Greeting from the isolating unit. Daily and hourly updates from Ukraine does not lift the spirits. However, daily dispatches do give a sense of being more present to the horrors of this conflict. Thanks again for your kindness and generosity in last weekend’s retiring collection. Being able to depend on you as members of the parish to ensure that everything goes according to plan is important. Thanks again. Thanks also to those priests who continue to ensure that the Mass continues to be the centre of our community gathering and worship. Bro. Paul, Frs. Andrew and Mark have been a great support. Whilst we live in the middle of these two tragedies of Covid and Ukraine, let’s not forget the perfect storm of the increasing standards of living costs that are about to hit us. The Support Fund is monitoring. Parishioners are very active in accelerating the support for Ukraine at parish and diocesan levels. The fruits of their efforts will be presented as soon as possible. Let’s pray for their success. There is real urgency here. You can also help by spiritually connecting with the homeless, the injured and the deceased in Ukraine by joining us at St. Godric’s on Sunday afternoons for prayer and reflection. Brother Paul led last Sunday. Sadly, we lost Mary Hughes and Nellie Stoker this week. Both made huge contributions to the parish over the years. Nellie’s dulcet tones rang through the church every Sunday morning, whilst Mary’s quiet prayer life was deeply devotional, but equally passionate and powerful. Both women had great gifts which were vital to the parish over many years
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- Mar 11, 2022
The Ukraine consumes much of our thoughts and prayers, with daily news of appalling tragedy. Perhaps it’s the proximity of this large country that affects us more. The unprecedented exodus of refugees impacts on us. We continue to hope that tolerance and compassion, rather than fear and red tape, prevail in welcoming those desperate for sanctuary. Well done to all students and their families in our primary and secondary schools of the parish who are members of the Bishop Wilkinson Trust for their efforts in collecting essentials for the Ukraine. As there now appears to be a glut of clothing collected, perhaps its best, at this point, to provide cash that will be properly channelled to alleviate the suffering and so, our second collection this weekend is for those suffering the consequences of this unnecessary war. Thank you for your support. I realise other charities rely on our help at this time, especially Cafod, so we’ll simply delay that for the moment, as the Ukraine is a priority right now. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be made each Sunday of Lent specifically for the intention of peace in the Ukraine. Do encourage it, especially family visits, no matter how brief those visits might be, they are important.We hope to return to St. Leonard’s for the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. This will be especially important this year as we gather as One Parish to both remember what we have all been through with Covid, and in particular, those no longer with us and in the spirit of the resurrection to move forward with renewed hope.
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- Mar 4, 2022
The Ukraine is the focus of all our thoughts and prayers now. Perhaps this was part of the reason for such high attendances at our Ash Wednesday Masses at which St. Godric’s School joined the parish. Thanks Barbara and team for organising. There was also something special about Wednesday evening at St. Joseph’s. Many had returned after two years of Covid limbo. Great to see you back! Roger’s poignant organ accompaniment touched the right notes too. Indeed we are blessed with such musical talents in Roger, Matt and Paul. Our sense of empathy for the people of Ukraine was also very evident at our vigil last Saturday night at St. Joseph’s. Thank you all. We continue our prayerful efforts at St. Godric’s on Sunday with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 3.00pm. There was great parish presence at the URC church in Waddington Street last Sunday for the Church Action on Poverty Meeting. The main speakers were passionate and inspiring. We were left with no doubt about the challenge ahead in the fight against poverty. A deeper question was asked regarding the legality of depriving the poor of what is their right. There were some excellent presentations all round, followed by some very informative group discussions. I attended Fr. Jim O’Keefe’s 50th anniversary of priesthood last Sunday. Well done Jim. Our sincere condolences to Audrey Lane on the death of her daughter Cassie. Audrey is one of our dedicated church stewards in these difficult times. An example being ground maintenance. The recent storms hammered our fencing, which has now been repaired, but general windswept litter strewn around all our grounds can be a challenge. Do keep an eye and help with picking it up would be most appreciated. Tony Twomey’s vigilance a miss. Our schools are doing great despite the traumatic times they, and students in particular, have been through, and let me be clear that the after-effects of lockdown continue to take their toll. Some children have really struggled. Our schools’ staff have responded brilliantly. Thank you all and well done to them for their dedication. As you will see in other parts of the bulletin, we need names for rotas, especially at St. Godric’s for opening and closing the church during the week. How often do I have to use this platform to hammer home the problems inherent in letting one person do everything, and this is right across the board.
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