News

Consiglia Johnson R.I.P:- Consiglia’s funeral is this Thursday, 7th November at 11.30 am so there will be no 9.30 Mass. We offer our prayers and sympathy to her family and friends at this time. May she rest in peace

November: Month of the Holy Souls:- A reminder that November is the month of the Holy Souls, when we pray for our departed brothers and sisters in Purgatory (see:- What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Purgatory? | Catholic Answers Tract ). A note from the Diocesan directory reads ‘Pleanery indulgence (under the usual conditions) applicable to the dead for a visit to a church on 2nd November; another for each day a cemetery is visited 1-8 November.’

New Lectionary launching from 1st December. A note from Catholic Herald Ltd: “As the sole subscriptions sales agent for Magnificat in the UK, we are pleased to confirm that the new texts will be used in Magnificat from the December issue. Youc can subscribe to this resource at:https://catholicherald.co.uk/magnificat/ or by phone on: 0203 882 9432

Assisted Suicide Bill: As the Bill on assisted suicide is making its way through Parliament, the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales have provided resources to inform you on this very serious matter and ways in which you can contact our MPs, which, of course, you are encouraged to do. The link is: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assisted-suicide/ Remember that there will be powerful and highly resourced lobby groups which will be influencing media and promoting celebrities to push this culture of death along, rather than promoting a Gospel of Life! You may be aware that the Canadian Government were grateful to have ‘saved Can $26 million’ on their health care budget onne year, by introducing assisted suicide. There is every ability to greatly improve palliative care, and this is one of the many things which should be promoted. We should also give thought to the manner in which dispositions towards abortion laws and their application have changed since 1968, and, in light of those changes, any considerations and pressures which could be brought to bear by 2080, when our First Holy Communion children will be grandparents who may well feel social pressures being imposed by then!! See also:- Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17 and Cardinal Nichols on ‘youtube’ at Cardinal calls for prayer to uphold the dignity of human life

First Holy Communion programmes 2024 /2025: There will be two groups preparing for First Holy Communion as there are a number of older children, in Yr 5 and above as well as those of Yr. 3. An initial parent’s meeting for Holy Communion will take place on Friday 8th November at 7pm to discuss and outline programmes; only one parent is required to attend, children do not need to be present.  First Holy Communion programmes 2024 /2025: There will be two groups preparing for First Holy Communion as there are a number of older children, in Yr 5 and above as well as those of Yr. 3. An initial parents meeting for Holy Communion will take place on Friday 8th November at 7pm to discuss and outline programmes; only one parent is required to attend, children do not need to be present Previous New First Holy Communion and Confirmation programmes 2024 /2025, application forms to join these programmes are now available at the entrances to the church. The deadline for returning applications to Fr. Ian, in person, is Sunday 6th October, no further applications for the year 2024/ 2025 will be accepted after this date. If your child is in year 3 or above they are eligible to join the First Holy Communion programme. For the Confirmation programme candidates must be 14 years of age or over by the end of June 2025. To join the programmes weekly attendance at Sunday Mass is a requirement.

Consiglia Johnson R.I.P:- Consiglia, funeral will take place on Thursday, 7th November at 11.30 am. We offer our prayers and sympathy to her family and friends at this time. May she rest in peace.

ALL SAINTS DAY: November 1st is ‘All Saints Day’ and a Holy Day of Obligation with Mass being offered at 9.30 am and 7.30 pm. However, it is also the first Friday of the month, when normally there would be the ‘Mass and Meet’ following on from a mid-day Mass, on this occasion, therefore, after the 9.30 Mass there will be coffee and pastries in the hall replacing the lunch. All will be welcome

From: SPUC : Labour MP Kim Leadbeater (Spen Valley) is submitting a proposed bill that will legalise assisted suicide, to be introduced to Parliament on 16 October – the first bill of its kind since 2015. A debate will follow, then a vote, probably in December. The MP came first in the private members’ ballot, allowing her to forward her bill. The details of the bill are unclear, though it would likely grant terminally ill people in England and Wales a “right” to state-sanctioned euthanasia and/or assisted suicide – the definition of “terminal” illness is similarly unclear. A similar bill for Scotland defines “terminal” so loosely that it could potentially be interpreted to include any condition said to shorten life expectancy, including alcoholism. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised MPs a free vote on assisted suicide, legislation which he supports. Please view the following link for further details and do take action: MPs to vote on assisted suicide bill for England and Wales that will kill vulnerable people > SPUC From: In regard to the dignity of the human person a Vatican document published in March of this year, is a very helpful reference for us in the face of euthanasia and abortion, it can be found at Declaration “Dignitas Infinita” on Human Dignity (2 April 2024) (vatican.va) of particular help are paragraphs 7, and 18 to 21.

Youth provision:- Tea and toast on Friday 8th Nov from 4 pm with a view to an opportunity to chat from 4.45 and finishing with the night prayer of the Church at 5.45. Anyone of secondary school age is welcome to attend.