DIARY DATES (other news is given beneath the diary dates)
MASS TO CELEBRATE 90 YEARS OF THE RED BOX: All are welcome to join Missio and the Mill Hill Missionaries, on Saturday 19th September, for a special Mass to celebrate 90 years of the Red Box: that has helped in gathering prayers and spare coins in Catholic homes across England and Wales to support vulnerable global communities. Bishop Patrick will celebrate Mass at 12.00 noon in Saint Teresa’s Church, Aspley (NG8 3EP), and refreshments will be available in the parish hall after Mass.
During the Week of Prayer for Palestine and Israel, beginning today, Sunday 20th September, we are invited to hold the people of the Holy Land, especially its children, in prayer and solidarity, and to let our prayer move us towards action. Pax Christi England and Wales has produced a new prayer resource, Written on the Palm of Your Hand – Prayer for Children, offering a simple but powerful way to pray with and for children living amid violence, fear and displacement. Download the prayer leaflet and join in praying for peace, justice and a future where every child can flourish, at https://paxchristi.org.uk/wppi-prayer-cards/
On Sunday 20th September we will celebrate Home Mission Sunday, a day for us as the Catholic community in England and Wales to celebrate our faith in these lands, and our shared commitment to communicate the beauty and the joy of knowing Jesus Christ. Celebrating the Holy Father’s first encyclical, the theme for this year is “Magnifica Humanitas” as the heart of mission. We can celebrate together the call the Holy Father has placed before us to live out our authenticate humanity which finds it’s fullness in Christ. The Second Collection supports the work carried out by the Bishops’ Conference Mission Directorate, supporting our Church in a wide field of service and mission here in England and Wales. Please hold this important work in your prayers and give as generously as you can. Thank you.
Golden Jubilee of SPANNED: Our diocesan agency supporting people with additional needs (SPANNED) is 50 years old this year and will be marked by a Golden Jubilee Mass celebrated by Bishop Patrick at Saint Peter's Church, Hinckley, on Saturday 26th September at 2.00pm. All are very welcome to share this wonderful milestone. If you are contemplating coming please contact Father Frank Daly, on 01455 634443, or hinckleypriory@gmail.com by 31st August, to help with catering arrangements.
CAFOD Harvest Fast Day is on Friday 2nd October. This Harvest CAFOD is sharing stories of change from northern Zimbabwe where tackling hunger and thirst is helping children get back to learning. Thank you for all your support.
Join the Dominican Sisters of Saint Joseph, on Friday 9th October, for an introductory session to discover the vocation of the catechist and how to use the Catechism as a tool in passing on the faith to others. Meet after the 6.10pm Mass in the Frassati Centre, LE1 6HW. The evening will include a mixture of talks and workshops, and we will finish with Compline (night prayer). Some light food will be provided, and everything will conclude by 9pm. There is no cost to attend, but registration is essential, at: Opening the Treasure Trove: Using the Catechism for Catechesis More information is available at https://holycrossleicester.org/news/catechesis-training/
Catechists Day: The Diocese is inviting all Catechists to a day at Holy Trinity Newark on Saturday 17th October entitled: Reimagining Catechesis. As a catechist would you love to see more families engaged with parish life and growing in faith? That at the end of sacramental programmes fewer people would ‘disappear’. This day led by the team from GIFT (Growing In Faith Together) will share how this is happening in their parishes and it can happen in yours too. For more information see the poster in church or visit dioceseofnottingham.uk/events
The Diocesan Education Ser vice is piloting a brand-new podcast resource to support staff, parents and families across the Diocese. This new podcast, Nun the Wiser, focuses on the Diocesan 'Word of the Week' and helps to unpack what it means within a practical, living faith context. A new episode will be released each Friday looking ahead to the following week, and will help listeners engage with different scripture and ways of living out our faith in the world. Sister Liz Dodd CSJP will bring a fresh perspective and pastoral voice to the discussions: do join each week!
Spotify: Listen on Spotify
YouTube: Watch on YouTube
The Marriage Resource Centre is conducting a global study into the experience of married Catholics. If you married in the last 10 years and one or both spouses are Catholic, please consider completing this short survey. All answers are anonymous and confidential, and the survey is open until the end of September, at: https://thepmrc.org/survey
Aid to the Church in Need: Across the world, countless men, women and children suffer simply because of the faith they hold dear. In their need, they look to us to be their voice. Aid to the Church in Need has launched its first-ever global petition on religious freedom, calling on governments and the United Nations to do more to defend the right to believe, and to ensure that those responsible for persecution are held to account. You are warmly invited to stand in solidarity with the persecuted Church by signing this petition and giving witness to the importance of religious freedom for all. https://acninternational.org/acn-global-petition-for-religious-freedom
LINCOLN CATHOLIC DEANERY CHOIR: We are always delighted to welcome new members,
whatever their level of experience – there is a place for all, with our members' ages ranging from 12 up to 80+. There are no auditions, we just ask for a love of sacred music and a willingness
to give it a go. We also provide support with reading music and learning listening tracks.
