Upcoming Activities & Offerings

“The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales held their plenary meeting in Cardiff from 2 - 6 May 2022. The was the first full plenary meeting in Wales since November 2004. At the end of their meeting the Bishops issued statements on migration and on the return to Mass after the pandemic. Other issues discussed were the food crisis and cost of living, the Synodal process, the forthcoming tour of the relics of St Bernadette and the environment. There were also reports on the work of Stella Maris and Missio.   

“During an online press conference today, Cardinal Vincent Nichols said: ‘This was the first opportunity we've had in a while to discuss the migrant issue.’ He pointed out that there was a ‘mismatch’ between the generosity shown by the British public in response to the scheme for families to take in Ukrainian refugees - and the slowness with which visa applications are being processed. Afghan refugees are still being kept in hotels, he pointed out. The upcoming Nationalities and Borders Bill could lead to migrants being deported.   

“The Cardinal said: ‘We support a concerted effort against human trafficking, but lets not punish their victims... Those seeking refuge in the UK should be provided with safe routes for travelling, have the opportunity to tell their story, be listened to and have their cases assessed justly. We keep in mind that there is no illegal asylum seeker; to claim asylum is a human right.’   

“’Those seeking refuge in the UK should be provided with safe routes for travelling, have the opportunity to tell their story, be listened to and have their cases assessed justly. We keep in mind that there is no illegal asylum seeker; to claim asylum is a human right.’ 

“The Cardinal said Bishop John Arnold, Spokesperson for the Environment for the Bishops' Conference gave reports at each meeting on the progress of the Laudato si' programme. Dioceses are working to lower their carbon footprint. They are developing interdiocesan fuel management for parishes, and particularly focussing schemes linking the Laudato Si platform with RE in schools.   

“Read the Bishops' Spring Plenary Resolution statements on the following links:   

“Returning to Mass at Pentecost - www.cbcew.org.uk/spring-plenary-2022-resolution-returning-to-mass-at-pentecost/   

“Migration - www.cbcew.org.uk/spring-plenary-2022-resolution-migration/ 

              With permission, ICN, Jo Siedlecka, Source:  CBCEW, May 9, 2022.

                                          https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/44649  

“Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal: How you can help  

“Like you, CAFOD is deeply disturbed by the ongoing attacks on Ukraine.   

“Together, we stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and send our prayers to our sister organisation Caritas Ukraine, and those Caritas agencies in neighbouring countries, who are already helping people affected by this conflict….   

“Every human life is priceless. We are calling for an urgent diplomatic solution and a lasting ceasefire to prevent further suffering and to bring peace back to the region.  There is now a growing humanitarian crisis…. Schools, hospitals and water systems must be protected from any armed violence so that practical help can be delivered without delay to people across the country.  The UK must also show compassion towards those who are fleeing the conflict, providing safe passage and refuge to those who need it.  We are concerned by reports of discrimination at Ukraine borders and call for all refugees to be given help and safe passage regardless of their ethnicity, gender or faith.”    

Please pray and donate what you can to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

                                                                       With permission, CAFOD, 20 Apr 2022

                              https://cafod.org.uk/News/Emergencies-news/Ukraine-crisis 

 -----------------------

“Church leaders join Hour of Prayer for Ukraine  

“Senior church leaders representing various Christian denominations came together on Monday, in an ecumenical Hour of Prayer for Ukraine, at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London. The service followed an event in March where senior faith leaders met with Faith Minister Kemi Badenoch at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London, and was a further demonstration of solidarity and support for Ukrainian people.   

“The service reflected a breadth of different spiritualities, traditions and ways of prayer, beginning with the chanting of the Sixth Hour Office of the Ukrainian Church by the Cathedral Clergy led by Rt Rev Kenneth Nowakowski, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London.   

