The Works of Mercy

Our Nottingham Diocesan Jubilee of Mercy Site, bemerciful.co.uk has published some reflections on the first two corporal works of mercy.

You can link to them below:

The first work of Mercy: to feed those who are hungry.

The second work of Mercy: Give the thirsty drink

Pray for 2016 at Our Lady of Lourdes, Ashby

Friday, January 1st  - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
9.00am Eucharistic Exposition
Silent Prayer and Adoration until...
9.30am Rosary
9.50am Benediction
10.00am Holy Mass
Feel feel to come to some or all of this as you wish. It is fine to arrive any time between 9 and 10am and pray whether or not you are able to stay for Mass.


New Year's Day is also the 49th World Day of Peace. You can read the Message of Pope Francis, Overcome Indifference and Win Peace, here.

Here is the beginning of the Message:

God is not indifferent! God cares about mankind! God does not abandon us! At the beginning of the New Year, I would like to share not only this profound conviction but also my cordial good wishes for prosperity, peace and the fulfilment of the hopes of every man and every woman, every family, people and nation throughout the world, including all Heads of State and Government and all religious leaders. We continue to trust that 2016 will see us all firmly and confidently engaged, on different levels, in the pursuit of justice and peace. Peace is both God’s gift and a human achievement. As a gift of God, it is entrusted to all men and women, who are called to attain it.

And here is the end:

I would like to make a threefold appeal to the leaders of nations: to refrain from drawing other peoples into conflicts or wars which destroy not only their material, cultural and social legacy, but also – and in the long term – their moral and spiritual integrity; to forgive or manage in a sustainable way the international debt of the poorer nations; and to adopt policies of cooperation which, instead of bowing before the dictatorship of certain ideologies, will respect the values of local populations and, in any case, not prove detrimental to the fundamental and inalienable right to life of the unborn.
I entrust these reflections, together with my best wishes for the New Year, to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, who cares for the needs of our human family, that she may obtain from her Son Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the granting of our prayers and the blessing of our daily efforts for a fraternal and united world.

Newsletter for 2/3 January - Epiphany

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Teaching vacancy in Grimsby

Saint Mary’s Catholic Primary Academy, Grimsby are seeking to appoint a Deputy Headteacher. For further details the school can be contacted on 01472 357982 or email office@smp.nelcmail.co.uk
Closing date: Monday 1st February 2016

Newsletter for 26/27 December - Holy Family

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For reflection - Christmas Day

In this Jubilee of Mercy, these words from one of our most familiar Christmas hymns speak to me in a new way:
Hark! the herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled.” 

Happy Christmas to you all, and may God bless you in 2016.

For reflection - Christmas Eve

Awake, mankind! For your sake God has become man. Awake, you who sleep, rise up from the dead, and Christ will enlighten you. I tell you again: for your sake, God became man.
    You would have suffered eternal death, had he not been born in time. Never would you have been freed from sinful flesh, had he not taken on himself the likeness of sinful flesh. You would have suffered everlasting unhappiness, had it not been for this mercy. You would never have returned to life, had he not shared your death. You would have been lost if he had not hastened to your aid. You would have perished, had he not come.
    Let us then joyfully celebrate the coming of our salvation and redemption. Let us celebrate the festive day on which he who is the great and eternal day came from the great and endless day of eternity into our own short day of time.
    He has become our justice, our sanctification, our redemption, so that, as it is written: Let him who glories glory in the Lord.
    Truth, then, has arisen from the earth: Christ who said, I am the Truth, was born of the Virgin. And justice looked down from heaven: because believing in this new-born child, man is justified not by himself but by God.
    Truth has arisen from the earth: because the Word was made flesh. And justice looked down from heaven: because every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.
    Truth has arisen from the earth: flesh from Mary. And justice looked down from heaven: for man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.
    Justified by faith, let us be at peace with God: for justice and peace have embraced one another. Through our Lord Jesus Christ: for Truth has arisen from the earth. Through whom we have access to that grace in which we stand, and our boast is in our hope of God’s glory. He does not say: “of our glory,” but of God’s glory: for justice has not come out of us but has looked down from heaven. Therefore he who glories, let him glory, not in himself, but in the Lord.
    For this reason, when our Lord was born of the Virgin, the message of the angelic voices was: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to men of good will.
    For how could there be peace on earth unless Truth has arisen from the earth, that is, unless Christ were born of our flesh? And he is our peace who made the two into one: that we might be men of good will, sweetly linked by the bond of unity.
    Let us then rejoice in this grace, so that our glorying may bear witness to our good conscience by which we glory, not in ourselves, but in the Lord. That is why Scripture says: He is my glory, the one who lifts up my head. For what greater grace could God have made to dawn on us than to make his only Son become the son of man, so that a son of man might in his turn become son of God?

