A week before Remembrance Sunday, the gospel reading (Matthew 5:1-12) contained the beatitude ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted’. On Remembrance Sunday itself, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the gospel (John 2:13-22) pointed to the Passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord.
Thanks to Calvary we have the sure and certain hope that death does not have the final word. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, as we remember the fallen (as well as those currently experiencing war), may we take hold of that hope and receive not only comfort, but the courage to actively pursue peace.
St Peter & St Paul Church, Lincoln
Editor: Nick Layton
Editorial Office: CathCom Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN
Telephone: 01440 730399
email: cn@cathcom.org or davidl@cathcom.org
Website: www.cathcom.org
Distribution enquiries: cn@cathcom.org
CathCom Ltd,
Publication date: Fourth Sunday of the month for the following month. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Diocese.
Publishers and Owners:
CathCom Ltd, N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7BN
Advertising: tel: 01440 730399
Parental permission should be sought before submitting photographs of minors.
Views expressed in The Catholic News are not necessarily those of the editor.
Wanted Parish Correspondents
The Catholic News is looking for a Parish Correspondent in your parish to send in local news for publication in this newspaper. All items to be emailed to cn@cathcom.org before 10th of the month
Hope in uncertain times
We’ve reached the season of Advent: a special time of preparation for Christmas. Throughout this year we’ve all probably tried to make preparations of one sort or another: for birthdays, for holidays, for exams! But life’s uncertainties sometime get in the way.
We’re not used to uncertainty. We don’t like it. If our weather app predicts sun and we get rain, we’re annoyed. If the internet cuts out when we’re due to attend an online lesson or meeting, we’re stressed. We’ve even introduced Video Assistant Referees, so we’re not vexed with the uncertainty of an offside rule. We’ve got used to knowing what is happening, to being in control, to making firm plans.
But for most of human history people had to live with uncertainty. Many of the Bible readings we hear during the season of Advent remind us of this. These Advent readings from the Old Testament were
written by prophets who lived hundreds of years before Jesus, in times of great instability caused by conflict, injustice, famine and disease.
They reminded people that, although God may not prevent disasters, he will never fail to see us through them. We just have to stay faithful and follow God’s example. In a famous Advent reading, the prophet Isaiah explains what this would look like in his prediction of a saviour sent by God to lead us:
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse and a branch shall grow out of his roots: on him the spirit of the Lord rests, a spirit of wisdom and perception, a spirit of understanding and authority, a spirit of knowledge and reverence. He does not judge by appearances or gossip; he will judge the poor fairly and defend the rights of the helpless. Isaiah 11:1-4
For Isaiah, the shoot he chose to give attention to signified the birth of Jesus –the stump of Jesse referring to the ancient family from which Jesus was descended. This birth fulfilled a promise God made long ago – that whatever was going on in
Frankly Speaking
our lives, God would never leave us. That we are loved by God so much that he wants to be close to us – to be one of us – to work alongside us to build a better future.
The mission of the SVP is to seek out those in need and try to instigate a better future regardless of the uncertainties around us. So, between now and Christmas (and beyond) members will highlight God’s presence in our world by their work with those that need support – showing kindness to strangers, practical aid where required and inspiring hope in uncertain times with a real desire to make a difference to people’s lives and future.
However, this is not something exclusive to SVP members. We can all be missionaries of God’s love and do something good with it. Believe you can make a difference. Help someone who needs a hand. Pray for those who are out of reach.
By Frank Goulding
As we approach the end of November we all know that the month of the Holy Souls will have been a time of sorrow and memories for many especially if they have lost a loved one in recent times. Advent is a holy season every year, if a family or an individual is grieving they may well need our compassionate support with a place in our prayers.
Sometimes the bereavement of a public can inspire many to want a special memorial particularly if a long illness has been borne with considerable bravery. On November 3 the family of the late Rob Burrows were special guests as the Centre for Motor Nuerone Disease was opened in Leeds. This was the first purpose built facility dedicated to MND inspired by the generosity of many compassionate people not least the heroic marathon running by his friend and sporting colleague Kevin Sinfield.
This remarkable tribute was opened just 15 months after the sad passing of Rob.
If only others in public authority could work together like this example which has spread far beyond the City of Leeds. Working together for those in greatest need cannot be achieved easily, but with good will, hope and loyal team work much can be achieved in a fast changing world. “Those in greatest need” incorporates not only climate change but also the areas constantly affected by war, drought or famine.