“Bishop Nowakowski said: 'It was a very moving experience to be united in prayer with so many leaders of the Churches and Christian Faith communities of London at Holy Family in Exile Cathedral for peace in Ukraine. We cannot underestimate the power of prayer as our Lord Jesus Christ told us that 'Where ever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there with you.'"

                With Permission, Independent Catholic News, Source: Ukrainian Catholic Church Press Office, 11 Apr 2022                                https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/44458    

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have met CAFOD as they marked £300 million being raised by the British public in response to the crisis in Ukraine.   

“William and Kate were given a private briefing about the DEC’s work on 21st April … [and] how CAFOD donations have enabled Caritas aid workers to support Ukrainian families with food, shelter and medicine.   

“During their visit, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pledged to make a second donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine appeal as they praised the DEC’s ‘incredible’ total which has topped £300 million.   

“William and Kate praised the generosity of the British public. The Duke of Cambridge said it was particularly generous due to the current cost-of-living crisis….   

“The umbrella organization [DEC] of 15 leading UK Aid charities, including CAFOD, has been supporting some of the seven million internally displaced Ukrainians and the five million who have fled the country following the Russian invasion.   

“[DEC’s chief executive said] ‘The need inside Ukraine and surrounding countries is huge. So the £300 million is of course a huge amount of money and we’re very grateful for that, but we also have to remember there are other crises around the world.’   

“’And whilst the focus remains on Ukraine for the moment, we still have an Afghanistan appeal open that’s raised £44 million, we’re worried about famine in the Horn of Africa, global hunger is on the rise and the World Bank warned, with soaring food prices, (that) millions could be pushed into poverty.’”                             

                         With Permission Universe Catholic Weekly, 27 Apr 2022

                                   https://universecatholicweekly.co.uk/kate-and-will/  

• “Are you concerned about injustice in our world? 
• Do you feel the need to take action and make your voice heard? 
• Would you like support and encouragement?   

“If the answer is yes, then please look at what the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) has to offer. The National Justice and Peace Network is a grassroots body with Catholic roots, working with groups and individuals of all faiths and none, who share its aims and values. It is based in England and Wales. The network offers:  

• Opportunities for action,  
• Access to related agencies,  
• Information sharing,  
• Friendship, solidarity and mutual support.   

“To contact NJPN [by email] admin@justice-and-peace.org.uk “    

For the NJPN Newsletter (Spring 2022), go to https://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-Newsletter-1-revised.pdf    

See also the NJPN handout in the Special Notices section of the Newsletter’s page on our parish website.   

This is Justice & Peace – “Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly with God” (Micah 6:8)   

“’We know that every effort to better society, especially when injustice and sin are so ingrained, is an effort that God blesses, that God wants, that God demands of us.’  St Oscar Romero [commemorated 24 March]”

                                                          NJPN       https://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk  

“Catholic social teaching (CST) is rooted in Scripture, formed by the wisdom of Church leaders, and influenced by grassroots movements. It is our moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in the world.  

“…some of the CST principles which inspire our work:

• Dignity .    
• Solidarity .    
• The common good ,   
• The option for the poor ,    
• Peace ,   
• Care for creation  
• The dignity of work and participation   

“Our faith calls us to love God and to love our neighbours in every situation, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we hope to make present in our unjust and broken world, the justice, love and peace of God.     

“What are the principles of Catholic social teaching?  

“Modern Catholic social teaching is said to have originated in 1891 with the encyclical letter, Rerum Novarum. Since then, a wealth of teaching continues to give new life to the Scriptures and shape the Church’s response to our modern world. From these Catholic social teaching documents and encyclicals we derive core principles…. 

“Dignity  

“We believe very human person is made in the image and likeness of God. This is a gift that we all share as fellow human beings; we are all infinitely loved by our Creator.  

“God is present in every human person, regardless of religion, culture, nationality, orientation or economic standing. Each one of us is unique and beautiful. We are called to treat every person and every creature with loving respect….   

