Our Lady of Victories News
FR CHRIS WRITES:
Dear All
Many thanks to all who have looked after things whilst I have been away. I am most grateful. I was able to go through the Holy doors of the Great Basilicas in Rome and attend the General Audiences of the Holy Father. I celebrated Sunday Mass for you all in St Peter’s Basilica and also at St Mary Major in the chapel of the Salus Populi Romani. I spent a peaceful few days in Walsingham which is always worth a visit and was able to spend time with my brother and nephews and great nephews.
Please pray for Father Slawomir Hermanowicz who died from cancer. He was not that old and ministered at the Hospital in Nottingham. Also Mgr David Forde has just died on Friday. May they rest in peace
Sadly there have been some deaths whilst I have been away. Pasquale Di Cicco (High Cross St) died on the 12 August 2025. His funeral will be on Friday 5 September 2025 at 10.00 am. Also Maria Dineem (Spanish Maria) died 15 August 2025. I visited her at Rosewood NH. Her funeral will be on 12 September 2025 at 10.00 am. Also Kathleen Nichols died. May they all rest in peace.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY CLASSES
will start on 7 September 2025 for children attending school aged 4 - 8 years.
For safeguarding reasons registration forms must be filled in and returned before children attend. The forms will be available after Mass on 24 and 31 August 2025. Otherwise forms will be available from members of the
team when you bring your child to join the group.
If your child is a little uncertain of attending at first, parents/carers are welcome to come with them.
We are looking for more people to join the Children’s Liturgy team whether to run a session or be a helper. We work in pairs and each session lasts about 30 minutes. The rota works out at once every six weeks in term time. A DBS check is necessary which can be arranged with the Safeguarding team. If you would like to discuss what this involves please contact Heather Powell 01858 463789.
We are delighted to welcome the return of the HARBOROUGH BAND to Our Lady of Victories Church on Saturday 27 September 2025 at 7.30 pm after evening Mass. More on this to follow.
WHAT A CATHOLIC BELIEVES AND WHY:
This is the title of a user-friendly course we are setting up in the parish in October. It is for those who wish to know more about the Catholic Faith and what it means to be a Catholic Christian in today's world. It will be of particular interest to those enquiring about the possibility of being received into the Church at Easter 2026. Those who are already members of the Church but would like to engage with others in refreshing their knowledge of the beauty and richness of our Faith are also most welcome on the course. If you are interested please contact (without obligation) Fr Chris or Peter Green (green853@btinternet.com)
JUBILEE YEAR 2025 - Monday 8 September 2025.
As many of us will not be able to travel to Rome for the Jubilee, we can instead make a local trip to Holy Cross Priory, a designated Jubilee Church in Leicester. A group from Our Lady of Victories Parish are planning to make an informal and personal pilgrimage to Holy Cross Church. We intend to travel to Leicester Railway Station by train or bus, and gather there by 12.00 noon; and then we will to walk to Holy Cross Priory Church (about half a mile). There we will attend the 12.30 pm Mass as a group, and afterwards gather in Our Lady’s Chapel for a talk, a prayer and a blessing by Fr Richard, Prior of the Dominican Friars. Following this, tea, coffee and lunch (bring your own) would be available. After lunch, we are free to make our way back home. No registration necessary, just meet up at Leicester Railway Station.
For further information email: johnrowland@outlook.com
HOLY HOUR AND BENEDICTION:
We continue our Holy Hour on Thursdays with Exposition from 7.00 pm. There will be some meditations and finishing with Benediction about 7.50 pm. The Eucharist and the Real Presence of Our Lord is so important for us. The opportunity to come and pray with Our Lord when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed is a source of special graces.
For families with children why not one of the parents come and pray for the whole family for a time during the hour?.
ENABLING OUR MISSION CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Thank you to those families who have returned their pledge forms for the Enabling Our Mission Campaign. The parish has currently raised £134,398 against our target of £135,000. I know there are some families out there who are still considering their pledge and I would be delighted to have your support. We will then be guaranteed to receive 40% of the funds raised, allowing us to plan for our future.
In order to secure the remaining balance of £602 we need:
- one family to make a pledge of just £10 a month for five years or an annual payment of £120 (plus Gift Aid) or
- six families to make a one-off donation of £100 (plus Gift Aid)
If you are able to, please do return your pledge form back to me this weekend.
https://www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/mission-enabling-fund
PILGRIMAGE TO ASSISI AND ROME FOR CANONISATION OF BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS 5 - 8 September 2025.
