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Racial Justice Sunday 2023

Racial Justice Sunday 2023 – 5th February

Our theme “All are included in the mission of Christ and His Church. Let us walk together, pray together and work together” reflects on the role each of us must play in promoting the mission of Christ and His Church. This was inspired by conversations around last year’s Racial Justice Sunday and Pope Francis’ visit to Canada last year when he spoke about looking towards a future of ‘Justice, healing and reconciliation’.

To mark the day, three video reflections have been produced, highlighting the three sections; Walking together;  Praying together; and Working together.   This years’ resources can be found on the Bishops’ Conference website at: www.cbcew.org.uk/racial-justice-Sunday.  

Fr Rory Writes

“So Important”

Grateful for the team for taking on great responsibility and progressing our response to the synod experience.  It is now time to engage with our present situation and develop the parish council, the ministries needed, and a window to develop the liturgy and life of the church.

Those who are already committed are in danger of taking on too greater burden, tasks that are difficult and are put under too much pressure.  The work that they do is so important we are truly grateful, and our gratitude is best  expressed by working together to the best of our abilities.

I am trying to place myself on a learning curve; my role as parish priest is to keep our parish functioning…..  paying our bills.  But above all to focus upon the challenge for us to grow as communities of faith, to bear witness to the good news of God’s salvation in a world that is challenged by many dark forces.

The Rosary

Do you own a Rosary?  We all know how important it is to us Catholics to say the rosary or even one decade now and then, especially for a certain intention.  Our Blessed Lady appeared to  several people and employed them to say the “Rosary”.  Fr Rory joins us before Masses on Wed & Fri at St Wilfrid’s to say the rosary with us, it doesn’t take long!  So if you would like to join us we would be happy to see you.  If you have any spare rosaries, there is a box marked “Spare Rosaries” on the table in the church porch.  If you would like one, please help yourself.  Thank you.

St Wilfrid’s Sun 29th January

Don’t forget we are having a “Grand Raffle” to be drawn after Mass in the hall on the 29th.  Tickets are available in our hall after Masses or tel: 07873390944, please don’t leave it to the last minute. Tickets are £1 per strip, pink for ladies and blue for men.  There is a box in the church porch for your donations please.  The money will go towards future activities in our hall which will benefit us all.  

Fr Rory Writes

“precious, truly precious”

The light of Christ has come into our world.  A great focus for us to grow in His light is:-

“God is love, God is life, God is nourishment”

Recently a challenge was offered; come and speak to children in our local schools.  We are in the process of responding, though I am hesitant.   With concerns over the relevance of the church, especially because of the war that is taking place in Europe at the moment.  Other ministries have been welcomed and it is part of our time of prayer each month, and highlights our divisions, so we are all in a work in progress.

Our future is a great challenge.  My core position is that the light of Christ has come into our dark world.   This was the great gift I received from my home and family.  I have struggled with how we have expressed this in the life of our  parishes, but thanks be to God, I am greatly helped by the work that is taking place here.  I was asked by a parishioner who was particularly impressed with Stephen’s input which was presented to us in our newsletter last week.  It is so, so important.  In fact it is brilliant.

Here is an extract from it, “The reports sent by Churches across the world give voice to the joys, hopes, sufferings and wounds of Christ’s disciples.  They express the desire for a Church that walks with Christ under the guidance of the Spirit, so to fulfil its mission of evangelization”.

Parish Tea and Coffee Mornings

St Wilfrid’s and St George’s serve tea/coffee after Mass every Sunday (St Wilfrid’s also serves it on Wednesdays) and are being well attended.  It is now a good place to meet new friends and old ones.  There is much conversation and laughter, a “Good Tonic” in these hard times.  We have some new members who have recently joined our parish and the tea/coffee after mass and have found this an excellent way to get to know fellow members of our parish.  All stating  “what a friendly warm church and  hall we have”.  So please you come and join us too.  I expect you have noticed how food prices are going up and up, so please could you put a little more in the tea/coffee pot.  Remember we provide biscuits always with your tea/coffee and on many occasions plenty of cake!!   Thank you.