“Solidarity  

“Solidarity arises when we remember that we belong to each other. We reflect on this in a special way at Mass. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, ‘The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognise Christ in the poorest.’…   

"Common good  

“The common good means that the fruits of the earth belong to everyone. No one should be excluded from the gifts of creation. Pope Paul VI spoke about this 50 years ago in his encyclical Populorum Progressio….  

“Option for the poor  

“The option for the poor reminds us of God’s preferential love for the poorest and most vulnerable people. God’s love is universal; he does not side with oppressors, but loves the humble….”  

“This principle is believed to have originated from the Liberation Theology movement in Latin America. For the first time, people living in poverty in the slums were holding the Bible in their own hands and imagining a world free from injustice. This radical thinking shaped CAFOD’s early work in the 1960s. 

“More recently, some Catholic theologians have spoken about an ‘option for the earth’. Pope Francis writes, “the earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor” Laudato Si’ #2….  

“Peace  

“Peace is a cornerstone of our faith. Christ, the Prince of Peace, sacrificed himself with love on the cross.  

“In 1963, Pope John XXIII published Pacem in Terris (Peace on earth). It was a dangerous time for humanity; with the rise of nuclear weapons, the frightening stand-off between the US and the Soviet Union over the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the building of the Berlin Wall. The Pope's letter urged the world to seek peace…. 

“Creation and environment  

“In the first pages of the Bible we read how God created the sun and the stars, the water and earth, and every creature. We believe Christ is the redeemer of all creation.  

“In 2015, Pope Francis brought together decades of Church teaching in the encyclical, Laudato Si’. In this deeply influential letter, Pope Francis invites everyone on the planet to consider how our actions are affecting the earth and the poorest people. Everything is interconnected, and all of creation praises God. It is our Christian vocation to care for creation….   

“The dignity of work and participation  

“The dignity of work has been a key principle of Catholic social teaching from the very beginning.  

“In 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued Rerum Novarum (On Capital and Labour). He shone a light on the injustice and exploitation of workers by the rich during the Industrial Revolution. He advocated for workers to join forces and fight against inhuman conditions.  

“Since then, Church teaching has upheld the dignity of work and participation. The human person should always come before the pursuit of profit. Workers have the right to join trade unions, to a just wage, to spend time with their families and to rest. Work is an essential part of our human dignity and everyone has the right to participate.   

“At CAFOD we know that earning a living is essential to living with dignity….”

                            With Permission, CAFOD,  https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Catholic-social-teaching  

“What is empathy and why is it relevant today? Bishop David Evans explores how Jesus and the philosopher Edith Stein understand empathy, and its relevance to the flourishing of our relationships and the deepening of our faith….   

“Genesis 4:1-16. 

He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”   

“John 14:15-23  

We will come to him and make our home with him…. 

“Cain’s punishment for killing his brother Abel was not physical death, but the spiritual death of complete isolation from the human race while remaining under God’s protection. Cain was punished as much for his callous rejection of his relationship with his brother as for his murder. The question ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ has become famous …. Cain’s punishment made public the isolation that, … he had already chosen for himself. One element of the fellow feeling that Cain lacked is empathy. This is the ability to enter into another person’s thoughts and feelings to such an extent that they become one’s own….   

“At the Last Supper, before leaving for the Mount of Olives, Jesus prepared the disciples for the new relationships that would be among the fruits of his resurrection. He told them about the Holy Spirit who dwells with them. He revealed the love that will be shown them by the Father and himself and which will manifest him to them. He promised that he and his Father will come and dwell with them. The unity between the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit and human beings is not superficial or fleeting. It is a harmony of nature, love and knowledge as real as anything solid and material that human beings run up against in everyday life. It underpins the bond of empathy.   

“In 1916, Edith Stein … was awarded her doctoral degree for a thesis … called ‘On the Problem of Empathy’….  

