A Prayer for Ukraine (Bishop Patrick)
We pray that the Lord God send His Holy Spirit to all the people of Ukraine
and gives them the grace of endurance in faith, hope and love amid the current ordeals;
may peace be granted throughout Ukraine
and may the Ukrainian nation be delivered from all enemies,
so that we may glorify the good and merciful God in justice and truth.
Lord hear us and have mercy. Amen.
5th Sunday of Easter Year B.
We are deeply rooted in the love of Christ. The risen Christ is the source of all that we need to grow ever closer to God.
In the First Reading, we hear how shortly after his conversion, St Paul was initially treated with fear and disdain by those he had been persecuting. Paul’s zeal for the Lord was grounded in a very personal encounter with Christ. Knowing that he was loved completely despite all that he had done before, gave him the encouragement to spread the Good News.
As a faithful worshipping Jew, Paul would have been familiar with praying today’s Psalm, an encouraging song of praise. It foretells how generations yet to come will be filled with the love of the Lord.
In the Second Reading, the writer counsels that even if we feel we have failed or fallen short in our response to God’s love for us, his love is so immense and all-forgiving that we need not be afraid. Knowing this, we can be free to live out the great commandment to love one another.
The beautiful image of a vine carefully tended by the Father is used by Jesus to describe his and our relationship to God (Gospel). We are all sustained in an intimate co-existence with the Holy Trinity. Jesus invites us to remain close to him. Without him, our life is nothing, with him, we discover our true identity and purpose
This week, let us try to consciously be aware that we are branches of one vine, rooted in God’s love. Although we may have our differences and shortcomings, we are forever loved completely by a God of compassion, love and forgiveness. Let us pray that like St Paul, we will have the grace to live out this amazing Good News.
Confirmation: Instruction resumes on Wednesday 17th April @ 18.30 in the sacristy.
Pope Francis’ intention for April.
For The Role Of Women
Let us pray that the dignity and worth of women be recognized in every culture, and for an end to the discrimination they face in various parts of the world.
The Intention for April: The Blessed Sacrament.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life; all of our works are oriented toward it. Jesus’ body, blood, soul, and divinity are truly present in a small host. When we receive the Blessed Sacrament, we unite ourselves to God and receive the life and healing He longs to give us.
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta said: “The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time 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 everlasting peace on earth.”
How to celebrate: Spend time in Adoration or attend another Mass during the week in addition to your Sunday obligation.
Feast Days in April
8th The Annunciation of the Lord, 23rd St George, Patron of England 25th St Mark, 26th Our Lady of Good Counsel, 29th St Catherine of Sienna. 30th Pope St Pius V
- The next meeting of the men of the parish –Tuesday 7th May @ 18.30 in the Parish Hall, Jermyn Street. All welcome!!!
There will be a Jubilee Year in 2025. In preparation for this event, Bishop Patrick has asked if parishes could concentrate on various monthly prayer themes. January’s theme is Baptism.
There will be Adoration and Benediction each month to help us offer our prayers for this Year of Preparation and Prayer. In January it will be Sunday 14th January at 15.00. All are welcome!
A Jubilee Year will be celebrated in 2025, which will also be the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea (325 AD). Pope Francis has asked for 2024 to be considered a year of prayerful preparation.
The Jubilee Year is a special occasion that occurs every 25 years, and it is a time for Catholics to come together to celebrate their faith and to seek forgiveness for their wrongs.
Many Catholics will travel to Rome on pilgrimage to celebrate the Year of Jubilee.
Parish Activities.
Little Church resumes Sunday 2nd September @ 10a.m. Mass. Children aged between 3-11 with parents most welcome. Every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. See the poster in the church porch.
Weekly Offertory Collection.
If you would like to make an offering via the envelope system, please give your name to Fr Peter. If you want to gift aid your offering, then speak to Fr Peter or Deacon Tony.
Ofsted and Religious Education comments: Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Primary School.
