A Kalendar of the Services in the Church of St Aidan, Skelmanthorpe in the Upper Dearne 5 Parishes (UD5P) group - including some liturgy taking place elsewhere:

Visitors to our services are welcome to receive Holy Communion. Likewise we are delighted to invite children/babies to share our worship.There are toys and books in church for the use of children. Young people and everyone else are welcome to all services whether called "Family Service" or not!

In particular please note that the Rt Revd Stephen Platten, Bishop of Wakefield, has from 2007 AD, given permission for children who are baptised to receive the Holy Sacrament (Holy Communion) in our parish. We encourage baptised youngsters when reaching the age of discretion, or adults who have joined the Church, to then seek the Sacrament of Confirmation: to celebrate and signal what they have freely come to believe.

Our main 10.00am Liturgy is usually based on the new Common Worship rite, with Bible readings from the three year Revised Common Lectionary (RCL ) - except for a simplified rite for "Family Service Mass" normally on the first Sunday of the month. We are now in year "A" of the RCL.

We sometimes use the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP), and occasionally the 1549 Prayer Book Mass, and some of our congregation belong to the Prayer Book Society (PBS) - Philip is currently Chairman of the Wakefield Diocesan Branch of the PBS, please contact him for more information (and/or see the PBS website listing on our main page).

Coffee is served after every 10.00am Mass (and we have a loo!). Please note there is a loop facility in our church for hearing-aid users: kindly remind any friends, neighbours or family for whom this may be relevant.

There is often a Low Mass on Thursday at 9.30am, lasting c 20/25 minutes: not least for those who miss the Sunday Service - but please check before making a special journey ! This takes place in the Chapel of Our Lady, and entrance is through the vestry door.

We are only a small middle-of-the-road village Church. There's nothing grand or special about us, but we would love to see you if you would like to visit us (with no obligation) - and we are delighted to proclaim that God loves you, no matter who you are or what you have done. God's love for you and every creature is utter, total and never, never ceases.

Of your mercy, please pray for animal welfare - for the bio-diversity of species, for protection of their various habitats/wildernesses, and especially for compassion for each individual creature.

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MU - The Mothers' Union

SkCC - Skelmanthorpe Council of Churches (we are not listed as CTBI Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, since we are delighted to include the Wesleyan Reform Union Church in our ecumenical team)

UD5P - The Upper Dearne 5 Parishes group; which includes our parish, and also: All Saints Clayton West, St Michael the Archangel Emley, St James the Great Flockton and St Augustine Scissett

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It is possible that circumstances may cause changes in the following listing, especially to dates some distance ahead, please check nearer the time to confirm the details.................................

Sunday 11th May 2008 AD - Whitsun/Pentecost (RCL yr A) 10.00am Sung Mass: Acts 2 v1-21; I Cor 12 v3b-13; Jn 20 v19-23

Sunday 11th May 2008 AD - 6.00pm - Praise for Pentecost at the Methodist Church

Sunday 11th May 2008 AD - Whitsun/Pentecost - 7.00pm - UD5P group: Contemplative prayer at St Michael the Archangel, Emley

Thursday 15th May 2008 AD - St Isidore the Farm Labourer - 6.15pm until 6.45pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer & anointing for healing

Sunday 18th May 2008 AD - Trinity Sunday (RCL yr A) - 10.00am Sung Mass: Isa 40 v12-17,27-31; II Cor 13 v11-13; Mtt 28 v16-20

Sunday 25th May 2008 AD - Trinity I & St Bede (RCL yr A Proper 4) - 10.00am Sung Mass: Deut 11 v18-21,26-28; Rom 1 v16,17 & 3v22b-31 (longer reading); Mtt 7 v21-29 [NB: please accept my apologies for error, we should have been using the lections for RCL yr A Proper 3, with the rest of the Church of England using the RCL this morning!]

