Parish News

I am writing this on Good Friday. In the account of the Passion of Our Lord and Saviour we hear of darkness over the land. We all encounter darkness in our lives and it takes many forms, sin, broken relationships, bereavement, isolation, sickness. There are moments in all of our lives when our hearts and souls cry out using the words of Jesus on the cross, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?". Why does Jesus use these words of anguish? I like to think that they are words of reassurance to us where Jesus shows us that he knows, understands, and joins himself to, the darkest moments of our lives when we feel lost and forsaken. Yet we know that this moment of crisis for Jesus is not the end, a few short days later he bursts the chains of death and despair and rises triumphant. He very much desires and invites us to join us to his victory. His resurrection is our invitation to join him in the glory of the life of the Holy Trinity. In the midst of our lives and difficulties this promise of glory can feel like something far away and distant in the context of our day to day circumstances but it is assured. The light of Christ is with us. When Jesus is with his friends after his resurrection he says two things "peace be with with you" and "do not be afraid". I offer these words of the Lord to you today. May you always hear the reassurance of Jesus in your hearts and souls. A very happy and blessed Easter to you all. Please be assured of my prayers for you and your intentions during this holy time. Fr Chris

. Subscribers to the Update Service will be emailed 30 days before their renewal date to ask if they wish to stay subscribed. The renewal email will ask volunteers to access their Update Service Account and confirm that they wish to continue with the service. For those who confirm, this request will be repeated annually. If no confirmation is made, their volunteer subscription will automatically be cancelled. Volunteers who do not renew their subscription will not be able to keep their DBS certificate(s) up to date and  organisations will not be able to check them. They will need to reapply for a DBS check if they need one in the future.

Many of you will be aware that since my arrival I have largely been a oneman band with parish administration. I have worked with the Diocese on shaping a role for a parish administrator. Self-evidently the job will be primarily to assist me with the various administrative tasks involved in running the Parish. What is needed is a good all-rounder with administrative and people skills to work in the Parish Office. The hours are initially 7 per week but subject to review. You may know someone outside our parish community who would be suitable for the role. Please speak to me for more information. The closing date for applications is the Monday the 5th of May2025 .  Father Chris

Divine Mercy Sunday is a special time of grace and I am keen that people in the parish will have an opportunity to obtain the special plenary indulgence associated the Divine Mercy Sunday. On the 27th an image of Jesus in his Divine Mercy will be installed and blessed in St Urban’s at 2.00pm. After this confessions will be available, followed by Divine Mercy devotions concluding with the 3 o’clock prayer. The indulgence is available under the normal conditions - Confession with a detachment from sin, receipt of the Eucharist within a reasonable period afterwards (normally 7 days), and prayers for the intentions of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.

This is the most holy time of the year recalling the passion and death of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ culminating in his glorious resurrection. Jesus truly died, as we all will, but he also truly rose again by which heaven is open to us if we chose to accept the invitation to eternal life. Please note the changes to Mass times this week. Palm Sunday Masses will be at our usual Sunday Mass times with the first Mass of Palm Sunday on Saturday evening at 6.00pm at St Urban’s. There is no Mass in the parish on Wednesday due to the celebration of the Chrism Mass in the Cathedral at 11.00am by Bishop Marcus when all priests will renew their promises and the Holy Oils for 2025 will be blessed. All are welcome to the Chrism Mass which is a beautiful occasion. On Holy Thursday the Mass of the Lord’s Passion will be celebrated at 8.00pm at St Urban’s followed by watching at the Altar of Repose until 10.00pm. On Good Friday the Celebration of the Lords Passion will be 3pm at Our Lady of Lourdes with Veneration of the Cross at 7.00pm at St Urban’s . On Holy Saturday the Vigil Mass will be at 8.00pm at St Urban’s when will we welcome seven wonderful people who have made a journey of faith into our parish community. Easter Sunday Masses will be at our normal times. For those unable to be in church the l ivestream at St Urban’s is available . From Thursday to Sunday we are invited to join the Lord Jesus as he gives us the Eucharist, and as he journeys from betrayal and suffering to resurrection and glory, a resurrection and glory offered to us; I look forward to walking this journey with you. Father Chris

GETTING TO KNOW YOU: You are invited to join our Tuesday evening socials at the Meanwood Tavern for a drink and some pizza. It's a great opportunity to meet new people and catch up with others. Don't worry if you've not been before, you're more than welcome! We walk up after Tuesday evening Mass, or you can meet us there at 7.45pm. Look out for future dates. For any questions, or to join the WhatsApp group for reminders, please get in touch with  Joaquim Messa on 07454 678034 or Sarah Messa on 07952723416.

St Vincent’s Centre The Centre always needs supplies of non-perishable foods also toiletries. These can be left in the boxes at the back of our churches and are taken to the Centre by members of our SVP. The Lord tells us to feed the hungry, so thank you all for your donations which are sincerely appreciated. https://www.svp.org.uk/ 

Meets every Wednesday at 10:30am in the meeting room at St Urban’s. You are all welcome to join our Friendship Group for tea and cakes. There is a new programme of activities at the back of our churches.

Holy Week is almost upon us and we are moving rapidly towards the Sacred Triduum which is Latin for "three days" where we mark the institution of the Eucharist, the betrayal and death of Our Lord Jesus, and His glorious resurrection from the dead. The resurrection that ensures the ultimate victory of good over evil, the conquest of death, and the offer eternal life to humanity across all ages - past, present and future. It is a complex set of events with a range of characters, from the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Peter, and the response of Mary, the faithful mother who shares her Son's agony as she watches him die on the cross. Imagine yourself into the events, who would you be? I guess the truth is that in our sin and weakness we are all of them. Times when we betray God and/or each other in big and small things; times when we are reluctant to bear witness to our faith in the Lord; other times when we are faithful to him in our love of God and each other. Perhaps during this week, particularly on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, spend time reflecting on the different accounts of the Passion of our Saviour. Say sorry for times off sin and weakness, Jesus always embraces the one who returns to Him. Then be thankful for the times in your life when, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, you have been faithful to God and to each other, particularly those times when you help others to bear the burden of their own particular cross. Please be assured of my prayers for you and your intentions during this holy time. With my sincere best wishes for the week ahead. Fr Chris