17
August
2008
August
2008
St Felix Newsletter (17th August)
(17th Aug) This weeks newsletter is now online - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2008
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13
July
2008
July
2008
Double celebration for Felixstowe couple
St Felix RC Church parishioner Wally Shaw celebrated his 101st birthday together with his wife Margaret (99 years young), family and friends today (13th July).
Wally Shaw was born in 1907, the year that saw the beginning of Mahatma Gandhi’s civil rights movement in South Africa, suffragettes storming the Houses of Parliament, music for “The Teddy Bear’s Picnic” composed, the beginning of experiments using cathode ray tubes to try and transmit images via electronic television and the introduction of the first automatic washer & dryer. All this a year before London’s Summer Olympics and the production of the Model ‘T’ Ford!
World War II saw Wally in service onboard HMS Warspite – a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship – in the Mediterranean. During the Battle of Calabria she was credited with achieving the longest range gunnery hit from a moving ship to a moving target in history - approximately 26,000 yards.
The day turned out to be a double-celebration, as Parish Priest Fr David Hennessy presented Wally and Margaret with a special Diocesan Certificate commemorating their 70 years of marriage.
The couple first met on the beach in Felixstowe, where Wally promised that he would teach Margaret to swim – a promise which he failed to keep, much to her continued amusement. Fr David told the gathering “Many congratulations to you both. You might not know this, but you are the longest married couple in the Diocese of East Anglia”. When asked jokingly if the marriage would last, Margaret laughed, “Well, it’s too late in the day to call it off now!”
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6
July
2008
July
2008
HFE Bill - It’s horrendous
HUMAN FERTILISATION & EMBRYOLOGY BILL
If we do nothing - we cannot blame anybody else for a horrendous Bill becoming law.
The Report Stage of the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Bill will reach its Report Stage from any time early in July. We must understand that the Bill - dreadful as it is - could be made even more horrendous by amendments tabled at Report Stage.
It is vital that we send pro-life cards or write to or telephone our MPs opposing the following:
· An amendment that requires only one doctor instead of two as at present to sign the form permitting abortion.
· An amendment which stipulates that nurses may carry out early medical abortions.
Urge MPs to support:
· An amendment requiring “informed consent” whereby women are entitled to receive information on pregnancy and the possible effects of abortion. Most countries in Western Europe - all of which have abortion rates far lower than in the UK - have “informed consent” written into their legislation.
· The Bill at present allows the production of admixed embryos (including full hybrids — 50 per cent human/50 per cent animal).
· A pro-life amendment would require scientists to demonstrate that there are no alternatives available before they may create human or human/animal embryos. This is vitally important.
Urge your MP to support other pro-life amendments.
Write to the MP at the House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A OM.
Telephone 020 7219 3000.
For further information on the Bill, or the direct telephone number or e-mail of your MP contact:
Right To Life; P0 Box 26264, London W3 9WF
Telephone 020 8992 7657 or e-mail Phyllis@righttolife.org.uk
Also, please sign the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/eccematertua/?e
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8
June
2008
June
2008
Pope Honours St Felix Parishioners
The following is an extract from today’s (8th June) Press Release:
“Pope Honours Felixstowe Parishioners”
Two Felixstowe parishioners, John King (80) and Alan Deveney (77), have been honoured with the Benemerenti papal medal. Fr David Hennessy presented the medals on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI, during Sunday Mass at St Felix RC Church on June 8.
The papal honour, instituted by Pope Gregory XVI in 1832, is given to those who have shown exemplary service to their church, family and community. Along with the medal, both men were handed a large framed certificate signed by Pope Benedict XVI recognising their achievements. The Benemerenti (meaning “well deserved”) is one of the highest papal awards, and is surpassed only by a full papal knighthood.
The medal depicts the image of Christ on a gold Greek cross – the Saviour has his hand raised in blessing. On the left of the transverse arm of the cross is a depiction of the tiara and crossed keys, and to the right is the shield of Pope Benedict XVI and his motto. On the reverse is the word Benemerenti. The insignia is suspended from a ribbon of the papal colours – yellow and white.
The award follows a petition to the Vatican by St Felix parish priest, Fr David Hennessy. An extract reads “John and Alan are also well known throughout this diocese, having over very many years been strong supporters of diocesan events and gatherings. They and their wives and families have been great friends all throughout this time, and both men have carried their share of the cross in many ways with family problems and challenges. In short, both men are outstanding in their witness to the Catholic Church and to family life. Given their bonds of friendship, I would feel it fitting that they should be honoured together with the Benemerenti.”
Although their lists of accomplishments are both long and impressive, John King and Alan Deveney have humbly deflected fame. They are always ready to support projects that promote the greater glory and honour of God.
Afterwards, both men expressed their gratitude at receiving the awards and had time to reflect on the ceremony and what it meant. Alan Deveney who had first come to the parish in 1968 said, “I’m extremely honoured. Neither my wife Meg nor I had any idea that this was going to happen to me. Fr David did a good job in keeping it secret. In fact, I had been giving Fr David some background information on my dear friend, John King, who received the award alongside me. It was very nice indeed. “
John King offered his thoughts on the award, “I’m absolutely thrilled. I’m as surprised as Alan at receiving this award . My wife Barbara and I have only just returned from holiday. We’ve hardly had a chance to catch our breath. It’s just as well we didn’t choose to have a lie in this morning and go to a later mass as that would have foxed Fr David! I’m deeply grateful for the support received from the parish over the past 37 years. There are many others worthy of the award, and I feel very honoured to receive the medal.”
Fr David put their names forward because: “I felt it was important that their contributions not just to the Church but to the wider community be recognised.” He concluded, “The parish is extremely grateful for their dedication and love. This award is an earthly one. We pray that God Himself may reward both men hereafter.”
Ends
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31
May
2008
May
2008
New content at saintfelix.co.uk
In a continuing effort to expand the existing range of resources provided on our parish website, some further information about our faith has just been added: What is the “Mass”? helps provide an insight into the meaning of our Mass and its structure. The Order of Mass can be viewed online, printed or even emailed to a friend. The Litany Library is a useful resource of five litanies approved for public use by The Holy See - again these can be viewed, printed or emailed to friends.
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13
May
2008
May
2008
New pages + more
Our Newsletter is now published in a more user friendly way - it can now be downloaded or sent via email to a friend, for example. Parish Life rewritten. The Rosary is a new set of pages which contain information on the rosary. Catechism Online allows online access to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. About Us now includes information on our new ship logo.
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30
April
2008
April
2008
Lobby of Parliament on the HFE Bill
There will be a lobby of Parliament on the HFE Bill on 14th May. Those interested in speaking to their MP will need to make an appointment with him/her to meet at Parliament the Passion 4 Life group - http://www.passionforlife.org.uk/ - will provide specific briefings to help, and put on refreshments, provide literature and there will be speeches from and an opportunity to meet pro-life MPs.
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