LIVE SIMPLY - ST MARY’S AND BISHOP ETON

On Gaudete Sunday, let’s celebrate with joy, the work done by our long-established parish groups who have been supporting the principles of live simply for many years. We have lots of opportunities in the lead up to Christmas to take part in special services in our parishes, our schools and in our wider community and it is wonderful to see that many of these events are also supporting people in need. So, whether it’s a donation to the Whitechapel Centre at the school nativity, making a £10 donation to Project Zimbabwe, food bank donations for the SVP appeals or running in the CAFOD fun run on 27th December, if you are able to Live in solidarity with others this Christmas, please do.

Look out, too, for the CAFOD online advent calendar, offering us all the opportunity to pause and reflect as we prepare for Christmas. As Pope Francis reminds us, “living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork are essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience". (Laudato Si 217).

Mother Teresa Food Collection – Missionaries of Charity – Seel Street:  

we will continue to collect your food items for the Missionaries of Charity Sisters,  who kindly support the homeless in our city. Boxes will be available in the church porch for dry/non-perishable goods. Thank you for helping us to live sustainably and in solidarity with the poor.

LIVESIMPLY - ST MARY’S AND BISHOP ETON 4^TH DECEMBER 2022

As we progress through Advent, don’t forget two events happening next Saturday 10 December.

The Christmas Farmers Market will take place in the centre of Woolton village and provides a great opportunity to buy locally grown and prepared food, as well as locally produced craft goods. You might even buy a few Christmas presents, happy in the knowledge that you are living more sustainably as neither you nor the goods will have travelled far. There will also be ecumenical carols around the Christmas tree, from 10am-12noon (approx.). Do come and sing along.

The SVP in Bishop Eton are holding a Healing Mass on the same day at 12 noon – another much-appreciated action towards Living Simply. Look out, too, for the CAFOD online advent calendar, offering us all the opportunity to pause and reflect as we prepare for Christmas. As Pope Francis reminds us, “living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork are essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience". (Laudato Si 217).

CELTIC NIGHT 19 NOVEMBER 2022

In aid of Marie Curie

The Celtic night was a fantastic success with £1469 raised for Marie Curie. Thanks to everybody who attended and to those who helped to make it run so well on the night.

LIVESIMPLY PLAN

Fr Tim, as our parish priest, has recently signed off the LiveSimply Plan that Bishop Eton and St Mary's have jointly submitted to CAFOD in respect of the LiveSimply Award. This is an initiative for all parishioners across both parishes who care about Creation and care for people living in poverty. Please join us and get involved.

To read the plan click here

To contact the team email  

LIVESIMPLY - ST MARY’S AND BISHOP ETON

COP27, the climate change conference in Egypt, concluded last weekend with a historic decision to establish a ‘loss and damage’ fund. This means the richer nations – including the UK – who contribute the bulk of the world’s carbon emissions, will give financial support to the poorer, more vulnerable countries ravaged by the effects of climate change. This small step towards climate justice comes as we move into Advent when we reflect on, and prepare for, the birth of Jesus at Christmas. In keeping with everyone else at that time, Jesus and his family definitely lived simply! While it is easy to focus on the self-indulgence and over-consumption which will no doubt be so evident over the next month or so, we should also look out for those opportunities for us follow the example of Jesus to live simply. Many such opportunities will be advertised each week in this newsletter and displayed on the noticeboards at the back of church!

CELTIC MUSIC EVENING THANKYOU

Huge congratulations to Irene and Andrew who raised £1500.00 for our local Marie Curie Hospice. A great night was had by all! Photos from the evening can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IROEYkN_NHBhi95u6Zl9VgXUNeeNMauHk

NEARLY NEW FASHION SHOW – 12TH NOVEMBER 2022

The show was a huge success, raising over £1000 and still counting for CAFOD and everyone had a Fab – U – lous time!

We had a wonderful response to our request for donations, with a whole range of outfits including, First Communion dresses, ball gowns, wedding outfits, dinner suits and everything in between. 

Read more: Nearly new Fashion show - 12th November 2022

LIVESIMPLY - ST MARY’S AND BISHOP ETON

COP 27, the UN Climate Change conference is now half-way through. Thank you for praying with us. Please continue to try to say a prayer each day for its successful outcome, particularly that the many promises and agreements will be put into action.  Perhaps we could each add an action to our prayers by saving some energy e.g., by turning off unnecessary lights or not leaving electrical equipment on standby. As one supermarket reminds us ‘Every little helps!’ 

To find out more about COP 27 please visit: https://cop27.eg/#/  

LIVESIMPLY - ST MARY’S AND BISHOP ETON NOVEMBER 20th 2022

As COP 27, the UN Climate Change conference in Egypt, came to a close this week, the world’s population reached 8 billion (having passed the 4 billion mark in 1974). This total figure is forecast to increase to a peak of 10.5 billion by the 2080s, before starting to decline thereafter. “Unless we bridge the yawning chasm between the global haves and have-nots, we are setting ourselves up for an 8-billion-strong world filled with tensions and mistrust, crisis and conflict.” UN Secretary-General.

What can I do?

Constantly look for ways to Live Simply, Live Sustainably with creation and Live in Solidarity with the poor. Please take a CAFOD World Gifts catalogue home with you from the back of church. You might want to consider buying at least one of your Christmas gifts from the variety of options available. All the proceeds go to help the billions of ‘have-nots.’

Three cheers for our Children’s Liturgy Team who managed to combine all three aspects - Live Simply, Live Sustainably and Live in Solidarity with the poor, as well as enjoying a fun-filled event last Saturday at their Nearly New Fashion Show. https://www.stmaryswoolton.org.uk/en/living-simply/4056-nearly-new-fashion-show-12th-november-2022 They raised a whopping £1000.00 (and still counting) for CAFOD and will be purchasing a couple of the CAFOD WORLD GIFTS, including a water supply for a remote community. An electronic copy of the CAFOD World Gifts catalogue can be found by following this link: CAFOD World Gifts – CAFOD World GiftsT BACK OF CHURCH NOW!

ALLERTON COUNTRY WALK

During this half term holiday, explore God's wonderous creation in the form of the green spaces around this lovely area in which we live. Check out Allerton Country Walk on the internet   (Click here for the map and guide)