Rehearsals take place on Thursdays at St Peter and St Paul’s church from 7pm until 8.30pm. Upcoming rehearsal dates are: 10th & 17th September and 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd October.
Upcoming concerts:
'In the Stillness' – a concert on Sunday, 1st November 2-3:30pm, SSPP Church, reflecting on peace and remembrance.
AGE UK Christmas Carol Concert – in support of Lincolnshire Age UK. This will be held on either Tuesday 8th or Wednesday 9th December 7-8:30pm, SSPP Church.
Both concerts promise to be beautiful occasions, and I would be thrilled to see parishioners from around the Deanery there, whether singing with us or in the audience. Daniel Ballard (Director of Music, Deanery Choir).
Both promise to be beautiful occasions, and I would be thrilled to see parishioners from around the Deanery there, whether singing with us or in the audience.
A Week of Guided Prayer for those affected directly or indirectly by abuse in the Church is being offered by the Jesuits between Sunday 18th and Friday 23rd October. For more details visit www.jesuitinstitute.org/events
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September notice: Please keep in your prayers our diocesan seminarians, Michael and Lukas, as they return to Oscott College; and for Corrado and Jakob who are starting the pre-seminary year in Valladolid this week. If you wish to find out more about a vocation to the priesthood please contact Father Neil Peoples at vocations@dioceseofnottingham.uk
Peter's Pence: Bishop Patrick has received a letter from the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, thanking our Diocese for the contributions to the 2026 Peter’s Pence collection, which amounted to £5,936.26. The Holy Father very much appreciates the generosity of parishioners throughout the Diocese of Nottingham, whose donations will help to fund and support the charitable activities of the Holy See.
REPLY TO PRESS ENQUIRIES concerning the amnesty international report “a growing threat: the anti-rights movement in the UK”. The Catholic Church works to uphold the God-given rights of all humanity, without exception. This includes the rights of those unjustly imprisoned, of refugees and migrants, of those who have been trafficked, and the right to life of all people from conception to natural death. Furthermore, we uphold the right to freedom of religion, conscience and expression as explained in the document of the Second Vatican Council, Dignitatis Humanae. Our belief in the dignity of every person, from which a proper understanding of human rights comes, animates all our work in the field of social justice in England and Wales.
Catholic Medical Association: Whether you are a doctor, nurse, student, or allied profession; if you are a Catholic in healthcare join the Catholic Medical Association to grow in fellowship, prayer, and formation. For more information visit https://catholicmedicalassociation.org.uk
Aid to the Church in Need: Across the world, countless men, women and children suffer simply because of the faith they hold dear. In their need, they look to us to be their voice. Aid to the Church in Need has launched its first-ever global petition on religious freedom, calling on governments and the United Nations to do more to defend the right to believe, and to ensure that those responsible for persecution are held to account. You are warmly invited to stand in solidarity with the persecuted Church by signing this petition and giving witness to the importance of religious freedom for all. Please consider putting your faith into action and adding your voice: https://acnuk.org/article-18-petition-religious-freedom-human-right-not-privilege
Nottinghamshire County Council is consulting on removing the discretionary transport for pupils and students attending Catholic Schools on a faith basis. The scheme currently supports nine of our schools, and if removed would have a serious impact:
Not being able to continue with Catholic education. It is the right of every parent to choose a faith education for their children.
Impact on emotional well-being of children who may be forced to move schools
Increased costs to many low-income families. Some may be forced to work less in order to ensure their children get to and from school
Additional safety issues for children if they have to access public transport – often requiring two buses and moving through town centres.
Removing these services would lengthen the school day for many children meaning travelling in the dark at both ends of the day in winter, which poses safety risks.
Longer journeys to and from school would impact negatively on children’s physical and mental health.