Fr John Martin will be leading a pilgrimage for this historical event as the next British Born Saint is Canonised. This pilgrimage will include a visit to Assisi.
To book a place: www.allsaintstravel.co.uk/ra1087/
Early bird price for booking is £995 (valid until 4 July 2025). Some support to cover the cost is available, please email Fr John Martin at john.martin@dioceseofnottingham.uk
Join the diocese for a special YOUNG ADULTS’ PILGRIMAGE TO ROME between Friday 5 September 2025 and Monday 8 September 2025 for the Canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. The Pilgrimage is open to anyone aged 18 - 35, costing £475 per person based on sharing a room, with financial help available. For more information and to book a place email: vocations@dioceseofnottingham.uk
40 DAYS FOR LIFE
between Wednesday 24 September 2025 – Sunday 2 November 2025. Help save lives In Leicester! You can protect mothers and children by joining this worldwide mobilisation to Pray and Fast for an end to abortion, by taking part in 40 Days for life in our community, taking place at Across from Aylestone Road Gardens, Aylestone Road, Leicester, LE2 8PW, between 8.00am and 8.00pm daily. For more details contact Maureen: leicester40daysforlife@gmail.com
On Saturday 6 September 2025 the annual UK MARCH FOR LIFE 2025 will take place in London. Join with thousands of others from all over the UK who believe that all life is sacred, as we march through the streets of London to the Houses of Parliament. The Walk is peaceful, legal and always spiritually uplifting.
A JUBILEE OF HOPE PILGRIMAGE
will be held at Mount Saint Bernard Abbey on Sunday 31 August 2025, starting with Mass at 2.00 pm, together with a family picnic, Marian Procession, and Adoration.
For more details email jnoakes@englishmartyrs.org
NATIONAL WALKING PILGRIMAGE OF HOPE:
Monday 1 September 2025 to Saturday 13 September 2025. The 4 routes will converge at St Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham, distance of each Way, with up to 20 day pilgrims joining for day stages.
To register to join for a day stage, visit: https://www.pilgrimways.org.uk/become-a-pilgrim-for-a-day
The Pilgrims will walk from Northampton to Market Harborough, Tuesday 9 September 2025 and from Market Harborough to Belton in Rutland, Wednesday 10 September 2025
CAFOD RUNNERS IN LEICESTER:
Anyone interested in running a half marathon or 10k in Leicester on Sunday 26 October 2025, please contact nottingham@cafod.org.uk
RED BOXES
It is time once again for the red Missio boxes to be returned for emptying. Could you please leave your boxes in the Sacristy area or hand to Father Chris or to Bob and Chris Shepherd,
They will be returned as soon as possible for you to collect from the table in the cloister. Sincere appreciation to everyone for having a red box - we appreciate that loose change is in short supply these days but over £600 was raised last year. Thank you so much for continuing to support Missio.
URGENT - CHILDREN’S CLOTHES APPEAL:
Many thanks to everyone for continuing to support ADC through envelope and clothes/ bric a brac donations - now our major source of income. We have recently been asked if we could help to provide baby clothing/ bottles and early years drinking cups with spouts for an orphanage in Senegal as well as any summer clothing for boys/ girls aged from 2 to 14 years for another group in the Gambia . We are also continuing to donate clothing to the Philippines Schools Project so we desperately need more items. If you have any surplus children’s clothing which could be used to support those children in desperate need, could you please leave them under the table in the cloister in or near our green ADC box. Thank you so much.