“She took a simple example as her staring point: that of a friend who tells her that he has lost his brother and she feels his pain. Empathy is her ability to feel his pain even though his pain is not her own. It is not something she feels directly, or remembers or imagines, but it is hers nevertheless, as well as being her friend’s. Stein investigated the essential factors of being human that made this possible. One of these is the ability to recognise another human being as a person in the fullest sense, just as I am myself. The ‘I’ that I am recognises, acknowledges and reacts to another person as an ‘I’ having the same physical and psychological nature as I have.   

“At the end of her initial exploration of this reality, Edith Stein made bold claims for empathy. She stated that empathy was a kind of perceiving that involved body, intelligence and feelings. She called this type of perception ‘foreign consciousness.’ This was not a negative definition; it simply implied that empathy leads to the confident assertion that others exist, who are different from me as individuals, while having the same human nature as I do. Empathy in this sense allows people to understand the inner life of others. Edith Stein also asserts that this is how believers understand the nature of God, and how God understands human beings. God fully understands human beings, but human beings can misunderstand God in the same way as they can misunderstand each other…. empathy is not just a harmony of human and divine faculties of intelligence, emotion and will, but a source of the divine and human unity revealed at Jesus’ resurrection.”

       With permission, The God Who Speaks, The Bible & Catholics, 28 April 2022

                https://www.godwhospeaks.uk/the-meaning-of-life-part-4-empathy/ 

“On many occasions the late Pope John Paul II reminded the church of the universal call to holiness. ‘Everyone in the Church,’ he wrote, ‘precisely because they are members, receive and thereby share in the common vocation to holiness.’ The Second Vatican Council put it this way: ‘All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of love.’ This holiness, the council said, grows out of giving glory to God, serving others and ‘doing the will of God in everything.’   

“But what is holiness, and how do we respond to the call? Can we do the will of God in everything?   

“St. Benedict, the founder of monasticism in Europe, wrote that the keeper of the pots, pans and ‘all utensils and goods of the monastery’ should regard them as ‘sacred vessels of the altar.’ The holiness of pots and pans points to the holiness of everyday life. The things we do in everyday life lead us to holiness if we do them with an awareness of the presence of God.   

“Thérèse of Lisieux, Mother Teresa, and Dorothy Day are three modern Catholic women whose lives show us how the path to holiness is a little way. ‘We can do no great things—only small things with great love,’ Mother Teresa said.   

“These words very well describe the way to closeness to God that Thérèse, Mother Teresa and Dorothy followed and offer to us. In littleness we can find beauty and the love of God. Little things, even the least, hold the power of big things, for in them God reveals his presence. 

“We can respond to this presence with devotion to and love for the ordinary activities and encounters of everyday life. Rather than letting our days fly by, mechanically performing our daily tasks in order to get them over and done with, we can see little drops of grace in all the things we do. We can see in them new opportunities to respond to the ocean of God’s love flooding the world.   

“Seeing God in every moment leads us as well to total reliance on God in every moment. This little way to faith and trust can help us accept ourselves for who we are, redefine how we see success and failure and cope with suffering and the sacrifices of daily life….”

Used with permission from Franciscan Media (www.FranciscanMedia.org); Joel Schorn, May 3, 2022.

       https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit-blog/modern-models-of-holiness  

“Pope Francis released a message today for the 59th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, on 8th May - Good Shepherd Sunday - on the theme 'Called to Build the Human Family.'  

 “In his Message the Holy Father encourages every person in the Church to give the very best of themselves ‘in this great divine plan!’ He says: ‘when we speak about vocations, we are speaking about making God's dream come true.’…   

“At the time when the cold winds of war and oppression are blowing and when we frequently encounter signs of polarization, we as a Church have undertaken a synodal process: we sense the urgent need to journey together, cultivating the spirit of listening, participation and sharing . Together with all men and women of good will, we want to help build the human family, heal its wounds and guide it to a better future. On this 59th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, I would like to reflect with you on the broader meaning of "vocation" within the context of a synodal Church, a Church that listens to God and to the world.  