St Augustine

For reflection - Wednesday before Christmas

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

For reflection - Tuesday before Christmas

O come, Desire of nations, bind

in one the hearts of all mankind;

bid thou our sad divisions cease,

and be thyself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Christmas Mass Times

Our Lady of Lourdes, Ashby
Christmas Eve:
6.00pm: Mass
9.30pm: Mass
Christmas Day:
10.00am: Mass

St Charles Borromeo, Measham
Christmas Eve:
9.30pm: Mass

For reflection - Monday before Christmas

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Youth Group pre-Christmas outing

Determined looking paint-ballers from our parishes.

Newsletter for 19/20 December - Advent 4(C)

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Sunday's Gospel

As we prepare for Advent 4, I think of this statue in the grounds of the Church of the Visitation, Ein Karem, in the hill country of Judah.
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

Papal Award

Dr Christopher Reynolds KSG (Governor), Tony Foster, Jacqueline Rodden (Chair of Governors)

On the First Sunday of Advent, Tony Foster received the Benemerenti ("well deserved") medal for his services to Catholic Education. Until his recent retirement from the governing body, Tony had been a governor of St Charles School for eighteen years and chair of governors for the vast majority of that time. Congratulations, Tony, and thank you for all you have done for our school.

Bishop Patrick's Pastoral Letter

Click here to read Bishop Patrick's Pastoral Letter for the start of the Jubilee of Mercy.

Jubilee of Mercy Event at OLOL

Newsletter for 12/13 December - Advent 3(C)

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Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.Indeed, the Lord is near. 

Opening of Jubilee of Mercy - Bishop Patrick's Homily

Click here to read Bishop Patrick's homily preached at the opening Mass of the Jubilee of Mercy in our Cathedral.

Streaming of Mass from Cathedral

The opening Mass for the Jubilee of Mercy will be streamed live from our Cathedral this morning.
Apologies for posting this so late.

What lies behind a door can change your life

Bishop John Sherrington reflects on the idea of a "Door of Mercy." Bishop John, was born and brought up in Leicester, and was a parish priest in our Diocese until he became an auxiliary Bishop in Westminster Archdiocese.

Newsletter for 5/6 December Advent 2(C)

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Thank you...

...for your concern and prayers for my operation on Monday.

The operation went very well. In fact I got what I believe is called BOGOF - Buy One Get One Free. In fact both were free thanks to the NHS! As well as the obvious hernia on the right, they found another little one on the left, so they fixed that at the same time.

Thank God for our wonderful NHS and the Treatment Centre at Queen's Hospital, Burton.

I am rather sore and tired, but otherwise well. I hope to be back to some parish duties in a week or so.

Please keep up the prayers.

Newsletter for Christ the King/Advent 1

Please click here to read the latest, double issue of the newsletter.

The Briars Youth Retreat Centre and NDCYS seek to appoint....

A Programme Facilitator

(a 1 year fixed term contract with hope to extend)

To assist in leading retreat programmes for young people age 11-18

£14,000 per annum, plus accommodation suitable for a single person

The successful candidate will:

• Be experienced in working with young people.
• Have a thorough knowledge and a keen interest in the Catholic faith.
• Be dedicated to the spiritual development of young people.

