Weekend message May 15
Dear friends,
Bishop Patrick has written a Pastoral Letter to be read out at all Masses celebrated on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th May 2021: Diocesan Safeguarding Sunday
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today is Safeguarding Sunday, an opportunity to reflect a little on our journey as a diocese to build a safer environment for every person. Last autumn, an independent review into Safeguarding in the Catholic Church here in England and Wales recommended that three new core agencies be created at a national level, in order to help strengthen still more the safeguarding structures and culture in our dioceses. It is anticipated that these agencies will very soon be up and running. Much more information on these three agencies can be found on the Bishops’ Conference website. I pray that their establishment will help bolster our own safeguarding standards across the diocese, and ensure that we are always transparent and accountable in the way we deal with allegations, and caring towards victims and survivors of abuse.
I want to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator, Clare McKenzie, for her professionalism, dedication and tenacity throughout her time with the diocese, and to welcome our new Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator, Rachael Campion. Rachael’s career within safeguarding spans over 30 years across different organisations and settings. She comes to us from the Church of England’s Blackburn Diocese, where she was a Safeguarding Advisor. Prior to that, she had considerable safeguarding involvement as an officer with Nottinghamshire Police for 17 years, much of it as an officer in their Public Protection Unit. I am confident that Rachael’s wealth of experience and knowledge will be invaluable in helping to maintain a high standard of safeguarding across the diocese.
In today’s second reading, from the 1st Letter of John, we are reminded that, “as long as we love one another God will live in us and his love will be complete in us.” The duty to love, to safeguard one another, is part of that vocation we all have as Christians – to love and care for each other. At the heart of this calling is the duty to help protect the safety and dignity of our neighbour, especially the most vulnerable. We cannot simply delegate this duty to parish Safeguarding Representatives or the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator.
Safeguarding is part and parcel of the DNA of every Christian; an essential characteristic of our identity as Christ’s followers, and so it must be reflected in the way we protect, respect, and treat each other with care. Only if each one of us is engaged in this way of thinking and acting can we foster a culture of safeguarding throughout our diocese.
Yesterday, in a Mass of Thanksgiving streamed from St Barnabas Cathedral, I expressed my sincere gratitude to all the parish Safeguarding representatives who have responded so generously to this calling. Your parish has someone who has volunteered to support the whole parish community in making your parish a safe place to be, particularly for children, young people and vulnerable adults (our Safeguarding Rep is Rosemarie Baxter) She and the network of Safeguarding Reps work really hard in this volunteer role; but building this safe culture in our parishes can’t just be left to them – it is the responsibility of all of us. Today, I urge everyone across the diocese to give your own parish rep your full support, and to join with them in fostering a deeper and more evident culture of safeguarding, care and protection for everyone in our parishes.
After all, the Church today and tomorrow should endeavour to be a safe place for everyone, especially those who are most vulnerable in our society. We can all play our part in ensuring that every single individual feels respected, safe, and loved, just as Our Lord asked of us: “as long as we love one another God will live in us and his love will be complete in us.”
You are in my prayers, please keep me in yours,
Right Reverend Patrick McKinney
Bishop of Nottingham
Booking Arrangements for next weekend:
At St. Pius X, Narborough:
You may book by email: johnhadley1971@gmail.com or by phone: (0116) – 2863676
at the following times on the following days:
- between 7pm and 8pm on Monday 17th May;
- between 7pm and 8pm on Tuesday 18th.
- between 7pm and 8pm on Friday 21st.
Times of Mass next weekend:
- 10am Saturday 22nd;
- 10am Sunday 23rd;
- 10am Monday 24th.
At Our Lady of Victories & St. Alphonsus, Lutterworth:
Please ring 079 0113 4564 on the following days, and at these times. It is not possible to leave a message outside these times:
- Monday 17th May between 9.30am and 10.30am or between 6pm and 7pm
- Wednesday 19th between 9.30am and 10.30am or between 6pm and 7pm
- Friday 21st between 9.30am and 10.30am or between 6pm and 7pm
Times of Mass next Sunday and Tuesday:
- 11am on Sunday 23rd;
- 10.30am Tuesday 25th.
Arrangements for attending Church for Mass and other services: For the time being – until we receive further information – these arrangements are still in force. Masks or face coverings will be required for those attending Mass (except for those exempted from wearing them); it is necessary for those attending Church to sanitize their hands on entering; and all need to keep social distance from each other (unless they are members of the same household or family). Young persons under the age of sixteen years, and all persons who suffer from physical or mental disability, must be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult. We are not allowed to kneel down while in Church: please stand or sit as appropriate, but please do not kneel. All who attend (except for the cleaners who remain behind to sanitize the building) should leave immediately after Mass has finished, not stopping in Church to talk to other people; and please also maintain a social distance as you follow others out of Church, avoiding any ‘congregating’ in the porch, or the lobby, or at the back of Church. I am very grateful to the stewards & cleaners who support the public celebration of Mass.
