I'm delighted to greet you as we come together to celebrate the great feast of Easter, the most important feast in the Christian calendar.
And it's wonderful for the family of our Archdiocese to give thanks for the new life which the Risen Lord brings to all of us, especially through our parish communities and through the different works of outreach, which were inspired by this new life in the Risen Christ. At the beginning of the Easter Vigil, we light a fire. We bring new light into the world at a moment of darkness and in the procession, as we carry the paschal candle, we sing the light of Christ. We recall that when Jesus spoke about himself, one of the things that he described was his own gift of light. He said, “I am the light of the world”. We know that this year has been difficult for people in so many parts of the world. We pray especially and continue to do so for the people of Ukraine. And we think of the suffering in Israel and Gaza as we pray for the Prince of Peace to influence those who can make decisions and bring peace into the world. We also know that in our own lives, just as we carry the candle at Easter, so the light of Christ can shine out from within us, particularly in our words and our deeds, because we recognize that we are indeed an Easter people. I want to wish you and your families and all those close to you, every blessing this Easter season. Let the light of the risen Christ shine through in the things that you say and do, especially within your family settings, with your neighbours, and as you witness to him in the world today. And pray for that gift of peace, that the light of the world may shine in the darkest places of our world today. May every blessing be yours this Easter season. And I assure you that I pray for you and all those close to you. A very happy Easter.
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28/3/2024 0 Comments Men of FaithIn response to requests from parishioners, Fr John will be forming a 'Men of Faith' group, to be based at Holy Trinity. The first meeting will be on Tuesday 9th April at 7pm and thereafter on the first Tuesday of every month. To begin with, we shall spend 30 minutes in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, which will include a brief presentation by Fr John. Following Adoration and Benediction, the group will be invited to a local pub for a drink and some social time.
A film based on the life of Catholic missionary Mother Francesca Cabrini is showing at the Vue Cinema this week. Mother Cabrini arrives in New York from Italy in 1889 and manages to convince the hostile mayor to secure housing, healthcare and schooling for the city's destitute orphans. She was the first U.S. Citizen to be Canonised.
See Vue Newcastle Under Lyme Cinema Film Listings & Times | Vue (myvue.com) for showing times - final showing Thursday 21st at 4.15pm. Today, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has accepted the resignation of the Right Reverend Declan Lang as Bishop of Clifton. Bishop Declan was ordained the ninth Bishop of Clifton on 28 March 2001 and has served the Diocese for 23 years as its bishop.
The Holy Father has appointed Rev. Canon Bosco MacDonald, a priest of the Diocese of Clifton, until now Dean of the Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul, Bristol, as the tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Clifton. Bishop-elect Bosco MacDonald said, on hearing the news of his appointment: “I am humbled that His Holiness Pope Francis has called me to become the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Clifton, following the retirement of Bishop Declan Lang who has served us so lovingly and faithfully for 23 years, giving his life completely to the joys and hopes as well as the challenges of our Catholic communities here in the West of England. “As I embark on this new journey, I am filled with gratitude for the prayers and affection of so many wonderful priests and people, family and friends far and wide. “I am eager to renew my profession of faith and deepen my communion with the Successor of Peter and my brother Bishops. And just as Pope Francis encourages Bishops to be close to their people in a spirit of service, I accept this new role in obedience to my priestly call with a commitment to serve the priests and people of Clifton to the best of my ability, with care, tenderness, and compassion. “May the love of Christ and the intercession of Our Blessed Lady, Conceived Without Sin guide every step I take as the 10th Bishop of this lovely Diocese of Clifton.” Bishop Declan Lang said: “I would like to congratulate Canon Bosco MacDonald and accompany him with my prayers on his appointment as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Clifton. He has many years of pastoral experience having worked in a number of parishes both as an assistant priest, parish priest and Dean of Clifton Cathedral. He brings much experience to his new ministry within the diocese which he will carry out with dedication and faithfulness. “I am sure he will also be a valuable member to the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales as we discern the way forward in a changing society. “Please remember Canon Bosco in your prayers as he prepares for this new ministry. The Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-elect MacDonald will take place in the Cathedral Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Clifton, Bristol. The date will be announced in due course. Catholic Bishops' Conference (cbcew.org.uk) One of the beautiful Lenten disciplines we undertake is praying the Stations of the Cross.
