt to combat the Covid-19 virus. The work will resume once the current restrictions are lifted.
Lent 2020 It’s still not too late to engage with this important Season of the Christian Year! Please contact the Presbytery for further help and support. Thank you to those who were able to support the Lent lunch held in the Village Hall at the end of February. There was a great turnout, some delicious soups, and a relaxed atmosphere. We were able to raise £188 at the lunch – an excellent response which will support the work of EducAid, a charity with strong roots in the Village!! Thank you!
New Bishop for the Diocese Cardinal Vincent Nichols celebrated the Episcopal Ordination of Canon David Oakley in Northampton Cathedral on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, 19th March. Bishop David became the thirteenth Bishop of Northampton. Bishop Peter Doyle can now enjoy retirement, but retains links with our Diocese, as Bishop Emeritus. Visit
https://northamptondiocese.org/bishop-david/ for further information!
Do check the Parish Website or Weekly Newsletter for updates and other announcements!
Do keep safe and well!
February/March 2020
Coronavirus: Please visit the website above for the latest information re services etc. Father James is always happy to offer his services as a listening ear, a friend and someone happy to offer pastoral support to anyone (of faith or none!) especially at this time.
Do check the Parish Website or Weekly Newsletter for updates and other announcements!
The Church is normally open daily for anyone to pop in, to light a candle, say a prayer, or simply to spend a few moments in quiet and in peace. We especially welcome the new families who have arrived in to our lovely Village and we pray that you’re settling in to your new homes! Do pop in!
If you would like us to pray for any of your family or friends in our prayers, do let us know.
We are happy to walk with you and support, however best we can!
Mass Times: Sunday Mass is at 10.45am. Availability and times of weekday Mass can vary, so do check online or the parish newsletter.
We hope that everyone had a good Christmas and New Year. Christmas in the Parish went very well, even if people (including Fr James) found themselves struggling with rotten colds, etc! Thank you to everyone who braved the cold for the Walking Nativity! May 2020 be a good one for our whole village community!
Renovation Work We have now had the kneelers in our church refurbished, thanks to last year’s fundraising efforts. We will also have the windows replaced on the top floor of the Presbytery, which have been in a very poor condition for quite some time. This will hopefully be carried out asap.
Lent 2020 begins on Ash Wednesday which this year falls on Wednesday 26th February. There will be Mass at 9.30am (with St Mary’s School) and 7.30pm; both at Sacred Heart Church. Details of the traditional Lent lunches will be announced separately and will be held at the Village Hall; all proceeds from these lunches to go to EducAid, our parish charity, and for which former villager Miriam Mason-Sesay (daughter of Vanessa and Martin) is the driving force! There will also be spiritual nourishment resources available for anyone wish to engage with this important time of the church’s year.
World Day of Prayer: 6th March This World Day of Prayer is an international ecumenical Christian laywomen’s initiative. It is run under the motto “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action,” and is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March. This Year’s local Service takes place at St Mary’s Church, Woodford Halse, starting at 11am, with a “bring and share lunch” afterwards. A Service for everyone!
Baptism Celebrations At both Sacred Heart church and our ‘sister church’ in King’s Sutton Fr James will be baptising a number of young children over the next few weeks which are a time of joy for both the families concerned and indeed the Parish as a whole.
New Bishop for the Diocese The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed Canon David Oakley, a priest of the Archdiocese of Birmingham and currently rector of St. Mary’s College, Oscott, to be the 13th Bishop of Northampton. Cardinal Vincent Nichols will celebrate the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Elect David in Northampton Cathedral at 11am on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, 19th March 2020. Our current Bishop, Peter Doyle, will now be able to look forward to his retirement!
December/January 2019/2020
Parish Priest: Fr James Evans Telephone: 660592,
The Presbytery (Old School House), Main Street, Aston le Walls
Email: sacredheart_alw@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.sacredheart.btck.co.uk
Do check the Parish Website or Weekly Newsletter for updates and other announcements!
The Church is normally open daily for anyone to pop in, to light a candle, say a prayer, or simply to spend a few moments in quiet and in peace. We especially welcome the new families who have arrived in to our lovely Village and we pray that you’re settling in to your new homes! Do pop in!
