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.
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A 26th July 2026
‘The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant … who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.’
The readings for this Sunday invite us to think about what we truly value. They show the importance of wisdom, encouraging us to trust God’s plan, and to value the kingdom of heaven above all else.
Solomon responds humbly when, in a dream, God asks him, ‘what shall I give you?’ Solomon seeks an ‘understanding mind … to discern between good and evil in governing God’s people’. Putting others’ needs before his own pleases God, who gifts Solomon with wisdom. (First Reading)
The Gospel also talks about choosing what is most important. Jesus tells two parables describing the value of the kingdom of heaven. We hear how coming across treasure brings someone great joy, while finding the one pearl of great price impels a merchant to buy and keep it.
The Psalmist describes God’s word as more important than the finest gold: it is true treasure, offering lasting wisdom, comfort and delight.
St Paul (Second Reading) assures us that God already has a plan in place for all who love God. Even when life is difficult, God is guiding and shaping us to be like Jesus.
This week, we pray to live each day with the wisdom to know what truly matters, and to let go of anything that holds us back. ‘Lord, help us to share the joy of following you, wherever and however we can.’
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Masses will be on Saturday 14th August @ 18.00 and Sunday 15th August @ 10.00.
Dogma and Meaning
In the Catholic Church, the Assumption was solemnly defined as an infallible dogma by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950, in the apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus. (“The most bountiful God”)
The document officially declares that at the end of her earthly life, the Virgin Mary was taken up, body and soul, into heavenly glory. The phrase “Munificentissimus Deus” serves as the incipit (the opening words of the Latin text) and reflects the belief in God’s supreme generosity in bestowing this singular privilege upon Mary.
The doctrine holds that because Mary was free from original sin (The Immaculate Conception), her body did not suffer natural decay after death but was directly reunited with her soul in heaven. For Christians, this is viewed as a sign of hope and a promise of the general resurrection of the body that awaits all believers.
The Solemnity is celebrated annually on August 15.
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.