We wish you a very happy and holy Easter. 

We wish to thank  you for your very generous  support before, during and following Dementia Prayer Week 12-19th March.  The response has been encouraging from the widespread interest shown by many Dioceses, Care Homes and individuals; a truly remarkable contribution in marking this Decade of Prayer Week for the poorest of the poor (L.2.18-19) in our society - the person where dementia is advanced and they are totally dependant on others in every aspect of their care.  

We also wish to thank the schools who have chosen the Pastoral Care  Project as one of their Lent charities , and to the parishes who kindly offered to have a collection for our charitable work- this is so important in these difficult times.

We will continue in April with 'Gather and Pray':  a regular commitment by clergy in various areas.  Using an existing service they pray for the work of the Pastoral Care Project and offer an invitation to those living nearby to attend , prayer intentions  can be sent to them or the Pastoral Care Project , or join in prayer at home. 

Details of  the next ‘Gather and Pray’ are, 8th, 17th , and 19th  April, further details to follow in early April.
Perhaps you would consider linking an existing  monthly event, as it  would be good to have at least one during the second  and last  week of each month - please let us know and we will gladly post it here. 
​Thank you. 
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23rd March 2018  6.30- 8.00 pm.  Edge Youth Group meeting Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Nuneaton.
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The theme of the evening will be the 'Holy Spirit', and the leaders will be including a time for reflection using the Dementia Payer Week and the HeARTS and Minds Volunteering Programme online resources.

Many young people already have a good understanding of dementia  from the assemblies and lesson plans in schools; some may have experience through family members. 

EDGE group is part of www.bycs.co.uk  and is based in Nuneaton and Bedworth. For more information please email edgenbb@gmail.com 

The Pastoral Care Project wishes to  thank the group for their support in marking this Decade of Prayer Week, and also acknowledge the input given by  a few of the leaders;  St Thomas More College/ Sixth Form as well as staff and residents at Aldesgate, Nuneaton, for helping us produce HeARTs and Minds initiative.  

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'Still Bearing Fruit in Old Age' -  22nd March 10.00am - 4.00pm 
​Day of Reflection and Sharing -Coventry Methodist Hall, Warwick  Lane, Coventry CV1 2HA 
The day is organised by Rev Pauline Warner, Chaplain to Methoidist Housing Association,  Abbey Park Nursing  Home, Coventry.
 Keynote speakers: 
10.30 am  Revd Christ Swift,  Director of Chaplaincy to Methodist Homes for the Aged
1.30 pm Rt Rev. David McGough Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham and Lead Bishop to Pastoral Care Project charity . 
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This event is in response to Dementia Prayer Week 12-19th March ​

March 19th 9.30 am Mass in support of Dementia Prayer Week and the  Pastoral Care Project charity, initiators of Dementia Prayer Week ©
 
7.00 pm  Prayer Evening led by the Pastoral Care Project team, for the parish response to dementia in their community and  supporting a new parish project . 
The parish also supported in prayer all week and had a collection for the charity  at the weekend masses.

Mass 7.00 pm  Cardinal Heenan House, Upholland. WN8  Mass will be offered by Fr Stephen Beale SDP,  following on from their Prayer Day on 18th. 

Cardinal Heenan House Roby Lane, Upholland, WN8 0QR.
18th March, 2pm – 5pm
​The Sons of Divine Providence, response when asked to pray  for and with, those whose lives are touched by dementia, was to offer a day of prayer in Cardinal Heenan House as last year, and arrange a dementia fundraising event   for the  Pastoral Care Project.

On Sunday 18th March, the care home residents, staff and relatives will welcome visitors from various churches and social groups. It is hoped that as last year the young people will attend and participate.

Beginning at 2pm, with the rosary, concluding at 5pm. Activities include dementia reading, singing, drawing and art;Tovertafel and personal witness. All welcome.For further information contact  http://www.orionecare.org/cardinal-heenan-house

The Pastoral Care Project wishes to thank everyone who will be praying this weekend in churches and cathedrals on Sunday and on the Monday 19th . We hope that the week of prayer will encourage more people to offer their time to as 'pastoral companions' to care homes in particular where so many are unable to attend their familiar church.

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Saturday 17th March Church of St. Peter's Jerusalem 

Bishop David McGough Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, will be offering Mass for all the families the  Pastoral Care  Project supports, a charity which he has been Lead Bishop to since his appointed by Archbishop Bernard Longley, in 2009.

Bishop David,  will also distribute Dementia Prayer Week  prayer cards among the pilgrims present  ( Anglican and Catholic) and also share with them about our work,  which coincides with  Dementia Prayer Week 12-19- March.  This initiative of the Pastoral Care Project was first requested by residents during the regular monthly 'Service of the Word'  in a  Care Home , and  it continues to grow.

​There is an eagerness to join in is important week of prayer. And, Bishop David asks us all to remember especially the often forgotten pain of those suffering with dementia, and those who care for them. 

He also reminds us that,  "Jesus invited us to pray to God as 'Our Father.'  In so doing he defined God as the one who is full of compassion, tenderness and compassion", expressed so profoundly in the words of the Loving Father © prayer.

Loving Father©,
you are close to the broken hearted. 
Look with compassion on those whose   
lost memories have robbed them of     
home and belonging. 
Comfort and strengthen those who         
care for them. 
May they make their home in you. 
​This we ask through Christ Our Lord.

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​Dementia Prayer Week Cards can be ordered from our online shop

Friday 16th March  St  Benedicts Primary School, Atherstone, Birmingham Diocese 
School Mass for pupils, staff and parent followed by Tea + Toast with donations to the  Pastoral Care Project, one of their chosen charities.   The children will be wearing yellow to mark this DECADE of Dementia Prayer Week. They have been praying the Loving Father prayer by Bishop David McGough and using the Official Resource pack and Lesson Plan.  
many more schools are also joining in. we post information when we receive it. do let us know about your event; we can share it on your behalf.  more info whats on where... on ​http://www.pastoralcareproject.org.uk/dementia-prayer-week.html

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news just received:  Ecumenical Service on Thursday 15th March 10 am in the Crosby Room St Luke’s Church, 71 Liverpool Road, Great Crosby L23 5SE
St Luke’s also distributed Prayer Cards among churches in the area.  please send us details of your event and we will post it here.
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 There is wonderful support for Dementia Prayer Week 12-19th March - here is a quick link to  the Dementia Prayer page with information on Whats on and where (836KB)

​Please send us details and photographs of your events  if you would like us to add it to the list -  we will do our best to add them in good time.
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12th March  Pastoral Care Project Manager  Led Assembly  at Our Lady and St Josephs Catholic Academy, Nuneaton. 
12th Ladies Guild St Annes, Nuneaton - Talk by Pastoral Care Project Team
13th Toddler Group - Our Lady of the Angels Nuneaton - prayer and creating awareness board for church.
13th St Patrick and St Bridget Catholic Church, Ballycastle
Mass - live media link
 
last week:
Assembly St John Fisher Primary School Coventry Thur 8th March 1.15pm
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Adoration St Augustine's Solihull Friday 9th March more info on their website  http://www.staugustinesolihull.org.uk/