If you would like us to pray for any of your family or friends in our prayers, do let us know.
We are happy to walk with you and support, however best we can!
Mass Times: Sunday Mass is at 10.45am. Availability and times of weekday Mass can vary, so do check online or the parish newsletter.
Induction Mass: The Mass of Induction of Mrs Laura Concannon as the new Headteacher for St Mary’s RC Primary School took place at the Church on Wednesday, 9th October at 7pm. It was a lovely celebration, and we look forward to a continued and healthy relationship between the School and the Parish.
We shall remember them Our church congregation came alongside St Leonard’s Church congregation and villagers at the war memorial on Sunday, 10th November for the annual 11am Act of Remembrance.
Fundraising News: Following on from the most enjoyable and successful ‘cheese and wine’ evening: a wonderful Safari Supper” on held Friday, 18th October, raising about £1400! A fantastic response to which we are most grateful for the support of many Villagers both in attending the evening, and indeed most especially to those who hosted the main meal in their homes. Future fundraising events will start again in January – do watch out for those notices and invitations!
The Sunday before the First Sunday of Advent is a special Day of Prayer for Young People and the great feast of Christ the King. A number of Staff and Children from St Mary’s School took active roles during the Mass, supported by family members and regular parishioners for Mass. It was a great celebration much enjoyed by all who took part!
Village Nativity We will once again be participating in the Village Nativity which takes place on Friday, 20th December, starting at 7pm from the Village Hall!
Christmas Celebrations Do please check our parish website for the many general activities and events which may be of interest to you. However, the principal times for Mass this Christmas here in Aston le Walls is, as follows:
Christmas Eve: First Mass for Christmas (family and children orientated) – 5pm
Christmas Mass: “Midnight Mass” – 10pm with carols from 9.30pm
Christmas Day: Morning Mass – 10.45am
2020 and all that! By tradition the Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on 6th January we will celebrate this Day on the preceding Sunday, 5th January. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is usually observed from the 18th to the 25th January, though it is not set in stone, and we might be celebrating this time later in the Year. However, further information can be found at
https://ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer
Our Church family wishes all Villagers a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
October/November 2019
The Church is normally open daily for anyone to pop in, to light a candle, say a prayer, or simply to spend a few moments in quiet and in peace. We especially welcome the new families who have arrived in to our lovely Village and we pray that you’re settling in to your new homes! Do pop in!
If you would like us to remember in prayer a loved one or friend, do drop a note with any details in through the letterbox at the Presbytery – we are happy to offer support and help.
Mass Times: Sunday Mass is at 10.45am. There is usually Mass during the week on Mondays at 9am, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am. Fr James’s ‘day off’ is usually a Thursday.
Links with St Mary’s School: We continue in our close association with the School: members of the Parish joined the School for its Opening Mass for the School Year on Friday, 6th September and will also host our Harvest Mass of Thanksgiving on Monday, 14th October at 9.30. A special Mass of Induction for the new Headteacher of the School takes place at the Church on Wednesday, 9th October at 7pm. This will be celebrated with Monsignor Kevin McGinnell, Episcopal Vicar for Education and Formation for the Diocese of Northampton. All are welcome to attend these celebrations.
“For all the Saints…!” On Friday 1st November we celebrate “All Saints Day” and there will be Mass at Sacred Heart Church at 10am. November is the month our Church especially remembers and prays for those who have died, sometimes referred to as the “Month of the Holy Souls”. We will have Mass at the Church on Saturday, 2nd November (All Souls) at 10am for all the faithful departed. If you would like any deceased family members or friends remembered generally during this month, do drop a note to Fr James. On Friday, 8th November, at 11am (weather permitting), we will also have the annual Blessing of graves in our cemetery.
Act of Remembrance Our congregation here at Sacred Heart Church will join alongside St Leonard’s Church congregation and villagers at the war memorial on Sunday, 10th November.
