News & Events

Cream Teas in St John's Garden on Saturday 3rd September from 2pm to 5pm

Enjoy a delicious cream tea or home-made cake in the church Memorial Garden. Relax, chat with friends, have a go on the raffle! Do come along and support as we build up our community again after COVID. All proceeds to Friends of St John's for the church hall building fund.

More details: 

Ann - 01664 560080

Frances - 07790 631635

Nottingham Diocesan Draft Synod Response

Please click here 

Marriage Encounter Experience

WANT TO GIVE YOUR MARRIAGE A BOOST 

Treat yourselves to a life changing Marriage Encounter Experience

Our next experiences are 4-6th March, 14th & 21st May, 11-12th June.......

Visit WWME.org.uk for more details and booking

A great marriage, lifts your family, Parish and personal happiness 

Click here to view the poster.

Confirmation 2022

There will be a meeting for prospective Confirmation Candidates on Monday 31st January 2022 at 6.30 p.m. in the Convent.

The date for Confirmation is Sunday 22nd May 2022 at Saint Joseph's Church, Oakham.

Candidates for Confirmation must be at least 11 years old. For more information or to request an enrolment form, please contact Sister Valerie. Enrolment Forms are available to download on the Parish website by clicking here.

To download the form click the link, then go to File and select Download to choose the preferred file format.

Parish Coronavirus Guidance

Christmas Greetings from CAFOD

Please click here to view a Christmas Greeting from CAFOD.

Faith in Families Children's Charity

Please click here to view news from the Faith in Families Children's Charity.

CAFOD Afghanistan Crisis Appeal

CAFOD is combining efforts with the DEC to launch the Afghanistan Crisis Appeal.  In Afghanistan, 8 million people are on the brink of famine because of drought, collapsing economy, food shortages, conflict, and COVID. CAFOD is supporting sister Caritas agencies to reach communities most in need with food, clean water, and fuel. During Advent, when we open ourselves to the needs of others, let’s do all that we can to save lives. You can donate on the CAFOD website: cafod.org.uk/AfghanistanAppeal and please pray for the people of Afghanistan. 

LACY Event

Sunday 9th January 4pm

Due to the rising number of infections with COVID at the present time LACY have decided that instead of meeting at St. Patrick’s Leicester for our event for young people entitled “HAVE YOUR SAY SYNOD ’21 – ‘23”, this will now take place on line via Zoom on 9th January 2022  at 4.00 p.m.  A great opportunity for input about the SYNOD, discussion, fun time and a short liturgy will be shared together. Save the date!  Save the time!  We look forward to seeing you, your families and friends.  (Please note all young people under the age of 18 should be present with an adult)  Link in details will be sent out at the beginning of January to schools and parishes and may also be found on our Facebook page @LACYcatholicyouthleics.  Contact details : e mail paulinepayne@hotmail.com or claudiacoxon@googlemail.com. 

See poster on LACY facebook page

For further information or booking onto the day contact  paulinepayne@hotmail.com

Click here to view the poster.

CAFOD Review of the Year and Advent Reflections

Register for our online review of the year! We would love you and your parishioners to join us for a review of the year, where we will share all that the Catholic community has made possible this year with their support. Please join our Director Christine Allen, online on Thursday 25 November at 7pm-8pm. Register here.

Sign up for our daily Advent reflections: These reflections have been very popular and offer an opportunity to pause and reflect, pray and take action as we prepare for Christmas. Visit our Interactive online Advent calendar | CAFOD for more details. There are also free Advent children’s liturgy resources that parish catechists may find useful.  Children's Liturgy | CAFOD

“Like many women around the world, Garmah in Liberia had no legal rights to her home when her husband died. CAFOD worked with local experts to help her and now Garmah and her children live rightfully and happily together in their family home. “I feel safe, my children have a place to rest their head and I can make a garden to feed them and myself. God sent redeemers to fight for my land rights. I am overfilled with joy.” Thank you for your support which enables hundreds of women like Garmah remain in their homes during times of struggle. Other examples of our work can be found in our World Gift catalogues or website worldgifts.cafod.org.uk Have a wonderful Christmas.”

