latest news
All the latest news and future events from around the diocese Future EventsContact us hereREAD
News & Stories
Bishop David’s Message For The First Week of Advent
To my dear sisters and brothers in Christ, In this first week of the advent season, I wish to consider the theme of ‘Hope’. Let me share with you some words from the Prophet Isaiah, “Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy”. I love the words of the prophets because they speak to...
Not Servants, but Friends
Mass of Thanksgiving for all donors Homily Bishop David Oakley It is good that we should come together today, to offer this diocesan Mass of Thanksgiving, for all those who have generously contributed as donors to our diocese. May I share with you a story from my young childhood? When it was coming time to celebrate my mother's birthday, my father would always ask me the question, “son, what are...
Port Chaplains at Christmas
Many of us want to be at home at Christmas, surrounded by family and friends. But if you are a seafarer, you’re likely to find yourself in a port somewhere in a foreign land. Or at sea on a ship, heading to your next port of call. This can serve to enhance the loneliness and isolation many seafarers already experience when they are thousands of miles away from their families. Even on the largest...
“Rejoicing in Hope” (Rom 12:12)
A Message from Pope Francis to Young People of the World: Dear Young People, This past August I met hundreds of thousands of your contemporaries from all over the world who converged on Lisbon for World Youth Day. During the pandemic and all its uncertainties, we had hoped that this great moment of encounter with Christ and with other young people could take place. Our hopes were realized, and...
“We Have A Message For The World”
The Prisons Advice and Care Trust welcomed clergy, staff and volunteers to the St Thomas Centre on Saturday 18th November for a ‘Just People’ roadshow. Pact is the national Catholic charity supporting prisoners and their families. The charity works in 6 prisons in the diocese of Northampton. Bishop David welcomed Pact staff Theresa Alessandro and Marie Norbury to the St Thomas’ Centre for a...
Sixty Second Advent
The diocesan communications department have announced the launch of a new set of videos for the popular 60 Second Series. This series, focussed on the beauty of Advent is aimed at sharing the message of God’s love for those who only have one minute to reflect on this season of Advent. As we prepare to celebrate the coming of Christ Jesus, Fr Brendan Seery, parish priest at Our Lady's help of...
“Come And See!”
In November 2020, Pope Francis called for a relaunch of World Youth Day (previously celebrated annually on Palm Sunday) and asked the global Catholic community to celebrate Youth Sunday locally on the Solemnity of Christ the King, which, this year falls on Sunday the 26th of November 2023. On this day we pray especially for our young people and recognise the gifts they bring to our Church...
“Rejoicing in Hope” (Rom 12:12)
The Holy Father has written to young people ahead of World Youth Sunday on 26 November. Dear Young People, This past August I met hundreds of thousands of your contemporaries from all over the world who converged on Lisbon for World Youth Day. During the pandemic and all its uncertainties, we had hoped that this great moment of encounter with Christ and with other young people could take place....
Statement on Ongoing War and Violence in The Holy Land
Bishop Declan Lang, Chair of the Bishops’ Conference’s International Affairs department, and Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Chair of the Holy Land Co-ordination have released a statement on the ongoing Israel/Hamas war: “To our brothers and sisters across the Holy Land, particularly those sheltering in the Parish of the Holy Family in Gaza along with those in the West Bank, we remain close to you and...
National Tribunal Service
The Catholic Church in England and Wales has launched a new National Tribunal Service. The service will enhance transparency, impartiality and consistency in the application of canon law. It has been set up in light of the Elliot report into safeguarding structures across the Church in England and Wales. The Introduction Document explains: The concept of a National Tribunal was proposed as part...
Cost Of Living Statement
The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have produced a statement on the cost of living crisis. Cost-of-Living Statement Department for Social Justice Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales 27 October 2023 Introduction “The Lord hears the cry of the poor!” (Psalm 34) In September 2022, the Department for Social Justice of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales issued...
A Synodal Church In Mission
Introduction Dear Sisters, dear Brothers "For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body" (1 Cor 12:13). This is the experience, full of joy and gratitude, that we have had in this First Session of the Synodal Assembly held from 4 to 29 October 2023 on the theme "For a Synodal Church. Communion, Participation, Mission”. Despite our diversity of backgrounds, languages and cultures,...
Bishop David Leads Prayers for The Holy Land
On Saturday 28 October, Bishop David celebrated Mass in honour of Our Lady, Queen of Palestine with the Equestrian Order of the holy Sepulchre. Here is his homily from that Mass: There are many of us who struggle to hear news of violence and suffering. We may ask ourselves, where is the Lord in all of this? Why do innocent people have to endure this experience? How may we pick our way through...
Re-Cycled Candles To World Youth Day!
In 2022 Amelia was talking to her granny, Gil Duval from Saint John Henry Newman Parish in High Wycombe about how to raise money to go to World Youth Day in Portugal in the summer of 2023. they were both brain storming ideas. Because Gil knew Amelia was into craft, and also remembered seeing some old paschal candles at church, she wondered whether they could be up cycled! Gil decided to ask...
“Listen To Everyone, Start With The Poorest”
As the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops comes to a close for 2023, the Assembly have written a letter to the people of God.They have given thanks for their experience and shared their work from the last three weeks in Rome. Letter of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to the People of God Dear sisters, dear brothers, As the proceedings of the first...
University of Bedfordshire appoints Catholic Lead Chaplain
The University of Bedfordshire has appointed a Catholic parishioner of Sacred Heart, Flitwick as Lead Chaplain to the University. Helen Burgess, formerly chaplain to St Thomas More secondary school in Bedford was commissioned at a service in St Mary’s Church of England parish church in Luton on 24th October. Bishop David Oakley attended and gave the address and final blessing. He shared the...