To all our friends at St Hilda’s
Here we are in February the dark nights are getting shorter as more and more light begins to take over. There is a great hope of Spring just around the corner and with it much more light.
Last Sunday we welcomed Fr Lewis to St Hilda’s as we held the wonderful service of Candlemas. Where all the parishioners were presented with a candle which was then lit and blessed at the start of this beautiful mass. It is a service that marks the end of the Christmas season.
Light is so important to us. In the words of the hymn: – “Jesus bids us shine, with a clear blue light, like a little candle burning in the night. In this world of darkness, we must shine, you in your small corner, and I in mine.”
Jesus said of himself “I am the Light of the World” May this Light that he brings us help us to see a clear way forward. May all our candles be a symbol of the hope as we move towards the glorious feast of the Resurrection at Easter.
We will begin our Lenten journey here at St Hilda’s on Ash Wednesday with the Imposition of Ashes on 14th. This will be a said Mass at 10.30am. Please come along and join us as we begin our Lenten journey, culminating in his Glorious Resurrection.
It is sad that we live in a world where inexplicable things happen, we hear daily of friends and family whom we love falling ill, or even worse passing away. We have heard this week of our King who has been diagnosed with cancer. Our prayers ascend for him and for all who suffer from this dreadful illness. We pray that God’s healing hand will work wonders and find a cure and give them the strength to fight this illness with the help of the doctors, nurses and their families. God can and does still works miracles in the lives of people.
God’s love for us is constant and as strong as ever. His arms are open to welcome all who would come to him and long to change their lives, find a new path and experience God’s grace.
Why not join us on Ash Wednesday as we begin the Season of Lent and walk with Our Lord. St Hilda’s is renowned for its welcome and hospitality, you will be warmly welcomed at any of our services or at our weekly coffee Morning on a Tuesday or the Monthly Community Drop-In Lunch. All the information on these two events are on this website.
Lastly, for those who wish to have an update on Father Croft, He is home and doing well. He is able to attend the Holy Mass with the help of one of our parishioners. Father Croft, Ken, our churchwarden and all the PCC are eternally grateful to the Failsworth Team Ministry under the leadership of Reverend Father Canon Paul Hutchins for all they have done and do for St Hilda’s during this time.
Yours in Christ
Carole East PCC Secretary
Dear friends,
A very New Year to you all!
Only a short time ago we were singing wonderful Christmas Carols and many of us were visited by friends and family, and were enjoying parties, rich food and perhaps the smallest of ‘tipples’ now and again to welcome the joy of that period, to share gifts and to be grateful for small mercies.
As we begin 2024 our hearts must yearn for a better year. A year without stress and anxiety, concerns about the cost of living and thoughts of war and violence that seem to surround us. But we should never be downhearted because, as the American novelist, Isaac Marion said: We are where we are, however we got here. What matters is where we go next – and he is right!
Life is very much a journey, and on that journey, we take many different turns, make numerous choices, and meet new people as part of our coming to where we are at the moment. On January 6th we think of a special journey made by the Magi, who were distinguished foreigners and specifically mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew and in the Christian tradition. They were philosophers who travelled for many days following the Star that led them to visit our Lord after his birth in Bethlehem, and they brought him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Traditionally, the Magi are referred to as the Three Kings, mainly because of the three gifts that were offered to Jesus the King of Kings, but there is no certainty that there were actually three of them. That said, it does not prevent us enjoying the Epiphany hymn We three Kings of orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar. This was our Lord’s Epiphany, his showing, his revelation to the gentiles to the whole world and not just to the Jewish nation.
This was the moment that the Son of God came for everyone.
The weather is much colder and we tend to insulate ourselves, wrapping up and wearing scarves but try not to be insular and cut yourselves off from one another. Why not come to the coffee morning on Tuesdays and spend time with others enjoying a cake or some toast or tea cakes with a hot drink. Even in such weather, or in times of loneliness, company and having a good chat is of great value. Try it!
Let us look forward to the New Year with renewed hope and being grateful for the past but always anticipating new challenges and looking to the future to see what is to come in our lives and who might make the difference for us.
Our Lord is here and is with us. May his peace be with you and may his blessings be upon you.
The Reverend Fr Ronald Croft