Sunday 25th May 2008 - 6.00pm - Evensong: Psalm 119 v73-88. Please note that during this occasional Evensong series we are not using the BCP lections of the day, but reading and preaching on "The Song of Songs/Solomon": chapters 1 & 2

Monday 26th May 2008 AD - St Augustine of Canterbury - National Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. NB: High Mass is at 12 noon again this year. Of your mercy please pray for all pilgrims

Sunday 1st June 2008 AD - Trinity

Sunday 1st June 2008 AD - Trinity II - 8.00am Low Mass (BCP)

Sunday 1st June 2008 AD - Trinity II - 10.00am Family Service Mass:

Sunday 8th June 2008 AD - Trinity III (RCL yr A Proper 5) - 10.00am Sung Mass: Hos 5 v15 to 6 v6; Rom 4 v13-25; Mtt 9 v9-13,18-26

Sunday 8th June 2008 AD - 7.00pm - UD5P group: Contemplative prayer at St Michael the Archangel, Emley

Sunday 15th June 2008 AD - Trinity IV (RCL yr A Proper 6) - 10.00am Sung Mass: Exod 19 v2-8a; Rom 5 v1-8; Mtt 9 v35 to 10 v8 (shorter reading)

Thursday 19th June 2008 AD - St Juliana Falconieri 6.15pm until 6.45pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer & anointing for healing

Sunday 22nd June 2008 AD - St Alban, Proto-martyr of Britain 10.00am Sung Mass: WisSol 3 v1-3; II Tim 2 v3-7; Jn 12 v24-26

Sunday 29th June 2008 AD - St Peter & St Paul 10.00am Sung Mass: Zech 4 v1-6a,10b-14; Acts 12 v1-11; Mtt 16 v13-19

Sunday 6th July 2008 AD - Trinity VII & St Thomas More & St John Fisher - 8.00am Low Mass (BCP)

Sunday 6th July 2008 AD - Trinity VII & St Thomas More & St John Fisher - 10.00am Family Service Mass:

Tuesday 8th July 2008 AD is World Rosary Day. For more information on how to pray the rosary please click on: Mary

Sunday 13th July 2008 AD - Trinity VIII (RCL yr A Proper 10) - 10.00am Sung Mass: Isa 55 v10-13; rom 8 v1-11; Mtt 13 v1-9,18-23

Sunday 13th July 2008 AD - 7.00pm - UD5P group: Contemplative prayer at St Michael the Archangel, Emley

Sunday 20th July 2008 AD - Trinity IX (RCL yr A Proper 11) & St Nicholas II Tsar-martyr & the Russian Imperial Family martyrs - 10.00am Sung Mass: Wisd.Sol 12 v13,16-19; Rom 8 v12-25; Mtt 13 v24-30,36-43

Thursday 24th July 2008 AD - St Boris & St Gleb - 6.15pm until 6.45pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer & anointing for healing (4th Thur)

Sunday 27th July 2008 AD - Trinity X (RCL yr A Proper 12) - 10.00am Sung Mass: I Kgs 3 v5-12; Rom 8 v26-39; Mtt 13 v31-33,44-52

Sunday 27th July 2008 - 6.00pm - Evensong: Psalm 126. Please note that during this occasional Evensong series we are not using the BCP lections of the day, but reading and preaching on "The Song of Songs/Solomon": chapters 3 & 4

Sunday 3rd August 2008 AD - Trinity XI - 8.00am Low Mass (BCP)

Sunday 3rd August 2008 AD - Trinity XI -10.00am Family Service Mass:

Sunday 10th August 2008 AD - Trinity XII (RCL yr A Proper 14) - 10.00am Sung Mass: I Kgs 19 v9-18; Rom 10 v5-15; Mtt 14 v22-33

Sunday 10th August 2008 AD - 7.00pm - UD5P group: Contemplative prayer at St Michael the Archangel, Emley

Sunday 17th August 2008 AD - Trinity XIII (RCL yr A Proper 15) - 10.00am Sung Mass: Isa 56 v1,6-8; Rom 11 v1,2a,29-32; Mtt 15v21-28 (shorter reading)

Thursday 21st August 2008 AD - St Jane Frances de Chantal - 6.15pm until 6.45pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer & anointing for healing (provisional)

Sunday 24th August 2008 AD - St Bartholomew - 10.00am Sung Mass: Isa 43 v8-13; Acts 5 v12-16; Lk 22 v24-30

Sunday 31st August 2008 AD - Feast of St Aidan - 10.00am Sung Mass: Isa 45 v22-25; I Cor 9 v16-19; Mtt 6 v31-34

Wednesday 3rd September 2008 AD - 7.30pm - St Aidan's MU Centenary Celebration ff refreshments

Sunday 7th September 2008 AD - Patronal Feast of St Aidan - 8.00am Low Mass (BCP)

Sunday 7th September 2008 AD - Patronal Feast of St Aidan - 10.00am Family Service Mass:

Sunday 14th September 2008 AD - Feast of the Holy Cross - 10.00am Sung Mass: Num 21 v4-9; Phil 2 v6-11; Jn 3 13-17

