POPE'S PASTORAL LETTER
There is a pastoral letter from Pope Francis to all the faithful concerning the month of May. Please follow the link to read the full text of the Holy Father's letter and the two prayers he has composed for this special time. May is the month of Mary. If possible, let us pray the rosary in our homes for all those affected by the current crisis. We can all be apostles of prayer - even from our armchairs and living rooms! God bless you all.
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-04/letter-on-the-month-of-may-full-text.html
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHBISHOPS
The five Catholic archbishops in England and Wales (Westminster, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff and Southwark) have written a message to us about the current stage in the lockdown for churches, and about some of the work they are involved with in planning for the next steps. Please consult the message here:
https://rcdow.org.uk/news/metropolitan-archbishops-on-closure-of-churches-during-pandemic/
GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as 'Good Shepherd Sunday'. This is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. There is normally a collection on this day for the diocesan seminary. The collection will not take place this year. However, it is more urgent than ever that we redouble our prayers for vocations, and create a culture of vocation in our parishes, schools, colleges and homes. Please continue to pray for the seminarians of our diocese, and especially those who were preparing to be ordained as deacons and priests next month. Their ordinations have been postponed for the time being. Please see the link for the Pope's message, 'Words of Vocation'.
https://tinyurl.com/y9qrf8kn
FUNERALS THIS WEEK
This week we will hold the funerals of Thomas McGovern, Giancarlo Drovandi, Maria Thurai-Rajah, and Patrick Brady. Please pray for the repose of their souls, and for comfort and strength for their families.
STAY AT HOME
The church premises are still closed. Let's all do our bit and stay at home at this critical time. The centre, hall and office are also still closed until further notice. Group leaders and hall users should await instructions from the parish before returning. Thank you.
CATHOLIC PAPERS
We have been informed that the Catholic Universe and the Catholic Times are going to be merged into one paper whilst the churches are closed. If you would like to, you can subscribe at www.thecatholicuniverse.com or by phoning 0161 820 5722. Subscriptions to Ireland’s Own can be purchased from www.irelandsown.ie