Please remember that it will be essential to book a place at Mass on every occasion that you wish to attend. It is not permitted to book for every Sunday, or even for a number of weeks. Please also remember to bring a mask to wear when coming to Mass.
At Narborough the intentions for Mass this week will be: Saturday (15th May) Winifred Foot RIP; Sunday (16th May) Brendan Hewitt; Monday (17th May) Father Simon Nolan RIP. Wednesday Canon Owen O’Neill RIP; Thursday Welfare of Sarah Jesson; Friday Michael O’Sullivan RIP. Next weekend Saturday (22nd May) Mehall Ginnerty RIP; Sunday (23rd May) Deceased family & friends of Monica Moore; Monday (24th May) People of the Parish.
At Lutterworth the intentions for Mass will be: Sunday (16th May) The People of the Parishes; Tuesday (18th May) John McManus RIP.
Prayers for the living and the dead:
Please pray for Father Anthony Colebrook, Canon Owen O’Neill, and all who have died recently.
Please also pray for Suzanne Foxon, Jim Oxley, Beulah Blomfield, Tom McDermott, Freda Williams, Joseph Armeni, Dave Knapper, Teresa Maugham, Elizabeth Fullerton, Mary Dunne, and Juanita Zaman and for all who are ill.
Please let me know of any others who have died, or anyone who is ill and asks for prayers.
MORE NEWS FROM LACY : CELEBRATING PENTECOST!
Leicestershire Active Catholic Youth extend a warm invitation to all young people, their families and friends to share a Celebration with them on the Feast of Pentecost, Sunday 23rd May, via Zoom at 7.00 p.m. Fr. Simon Gillespie will lead us in the celebration. Youth is a flame! Youth is a fire! Bring with you a balloon, pen and candle! Be inspired by The Holy Spirit. See our poster! We’re looking forward to hearing from you! Link in details: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84125113074?pwd=VWhYV0RBNmVKMTA2Yy9iK0RkcndQZz09 Contact claudiacoxon@googlemail.com or paulinepayne@hotmail.com for further information. All young people under the age of 18 present on Zoom should be accompanied by an adult.
Information from the Diocese:
Neophytes Celebration – Normally on the 7th Sunday of Easter those who have been received into the Church at Easter are invited to a Mass of thanksgiving at the Cathedral with Bishop Patrick. This year Bishop Patrick will lead a half an hour online service of celebration for Neophytes, please join him at 3:00pm on Sunday 16th May on his YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/BishopPatrickMcKinney
Thy Kingdom Come – Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer wave between the feasts of Ascension (13th May) and Pentecost (23rd May). It is a time when Christians around the world are invited to pray for more people to know Jesus and answer the call to be his disciple. There is a collection of Catholic resources you can use on your own or with others in this time including: morning and evening prayer, praying with Our Lady resources, live streamed night prayer, resources to pray for those you know who aren’t followers of Christ, and more! Further information at www.thykingdomcome.global/resources/resources-catholic-church. Resources for children and families at https://www.thykingdomcome.global/cheekypandas
Being a Missionary Disciple Talks –The second talk ‘Pentecost & Mission’ will be given by Pippa Baker (A Catholic Missionary, Speaker & Musician) on Wednesday 19th May at 7pm. This talk will examine the significance of Pentecost for us and how the Holy Spirit equips us for mission in our every day lives. To register visit: www.dioceseofnottingham.uk
Financial matters:
Planned Giving Envelopes (Our Lady of Victories & St. Alphonsus, Lutterworth): The new boxes of envelopes start in April. If you require your box, please ring June (01455 – 553730) or Ashley (01455 – 553493) or email Father John.
Planned Giving Envelopes (St. Pius X, Narborough): The new boxes of envelopes start in April. They are available from the sacristy in Church, or email Father John.
Standing Orders: I will provide the parish Bank details to anyone who would like to donate by Standing Order or similar electronic means – many of you already do so (and I am very grateful indeed). I can provide standing order mandates for anyone who wishes – please just ask.
Gift Aid: I have copies of the form to complete, so if you are a taxpayer and would like the tax paid on your contributions to be given to the parish, please ask me for a form.
Reminders from previous weeks:
First Confession and Holy Communion: Candidates must be in Year 3 at school (or above). Confirmation: Candidates must be in secondary school (or later). Please let me know as soon as possible about any candidates for these sacraments. So far I have received four applications for First Confession and Holy Communion, and six applications for Confirmation. I have obtained the books for use in these preparations; we will see how we may be able to start preparation for these sacraments. Obviously no face to face preparation can possibly begin until April at the earliest.
Recycling Textiles: At the moment the firm are no longer collecting in the Leicester area and has no plans to restart collections here. If anyone knows of any other organization willing to collect clothes and other textiles in our area, please let me know.
With best wishes to you all, and assuring you all of my prayers, Father John