CAFOD COP26 News

A message from CAFOD: Thank you for supporting our Climate Crisis Appeal for our recent Family Fast Day. Every donation helps us in our work and is gratefully received. https://cafod.org.uk/climatecrisis

Please pray for the success of the upcoming UN climate talks in Glasgow, COP26, from 31 October to 12 November. There should hopefully be prayer cards at the back of church; please do take one and pray that that world leaders will put the needs of marginalised communities around the world, those most affected by climate change, right at the heart of these climate talks. For more information see https://cafod.org.uk/COP26

May the Holy Spirit inspire all political leaders at COP26 and instill in them the courage and gentleness to implement fairer solutions for the most vulnerable.

CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day

It is a week until CAFOD's Harvest Family Fast Day (1st October) and CAFOD Nottingham have sent two links which may be of interest to you.

The first is a short prayer video: https://vimeo.com/612478314

The second is a link to an interview that Rhiannon Kennedy gave on BBC Radio Leicester yesterday. Rhiannon is one of our Step into the Gap volunteers based at The Briars Retreat Centre at Crich.  Along with Lorley Shelton, she is part of the team up there with a specific focus on CAFOD’s work. They will both be part of the CAFOD youth delegation attending the COP26 event in Glasgow. Listen back here from 37.55mins: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09tvlxf

East Window Donation Boards

The names of people who supported the restoration of the east window at St John's, with dedications where appropriate, are now displayed in the church.

The boards are on the back wall of St John's, where the statue of St John the Baptist used to be, and are at a level where they can be read easily.

Thank you once again for your support.

LACY Event

Sunday 3rd October 2pm - 5pm

LEICESTERSHIRE ACTIVE CATHOLIC YOUTH (LACY) are sending out a warm invitation to all young people, their families and friends to an amazing “First Physical Event” since the beginning of COVID.  “What Do You Know About Angels?” SUNDAY 3RD OCTOBER.  Lots of interesting activities, sharing Faith, Fun and Food! Fr. Simon Gillespie will be leading us in thoughts, ideas and the Celebration of an uplifting Mass especially for young people.   Come and share the time with the LACY Team at St. Thomas More, Catholic Parish Rooms and Field, Knighton, Leicester, LE2 3HN.  2.00 P.M. – 5.00 P.M.  

See poster on LACY facebook page, your own parish media and newsletter.  

For further information or booking onto the day contact  paulinepayne@hotmail.com or claudiacoxon@googlemail.com.  We’re looking forward to sharing this day with YOU! 

Click here to view the poster.

Livestream Issues

During the past few weeks we've noticed large fluctuations in the internet speed available to us. At the higher speeds the stream works perfectly, however at the lower speeds the visual and audio data cannot be uploaded quickly enough, causing the issues we are having.

We have contacted our internet provider to ask whether this is a temporary issue and are awaiting a reply.

In the meantime the company who installed the equipment have advised us they think lowering the encoder bitrate may help the issue, to which we've agreed. This basically means the data sent from the equipment to YouTube will be smaller in size and won't require as fast an internet connection. This may however mean a slightly lower quality video (i.e. the stream may not be available in High Definition).

Hopefully the changes will have the desired effect. Thank you for your understanding.

Job Vacancy - Mission Support Assistant

The Diocese of Nottingham is seeking to employ a committed Catholic, with experience in administration, who wants to see the Church grow and have a greater impact in the East Midlands. The successful candidate would support the work of the outreach departments of the diocesan curia in spreading the Gospel and reaching the marginalised. They will work with the Adult Formation for Mission and Communications departments, as well as supporting the Ongoing Formation of Clergy and the work for Social Action with the poor and marginalised.

