“Do No Harm” is a short documentary on assisted dying, created by Being Catholic TV, which highlights some of the grave concerns around proposals to legalise assisted dying in the UK and Scottish Parliaments.
READERS’ WORKSHOP
The introduction of The New Lectionary provides an excellent opportunity to renew or learn how to be a great reader at Mass and other celebrations. A workshop combining pastoral, spiritual and practical aspects of this super-important ministry will take place this Thursday, 21 November, at 7 pm in the Parish Small Hall. It’s open to anyone (not just readers) wanting to deepen their relationship with the Word of God.
I hope to record it and make it available online, but – knowing my luck – many things can go wrong in that respect.
RED WEDNESDAY
Aid to the Church in Need’s #RedWednesday campaign was established in 2016 to raise awareness of – and say NO – to Christian persecution worldwide. As one African priest says, ‘People need food for their souls as well as their bodies’. Ahead of Black Friday, which celebrates materialism, #RedWednesday is a day to remember that faith matters!
WhatsApp Parish Channel
Autumn has arrived, and there is a greater chance of challenging weather and road conditions striking unexpectedly. If you use the WhatsApp app, I’d like to suggest subscribing to the parish WhatsApp channel. It’s a one-way communication tool used to make last-minute announcements. You will remain anonymous.
Jubilee 2025
Pope Francis has declared that next year, 2025, will be a Holy Year in the Universal Church and that 2024 should be a year of preparation for this great Jubilee.
The idea of Jubilee has its roots in the Old Testament, with a celebration of a year of forgiveness and reconciliation. The Sabbath was the seventh day, a day of rest, and the Jubilee year was the year following seven times seven years, so the Jubilee took place every 50th year. In the tradition of the Catholic Church, we now celebrate the Jubilee every 25 years. The Holy Year of 2025 will begin at the Christmas Vigil 2024 when the Holy Father will open the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
The Uganda Appeal results!
You may remember the Emergency Uganda Appeal from a few weeks ago when we raised £650 to assist with the repairs of the severely storm-damaged church of the Mulajje Parish. Your contribution truly had a positive impact, as evidenced in the photos below. Fr Gerald sent a message of gratitude, too:
Assisted Suicide
Cut Off from Me, You Can Do Nothing
Called to Care, Not to Kill – a Pastoral Letter on Assisted Suicide
In the parable of the Vine and the Branches, Jesus teaches us that we are one community, one family and one society. We live in a world where any one of our decisions affects all of us. We are all brothers and sisters with responsibility to each other.