DIOCESAN NEWS
Young Adults from across the diocese are invited to Vespers, Carols, and Festive Nibbles at Sacred Heart church, Leicester, on Friday 13th December with Mass at 6.00pm, and then Vespers and Carols celebrated with Bishop Patrick, followed up with some festive nibbles afterwards! For more information or to log a dietary requirement please contact charles.archer@dioceseofnottingham.uk
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
Is God calling me to be a priest? Do you feel that God might be calling you to the priesthood? If so, please contact Father Neil Peoples, Vocations Director, at vocations@dioceseofnottingham.uk to book a place at the next discernment meeting, taking place in Cathedral House, Nottingham, NG1 5AE after 10.00am Mass on Saturday 7th December.
Take time in Advent, an afternoon of prayer and reflection for Advent on Sunday 8th December between 2.00pm and 4.30pm in the Presentation Convent, Matlock DE4 3FT. The afternoon will be led by Sister Angela Murphy and Friends of Nano. The suggested donation is £5; please contact Sister Susan religious@dioceseofnottingham.uk for more information, or to book a place.
Men’s Spiritual Exercises, Monday 31st March – Saturday 5th April A 5-day version of the Ignatian Exercises offered specifically for men (whether lay or ordained), this retreat will be preached at the Christian Heritage Centre, Lancashire, by the Benedictine Monks of Saint Joseph’s Abbey, France. Founded in 1988, this community has retained its charism of a specific apostolate to men. One-to-one direction will be offered alongside the talks. For more information and to book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/mens-spiritual-exercises/
On Friday 13th December all Young Adults are invited to Sacred Heart church, Leicester, for Carols, Vespers, Mince Pie, and Mulled Wine with Bishop Patrick. The evening starts at 7.00pm, but please join us from 5:45pm for the Rosary and Mass. We look forward to seeing you! If you would like to support the evening then contact charles.archer@dioceseofnottingham.uk
The Christian Heritage Centre offers a weekend course for couples preparing for marriage, most suited to couples who are engaged and practicing their faith, and who wish for a deeper, theological and spiritual reflection on the Sacrament of Matrimony. Structured around scriptural texts, the weekend explores the Church’s understanding of human love in the Divine plan using Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. The weekend is held between Friday 3rd and Sunday 5th January, and for more information and to book, visit: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/marriage-preparation-2025/
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.
FLAME is the largest Catholic youth event in England and Wales, and the Nottingham Diocese Catholic Youth Service is co-ordinating a group to attend next year, along with 8,000 young people who will fill the OVO Wembley Arena on Saturday, 15th March 2025 for a day of prayer, adoration, catechesis, reflection, celebration and praise. If you are interested in attending email: michelle.thomas@ndcys.com