Do we really want to reduce foreign aid again as some advocate in early November we had another briefing of how devastating, tragic and dreadful conditions are in Sudan. This difficulty here is of course complex but the argument that much aid goes to the wrong place is severly in the past. We have agencies like CAFOD to work together if only for the sake of children who are suffering.
Here in Britain children are particularly special at this time of the year. As you read this newspaper we will have found out if the two child limit of benefit has changed.
All our children deserve hope, safety, dignity and opportunity. As we approach Advent this presents huge challenges to both parents and teachers particularly when special educational needs or disability issues are delayed. All our children need to know the true message from the Bethlehem Stable its the least we can do to sustain their young faith.
Some years ago I served 2 years as a school governor. The highlight for the primary age youngsters was the annual Nativity Play. Those pupils will now be nearing the age of 30, I hope their memories have stayed with them.
Love Letters
One Sunday in October, following the two morning Masses, letter writing sessions were held in the lounge of the parish centre, at St Peter & St Paul Church, in Lincoln. The event was organised by parishioner, Julie, who coordinates activities of the local branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). An advert was placed in the three Catholic churches of the city, with an invitation to attend to receive advice and encouragement about how to write letters to members of the House of Lords (also known as Peers) concerning: assisted suicide - the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill and abortion - the Crime and Policing Bill (specifically Clause 191, which would exempt women from criminal proceedings for carrying out their own abortion at any stage of pregnancy up to birth), together with an opportunity to write letters. A small number of parishioners showed up, including a member of the Polish community who asked if the community could receive assistance on another occasion, leading to two further sessions the following Sunday.
Under certain conditions (which these two pieces of legislation met) Members of the House of Lords have the power to amend or reject legislation that has passed through the House of Commons, making it important for citizens to engage with them and have their voice heard. Individual physical letters, pertaining to one Bill at a time, are considered to have the greatest impact, with many Peers not having email addresses. Compared with MPs, Peers do not receive much correspondence from the public and often lack admin support, meaning that whilst a reply is unlikely, the letter may have more impact. However, with over eight hundred Peers to potentially
contact, who to engage with can be a daunting prospect. Information sheets published by SPUC about the Bills (and the threat to life they represent), and advice about how to write letters, were available for parishioners to read, together with paper, envelopes and name/address details; parishioners were asked to bring a pen, though there were pens available on the day. Postage for the letters was paid for by a kind donation from a parishioner. Overall, several letters were written, with parishioners encouraged to use their personal stories/experience when possible, some chose to write regarding assisted suicide, others about abortion, whilst a number wrote multiple letters, including for each Bill.
Aside from the ‘serious business’ of defending life and serving the common good, the sessions gave witness both inside and outside the Catholic community, were uplifting to all involved and fostered camaraderie amongst those who participated. It is said a problem shared, is a problem halved and it can feel challenging as an individual to write a letter to a politician, so getting together as a group to help one another, enabled some people to write letters they would not have the confidence to write by themselves. Love letters in all manner of ways. With thanks to Julie for organising the sessions, together with all who supported them, and prayers that the letters will help Peers awaken (or reawaken) to the presence of God, who is Love and vote accordingly in due course. If you would like to write to Members of the House of Lords regarding these Bills (there is still time) and would like more information, check out the SPUC website: www.spuc.org.uk
Christ the King Alfreton monthly parish lunch again full to capacity
Christ the King Alfreton monthly parish lunch again full to capacity, as parishioners
Nancy and Neill Dye celebrated their sixty fifth wedding anniversary. Retired teacher Barrie and Clare Meloy led the cooking volunteers and they served up a hearty gammon and veg three course lunch. Full cabaret throughout the lunch between servings and bingo completed the celebrations. Next parish lunch is December first which will be (no surprise !) a Christmas theme with students from the parish school serving and singing !
Gerry Molumby Alfreton
For all your advertising requirements please contact
From: Elston Hermitage…….....
When this issue of Catholic News is in our parishes no doubt we will have lit the first candle on our Advent wreath and so another Advent begins and Christmas is only four weeks away therefore we need to begin and get ready. If we plan on giving gifts, sending Christmas cards or having guests over for Christmas lunch, I expect now is the time to get planning.
