As you may know, the Holy Father, Pope Francis has appointed 2025 to be a Holy Year, a Jubilee Year

I received an appeal from the Bishop’s Office that I share with you. Bishop Mark has been contacted by the Director of Operations at ‘Right to Life

Kath Keegan from the Parish Justice and Peace Group writes: Usually at this time of year the Justice & Peace Group is appealing for members of our parishes to sign Christmas cards

I am grateful to Lt Cdr Toni Cioma MBE for assisting me in adapting the former baptistery at Our Lady Star of the Sea into a new War Memorial Chapel to remember those killed in war

The new translation of the sacred Scriptures that we hear read at Mass becomes effective from the first Sunday of Advent, that is, Sunday 1 December.

I am very happy to share with you that the new Lectionaries and Books of the Gospels have arrived safely.

As ‘Year C’ fast approaches and we will read the Gospel of Luke from Advent 2024, this series will offer an overview of the Gospel of Luke.

As Catholics, one of our great traditions is prayer for the dead: a

source of consolation for us who still live and efficacious for

those who have died.

My thanks to all those who have suggested topics for catechesis. I am very happy to offer series of talks to all those who might be interested: dates to be announced in the next week or so.

With the month of October
dedicated to the holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I thought it would be helpful to reproduce in the Parish
Newsletter a guide to How To Pray the Rosary

I share with the whole parish the update I shared with St Mary’s 9am Mass last Sunday: 

At the prompting of some of our volunteer co-ordinators, I would like to give another push to invite parishioners to consider what you can do to serve others: in our parish and in our local community.

Fairtrade Fortnight is different this year; first of all it is the 30th Anniversary so the Fairtrade Foundation have celebrated the anniversary by having it in September, when the first one was held rather than February or March. 

Ahead of Tuesday 16 July, Deacon Tony’s second anniversary of Ordination, I invited him to share with the parish his work over these first two years and the areas of ministry he is engaged in. 

My thanks to the five Headteachers of our five Catholic Schools: Mrs Vile, Mrs Finlay, Mrs Baird, Mrs Thorpe, and Mrs LeFeuvre and to the Chairs of Governors:

As I share frequently with the parish, we have over 2,000 children at our schools, aged 2 to 18, but as few as 12 regularly come to Mass. 

Huge thanks to all those who were able to be present for the Forty Hours’ Devotion. It was very moving to see so many parishioners coming and going

Pictures of Flowers for Our Lady accross the Parish during the month of May