The word “Spirit” in the Scriptures comes from the Hebrew word “Ruah” meaning breath, air, wind; which conveys to us the image of God breathing over the Earth in the act of creation; the Word and the Breath of God act together to reveal God to us (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church pages 157-171). 

In the Acts of the Apostles and the Letters of St.Peter and St.Paul, the term Holy Spirit is
interchangeable with the Spirit of the Promise; the Spirit of Adoption; the Spirit of the Lord; the Spirit of Glory.  St. Paul tells us that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Rom.5:5).  The fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” (Gal.5:22).  The Spirit also “helps us in o
ur weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” (Rom.8.26). 

The words of the hymn “Breathe on me breath of God” spring to mind: a prayer to the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and our lives.

 

Prayer & Spirituality – Day of Recollection with Jo Bradbury - Saturday 8^th June, at St. Hugh’s, 10 am – 3.30 pm

The day is aimed at deacons and catechists, but open to anyone who would like to take part.  We are all Living Stones!  Starting with 10 am Mass, the day includes a talk on the spiritual traditions in our Church; a discussion about how deacons and those with a ministry in their
parish might work more closely together; and an opportunity for prayer using Lectio Divina.

It is not necessary to book in advance, but there is a charge of £5.  Tea/coffee available throughout the day.  Please bring a packed lunch.

 

Could you spare some time and join our existing flower team and help arrange the flowers in church?  This is done on a rota basis so doesn’t need to be a weekly commitment - unless you want it to be!  Please contact the parish office on Tel: 01522 528961 or email: office@sthughslincoln.org.uk   if you can help.

 

Watercolour group:   Tuesday, 21st May from 7pm until 9pm (new members welcome).

Confirmation Class:  Wednesday, 22nd May from 6.30pm until 7.30pm.

First Holy Communion Class:  Thursday, 23rd May from 6.30pm until 7.15pm (there will be a rehearsal in the church on this day).

 

Mary sets an example of waiting quietly, with perfect confidence in God.  Her words echo down to us through the centuries: “Be it done unto me according to your word.”  “My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”  “Do whatever he tells you!”  In the uncertain time between the Ascension and Pentecost, Mary stayed with the apostles in the upper room where they devoted themselves to prayer; and waited for the Holy Spirit.  She would have seen the apostles go out to preach the Good News and baptise their first converts, and she made her home with the disciple whom Jesus loved.

 When we are stressed, despondent, or sad, let us turn to Our Lady for encouragement, and pray with her that the Holy Spirit will come into our hearts, guide us, refresh and renew us, and fill us with hope for the future.

 The next Year of Faith discussion group at St. Hugh’s will take place on Saturday 18th May (the day before Pentecost Sunday) immediately after 10am Mass until 12noon. 

Bishop Malcolm’s theme for May is The Church and the Creed.  Everyone is welcome.

 

Fr Robert Barron’s spectacular and challenging films about our Catholic Faith continue at Our Lady’s Parish Centre, every other Thursday

May 16th Episode 3: The Ineffable Mystery of God – travels to the Sinai desert, Istanbul, Paris and Rome.

May 30th  Episode 4: Mary, the Mother of God – visits Nazareth, Ephesus, Lourdes and Guadalupe.

 You are welcome to join any of the sessions from 7-9 pm.  The films take about 50 minutes, followed by refreshments and discussion.  There is no charge.

 

Almost half way through the year so we’re having a Tea Party as a parish get-together, which will include bingo and a raffle.  If we get any strawberries this year - then it will be a Strawberry Tea party, if not we will have something equally as delicious for you to eat.  Tickets are only £4 per head to cover costs, and can be bought from Noel and Josie
(Tel: 01522 826390).

 

 As part of the Year of Faith, we are planning a parish pilgrimage to see the work of our Port Chaplain, Fr Colum Kelly, who ministers to seafarers at Immingham Docks.  A coach will travel from St Hugh's Church on Thursday, 30th May, and there will be no charge to parishioners for this.   Fr Colum will give a talk on the mission of the Church to seafarers and celebrate Mass at the Seafarers' Centre before taking us on a tour of the Docks.  There will be a collection for the Seafarers' Centre.  The day will end with a visit to Steel's in Cleethorpes where parishioners can buy a fish and chip supper. 

More details will follow nearer the day.

 

Thank you to everyone who attended the presentations and supported the; St George's Quiz Night and the two bacon buttie/Irish Coffee mornings, a grand total of £853.00 was raised.  Many pledges and intention cards were submitted to the Appeal Office and a 'St Hugh's progress report' will be made available along with information regarding future fund raising events.  Your support, thoughts and prayers on this important fund are much appreciated.  Special thanks to those people who gave up their time to make the quiz night and coffee mornings such a success.

 

A group of people from Lincoln came together recently with others from all around the diocese to take part in a day of ‘Making Music for the Lord.’  We were led by the well known composer and choir leader, Christopher Walker, from Los Angeles, assisted by English composer, Stephen Dean.  We were encouraged to persevere with our own choirs and folk groups in the diocese of Nottingham, and to sing from our hearts.  We were told that the main function of every church choir is to inspire the congregation: to enable those parts of the Mass which are sung to speak to people’s hearts.  What is important is that we really, deeply, engage with the words ourselves so that we can communicate this to others: “Heart speaks to heart.”

 New singers and musicians are always welcome at St Hugh’s.  Please speak to David or Helen Knight about the 10am choir, and to Ruth and Mike Holmes about the 6pm folk group.

 The next Year of Faith discussion group at St Hugh’s will take place on Saturday, 18th May after 10am Mass until 12noon.  Bishop Malcolm’s theme for May is The Church and the Creed.  You do not need to have taken part in any previous discussions.  Everyone is welcome.

 

A fresh look at our faith with Fr Robert Barron - at Our Lady’s, every Thursday

A series of challenging films about the Catholic Church is being shown in Our Lady’s Parish Centre, followed by discussion.  You are welcome to join any of the next few sessions:  Thursday, 16th and 30th May, and 13th and 27th June, from 7-9pm.

 

As part of the Year of Faith, we are planning a parish pilgrimage to see the work of our Port Chaplain, Fr Colum Kelly, who ministers to seafarers at Immingham Docks.  A coach will travel from St Hugh's Church on Thursday, 30th May, and there will be no charge to parishioners for this.   Fr Colum will give a talk on the mission of the Church to seafarers and celebrate Mass at the Seafarers' Centre before taking us on a tour of the Docks.  There will be a collection for the Seafarers' Centre.  The day will end with a visit to Steel's in Cleethorpes where parishioners can buy a fish and chip supper.  More details will follow nearer the day.  If you would like to go please add your name to the list at the back of church.

 

The Governing Bodies of all the Lincolnshire Catholic Schools involved in Academy conversion met last Monday to agree final terms.  The schools are delighted to inform you that the decision was made to convert to Academy status and all of the relevant documents were signed. Therefore the schools will officially convert to become an academy on Monday, 1st May.  The schools we will be part of St Gilbert of Sempringham Catholic Academy Trust.  The schools in the Trust are: St Hugh’s Catholic Primary, Our Lady of Lincoln Catholic Primary, St Peter and St Paul's Catholic Secondary School, St Augustine’s in Stamford, English Martyrs in Oakham, Rutland and Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Primary School, Sleaford.