For an application pack please contact Angela Gillespie at angela@ndcys.com or 01773 852044

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday 4^th December 2015

Please note that interviews will be held on Thursday 10^th December 2015

NDCYS is committed to Safe Recruitment Practice.

The post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure & Barring (DBS) check.

Church responses to the Paris attacks

Tweet from Pope Francis here.

Vatican Statement here.

Statement from Cardinal Vincent Nichols here.

Message of support from Cardinal Nichols to the Archbishop of Paris and to the French community in London here.

Statement by Cardinal Vingt-Trois of Paris here. This is a particularly notable contribution, as in the midst of his own people's pain, he draws our attention, as I did in my homilies this weekend, to the recent terrorist attack in Beirut and other atrocities throughout the world.

Tweet from our own Bishop Patrick here.

Congratulations and thanks...

With Father Colin

... to Mrs Jo Rutledge, our RE Coordinator at St Charles School, who was commissioned as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at the Cathedral on Saturday. 

With her family

Please pray for the people of France

Maybe this prayer of St John Paul II from his visit to Paris in 1980 may help us to pray in the wake of the recent atrocity:

Virgin Mary, at the heart of the Cité
We pray to you for this capital city.
You Intact, preserve the purity of its faith!

Virgin Mary, from the banks of the Seine,
We pray to you for the country of France.
O Mother, teach it to hope!

Virgin Mary, in this great Christian site,
We pray to you for all the earth’s people.
You, full of grace, may they be one in Love.

An interesting study resource on the Sacred Liturgy

An American Liturgical Institute has produced an interesting series of short (about 3 minute) videos to help us to be more aware of what we are doing at Mass. Here are the first two with their (also brief) study guides.

Link to Study Guide 1

Link to Study Guide 2

The Second Vatican Council (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 11) decreed:

Pastors of souls must therefore realize that, when the liturgy is celebrated, something more is required than the mere observation of the laws governing valid and licit celebration; it is their duty also to ensure that the faithful take part fully aware of what they are doing, actively engaged in the rite, and enriched by its effects.

This series is an attempt to respond to what Vatican 2 is asking. We can follow the rest of the series by signing up for it (free) here. Three minutes or so a week, plus a bit more to read the study guide, seems a fairly painless way to enrich our participation in the Mass.

Newsletter for 14/15 November - Sunday 33(B)

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Remembrance Sunday

One of our Confirmation Candidates, Kieran Palmer, represented Our Lady of Lourdes Parish at the wreath-laying ceremony in the town on Sunday. Kieran was keen to do this as he had recently toured some of the battlefields and war cemeteries with his school. At Thiepval he had been able to visit the grave of his great-great-grandfather, Sergeant Arthur Palmer who was killed, aged 37,  in the last weeks of the first World War, leaving a widow and eleven children. It makes very real what I was talking about last Sunday, based on the psalm, about the Lord upholding the widow and orphan...

Newsletter for 7/8 November - Sunday 32(B)

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Thought for All Saints' Day

A fortnight ago, I visited the Church of the Beatitudes overlooking Galilee. It marks the traditional location of the Sermon on the Mount, which starts with the "Beatitudes" - "Blessed (happy) are those who..." We hear these words at Mass this weekend as we celebrate those blessed ones who lived the way Jesus taught and share his glory in heaven.
The Church of the Beatitudes is octagonal in shape, each interior wall displaying the text of one of the eight beatitudes.
I spent a little time trying to reflect on the beatitudes, and the challenging way of life to which they point.

As I left the Church, I spotted, high up over a door, another "Beatitude". Over a picture of our Lady I saw the words "Blessed is she who believed". Our blessedness is not found in gritting our teeth and working hard to achieve the standard of the traditional eight beatitudes. Rather, like Mary, we need to believe and trust in God's grace to achieve within us what lies beyond our striving.

Newsletter for 31 October/1 November - All Saints

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Please note that Saturday evening's Prayer Vigil for the planet, advertised in last week's newsletter has been cancelled. However, there is nothing to stop any of us reflecting on Pope Francis' Laudato Si’- On Care for Our Common Home  this weekend. This "map" to the document provides a very useful summary.

