Thursday 30 October 2014

Newsletter for 1/2 November - All Saints

Click here to read this week's newsletter.

To prepare for this weekend's Mass, you might like to reflect on these lovely words from the second reading:


Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us,
by letting us be called God’s children;
and that is what we are.
Because the world refused to acknowledge him,
therefore it does not acknowledge us.
My dear people, we are already the children of God
but what we are to be in the future
has not yet been revealed;
all we know is, that when it is revealed
we shall be like him
because we shall see him as he really is.

Saturday 25 October 2014

Loving God, loving our neighbour.

These are the words of Blessed Mother Teresa I quote in my homily this weekend:

I make a holy hour each day in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. All my sisters of the Missionaries of Charity make a daily holy hour, as well, because we find that through our daily holy hour our love for Jesus becomes more intimate, our love for each other more understanding, and our love for the poor more compassionate.

The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time that you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in heaven, and will help bring about an everlasting peace on earth.

When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now.

Friday 24 October 2014

Newsletter for 25/26 October - Sunday 30(A)

Click here to read the latest edition of the newsletter.

Closure of Ashby and District Hospital

I know a good number of parishioners took part in the recent survey from the Civic Society. We have received this update:
Improving Community Health Services for Patients in Ashby and District
Closure of Ashby and District Hospital
Information and News Bulletin 17th October 2014
Thank you for your support to the Ashby Civic Society about the future of Ashby Hospital.  Of more than 3,000 respondents to its survey, only 27 expressed a preference for the hospital to close.  We believe this reflects not simply nostalgia from the public but genuine concerns about local community healthcare and that the NHS is failing to deliver on the undertaking at the start of its “Fit for the Future” consultation: that it would be “improving” community health services for patients in Ashby and district.
A team from the Society recently took the results of its survey to a meeting with the Chairman of West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group and other NHS representatives.   We have held a discussion with Andrew Bridgen MP.  We are liaising with Ashby Town Council and other representatives.  We have raised a number of issues at all levels of the NHS and with government bodies.
We are intending to take our survey to a meeting of the Board of Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust which will be held in The European Suite at Leicester Tigers Welford Road stadium on Thursday 30 October.  This is located on the first floor of the Clubhouse. Though members of the public may attend, please note that this is not a ‘Public Meeting’.   There is no requirement in proceedings for the Chairman to allow questions from the floor, but we are pressing for pre-submitted questions to be considered, directly or via Healthwatch Leicestershire, and we expect Ashby Hospital to be an important item on the Board’s agenda at which important decisions could be taken.
 Space will be limited, but it would be helpful to the Civic Society team to have a significant presence at that meeting to reinforce public opinion.  
The LPT Board meeting will commence at 1.00p.m and is scheduled to finish by 3.00p.m.  If you would like to support our attendance there please notify me as soon as possible.  We need to give fair warning how many seats could be wanted.  This will also help us with arranging car sharing.  Car parking is available in the Tigers Crumbie Car Park off Aylestone Road or in the NCP public car park next to the stadium. Some may also wish to stay on for a meeting of NHS ‘shadow governors’ which immediately follows the main Board meeting.
We have to be realistic.  It is likely to take prolonged pressure.  Even if we lose the hospital site we are determined to ensure it is not relinquished without every effort having been made to ensure patients are receiving a better service.
Kind regards,
Frank Bedford
Email: frank.bedford@ntlworld.com
Tel. 01530 467183

Sunday 19 October 2014

Address of Pope Francis at the end of the Synod on the family

As well as the final message, the Speech of Pope Francis at the conclusion of the Synod has now been published. Again, it is well worth reading. In it he reflects on the Church and on his his own role as Pope:
So, the Church is Christ’s – she is His bride – and all the bishops, in communion with the Successor of Peter, have the task and the duty of guarding her and serving her, not as masters but as servants. The Pope, in this context, is not the supreme lord but rather the supreme servant – the “servant of the servants of God”; the guarantor of the obedience and the conformity of the Church to the will of God, to the Gospel of Christ, and to the Tradition of the Church, putting aside every personal whim, despite being – by the will of Christ Himself – the “supreme Pastor and Teacher of all the faithful” (Can. 749) and despite enjoying “supreme, full, immediate, and universal ordinary power in the Church.”