JUBILEE FOOD BANK:
You are asked to leave food bank items in the trolleys at various supermarkets when you shop. Henderson Connellan on the High Street, Spar on Coventry Road, Eco Village, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, both Coop supermarkets, B&M, Everyone's Active: leisure centre cf https://www.jubileefoodbankmh.uk/
Shopping List:
WE HAVE MOST URGENT NEED FOR:Tinned Tomatoes; Tinned Sweetcorn, Tinned Carrots, Tinned Peas, Biscuits, Dried Potatoes (Smash), Tinned Soup, Packet Rice, Tinned Fruit, Corned Beef , Teabags, We also need: , Pasta sauce, UHT milk, Sugar (500g if possible), Sandwich paste, Tinned potatoes, Cup of soup, John West rice meals, ALPRO yoghurts (long-life, for the shelf not fridge), Sponge puddings, Long-life meals, Small cartons of long life milk (for homeless people or someone without a fridge)
Other Suggested Food Donations:
Tinned red meat, such as tinned mince, Bolognese, stew, chilli and hot dog, Tinned chicken, Tinned or jarred Hot Dogs, Corned beef, Tinned chicken in sauce, Tinned carrots, Tinned chickpeas, mixed chilli beans, lentils, Tinned Peas, Tinned carrots, Peanut butter, Mayonnaise, Jam, Marmalade, Cereal including oats, Crackers, Snack/cereal bars, Breakfast Cereal, Porridge Oats, UHT fruit juice, Cordial / long life fruit juice, Microwave rice, Veggie meals (tinned), Tinned meals, Tinned pasta, Tinned beans with sausages (not beans on their own--for breakfast or lunch), Packets of Rice (500g if possible), Packets of pasta, Jars of curry sauce to go with rice, Sandwich paste jars, Teabags, Dried fruit, Angel Delight, Small sachets of herbs, Shampoo, Toothpaste , Toothbrushes, Deodorant, Sunscreen (for homeless people in the summer), Shower gel, soap, Feminine products--sanitary towels and tampons,
We don’t currently need, please do not donate: Baked beans, Other beans (kidney beans etc.)
SAFEGUARDING SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Safe Places – a free and independent support service that provides a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with the Catholic Church.
Phone 0300 303 1056 Email: safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk
The Bower House – Harborough Christian Counselling Service offers counselling to those who live in the Harborough District 01858 469257
NAPAC offers support and advice to adult survivors of childhood abuse 0808 8010331
Spiritual Abuse - www.spiritualabuse.com
Action on Elder Abuse Helpline – 0808 808 8141
More details can be found on our website by clicking Safeguarding
GIVING IN MARKET HARBOROUGH:
Many thanks to all who continue giving to the Parish.
For anyone who is new to the Parish there are Gift Aid Forms in the cloister near the wall.
Name of account: Our Lady of Victories, Market Harborough RCP
Sort Code: 30 - 95- 47
Account: 00068953
Just put a note to say it is church donation. If you are a Tax payer you can pick up a Gift Aid Form (if you have not completed one) at the Church or email Fr Chris parishpriest@olvic.com and I can send you one by email.
We can claim an extra 25% on top of anything you give if you are tax payer.
If you are a Gift Aid Declaration Holder please advise your parish office, or the Diocesan Gift Aid Department (parish.giftaid@dioceseofnottingham.uk) of any change in your circumstances, such as name change / address change / no longer a taxpayer. If your spouse has died and the GA Declaration was in his / her name, and you wish to continue to contribute because you are a taxpayer, then a new GA Declaration Form will need to be completed. Please also advise of the date of your spouse’s death. Your continued support of both parish and Diocese is always very much appreciated – thank you! If you do not Gift Aid your contributions, and you are a taxpayer, and wish to do so, please speak with your parish priest, or contact the parish office for a Gift Aid Declaration Form.
WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING CONTACTLESS DONATIONS:
You will find our DIGITAL COLLECTION PLATE, contactless terminal in the Cloister.
Just use your contactless debit/credit card or smart phone / device to make a donation, there are options for other church funds such as General donation to the Parish / Repository/ candles or Second Collection.
Simply choose the amount you wish to donate and hold your card onto the reader. You can also opt-in for Gift Aid to increase your donation by 25%. for the Church. Once a card is registered the machine will remember. If you are a UK taxpayer, then donating with Gift Aid means that we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 received. Contactless donations are simple to administer, secure and convenient.
It is of course better to give regularly to the Church through Standing Order as this cost us less.
You can also give via the weblink: https://donate.mydona.com/our-lady-of-victories-church
Keep up your prayers for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine. Say the Rosary.
Fr Chris PP
A REGISTER OF CHURCH VOLUNTEERS:
Many thanks to all who have completed their forms. Any last volunteers to fill out your details?
Registration forms are now available In the Narthex or by email.
Who does this apply to? Really anyone who helps in any way in the Parish! From Church Cleaner, flower arranger reader, Coffee volunteer, church collection Bazaar Offertory PPC, welcomer and so on.. You can also receive the form by email from parishpriest@olvic.com
PS Just one form is necessary for all your roles in the parish.
Many thanks, Fr Chris.