It is on the first Sunday of Advent that Jesus is saying something similar to us in the scripture reading at Mass on the first Sunday of Advent, but with a rather different focus we are told to get ready “get ready you do not know when I will come again”. (Matt: 24:44)
We don’t tend to think about - let alone pray and long for the return of Jesus, however this is central to our Christian belief and we find hardly is it spoken of, talked about and very rarely preached about. But despite this every time we recite the Creed we proclaim our great belief in this great truth of our faith. And so we know that Christ’s Second coming is imminent. If we look the word imminent up in the dictionary, the definition is shown as ‘about to happen’. In truth however most of us attach little thought or prayer to the Second coming
of Christ because it may have little impact on our daily lives - however when we touch as we do in this season something of the significance of Jesus’ first coming then maybe we are able to reflect better on the Second Coming.
So how can we prepare ourselves this Advent for Jesus’ coming both this Christmas and at the Second Coming ? As we prepare to give gifts this Christmas to friends and family think of ways we could give the Christ child.
A few suggestions might be:
Set aside an hour each week to sit before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament - in the quiet thank Him for becoming man and saving us from sin and death.
Serve the needy in some way - volunteer at a food kitchen, buy gifts for a struggling family or help an elderly neighbour to prepare for Christmas.
See where we have strayed from God. Then go to Confession and receive his forgiveness and the grace to follow Him more closely. Is there anyone we need to forgive? Ask Jesus to help us forgive that person, and then reconcile with them.
And so as we decide what we will give Jesus this Advent, remember it’s not only about what we do to get ready for His coming. It’s about what He wants to do for us!
As we sit before Him in Adoration, He wants to give us His peace. As we reach out to the needy, He wants to encounter us in His beloved poor. As we go to Confession He wants to fill us with His mercy. And as we forgive others He wants to help heal our wounded relationships.
And so Jesus is so generous that He wants to help us get ready for Him not only this
Christmas, but for His Second Coming also.
Are any of us really ready??
Although there are many material things to prepare in the next four weeks before Christmas. SLOW DOWN ! Take time out to be with Jesus. As the Gospel on Advent Sunday tells us we “must be prepared”.
The Church, the Bride, also enlightens us because of her blessed hope too is ‘Come Lord Jesus, Come’ The beginning of Advent, then is a time to renew our expectation that Jesus will come at Christmas and that Jesus is going to return in glory as Lord and King!
By Fr David + h.d.n. Priest
Image: Nubia Navarro
40th Anniversary of the Sion Community
A milestone was celebrated earlier on this year by one of our Diocese of Nottingham priests – Mgr. Pat Lynch. It was 40 years ago that he founded the Sion Community whilst in St Wilfrid’s Parish, Coalville. The vision is for priests, religious and lay people working together in the area of evangelisation, living a fully Catholic and charismatic life.
Previously Mgr. Pat had ministered in Market Harborough, Lincoln and Burtonon-Trent. Bishop McGuinness gave him permission to see if his vision would bear
fruit. With a Franciscan Sister and three married couples on his Team, they stepped out to run their first parish missions around the UK. Forty years on, his team of trained missionaries has grown extensively, as can be seen from the photograph, taken in Brentwood Cathedral in September at a Mass celebrated with the local Bishop Allan Williams.
Inspired by Pope Paul VI’s Document “Evangelii Nutiandi” [1974] Gospel texts like, “Go in to all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” [Mark 16:15], the
Prayers for Vocations at the Cathedral
Prayers for priestly vocations and religious life have been in operation at the Nottingham Cathedral since 1997 led diligently by Michael Hallam. At 9.15am Saturday mornings a group of the faithful gather in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in the Cathedral and dedicate time praying for our pope, Pope Leo XIV, for our bishop, Bishop Patrick, all our diocesan priests and religious life as well as our seminarians. We also offer up the holy Rosary for the priesthood, sing two hymns, one to Our Lord and one to Our Lady.The session completes with a litany for Vocations. Michael has always offered a warm and encouraging welcome to all who join in, leaflets are provided for the session, all that is needed is your participation and support of this very necessary ministry.
