Vic Steadman, Author at The Catholic Churches of Saint Patrick, Corsham & Our Lady of the Assumption, Chippenham

February 27, 2023February 27, 2023

Parish End of Year Finance Report

The Parish is required to produce a finance report to parishioners at the end of each finance year (end Dec each year). The full report is published online (click here) together with the opportunity to make comments or ask questions.

The parish had a £6,882 surplus of income over expenditure in 2022. There are, however, several factors which mitigate against an overoptimistic view of this unexpected profit.

- 2 legacy bequests totalling £8,000 made the difference between surplus and loss.
- The underlying trend is a £10,000 annual reduction in offertory income compared with pre-Covid levels; this has been compensated in this year by cost sharing income from St Marys, Chippenham
- We predict that increasing pressures on our expenditure will see a return to deficit in 2023.

We predict that 2023 is going to be another challenging year;

- our income levels are below our current spending, and
- our expenditure is expected to rise significantly compared to last year as energy prices increase and we tackle our growing building maintenance backlog.

We expect to have to run a fund raising campaign throughout the year and to seek to increase use of Gift Aid but anticipate having to dig into our reserves once again

February 27, 2023February 27, 2023

CAFOD Lent Fast Day 3 March 2023

We are invited to go without a meal and donate the proceeds to CAFOD. God created a world of abundance with enough food for everyone, but we have turned it into a world of want. Each and every night, one in eight people goes to bed hungry due to lack of food. So, let’s hunger for a fairer world by supporting Fast Day and donating what we save.

This Lent, your donations to CAFOD’s Family Fast Day Appeal will help families fighting the climate crisis and ensure that our Church network can quickly respond to emergencies, like the recent earthquake in Syria and Turkey. Please pray for CAFOD’s development and emergency response work all over the world.

CAFOD’s Lent video appeal may be viewed online.

Please give today to support CAFOD. You may make your donation in several ways:

Cash or cheque in the collection boxes at the churches. Please use a Gift Aid envelope (available in the churches) if you are a UK tax payer.
Using the Dona card payment machines in the churches.
Online via the Parish Dona accounts at:

- St Patricks
- St Marys

If you donate using Dona (online or by card) CAFOD can claim Gift Aid if you complete an envelope (available in the Church). Please mark it with the amount you have paid and the word “Dona”.

Direct to CAFOD online.

Please complete a Gift Aid declaration if you are a UK tax payer. it increases the value of your donation by 25%, at no cost to you.

January 31, 2023February 2, 2023

First Holy Communion 2023

Preparing to receive Reconciliation and the Eucharist for the first time can be one of the most memorable experiences parents share with their children in the Church. It is an important annual celebration in the life of our Parish community.

Source: Adobe Stock Asset ID#: 431004853

Prior to enrolling on the First Communion programme, it is important that the family attend Mass each Sunday so that the child understands the Mass and experiences the presence of Christ in the liturgy. As with any deep friendship, it is important that we truly know and encounter a person, not simply know about them through our taught sessions. Coming to Mass each week is as important and necessary as our teaching sessions. Parents/Guardians/Godparents took on a role at their child’s baptism to bring them up the practise of the Faith and that role extends into the preparation for your child’s First Holy Communion alongside your Parish Priest and our team of catechists from both parishes.

Families who regularly come to Mass at Saint Mary’s and Saint Patrick’s Church are invited to enrol their children for the parish preparation for Reconciliation/Eucharist when they are in Year 3 or above.

Before they can receive their First Holy Communion children must be:

- - baptised (a certificate is required),
  - capable of understanding the fact that they are receiving, not ordinary food, but the Body and Blood of Christ,
  - and ready to receive the Sacrament with reverence.

St Mary’s & St Patrick’s First Holy Communion Preparation 2025

Details for the 2025 First Holy Communion have yet to be defined.

We expect to, once again, run a joint St Patrick’s/ St Mary’s programme of preparation as Churches in Communion for Mission within the Parishes.

Registering your child for First Holy Communion in 2025

When registering their child for First Holy Communion parents are making a commitment to:

- - Participate in parent preparation sessions.
  - Participate in Saturday Vigil/Sunday each week in our Parishes.
  - Support their child’s participation in the First Holy Communion classes.

Parents wishing to register their child to receive First Holy Communion in 2025 should obtain a registration form from Father Michael or the office at a weekend Mass for return at a later Mass.

Thank you.