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Our diocesan health and safety team, this week delivered fresh updates for parishes regarding measures that need to be taken over the Christmas period to keep everyone safe at this time. Within the guidance parishes have been instructed to rely on their risk assessments to identify any areas which may be a risk and to ensure that hygiene and social distancing can be implemented to reduce the...

Call To Mission This Advent Bishop David written his pastoral letter for Advent focussing on the theme of mission. He has said he hopes releasing his pastoral letter on this theme will prompt us all to be preoccupied with mission in the coming months and years.  Throughout his ministry in our diocese, most of which has been in lockdown, Bishop David never misses an opportunity to remind us...

  On Saturday 26th September 2020, Bidhop David ordanined a new man to our diocesan presbyterate, Daniel Rooke. Fr Daniel shares some thoughts on his first few months as a Priest. There are many thoughts and expectations that inevitably go through the mind during the six years of seminary preparing for priestly ordination; I would consider the kinds of ministry I might come to be involved...

Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new year of grace. From a personal view of things, this is my favourite season of the liturgical year. At the beginning of the year, we make resolutions. Perhaps it would be a good thing to think about our personal spiritual resolutions in the coming Church’s year. Hopefully, you will have an opportunity to hear or read my pastoral...

Bishop David Celebrates Mass For Those Who Have Died Through COVID-19 On Tuesday 10th November, Bishop David celebrated Mass for all those who have died from the COVID-19 virus this year. The Mass was live streamed from our Cathedral in Northampton. The Mass is the first of four Masses for the deceased throughout November which Bishop David will preside at. Wearing a purple chasuble to represent...

Today, The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse released a report into their findings related to the inquiry into the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Below is the statement released by the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales. The Catholic Church in England and Wales welcomes the Report from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse relating to the institutional...

Prayer and Catechesis with Bishop David for the month of the Holy Souls As we experience the second national lockdown and this month of the Holy Souls, Bishop David will lead us each week for a few minutes of catechesis and prayer. Focussing on a different theme each week, Bishop David takes time to teach us form the chapel at his home in Northampton as we navigate through these uncertain times....

New Head Teacher - Our Lady of Peace, Burnham  On Tuesday 3rd November 2020, staff and governors came together at Our Lady of Peace Church, Burnham, to celebrate the induction of the new Headteacher of Our Lady of Peace primary school, Mrs Janet Holden. Mgr Kevin McGinnell, Episcopal Vicar for Education, accompanied by Father Joseph Udoh gave the Mass in honour of Mrs Holden who was accompanied...

Covid 19 Diocesan Update On 4 November 2020, Parliament passed into law The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020. These are in force from 5 November to 2 December 2020. As well as the Regulations, the Government has updated its Guidance for the safe use of places of worship to reflect current circumstances. The Regulations preclude gatherings for...

World Mission Sunday 2020: Here I am, send me!   orld Mission Sunday - the one day in the year when the entire global Church comes together in support of mission - is happening on 18 October with a shout of courage and faith: ‘Here I am, send me!’ This special day is celebrated in every Catholic community in the world. It is a moment of grace to express solidarity with our brothers and sisters...

The God Who Speaks – Our Liturgy of the Word Are you seeking to develop your engagement with the scriptures? If so, a series of 3 online zoom sessions exploring the upcoming lectionary readings and seasons of the liturgical year is being offered by NORES. Led by Mgr Kevin McGinnell and Alex Heath these sessions will cover themes such as: Marks Gospel and the Season of Advent The Importance of...

A Time to Listen It has been one year since the first diocesan Mass for victims and survivors of abuse. Much has happened during that time both within our diocese and outside! Not least of all for our diocese, we have a new Bishop. Bishop David Oakley has continued the work and ministry of his predecessor, Bishop Peter Doyle in meeting and engaging with those who have been hurt by the actions of...

CAFOD online events for Family Fast Day CAFOD is launching a series of online events for Family Fast from 8-11 October. This is a Harvest like no other, and while we face severe challenges at home, our sisters and brothers in some of the world’s poorest communities desperately need our help too. Join together in prayer and community while helping the most vulnerable.  Sign up for a Eucharistic...

The Feast of the Holy Rosary From Bishop David The Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Rosary on the 7th October, and this month is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary. Many of us will pray this blessed prayer every day, with an opportunity to reflect upon the mysteries of salvation in the life of Our Lord and His Blessed Mother. On the 31st October, the Walsingham Shrine team have...