Saturday 18 October 2014

Message from the Synod on the Family

At the conclusion of the Extraordinary Synod on the Family, the Synod Fathers have released this Message.

I haven't had time to study it in depth, but there seems to be much that is positive and encouraging here.

The message concludes by reminding us us that this year's Synod is part of a longer process. I would like to commend to you the closing words with the prayer that ends the document:

We Synod Fathers ask you walk with us towards the next Synod. The presence of the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in their modest home hovers over you. United to the Family of Nazareth, we raise to the Father of all our petition for the families of the world: 
Father, grant to all families the presence of strong and wise spouses who may be the source of a free and united family.
Father, grant that parents may have a home in which to live in peace with their families.
Father, grant that children may be a sign of trust and hope and that young people may have the courage to forge life-long, faithful commitments.
Father, grant to all that they may be able to earn bread with their hands, that they may enjoy serenity of spirit and that they may keep aflame the torch of faith even in periods of darkness.
Father, grant that we may all see flourish a Church that is ever more faithful and credible, a just and humane city, a world that loves truth, justice and mercy.

Friday 17 October 2014

This Sunday's Readings...



...made me think about Pope Benedict's address to Politicians, Diplomats, Academics and Business Leaders in Westminster Hall 4 years ago. You might like to reflect on this section:

 ...the fundamental questions at stake in Thomas More’s trial continue to present themselves in ever-changing terms as new social conditions emerge. Each generation, as it seeks to advance the common good, must ask anew: what are the requirements that governments may reasonably impose upon citizens, and how far do they extend? By appeal to what authority can moral dilemmas be resolved? These questions take us directly to the ethical foundations of civil discourse. If the moral principles underpinning the democratic process are themselves determined by nothing more solid than social consensus, then the fragility of the process becomes all too evident - herein lies the real challenge for democracy.
The inadequacy of pragmatic, short-term solutions to complex social and ethical problems has been illustrated all too clearly by the recent global financial crisis. There is widespread agreement that the lack of a solid ethical foundation for economic activity has contributed to the grave difficulties now being experienced by millions of people throughout the world. Just as “every economic decision has a moral consequence” (Caritas in Veritate, 37), so too in the political field, the ethical dimension of policy has far-reaching consequences that no government can afford to ignore. A positive illustration of this is found in one of the British Parliament’s particularly notable achievements – the abolition of the slave trade. The campaign that led to this landmark legislation was built upon firm ethical principles, rooted in the natural law, and it has made a contribution to civilization of which this nation may be justly proud.
The whole address is well worth reading. It gives great insight into some of the issues raised by today's Gospel

Thursday 16 October 2014

Newsletter for 18/19 October - Sunday 29(A)

Click here to read the latest edition of the newsletter.

This Sunday is also World Mission Sunday. You can learn more here.

Monday 13 October 2014

Toy Appeal


Youth Worker Vacancy

YOUTH WORKER VACANCY
The Catholic parishes of the city of Derby are looking for a dynamic and inspiring Youth Worker who:
·         has a passion for and experience in gathering and inspiring young people in their faith
·         is a gifted communicator
·         will liaise with and support clergy and catechists in the preparation, celebration and follow up for the sacrament of Confirmation.
·         will develop a programme for Young Leaders within the city parishes.

Based in Derby city. 24 hours a week. £20,000 per annum pro rata.