Michael is keen to spread this to other parishes in the diocese so if this is something of interest to you and you would like to implement such a group in your local parish, please do not hesitate to contact Michael and he will be very happy to assist you in taking this forward and giving you the
necessary guidance to help you establish this in your parish. Michael may be contacted via the Cathedral parish office or please email cathedral@dioceseofnottingham.uk for further information and the sharing of necessary materials. God Bless
Submitted on behalf of The Nottingham Cathedral
Sion Community offers parish missions, proclaiming the gospel and calling the Catholics, and others they met, to a converted life, centred on a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As well as parish missions, they run retreats, have developed a lively youth ministry, and formation courses in discipleship and evangelisation for all ages. Leaders in the Community are often called on to speak at
Conferences in the UK and around the world. There is now a sister community in Ireland called the Ceili Community, [https://ceilicatholiccommunity.net], based in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath.
Why not visit the Sion Community website for further information and to contact them for your church mission or evangelising event: www.sioncommunity.org.uk
Scripture Focus
The Fruitful Tree
By Fr Jeremy Corley
This summer many fruit trees produced an abundant crop of fruit, especially apples. It is beautiful to see a tree full of ripe fruit, while a dried-up and fruitless tree has little value.
The gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent (8th December) gives us the preaching of John the Baptist, preparing the way for Christ. His preaching challenges us as we enter the Advent season: “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” Hearing this call, we take another look at our lives. When we recognise our failings, we seek to walk a better path.
John the Baptist warns his hearers: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” He is telling us that unfruitfulness leads to ruin, but fruitfulness leads to life.
When he speaks of the axe being laid to the root of the trees, he is borrowing this imagery from Isaiah. The prophet describes God using an axe to cut down oppressive leaders. Immediately afterwards, Isaiah speaks of a shoot from the stump of Jesse (the line of David), a branch springing from his roots.
In Advent we understand Isaiah’s words as fulfilled in the coming of Jesus, who was a descendant of King David. The Spirit of the Lord rested on him, and righteousness was the belt around his waist.
John the Baptist’s role was to prepare the people through their repentance. He announced the coming of someone much greater, Christ our Saviour—the one who would baptise us with the fire of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who will enable us to bear good fruits, as St Paul tells the Galatians.
The call to be fruitful runs through the Scriptures. Chapter 15 of John’s Gospel uses the image of the vine and the branches. Christ is the vine and we are the branches. We are unable to bear fruit unless we remain united with him.
The first psalm in the Psalter contrasts two kinds of individual. The person who delights in God’s law is like a fruitful tree planted beside streams of water, drawing life from God’s Holy Spirit. By way of contrast, the wicked are driven away like chaff, because they do not bear good fruit.
Echoing the psalm, John the Baptist uses the image of chaff in his preaching. Whereas the coming Saviour will gather the wheat into his granary, he will put aside the chaff to be burnt.
Overall, his preaching offers us a stark and uncompromising message for our Advent journey. If we seek to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming by repentance, we will be able to bear the fruits of faith and hope and love. Otherwise, all we do will be consigned to be lost.
In the days leading up to Christmas, often full of frenetic activity, we can be so caught up with various preparations that we lose time for prayer and reflection. May God help us this Advent to prepare our hearts suitably, so that we may indeed be able to welcome Christ with joy when he comes among us.
Funeral Services
The World Apostolate of Fatima 2025 Visitation to Nottingham Cathedral
The World Apostolate of Fatima, England and Wales, Pilgrim Virgin Statue and Relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco visited St Barnabas Cathedral recently, from 12th13th October. This Visitation was particularly associated with the remembrance of the apparition to Sr Lucia, the oldest Fatima seer, which took place in December 1925 when she was a postulant with the Sisters of St Dorothy at Pontevedra in Spain.
It was part of the Centenary celebrations of the Fatima Five First Saturdays devotion, which involves the two National Statues of Our Lady of Fatima visiting the Cathedrals of England and Wales between May 2025 and October 2026.
You can see more details about the Five First Saturdays devotion, just scan the QR code below.
Over the two day Visitation there were a number of different events, including a procession of the Fatima Pilgrim Virgin Statue, and the enthronement and crowning of the Statue, followed by Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Patrick.
Visitors had the chance to venerate the relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco, and the Rosary was prayed communally with the intention of world peace. Talks about Fatima were given by members of the Visitation team, and there was also a very informative video shown of a talk by Sr Angela Coelho, the postulator of the cause of Sr Lucia, which took place in St Patrick’s cathedral in New York.
You can see this video, just scan the QR code below.
During breaks, a book table was available for browsing and purchases, and there was also an opportunity to become a WAF member. Overall, the response of those who attended was excellent, and the total number of prayer petitions completed was over 400.