A PRAYER FOR UKRAINE:
We pray that the Lord God send His Holy Spirit to all the people of Ukraine and gives them the grace of endurance in faith, hope and love amid the current ordeals; may peace be granted throughout Ukraine and may the Ukrainian nation be delivered from all enemies, so that we may glorify the good and merciful God in justice and truth.
Lord hear us and have mercy. Amen.
Information from Caritas on the Ukraine and the Welcome scheme is available from the Grapevine Newsletter:
Also see Catholic Social Action Network (CSAN) https://www.csan.org.uk/ukraine/
Parishioners can be part of the Church’s response by giving to CAFOD’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal at cafod.org.uk/Ukraine
DIOCESAN E-MAGAZINE
The latest edition of the Diocesan e-Magazine was published last week on Ash Wednesday, featuring reflections, articles, and news from across the diocese, including NDCYS, CAFOD and Caritas. Read and subscribe to receive it directly via email at: www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/news
CATHOLIC LISTENERS
is a confidential telephone helpline service set up for those returning Catholics who want to return to the faith and need a safe space to be heard. A Diocese of Westminster initiative, the helpline is staffed by a team of volunteers who are welcoming, friendly, empathetic and non- judgemental.
The helpline is also based on the Landings ethos of compassionate listening. Operating three days a week from 4.00 pm - 7.00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays calls are free to the helpline on 0800 448 0704 or by email at catholiclisteners@gmail.com
READERS
Saturday 6.00 pm 23 August 2025: P Green
Sunday 10.00 am 24 August 2025: C McHugh and S McGlone
Saturday 6.00 pm 30 August 2025: N Williamson
Sunday 10.00 am 31 August 2025: B Tyrell and D Chappell
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Saturday 6.00 pm 23 August 2025: B Mugoni
Sunday 10.00 am 24 August 2025: V Winter, J Shellard and M Douglas
Saturday 6.00 pm 30 August 2025: B O'Malley
Sunday 10.00 am 31 August 2025: W Kwacz, K Crawford and P Green
THURSDAY COFFEE
will continue in the Octagonal Hall on Thursdays after 10.00 am Mass.
SUPPORTING PRISONERS’ FAMILIES: COULD YOU BE A VOLUNTEER?
PACT is a Catholic charity and their Prisoners’ Families Helpline are currently seeking to recruit more helpline volunteers. The role can be carried out remotely. https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/Pages/Category/volunteer
CATHOLIC NEWS
in England and Wales Please see the Bishop’s website: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/news-and-media/news/
GRAPEVINE - News from Justice & Peace and Caritas:
Grapevine is the Diocesan Newsletter for Adult formation , Justice & Peace and Caritas in our diocese.
THE DIOCESAN CARITAS NEWSLETTER is available online:
WANTED: WANTED:
Your foreign coins and used or unused stamps - all can be sorted and valued, with profits to our Bazaar fund.
See Fr Chris or Mick Crook for further information.
DATA PROTECTION:
All data is stored securely on computer and access is limited to the Parish Priest and a small number of people authorised by the priest, to assist with parish administration. The Diocese remains the sole Data Controller (i.e. has responsibility for the use and control of this data), even where processing is carried out by parishes. The Diocesan Policy can be found at http://www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/data-protection-policy
WHO SHOULD REGISTER?
All who are associated with the Parish in any way are invited to register. When completing the form please use BLOCK CAPITALS and complete all relevant boxes. If there is not enough room on the form for any information please use the reverse. Thank you for your co-operation.
HAVE YOU BEEN AWAY? WANT TO CATCH UP ON PARISH NEWS?
If you have been away and want to catch up on what's been happening in the parish you can now read the Parish Newsletters for the previous four weeks. Click the "Newsletters" button at the top of this page. You can also download a copy of this week's Newsletter.
ACTIVE GROUP FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA:
Great news for Market Harborough. In addition to the Carers Support Group there will now be an Activity Group for people with Dementia. We are looking for people who would like to volunteer for the Activity Group on a Friday morning from 9.30 am - 12.30 pm. You will be involved in welcoming people with dementia and their carers and helping people with dementia to take part in a variety of discussions and activities. Please contact Alison Chaplin of Alzheimer's Society on 0116 231 1111
GOING INTO HOSPITAL FOR ANY REASON!
