Below are a few interesting news items from this week’s Bulletin. To download the full version of our latest Bulletin, please go to our Bulletin page. Thank you.
THOUGHT FOR FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR A
RESURRECTION AND LIFE!
When Jesus called his first disciples, He said, ‘Come and see’ – see my life and discover new Life! Now shortly before His Passion, the people say to Jesus, ‘Come and See’ – not just the tomb of Lazarus, but come and see your coming death, by which we will receive your New Life!
Jesus wept at the grave, wept for the death of his friend, wept with Martha and Mary in their bereavement – and also wept for His own coming suffering and death. We need the courage to help those we love who are dying to weep, to grieve, for their own deaths. Help speak of death for that will help them come to live their death well, to welcome ‘sister death’ with faith and courage, knowing death is the friend who ushers us into the fulness of our life and the final liberation of our love.
Already we live the Resurrection and the Life, already we have ‘died with Christ that we might rise with Him’. That is why we can live with the Holy Spirit’s courage, and die with the same courage and tranquillity. Let us ‘come and see’ behold the Cross and the Tomb that holds the beloved and gaze into the mystery of our eternity, our Life!
LENTEN MEETINGS ‘YEAR OF PRAYER’ AND THE FUTURE OF THE PARISH As prt of our ‘Year of Prayer’ each Saturday in Lent 10.30am to 11.45am you are invited to come together in the Assisi Centre to share where you feel you are in prayer and faith and also how we build the future of our parish, based on the ‘Servant leaders’ document. Saturday 22nd March we will share on the them of ‘Caring for our church – how should we use our buildings’.
Please come, help one another grow in prayer and prepare for the future of our parish community & mission.
LENTEN AREA HOUSE MASSES
This Wednesday 20th March at 7.00pm there is an Area House Mass for all parishioners in the Speedwell, Redfield, Barton Hill, Fishponds areas). Thank you to Eva and Fanuel for hosting this Mass at their home – 6 The Reubins, Speedwell, Bristol BS5 7RX, after which we will have a discussion over a cup of tea/coffee and biscuits, about our part in building a new and dynamic future for our parish. Please support the Area Mass in your part of Bristol. Are you prepared to host such a Mass in your home? Please contact Richard as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT PARISH FORUM – Sunday 17th March 12.30-2.00pm There are important changes taking place in our parish community as expressed in the ‘Community Elders’ and the ‘Servant-Leadership’ documents. It is important that we share our feelings and our thoughts as we move forward together to the ‘New Way of Being Church’ (words of Pope Francis). The Parish Forum is for everyone, so that all can speak their voice and share their questions and insights. Refreshments will be available after Mass and a creche will be organised for the children in the Parish hall. PLEASE MAKE IT A PRIORITY TO ATTEND.
CELEBRATION OF ST OSCAR ROMERO AND THE MARTYRS OF EL SALVADOR In a world of war, aggression and injustice, come and pray for Peace built upon the rock of Justice as we celebrate and invoke the intercession of these martyrs for Justice and Peace, St Oscar Romero, Bl Rutillio Grande and the many Martyrs of El Salvador. Let us draw inspiration from their courage and renew our commitment to the call of our baptism to be Prophets serving God’s Kingdom of Justice, Love and Peace. All are very welcome to share this special Mass at St Nick’s on Friday 22nd March at 7.00pm – free car parking in Church car park.
PRE-EASTER CELEBRATION OF RECONCILIATION (Confession) Lent is a journey we take together as a community – a journey of Repentance, of turning back to the Lord, a journey of renewal in the Holy Spirit of God’s love and mercy. The Church encourages us to express this journey by celebrating the Sacrament of God’s Mercy – the Sacrament of Reconciliation (see below), so that our hearts are truly prepared for our recommitment as disciples of the Risen Christ this Easter (‘Renewal of Baptismal Promises’). Please see the times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, especially in the early part of Holy Week. We observe the ancient tradition of the Church by celebrating Reconciliation up to the Wednesday of Holy Week, but not after that day – so that we are well prepared to celebrate the Sacred Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night).
