Dear Friends,
Today’s first reading and Gospel are preparing us to celebrate the feast of Pentecost in two weeks time. Jesus promises that, although he will go away, his disciples will not be left as orphans because the life of Christ is shared with them. The Holy Spirit will be given to them to strengthen them in their faith and to help them face the hostility and opposition they will encounter.
Next Thursday we celebrate the feast of the Ascension which is a Holyday. There will be a Mass in each church – see Mass times.
I am grateful to Father Peter for allowing me to supply for him during his annual leave in India. It is a pleasure to do so. If anyone would like to pay a visit to my cottage in Buxton they will be most welcome. My address is: Rainbow Cottage, Crown Road, Buxton NR10 5EH. Best to ring first. Tel: 01603 652100. Mobile: 07876196032. Tea or coffee always on offer: G&T after midday!
God bless.
Father James
Thursday this week is Ascension Day and a Holy Day of Obligation.
Next Sunday is World Communications Day and there will be a Second Collection for the Catholic Communications Network
The annual Children’s Pilgrimage to Walsingham takes place on Tuesday 30th May (during the school half-term holiday). The day will start with a procession from the village at 10.45am, walking to the shrine along the safe path, formerly the railway line, with pauses for prayer and hymns along the way. Mass is celebrated at the Chapel of Reconciliation at 12.00 noon. Servers will be welcome. After a picnic at the shrine, it is hoped to finish the day on the beach at nearby Wells-Next-The-Sea.
The Rosary is said on Saturdays from 5.00pm at St Helen’s; on Sundays at 10.30am at the Sacred Heart and on Fridays from 9.00am prior to the 9.30am Mass at St John of the Cross. Those who would like to lead the Rosary please sign the list in church porches. Leaflets on how to pray the Rosary are available.
Bishop Peter invites all married couples in the Diocese to join him at the annual Marriage Celebration Mass on Saturday 3rd June at 11.30 at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist. All married couples and their families are welcome! Those couples who are celebrating significant anniversaries (one year, five years and every multiple of five years thereafter, or individual years from 60 years onwards) will receive a certificate from the Bishop. If you would like to register for a certificate please visit the website https://www.rcdea.org.uk/marriage-mass-registration/ or contact the Marriage & Family Life Coordinator, Dr Antonia Braithwaite, on mflcoordinator@rcdea.org.uk
Join us after Mass for tea & cake in the Cathedral Hall. Photographs of couples with the Bishop will be available online after the day.
Working with Young People – June 10th Invites catechists and anyone working with young people to a day of reflection and training, exploring an accompaniment model of Evangelisation and Catechesis. With keynote speaker David Wells. Held at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, Poringland, Norfolk. Organised by the Diocesan Youth Service – for more details and to book a place, please see www.rcdea.org.uk/youth
We pray for the soul of Margaret Copperwheat who died last Sunday evening; we remember her family and friends at this time. Her Requiem Mass will be held on Tuesday 30th May at St John of the Cross at 2pm.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Mary Carr, Paul Watson, Cyril Shenton, Patricia Newton, Celia Cooper, Michael Haughton, Marie Barton, Gerry Francis, Robert Buhagiar, Alf and Margaret Larkins and Daphne Necchi.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Winifred (Joan) Madden, Joan Harmer, Margaret Douglas, Anne Harvey, Veronica White, Elizabeth Uden, Terence Gigli, Jean Graydon-Carter and Mary Sparks. May they rest in peace.