Fundraising Events: Following on from the work already undertaken to refresh, repair and renew aspects of our beautiful, 192 year old Church building, a parish fundraising team have been set up with a view to raising funds to help with future endeavours. On Friday, 20th September St Mary’s School played host to a most popular, enjoyable and successful ‘cheese and wine’ evening: around £750 was raised before expenses! This will go some way in our plan to renovate our church kneelers – we have 20+ of them to renovate and/or renew. Another fantastic evening is already well underway in its preparations: “A Safari Supper” on Friday, 18th October.
Sunday 24th November is the Feast of Christ the King and the last Sunday of the Church’s Year before the beginning of the Season of Advent: A Day of Prayer for Young People with a welcome to members of the School Family – and, of course, anyone!
“Who is Jesus?” With two churches and a Catholic primary school in the Village that have been a part of village life for many generations now, there may be one or two of you who might ask this very question; who is Jesus? It’s a perfectly reasonable question to ask and we would like to help that and other “faith-related” questions, eg: “what’s the point of the Bible today?” Don’t be afraid to ask – we would be happy to help explore these and other questions with you.
Do check the Parish Website or Weekly Newsletter for updates and other announcements!
August/September 2019
The Church is normally open daily for anyone to pop in for some peace and quiet, to light a candle, say a prayer, or simply have a look around. If you would like us to remember a relative or friend of yours in prayer, do drop a note with any details in through the letterbox at the Presbytery – we are happy to offer our support in this way.
As a church family, we welcome any new people who have arrived in to our lovely Village and we pray that you’re settling in to your new homes!
Mass Times: Sunday Mass is at 10.45am followed by tea and coffee in the Presbytery dining room. There is usually Mass during the week on Mondays at 9am, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am. Fr James’s ‘day off’ is usually a Thursday.
Fr S. Crow thoroughly enjoyed his annual visit to the Village and was especially delighted to meet his friend the Rev’d. B. Scarer, from the Anglican Church, St Leonard’s! It was a joy to see the churches working together! He also enjoyed helping Fr James celebrate his anniversary of ordination to the priesthood!
Church Refurbishment The current work in and around the Church has now been successfully completed: external concrete steps have been removed and replaced with a larger, accessible slope to the Shrine of our Lady and the cemetery, a better water drainage system around much of the church building. Inside the church damp-damaged walls and natural cracks have been repaired and the church repainted. All this was completed by the First Holy Communion Mass in June, and well within the 192nd anniversary of the church’s opening on 11th July.
Fundraising Events Following some preliminary thoughts and ideas it is planned to start our Parish fundraising proper from this coming September: do watch out for these future fun and social events which will help meet existing costs of refurbishment but will also enable ongoing work to continue. Events will include: a “cheese and wine social evening” in September, a “Safari Supper” in October and a “bingo night!” in December! It is thought that by have a broad spectrum of events, a wide number of people will wish to support and participate! Watch this space!
Together with St Mary’s Catholic Primary School we have celebrated many lovely events: the children’s First Holy Communion Mass on 22 June and the final Mass of the School Year Mass on 24 July. We hosted a Mass of Thanksgiving and Farewell on 22 July for Kirstie Yuen, who leaves the School in great shape as Headteacher for a new and exciting post in Northampton. Looking ahead we will have a Mass for the opening of the new school year at 9.30am on Friday, 6 September in School and a Mass of Induction for the new Headteacher, Laura Concannon on Wednesday 9 October at 7pm.
Global Healing Food for thought on how faith helps us care for our common home: planet Earth.
Visit www.ourcommonhome.co.uk We also hope to broaden out this call for an “ecological conversion”, and a renewed sense of hope in the face of the real challenge facing our world, and our neighbourhood, with climate change issues and a need for a renewed sense of responsibility and solidarity.
The Catholic Church and Faith For anyone wishing to renew their understanding of Catholicism, or re-engage with the church having lapsed, or are simply curious to know more, do please contact Fr James in the first instance. We would love to welcome you in person to our family of faith!
Do check the newsletter or our parish website for the latest news and announcements.
