Mass times:
- Monday to Thursday Daily Mass is at 10.15 a.m.
- Friday 11.30a.m.
- Saturday Vigil Mass 6 p.m.
- Sunday morning 10 a.m.
Confessions by arrangement with Fr Peter Harvey Parish priest.
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.
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 6th September 2026
‘Love each other’
This Sunday’s readings encourage us to listen to the Lord at all times, and to listen to our neighbour and to our communities too. This will sometimes ask for tough love in our relationships with each other.
In our First Reading, the prophet Ezekiel is called to be a watchman and stresses the obligation for us to challenge evil when we meet it.
The theme of listening which runs through our readings is clear in the Psalm: ‘O that today you would listen to his voice. Harden not your hearts’.
St Paul reminds us in the Second Reading that love covers every commandment. We are called to love our neighbour as ourselves.
In our Gospel, we perhaps see the young Church striving to keep the values of Jesus, putting the demands of mutual love above the necessity for structures. Jesus promises to be with us and is active in our decisions and in everything that we do.
‘Love does no wrong to a neighbour’ says St Paul. We can remember these words as we celebrate this Season of Creation, and pray to work with others for the good of all.
Please note Deacon Tony will be away from the parish from 1st August to 6th September as he is attending the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola at the Jesuit Retreat House of St Beuno’s in North Wales. Bishop Patrick has given him permission to attend the retreat, and Tony kindly asks that parishioners assist Fr Peter whilst he is away.
New Instagram Account
The Parish now has an Instagram account. Please access via the QR Code.
To add to it please send articles, photos videos to olgcsleaford@gmail.com
2026 marks the 800th anniversary of St Francis of Assisi’s death in 1226.
Pope Leo XIV declared that it will be a special Year of St Francis in which we are all called to become saints in our world, following St Francis’ example. We are called to model a holiness of life and witness to peace.
From Bishop Patrick
communications@dioceseofnottingham.uk
Bishop Patrick is inviting every Catholic to take part in something we have never done before in our Diocese.
The campaign “Called by Name” is a simple invitation: to honour, by name, a young man in your parish, a son, brother, friend, colleague, or face in the pew, whom you believe could be a great priest.
Bishop Patrick will write to each of them personally. Father Neil Peoples, our Vocations Director, will walk alongside them. No pressure. No expectation. Just the gift of being noticed.
This isn’t a standalone campaign. It is an expression of our Diocesan Mission Plan, of our shared conviction that the mission of the Church belongs to all of us, without exception. And today, it begins with you.
PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE EXTRA CARDS IN CHURCH AS YOU COME IN.
Little Church –It is hoped to restart Little Church in October for children aged between 3 and 11. Jozef Slezak has very kindly volunteered to run it, but would be grateful if other parishioners would like to volunteer to help him. Please contact Deacon Tony if you would like to help. It will be for one Sunday in the month at the 10.00 Mass.
Many thanks to all who volunteer their time and talents for the good of our parish.
The Address of Pope Leo XIV to the crowds in St Peter’s Square.
Peace be with you.
Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.
Thank you to my cardinal brothers who chose me to be the successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the gospel. I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said, “with you I am a Christian, for you a bishop”. So may we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us.
To the Church of Rome, a special greeting: We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love. (Speaking in Spanish) Hello to all and especially to those of my diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, a loyal, faithful people accompanying the bishop and helping the bishop. (Returning to Italian) To all you brothers and sisters of Rome, Italy, of all the world, we want to be a synodal church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially to those who are suffering.
Today is the day of the Supplicatio [plea] to Our Lady of Pompeii. Our blessed mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love. So let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the Church, and for peace in the world. We ask for this special grace from Mary, our mother. Hail Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Volunteers required:
Musicians for the 10a.m. Mass on Sundays. We have a vacancy for a keyboard player. The instrument will be provided. Please contact Deacon Tony if you are interested.
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.
- 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.
N.B. Musicians are welcome to join us at Sunday Mass each week — 10a.m.
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.