Please click here for the full job advertisement.

First Holy Communion Programme 2021/2022

We are currently taking applications for the First Holy Communion programme 2021/2022. 

If your child is in Y3 or above and attends St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Melton Mowbray, please download and complete the form (linked below) and return it to the office, school, or to Fr Tom by Friday 1st October. Thank you. 

First Holy Communion Registration Form

To download the form click the link, then go to File > Download and choose your required file format. If you require the form in another format please contact the Parish Administrator: stjbstp@gmail.com

Marriage Care - Volunteers Needed

Online and Remote Volunteers needed

Marriage Care is a Catholic organisation specialising in relationship support - providing counselling and marriage preparation throughout England and Wales. We are looking for volunteers who can spare just a few hours a week working from the comfort of their own home to help us support marriage and relationships.

Zoom Support: Are you an expert on Zoom and would you like to use your tech-skills to help us run marriage preparation courses, training or CPD events online?

Remote Secretary: Provide a vital service to counsellors and clients, taking last-minute cancellations calls and communicating changes as necessary.

For more information please visit: www.marriagecare.org.uk or email: volunteer@marriagecare.org.uk

Knights of St Columba Virtual Seminar

Tuesday 10 August, 8:45am start, via Zoom

For all young people, aged between 16 and 23.

Topics include: Laudato Si - Young People and the Environment; Mental Health, Faith and Young People; Understanding Canon Law; Knife Crimes, its consequences from a Judicial perspective, Understanding Finance and Understanding Religious life and Religious Orders.

For more information please visit: https://ksc.org.uk/youth/virtual_seminar_2021.html

News from the local SPUC branch

Brooksby Melton College has received a gift of three beautiful sets of foetal models for use at all three of their campuses: Brooksby, Melton and Coalville. The model sets, which are each worth £80. were a free gift from the local branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC).  The photos show Rutland and Melton Branch Chairman Frances Levett and branch member Jean Garrett presenting the models to Carol Barker of Brooksby Melton College. 

Formation for Mission - July Update

In this issue:

• A Father's Heart - New Episodes

• Christus Vivit - A new discipleship ministry for Young Adults in the Diocese

• Post-Lockdown & your parish - an online meeting to share ideas for Evangelisation, Catechesis, Discipleship and Faith Formation.

• Faith seeking understanding - Courses in theology

• Contagious Catholic - online workshop in evangelisation

• Volunteer Survey  - Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service

• New in person Catechesis risk assessment

• God Who Speaks update

Click here for more

Statue of St John the Baptist

As part of the redecoration in the church, the statue of St John the Baptist, which was previously at the back of the church, has been moved to a new plinth on the (liturgical) north wall of the nave.

Lifting of Restrictions and Attending Mass

We have heard from the Diocese about lifting of restrictions on people attending Mass. Please continue to wear face masks, sanitise your hands, and wait in your seat to be guided to receive Holy Communion row by row. You may now receive Holy Communion on the tongue if desired. There is no need to book a place at Mass but we will limit each row to 3 people or one family.

Sunday Obligation

Regarding the Sunday Obligation the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales states:

We are mindful of the certain fact that the Covid-19 virus is still circulating in society. Vaccines provide genuine protection against the worst effects of the virus, yet we recognise the legitimate fear on the part of some who otherwise desire to gather for Holy Mass. It is our continuing judgement, therefore, that it is not possible at the present time for all of the faithful to attend Mass on a Sunday thus fulfilling their duty to God.

It is hoped that it will be possible for all Catholics in England and Wales to fulfil this most important Church precept, that of the Sunday Obligation, by the First Sunday in Advent 2021.

https://www.cbcew.org.uk/sunday-it-is-our-day/

Within our Parish, if you are starting to think about attending Mass again, but are still worried, you may want to consider attending one of the weekday Masses or the Saturday morning Mass as these are usually quieter.