June/July 2019
Parish Priest: Fr James Evans Telephone: 660592,
The Presbytery (Old School House), Main Street, Aston le Walls, NN11 6UF
Email: sacredheart_alw@btinternet.com
Website: www.sacredheart.btck.co.uk
The Church is normally open daily for anyone to pop in for some peace and quiet, to light a candle, say a prayer, or simply have a look around. If you would like us to remember a relative or friend of yours in prayer, do drop a note with any details in through the letterbox at the Presbytery – we are happy to offer our support in this way.
As a church family, we welcome any new people who have arrived in to our lovely Village and we pray that you’re settling in to your new homes!
Mass Times: Sunday Mass is at 10.45am followed by tea and coffee in the Presbytery dining room. There is usually Mass during the week on Mondays at 9am, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am. Fr James’s ‘day off’ is usually a Thursday.
Church Refurbishment Two external work projects have now been completed around the church and during June, significant repair and refurbishment work will be undertaken inside the main body of the Church. This is anticipated to be complete just in time for the First Holy Communion Mass in June.
Lent lunches Our two Lent lunches held in the Village Hall and one in King’s Sutton raised a fantastic £583.50. This money has gone to support the work of EducAid, operating in Sierra Leone and mentioned in previous newsletters. Thank you to everyone who supported these two lunches from the Village.
Our Easter Celebrations went very well and a great deal of hard work and time was undertaken by many people to help in the smooth running of Holy Week and Easter.
Farewell As announced in our last newsletter a faithful parishioner, Carmen Turbett, died after a time of ill health. Her funeral Mass was held in our Church on Tuesday, 16th May. May she rest in peace.
Welcome! In May we welcomed three new members of the Church through baptism: Finn Boyle, Lucy Crook and Fleur Kirton. Three joyous celebrations! I am sure there will be more to follow!
Forthcoming Feast Days Two key feasts of the Church are coming as we go to print: that of the Ascension of the Lord – Thursday, 30th May – and that of Pentecost – Sunday, 9th June. See the website for details, and if you care to find out a little more about the biblical roots of these celebrations, why not read the first two chapters of the Acts of the Apostles, in the New Testament, found in any Christian Bible!
First Holy Communion Mass This takes place this year on Saturday, 22nd June at 10.30am. There are seven children involved, and we hold them and their families in prayer in anticipation of this joyous day. With family and friends coming, there will be more people and cars around that morning, though we will endeavour to keep congestion to a minimum through using facilities at St Mary’s School to assist with car parking.
Anniversary Celebrations Fr James celebrates his 18th ordination of priesthood on 7th July and the church celebrates its 192nd anniversary of opening on 11th July! Oh, and July is also the time traditionally when our friend “Fr S. Crow” pays a visit as he wishes to be involved once again in the “Scarecrow Weekend”.
Global Healing Food for thought on how faith helps us care for our common home. Visit www.ourcommonhome.co.uk
Do check the newsletter or our parish website for the latest news and announcements.
April/May 2019
The Church is normally open daily for anyone to pop in for some peace and quiet, to light a candle, say a prayer, or simply have a look around. We welcome any new people who have arrived in to our lovely Village and we pray that you’re settling in to your new homes!
If you would like us to remember a relative or friend of yours in prayer, do drop a note with any details in through the letterbox at the Presbytery – we are happy to offer our support in this way.
Mass Times: Sunday Mass is at 10.45am followed by tea and coffee in the Presbytery dining room. There is usually Mass during the week on Mondays at 9am, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am. Fr James’s ‘day off’ is usually a Thursday. Do check the newsletter for full details.
Church Refurbishment
It is hoped to soon commence some refurbishment works on our Church which will last help preserve the fabric of the building itself, and refresh renew the inside. This July our church is 192 years old!