Feedback from attendees was very positive, with one saying:
“The two day programme organised by the World Apostolate of Fatima, England &
Wales, in collaboration with the Priests and laity of the Cathedral was very well organised, and credit is due especially to Cheryl and her team together with the Legionaries. The event really gave us a good historical and spiritual overview of our Catholic faith and of the importance of Fatima. The whole event was impactful and spirit filled; the cathedral was filled with people and many venerated the Relics of Saints Francisco and Jacinta with great devotion.”
The WAF England & Wales Southern Team expressed thanks and gratitude to Bishop Patrick McKinney, Canon Malachy, Fr Simon, Alison, and Cheryl for their generosity, kindness, and zeal to support and spread the message of Our Lady of Fatima.
A weekly Fatima prayer cell group is starting at the Cathedral. If you are interested please talk to Cheryl at the Gift Shop, or Abigail of the Legion of Mary ministry. Alternatively email the parish office and they’ll be in touch with further details.
A Home Visitation programme for the Fatima pilgrim Statue will also be launched in November. If you are a Cathedral parishioner, and would like to Host Our Lady of Fatima in your home for a week, as above, please let Cheryl, or Abigail, know of your interest, or contact them via the Cathedral office email: cathedral@dioceseofnottingham.uk
Prayer books will be available for a week of prayers to accompany each Statue visitation, so as to encourage families to pray together. Family names will be placed on a weekly rota, and the handover can be arranged at the Cathedral if preferred, or between the households as Our Lady travels from home to home.
If you would like to know more about having a Fatima prayer cell group, or a Home Visitation Fatima pilgrim Statue programme in your own parish, please email: membership@waf-ew.org.uk
And if you would like to know more about the Fatima message in general, please scan the QR code below.
Donal Anthony Foley, WAF England & Wales Committee
There were two Latin masters at the school I went to. They used to amuse themselves during breaks and at the school’s ‘dinner time’ by talking in Latin to each other. They had different accents – one had graduated from Oxford, the other from Cambridge –but neither accent, I suggest, would have been anything like that spoken in the Forum of Ancient Rome.
By Dr Jay Kettle-Williams
Gaudete!
are something we all like to be involved with, to be involved in. They might come following marriage, a birth, a christening, a birthday, success in our work, in our studies, in our business or whatever event that brings happiness.
The event that brings us happiness at this time of the year is the birth of Jesus. However, when it comes to the twelve days of Christmas (starting on 25 December), I hold no truck with what I consider excessive commercialisation excessively extended, teased out over months, normally with little or no regard for the raison d’être. Not that I’m a kill-joy.
One of the things that they would regularly drum into us at school was that ‘Rome [apart from not being built in a day] was born in Greece, and Greece was born in Crete.’ But like so many things drummed into us at school, I never appreciated their worth until much later in life. So I was particularly alerted to a recent comment by Giorgia Meloni who said: ‘I believe in Western civilization, which is built on Greek philosophy, Roman law and Christian values.’ That comment by the Italian Prime Minister immediately brought to my mind the inscription bearing the charge in Latin and Greek – complemented by the transcription in Hebrew – pinned above our Crucified Christ (John 19:21 and Matthew 27:37 ref. The Jerusalem Bible). But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Mary’s now giving birth. Jesus - ‘That poor wee lamb!’ as my wife would say - is being put before us in the most humble of presentational devices: a simple manger.
Well, poor wee lamb for sure. He’s not got easy times ahead. And we all know what’s coming down the line.
But this is the time we celebrate His birth. It’s a time for joy, for gratitude and for basic questioning, not that I felt I could answer one person’s question put to me some time ago: ‘Where and when would baby Jesus have been christened?’ Oh, dear! I’ll leave that there.
Yes, this is certainly the time of the year for us to celebrate.
Celebration for us mortals always surrounds a special enjoyable event that we organize to honour something deemed pleasant which has happened. Celebrations
Then, in similar vein, there’s Fathers’ Day (third Sunday of June). Forgive me but I see that again as commercial overreach, further to the celebration of Mothers’ Day (fourth Sunday of Lent), the day traditionally for honouring one’s mother church and subsequently one’s own biological mother.
No, I’m not a kill-joy. Not at all. I see no problem with anyone’s freedom to celebrate whatever and whenever they like, providing it doesn’t impinge on the freedoms of others.