PREPARING FOR BAPTISM AT EASTER The next Baptismal Sunday is Easter Sunday, March 31st at 10.00am Mass. The Second Preparation session will be Friday 22nd March at 6.30pm (Assisi Centre).
‘ALL ARE WELCOME IN THIS PLACE’ It is our privilege to host here at St Nicks the Diocesan Ministry among the LBGTQ+ community. It would be a great sign of welcome, valuing ‘Gay’ Catholics, if more parishioners would come sometimes to our 3rd Sunday a month Mass with our LGBTQ+ friends. Do try to come occasionally and share with us.
HOLY WEEK ALTAR SERVERS PRACTICES Saturday 23rd March at 10.00am (for Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday Masses); Friday 29th March at 10.00am (for Good Friday Liturgy of the Passion); Saturday 30th March at 10.30am (for the Great Easter Vigil).
BISHOP DECLAN RETIRES – A NEW BISHOP APPOINTED It was announced this past week that Pope Francis has accepted Bishop Declan’s retirement on health grounds and has appointed as our new Bishop Canon Bosco MacDonald, currently Dean (or Parish priest) of Clifton Cathedral. We give thanks for Bishop Declan’s 23 years in service of our diocese and pray for a fulfilling retirement. And we pray for Bishop-Elect Bosco that the Holy Spirit will guide him as he serves our diocese in this new as Chief Pastor of the Church of Clifton.
HOLY WEEK IS NEARLY UPON US This is the whole Church’s ‘annual retreat’ as we seek to pray the powerful and moving Holy Week Liturgies. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered after Mass. On Wednesday we are all invited to the Mass of Chrism in Clifton Cathedral at 11.00am when Bishop Declan will bless the sacred oils to be used throughout the parishes of our diocese. On Holy Thursday we have the Mass of the Last Supper at 7.30pm; Good Friday The Liturgy of the Passion at 3.00pm; on Holy Saturday the Great Easter Vigil Mass at 9.00pm. Please make it a priority to carve out the time to take part in these Liturgies, renewing our faith and our love, pledging our commitment to Christ and His Mission in our parish.
WHAT AND WHY IS THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION? The Church encourages us to celebrate with particular depth and openness this sacrament of God’s Mercy and Healing (formerly called ‘Confession’) during these weeks of Lent. Why? Because Lent is a time to let God’s Word of Love call to recognise the ways we have wandered apart from closeness to God. And to ‘come back home’ to the Father’s love, where we will find ourselves again and experience the joy of being true disciples of Jesus His Son, our Brother. Lent is a time to dare to be honest with ourselves – and we can because that honesty is met with the purest love and tenderness. The Church has changed the name of this Sacrament because ‘confession’ focusses on our sin and what we do, but ‘Reconciliation’ speaks of God’s loving action in Christ, reconciling us to God, to each other, to our deepest and real self. Then we are ready to renew our Baptismal commitment at Easter, and make 2024 a deeper Year of Prayer, Discipleship and Mission. If you have been away from this life-giving and healing sacrament for a long time – perhaps many years – then God says to you ‘Do not be afraid – come back to me with all your heart! For Love alone awaits you.’
SUPPORT CAFOD THIS LENT Lent is a time to give sacrificially to end poverty. Please use the Lenten CAFOD envelopes (in the porch) to give weekly now and in the future. This way you are working for justice by helping the poorest of our world. Think of Gaza!
THE TRUE FAST – ACCORDING TO POPE FRANCIS
“Fast from hurting words and say kind words. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. Fast from anger and be filled with patience. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. Fast from worries and trust in God. Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity. Fast from pressures and be prayerful. Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others. Fast from grudges and be reconciled. Fast from words and be silent – so you can listen.”
POPE CALLS A YEAR OF PRAYER PREPARING FOR THE JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE 2025
Pope Francis invites us to hold a ‘Year of Prayer’ 2024, to deepen our prayer life as individuals and as the Church as we prepare for the Jubilee Year 2025 – a Jubilee of Hope, building towards a more Synodal Church. Pope Francis emphasises especially the Prayer of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the ‘Lectio Divina’, prayer reflection upon the Word of God. Let us reflect how as a parish community we might embrace this call to deeper prayer, seeking personal and communal renewal.