Sunday 14th September 2008 AD - Feast of the Holy Cross - 7.00pm - UD5P group: Contemplative prayer at St Michael the Archangel, Emley

Thursday 18th September 2008 AD - St Hildegard von Bingen - 6.15pm until 6.45pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer & anointing for healing

Sunday 21st September 2008 AD - St Matthew - 10.00am Sung Mass: Prov 3 v13-18; II Cor 4 v1-6; Mtt 9 v9-13

Sunday 28th September 2008 AD - Trinity XIX (RCL yr A Proper 21) - 10.00am Sung Mass: Ezek 18 v1-4,25-32; Phil 2 v1-13; Mtt 21 v23-32

28th September 2008 - 6.00pm - Evensong: Psalm 136. Please note that during this occasional Evensong series we are not using the BCP lections of the day, but reading and preaching on "The Song of Songs/Solomon": chapters 5 & 6

Sunday 5th October 2008 AD - Harvest - 8.00am Low Mass (BCP)

Sunday 5th October 2008 AD - Harvest - 10.00am Family Service Mass:

(Provisional) Sunday 5th October 2008 AD - 6.00pm - Harvest Praise at the Wesleyan Reform Union Church

Thursday 16th October 2008 AD - St Teresa of Avila - 6.15pm until 6.45pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer & anointing for healing

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Sunday 12th October 2008 AD - 7.00pm - UD5P group: Contemplative prayer at St Michael the Archangel, Emley

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Wednesday 29th October 2008 AD - St Colman & St Narcissus of Jerusalem - 7.30pm - MU Kirkburton Deanery Autumn Festival at St Thomas, Thurstonland

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Sunday 9th November 2008 AD - Remembrance Sunday - 7.00pm - UD5P group: Contemplative prayer at St Michael the Archangel, Emley

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Thursday 20th November 2008 AD - St Edmund of East Anglia - 6.15pm until 6.45pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer & anointing for healing

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Sunday 23rd November 2008 - 6.00pm - Evensong: Psalm 114. Please note that during this occasional Evensong series we are not using the BCP lections of the day, but reading and preaching on "The Song of Songs/Solomon": chapters 7 & 8

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Sunday 30th November 2008 - (provisional) Advent I - 4.00pm - UD5P group invited to the Advent Service at All Saints, Clayton West: a reflective service of readings, plainsong, hymns and carols. Mince pies and mulled wine will be served after the service.

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Sunday 14th December 2008 AD - 7.00pm - UD5P group: Contemplative prayer at St Michael the Archangel, Emley

Thursday 18th December 2008 AD - St Winebald - 6.15pm until 6.45pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer & anointing for healing

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Thursday 15th January 2009 AD - St Angela de San Jose Lloret Marti - 6.15pm until 6.45pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer & anointing for healing

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Sunday 25th January 2009 - 6.00pm - Evensong

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Thursday 19th February 2009 AD - St Gertrude Comensoli - 6.15pm until 6.45pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer & anointing for healing

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Thursday 19th March 2009 AD - St Joseph - 6.15pm until 6.45pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer & anointing for healing

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Sunday 22nd March 2009 - 6.00pm - Evensong

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This is Holy Week - Please join us . . . . . . . . .

Sunday 5th April 2009 AD - Palm Sunday 8.00am Low Mass (BCP) 10.00am Procession & Sung Mass: traditionally the Palm Sunday Gospel and the PASSION GOSPEL are read today (though other texts might be used)

Maundy Thursday 9th April 2009 AD - 7.30pm Liturgy of the Lord's Supper & Vigil before the Altar of Repose until midnight (LHWE lections p 185f): I Cor 11 v23-29; Jn 13 v1-15

Good Friday 10th April 2009 AD - 10.30am - Devotions, including the Veneration of the Cross; followed by young people's activity.