Take, by way of a further example, the celebrations of 5th November which mark the failure of Catholic conspirators in 1605 to blow up Parliament and assassinate King James I. Ok. But that’s a far cry from the celebrations honouring bloodshed, voicing approval and giving encouragement for innocent folk to be wilfully slaughtered, such as we might witness on our streets from time to time. A thin line, you might say. No, I don’t think so. That line is broad and as broad as it’s long.
I grant you, freedom is an awkward concept to wrestle with. It can be emboldening at first touch. However, we need the wherewithal within us to understand that freedom is not the entitlement nor is it the free will to do whatever we like, to perform and to act in whatever way might take our fancy. We mustn’t forget that, when he’s older, Jesus will be teaching us the Golden
Rule (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31 ref. JB): ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’.
Nor is freedom the self-indulgence to ever take or feign offence, never to take umbrage, to indulge our own sensitivity. When he’s older, Jesus will be telling us to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39 and Luke 6:29 ref: JB).
At this point it just remains for me wish you all a Merry Christmas.
Or in the words of Steeleye Span: ‘Christos est natus … Gaudete!’
A child of atheist parents who became a Catholic and a Poor Clare nun at nineteen, Sister Juliana ’s fifty years of religious vows were celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Bulwell, on October 11.
Starting out life as Lynn Hillyard she volunteered in her gap year between school and university with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. A dying prostitute begged her to pray for her - something she had no ideas about - and then taught her the rosary. It was the first step to discovering that prayer changes life.
The celebration at Bulwell was augmented by parishioners from St Edward’s Aylestone, Leicester, where the sisters had been a praying presence before returning to Bulwell. Musicians from both parishes, including Kuba, who learned the flute from Sister and children from Our Lady of Perpetual Succour school swelled the sound of music in the mass presided by Father Dennis Tindall.
After renewing her religious vow, a crown of flowers made by a friend from Cafod was “driven up” in style by Pasha in her wheelchair. Sister Bakhita, who placed the crown on sister’s head was assisted by Sheryl from St Edward’s and Claire, recently married, from St Barnabas Cathedral parish.
The celebration moved on to an international shared table organised lovingly by the parishioners.
In his homily Father Dennis said, “We are the people who have to recognise also that
we all have a vocation…everyone of us is called by God to help our world to know that we have been saved by God personally.”
Asked how she felt after fifty years praying in the presence of the Lord, Sr Juliana answered, “We live in a world whose greatest problems have escaped human solutions, we cannot face the wars, the genocides, the violence and destruction that we have created for ourselves - but God wants us to pray that his will be done and his kingdom come; a kingdom of justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Sister Juliana and Sister Bakhita, Poor Clare Colettines, share some of their daily prayer on their Facebook page, Colettes Well.
Pasha with the Crown of Flowers
Vows Sr Juliana and Sr Bakhita
Sr Juliana wearing the Crown of Flowers
A real ‘Pilgrimage of Hope’
Thursday 23 October 2025 - on a momentous day of Pope Leo meeting King Charles in Rome and forecast Storm Benjamin arriving, 23 intrepid young pilgrims set off from St Mary’s church at Marple Bridge , just after 8 am on a real ‘Pilgrimage of Hope’, to join both of our parish schools and churches together, to walk over 7 kms of muddy tracks and paths, to the Church of the Annunciation at New Mills.
Leading the group was our new Parish Priest Fr Greg Tobin, who led a short service at Marple Bridge, and joined the group as we set off into the cold, dark morning , praying for the rain to stop … Joining the young pilgrims were the head teachers and staff of both schools some parishioners, and dog !…
Climbing up and over the intervening hills, all our young pilgrims carried their Jubilee banner, and processional crucifix, as they walked with reverence, joy and hope, as they surveyed the distant horizons, walking in faith and friendship-grateful that the rain did indeed stop
After almost 2 hours , the joyful pilgrims arrived at the Annunciation in New Mills, and joined all the pupils from St Mary’s school for a celebration mass, led by all the children
Certificates and badges were presented to all the young pilgrims (and even the dog ! ) by Fr Greg - a wonderful celebration of the Jubilee, and our two parish schools.