If so please ask your family, or if you are well enough to do so yourself, to let the Catholic Chaplain know that you are there. Otherwise you will not have a visit from the Catholic Chaplaincy or be able to receive Holy Communion. Under the Data Protection Act, the hospital staff can no longer reveal to any chaplain, or to anybody else enquiring, the religion of any patient in their care. The same applies to Residential Homes and other places of care. The onus is now on the patient or their family to inform the Chaplain.
COMMUNITY COMPANIONS - Supporting Older People back into the heart of their communities:
Voluntary Action South Leicestershire (VASL) has been offering a befriending service in the Harborough District for over 14 years and are keen to recruit more volunteers who could visit an older person for 1 - 2 hours a week. Training and ongoing support are given, and travel costs are covered. If you could volunteer, or you would like a befriender to visit you, please contact Rohini Corfield (Community Champions Project Manager) or Jenny Young on 01858 439262. More information is available at www.VASL.org.uk/our-projects/community-champions
SUPPORT FOR CARERS:
The Market Harborough Carers Support Group facilitated by Alison Chaplin meets on the first Friday of every month at 10am at the Coffee Lounge of the Methodist Church on Northampton Road. This group gives carers an invaluable opportunity to share some of their experience of caring for a loved one with dementia. There is also an opportunity to hear about the latest news from Alzheimer’s Society and to look at books and leaflets about dementia, including many written from a Christian perspective. If you or anyone you know is in a caring situation, do let them know about the group. Contact Alison on 0116 031 1111 (alison.chaplin@alzheimers.or.uk). Or just turn up on the day and Alison will be thee to welcome you.
Alzheimer’s Society is also looking for volunteer befrienders in Market Harborough and area. The volunteer befriender enables a person with dementia to participate in an activity they would like to do in the community - perhaps going out for a cup of tea, shopping, going for a walk, doing a sport or taking a class. The befriender needs to be available for a session of up to 4 hours a week between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm Mondays to Fridays. It is useful to be able to drive too. Volunteers will receive induction and ongoing training and support from the Befriending Manager. If you would like to hear more, please contact Alison as above.
BOWER HOUSE:
The Bower House Christian Counselling Service offers counselling and help to people of the local community. We are open from 9 am to 9 pm and need Support Worker volunteers to offer hospitality within the house as well as some admin. such as answering the phone and taking referrals. We have a lovely band of volunteers but could do with more help. How will you be spending your time this autumn and winter? Could you offer a three hours slot once a week or once a fortnight? If you are interested please ring Jadz Bower, Chris Hodgson or Jeanette Payne on 01858 469257 or drop in to see us between 9 am and 5 pm.
THE LIFE GROUP:
wish to thank each and everyone for their gifts to the “LIFE SHOP”. When bringing in goods for the LIFE SHOP, can they be clearly marked with “LIFE” on the outside of the plastic bag. Small items of furniture will also be welcome, but please contact the Life Shop direct for collection. Please DO NOT place small furniture in the Cloister for collection.
INTERPRETING THE LAW:
Our Diocesan advisors have informed us that legacies left in wills, directly to the parish, should really be directed to the registered charity. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham is the registered charity. The advice given, is to encourage parishioners contemplating leaving a legacy via their will to their parish, and to make sure the parish will be the beneficiary , is to direct the legacy to the Registered Charity - the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham with strict instruction that it is (in our case) for the parish of Our Lady of Victories, Market Harborough.
VOLUNTEERS FOR TORCH:
Torch Trust is an international Christian Mission that aims to help people with sightless to discover faith in Christ and live fulfilling Christian lives. They are continually developing their service for blind and partially sighted people and as a result the volunteer needs are also changing. Perhaps you know someone who has recently retired and is looking to use their gifts and skills, honed in the workplace, in a new avenue. Or perhaps you know someone who has been long termed unemployed, volunteering can help to raise self esteem and build new skills that can go on the CV with a view of getting back into work.
Further information on what volunteering roles are available can be found on the poster on the notice board.
"The Lord's Day" -
Weekly Newsletter of the Watermead Apostolate: https://www.watermead-apostolate.co.uk/the-lords-day
NEWS ITEMS FOR THE WEBSITE:
This webpage is updated from the Weekly Newsletter. Sometimes due to shortage of space it is not possible to include everything in the weekly Parish Newsletter. If you would like an item published on the website please email any items to newsletter@olvic.com
We can only publish items which meet the criteria for inclusion in the weekly Parish Newsletter.