More pictures of our Holy Land Pilgrimage

Here are some more pictures of our Holy Land Pilgrimage.

It would be too time consuming to label each one but the following sequence may help:

• Friday 9th October: Across the Jordan and wilderness to Petra, Jordan
• Saturday 10th October: Day in Petra visiting the ancient city.
• Sunday 11th October: Journey across the wilderness to Madeba, visiting Iraqi refugees in a Catholic Parish near Amman on the way. Evening Mass at St John the Baptist, Madeba.
• Monday 12th October: Mount Nebo (death of Moses), renewal of Baptism Vows at River Jordan, and visit to Dead Sea.
• Tuesday 13th October: Across the Jordan to Ein Karem (Visitation and Birth of St John Baptist), and on to Abu Ghosh, probable location of Emmaus.
• Wednesday 14th October: Time of reflection at Abu Ghosh and visit to Benedictine Monastery in the town.
• Thursday 15th October: Viewpoint to see Jerusalem. Sadly we could not visit the city because of violence there. Mass in Shepherds' Fields and on to Bethlehem. 
• Friday 16th October: Journey via Beit Jimal (various spellings! - associated with Gamaliel and burial of St Stephen) to Mount Tabor (Transfiguration).
• Saturday 17th October: Nazareth, then Cana for renewal of marriage vows, and on to Galilee.
• Sunday 18th October: Mass on shore of Galilee near site of feeding of 5000. Visits to place on shore where Peter confessed his love of Jesus. Boat on Galilee. Church of the Beatitudes. Capernaum.
• Monday 19th October: Magdala and Mount Carmel and so to airport.

Newsletter for 24/25 October - Sunday 30(B)

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Our Pilgrimage

Father Colin & Cyndy had a wonderful time in the Holy Land. We travelled with 5th Gospel Retreats. We can recommend them unreservedly.

Because of the troubled situation in Jerusalem we were unable to visit the holy sites there. We went everywhere else one would expect, as well as plenty of other wonderful places.

We had opportunity to meet local people, and people working in the Holy Land. We met a group of Chaldean Catholics who are living in a Church car park in Jordan - up to eight people in a tiny portakabin, using the Church Hall for kitchen and bathroom facilities. These people worship in Aramaic, the language of Jesus, and would have been put to death for their faith by ISIS if they had remained in their native Iraq.

Here are some pictures, newest first. By scrolling and clicking where you get the opportunity to load more you will be able to find more than come up to start with.

If you click the #pateypilgrims link at the top you might be able to see the pictures in an easier format and find even more!


#pateypilgrims Tweets

Vacancies in Catholic Schools

The governors of The Trinity School, Nottingham are seeking to appoint a headteacher. For more details please contact Mrs Birchnall,  tel. 0115 9296251  or visit www.trinity.nottingham.sch.uk   Closing Date for applications 9th November.

The Governing Body of St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary and Nursery, Nottingham are seeking to appoint a Site Manager . For further details please contact the school, tel: 0115 9150296. Closing date 2nd November 2015

Sundays 28 & 29 - double issue of the newsletter

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Community Harvest Festival - Change of Venue

CHANGE OF VENUE TONIGHT
If you were planning to come to the Ashby Churches harvest community celebration this evening please note we have a change of venue.  It will be from 6.00pm.to.8.00pm now at the ROYAL HOTEL on Tamworth Road, Ashby. (Come when you can, leave when you must)

More Confirmation Photos.

Here are some more. Please keep them coming to remind us to pray for our young people and to relive the joy of last Friday.

Some Confirmation Photos

Here are some photos taken after Friday's celebration. Please send me more, individuals or groups. They will be added!

Pray for the Synod on the Family

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, 

in you we contemplate the splendour of true love, 

to you we turn with trust. 

Holy Family of Nazareth, 

grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer,  

authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches. 

Holy Family of Nazareth, 

may families never again experience violence, rejection and division; 

may all who have been hurt or scandalised 

find ready comfort and healing. 