Lent lunches
You will have received a flyer, courtesy of residents Vanessa and Martin Mason, advertising the two Lent lunches taking place in the Village Hall: the proceeds of which will support the work of EducAid. This UK registered charity has an educational network comprising of free schools, teacher training, and tertiary programmes in Sierra Leone and which is run by Vanessa and Martin’s daughter, Miriam (whom a number of villagers will have known over the years). EducAid believes that the education of young men and women is essential to: unlock human potential, overcome poverty, improve wellbeing, build democracy, and that it is the cornerstone of stable development. Its vision is a democratic, dignified and prosperous Sierra Leone, where poverty is eliminated by educated citizens who are able to develop their personal, social and economic wellbeing. Do visit www.educaid.org.uk for more information and come along to the final Lent lunch takes place on Friday, 12th April in the Village Hall from 12 noon to 1.30pm
Global Healing
Fr James will be hosting a presentation of “Global Healing” on Wednesday 10th April at c.7.30pm. This is a DVD-led film on how our faith can help us care for our common home. More information and a trailer of this film can be found at www.ourcommonhome.co.uk. If you’re interested, do give Fr James a call, or drop him a note!
Rest in Peace
Following the funeral Mass of Dougie Hodson from Byfield at the Catholic Church in Daventry, his body was laid to rest in our cemetery on Thursday 14th February. We also interred the ashes of Jeremy Catto in our cemetery on 23rd February, and we held the funeral Mass for Jean Avello from Priors Marston in our Church on Friday 22nd March. More recently another parishioner, Carmen Turbett, from Eydon, died and her funeral Mass will be celebrated in our Church – the date is yet to be agreed.
Palm Sunday and Easter Celebrations
The two congregations (and beyond) from Aston le Walls will jointly mark the beginning of Holy Week with the traditional blessing of palms and procession starting on the junction of Main Street and Welsh Road, on Palm Sunday (14th April) morning, c.10.30am. Please watch the general announcements on the Parish website for details of all the liturgies for Holy Week. However the following details provide the key moments:
Mass of the Lord’s Supper – Thursday 18th April – 7.30pm
Good Friday Service – 19th April – 3pm
Easter Vigil – Saturday, 20th April – 8pm
Easter Day/Sunday – 21st April – 10.45am
Baptism Celebrations During Eastertide we will welcome to our church family, through the Sacrament of Baptism, two babies: Finn and Fleur.
Do check the Parish Website or Weekly Newsletter for updates and other announcements!
Feb/March 2019
The Church is normally open daily for anyone to pop in for some peace and quiet, to light a candle, say a prayer, or simply have a look around. We welcome any new people who have arrived in to our lovely Village and we pray that you’re settling in to your new homes!
If you would like us to remember a relative or friend of yours in prayer, do drop a note with any details in through the letterbox at the Presbytery – we are happy to offer our support in this way.
Mass Times: Sunday Mass is at 10.45am. There is usually Mass during the week on Mondays at 9am, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am. Fr James’s ‘day off’ is usually a Thursday.
Christmas Reflections
As a Parish we all engaged with all the usual preparations and celebrations of Christmas which were well-supported. This continued through Epiphany, the Baptism of the Lord moving toward the end of Christmastide and the beginning of “Ordinary Time”. During the Christmas period we were delighted to mark one of our altar servers achieving 50 years of dedicated service in this ministry and then we had a lovely Mass to mark the New Year with the School. We look forward to ongoing and deepening connections between the School and the Parish.
Churches Together
Fr James led a short Service at the School on Monday 21st January, for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Then on the evening of Sunday, 27th January the Church once again “played host” to a gathering of Christians from our two Village churches and churches further afield as we concluded the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Jointly led by Rev Stevie Cross and Fr James and in a spirit both of friendship between people and a desire to praise to God as one people, we reflected on God as “the fountain of life”. Many thanks to all who attended to Rev Stevie for her reflection and for Fr James’s hospitality in the Presbytery afterwards: it was a lovely evening! To find out more on the work of churches together nationally why not visit www.ctbi.org.uk or contact members of either St Leonard’s or Sacred Heart churches.