MARRIAGE SUPPORT Retrouvaille – Do you need in your marriage? Retrouvaille has helped many couples find new hope, nourishment and growth in their marriages. If you want to uncover or reawaken the love, trust and commitment that brought you together and work through difficult times in your marriage contact Retrouvaille confidential for more information about our 2024 programmes. There is not group therapy or group work. Our next programme commences with a Virtual weekend on 8 – 11 February 2024 or there is a Face to Face weekend in Welwyn Garden City on 14-16 June 2024. Call or text 07887 296983 or 07973 380443, email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com – or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
THE PARISH DATABASE The Parish Pastoral Council seeks to create a comprehensive database to include all our parish members. Today forms will be distributed asking for some essential information – names of all family members, address with postcode, telephone and email contact details etc.The purpose of this is to enable effective pastoral care, community building and effective communication. The information given will be used solely for internal parish and pastoral reasons and will not be divulged to any other party. Please sign the forms giving your permission for us to hold your details on our database – this is essential for compliance with GDPR (Data Protection legislation). THANK YOU!
GOD’S CALL TO SERVE THE LIFE AND MISSION OF YOUR PARISH It is very clear that our parish, together with all churches and voluntary organisations around the country, has not yet recovered fully from the effects of the Covid Pandemic and the restrictions placed upon our meeting together during that time. A significant number of our community are not coming to Mass here for a variety of reasons. It is a joy to welcome new families and individuals who have found their way to St Nicks. However there has been great difficulty in drawing members of the parish into being part of the many ministries and tasks of the parish. Whether it is the SVP, the welcoming Ministry, Church Cleaning, the Foodbank, Catechists, too few are doing too much in support of the parish’s life and mission. We are all called by our baptism to serve and build the Church as a mission community. We are all called to sacrifice time and energy to build our parish community and supports the Mission of Christ entrusted to us. I realise only too well that many have heavy commitments caring for children or elderly family members and juggling work and family. They are indeed serving Christ in these ways. But I do ask everyone to reflect whether some time can be given to sustain the parish’s life and mission as we move towards a lay-led parish. This will be a great challenge for all of us. Please pray about this urgent need in building the future of our unique parish.
ST NICK’S AND COMMITMENT TO ‘SYNODALITY’ We have played our part in contributing to the Church’s world-wide ‘Synod’, as last year we gathered in different groups to listen to one another and share our thoughts and feelings about being part of the Catholic Church. The result was a 60 page report (which remains on our parish website for all to read) which we sent not only to our Bishop but also to those overseeing the Synod in the Vatican in Rome. But this is only the beginning! For the first time the ‘International Synod of Bishops’ in October in Rome will include 70 non-bishops (clergy, religious, lay men and lay women) with full voting rights. This is a very significant step forward – but there is a long way to go yet! But what is equally important is that your Parish Pastoral Council is committed to finding ways of embedding ‘Synodality’ in the life and ‘governance’ of our parish community – prayerful listening to one another in order to discern what the Spirit is saying to us in our parish about the way forward into a future different from the past yet fully alive with Prayer, Community and Mission. The Synod’s working document emphasises that those who experience being excluded from church life “are bearers of Good News that the whole community needs to hear” and that “whenever we encounter another person in love, we learn something new about God.”