St Francis of Assisi, at the time when pilgrims were unable to go to the Holy Land because of the Crusades, was the first person we know of to encourage a prayer procession using a sequence of scenes from the passion and death of Christ. Through the following centuries, a range of sets of 'stations' were used throughout the Church. In the 18th century St Alphonsus of Liguori composed a set of reflections and prayers based on a set of 14 stations. Partly through the popularity of St Alphonsus’ 'Way of the Cross', this set of 14 stations now adorns many Catholic churches, and his prayers and reflections are still popular today. In St Alphonsus’s prayers, at each station, we pray: "I love you Jesus, my love above all things. I repent with my whole heart for having offended you. Never permit me to separate myself from you again. Grant that I may love you always and then do with me what you will." It is one of my favourite prayers throughout the year, but especially in Lent. There is so much in it that I find it difficult to focus my heart on all the phrases at once. This year I find myself drawn most often to the phrase, "Never permit me to separate myself from you again." Read through the prayer slowly and ask yourself, “Which phrase do I find myself most drawn to?” Fr Robert Taylerson, Spiritual Director at St Mary's College, Oscott 29/2/2024 0 Comments Mrs Pauline Cregg RIPMrs Pauline Cregg was for 24 years parish secretary at Holy Trinity and a strong member and supporter of the Union of Catholic Mothers. Please pray for the repose of her soul and for the comfort of her family and friends. He Requiem Mass will take place at Holy Trinity on Monday 4th March at 10am following her Reception into church at 5.30pm the previous evening.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. ~Amen~ By Bishop John Sherrington, Lead Bishop for Life Issues
Since Christmas, there has been an almost daily focus in the media on those who wish to see the introduction of legislation for assisted suicide, euphemistically called ‘assisted dying’. Esther Rantzen is probably the best-known celebrity whose campaign has been widely received. In contrast, Pope Francis’ prayer intention for February focuses on the care of those who are terminally ill and the importance of presence, care and prayer for those who are dying. He writes that we must distinguish between ‘incurable’ and ‘un-carable’ – there comes a point when illness is incurable but care is always needed and families must be supported in this: ‘families should not be left alone in these difficult moments… Their role is decisive… They need access to adequate means so as to provide appropriate physical, spiritual, and social support.’ Jesus was always close to the sick and healed them. The life of Jesus has led the hearts of countless Catholic healthcare professionals to be close to the sick, to treat, and care for them. Women and men religious have followed this vocation and founded Catholic hospitals around the world, nursing homes, and motivated many Christians to dedicate themselves to the care of the sick. A change in legislation about the end of life would threaten their work. Those doctors not wishing to participate in prescribing death would need to be able to object in conscience. The threat to the poor, the weak, those who may feel a burden, and those living with disability has been argued but seems unheard by many. Recently Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson was interviewed on Sky News (21/1/24) and argued that such legislation would increase the vulnerability of those living with disability and fundamentally alter the relationship between the individual and society. Some of the news stories have described the fear of the terrible pain of a terminal illness. Palliative care is always developing to deal with new forms of pain and new variations of an illness. No one should die in pain and this form of medicine is constantly seeking new scientific advances to improve its art. The suffering associated with being ill and the fear of dying are tangible realities. Relationships of pastoral and spiritual care can provide consolation and the support of Christ. Talking through one’s soul pain is an important step. The sacrament of the sick brings consolation, peace and healing to many people. It should not be delayed until death is imminent. It is a sacrament for the living. The preparation for death is a precious time when relationships can be healed and peace is found. Writing a will helps those who are left behind. The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes brings us close to St Bernadette. This year’s papal message focuses on the importance of healing relationships. Pope Francis writes, ‘Brothers and sisters, the first form of care needed in any illness is compassionate and loving closeness. To care for the sick thus means above all to care for their relationships, all of them: with God, with others – family members, friends, healthcare workers – with creation and with themselves. Can this be done? Yes, it can be done and all of us are called to ensure that it happens. Let us look to the icon of the Good Samaritan (cf Lk 10:25-37), to his ability to slow down and draw near to another person, to the tender love with which he cares for the wounds of a suffering brother.’ Jesus is the Good Shepherd who carries the broken and wounded sheep on his shoulders. He offers consolation, compassion and hope. He is alternative to the choice to end one’s life with assisted suicide. He is present to the dying as they are accompanied by others on this journey. Just as Our Lady stood at the foot of the cross, we are called to stand close to the dying in prayer and closeness and ask Our Lady’s help. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. St Bernadette, pray for us. Source: rcdow.org.uk Pensioners' Support Fair Friday 15th March 2024 10am-3pm hosted by Aaron Bell MP - a one-stop-shop for pensioners who want to know more about what services, activities and opportunities are available to them in Newcastle. Free admission. Venue: Queen Elizabeth Room, Castle House, Barracks Road, ST5 1BL. Wheelchair-accessible near bus station and car parks. There is also limited disabled parking outside Castle House. All pensioners, their families, friends and carers are welcome. And why not chat to Aaron over a cup of tea or coffee!
For more information please see: https://www.aaronbell.org.uk/pensioners-support-fair-2024 Ash Wednesday is fast approaching and CAFOD would like to invite you to join them as we all seek to make space and time to draw closer to God and our global family through reflection and prayer this Lent.
This year, as part of their reflections on one of the readings of the day, CAFOD will be sharing the stories of people from a fishing community in Liberia, as well as a daily prayer and suggested action you might like to take. Join this journey by signing up for CAFOD's daily Lent emails. Sign up now. |
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