Newsletter- 6th Week of Eastertide
Dear Parishioners
The readings for this Sixth Sunday of Easter are full of joy! They celebrate the light and grace of the Holy Spirit who reveals God’s love to all of us. In the First Reading, the Apostles’ ministry to the Samaritans signals a new phase in the early Church where the gospel message is not just for the Jews but extended to everyone. Joyful celebration is the theme of the Psalm too. We are reminded of the many wondrous works of God, his boundless mercy, and his responsiveness to our prayers. Peter teaches the community what it means to be a Christan in the Second Reading: to honour the Christian message with gentleness and respect, even in the face of criticism and rebuke. The Gospel reminds us of the unbreakable bond between us and Christ, expressed through love for God and for each other, and through obedience to his commandments. As we continue during this special Easter period, may we be strengthened, comforted and inspired by the Holy Spirit to know what it is to be called children of God.
This Sunday is designated within the Diocese of Nottingham as Safeguarding Sunday. An opportunity for us all to reflect on the theology and spirituality of Safeguarding and to express our gratitude for the hard work of all our Parish Safeguarding Representatives and for our Diocesan Safeguarding Commission. The theme for 2026 is Action Speaks Louder. We are being encouraged to commit to taking action towards creating safer places for all people in our parish communities especially our young people and vulnerable adults.
This year I would like to acknowledge the hard work and generous support which Eddie Woods has offered to myself and my predecessors over the past 24 years. Eddie will be standing down as our PSR at the end of June, and he will be replaced by Clayton Kelley who currently serves as detective sergeant for child protection in our county and is a regular member of our congregation along with his family. Clayton has been shadowing Eddie over the past few months and will now take up his new voluntary role in the parish as our PSR at the start of July.
In recognition for Eddie Woods loyal and long service as our PSR, I hope at the Vigil Mass at 6 pm, on Saturday 4th July to present to Eddie, on the Bishops behalf, the diocesan St Hugh of Lincoln Award. This is a special diocesan award presented by the Bishop to individuals who on a voluntary basis have given long and loyal service to a parish community and to the wider diocese as well. I know you will want to join me on Safeguarding Sunday in thanking Eddie for all he has quietly done behind the scenes over the past 24 years to ensure that our parish community complies fully with all the national and diocesan safeguarding regulations and remains a safe place for all especially our children and vulnerable adults.
This weekend you will find a letter from Bishop Patrick for Safeguarding Sunday within the Bulletin, and I have placed a copy of the Bishop’s letter on the notice board as you come into church.
May the Month of Mary: Within the Church May has a special significance for us as Catholics it is the Month of Mary. For centuries, the Church has set aside the entire month of May to honour Mary, Mother of God. During May it’s common for parishes to have a daily recitation of the Rosary. This year we continue this custom here in the parish from Tuesday to Friday and when there are no Funerals and I am not away, as together we informally pray the Rosary publicly in church. If you have time why not come to join us at: 5.30 pm Tuesdays and 9am Wednesdays and Fridays and 10.30 am on a Thursday morning.
Basic Faith Formation (BFF) – Catholics for Family and Life (CFL): Jun and Melanie Maniego have been successfully running the (BFF) Basic Faith Formation Programme over the past few years mostly within members homes. I have since they first came to see me about this initiative acted informally as their Chaplain. As part of the new Parish Mission Plan currently being drawn up, and following the Bishops directive on “Go make disciples” the time seems appropriate now to offer this exciting lay led and run mission initiative, to the whole of our parish community.
BFF is a Catholic catechetical and evangelisation programme under the umbrella group Catholics for Family Life (CFL), a recognised lay led and runCatholic Society within the Church. Originating in the Philippines, CFL now enjoys a world-wide reputation and membership. CFL is intrinsically Catholic in its ethos and understanding. Its mission is threefold: Firstly, to make members by God’s grace a community deeply rooted in the Eucharist, imbued with true Marian devotion, and committed to help others understand and appreciate the Catholic faith for themselves. CFL seeks to help its members to live lives open to the Gospel message of Christ and in the service of God and of one another. Secondly, they seek to evangelise families into a full and living faith in Christ, in particular accompanying married couples in the journey of life according to Gods perfect plan for them. Thirdly they seek to promote and defend the culture of life, and to help build up a society that respects and cares for all human life and all of God’s creation. Membership is open to all. The core values of CFL include: Christ focused Discipleship; Anchored in the Eucharist; True devotion to our Blessed Lady; Honour and Respect for God’s Word; Obedience to the Magisterium; Loyalty to Gods plan for Marriage and the Family; To become inspired Evangelisers and Missionaries; Committed to share the Fullness of Life to all people.
The BFF Programme is run in the context of small ‘house groups’ whose members come together regularly to meet for prayer, teaching, fellowship, and support, mostly in one another’s homes and to enjoy a shared meal together. Going forward we shall offer each month on a Sunday afternoon aGeneral Assembly, a coming together of these small groups and others interested in learning more, open to all members of the congregation the General Assembly will be held in the church and parish hall from 3-6 pm. The afternoon will include a time of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament starting at 3 pm, with the opportunity to make your confession, and then those attending will move to the parish hall to enjoy fellowship together, praise and worship, quiet personal prayer, teaching, reflection on the Scriptures and general sharing and discussion.
The first parish CFL General Assembly takes place this Sunday 10th May starting in church at 3 pm. If you have time why not come to experience CFL for yourselves.
If you would like to know more about either CFL and the BFF programme, please do get in touch directly with Jun and Melanie Maniago. Their contact details are as follows:
Jun Maniego: mobile: 07515259055 and email: drjunmaniego@yahoo.com
Melanie Maniego: mobile: 07383975093 and email: mmltd_88@yahoo.com
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. 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/14th June 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. During the weekend Canon Eddy will meet informally with several 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 prayers and best wishes for you and your families,
Your parish priest and friend,
Father Jonathan
2026 10th May – Newsletter – Download