WHAT IS OUR COVENANT WITH THE POOR? In preparation for the great Millenium of year 2000 the Bishops of England and Wales asked every parish to draw up and make a ‘Covenant with the Poor’. As part of our parish’s Covenant we pledged to pray regularly for Justice & Peace, to serve the homeless and poor who come in increasing numbers to our extensive Food Bank and the Wild Goose Café and to encourage parishioners to volunteer time and energy to work in the Food Bank and the Wild Goose Café; and also to give non-perishable food (especially rice, pasta, tinned fruit and tomatoes, tinned fish and meat etc) and/or money (in special envelopes) to be used for the poor. This food and money goes to support our ministry among the poor of our area. During Lockdown this as greatly expanded and very many people inn Bristol are supporting us, in addition to our parishioners. We also founded and developed our Borderlands Charity (‘from exclusion to belonging’) to serve our asylum & refugee community that has remained serving throughout the periods of Lockdown. In normal times, the Offertory Procession at Mass regularly sees gifts to be shared with the poor and vulnerable, carried to the Altar (restoring the ancient meaning of the Offertory Procession). So the Covenant with the Poor that we renew solemnly at each Patronal Feast of St Nicholas of Tolentino (early September) has continued to grow and develop and as such has shaped the life, mission and witness of our parish community. The development of the ministry of the Parish Office has enabled us to develop our ‘Option for the Poor’ in obedience to the Gospel Let us praise God for such rich grace and love poured out upon our community, and though our community to many in their need.
LOVE THE CHRIST OF THE POOR – WORDS OF ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM “Would you honour the Body of Christ? Do not despise His nakedness; do not honour him here in church clothed in silk vestments and then pass him by unclothed and frozen outside. Remember that He who said ‘This is my Body’ also said ‘You saw he hungry and gave me no food’. I am insisting that nothing can take the place of care for the poor. What use is it to adorn the altar with gold cloths and deny Christ a coat for his back? He would be outraged!”
MEN AND WOMEN EQUAL IN MINISTRY There are many charisms and ministries in the Body of Christ – each one of us, young and old, male and female, lay and clergy, and whatever our gender identity – all of us are ‘beloved children of the Father’, each of us is gifted by the Holy Spirit to serve, to proclaim, to build the missionary Body of the Christ and to transform the world. In our parish we are moving towards a parish community led and served by predominantly lay ministry, served and supported by the ordained ministry including a part-time (non-resident) priest. We are committed as a parish to promote, empower and train many different forms of ministry. The ministry of women and men are equally valued, the ministry of lay people and ordained deacons and priests are equally valued. All of us over 40 years old have almost certainly grown up in a church that has neglected and minimised the ministries of lay people. We are still in a clergy (and therefore male) dominated church and this has caused major problems while being unfaithful to the New Testament. Some ministries are denied to women (and not just ordained ministries) … therefore there is an urgent need to enable voices of women to be heard, their gifts to be recognised and their ministries to be released, for the good of the whole Church and its Mission and witness. This is to correct the imbalance and injustice that has been the norm for centuries. Please do not misinterpret this as diminishing or demeaning the ministries of our brothers, lay or ordained. We are all called to work together for the Kingdom as equal partners in the Lord’s work.
IS GOD CALLING YOU TO FOSTER OR ADOPT A CHILD? 109 children are taken ‘into Care’ each day in this country! 109 children everyday looking for security, for a home where they can belong and thrive. Also there is an increase in the number of unaccompanied child refugees arriving in this country (which will increase with the Afghan Exodus). I know from my own personal experience how important adoption is to give a child a new start in life. Many children are from the BAME community and there is a great need for more fostering and adoptive families from these diverse ethnicities. Could God be calling you, your family, to this healing vocation for a child in care? Contact CCS Adoption (tel: 0117 935 0005 or email info@ccsadoption.org) or ‘Home for Good’ (clare.walker@homeforgood.org.uk )
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE IN HOSPITAL: Can I remind everyone that when a Catholic goes into hospital, the patient or their family MUST request a visit from the Catholic Chaplain – data protection and confidentiality rules in hospitals prohibit the passing on of information to chaplaincies otherwise. The Chaplain will not know of your presence in hospital and cannot visit a patient without the patient’s prior request and permission.
SCRIPTURE SHARING GROUP We meet on Thursdays at 5.30-6.30pm: come & share reflections, questions, insights on the Scripture Readings used at Mass on the following Sunday: ideal for all of us, but especially for Lay Readers Ministers of the Eucharist, and Catechists. Contact John Flannery (email: j.flannery@btinternet.com) for the Zoom link.
CLIFTON DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER Sign-up for this useful round-up of news, views, events and other information from around our diocese. It is easy to do, just go to our website www.cliftondiocese.com, click on the newsletter icon and register your email address.