Grapevine 27

In this issue from the Diocese's Adult Formation, Justice and Peace & Caritas Commissions: 

• Seafarers at risk of piracy

• 5 July: 'Open with Care' - a second workshop on safely resuming parish life

• 6 July: 'Renewing the face of the Earth' - join our follow-up workshop

• 6 September: 'The Cry of Creation' - Laudato Si' in a nutshell, six years on

• The diocesan ministry for LGBT+ people

• Opportunities for service - support for prisoners' families

• Prayer for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Click here to read the newsletter

For Past Issues: Click the above link and then Past Issues (top left of the page).

Weekday Masses

We will be celebrating Mass in St John’s on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays at 10.00 am starting this coming week. Funerals as always will override these times so please check the bulletin each week.

Frances' Hairstyle and Parish Raffle in the Melton Times

The Melton Times recently ran a lovely article about Frances' Hairstyle raising money for the sanctuary redecoration, and the Parish's Summer Raffle. 

To read it online please click here.

Caritas Diocese of Nottingham – Environment Workshop

Tuesday 8 June, 7.00 - 8.30 p.m. via Zoom

At last Sunday’s Masses, we heard a Pastoral letter about the urgent need for us all to protect and care for God's gift of Creation. Our new diocesan Caritas network, also launched last weekend, is hosting a workshop ‘Renewing the face of the Earth’. It is online and will help us explore the many ways in which we can respond, as individuals, as parishes and as a diocese.

Please register at: dioceseofnottingham.uk/environment

Parish Summer Raffle

Donations are required for the summer raffle please. We would like to make up 3 hampers: one containing a selection of alcohol, one of luxury food items, and one of sweets and chocolates. We also have a garden tub of flowers, Sr. Barbara is going to make a cake, and there will be a McDonald’s Meal voucher plus other prizes. We also have a signed Marcus Rashford Manchester United football shirt for first prize!! Tickets are on sale at £1 each or a book for £5 from St John’s or via the parish office stjbstp@gmail.com

Frances' Fundraising Hairstyle

Parishioner and Friends of St John's Chairman Frances has had her hair cut to help raise funds for the Sanctuary redecoration.   

At the start of the fundraising effort, Frances promised to have the rather spectacular hairstyle when donations reached £1,000.

Currently donations are at £1,661 and the Friends have set a new target of £4,500 (1/10th cost of the works). Wouldn't it be great to reach £2,000 by the end of May?

To donate, and for more information on the project, please visit the Friend's JustGiving Fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/fosjmm

Sanctuary Redecoration - Update

To view a brief update on the progress of the Sanctuary redecoration (with photos), please click here.

Pentecost Novena - Care of Creation

The Bishop's Conference of England & Wales (CBCEW) has provided us with a Pentecost Novena on the Care of Creation, starting Friday 14th May. 

CAFOD Nottingham  will post each day in advance to enable you to join with the Catholic Community in prayer as we journey towards Pentecost during Laudato Si week.  

To download the Novena please visit the CBCEW website - click here

To visit CAFOD Nottingham's Facebook page - click here

LACY - Follow the Holy Spirit

Sunday 23rd May at 7:00pm via Zoom

An AMAZING opportunity is offered to you to share with LACY – Leicestershire Active Catholic Youth – an on line celebration on Sunday 23 rd May at 7.00 p.m. via Zoom.

We’re looking forward to a 45 minute celebration being interactive with one another and thinking about how we can be inspired by the Holy Spirit! Fr. Simon Gillespie will be leading us in the liturgy!

BRING A BALLOON! A PEN (to write on the balloon) and A CANDLE. We want you to share in the activity!

Click here to view the poster.