Holy Family of Nazareth, 

may the Synod of Bishops make us more mindful 

of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, 

and its beauty in God’s plan. 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, 

graciously hear our prayer. 

Amen. 

Newsletter for 3/4 October - Sunday 27(B)

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The Fourteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops takes place from 4 - 25 October 2015. Its theme is "The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and in the Contemporary World." Bishop Peter Doyle, Northampton, is Chair of the Bishops' Committee for Marriage and Family Life and will attend alongside Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops' Conference.

Pope Francis has asked us to pray for the Synod using this prayer, which you will also find in the newsletter:

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, 

in you we contemplate the splendour of true love, 

to you we turn with trust. 

Holy Family of Nazareth, 

grant that our families too may be places of communion and prayer,  

authentic schools of the Gospel and small domestic Churches. 

Holy Family of Nazareth, 

may families never again experience violence, rejection and division; 

may all who have been hurt or scandalised 

find ready comfort and healing. 

Holy Family of Nazareth, 

may the approaching Synod of Bishops make us more mindful 

of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, 

and its beauty in God’s plan. 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, 

graciously hear our prayer. 

Amen. 

Interested in becoming a teacher?

The Nottingham Catholic Teaching School Alliance have places available on the School Direct Programme (primary and secondary).
 For further details and to reserve a place on the open evening, (Weds 4th Nov) please contact Vanessa Scott:  Tel: 0115 982 4280 or via www.becketonline.co.uk/teaching-school

Welcome Mass with Bishop Patrick

On Tuesday this week, the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, the schools and religious of the diocese gathered with our new Bishop in the Cathedral at Nottingham. St Charles School was represented by Mrs Elmore and members of the chaplaincy team.
In his homily the Bishop told us that the Archangels are in the presence of God, but are also his messengers. In both ways they can be our role models.

Newsletter for 26/27 September - Sunday 26(B)

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Please pray for our young people as they approach the Sacrament of Confirmation on October 2nd:

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray
O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Vacancy for a Catholic Head Teacher in Sleaford

Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Primary School, Sleaford is seeking to appoint an inspiring and enthusiastic Head Teacher from the Summer Term 2016.  Full details are available from EPM, The School’s HR providers, at headship@EPM.co.uk.  The closing date for applications is 09:00am 29th September 2015

Open morning at St Charles School - Invitation

It was lovely to see such a good representation from St Charles School at Mass on Sunday. The children read beautifully and participated reverently in the Mass.

Now there is an invitation to visit the school's open morning on Friday, September 25th. Mrs Elmore has emailed me saying:

We are having an open morning next Friday, combined with a Macmillan Coffee morning and then Class 4 are leading a Liturgy at 11.00am to finish off the morning! I was wondering if you would mind putting this information on the blog for me for any prospective parents that would like to come for a look round, or any parishioners that would like to join us for the coffee morning?

Home Mission Sunday Pastoral Letter

Please click to read this weekend's Pastoral Letter from all the Bishops of England & Wales. I find myself returning to this short passage:

The key, then, to showing our faith in the way we live is to be ready to live constantly in the presence of God, knowing that God never takes his eyes off us, not to catch us out, but because he loves us so much. When we are constantly aware of that loving gaze which is upon us, and of the mercy and encouragement that flows our way, then we are enabled to look on others in the same way.
These are the foundations of evangelisation. On them, other steps can be built: the opportunity to speak about our faith; the expression of that love in programmes of action towards those most in need; a loving care for those who have been hurt by life and hurt within the Church, for whom any return to the practice of their faith is particularly difficult. In this effort for evangelisation we seek out ways of accompanying others, through friendship, through prayer, through conversation, so that they sense in us the welcome that God most certainly extends to them. Our efforts need not be complicated or heroic. As Our Blessed Lady reminds us, through our humble efforts the Lord can do great things! 

As part of out efforts to share our faith, our Diocese is providing a resource day as part of the national Procalm '15 initiative. It would be wonderful if our parishes were represented. More details at the bak of Church or here. The parish will pay the cost of attendance - just ask Fr Colin.

