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News & Stories
Two new Multi Academy Trusts
In February 2020 an exciting new chapter in the evolution of our Catholic schools will begin. Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) are groups of schools formally working together to provide a strong Catholic identity within the community and improve the prospects of the pupils in their care. Bishop Peter Doyle (now Emeritus) and the Diocesan Trustees have encouraged all schools to join their local...
Tim Redding
Our diocese is saying goodbye to a long standing member of staff. Mr Tim Redding is to leave his post as Financial Secretary in March, to take up a position with the Anglican Diocese of Chichester. Tim is leaving to be closer to his family who live in the area. Bishop Peter (now Emeritus) thanks Tim for all he has given to our diocese over the 17 years he has been with us and wishes him well in...
St Michaels Aylesbury
Bishop Peter (now Emeritus) today (11-12-19) visited the new catholic satellite school in Aylesbury, St Michaels. Attached to the existing site in High Wycombe, the school has pupils in years 7 and 8. Emeritus Bishop Peter was delighted to meet the staff and students and see first hand the difference the school is making to the catholic community in Aylesbury.
Young Adults Brunch
On the last Saturday of the month, more than 20 young adults gathered for the first young adults brunch. They began with food and conversation and moved onto prayer and engaging teaching delivered by Deacon Liam Lynch. This new initiative will take place on the last Saturday of each month (except December). For more information visit www.nymo.org/brunch
Celebrating 12 years of priesthood
Congratulations to Fr Nicholas from St Anthony’s in Slough. Fr Nicholas celebrated 12 years of priesthood and Bishop Peter (now Emeritus) celebrated Mass in the parish on the 1st December.
Patronal Feast of Our Lady Immaculate
Bishop Peter (now Emeritus) celebrated Mass for our diocesan patronal feast of Our Lady Immaculate on Saturday 7th December. Clergy and people gathered to celebrate this feast alongside the opening of ‘Year of The Word’. Emeritus Bishop Peter urges the faithful to: “Listen to God’s Word in groups together and let God’s word be at the centre”
Our diocesan finance board
Our diocesan finance board met today for their winter meeting. We are delighted to announce that Brid Vaughan, Andrew Clutterbuck, Kathy Goodwin and Peter Commons has joined the board from today. Sadly, we say goodbye to Charles Whitehead and Margaret Harwood after 10 and 7 years service respectively. Bishop Peter (now Emeritus) thanked them both for all they offered as members of the board.
Father Wilson Sebastian MSFS
Bishop Peter (now Emeritus) wrote: "It is with the greatest sadness that I write to let you know that one of the Fransalian priests who help us so much in the Diocese, Father Wilson Sebastian MSFS, did not appear for Mass this morning at St Edward's, Kettering and was found dead in bed." Fr Wilson had been Assistant Priest at Kettering since September 2018, prior to which he was assisting at Our...
Farewell to the Vincentians in Dunstable
The 28th September marked a momentous moment in the life of our diocese as Bishop Peter (now Emeritus) said a final farewell and thank you to the Vincentian Fathers from St Mary's Parish in Dunstable. The Vincentian Fathers have been present in Dunstable since 1927 and have contributed greatly to the mission of the local church for over 70 years. Emeritus Bishop Peter has appointed Fr Tony...
RIP Canon Antony Gerard Griffiths
Canon Griffiths died in the early hours of 28th September at Lincroft Meadow nursing home in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, aged 94. He was the oldest priest in the Diocese. He was ordained in 1950, serving at Norwich, Lowestoft, High Wycombe and Marlow, from where he retired in 2002, though he remained resident and active there until the last couple of years spent at Woodstock. Bishop Peter (now...
Beyond the Wild
Some of our younger clergy, Frs Brendan Seery, David Donaghue, Gregory Marchwinski and Dcn Kevin Ryan, with seminarian Jithu James, have just spent a few days on a 'survival type' bush craft experience in Dorset woodland. They lived rough off the land, with no electricity or running water. We trust they will now be very grateful for presbytery accommodation, and parish dinners, in their various...
New Headships
There are new Head Teacher appointments at several of our Diocesan schools. St Joseph Primary, Luton Maureen Murphy St Louis, Aylesbury - Catherine Machin Cardinal Newman Secondary, Luton - Andrew Bull St Mary and St Gregory Primaries, Northampton - Kirsty Yuen St Anthony Primary, Slough - Siobhan Ope The Good Shepherd Primary, Northampton - Carmel Dodds St Mary, Aston Primary le Walls - Laura...
Further Clergy Moves
Bishop Peter (now Emeritus) has announced some further clergy moves for September. Fr Gregory Marchwinski, who has been assisting at Our Lady's Corby, goes to Kettering as priest-in-charge, to be assisted by Fr Wilson Sebastian MSFS, who has also been at Our Lady's. Fr Paul Hardy is retiring after 28 years service at St Edwards Milton Keynes and as chaplain at St Paul's School. The parish and...
Bishop Peter to retire
3rd May 2019 - having attained the age of 75 this day, Bishop Peter, as required by Canon Law, has formally tendered his resignation to the Holy Father, but he will remain as our bishop until a replacement is appointed, which could take around 18 months. Prayer cards whereby we seek the Lord's help for the right appointment have been distributed to parishes. We are not the only Diocese facing a...
New Permanent Deacon
13th July - Erik Kerr was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate at St Josephs, Luton.
David Donaghue Ordained
20th July - Deacon David Donaghue was ordained as a priest for the Diocese at the Cathedral this day. Congratulations Fr David ! More photos of his ordination are on Flickr here, a video recording can be watched here. and photos of his first Mass at St Gregory's Northampton next day are here. Fr David is expected to go Our Lady's, Corby