Lent begins later this year than last year beginning with Ash Wednesday on 6th March. We will have Mass with St Mary’s RC Primary School from the Village at 9.30am in the Church, and later at 7pm. Lent is the time of spiritual preparation prior to the Easter season, just as Advent is for Christmas. “Each year, Lent offers us a providential opportunity to deepen the meaning and value of our Christian lives, and it stimulates us to rediscover the mercy of God so that we, in turn, become more merciful toward our brothers and sisters. In the Lenten period, the Church makes it her duty to propose some specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal: these are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.” (Pope Benedict XVI)
Lent Activities
To help support our journey through Lent there will be a number of events, both practical and spiritual: from the popular “Lent lunches”, to discussion and faith-sharing opportunities. These events will be shared between our congregations here in Aston le Walls and King’s Sutton. Further details and updates will be announced in the weekly newsletters and on the parish website.
The items below are merely given for information. They do at least give an update as to what we might need to know, be interested to know, or wish to pass on to others who may be more directly impacted.
Preparing for EU Exit
Leaving the EU means a number of changes that will affect businesses and individual citizens. You may wish to visit https://euexit.campaign.gov.uk/ to find out how to prepare and the steps you may need to take.
HS2
You may find https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/high-speed-two-limited of interest, though I am not sure it deals with the more local specifics and activities.
Do check the Parish Website or Weekly Newsletter for updates and other announcements!
Dec/Jan 2018/2019
The Church is normally open daily for anyone to pop in for some peace and quiet, to light a candle, say a prayer, or simply have a look around. We welcome any new people who have arrived in to our lovely Village and we pray that you’re settling in to your new homes!
If you would like us to remember a relative or friend of yours in prayer, do drop a note with any details in through the letterbox at the Presbytery – we are happy to offer our support in this way.
Mass Times: Sunday Mass is at 10.45am. There is usually Mass during the week on Mondays at 9am, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am. Fr James’s ‘day off’ is usually a Thursday.
Baptism Welcome Congratulations to six-week old baby Tiernan, from the Village, who was baptised here at Sacred Heart Church on Saturday, 24th November. It was lovely to welcome family and friends to this celebration. A further baptism takes place on Sunday, 9th December during the Sunday Mass that day – this baby’s name is Hector!
As part of the celebrations marking this last Sunday of the Church’s Year (Feast of Christ the King) and a special Day of Prayer for young people, our usual Sunday congregation had the pleasure of especially welcoming a number of children, their families and staff from St Mary’s School. A number of the children helped Fr James with the Gospel reflection!
In love and remembrance November is the “Month of the Holy Souls” when as Catholics we remember and pray for those who have died. Aside from celebrating Mass for All Saints and All Souls, the blessing of graves took place on 9th November. Our congregation came alongside St Leonard’s Church congregation and villagers at the war memorial on Sunday, 11th November for the annual Act of Remembrance. More recently the funeral took place of Patricia Hirons on Tuesday, 27th November here at Sacred Heart Church, followed by her burial in our cemetery. May all rest in peace,
Christmas is Coming! Don’t Panic! With the first Sunday of Advent on Sunday, 2nd December, our church enters a time of spiritual preparation for Christmas. We will join in the annual Advent carols at St Leonard’s on Sunday evening, 2nd December and the “Walking Nativity” on Friday, 21st December. On Monday, 17th December our church plays host to St Mary’s School KS2 Christmas reflections at 2pm and 7pm.
Times for Christmas Mass are as follows:
First Mass for Christmas (a family Mass) – 5pm
“Midnight Mass” – 10pm
Christmas Day Mass – 10.45am
2019 and all that! Two key Church feasts are Sunday, 6th January 2019 – Epiphany, and Sunday, 13th January – Baptism of the Lord. We also have the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity to look forward to which runs from Friday, 18th to 25th January. Further details will be released in church newsletters and flyers.
Do check the Parish Website or Weekly Newsletter for updates and other announcements!
May our Church Family wish you all a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Oct/Nov 2018
The Church is normally open daily for anyone top pop in, to light a candle, say a prayer, or simply to spend a few moments in quiet and in peace. We especially welcome the new families who have arrived in to our lovely Village and we pray that you’re settling in to your new homes! Do pop in!
If you would like us to remember in prayer a relative or friend of yours, do drop a note with any details in through the letterbox at the Presbytery – we are happy to offer our support in this way.
Mass Times: Sunday Mass is at 10.45am. There is usually Mass during the week on Mondays at 9am, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am. Fr James’s ‘day off’ is usually a Thursday.
