17th May. CAFOD Eastertide funding boost. During the Lent & Easter season funds raised for CAFOD are worth twice a much as usual because the government is matching every pound raised by CAFOD between 17 February and 17 May 2012. Even if you send the money after the end date, as long as it was raised during this period, its value will be doubled! Parishes and Schools are encouraged to make a special effort to raise some funding for CAFOD and take advantage of this valuable opportunity. If you give monthly to CAFOD you may care to consider whether you can afford to make your annual donation all at once in this period so as to maximise the benefit to CAFOD. See also http://www.dfid.gov.uk/ukaidmatch
18th May. Pentecost Novena The Northampton Diocesan Evangelisation Team, in partnership with others, is seeking to encourage simple prayer services around the Diocese during the nine days leading up to Pentecost. On each of the nine days of the novena the aim is that there will be at least one group praying this novena somewhere in the Diocese of Northampton.
The Novena begins on Friday of the 6th Week of Easter, (even though the Solemnity of the Ascension is transferred to the 7th Sunday). This year therefore the Novena will take place between Friday 18th May and Saturday 26th May 2012 inclusive. Click here for the full schedule of churches and times as known at 11th May. Do use the Church Finder facility to locate any of these churches.
Full information including a template for an order of service (which is given to help any parishes or prayer groups that would like to organise a prayer service as part of this Pentecost novena) is available from NORES. Please contact Alex Heath, Chair of the Diocesan Evangelisation Team for more information. Contact details: NORES, Holy Ghost RC Parish Centre, Westbourne Road, Luton, LU4 8JD. Tel: 01582 723312, 07963032175 (Mobile) E mail: heath@nores.org.uk
19th May. This Is My Body: Flourishing as a Woman in the Church. A day of reflection and discussion for Catholic women, led by Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ, a lecturer at Heythrop College & volunteer chaplain at Holloway Prison, will be held at St Gregory's Church Hall, Northampton, 11:00am to 3:30pm, with registration from 10:30am. Please bring a packed lunch. Organised by the Diocesan branch of the National Board of Catholic Women. Enquiries to Maura Potter on 01628 666278.
20th May. Ascension Sunday. Also World Communications Day. On this day we are encouraged to pray for communications professional and there will be a second collection for the Catholic Communications Network. The CCN provides support for the bishops of England and Wales, and the Church more widely, in promoting the Gospel through the media on current issues, and was responsible for the Church’s media co-ordination of the Papal Visit. Please encourage your parishioners to support the CCN through their prayers and generosity. Postcards about the Day will be sent to parishes. Parish resources for the Day will be online at www.catholicnews.org.uk/world-communications-day-2012. These include a newsletter insert, homily notes, bidding prayers and a collection form.
26th May. The Deanery of St Luke is holding a Celebration of Faith at St Edwards School, Eastleigh Road, Kettering, from 10.30am. to 7pm with concelebrated Mass with Bishop Peter Doyle at 3.00pm. We ask anyone who is coming to bring a contribution for a shared lunch This will be a celebration of not just our faith but also a chance to listen to different speakers on aspects of faith. visit relics of Blessed Peter Wright and Sister Faustina, spend time with the Blessed Sacrament, and take the opportunity to visit the various stands showing the organisations in the deanery and beyond. In the evening after Mass there is a BBQ and all are welcome to enjoy the music. For any further details contact Deacon Mike Farren.
27th May. Pentecost Sunday.
2nd June - Ordinations of Anthony Reader-Moore and Nicholas Alldrit as priests of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, at St Gregory's, Northampton, at 6pm.
3rd June. Trinity Sunday. Parishes are asked to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II, replacing the First Reading with 1 Kings 3:11-14, and using the special Prayer for the Queen after the Post-Comunion prayer.
4th, 5th June. Bank Holidays - the Tuesday is added as a special celebration of the Diamond Jubilee.
6-8th June. Remnant of week is school half-term.
9th June. Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham - more here.
10th June - Ordination of Paul Inman as a priest of the Diocese at St Edward's, Kettering, 3:30pm. Our first priestly ordination for three years. Pray for him !
12th June. Rosary Link Crusade. At St Mary’s, Dunstable – 11am. Please join a parish near you as we offer the Mass, Rosary and Exposition for vocations, seminarians and priests in our Diocese. Click here for a poster with all the year's dates.
15th June. World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests. Resources available at Bishops House.
15th June. Rosary Link Crusade (see 12th June) at the following churches:-
St Thomas Aquinas, Bletchley – 8.30am
Our Lady of Lourdes, Aylesbury – 9.30am
St Francis of Assisi, Shefford – 9.30am
The Holy Family, Langley, Slough - 7.00pm
Our Lady of Ransom, Kempston – 7.30pm
16th June. Diocesan Mass to mark CAFOD's 50th Anniversary: at the Cathedral, 1pm. More details here.
16th June. Rosary Link Crusade (see 12th June) at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Wellingborough - 10.30am
17th June. Fathers' Day.
23rd June - Music day with Jane Porter - Learning new music for the Mass. Jane will provide us with a valuable opportunity to look at a variety of mass settings that are working well in parishes and to explore a wider repertoire for ordinary time. Arrive 10.30am for 11am start - finish 4pm. At NORES, Holy Ghost parish centre, 33 Westbourne Road, Luton, LU4 8JD. A collection will be taken to cover costs. Please bring a packed lunch. Registration by booking form (click here, or available from the NORES office), tel: 01582 723312 (ext 6) e mail: admin@nores.org.uk
23rd June. Ordination of John Hamilton to the Permanent Diaconate at St Clares, Aylesbury. (12:30pm) By invitation only.
28th June. Jubiliarians' Mass at the Cathedral, 12 noon. All clergy invited. Reception to follow.
29th June. Feast of SS Peter & Paul. Holy Day of Obligation.
30th June. Ordination of Wayne Coughlin and Christopher Perry to the transitional Diaconate at Oscott College, Birmingham, 11:30am.