Parish and Partnership News

'Finding God in the Everyday' - a reflection on Ignatian Spirituality - St. Mary's, Forest Hall, Sunday 28h Nov 2021

The founder of the Jesuits – St Ignatius Loyola – developed a regime of praying for people who were active in the world (as opposed to those who lived in monasteries, convents or friaries). ‘Ignatian Spirituality’, as it is called, offers a method of praying that is both helpful for us in our busy lives, and it also lies behind the current call of Pope Francis to become a ‘Synodal Church’ – one which attempts to underpin our common journey of faith.

Fr Dermot Preston sj, one of the Jesuits who has recently arrived at St Dominic’s, will offer a time of reflection on a fundamental theme of Ignatian Spirituality – “Finding God in the Everyday” – on Sunday 28th November at 4pm at St Mary’s Church, Forest Hall. All are welcome from across the Partnership.

Since this spirituality underlies all of the synodal process that we are being asked to engage in, it will be a great opportunity for people to deepen their understanding of what the Pope is asking of us.  Please come along and let others who do not have access to the internet know.

IMPORTANT UPDATE - First Holy Communions Class of 2020

It is with regret that the decision has been made to postpone the First Holy Communion Masses, planned as per below, until further notice.  This is disappointing to all concerned and our wider community but with the current COVID risk levels sadly there no safe alternative.

Further information will be posted here when circumstances change.

Special Masses First Holy Communion Class 2020 - POSTPONED - please see note above

Two masses are being planned for those children who have been preparing for their First Holy Communion during 2020.  Both of these Masses are dependent on COVID Restrictions.

Saturday 23rd January at 10am - a Mass for those children who attend other schools.

Saturday 30th January at 10am - a Mass for those children who attend St. Stephen's Primary School.

There will be one bench allocated per family and due to COVID places are restricted to IMMEDIATE family members only (within the same household or bubble).  Immediate family is defined as parents/carers and siblings.

All those attending either Mass will need to book and provide contact details for track and trace.  Those attending the Mass on Saturday 16th January will book via St. Stephen's School.  Bookings and track & trace information for the Mass for other schools (23rd January) will be collected via email to bentonmass@gmail.com - Thanks

PLUS... First Holy Communion Preparation 2021 (Children in Year 4 or above NOT attending St. Stephen's School)

Preparation for First Holy Communion in 2021 will be taking place, starting early next year. Due to the current situation with Corona Virus, it is not possible to give a date of when the First Holy Communion mass will be. 

If you wish your child to take part in the preparation, please contact Fr. Sean.

Statement regarding the publication of the IICSA report

The Bishops' Conference have released a statement on the publication of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse relating to the institutional response of the Church in its duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

The full document can be found below.  Please click on the link below ....

Gift Aid Donation Statements 2019-20:

This  year Gift Aid Donation Statements will not be sent to all individual parishioners. If you contributed through Gift Aid Donation Scheme in 2019-20 and you need a statement for your last year donations, please request it by emailing the Gift Aid office: gift.aid@diocesehn.org.uk and your statement will be posted to  you.