Rest in Peace: September saw the funerals for the Parish for two people: Jeremy Catto, a regular attendee here in Aston le Walls whose requiem Mass took place at the Oxford Oratory. Jeremy, an Emeritus Fellow of Oriel College was a Reader at Mass. Vera Sutton, a former parishioner from the other end of the Parish in King’s Sutton died and her funeral Service took place at the Parish Church, King’s Sutton.
Links with St Mary’s School: Members of the Parish joined the School for its Opening Mass for the School Year on Friday, 7th September and will also host our Harvest Mass of Thanksgiving on Thursday, 4th October at 9.30am. All welcome.
“The Good Book” It is planned that both churches here in the Village on Sunday, 21st October will share a common theme on the beauty, wisdom and significance of The Bible as a building block of our Christian Faith and spiritual growth. This sense of shared purpose and mission will not only help deepen our ecumenical understanding and outlook but also hopefully result in then running “Alpha”-type courses for the local parishes which seek to introduce the basics of the Christian faith for everyone! Watch this space!
“For all the Saints…!” On 1st November we celebrate “All Saints Day” and there will be Mass with the St Mary’s School community at Sacred Heart Church, at 2.00pm. Also a Mass will be held at 7pm at Sacred Heart Church here in the village. November is the month our Church especially remembers and prayers for those who have died, sometimes referred to as the “Month of the Holy Souls”. We will have Mass at the Church, with KS2 children from the School community, on Friday, 2nd November 10am for a special Mass commemorating this time. If you would like any deceased family members or friends remembered generally during this month, do drop a note to Fr James. On Friday, 9th November, weather permitting, we will also have the annual Blessing of graves in cemetery after the 10am Mass.
Act of Remembrance Our congregation here at Sacred Heart Church will join alongside St Leonard’s Church congregation and villagers at the war memorial on Sunday, 11th November.
Sunday 25th November is the Feast of Christ the King and the last Sunday of the Church’s Year before the beginning of the Season of Advent: A Day of Prayer for Young People with a welcome to members of the School Family – and, of course, anyone!
Do check the Parish Website or Weekly Newsletter for updates and other announcements!
August 2018
Looking back… Our First Holy Communion Mass took place on Saturday morning, 9th June here at Sacred Heart Church; a lovely occasion for all concerned. Equally joyful was the celebration of marriage between Oneisha and Ross which occurred on Saturday, 16th June! “Father S. Crow” popped in on us again on the scarecrow weekend of 7th/8th July He appeared perhaps to have put on a little weight and changed his hairstyle somewhat, but otherwise was happy to “sing-a-long” some of his favourite songs and hymns!
Share the Journey! As people flee war, persecution and poverty, Pope Francis together with numerous Catholic Aid Agencies around the world invited us to share their journey by walking with these refugees, in prayer and support. On Sunday 24th June a number of parishioners did just that in a simple way as have many other parishes: people walked around the Village, walked to South Boddington and back from the Village and even from the Village to Woodford Halse. Ours were easy journeys by comparison, even in the summer sun, but it made us think about “who is my neighbour?”
Less is More… Phase one of the ground clearance, reduction and general tidy-up of the Presbytery garden occurred recently, with phase two taking place in the autumn; it’s amazing how much space has been freed up and Fr James’s cats, Moses and Sheba are delighted! There will be other specific remedial and general maintenance work taking place over the next few months or so in the church grounds and Church building itself.
Baptism Celebration The Church is delighted to welcome in to the Christian family 5-month old baby Arabella on Saturday 28th July through the Sacrament of Baptism. Arabella’s parents had been married at the Church by Fr Sean Healy in 2014.
August has a tendency to be a quieter month for the Parish, and no doubt things will pick up again early September once the St Mary’s RC Primary School begins a new School Year: do please watch out for notices and invites. There is planned a Parish Quiz in the autumn – further details to follow; and obviously there will be activities organised and focused at the other end of the Parish which meets weekly for a 9 am Sunday Mass at the Parish Church, King’s Sutton.