Category: Saint Wilfrid’s Latest News

Laura, Claudia and Maria can not thank you all enough for your generosity in raising funds to send them on the Lourdes Pilgrimage last week. Claudia went as a redshirt (school year10/11) and was guided along with 100 others by some amazing youth leaders and chaplains, they led prayers in   hotels, provided welcoming and other ministries at all masses, including the red carpet wave and high five or two, putting smiles on all faces and warmth in our hearts. Maria a purple shirt (Year11/12), helped her assisted pilgrims daily, pushing wheelchairs, attending masses, music concerts, tours and having lunch at the hotel with them etc. Laura was a  younger (20s) helper in the Accueil, a nursing facility for those assisted pilgrims with the highest needs. Laura supported them all daily with love, kindness and care. She said half way through the week “I am blessed to be here, and I am so thankful to Our Lady for bringing me here and our parishes for the  financial support”. Out of all of us, Laura’s helper experience was really the ‘in at the deep end one’, but after, something she shared she did while on shift, I know she made the biggest difference of all to those she cared for and it gave her so much hope and faith in our Lord and herself to be there and do just that. 

As a group we will prepare a presentation in October for you all where we can share photos, videos and details of our combined experiences and encourage many more of our parish (assisted and non assisted pilgrims, helpers and youth) to join the pilgrimage with us next year. 

Masses for our deceased parishioners and our parishioners intentions have been requested and candles lit. Thank you and God bless you all for your prayers and generosity.

DELVE DEEPER INTO THE SUNDAY SCRIPTURE READINGS: with world-renowned Scripture scholar Dom Henry Wansbrough OSB and his wonderful reflections on the Sunday Scriptures. These easy-to-follow reflections are suitable for individual or private reflection, families praying together or breaking open the Word in prayer groups. Go to The Wednesday Word at www.wednesdayword.org

The Holy Father has named 2025 as a year of Jubilee, something which happens every 25 years. “Jubilee” is the name given to a particular year. A time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. The theme is “Pilgrims of Hope”, and it will be a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19   pandemic, and a climate crisis. To prepare spiritually for the 2025 Jubilee, Pope Francis has asked Catholics to focus on two key elements: a) To study the key documents from the Second Vatican Council, held between 1962-1965 which can be viewed on: https://uscatholic.org/articles/201209/major-documents-of-vatican-ii/ b) To focus on prayer. The Jubilee of Hope will begin in December 2024 with Pope Francis opening the “holy door” in St. Peter’s Basilica, offering the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics the possibility of obtaining a plenary indulgence and a year of special graces.  

CTK/St Joachim’s Parish is planning a Pantomime for the end of January 2025 and they have asked if any of our parishioners would like to join in as cast/backstage crew etc. If you are interested in finding out more please pass your name and contact details to Sandra ([email protected]) in the first instance. A meeting will be held in September if enough interest is generated.

Charity Breakfast at St George’s – after Mass. Sunday 29th September.   Bring your friends and family all are welcome.  This month we are raising money for “You Raise Me Up Café”.  We will not have a charity breakfast in August but normal service will resume in September.

BECOMING A MODERATED PARISH: Please take and read a copy of the Letter from Fr Kevin Dring (Dean), at the back of Church. This gives an overview of the process we are on, as a Deanery of 8 parishes, to become a single Moderated Parish in November-December. It also outlines how YOU can be part of the process. We will all need to work closely together, clergy and laity. Understandably there will be concerns and questions about what will happen, but together we can approach the challenges positively and find solutions that support everybody in the best way.

2025 – A YEAR OF JUBILEE The Holy Father has named 2025 as a year of Jubilee, something which happens every 25 years. “Jubilee” is the name given to a particular year. A time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. The theme is “Pilgrims of Hope”, and it will be a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19   pandemic, and a climate crisis. To prepare spiritually for the 2025 Jubilee, Pope Francis has asked Catholics to focus on two key elements: a) To study the key documents from the Second Vatican Council, held between 1962-1965 which can be viewed on: https://uscatholic.org/articles/201209/major-documents-of-vatican-ii/ b) To focus on prayer. The Jubilee of Hope will begin in December 2024 with Pope Francis opening the “holy door” in St. Peter’s Basilica, offering the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics the possibility of obtaining a plenary indulgence and a year of special graces.  

Today, 28th July Charity Breakfast at St George’s – after Mass. Mario and Richard are taking the lead this month and will be cooking up delicious sausage and bacon baps for everyone. We are very lucky to have these two smiling happy chappies with us so make it worth their effort and take time to join, donate for the food and enjoy – bring your friends and family as well. All are welcome.  This month we are raising money for Love in a Box. This charity desperately needs as much support as it can get to provide Christmas gifts in boxes to children in Romania, many of whom live in Orphanages.  It costs over £3000 per  lorry alone to send everything to them. Please give generously.  We will not have a charity breakfast in August but normal service will resume in September on Sunday 29th.

Thank you for giving to Sea Sunday.  Our parish raised £228.06.  Your generous gifts will ensure that Stella Maris chaplains can continue to be a friend for seafarers and fishers in times of need.  To find out more about how your  support helps those who live and work at sea please visit www.stellamaris.org.uk

Please pray for the 850 people from our Diocese that will Process on the Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage this week. We pray  especially for Laura, Claudia, Maria and Sandra from St Georges who will be going as helpers.  They plan to light candles and request masses whilst they are in Lourdes for our whole Parish intentions.  If anyone has anything in particular they may wish a mass to be offered or candles lit for please email Sandra   [email protected] or text 07791627368 with the details and she will ensure she does this for you.