Category: Latest News

Responsibility:  is always part and parcel of life.  The decision to raise the lockdown makes it very important to do our best to stay safe.  The chances of the numbers of cases of covid rising is quite certain to happen.  Continuing to wear masks when needed, and other practical ways of being cautious and careful are important.

It also presents us with an important opportunity to truly value and express our faith as communities, that we are grateful to God for the great gift that our faith brings to us.  All through the pandemic I can honestly say that there was something very special about saying mass.  When it came to the sign of peace I sensed a real depth of peace to be experienced then in the church.  In great contrast with the affliction and injury that was happening in the wider world, “My peace I give you”, greater than any peace the world can bring.  Please God, we continue to gather to experience that peace and to bring it to the world we live in.

Last Sunday we had a very valuable profound prayer as part of the Prayers of the Faithful:-

“We ask you Lord to guide us, so that we can improve communication within our own parish and help us to recognise opportunities to assist in working towards re-socialisation, friendship, providing comfort and creating safe spaces within a framework of Faith.  We need to all work together to achieve our goals.  Please give us your Grace and humility to succeed.  The Lord Hear Us”.

We have frequently been blessed by the prayers of the faithful that are prepared by fellow parishioners on our behalf.

Celebrations to take place on Sunday 15th August (The Assumption of Our Blessed Lady).  Refreshments will be served after and a tombola to help raise funds, donations of bottles and any unwanted gifts that are in pristine condition would be greatly appreciated.

Our Diocesan Youth Adviser, Lizzie, is hosting another round of Deanery Confirmation Catechist meetings this week, and is delighted to be able to tell you that your local secondary school chaplains have been invited, which will give you a chance to get to know them better. We will also be looking at the theme ‘Known and Loved’. If you are not already a member of your local network, please contact Lizzie directly [email protected]

St George’s First Communion Catechists have decided to run the ‘I Belong’ programme for 12 sessions from 12^th September the children will then all be prepared and ready to make their First Communion on the Feast of Christ the King Sunday 21^st November.  This programme is only for any children who have missed out on taking the sacrament over the last two years due to Covid restrictions and will be in school year 4 or above from September 2021.  If anyone would like to register an interest in being part of this programme please contact Sandra on 07791627368 or email [email protected]

St Wilfrid’s Community Lunch at the Treacle Mine – 12 noon on the 5th August:

After our very successful meal together in June, we have decided to have another on Thursday the 5th August at 12 noon at the Treacle Mine. If you are interested, please contact Joan tel: 07873390944.  We invite all our friends from St George’s and St Wilfrid’s and look forward to seeing you there. The latest date for confirming your place will be Sunday 1st August.  Please don’t leave it to the last date as I have to confirm ASAP with the management at the Treacle Mine. Thank you.

Today is Sea Sunday, when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea.  Today’s second collection is for Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea), the Catholic Church’s official maritime welfare agency.  It supports seafarers both practically and spiritually.  For an appeal talk from Bishop Paul Mason, and a video showing some of what Stella Maris does, please visit www.stellamaris.org.uk/SeaSunday.  This collection is vital to enable Stella Maris to continue its important work.  To donate, please visit www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate or text ‘SEA’ to 70460 to donate £5. Stella Maris is dependant on voluntary donations, so please give generously.  Thank you.

Saint Oscar Romero (canonized 14 October, 2018, by Pope Francis) is an outstanding example of being a true witness of Christ. When he was made Archbishop of El Salvador in 1997, Romero was a conservative. But he soon changed when he saw what was happening. Every Sunday he preached at the Cathedral. His homilies so electrified the country that national affairs halted when he spoke from the altar. He made public the unspeakable crimes being committed by many agents of the government. He was under constant threat of death. Some of his best friends were murdered. And still he would not be silenced. Nor would he go into hiding or exile. “At the first sight of danger the shepherd cannot run and leave the sheep to fend for themselves. I will stay with my people,” he said. He was shot in March 1980 while saying Mass. According to Romero, staying in the open and bearing direct witness to the Truth Jesus IS didn’t take courage. All it took was the understanding that his enemies dwelt in fear, and the fact that he was not afraid of them, to take away any power they thought they had over him. They might be able to kill his body, but they would not and could not kill his soul. There is also a story of a Protestant minister who, during the genocide in Rwanda (1994), sheltered Tutsis in his house. When a mob arrived at his door and ordered him to release them, he refused to do so. They shot him and took the people away. Even though we may not aspire so such heights of heroism, people like these are an inspiration to us. (Flor McCarthy)

Our destination:  When God’s glory is revealed, then our joy will be full.  This is the true hope that is within us.  Now we are on a daily journey with the prayer Jesus left us “give us this day our daily bread”.  As we continue to live our lives with the virus having a major impact, it is important that we are careful even cautious, as we respond to the guidelines that are given.  But we must also be positive and hopeful placing proper trust and confidence in God’s providence.  I am deeply aware of the injury and damage that has been done to mental health and the barriers placed to compassion.  Please God, a return to the sacraments, especially to the mass, and events that support our community will now be positive. 

The celebration of First Holy Communions, Reconciliation and Confirmation have been moments like a silver lining on the clouds.  A profound witness has been lighting of baptismal candles.  It is the expression of faith “this light has been entrusted to you to be kept burning bright, your child has been enlightened by Christ to walk in the light of Christ”.  The occasional request to celebrate marriage and baptism our hope that the life of faith will go on.  Initial suggestion, meetings, outings for meals are beginning to take place.  I have organised that I have regular testing for the coronavirus and I am willing to visit, and to respond to requests and to encourage and encourage us to return to life as a parish community.  Suggestions for house masses, special prayers for healing, rosary and devotions or just a special hello, how are you after this time? and any other suggestions that might be helpful after this time.

CCRS – The Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS) is beginning again in our Diocese this September. The course is designed for teachers in Catholic schools, for Catechists and for anyone who would like to grow in understanding as they live their Catholic faith.  The CCRS offers a very flexible and accessible way of learning, it includes some online content and is made up of eight modules: six core and two specialist modules. Each module involves ten hours of course time and an assignment.  For more information or to register your place please contact our Formation Adviser

NEW Colour and Shape website launch! Mass resources for families.

Colour and Shape developed over the pandemic providing a weekly video liturgy for families to use at home during lockdown. This video – Connect Sunday – has now changed into a new shorter format, along with a set of accompanying resources on a brand new website. Head over to www.colourandshapeonline.com to check out the resources reflecting on the Sunday Gospel each week, plus links to Spotify playlists, ideas on how to pray together as a family, and information on how to join the online community supporting families.   

The Open Cloister @ Worth Abbey:

Desert Wisdom: the power of thoughts – Online Day Retreat led by David Clayton & Michael Woodward

Saturday 24^th July 2021.  10am-4:30pm

Evagrius (b.345) is honoured as ‘one of the most important names’: come & see why his teaching lives. . . To book your place online go to www.worth.co.uk/retreats/online-retreats For further information email [email protected]