Formation for Mission Update

The latest update from Formation for Mission in the Diocese of Nottingham includes: 

• Missionary Discipleship Talks

• Thy Kingdom Come - Global Prayer Wave

• Neophytes Celebration

• Caritas and the Word & the common good

Click here for more

Beauvale Pilgrimage 2021

On Sunday 2nd May at 3pm Bishop Patrick will celebrate our annual Mass to honour the lives of the Beauvale Martyrs, Ss John Houghton and Robert Lawrence. Due to Covid restrictions, this year’s Mass will not take place at the ruins of Beauvale Priory. Instead, it will take place at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church Eastwood NG16 2AQ. 

The number of people coming to this Mass unfortunately has to be limited to a maximum of 48, but Mass will be live streamed. Go to YouTube and search ‘Our Lady of Good Counsel Church Eastwood’ and you will be able to follow the Mass with us. 

For more information please make contact directly with Fr Paul Newman: paul.newman@dioceseofnottingham.uk 

Advance Warning of Closure of St John's for Decorating

St John’s will be closed on the weekend of 24th/25th April, no Masses will be said in the church. We have arranged for Mass to be said in the school hall at 9am and 10.30am on Sunday 25th. NO SATURDAY MASS.

Attendees will be limited to our current numbers and booking will be via https://massbooking.uk

The school will be cleaned before the children return on Monday.

For directions and more details please click here

Martin's Easter Poem

Easter brings hope for our future in faith

The cold stone of the tomb, where a broken corpse lay

Now gives the world hope at the break of This Day

So frightened and lost the disciples had fled 

They deserted their Christ as his body had bled

How can we recover our hope in such gloom?

Where do we find light in the dark of the tomb?

The promise he made to the whole of mankind

When we seek out our Lord then our faith we will find

As the rising of Christ saved the world long ago

If today we have hope then our future will glow

Martin Boothman Easter 2021

Holy Week Prayer by Zoom

Fr Colin Patey is offering the following on Zoom during Holy Week:

Holy Thursday, 1st April: Gethsemane Reflection concluding with Compline, 9.30pm

• You can register by using this link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtce6uqTorHtNO_wUQWJdbVD8u1z9A1PT6 

Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, 1st, 2nd, 3rd April, 9.00am, Office of Readings and Morning Prayer 

• You can register by using this link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkf-isqDIvHN0RkxNt4nc5JH6gDD475zRf

The time of prayer each day will last about 30 minutes and Fr Colin will keep participants microphones and video off throughout so people can be as quiet and prayerful as possible. For more information please contact Fr Colin at:  colin.patey@dioceseofnottingham.uk

Good Counsel Network

On Wednesday 24th March, the Vigil of The Annunciation, please pray and fast for the end of abortion and euthanasia in this Country. On this month's Day of Prayer and Fasting for Life, we are especially asking you to fast and pray for the end of DIY abortions at home. Please join in and invite others to join as well.

https://www.facebook.com/events/725021905067267 

Click here to download a pdf with more details

LACY - Mary and Joseph saying YES to God

Sunday 21st March at 4:00pm via Zoom

LACY (Leicestershire Active Catholic Youth) will be celebrating a Young People’s Liturgy on Sunday 21st March at 4.00 p.m. via Zoom.  Our theme will be “Mary and Joseph saying YES to God”.  A warm invitation is extended to all young people, their families and friends to join us as we look upon the miracle of The  Annunciation and the gift of St. Joseph, Foster Father of Jesus, looking at the salvation that Jesus, in the Holy Family of Mary and Joseph, brought to the world. 

Click here to download a pdf with more details

CTIMM Passion Narrative

Last Easter Churches Together in Melton Mowbray (CTIMM) recorded a reading of the Passion Narrative from the Gospel of St Matthew.  This can still be viewed on YouTube by clicking the following link: https://youtu.be/miBomncNJTw

Lenten Talks with Bishop Patrick

Bishop Patrick will lead two talks on Zoom this Lent:

Knowing the heart of God
(clearing false imagines of God we may carry around with us)
Thursday 11 March, 7pm.