“Called to be protagonists together of the Church's mission   

Synodality, journeying together, is a fundamental vocation to the Church. Only against this horizon is it possible to discern and esteem the various vocations, charisms and ministries. We know that the Church exists to evangelize, to go forth and to sow the seed of the Gospel in history…. 

“Called to be guardians of one another and of creation   

“The word ‘vocation’ should not be understood restrictively, as referring simply to those who follow the Lord through a life of special consecration. All of us are called to share in Christ's mission to reunite a fragmented humanity and to reconcile it with God….  

“Called to welcome God's gaze  

“Within this great common vocation, God addresses a particular call to each of us. He touches our lives by his love and directs them to our ultimate goal, to a fulfillment that transcends the very threshold of death. That is how God wanted to see our lives and how he sees them still….   

“Called to respond to God's gaze   

“God's loving and creative gaze met us in an entirely unique way in Jesus. The evangelist Mark tells us that, speaking with the rich young man, ‘Jesus looking upon him, loved him’ (10:21). This gaze of Jesus, full of love, rests upon each of us….   

“Called to build a fraternal world   

“As Christians, we do not only receive a vocation individually; we are also called together . We are like the tiles of a mosaic. Each is lovely in itself, but only when they are put together do they form a picture. Each of us shines like a star in the heart of God and in the firmament of the universe…. 

“When we speak of "vocation", then, it is not just about choosing this or that way of life, devoting one's life to a certain ministry or being attracted by the charism of a religious family, movement or ecclesial community. It is about making God's dream come true, the great vision of fraternity that Jesus cherished….”   [Emphasis added.]

                            With permission, ICN, Source: Vatican News, May 5, 2022.

                                            https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/44626  

New Members of the Church:   

‘This is a time for the community and the [newly baptized] together to grow in deepening their grasp of the paschal mystery and in making it part of their lives through meditation on the Gospel, sharing in the Eucharist, and in doing works of charity.’                    RCIA 234 

Prayer   

Father, you give your Church constant growth by adding new members to your family. Help us put into action in our lives the baptism we have received in faith.                         Roman Missal   

Vocations: Especially on World Day of Prayer for Vocations —

                            4th Sunday of Easter  

Prayer   

Father, in your plan for our salvation you provide shepherds for your people. Fill your Church with the spirit of courage and love. Raise up worthy ministers of your altars and ardent but gentle servants of the gospel.              Roman Missal   

Human Work: Especially on St Joseph the Worker —

                             1 May  

Prayer   

God our Father, creator and ruler of the universe, in every age you call men and women to develop and use their gifts for the good of others.  With St Joseph as our example and guide, help us to do the work you have asked and come to the rewards you have promised.                  Roman Missal (adapted)   

The Right Use of the Media: Especially on World Communications day —

                                                         the seventh Sunday of Easter  

Prayer   

Father of light, from whom every good gift comes, send your Spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind, and by the flame of your wisdom open the horizons of our minds. Loosen our tongues to sing your praise in words beyond the power of speech, for without your Spirit men and women could never raise their voice in words of peace or announce the truth that is Jesus the Lord.                                         Roman Missal   

The Church: Especially at Pentecost  

Prayer   

God our Father, in all the churches scattered throughout the world you show forth the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Through the gospel and the Eucharist bring your people together in the Holy Spirit and guide us in love. Make us a sign of your love for all people, and help us show forth the living presence of Christ in the world.              Roman Missal 

“Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, three Portuguese children–Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin Lucia dos Santos–received apparitions of Our Lady at Cova da Iria near Fatima, a city 110 miles north of Lisbon. Mary asked the children to pray the rosary for world peace, for the end of World War I, for sinners, and for the conversion of Russia.     

