ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
PASTORAL LETTER FROM HIS GRACE THE ARCHBISHOP
Dear parishioners and friends,
I am writing this on the eve of the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Over the main door of our local Catholic Church in Blackburn, was a large figure of the Sacred Heart with His arms extended. I always felt welcomed by Him as a child, when we went into the church. As you know I was not even a Catholic at that stage of my life! The family nanny, Mary Teresa Davitt, has a lot to answer for! She was with my family for fifty eight years. She was originally from Birmingham.
Things are starting to pick up again in the prison. I celebrated Mass there on Wednesday. As Bishop William, recently retired, reminded me: 'These men and the prison staff are your parishioners.'
If you remember, before lock down, we could have up to sixty men at the weekly Mass. How things have had to change!
With all good wishes and prayers,
Fr. Michael ocds
I am writing this on the eve of the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Over the main door of our local Catholic Church in Blackburn, was a large figure of the Sacred Heart with His arms extended. I always felt welcomed by Him as a child, when we went into the church. As you know I was not even a Catholic at that stage of my life! The family nanny, Mary Teresa Davitt, has a lot to answer for! She was with my family for fifty eight years. She was originally from Birmingham.
Things are starting to pick up again in the prison. I celebrated Mass there on Wednesday. As Bishop William, recently retired, reminded me: 'These men and the prison staff are your parishioners.'
If you remember, before lock down, we could have up to sixty men at the weekly Mass. How things have had to change!
With all good wishes and prayers,
Fr. Michael ocds
PETER FOSTER'S CARVING OF THE ANNUNCIATION
You may be aware that during the first lock down I purchased Peter's carving of The Annunciation for myself. It was propped up against his garage! It has been in the church for sometime. A parishioner kindly offered to pay for the carving to be hung. I asked Peter, and he suggested it should be over the main door, where there is a large expanse of bricks. It was fitted a few days ago and Peter was able to oversee it. It was blessed at Mass on the memory of The Immaculate Heart of Mary. How very appropriate! Our Lady of the Annunciation now welcomes us into church.
Just an idea. Our church has a number of works of art by parishioners both past and present. Should there be a small booklet with photographs, and a commentary on the work and the artists? A number of visitors, especially during the recent ArtsWeek, have asked about individual pieces. Remember we have a piece by Faith Tolkien in the committee meeting room.
Just an idea. Our church has a number of works of art by parishioners both past and present. Should there be a small booklet with photographs, and a commentary on the work and the artists? A number of visitors, especially during the recent ArtsWeek, have asked about individual pieces. Remember we have a piece by Faith Tolkien in the committee meeting room.
THE ARCHBISHOP'S NEWSLETTER AND THE DIOCESAN VISION FOR THE FUTURE
"Our vision is to be a Catholic diocese which is faithful to the mission entrusted to us by Jesus Christ, full of missionary disciples who work together co-responsibly in vibrant communities of faith, joyful in their service of God and neighbour."
Copies of the Prayer for the Diocesan Vision will be available from today. Please take some and give them to other members of the parish who may not be attending Mass at this time.
We will, I hope, have a group of parishioners who will meet, be it on Zoom or in person, on a regular basis to discuss the important issues involved.
As I hope you are aware, every parish, every diocese is asked to consider its commitment to the renewal of the church at this time. The International Synod , to which our diocesan plan will contribute, will take place in Rome in 2023. MUCH MORE TO FOLLOW OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND BEYOND.
So there are two very important projects that will affect all of us, as we face a post Covid future together.
VISIT :www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/vision to find out more and to sign up for updates.
Copies of the Prayer for the Diocesan Vision will be available from today. Please take some and give them to other members of the parish who may not be attending Mass at this time.
We will, I hope, have a group of parishioners who will meet, be it on Zoom or in person, on a regular basis to discuss the important issues involved.
As I hope you are aware, every parish, every diocese is asked to consider its commitment to the renewal of the church at this time. The International Synod , to which our diocesan plan will contribute, will take place in Rome in 2023. MUCH MORE TO FOLLOW OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND BEYOND.
So there are two very important projects that will affect all of us, as we face a post Covid future together.
VISIT :www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/vision to find out more and to sign up for updates.
BIBLE ALIVE 25 YEARS
Many of you, I am sure, will have subscribed to, and received copies of 'Bible Alive.' To quote Mike. Conway, the Managing Editor: "Challenges, there have been a few, difficulties certainly, but the sheer exhilaration of publishing a Catholic Scripture magazine month-in month-out for twenty five years has been a 'heaven of a journey.' "
I have ordered some copies to distribute in the parish. There are daily reflections on the Mass readings for each day of the month
I have ordered some copies to distribute in the parish. There are daily reflections on the Mass readings for each day of the month
QUICK LINKS
Find us
Click here for directions to our church
St Edmund Campion Roman Catholic Church, No.2 Watcombe Rd, Watlington OX49 5QJ
T: 01491 612431
T: 01491 612431