Knowing the love of God
(understanding our identity as God's sons and daughters)
Thursday 25th March, 7pm.

Register here: www.dioceseofnottingham.uk

Sanctuary Redecoration

From the 15th March the Sanctuary in St John's will be redecorated, with the work expected to take up to 6 weeks.

To view the proposed images for the redecoration please click here.

First Holy Communion

Due to the pandemic, arrangements for last year's First Holy Communion candidates were postponed. All of last year's candidates will be contacted soon with details of the rearrangements. We would like to gauge interest from our Year 3 families for First Holy Communion in the parish this year. Please can you register your interest by emailing the Head Teacher (Mrs Brown) directly through
enquiries@st-francis.leics.sch.uk or through a message in Class Dojo.

CAFOD's Lent Appeal

Help transform lives today. In Ethiopia, Abdella walks ten hours a day to find water for his family. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjtDxhOvKXs 

We in Melton Mowbray can help to support communities like Abdella’s by donating to CAFOD’s Lent Appeal here: https://cafod.org.uk/Give/Donate-to-CAFOD/Lent-Appeal

Holy Father's Message for Lent 2021

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem” (Mt 20:18)
Lent: a Time for Renewing Faith, Hope and Love

Bishop Patrick has asked that Pope Francis' message for Lent be made available to all parishioners.

Click here to download the message (PDF) 

Ash Wednesday @ Home

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has provided some pastoral guidance on how we can celebrate Ash Wednesday, and the start of Lent, whilst at home. For more information click here.

Bishop Patrick will be celebrating Mass from the Cathedral at 1pm on Ash Wednesday. The livestream can be viewed via the Cathedral's website.

Racial Justice Sunday - 31st January

"It's not enough to simply denounce racism. This is a time to act. In the words of Pope Francis: 'God asks us to dare to create something new.'” Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Racial Justice

31 January is Racial Justice Sunday and this year it is more important than ever - but what does the gospel say about confronting racism? The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) has produced some reflection and prayer resources which can be accessed via the CBCEW website.

Mothers Prayers

As it seems unlikely that we can resume meeting in church in the near future, let us pray together by saying the prayers from the book in our own homes, but all at the same time - every other Thursday at 10am starting Thursday 21st January. Then on the 4th and 18th February, 4th and 18th March.

Peace Sunday

Peace Sunday is on 17th January and this year Pope Francis asks us to think about ‘A Culture of Care as a Path to Peace’.  A short article by Fr Rob Esdaile reflecting on Pope Francis' message can be read here.

For more information on Peace Sunday please visit the Pax Christi website: https://paxchristi.org.uk/peace-sunday-2021/

Video Message for St Francis Primary School

A message from St Francis Catholic Primary School:

Calling all parishioners. We would love for anyone willing and able to create a short (2 mins max) video of how their faith has inspired them to reach their goals and ambitions in life. We would like to share these with the children and on our facebook page with your permission. Thank you and looking forward to being inspired- all at Saint Francis Catholic Primary School

Videos can be emailed to enquiries@st-francis.leics.sch.uk

Martin's Christmas Poem

Martin, a parishioner at St John's, has written a wonderful Christmas poem which was emailed with last weeks newsletter. He has very kindly agreed to read his work so we could pop a video online. Thank you very much Martin! You can watch Martin's Christmas poem here.

Diocesan Carol Service

A  recording of the Online Diocesan Carol Service which took place on 18th December. The service is a mix of traditional and modern carols, readings from scripture, and reflections bringing the diocese together to prepare our hearts and minds for the saviour’s birth. https://youtu.be/YwWNSF9mhoQ

Christmas Message from St Francis Primary School

A  short Christmas message from the pupils at St Francis Primary School, Melton Mowbray. Click here to view.

Christmas Fair and Wreath Festival

The Parish Christmas Fair and Wreath Festival took place over the 29th Nov - 1st Dec. Ninety seven wreaths were submitted for the competition, and the parish welcomed over 600 visitors to St John's over the weekend. Click here to view photos of the event.