Inspection dates: 14 and 15 June 2023 Overall effectiveness Good. The quality of education is Good. Behaviour and attitudes Good. Personal development Good. Leadership and management Good. Early years provision Good
R.E. Inspection 2017. The school is a highly effective Catholic school. Pupils’ needs are exceptionally well met. Good The school is an effective Catholic school. Pupils’ needs are met well.
- Little Church— It is on the first and third Sunday of each month. There will be no Little Church in August. Children between 3 and 11. Parents are welcome to attend.
The next Little Church will be September 3rd @ 10.00 Mass.
- Altar Servers
Children who have made their First Holy Communion are invited to become altar servers. Please contact Deacon Tony if your child is interested in becoming one.
- First Holy Communion class 2023/2024.
The First Communion Programme will start again in October. If you are interested in your child joining this group, please contact Jacky Griffiths on 01526 323275 or email: jackyegriffiths@gmail.com.
Parish Piety Room
Ann would like to thank all who have supported the parish piety library and shop. She is very grateful for your donations and interest in the books and goods available.
She has worked very hard to get it up and running again and has introduced some good ideas for parishioners to consider. Please continue your support. Thank you, Ann, for your commitment.
Cathedral Restoration
The Trustees of the Catholic Diocese of Nottingham have been awarded a substantial grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to embark on an exciting ‘Restoring Pugin’ project at Nottingham Cathedral. The total grant awarded for the first phase of development work is £277,558. A potential delivery grant of £524, 858 has also been awarded. Both grants represent 60% of total costs. Proposed and led by Nottingham Cathedral, the project is a unique partnership with Nottingham Trent University and Culture Syndicates (a CIC heritage and arts consultancy that offers paid development opportunities to museum sector entrants)
Nottingham Cathedral was designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, one of the key pioneers of the Gothic Revival architectural style in Britain during the early Victorian period. Through his works, publications and close collaboration with the architect Sir Charles Barry in the design of the Houses of Parliament, Pugin brought the Middle Ages to life with all its richness, colour and detail. At the heart of the Nottingham Cathedral project is the restoration of the three chapels at the east end of the building to Pugin’s original vision and design. Early investigations of the paintwork by conservators have showed that Pugin’s original decorative scheme, sadly covered over with later paint, can be uncovered and brought back to its former glory
A letter from Bishop Patrick —Diocesan support for the people of Ukraine
I thank you for all the prayers, practical initiatives, and generosity that people across our diocese have already been engaged in, and especially in support of CAFOD’s appeal for Ukraine.
On behalf of the diocese I have been in regular contact with Father David Senyk, the Chancellor of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of London, who also ministers to the Ukrainian communities in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham. I have offered him our prayers for the people of Ukraine and for an end to the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian forces.
More recently I asked him how best he thought we could cooperate with and support the Ukrainian communities within our diocese so as to welcome, house and guide refugees from Ukraine when they arrive amongst us. They, after all, have the contacts in Ukraine and among the Ukrainian refugees that we do not.
He explained that through their direct contacts with charity organisations already working on the ground in Ukraine they have been able to send £400,000 to each of the following charities, Caritas Ukraine, Red Cross Ukraine and Medicin sans frontiers. They are continuing to collect funds, but now it is for the use of refugees, mainly women and children, when they arrive here. Any donations for this work can be deposited directly into a dedicated account, sort code 16-00-16 account number 10121272, name, ‘Ukrainian Catholic Church’. Any cheques should be made payable to ‘Ukrainian Catholic Church’ and sent to Very Rev David Senyk, Chancellor, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy, 21-22 Binney Street, London, W1K 5BQ.
N.B. Musicians are welcome to join us at Sunday Mass each week — 10a.m.
Pray for the sick:
Please pray for the sick of the parish and those who are housebound. Remember also our parishioners who are now living in care homes: Marion, and June.
Readers at weekend Masses.
There is always room for more volunteer readers at Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses.
Please contact Deacon Tony if you would like to be added to the rota.
Parishioners in local care homes—If you would like to visit a parishioner, please contact Deacon Tony for details.