Help the Hungry was formed thirty years ago with two specific aims: To raise money for the disadvantaged via social events.
There are still two original members in the group, Debbie Pennington and Pauline White.
During the past 30 years we have sent money and goods to a varied range of world wide causes in Africa, South America, China, Blackpool and other areas in the UK. We also support local people and charities. In the past thirty years we have raised and distributed over £100,000. In the majority of cases the money raised is sent directly to the recipients, so that apart from transfer costs, no money is taken out for administration. However in times of crisis, for example famine, we support CAFOD and other international charities.
We have supported young people in the Parish who have generously given of their free time to visit and help disadvantaged throughout the world including orphanages in Romania and Nepal etc.
We have had requests for some unusual items including an artificial limb which after much searching one enterprising member of the group managed to procure. This was despatched to Africa filled with toiletries, paper, pencils etc. A lovely photograph was sent to us of the gentleman proudly wearing his new leg and we were then inundated with requests for numerous artificial limbs. This request was forwarded to the Princess Diana Memorial Fund; hopefully they were able to help. A memorable letter of thanks received was from a Sister in Kenya who was in charge of a school. She gave us a detailed shopping list of goods she had purchased with the money we had sent.
The group has had fun over the years raising money through charity shops, raffles, barn dances, discos, Mr and Mrs and Who Wants To Be a Millionaire to name but a few..
The group would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support during the past thirty years and the VERY VERY MANY GENEROUS DONATIONS which we regularly receive.
If anyone would like to join the group they would be most welcome, please speak to one of the priests who will pass on your details.
Help the Hungry
Guild of the Blessed Sacrament.
We have a monthly meeting on the first Friday of the month, 7pm mass. Followed by a short office and meditation. The blessed sacrament is exposed and short meditation will be given, with a time for silent prayer concluded by benediction. Once year, in October, we have a day's retreat, directed by a guest speaker and hosted somewhere in the Blackpool/Preston area. New members are welcome to come and join us...we would be very pleased to see you.
26 All Hallows Rd, Bispham , Blackpool FY2 0AS .Tel .no. 01253 352587 E mail: subirous@fsmail.net frstevepearson@hotmail.com
St Bernadette's Golfing Society.
It was 1991 when Fr Carey, then Parish Priest of St Bernadette's Church, called together a few parishioners whom he knew were as keen on golf as himself with a view to forming a Parish Golfing Society. After a few glasses of his famous Irish water he dictated that Patrick Farish should become Secretary, Deryk Brown the first Captain, Julie Evans the Treasurer, Ray Hoyle the vice-Captain and he himself would take on the roll of President.
Bishop Patrick in his wisdom asked Fr Carey (now Canon Carey) to move to Our Lady Star of the Sea in St Annes shortly after our formation and then after many years to Sacred Heart Church in Blackpool from where he has since retired. But he still shows an interest in our activities and joins us at our annual dinner when he is available.
This year on 20th.April we hold our 18th.Annual General Meeting which shows we have gone from strength to strength over the years. We now have nearly 30 members on our active list but are always looking for new faces. If there is anyone interested in joining the Society please do not hesitate to contact us or come along to our AGM in St Bernadette's School which follows our annual Mass in Church at 7.00pm. To tempt you we are serving at no cost to you a hot-pot supper before the meeting at approximately 7.45pm
The aim of the Society is to provide fellowship in the playing of golf and we are open to parishioners and friends of parishioners.
Our programme for each year is to hold three golf meetings at courses in Lancashire (not too far away !!) and one match against Our Lady's Golf Society St Annes (also formed by Fr Carey when he was seconded to that Parish). Also we hold an annual dinner in November usually at North Shore Golf Club.
To join our Society one does not have to be a member of a Golf Club nor to be able to play off a low handicap - we have several members playing off maximum handicap.
For further information please contact the Secretary, Ray Hoyle, on 01253 351864 or if you wish to attend the annual Mass, the AGM and hot-pot, again please let him know for catering purposes. You are most welcome.
ST. BERNADETTES SHORT-MAT BOWLING CLUB
To add a little competitive spirit within the club (for those who wish to participate) we compete every year for the singles Gerry Peake Memorial Cup and the doubles John Spence Memorial Trophy. During the winter months we also compete in the Blackpool and District Short-Mat Bowling League, indeed in recent years we have won the league once and been runners-up three times. Again, participation in the league competition is only for those who wish to play against other teams-it isn’t mandatory.
The present team captain is Elizabeth Ismay and the vice-captain/treasurer is Frank Swarbrick, they have held these respective offices for almost ten years.
The game itself is great fun, it does require an element of skill and practice, just ask the Crown Green bowlers who play during the winter months, but in a short time you can be playing your own game without any further coaching. The group consists of 19 members who are very welcoming and friendly and certainly none are athletes (thank goodness) and for £1 per session you can enjoy the banter, a couple of games and a cup of tea and biscuits.
If anyone is interested please contact Elizabeth or Frank via the Parish Secretary or come along to one of the sessions described above (it is always worth checking the parish bulletin for any timetable changes).
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
The group has been in existence since April 1995. Its remit is to offer and provide support for the recently bereaved of the parish in their time of most need. The members number six at present and are a dedicated group of committed Catholics who believe that faith must express itself in action within the Community when it is needed.To this end the members offer sympathy, empathy and understanding to the bereaved without being intrusive. In many cases just 'lending an ear' would be all that was required.
The members are NOT professionally trained Counsellors but are experienced in caring for the bereaved. They are at all times acting on behalf of Father Steve and Father Stewart who refer the bereaved to the group. The Co-ordinator contacts the members who establish a link with those requiring help by telephone call and personal visit where requested, Follow-up and monitoring of those most in need is reviewed when the group meet together.Strict confidentiality is maintained at all times. An annual Mass is held in November for all those bereaved in that year and for anyone who wishes to attend.
The St. Vincent De Paul Society is very active in St Bernadette’s Parish and has been operating for over 30 years.. Currently there are 10 members - 8 women and 2 men. The Society provides food, clothing and household equipment to those in need and transport to Sunday Mass. Over the past twelve months SVP members have made over 200 visits to the sick and housebound in our parish.
As well as local assistance the SVP gives aid internationally when a world crisis arises. Recently, through the generosity of our parishioners, we were able to send £1,000 to Sudan, to assist with the baby feeding programme.
All our work is only possible because of the generosity of our parishioners, the support of our Parish Priests and the dedication and hard work of the SVP members. We envisage more and more calls on our time and would welcome new members young and old.
S.V.P. members
On the first Tuesday of the month. You are all invited to come along to the Church Hall for coffee and a chat.
Parish Priest:Fr Stephen Pearson Assistant Priest: Fr Andrew Allman