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Sea Sunday
The war in Ukraine might be 1,500 miles away from the UK, but Stella Maris port chaplains, such as permanent deacon John Fogarty, who covers the Kent coast, have heard from seafarers of its terrible destruction and how it has ripped apart families. Recently, John explained, he was asked by a shipping agent to visit a ship in Sheerness and meet with the Ukrainian captain and first officer. “We...
Bishop Calls For Co-Responsibilty
Bishop David Oakley has called on clergy and laity to work and lead the mission of our Church with co-responsibilty. Speaking to chaplains and RE leads in our Catholic schools, Bishop David urged them to be leaders in their communities and to walk alongside students and staff. "Collaborative ministry isn't working" he told them clarifying that it implies one person is leading and the other...
“You Are Disciples!”
Leaders of the Catholic mission of our diocese in Catholic schools gathered together in Northampton for the Chaplaincy and RE Conference. The day led jointly by Mission Northampton and our diocesan Education Service, focussed on being 'Missionary Disciples'. Following some opening moments of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, Bishop David spoke on the theme. He encouraged those gathered not...
National Synthesis – Synod Update
The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have released the national synthesis which will be sent to the Synod Office in Rome alongside a response from the Bishops of England and Wales. The synthesis is a result of the diocesan reports resulting from the listening conversations which happened locally in parishes. The Catholic Church in England and Wales has been following the Synodal Process...
Bishop Announces Clergy Moves
Bishop David has announced the following clergy appointments: Fr Allan R. Jones, CRIC is to become Parish Priest of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Luton. Fr Dr James Cassidy, CRIC is to become Assistant Priest of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Luton. Fr Mirek Misiura is to become Parish Priest of Our Lady of Charity and St Augustine, Daventry. Fr Eustace Durugbo is to become Parish Priest of St Margaret of...
Our Families Receive the Spirit Of Life
On Sunday 26th June 2022, our diocese gathered together to celebrate family life, with the latest global celebration of the World Meeting of Families. In 2018, many from our diocese travelled to Dublin for the conference but this year Pope Francis has asked dioceses to stay at home and celebrate in their own areas. As the service of thanksgiving got underway, Sam and Louis Canning, part of the...
Faith In Action
Bishop David joined 40 young people from three secondary schools across our diocese for the annual schools 'Faith In Action' day. The day is hosted by St Paul's school in Milton Keynes and this year is their first in person meeting since 2019. Pax Christi and the Columban Missionaries support St Paul's in the delivery of the day which this year focussed on a theme of hospitality with particular...
“Families Are Important” Bishop Speaks on Fathers Day
Bishop David has issued a pastoral letter on The Most Holy Today and Blood of Christ, 19th June 2022. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Today is Father’s Day. One of my earliest memories is being lifted up on my Father’s shoulders so that I could see the Corpus Christi Procession passing by. This was an annual event in our parish, full of pageantry and mystery. It truly was awesome. It was...
Celebrate Families At Home
The World Meeting of Families (WMOF) takes place in Rome from Wednesday 22 to Sunday 26 June and Pope Francis has asked that the emphasis be placed on celebrating family life within the local church in dioceses and parishes. The World Meeting of Families was instituted by Pope St John Paul II in 1994. The week is organised and promoted by the Vatican...
Fr Bernard Hughes RIP
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Rev Bernard Hughes who died peacefully at home on 24th May. Fr Bernard had been a retired priest of our diocese since 2002 and was 82 years old when he passed away. Fr Bernard was ordained to the priesthood 1964 band spent most of his priesthood were spent in Luton apart from a four year mission at Holy Family in Slough. His first parish was...
Fr Edmund Worthy RIP
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Rev Edmund Worthy who died peacefully at home on Tuesday 7th June. Fr Edmund had been a retired priest of our diocese since 2015. Fr Edmund was ordained to the priesthood 1997 by Bishop Leo McCarty.The first years of his priesthood were spent in Luton at the parishes of St Josephs and then Our Lady's. In 2001 he moved to Our Lady of Peace in...
Rome @ Home
The 10th World Meeting of Families (WMOF) https://www.romefamily2022.com/en/wmof/ is being held in Rome from Wednesday 22nd to Sunday 26th June 2022. There are many events and seminars being live streamed during the week and Pope Francis will be celebrating Mass from St Peter's on 25 June 2022 at 16:30UK time. Whilst in previous years many have travelled to join the global event, this time...
Disability Mass Founder Fondly Remembered
On 1st May the church of St. John's in Sundon Park, Luton, was full as those who attend the monthly Mass for people with disabilities fondly remembered and prayed for Kathy Scott. She, along with Judith Beare, founded the Mass over 40 years ago and she died during pandemic times. Kathy's family attended and other people who also died during lockdown and who were so part of the group - Jim...
Bishop tells Confirmandi : “It’s Exciting!”
On Saturday 14th May over 400 young people aged 11-18 years old gathered in Milton Keynes for the annual Blaze Conference. The event, organised by NYMO, the diocesan youth office, is an opportunity for all those making their Confirmation this year to meet with Bishop David, to meet each other and celebrate our Catholic faith in a vibrant and exciting way. This year the young people listened to...
The Light Has Come
Praise and worship recording artist Sarah Kroger bought her acclaimed 'The Light Has Come Tour' to our diocese last week. The worship leader was joined by her husband the international preacher, Dom Quaglia and her band as they led us beautifully in prayer through song and into a powerful time of Adoration. St Augustines in Milton Keynes, St Teresa's in Beaconsfield and St John's in Luton played...
Sunday Obligation To Return
The Bishop's Conference of England and Wales met in May in Cardiff for their plenary meeting. The bishop's have decided to reintroduce the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Below is the statement from the conference. This is the bread come down from heaven (John 6:58) A beautiful hallmark of the Catholic faith is the profound desire to participate in the Holy Mass and share in the Eucharist. We...
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