Good Friday 10th April 2009 AD - 7.30pm - United Service at the Wesleyan Reform Union Church, Gib Lane

(provisional) Easter Sunday 12th April 2009 AD - time tba am - UD5P Easter Sunrise Eucharist at High Hoyland Churchyard

Easter Sunday 12th April 2009 AD - 8.00am - Low Mass (BCP p 128)

Easter Sunday 12th April 2009 AD - 10.00am - Ceremonies of Easter Light, Renewal of Baptismal Vows, Litany of the Saints, & Sung Mass: Acts 10 v34-43; Jn 20 v1-18

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Thursday 23rd April 2009 AD - St George - 6.15pm until 6.45pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer & anointing for healing (4th Thur)

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Thursday 21st May 2009 AD - St Helen - 6.15pm until 6.45pm - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer & anointing for healing

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Sunday 24th May 2009 - 6.00pm - Evensong

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Sunday 14th June 2009 - St Methodius of Constantinople & St Elisha, OT Prophet - time? - Diocesan 'Transforming Lives' Celebration, venue tba

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Wednesday 8th July 2009 AD is World Rosary Day. For more information on how to pray the rosary please click on: Mary

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Sunday 26th July 2009 - 6.00pm - Evensong

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The Veneration of the Relics of the Saints

The following mainly Second Class Relics are currently in our possession. These are mainly small fragments of the habit or cassock worn by the Saint, and given out by their Religious Congregation or Community (often originally to promote the cause for canonisation of that Saint)

Anyone may request that one of these relics be temporarily placed in church for private veneration, perhaps on a Sunday or Thursday before, during or after Mass (but at other times as well). Please ask Philip. In several cases an eikon (eikon) is also available to accompany the relic.

St Angela de San Jose Lloret Marti 1875 - 1936 Superior General of the Sisters of the 'Congregation of Christian Doctrine', martyred with nuns of her community during the Spanish Civil War. (NB: fragment of 1st Class relic of her bones). eikon

St Anita Cantieri of Lucca 1910 - 1942 Member of the Carmelite Third Order (Tertiary). Her life was marked by humility and prayer. eikon

St Anna Rosa Gattorno 1831 - 1900 Founder of the Daughters of Sant Anna, working with the poor and those with disabilities.

St Benigna Consolata Ferrero 1885-1916 Sister of the Visitation at St Maria da Como, visionary of the divine love of God Relic.

St Blandine Maria Magdalena Merten 1883 - 1918 Ursuline teaching nun, who lived a life of submission to and love of God

St Monseigneur D A Morisset ?1865-1932 Prelate de la Masion du Pape - Cure St Joseph de Beauce from 1912 to 1932

St Delia Tetreault 1865 - 1941 Nun who worked for the poor, and founded the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. eikon

St Frances Xavier Cabrini 1850 - 1917 Founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart to care for poor children in schools, hospitals and orphanages. She is the patroness of immigrants.

St Francis Xavier Bianchi 1743-1815 'Apostle of Naples' who make himself always and everywhere available to anyone seeking his priestly ministry. He had the gift of prophecy, and was rrecognised as a miracle worker.

Blessed Gertrude Comensoli 1847 - 1903 Founder of the Institute of the Sacramentine Nuns of Bergamo, given to the perpetual Adoration of the Holy Sacrament, and to work with girls and young women.

St Giuseppina Vannini 1859 - 1911 Foundress of a female community, under the rule of the Camillian Tertiaries, for the care of the sick.

St (Anna) Giovanna Francesca Michelotti 1843 - 1888 Italian Nun, who founded the Little Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, especialy caring for the poor, including lepers and the sick. eikon

St Jane Frances de Chantal 1572 - 1641 Friend of St Francis de Sales, she founded the Order of the Visitation of Our Lady for nuns not fit for a severe life, with great love, compassion, prayer, diplomacy and practical ability. eikon

St John Bosco 1815 - 1888 Founder of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians; he sought out neglected children and youth, to bring education and compassion into their lives.

Blessed John-Marie-Robert de la Mennais 1780 -1860 Founder of the Brothers of Christian Instruction, running orphanages, and places of education including agricultural and trade schools.

St Joseph Benedict Cottolengo 1786 - 1842 Provided hospitals adnd medical care for the poor, and also schools and workshops, etc. eikon

St Josepha Maria of Saint Agnes of Beniganim 1625-1696 Augustinian contemplative nun, consulted by people from all walks of life for her spiritual insights.

St Mother Josephina of St Joseph 1863 - 1931 Carmelite Nun in Convent of St Joseph, Boxmeer, Holland.

St Julie Billiart 1751 - 1816 During the French Revolution Julie sheltered priests in her home. She founded a religious community that became the Notre Dame Sisters, devoted to educating the poor and training other religious. eikon

St Katharine Drexel 1858 - 1955 Founded communities dedicated to the needs of the poor; became a contemplative when practical compassion wore her out. eikon

St Liduina Meneguzzi 1901 - 1941 Missionary of the Order of the Sisters of St Francis of Sales, who worked as a nurse with ecumenical love in Ethiopia during the war.

