OUR LATEST NEWS

Dear friends in Christ,  It was great to be able to host the special Deanery Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham and in thanksgiving for the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, last Thursday. I am grateful to everyone who helped make it such a wonderful evening, to the schola for leading us in our singing and to the Fete and Events Team who provided the refreshments afterwards. This coming Tuesday we not only celebrate the Patronal Feast Day of the Abbey Church and Belmont’s Monastic Community, St Michael and All Angels. We also have the great joy of celebrating the Solemn Professions of Brothers Meinrad and Gildas at 11.30am. They will be converting their temporary vows into lifelong vows. In accordance with the traditions of the English Benedictine Congregation, the newly professed brothers will have their hoods pinned up by the Abbot at the end of the Mass and they will then immediately enter into the ‘tomb’, a private retreat for three days. They will ‘rise’ from the tomb after the Conventual Mass on Thursday morning when the Abbot will unpin their hoods. This Thursday the monks have been invited to sing Vespers at Hereford Cathedral at 5.30pm to celebrate Saint Thomas of Hereford with our Anglican brethren. All are welcome to join in this great opportunity to sing the praises of Almighty God and give thanks for the life and witness of Saint Thomas. Let us ask his intercession for the people of the county of Herefordshire that they may come to know Christ and the joy of the Gospel. On Friday it is CAFOD Family Fast Day, please remember to incorporate some form of fasting into your usual meal plans. There will be a second collection to aid the work of CAFOD next weekend. My prayers and best wishes,.

FACEBOOK ADMINISTRATOR CALL OUT: After seven years of service, the Facebook Administrator is planning on stepping down to spend more time in the garden! We are therefore looking for someone to take on this important role for the parish. There will be a handover to explain everything that's required. If you are interested in 􀁉inding about more about the role, please send a DM to the Facebook page, or contact Louise Wright: louise@thewoodee.com

CLERGY WELFARE OFFICER: The Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia is seeking a Clergy Welfare Of􀀁icer to support priests approaching retirement, already retired, or on sick leave — helping with health, 􀀁inance, housing and care needs. A rewarding part-time role for someone with a heart for pastoral care and experience in healthcare or social services. 14 hours per week, £32,000 pro rata. Closing date: 26th September 2026. For an information pack and application forms, or to ask a question, please email hr@cardiffmenevia.org.

Join the Deanery-wide Synodality Reading Group meeting online once a week for six weeks starting 15th September, 7pm. The idea is to receive and digest the Final Document of the worldwide Synod on Synodality, which invites us to create room for the Spirit to guide the Church in our changing world.  At each weekly hour-long session we’ll pray with Scripture, read a short passage from the Synod Final Document, and share in small groups using Conversation in the Spirit. To receive the Zoom link, email Austen: aivereigh@gmail.com.

HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN: Fr Patrick Lobo is the Catholic Chaplain who makes regular visits. If you or a loved one wants him to visit while in hospital please let him know. Telephone: #07922 323603. In an emergency, or if Fr Patrick is unavailable, please contact Fr Augustine on the parish telephone number. He is always happy to visit.

PARISH OPEN MEETING & AGM – Saturday, 19th September, 10.00am–12.30pm Join us and discover the many groups, ministries and activities that make up our parish. There will be an opportunity to meet those involved at stations around The Chapterhouse, 􀀁ind out more about what we do, and discover how you can get involved. Elections for members of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) will also take place. Nomination papers are available in the glass porch, and we warmly encourage parishioners of all ages and backgrounds to consider this important role in helping to guide the future of our parish.

Assisted Suicide Bill - Message from Archbishop Mark  There will be a Second Reading and vote in the House of Commons for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life Bill) on 11th September. As Catholics, we oppose this legislation since it attacks the innate dignity of every person. It is also very poorly written and gives no safeguards to healthcare staff, nursing homes, or hospices, all of whom will be pressured to implement the bill if the legislation is passed. I encourage all Catholics to write to their MP. The Bishops' Conference has information available on its website at: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assisted-suicide/. On the page, there are various resources, copies of statements and guidance on writing to your MP, and please, please do so, to protect the most vulnerable in our society.

OUR LADY'S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL: Currently has places available in nearly all year groups. Families seeking a caring, nurturing environment with high expectations, excellent teaching, and a strong Catholic ethos are warmly invited to visit. Our recently published Ofsted report recognises that "A positive and inclusive culture is at the heart of Our Lady's RC Primary," re􀁆lecting a school where children are safe, valued, and supported to achieve their very best. If you are considering a place for your child, or would simply like to 􀁆ind out more about everything Our Lady's has to offer, please contact the school of􀁆ice on 01432 274814 or email: admin@our-ladys.hereford.sch.uk to arrange a personal tour of the school.

REQUEST FOR READERS: We are looking for additional readers to read at Holy Mass, both Sundays and weekdays especially at the 4pm Vigil Mass. If you would like to be involved in this ministry then please contact Fr Augustine or Michael Hall at mjhall1948@outlook.com.