New Font for St John's.

A new font was installed at St John's next to the Easter candle this week. The previous stone font, currently in storage with Leicestershire County Council, unfortunately needed too much restoration. The font previously at St Peter's has been placed in St Francis Convent Chapel.

Novena with Newman

A copy of the Novena with Newman booklet to celebrate his Canonisation can be downloaded from the Parish website: Click here to download the Novena with Newman booklet.

The Oratories of England have also produced a dedicated website about Cardinal Newman and his canonisation. It includes podcasts, blogs and details about the canonisation process. https://www.newmancanonisation.com/ 

Farewell Father Martin!

On Saturday 17th August we came together for a bittersweet occasion - to celebrate Father Martin's 25th Anniversary of his ordination, but also to say farewell as he leaves Melton to take up his new appointment. 

Photo's from the BBQ and presentation can be viewed here.

First Holy Communion 2019

Over the weekend of the 22nd & 23rd June, the Feast of Corpus Christi, 27 children from the Parish made their First Holy Communion. 

To view the group photos please click here

School and Parish Fair 2019

Thank you to everyone involved in the school and parish fair held on the 29th June. The weather was perfect and it's safe to say everyone had a lot of fun.

Photos can be seen on the School and Parish Facebook pages.

Final Mass at St Peters

The Mass, celebrated by Bishop Patrick took place on the 25th May, followed by a BBQ and picnic on the the field next to the church.

For photos and more information about the celebration, please click here.

Prayer for Yemen

Giver of Life, Who hears the cries from Yemen; of mothers choosing between medicine or food, of parents grieving children lost to starvation, of those who have given up everything in hunger.

Hear our cries for hope, for change, for peace In your mercy, Break political deadlocks, Soften hardened hearts, Change closed minds, Open unhearing ears. Let people come before power. Let life be holy again. Let your justice and peace shape the nation of Yemen. And the lives of all people.

Amen

For More Information or to Donate to the CAFOD Yemen appeal please visit www.cafod.org.uk

Fr Martin at World Youth Day 2019

Father Martin accompanied members of the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service to World Youth Day in Panama. The triennial event was held from the 22nd - 27th January and included Mass with Pope Francis.

To look at some photos Father took whilst in Panama click here.

Christmas Fair & Wreath Festival

To coincide with the town's Victorian Christmas Fayre, the parish held the first ever Christmas Wreath Festival and Open Church at St John's. 98 homemade wreaths were submitted into the competition and then displayed in the Church over the weekend. 

For photos click here.

Eucharistic Ministers

Bishop Patrick commissions 102 Extraordinary ministers at St Barnabas Cathedral. Helen Webb and Mary Barber were commissioned for our Parish 

A recording of the Mass can be viewed by clicking the following link:

https://www.churchservices.tv/nottinghamcathedral/archive/recordings/ISQusBWJqbOpMvf?fbclid=IwAR3POyCPL274IGIWzVJm_BPSc2_mt79_ZF3MxWLDxjKQQlN6xX9t2tSaaQs

Remembrance Weekend

Over the weekend masses, we remembered all those who have died in war, especially those from our parish. There were some very poignant displays in the churches.

To look at some photos click here.

Confirmation 2018

Congratulations to everyone who received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Convent Chapel.

Thank you to Bishop Patrick, Fathers Dominic and Martin, the Catechists and everyone else involved in the celebration.

Farewell Father Dominic!

The Bishop has appointed Father Dominic as the new Parish Priest for Skegness and Spilsby. After Mass at St Peter's on Sunday, the parish presented Father Dominic with some gifts as a thank you. We wish him all the very best.

A short video of the presentation can be viewed here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/photos/share/ujHmOImZqTfHx5lRnWuNWtqD75ElWYzwDDdGXQL77ah.