Justice and Peace Fieldworker Vacancy

READVERTISEMENT

Diocese of Nottingham

Justice and Peace Fieldworker

24 hours per week [including some evening and weekend working]

Salary: £14,500pa 

The Justice and Peace Commission is a group of clergy and lay volunteers commissioned by the Bishop of Nottingham to promote Catholic action for social and economic justice, and for peace, throughout the Diocese. The Commission meets three times each year, usually in Nottingham.

More information may be found at: www.nottinghamjp.org

The Fieldworker is employed by the Diocese of Nottingham to support and develop the work of the Commission. The post is currently funded for two years.

The Fieldworker is based at Willson House, Derby Road, Nottingham NG1 5AW.

Job description

Work with:

[1] Parishes, justice and peace groups, clergy and lay people to develop understanding of Catholic Social Teaching; and encourage them to take appropriate action.

[2] The Diocesan Youth Team and CAFOD to support and develop their work with secondary schools;

[3] Chaplains in schools, colleges and universities, prisons and the workplace to encourage understanding and engagement with questions of justice and peace;

[4] The diocesan Adult Formation Team to contribute to courses and study days and to raise awareness of Catholic Social Teaching on justice, peace and the environment.

Develop and maintain an active communications programme to include Just Now, the J&P website, Email news updates, material for parish bulletins, and Facebook and Twitter;

Maintain an efficient office with up to date databases of contacts and information resources;

Promote key programmes and campaigns initiated by CAFOD and other organisations;

Attend meetings of the Commission and of the Officers;

Attend National Justice and Peace Network and other national meetings as required.

The post involves travel throughout the Diocese and so a car and a clean driving licence are essential. Mileage will be paid at the current HMRC rate.

Six hours of support are currently provided by an Administrative Assistant.

Person specification

Essential:

• Knowledge and understanding of Catholic Social Teaching;
• Ability to motivate others;
• Ability to work on own initiative, and manage own workload / office;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including presentation skills and experience;
• Ability to use IT and social media effectively.

Useful:

• Experience of volunteering and working with volunteers;
• Experience of organising / supporting campaigns;
• Interest in working ecumenically, and also in collaboration with people of other faiths;
• Understanding of the organisation of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

How to apply

Please send an up-to-date CV plus a covering letter indicating why you are interested in the post and showing what relevant skills and experience you have either by email to:

pmstoat@gmail.com with Fieldworker Post in the subject line

or by post to:

Fieldworker Post

Justice and Peace Office

Willson House

Derby Road

Nottingham NG1 5AW

Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Wednesday 7^th October 2015.

If you would like and informal chat about the post, or have questions you would like to ask before deciding whether to apply, please contact Liz Doona on 01773 785196 liz.doona@ntlworld.com

Interviews for the post will be held at Willson House on Friday 16^th October 2015.

Newsletter for 19/20 September - Sunday 25(B)

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More from Bishop's House on the Refugee Crisis.

Father Andrew Cole writes:

Dear Father,

Please find attached:

1. A joint statement by Bishop Patrick and the Rt Rev Paul Williams, Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, on the refugee crisis; and
2. A statement by Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Peter Smith, on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales, on the crisis.

The Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales recognises that the primary responsibility for reception and resettlement of refugees lies with the Government. However, each diocese has been asked to identify a point of contact to co-ordinate responses from its parishes and schools regarding practical help that they can give or initiatives that they can take. Patricia Stoat, from the diocesan Justice & Peace Commission, has kindly accepted Bishop Patrick’s invitation to do this for the Diocese of Nottingham. The contact email addresses are jpnottingham@nrcdt.org.uk (with ‘refugees’ in the subject line) and jprefugees@nrcdt.org.uk

The Bishop, as you know, is particularly keen for parishes to give some creative thought to how some solidarity and welcome could be expressed to those fleeing war-torn countries in a practical way, which could take the form of a local ecumenical initiative, and he asks that you do whatever you can to help those who are suffering in this way, and to let Patricia know what you, your schools and your parishioners will be doing, no matter how seemingly small.