For an application pack please contact Fr Paul Newman, St Alban’s, The Presbytery, Roe Farm Lane, Derby DE21 6ET or email office@stalbansderby.org.uk

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MONDAY 3RD NOVEMBER

INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 12TH NOVEMBER

Faith in Families Christmas Shopping List

Faith in Families
Christmas
Shopping List 2014



Christmas pudding
Mince Pies
Tea Bags
Coffee
Biscuits
Chocolates/ selection boxes
Tinned meat / fish
Tin Custard
Tin cream
Jam
Crisps


If you can supply any of these items, Faith in Families will need them at
7 Colwick Road, Nottingham, by Thursday 4th December 2014


Thank you for your support

One Wednesday in Rome....


Sunday 12 October 2014

Jesus' invitation: Deacon Andrew's homily

Click here to read Deacon Andrew's moving and challenging homily for the 28th Sunday of the Year.

Friday 10 October 2014

Statement on Marriage

As some of you will have already noticed, the Diocesan Statement on Marriage as reproduced in the newsletter has some errors. As Morecambe and Wise  might say, all the paragraphs are there, but not necessarily in the right order! Some are there twice. I think it's fairly easy to work out what it should say, but here is the full, correct statement:

God the Father has created marriage as a mutual and exclusive covenant between one man and one woman, by which they establish between themselves a loving and intimate partnership of their whole life, which of its own nature is ordered both to the well-being of the spouses themselves and to the procreation and education of children. It is a true vocation entered into for life, for what God has joined together no one can put asunder. Our Lord Jesus Christ has raised marriage between two baptised people to the dignity of a sacrament.
The Church welcomes with joy those who wish to marry in accordance with her teaching. At the same time, the Church is aware of the many pressures of modern life which can endanger their commitment, their relationship and their family life. She is constantly concerned to help those who wish to marry to be prepared as fully as they can be to make this loving and lifelong commitment. For this reason:
 1. A couple who wish to marry should speak to their parish priest at least six months before their proposed wedding date, and should not make any other arrangements concerning their wedding until they have spoken to him.
2. The parish priest is responsible for preparing couples for marriage. He will often be assisted in this important work by a deacon, a group of parishioners or members of other organisations.
3. Any marriage involving a Catholic should be celebrated in their parish church. With the permission of their parish priest, the marriage may be celebrated in another parish. A marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic may only be celebrated in a non-Catholic church with a dispensation, which will only be granted for a serious reason.
4. If a Catholic wishes to marry a non- Catholic, the Catholic will be reminded of their obligation to preserve their faith, and will be invited to make a sincere promise to do all in their power to have their children baptised and brought up in the Catholic faith. The non-Catholic partner will be informed of this promise, but will not be asked to make any such promise.
All couples preparing for marriage need and are entitled to receive the support of the Church, so that they will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit as they prepare for, celebrate, and live out the commitment which they will make at their wedding. The Church thanks all those married people who show great constancy and faithfulness in their vocation, and prays that their example may inspire all who are preparing to marry. This statement is appointed to be read at Mass or published in the parish newsletter in February and October each year.
It seems particularly good to reflect on this at this time of the Synod on the Family in Rome. Let us ask  Saints John XXIII and John Paul II and Blessed Louis and Zélie Martin to pray for the Synod, and for a true understanding of marriage and family life in God's plan throughout our society.

Thursday 9 October 2014

Newsletter for 11/12 October - Sunday 28(A)

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This weekend, we are asked to pray for all prisoners and those who work with them.

Monday 6 October 2014

Sunday 5 October 2014

Lisieux photos

I gather some people have not been able to see the photos of Lisieux I posted yesterday: not all browsers support the necessary plug-in. If you have had difficulty, you should be able to view them here. As usual, clicking on the small photos will display the full-size version.

Saturday 4 October 2014

A few days in Lisieux

I have been in Lisieux for the feast of St Thérèse with a party of priests and deacons from our Diocese. I hope to share a few insights over the next weeks, but here, to start with, are a few pictures.

If you click on any of the pictures in the slideshow you can scroll through a larger version of the pictures at your leisure and read the captions more easily.