St Nicholas of Tolentino RC Church

LOVER OF GOD, LOVER OF THE POOR

St Nicholas, lover of children, born like Samuel, Samson and John the Baptist of barren parents, the gift of God and his parents gift to God.
St Nicholas, who learnt to break bread with the poor long before he learnt to break the Bread of the Eucharist – risking his future in obedience to the God of the Poor and disobeying the voices of those who knew not the poor man of Nazareth.
St Nicholas, man of prayer who entered Love’s silence in order the proclaim Love’s Saving Word.
St Nicholas, vessel of God’s healing love, from whom healing and life flowed in all abundance, raising the dead, healing the wounds, setting free.
St Nicholas, God’s compassion to the prisoner, God’s protector and rescuer of the prostitute, listening with an gentle heart and open mind.
St Nicholas, reaching in praying love beyond the bridge of death, holding the Departed in the purifying love of God.
St Nicholas, inspirer of our mission, healer of our wounds pray for us!

PLEASE NOTE:    WHEN EMAILING RICHARD PLEASE USE FROM NOW ON USE THE  FOLLOWING EMAIL:   richard.mckay@cliftondiocese.com   AND NO LONGER THE ‘BLUEYONDER’ EMAIL ADDRESS WHICH NO LONGER FUNCTIONS.

[1] IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT WE HOLD THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE IN OUR PRAYER, AND CLAMOUR FOR PEACE. THE BRUTALITY OF THIS AGGRESSION MUST STOP. PRAY TOO FOR THOSE COURAGEOUS RUSSIANS WHO RISK EVERYTHING TO DEMONSTRATE AGAINST THIS WAR WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION.

[2] PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY   FOR THE SICK, FOR ALL HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN HOSPITALS, CARE HOMES AND THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS ENABLING OUR SOCIETY TO FUNCTION AT THIS TIME. COVID INFECTIONS ARE ONCE MORE RISING ALARMINGLY – WE MUST CONTINUE TO PROTECT ONE ANOTHER AND TAKE PRECAUTIONS. PLEASE ALSO PRAY FOR OUR NATION AND ALL NATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE STILL CHALLENGED BY THIS PANDEMIC. SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER WITH KINDNESS AND CARE, ESPECIALLY OUR ELDERLY AND MOST VULNERABLE. LET US EXPLORE HOW WE CAN EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBOURHOODS – LET THE LIGHT OF CHRIST’S COMPASSION AND LOVE SHINE THROUGH US AND GIVE THE GLORY TO GOD!

[3] THE PARISH SYNOD REPORT IS A REMARKABLE DOCUMENT, EXPRESSING THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN OUR PARISH, AND HELPING US TO HEAR WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SAYING TO THE CHURCH IN OUR PARISH, OUR DIOCESE AND IN OUR WORLD.  YOU WILL FIND THE DOCUMENT AS A PDF DOWNLOAD BELOW  UNDER ‘REPORTS FROM THE PARISH’ 

[4] The Bishops  emphasise the Christian responsibility for all to be fully vaccinated in order to limit transmission and therefore impossible pressure on the Health Service and to protect the vulnerable among us.  While we can now socialise, we need still be caring and careful in regard to other members of our community among us, in particular those with low immunity because of other conditions, as well sheath-care workers. We want to ensure everyone feels safe to come and worship together at Mass. Please continue to wear masks at Mass and in the Hall afterwards (except when drinking tea/coffee, of course!)

[5]  The Parish Office remains open Monday to Friday 10.00am to 1.00pm and the Admin team will pass on to me all messages that need my attention if you cannot reach me otherwise. They can also offer help and support with a variety of issues. Please phone the parish office (0117-9090419) during these times or myself at the presbytery (0117-909-8810 – at any reasonable time) with your questions, concerns or need for any kind of support.

Shalom!

Richard