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Forty days before the upcoming World Youth Day in Portugal, Pope Francis sends video message to young people who will participate or follow the WYD in Lisbon saying: “Some think that because of illness, I cannot go, but the doctor told me I can, so I will be with you. Come on, young people!”
On the same morning in which during the audience at ROACO, he spoke of some discomfort from the recent laparotomy operation, the Pope sent a message to the young people from every continent who will all gather in Lisbon from 1 to 6 August for World Youth Day and reassured them of his presence at the great event. Showing the grey backpack with the kit that will be distributed to the pilgrims, he says: “There are 40 days left, like Lent, to the meeting in Lisbon. I am ready! I already have everything. I can’t wait to go!” The Pope speaks to young people, both those busy preparing for the trip, and those who will follow the world meeting from a distance – in a video message recorded on 22 June, during an audience at the Vatican with Bishop Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar, Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon and President of the WYD Foundation. The World Youth Day organisation released two videos: one addressed to the participants, the other to those who have been working for months to set up the organisation, welcome and accommodation for pilgrims. “The Day is a point of attraction for everyone. Right now it is the point we must look toward, toward which you young people must look,’ the Pope says. “Come on, young people!” he encourages, adding, “Don’t listen to those who reduce life to ideas. Those poor people who have lost the joy of life and the joy of encounter. Pray for them." As in other meetings with the new generations, Francis once again asks the young people to approach life with “the three languages” of the head, heart, and hands: of the head to think clearly about what we feel and do; of the heart to feel well, deeply, what we think and do; of the hands to realise what we feel and think.“Come on, be cheerful. See you in Lisbon!” is his final greeting. Source: vaticannews.va The first two parish priests of Hednesford, Fr Patrick Boyle and Fr Joseph Healy, shared a great devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes and, because of their devoted service, both became Honorary Chaplains of the Sanctuary there. Fr Boyle also had a vision to build a great church and grotto set in extensive grounds in Hednesford. Fr Healy was one of the “Founding Fathers” of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes and realised the dreams of Fr Boyle after his premature death. Even in an age of increasing secularism, interest in pilgrimage has not ended and large numbers of pilgrims still make their way to the great pilgrimage centres of the world. Pope Francis has stressed the role of pilgrimage in the Christian life. “A Pilgrimage is challenging – it takes us out of our comfort zone …. It is a transformational experience that changes lives and brings us closer to our faith in ways we could never imagine through sincere and concentrated prayer.” Hednesford is not Lourdes of course, although the church is trying to be as French as possible! However, following the vision of Frs Boyle and Healy, many have come here, in groups or as individuals to hear the message of Our Lady to Bernadette, to seek her intercession and to pray in a place which has itself been sanctified by the prayers of pilgrims over the years. On Sunday 2 July we invite you to join the Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Hednesford from 1pm - Rosary 3pm - Mass with the Anointing of the Sick 4pm. Fr Jeremy Howard, Parish Priest, Our Lady of Lourdes Hednesford, Staffordshire. Pilgrims... 1. Please bring a chair. 2. If anyone would like to say a Hail Mary in another language they are encouraged to make themselves known before the rosary starts at 3pm. 3. Are welcome to bring a posy of flowers to lay before the statue of Our Lady during the rosary. This weekend, the Catholic Church in England & Wales, Scotland and Ireland marks the annual Day for Life.
This day each year gives us an opportunity to reflect on the gift of life which is precious from conception to natural death. How can we fail to contemplate the precious gift of life for the victims of the attacks in Nottingham this past week. The tragic deaths of the two 19-year old students has touched the lives of so many people: young people, parents, people who recognise how the gift of life which we sometimes take for granted can be so fragile. We pray for all those affected and commend them to the compassion of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The theme given for this year's Day for Life is ‘Listen to Her’ and focuses on the trauma that can follow abortion, for women and for others by association. Jane’s Story is a powerful account of a young girl who appeared to see no alternative to abortion when she became pregnant and after her abortion hoped that life would return to normal. It was many years afterwards that a retreat experience with Rachel’s Vineyard led her to a journey of healing from the trauma. This is most topical in the light of the recent story of a woman who is now serving a prison sentence for taking abortion pills after the legal time limit in our country for abortion. And soon afterwards there are calls to revisit the law…but presumably only to extend the time limit and to make abortion more accessible. Closer to home, it has also become a matter of conscience that has questioned such fundamental rights as freedom of religious belief and the right to pray privately about abortion. On the Church’s annual Day for Life, may we recognise the many complex situations that can lead people to consider abortion. Our society sees abortion more and more as a right that should not be obstructed. As, too, this weekend is Father's Day, let us pray that those who embrace the vocation of fatherhood may recognise the privilege of their calling. May the rights and responsibilities of both parents always be held in balance for the good of the child. 15/6/2023 0 Comments New Bishop of Hexham and NewcastleHis Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Rt Rev. Stephen Wright as the Fifteenth Bishop of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
A Message from Bishop Stephen to the Archdiocese of Birmingham Dear Sisters and Brothers, I ask for your prayers as it is announced that Pope Francis has appointed me Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle Diocese. The news came as a shock to me. My new Diocese has had a very painful recent history so please keep the people and clergy in your prayers. I trust in God’s grace and although sad to leave my home Archdiocese, I look forward to unknown joys ahead in the North- East. I am very sorry to clergy and teachers who in recent days may have felt I was being absent in post. I could not explain why. It has been very challenging juggling commitments and talking about a pastoral future I will not now share with you. I will be moving to live in Newcastle upon Tyne in early July with my Installation Mass set for Wednesday 19 July. Invitations and details will follow. I will do my best to honour liturgical commitments until 2 July here in the Archdiocese. From that date onwards I am sorry I will not be available. An enormous prayerful thank you to you all. With prayers and blessings, + Stephen 13/6/2023 0 Comments Installation of New CanonsThree new Canons have been installed and appointed to the Metropolitan Chapter of Canons. St Chad’s Cathedral held the Capitular Mass of the Venerable Metropolitan Chapter and the Rite of Installation to a Canonry of Very Reverend Canon Michael Dolman, Very Reverend Canon Brian McGinley and Very Reverend Canon Paul McNally. Canons Michael, Brian and Paul are now part of the Chapter of Canons, who form the governing body of the Cathedral, caring for it and for its liturgical life. They are also the College of Consultors who advise the Archbishop about the life and mission of the Archdiocese. The Mass was celebrated by the Very Reverend Canon Michael Neylon in the presence of His Grace Archbishop Bernard Longley. Archbishop Bernard welcomed the parish of St George Worcester, and the other Worcester parishes, and the parishes of Holy Trinity in Newcastle Under Lyme and Sacred Heart in Silverdale who came in support of Canon Brian and Canon Paul, as well as Oscott staff and seminarians who came in support of their Rector, Canon Michael. Mgr Tim Menezes, Cathedral Dean and Secretary of the Chapter read the nominations for the three Canons who then made the promise of Obedience and the Profession of Faith. In turn, the new Canons ascended the sanctuary and knelt before the Archbishop as they were dressed in the cappa parva (small hooded cape). The Archbishop presented them with a copy of the Chapter Statutes and formally admitted them saying: “I now admit you as a member of the Chapter of our Cathedral Church of St. Chad with the rights and duties of that office in the name of ✠the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen” The Provost, Bishop David Evans said: “The Lord in his mercy has appointed you to be joined to our Chapter. “We welcome you and pray for you that you may ever keep true love for your brothers and after this life receive the reward of your labours.” From Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham (birminghamdiocese.org.uk) |
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