Please consider expressing your views to leave the service as it is, by completing the survey at:
https://consult.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/transport/faith-school-transport-review/
Post Abortion Women's Support Group: The Abortion Recovery Care and Helpline (ARCH) is a Post Abortion Women's Support Group in central Nottingham, for women affected by abortion. Run by a qualified therapist, the group offers a safe space to meet with other women in a supportive and helpful way, with confidentiality, no judgement, and free of charge. If it has been at least six months since your experience and you would like more information email clare@archtrust.org.uk including a mobile number (ARCH and abortion will not be mentioned in any texts).
Sycamore’s ‘Learning to Pray this Lent': Join Young Adults from across the diocese of Nottingham to enter more deeply into prayer this Lent with Sycamore’s ‘Learning to Pray this Lent’. Just bring yourself, a bible, and a hot drink of your choice (unless you’re fasting!). With lots of practical tips, wisdom from the bible, stories from the saints, and advice about common difficulties people face when praying. To sign up head to: www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/events/yasycamore
40 days for life is a global movement, which seeks to end abortion through prayer, peaceful outreach and public witness. Each year during Lent a group of Christians take our belief in the sanctity of life out to the public space and offer a life-giving alternative to the sadness of abortion. Our witness is legal, peaceful, compassionate and non-judgemental. If you would like to know more, please contact John by email on pro-life@dioceseofnottingham.uk or go to 40daysforlife.com/nottingham. 'For whenever you did this to the least of my little ones, you did it to me.'
From relationships that are 'Just in a Rut', needing some refreshment or more serious issues - If you are open to try again – Retrouvaille could be the solution. We have helped thousands of couples get their relationship back on track as they rediscovered hope and trust in the marriage. To find out more, visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk or telephone 07973 380443
The Catholic Union wants to make the Weekly Briefing available to every Catholic in England, Scotland and Wales. Sign up for free at:
https://catholicunion.org.uk/weekly-briefings/?mc_cid=f1b1eb6fd3&mc_eid=735bea09a7
Aid to the Church in Need: According to Aid to the Church in Need 5.4 billion people (2/3 of the world's population) live in countries where individuals and entire communities suffer violations of religious freedom. More than 220 million Christians are at direct risk of persecution. In response, ACN has initiated a petition calling on governments around the world to implement in full Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the gold standard of religious liberty - the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, the right to change religion and the right to manifest religion in teaching, practice, worship and observance. Parishioners are invited to stand with persecuted Christians and all those who suffer for their beliefs by signing the ACN Article 18 petition, by visiting: https://acnuk.org/article-18-petition-religious-freedom-human-right-not-privilege. Please continue to pray for all those who suffer for their faith.
Holy Places in Palestine: Father Michael O’Kane OFM, of the Commissariat of the Holy Land, has written to thank Bishop Patrick for the generosity of parishioners earlier this year when the Collection for the Holy Places in the Holy Land was taken on Good Friday. Across the Diocese more than £20,000 was given to support the Christian communities in this war-torn part of the world, where Jesus himself lived and ministered. The Franciscans keep our Diocese, and all the parishioners, in their thankful prayers.
CAFOD: CAFOD World Gifts: gifts that give back, gifts for everyone and supporting your global family, please visit: www.worldgifts.cafod.org.uk
Peter’s Pence collection: Bishop Patrick has received a letter from Monsignor Ante Vidovic, Charge d'Affaires at the Apostolic Nunciature, thanking our Diocese for the contributions to the 2025 Peter’s Pence collection, which amounted to £9,705.47. The Holy Father very much appreciates the generosity of parishioners throughout the Diocese of Nottingham, whose donations will help to fund and support the charitable activities of the Holy See.
Stand up for religious freedom! Consider signing Aid to the Church in Needs’ global petition supporting persecuted Christians. Your voice matters. By signing this petition, you can help us urge world leaders to act on behalf of those who suffer simply for practicing their faith.
acnuk.org/article-18-petition-religious-freedom-human-right-not-privilege
CAFOD: Thank you for supporting CAFOD’s Family Fast Day. Thank you so much for your generous contributions to CAFOD’s Family Fast Day Appeal. Your donations in our parish collection and online are helping families like Ware’s in Ethiopia. Thank you for all your support for CAFOD.
Marriage Care: Are you interested in training and volunteering as a Relationship Counsellor with Marriage Care? This Catholic organisation specialises in relationship support and is currently looking for those who would be interested in training via the Certificate in Relationship Counselling (CRC) course, and looking for volunteers for the marriage preparation service prior to the CRC selection. To find out more visit: www.marriagecare.org.uk or email: volunteer@marriagecare.org.uk
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales and Birmingham Newman University are conducting research into Neurodiversity and our Faith. If you are an adult neurodivergent Catholic or a Caregiver of a neurodivergent Catholic, we want to hear from you. Your experiences will help us to become more inclusive and responsive to your needs. To find out more and to fill in our short surveys look here: www.godwhospeaks.uk/neurodivergent-catholic-surveys/
Bishop Patrick has received a letter from Friends of the Holy Land, thanking parishioners for their generous donations through the Crib Offerings 2024.