Survey

A PhD student from Lincoln University is doing research in the field of health care for people with multiple health conditions. She needs to find people of over-55s with more than one long term health condition, especially in the East Midlands. She is wondering if there might be anyone matching this description at our Church who might be willing to help by filling out a questionnaire?

The questionnaire can be completed online (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CareNav) or paper copies with prepaid return envelopes can be supplied.

Newsletter for 12/13 September - Sunday 24(B)

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You will see a monochrome copy of the Crucifixion of St Peter by Caravaggio in the newsletter.
Here it is in full colour.

Pope Francis reforms the process for marital nullity cases

The news media have been carrying the story of the documents issued by Pope Francis today. The Pope issued two Apostolic Letters by which he introduced reforms to the legal structures of the Church, which deal with questions of marital nullity. The secular media often fail to understand issues of this kind correctly, so I thought it might be helpful to provide a link to this concise analysis. I am not a canon lawyer, but this appears to be pretty reliable. It is certainly more realistic that what you are likely to hear on the radio or TV news!

As always, if you have any questions on this, especially if this has personal relevance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am here to help.

From Bishop's House - Refugee Crisis

Like every priest in the Diocese I received this email from Bishop's House today:

Dear Father,
You may have seen yesterday that Pope Francis, speaking after the Angelus in St Peter’s Square, has asked Catholic organisations in Europe to offer some form of hospitality to refugees. How this is best accomplished depends on what a parish, etc., can do practically.
Bishop Patrick would very much appreciate it if you and your parishioners could give some creative thought to how some solidarity and welcome could be expressed to those fleeing war-torn countries, which could take the form of a local ecumenical initiative, and he asks that you do whatever you can to help those who are suffering in this way.
With best wishes,

Rev Andrew Cole BA STL JCL

Private Secretary to the Bishop of Nottingham

The situation is developing day by day. I guess we all feel we would like to respond in a useful and compassionate fashion, but feel anxious and uncertain as to how this could be worked out in a practical way. Could I ask you read the second paragraph of the email above again, and reflect prayerfully on it.
As the possibility of a local ecumenical initiative is mentioned, I have already contacted other local ministers. One of them tells me that Sweet Memory Lane on Elford Street is organising a collection of baby and children's clothes to be sent to places where refugees need help.
Please think and pray, and come back to me with any ideas you have. I will keep you in touch with developments.

Update: Since I posted this, I have seen this statement from Cardinal Nichols promising: "Guidance will follow shortly on how the Catholic community in England and Wales can practically respond to this refugee crisis."

Newsletter for 5/6 September - Sunday 23(B)

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The Cardinal speaks on the refugee crisis

Click here to see what Cardinal Nichols said on ITV News.

"People are beginning to see the human face of this suffering, so it's no longer an abstract problem of people who are on the scrounge, it's not.
It's people who are desperate for the sake of their families, their elderly, their youngsters, their children, and the more we see that the more the opportunity for a political response that's a bit more generous is growing.
What is screaming out is the human tragedy of this problem."

The Church - Worldwide and Local

Two recent news items have caught my attention.

One is the letter of Pope Francis for the upcoming Year of Mercy. You can read it on the Catholic Herald site here.

The second is a petition to oppose the Assisted Dying Bill, shortly to come before Parliament. This petition has been started by a student from De Lisle College. You can read more about it on the Leicester Mercury site here and sign the petition here.

The witness of the Catholic Church to God's mercy and the sanctity of human life is expressed to the whole world by the Holy Father, but also to us locally through a student at one of our Catholic Schools.

Newsletter for 29/30 August - Sunday 22(B)

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Many things which didn't happen over the summer are starting again, so the newsletter is back to its usual size. Please read carefully, and, if you don't already subscribe in this way, submit your email address in the Follow us by email box on the website. That way you will always be up to date with parish activities.

You have the message of eternal life

Click here to read Deacon Andrew's homily for the 21st Sunday of the Year.

