Newsletter- 4th Week of Eastertide
Dear Parishioners
‘I am the good shepherd … I know my sheep and my own know me’ Today’s readings at Mass invite us to contemplate the tender image of Christ as the Good Shepherd, who leads, protects, and cares for his flock. His relationship with the sheep is one of trust, recognition, and belonging, where the sheep follow only their shepherd, the one who knows them personally and calls them by name.
In the Gospel, Jesus reveals himself as the door of the sheepfold through which the sheep enter. He warns his listeners against the voices of strangers who prey on the vulnerable and weak, leading to confusion and fear rather than the life that Jesus offers. The Second Reading urges us to follow Christ’s example and endure hardships patiently, trusting in God. Even when we wander and lose our way, we can return to the safety of the Lord, our shepherd. The familiar Psalm tells us that the Lord always cares for and protects us, guiding us to safety. Peter calls all to turn away from sin and be baptised in the name of Jesus (First Reading). The gift of the Holy Spirit is for everyone whom the Lord has called.
Today is also kept as Vocations Sunday. As we consider how each of us responds to the voice of the Good Shepherd, we pray for the grace to respond to God’s invitation, always trusting in his loving care and guidance through any struggles we may be experiencing in our lives at this present moment in time. Let us pray as well for an increase in vocations to the Sacred Priesthood, the Diaconate and the Religious Life, for all in training at this time and for all Christs Ordained Ministers who have helped and supported us in our own journeys of faith thus far.
Called by Name – Diocese of Nottingham Vocations Campaign
As I mentioned last week at Mass and in the Bulletin this weekend on Good Shepherd Sunday the day we traditionally pray for vocations to the Ordained Ministry, the diocese is launching a new Vocations Campaign: Called By Name Whilst all vocations are essential to the life of the Diocese; we are now facing an urgent need for vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood and so the focus of the Called by Name Campaign is to encourage and identify possible vocations specifically to the Diocesan Priesthood.
Bishop Patrick is asking us to identify in our parish, faithful young men (18 years and older, who have a love for Christ and his Church, who exhibit qualities of leadership and service, and who may be open to learning more about the diocesan priesthood.
To submit names please fill in one of the cards you will receive at Mass this weekend and return it in the collection basket at Mass, or give it to me, or send it directly by email to vocations@dioceseofnottingham.uk To be able to fill out the details of the card, you will need to speak with the young man you are nominating and to check with him that he is happy for his name to be put forward.
Those whose names you submit will receive a letter of encouragement from Bishop Patrick and be invited to meet with him. Fr Neil Peoples, our Vocations Director will also offer them support and guidance as they seek to discern a possible vocation, alongside the pastoral care and support that will be offered by me to them as their Parish Priest.
As I mentioned last week at Mass and in the Bulletin we are very blessed in our parish to already have three potential aspirants from our parish community considering a call to the ordained ministry: Callum Melville and Ben Miles whom I have been journeying with over the past year, and who wish now to explore more fully a possible vocation to the diocesan priesthood and James Cooper whom I have journeyed with over the past four years and who wishes now to discern more fully a possible call to serve in the permanent diaconate. Please keep our three parish aspirants in your prayers as they continue in their journeys of faith and as they seek to discover more fully Gods call to them for the future.
Kieran Gilder – Reception into Full Communion with the Catholic Church – It is with great joy that I shall receive, with Bishop Patricks permission, Kieran into full communion with the Church, at Mass in the evening, this coming Tuesday 28th April at 6.45 p.m. Please keep Kieran and his wife Ela and their family in your prayers this coming week as Kieran prepares to take this next important step in journey of faith.
Parish Mission Visitations: Over the course of next two years the Bishop and his Vicar Generals will be making formal Visitations to all the Parishes within the Diocese. Our Deanery is the first Deanery to welcome a Visitation. These will take place between 25th April and 21st June. These visits will take place over a weekend from Saturday through Sunday evening. Our visitation will take place here at St Mary’s over the weekend of 13th/14thJune when we will welcome Canon Edward Jarosz, V.G. He will stay with me at the Rectory and meet with me formally during the weekend and he will help to celebrate the weekend Masses and preach at all the Sunday Masses celebrated in the parish. During the weekend Canon Eddy will meet informally with a number of parishioners to gain a flavour of parish life and our local faith community, this will include a meeting with our new advisory mission group on the Saturday afternoon of his visit to us. Prior to the weekend I will submit a report to the Bishop on the mission and life of our parish, highlighting some of the initiatives and outreach already taking place here and some new mission initiatives which we hope to introduce over the course of the next two years.
With my warmest best wishes to you and to your families during this season of Easter,
Your parish priest and friend,
Father Jonathan
2026 26th April – Newsletter – Download