Friends of the Holy Land letter
Assisted Suicide: Whilst praying that assisted suicide doesn’t become law, as an expression of practical support parishioners in our diocese last autumn raised over £10,000 through second collections to support the work of the 18 hospices across our diocese. These institutions provide superb care for those coming towards the end of life, and help families to accompany their loved ones at such a difficult time. By supporting hospices in this way, as Catholics we are putting into practical action our prayers for a respect and a dignity of life, from conception to natural death.
The Ascent is coming to the Nottingham Diocese - theASCENT is a three year discipleship process for Catholic young people in years 10-12 who want to embrace their faith in Jesus Christ at a whole new level and learn how to share it with others. At their heart they seek to disciple the few for the sake of the many so that the Gospel may reach the ends of the earth. Bookings are open now, visit www.theascentuk.co.uk/
Nottingham Cathedral has received a £1.69M grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore the breathtaking original vision of architect A W N Pugin. Restoring Pugin will revive the Cathedral’s east end, and open up this heritage gem to over 20,000 people across our Cathedral city, and diocese. New tech, community activities, educational programmes, and even a video game (!) are all on the way. Read more on the diocesan website (www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/news) and watch the announcement video on YouTube (www.youtube.com/@NottsDiocese). Please share this great news widely!
Sad news from The Briars: It is with sadness we heard about the passing of John Morgan who served as the Security Guard & Groundsman at The Briars for over 30 years. John, or 'Morgsy' as he was affectionately known, was a constant presence of warmth and welcome for the thousands of young people and staff who visited during this time. He had a way of making everyone feel at home, with a smile, or a story. He was an inspiration for generations of Briars teams and young people. In 2010, John was awarded the Benemerenti medal for services to the Church and is without doubt The Briars’ greatest servant. He will be dearly missed. If anyone would like more details of the plans to celebrate John's life, please contact Hannah Leech - hannah.leech@ololcatholicmat.co.uk
Young Adult Formation Course: If you would like to deepen your faith, grow in community with other 18-35 years olds as well as engage more fully in your parish then the brand-new Young Adult Formation Course run by the Diocese of Nottingham is the course for you. For more information contact charles.archer@dioceseofnottingham.uk or sign up at: https://forms.office.com/e/9qvH5SjRHh
ACN (UK) has launched an Open Letter Campaign calling on Foreign Secretary David Lammy to make persecuted religious communities priority recipients of UK Overseas Development Aid (ODA). They need your help to reach their goal of 10,000 signatures, which will trigger a response from the Government. Please sign their open letter today: https://acnuk.org/our-campaigns/red-wednesday-advocacy-letter. Together, we can help Christians and other religious minorities trapped in modern slavery, extreme poverty and worse.
Caritas Leicester and Leicestershire Advent Calendar: in this Advent season, we are amplifying the reach of some local charities which aim to bring light into darkness. There are, of course, many others. Please have a look and join us in raising hopeful voices. The colour version is at: https://bit.ly/3ZmMGuI, and the black and white version is at: https://bit.ly/40UwnGw
Catechist Formation Pathways – Are you a catechist? Have you thought about being one? The Diocese offers three courses that can be done together or stand alone. Encounter Catechesis provides the foundations of catechesis; Discipleship Catechesis explores a good knowledge of key points of Catholic Theology; and Missionary Catechesis is focused on going beyond sacramental preparation to help form disciples of all ages. To enquire please follow this link bit.ly/formation2425 or email: formation@dioceseofnottingham.uk
World Day of Migrants and Refugees: The Church has been celebrating the World Day of Migrants and Refugees since 1914. It’s always an occasion to express concern for different vulnerable people on the move; to pray for them as they face many challenges; and to increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers. The theme of Pope Francis’ message for the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees is: God walks with His people. The Holy Father reminds us that all of us, God’s people, are migrants on this earth, on our way to the “true homeland”, the Kingdom of Heaven. Migrants are a contemporary icon of this people on a journey, of the Church on a journey, and at the same time, it is in them and in all our vulnerable brothers and sisters that we can encounter the Lord who walks with us.