Entire group setting off from Marple Bridge church
"It was a wonderful faith filled morning of hope, joy and companionship. All the ingredients of a pilgrimage! This will now become an annual event - next year will be in reverse. "
John Nish- Headteacher St. Mary's Marple Bridge
“As part of our school and parish links we pIanned with the local parishioners, our newly appointed parish priest Fr Gregory and the headteacher at Marple Bridge that we use this new school year to celebrate the Year of Hope through a pilgrimage walk between both schools and parishes.
Senior chaplain pupil groups from Marple Bridge and New Mills walked together the 7 kilometres between both schools. They were accompanied by both headteachers, Lay Chaplain Dan Hamilton, our local parishioners and our priest Fr Gregory. The pupils carried the school crucifix and the pilgrimage banner.
We celebrated our pilgrimage with a school mass at The Annunciation in New Mills which the chaplains led from both schools."
Patricia Chapman
Executive headteacher St. Mary's New Mills and Derby.
The pupils said, Jacob 'I loved the opportunity to connect with our other Marian school.' 'I enjoyed representing my school as a Pilgrim.'
Henry
Muddy tracks
Story and pictures by Joe Hennigan - Parish of St Marys Marple Bridge and The Annunciation New Mills
Outside the Church of the Annunciation New Mills children
Outside the Church of Annunciation Marple Bridge children
Viewing the distant skyline of Manchester
Canon Andrew Cole is Inducted as Parish Priest of St Ralph Sherwin Parish Derby
On Friday 24th October, St Mary’s Church Derby hosted the Induction Mass for Canon Andrew Cole as Parish Priest of St Ralph Sherwin parish Derby. It was a wonderful evening with parishioners from all three churches present, diocesan clergy, ecumenical clergy, and special guest Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP, emeritus Archbishop of Liverpool and former Bishop of Nottingham. Canon Andrew’s former parishioners from Lincolnshire had even hired a coach to come down and show their support.
During the Mass Canon John Kyne handed symbols of the faith and parish responsibility to Canon Andrew - including the Bible, keys and Missal. There was a lovely atmosphere, with Canon Andrew and the congregation making promises to support each other and the faith life of the parish. It also gave the parish the opportunity to formally welcome their new assistant priest, Fr Julius Ekwogge.
The Mass was followed by refreshments and cake in the parish centre.
Frances Hazel
You can use both sets of clues to solve the puzzle: the solutions are the same.
CRYPTIC Across
4 One of the twins seen tucking into Lincolnshire sausages (4)
5 British sect's on edge (6)
8 Number, including the Queen, he fiddled, so some say (4)
9 Subordinate created with care, it's said (8)
10 Complex soggy eagle, or a great seabird... (7,5)
12 ...low mental age resorting to a noble pastime (4,4,4)
13 Headgear of Oregon revolutionary angry medic donned earlier (8)
15 Menaham's dad soldier imprisoned today (4)
17 Party members after allegations, lose face (6)
18 Yeats's land in Ulster, knowledge of the Scriptures will bring it all back (4)
CRYPTIC Down
1 Nothing in vehicle list is of the age of the new king (8)
2 Philistines prevailed here, but Mongolia is free (5,6)
3 First family: one on bridge,... (4)
4 ...for the other, it's the brink, mate (3)
6 Publish again in the matter of offspring (7)
7 Neal's Harems: massages for old Assyrian kings (11)
10 Push off and lose one's way (3,4)
11 Fruit in here has variety enclosed by old railway (8)
14 One pub promoted Italian port (4)
16 One of twelve in Israel to get higher than black belt (3)
QUICK Across
4 Isaac's firstborn (4)
5 Rim;frontier(6)
8 Roman emperor between 37 and 68 AD (4)
9 Female domestic servant (8)
10 Common seabird of Europe; ancestor of many domestic breeds (7,5)
12 Variety of football played at a particular public school (4,4,4)
13 Headgear associated with Mexico and SW USA (8)
15 FatherofMenaham(4)
17 British political party members: Irish RC 17th century outlaws (6)
18 Poetic name for Ireland (4)
QUICK Down
7 Assyrian king, the fifth of his name, who captured Samaria and took the Israelites into exile (11)
10 Go away and stay away (3,4)
11 Building, greenhouse, associated with fruit (8)
14 Italian Adriatic port (4)
16 Son of Jacob and tribal ancestor (3)
1 Pertaining to two dynasties in 17th century Britain, and one in the 21st century (8)
2 Site of King Saul's last stand (5,6)
3 Robert ----, Scottish architect and furniture designer (4)
