In the last years of Father Kentenich’s life he returned from Milwaukee to Schoenstatt. A group of the Schoenstatt Fathers took an unusual initiative. They asked Father Kentenich if they could make an imprint of his hand into a block of slowly solidifying concrete. They made a mould which on the one side had the relief image of Jesus and Mary as seen in the Schoenstatt picture of Our Lady. On the reverse side they asked Father Kentenich to press into the concrete and make an imprint of his hand. The idea was a bit different than the film stars on Hollywood Boulevard who are invited to immortalise their fame by making the imprint of their hands on the pavement. Here we had a symbol of the educating hand – the shaping hand – leading those entrusted to him to become like Jesus and Mary. At the same time  we had an image of a priestly hand to give blessing to many. Most of his priestly life was spent giving his time and energy to others. When asked he said that he saw his task in helping many to find the God of their lives. (more…)

At 6pm mass for young adults starts in the Shrine. This is followed by a meeting to look ahead to the Night Vigil in Holy week.
Bring some food and drink along to share after wards…

The Young adults mass takes place on the last Sunday of every Month (not Easter Sunday or Chrsitmas Day

Fr. Andrew

There was a nice lady, a minister’s widow, who was a little old fashioned. She was planning a week’s vacation in California at Skylake Yosemite campground, but she wanted to make sure of the accommodation first. Uppermost in her mind were bathroom facilities, but she couldn’t bring herself to write “toilet” in a letter. After considerable deliberation, she settled on “water closet,” but when she wrote that down, it still sounded too forward, so, after the first page of her letter, she referred to toilet as “WC” “Does the cabin where I will be staying have its own ‘WC’? If not, where is the ‘WC’ located?” is what she actually wrote. The secretary of the accommodation knew that the lady was the widow of a famous Methodist minister, and was sure that it must be a question about the local Wesleyian Chapel. “Of course,” she exclaimed, “‘WC’ stands for Wesleyian Chapel.’ ” And he sat down and wrote: (more…)

The Liverpool Schoenstatt Group prepared the Covenant Mass for February and distributed a picture of Father Kentenich, Founder of Schoenstatt, with the theme of the “Garden of Mary”. If you would like to read more… click Sermon – February 2011

St Ethelbert’s Parish, Deane, Bolton
Time: 7.00pm

Fun Quiz Night

There will be a Fun Quiz Night for our Parish on Friday, 18th March at St Bernard’s Primary School. Doors open at 6.30pm and the Quiz Starts at 7.00pm. There will also be a children’s quiz section. Adults £2 and children £1.50. The Parish Social also includes Pasty and Pea Supper, Licensed Bar and Tuck Shop, Raffle. Teams of any number (maximum 8 people). Team Registration Sheets are now available at the back of Church. All entries should be received by Friday, 11th March 2011. Thanks everyone!

Ruth received only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:

Dear Ruth,
I’m going to be in your area on Saturday afternoon and I’d like to stop by for a visit.
Love Always, Jesus

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. “Why would the Lord want to visit me? I’m nobody special. I don’t have anything to offer.” With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. “Oh my goodness, I really don’t have anything to offer. I’ll have to run down to the shops and buy something for dinner.” She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five pounds and ten pence. “Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least.” She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of french bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk…leaving Ruth with a grand total of twelve pence to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt satisfied as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm. (more…)

An Evening about Soup

March 25th, 7.30pm
Schoenstatt Shrine and Pastoral Centre St John Fisher

Please note the change of date…

• Demonstration of Soup making
• Taste various samples of soups
• Cheese and crusty bread
• Pay bar

Tickets for £5 from Tom Burke, Harold Massey or any other member of the committee