St Maria Bertilla Boscardin 1888 - 1922 Nun who after a very difficult life in a problem family, showed great bravery nursing solideirs during WWI and also nursing very ill and disturbed children, including those suffering from diphtheria. eikon

St Maria Domenica Mazzarello 1837 - 1881 Inspired by St John Bosco she founded the Daughters of Our Lady Help of Christians, the Salesian Sisters, to teach girls

St Maria Elisabetta (Bettina) Mazza 1886 - 1950 Founder, Piccole Apostole della Scuola Cristiana (Small Apostles of the Christian School).

St Maria Gabriella of Unity 1914 - 1939 Trappestine nun, eager to do God's will without complaint, who devoted her life to meditation and prayer and offered her life for Christian Unity. eikon

St Maria Giuseppa Rossello 1811 - (1880?) 1888 Foundress of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, devoted to charitable works, hospitals, and educating poor young women.

St Maria Maddalena of the Holy Crucified 1901 - 1928 Cappuccian Sister, offering to God her suffering.

St Maria Pia Mastena 1881 - 1951 With compassion for the needy and great devotion to Jesus, she had been a teaching nun with the Sisters of Mercy, and then a Cistercian; before she founded the Institute of Sisters of the Holy Face

St Maria Rosa Durocher 1811 - 1849 Founded the Congregation of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in 1843, to set provide education in Christian Schools.

St Maria Schinina 1844 - 1910 Dedicated herself completely to the sick, the poor, to the outcasts, and to the abandoned children; she founded The Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. eikon

St Maria Teresa Ledochowska 1863 - 1922 Catholic nun and Missionary leader. Relic, 2nd class: clothing worn by her. eikon

St Mary Celinia 1878 -1897 She faced much suffering in her 19 years of life - but had no self-pity; rather lived with faith, devotion, compassion, desiring to do the will of God.

St Mary di Rosa 1813 -1855 Founded "Handmaids of Charity", war nursing, helped sick at anytime, cared for vunerable women and girls. eikon

St Nazarena Majone 1869 -1939 Compassionate nun who became Mother General and co-foundress of the Daughters of Divine Zeal Relic.

St Rose of Viterbo 1233 -1252 Young Franciscan Tertiary who preached the faith - banished by secular power - but not deterred, showed great love for the poor, and for animals. Died at 18 years, having defended the Church. eikon

St Rupert Mayer 1876-1945 The Jesuit "Apostle of Munich", and courageous preacher against Nazism. eikon

Blessed Savina Petrilli 1851-1923 Founder of the Sisters of the Poor (Poor Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, or Poor Sisters of Savina Petrilli), devoted to the care of the needy.

St (Maria) Teresa Fasce 1881-1947 Augustinian Nun who promoted the Cause of Saint Rita of Cascia; leading a life of compassion. eikon

St Theresa Scherer 1825 - 1888 Abbess of the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross, Ingenbohler - promoting nursing for the sick, welfare for those in great need, and education of girls with untiring energy despite material difficulties

St (Marie Victoire) Therese Couderc 1805 - 1885 Foundress of the Societe (Sisters) of Our Lady of the Cenacle; providing spiritual retreats for women. She lived life with compassion and warmth, despite difficulties in her ministry. eikon

St Ulrika Nisch 1882 - 1913 Poverty stricken German who joined the Sisters of the Holy Cross at Hegne; a visionary who had great humilty despite spiritual struggle

St Victoria Fornari-Strata 1562 - 1617 Founder of the order of Blue Nuns. eikon

Some Third Class Relics are also available.

Spanish Civil War Martyrs

In October 2007 AD the Vatican beatified many Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War - some of the media comments of this event contained false assumptions. Many Roman Catholics did indeed support and fight for Franco. However, many of the murdered priests, monks and (nearly 300 martyred) nuns, had no such expressed political beliefs. Some may have supported Franco, some had socialist sympathies, some hoped for the restoration of the monarchy, and many would have had no strong political beliefs.

Thus, eg, St Angela de San Jose Loret Marti and the sixteen nuns of her order were killed simply because they were Christians. Priests, monks and nuns (and their churches and convents) were targeted not because they were involved in politics, but because they were of the Christian faith. They were attacked by the anti-clerical atheist godlessness of some anachists and some communists (but not all such). It is very unfair to the Roman Catholic martyrs of 20th C Spain to claim in broad sweeping statements that they were killed fighting for the Nationalist Cause of Franco - most did not. They died for love of Jesus Christ and His Saints.