Vocations: If you would like to learn more about the priesthood and reflect on a possible vocation, please email vocations@dioceseofnottingham.uk for the zoom link for the next discernment meeting on Wednesday 23rd July at 7.00pm.
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 NDCYS is organising a Lourdes Reunion on Sunday 27th July at Saint Mary’s Church, Derby DE1 3AU. Young people are invited from 11am, with Mass at 3pm, followed by refreshments for all pilgrims. For more information and to register visit ndcys.com/events-and-opportunities
Celebrate the Jubilee at WeBelieve, a festival of Catholic Life gathering the Church to share the hope that we have in Christ. From Friday 25th – Monday 28th July, join us for four days of music, keynotes, conversation and worship at Saint Mary’s College, Oscott, Birmingham. Featuring Dr Gianna Emanuela Molla (daughter of Saint Gianna Molla), Father Paul Murray, Monsignor Michael Nazir-Ali, AnMari, Father Toby Lees OP and many more. Early Bird Tickets are available now at www.webelievefestival.com
Jubilee 2025 Youth Week in Rome and Assisi, with the Kenelm Youth Trust, led by Bishop Timothy Menezes between Thursday 31st July and Wednesday 6th August. For more information visit: www.allsaintstravel.co.uk/RM0973/
What is God? Philosophical, Christian and Islamic Approaches, at the Christian Heritage Centre, between Friday 22nd and Monday 25th August. This annual course in partnership with CEPHAS will look at the nature and knowledge of God from a pre-religious, philosophical understanding, before comparing the Islamic concept of God with the Christian, leaning on Saint Thomas Aquinas’ elaboration of the Trinity and the Incarnation. For more information and to book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/what-is-god/
On Saturday 6th September the annual UK March for Life 2025 will take place in London. Join with thousands of others from all over the UK who believe that all life is sacred, as we march through the streets of London to the Houses of Parliament. The Walk is peaceful, legal and always spiritually uplifting. There will be a coach from Nottingham, picking up from Good Shepherd Arnold and Cathedral Derby Road, costing adults £30, unwaged including students £15, under 16s £10. To book on the coach or for more information contact Marie (marielangford@live.co.uk, 07948 151264). ''Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
The CSAN Jubilee of Social Justice will be celebrated in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool, on Saturday 20th September, at 12.00 noon, by the Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP, Emeritus Archbishop of Liverpool, followed by a light lunch and Social Action Exhibition in the Pontifical Hall. See the poster for more details.
40Days For Life between Wednesday 24th September – Sunday 2nd November. Help save lives In Leicester! You can protect mothers and children by joining this worldwide mobilisation to Pray and Fast for an end to abortion, by taking part in 40 Days for life in our community, taking place at Across from Aylestone Road Gardens, Aylestone Road, Leicester, LE2 8PW, between 8.00am and 8.00pm daily. For more details contact Maureen: leicester40daysforlife@gmail.com
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/
The World Union of Catholic Teachers is committed to supporting Catholic educators worldwide, including those working in Catholic and non-denominational schools and universities. In preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025, this international survey aims to deepen an understanding of the identity of Catholic teachers. All Catholic teachers are invited to complete the questionnaire, before 4th July, at the following address: https://uofg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7TyF0wIxiV7zJ6m
Mission Lab is a new series of monthly inspirations for parish evangelisation and outreach, a space to discover great ideas and support to put them into practice. Each session will showcase how parishes around the diocese are building vibrant, outward-facing Catholic communities. Sessions take place online at 7pm; sign up for the first one, which is on Tuesday 20th May: Welcomers and welcoming. First impressions count: they can make the difference between keeping a newcomer and losing them. How can we ensure everyone who comes to our parish has a welcoming experience and feels they belong? Join Caritas and Adult Formation to hear from parishioners from Buxton and Glossop how they do it there. Sign up at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/reIUs744Qg6Mau7MEGHiaA#/registration
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
The Christian Heritage Centre’s Christian Leadership Formation Programme is a fantastic opportunity for students in Year 12 / Lower VI, and is now open to applications for 2025. Offering media training, tools for personal development, philosophical and theological study, and a chance to meet like-minded peers and Catholic academics and public figures, the programme offers a certificate validated by Saint Mary’s University, Twickenham. For more information visit www.christianleadershipformation.com
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.