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/
CARITAS: To mark the worldwide Jubilee of People with Disabilities, Caritas Social Action Network is launching a Parish Guide to Accessibility to support more inclusive worship and community life. It takes place on Monday 9th June at 5.00pm; more details are on the poster.
Warmer Welcome workshop, Monday 9 June at 7.00pm: the next online gathering for volunteers with parish-based drop-ins, lunch clubs or community cafés is coming up. If you’re thinking of starting one, come and find out how others do it! Visit bit.ly/warmerwelcome to book your place.
Diocesan Safeguarding Sunday: This year’s focus is on the theme of “The Empty Chair”. Many of us are saddened by reducing numbers in our churches. This is happening for a wide variety of reasons, but our thoughts are on those who are not there because they have suffered abuse in a church setting and cannot face being here. They may be the families or friends of survivors. They may be former members of a community affected by allegations or convictions for abuse. They may be people who are simply so disgusted or ashamed by what they have heard about abuse within the Church that they no longer want to be part of it. All these groups and others are represented by “The Empty Chair”.
What is Safeguarding? Safeguarding is about protecting ourselves and others from harm. We all get things wrong, and sometimes the things we do and say can hurt others, or we can get hurt by them. This can happen anywhere - at church, school, home, or with friends – and makes us feel sad, worried, or confused. Just like an umbrella that keeps us safe from the rain, safeguarding protects us from being hurt by others. It’s important because each of us is special to God and deserves to feel, and be, safe. In our country we have rules and laws to help keep people safe. Just like a lollipop person helps us cross the road safely, we have people in our church who make sure we follow these rules to make it a safe place. Everyone has a job to do. If you ever feel worried, upset, or unsure about something that happened to you or someone else, tell someone you trust. By speaking up, we can help keep everyone safe. Remember, safeguarding is all about protecting ourselves and others from harm.
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
Good Shepherd Sunday, please keep in your prayers Michael and Lukas currently at Saint Mary’s College Oscott and for Markanthony who will be starting Valladolid in September. This weekend’s collection is proposed to be spent on making the chapel at The Briars a focus of prayer for vocations in the Diocese. Thanks for your continued prayers.
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!
Jubilee of Communication Workers Conference The Communications Department invites all involved or interested in communications (Social Media, Journalism, Website, Parish Newsletters, plus any other means...) to the upcoming Communications Conference, celebrating the Jubilee of Communication Workers. Held at Cathedral Hall, Nottingham, on Monday 2nd June from 10am – 2pm, the event will include a networking breakfast, a keynote input, workshops, Q&A, concluding with Mass celebrated by Bishop Patrick, with the blessing of communication workers, and lunch. Sign up at www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/events/comms-conference (no later than 26th May with limited spaces) or contact naomi.roberts@dioceseofnottingham.uk for further information.
St Peter and St Paul Catholic Academy, Lincoln would like to extend an invitation to member of St Hugh’s parish, to attend their Open Air Mass on Friday, 27th June at 11.30am. The Mass will include up to 8 Catholic schools from greater Lincolnshire and will form a central part of the schools' celebrations for the Jubilee Year of Hope. If this is something that you are interested in attending then please contact the school on sspp@sspp.lincs.sch.uk. Please ensure that any emails are entitled Open Air Mass. We would like to be able to anticipate interest and then plan for numbers. It would be lovely to welcome parishioners from our parishes.
The Jubilee Pilgrimage to Walsingham with Bishop Patrick takes place on Saturday 14th June, gathering at the Anglican Shrine with procession to Catholic Shrine starting at 1.00pm. Mass will be celebrated at 4.00pm followed by departures. More information about events for young people to come soon.
Unveiled Faces: Healing and Transformation with the Saints; a Weekend Retreat between Friday 27th and Sunday 29th June led by Father Emmanuel Mansford, CFR at the Christian Heritage Centre, contemplating the healing and transformational work of grace in the ordinary and imperfect lives of the saints. In the light of their example, the retreat will offer an opportunity to reflect on and to seek healing for the wounds in our own lives. To book, visit: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/unveiled-faces/
NOTTINGHAM DIOCESAN JUBILEE LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: Bishop Patrick invites parishioners to join the Nottingham Diocesan Jubilee Lourdes Pilgrimage taking place between Monday 14th and Friday 18th July. The Pilgrimage includes a full liturgical programme, with Mass each day; return direct flights from East Midlands Airport to Lourdes; full board for four nights in a three- or four- star hotel; assistance (for those who need it) from the Diocesan Hospitalité and Health Team. Prices start from £899, and more details are at: www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/events/lourdes
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/
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
Young adults (18-35) are also warmly invited to join the Jubilee Lourdes Pilgrimage. For young adults interested in supporting pilgrims, deepening faith, and coming together as a community, contact charles.archer@dioceseofnottingham.uk or visit www.tangney-tours.com/tours-and-pilgrimages/diocese-nottingham-ya/
Historic Padley Chapel near Grindleford is a Designated Pilgrim Place for the 2025 Jubilee Year, and more people are needed to help with the Chapel opening on Sunday afternoons and the occasional weekday during the Jubilee Year of Hope. Volunteers will be part of a team of two – four people with full guidance and support given. For more information email friendsofpadley@hallam-diocese.com or telephone Sheila: 07855 039711.
Faith and Footprint: Caring for Creation.
why this and every Jubilee Year is an invitation to ecological conversion;
the Laudato Si Animators' formation programme which starts on Monday 28th April (details at laudatosianimators.org);
the national walking Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope which converges on Nottingham Cathedral in September;
practical ideas for reducing our parishes' environmental footprint and its buildings.
Book now at bit.ly/faithandfootprint
The NDCYS is organising a Lourdes Reunion on Saturday 26th July at Saint Mary’s Church, Derby DE1 3AU. Young people are invited from 1am, with Mass at 3pm, followed by refreshments for all pilgrims. For more information and to register visit ndcys.com/events-and-opportunities
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/
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.