The host that we receive is not a thing!
It’s not a wafer!
It’s not bread!
It’s a person ­ and He is alive!”
So today as we receive Jesus in the Eucharist; as we are asked by Jesus, “Do you also want to go away?”, let us along with St Peter make that wonderful profession of faith:
“Lord who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy one of God.”

Newsletter for 22/23 August - Sunday 21(B)

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‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’

Towards a Culture of Safeguarding

This is from our diocesan website. It gives details of an e-learning package which is free to Catholics. I particularly commend this to those who work with the young or visit the elderly in our parish, but we can all learn from this. No travelling, no meetings, just learning in the comfort of your own home. There are different modules, and some will be more relevant to you than others. Please take a look.
Fr Colin

The Church has a responsibility to ensure all those who undertake work in the name of the Church are adequately trained in safeguarding matters. The Catholic Church is dependent on Clergy, Religious and Lay people using their skills and talents to nurture and support the Catholic community. Some will be paid employees, but the majority undertake their work on a voluntary basis. Whilst some will recognise their role as a volunteer, many rightly see their caring and support contribution as part of their Christian responsibility and ministry. But we all have a role to play in safeguarding the young or adults who may be at risk and it is for this reason that the Catholic Church in England and Wales has worked with EduCare to bring you an e-learning package that will raise awareness throughout the Catholic Community in our countries. The e-learning package is part of the Church’s commitment to safeguarding, and is available to all members of the Catholic community free of charge.

Please download the brochure to see the courses available and how to access them.

What do I need to do to access this training resource?

Email  Admin@familycare-nottingham.org.uk to register your interest.
Your email should contain your name, email address, the name of your parish/order/congregation, and your role. For example: Priest, Member of the Religious, Safeguarding Representative, Youth Worker, Teacher, SVP or Other Volunteers, Parent/Grandparent/Guardian, or Other.
On receipt of your email the safeguarding administrator will register your email address with EduCare.
You will receive a Welcome Email from EduCare where you will set your password.

You will then have instant access to the training programmes.

Email from Bishop's House

Dear Father,

Bishop Patrick has asked me to forward a link to a statement by Bishop Patrick Lynch, who speaks for the Bishops of England & Wales on migration policy, on the situation in Calais and throughout Europe - http://catholicnews.org.uk/calais-statement-080815

He has also asked that prayers for all who are involved in this difficult humanitarian situation be said during Mass and other liturgies, and the following intention is given as a suggestion for use:

'Let us pray for all migrants and others who are far from home: may those responsible for public policy work together to resolve the crises in Calais and elsewhere in Europe, that migrants will be treated with respect and justice, and that we will open our hearts to those who are in particular need. Lord, hear us.'

With best wishes,

Rev Andrew Cole BA STL JCL
Private Secretary to the Bishop of Nottingham

Newsletter for 15/16 August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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This beautiful feast has inspired some wonderful music over the centuries. I love this motet by Palestrina:


Mary is taken up into heaven, the Angels rejoice, praising, they bless God.
Let all rejoice and be glad with righteous heart, for today the Virgin Mary reigns with Christ for evermore.

Newsletter for 8/9 August - Sunday 19(B)

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Assisted Dying Bill

On Friday 11 September 2015 the House of Commons will be debating and voting on a Private Member’s Bill to legalise assisted suicide. This will put the most vulnerable people in our society at risk. You can find out more here.

Our bishops are calling on Catholics to write to their MPs to express our opposition to this proposed legislation. Our own MP has promised to vote against the bill. In his reply to my email about this he said:

In Britain, we lead the world in palliative care. Our response to the physical and emotional pain of terminal illness must be to show compassion by extending and developing this further. Not by letting people die when they most need encouragement and assistance to live. As evidence from other countries has shown, a right to die would for many be a duty to die, and we must fiercely resist this law for that reason.

However, MPs do talk among themselves about what volume of messages they are getting from their constituents on matters like this. So I would strongly encourage you to write. Our bishops have made this very easy. Just click here to find a very simple way of emailing your MP about this.