“Mary gave the children three secrets…. [the] first secret … concerned devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  The second secret was a vision of hell…. the third secret … spoke of a “bishop in white” who was shot by a group of soldiers…   

“The message of Fatima is simple: Pray. … Sister Lucia agreed that Pope John Paul II’s public consecration in St. Peter’s Square on March 25, 1984, fulfilled Mary’s request. …   

“Mary is perfectly honored when people generously imitate her response ‘Let it be done to me as you say’ (Luke 1:38). Mary can never be seen as a rival to Jesus or to the Church’s teaching authority, as exercised by the college of bishops united with the bishop of Rome."   

This “Saint of the Day” material is reprinted with permission from Franciscan Media. Visit www.FranciscanMedia.org for more. 

The Food Bank collection will be held on the FIRST Sunday of each month. Days for upcoming collections will be June 5th .

Please bring along your donations of food, hygiene other items in a box or carrier bag. This makes it easier to carry and deliver everything to the Food Bank.  

 Please no already opened packages or bottles: no alcohol. 

The Bank has plenty of Beans at present, but Long Life Milk, and baby food and nappies are always welcome.  

Please make a special effort. The Food Bank has lost an important source of donations with the Co-op’s departure from Mildenhall. Their replacement shop does not appear to be having a donations ‘bin’ as yet.

Churches Together Prayer Meetings are held on the First Saturday of Month at 9am.  Location varies so please check. 

Needs our help!

One of the casualties of the recent panic buying of foodstuffs is that Food Banks across the country are experiencing a severe drop in contributions from the public. This leaves those in most need with healththreatening problems for themselves and their children. We can show the UK that Mildenhall is not and will not follow this trend!  

Next time you shop – or have someone shopping for you – use two bags, one for you and one for those who cannot afford to find good food for themselves. 

We can’t collect your donations as usual at this time, but you can • Take your bag with you the next time you go shopping and drop it off at the Food Bank, or  • Ask a neighbour who is going shopping to deliver your contribution, or • Have your contribution put into the Coop’s or Sainsbury’s special basket for Food Bank donations.  

The Food Bank is open from 10am - 12 noon each Monday and Friday. It is located on the ground floor of the King’s Project on the corner of Market Street and King Street, Mildenhall.  

Useful items include:  Milk (UHT or powdered), Sugar, Long life Fruit Juice, Cereals, Tinned sponge pudding, Tinned Tomatoes, Tinned vegetables, Soup, Tinned rice pudding, Tea bags/instant coffee, Instant Mash, Rice, Tinned meat/fish, Tinned Fruit, Jam, Biscuits/snack bars 

... who contributes to the Food Bank.  We thank God for this opportunity to comfort our brothers and sisters.

Tom Caple’s book of poems Stations of the Cross is available free. Each poem is a reflection for each Station. Contact Tom at dashwoodtales@gmail.com. Voluntary donations will go to the Parish.

Lord Jesus, give us. the grace to hear your voice.
And the strength to continue working for your kingdom in this time of pandemic.
Do not allow us to be indifferent to those who today suffer the loss of a loved one, or who suffer because of the absence of work.
But give us the courage to accompany and side with those who suffer violence or injustice.
Amen.
                                                                                 CAFOD: Javier Edwardo Martinez Rueda

... reached retirement age some time ago, but Pope Francis asked him to stay on as our Bishop until such a time as his successor would be appointed. Bishop Alan would now like the diocese to join together in actively praying for his successor and our future Bishop. He suggests the prayer below:

O God, Eternal Shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care, grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your church who will please you by his holiness and show to us watchful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ your son who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Our Lady of Walsingham, Pray for us.
St Felix, Pray for us.
All Holy Martyrs and Saints of East Anglia, Pray for us.

To offer support during the pandemic while many are unable to get to Mass and communal Mass books and missalettes are not permitted, CTS are offering The CTS New Sunday Missal 2021 for just £1.99 while stocks last.

This liturgical companion for Catholics is beautifully designed for every churchgoer and runs from the First Sunday of Advent 2020 to Christ the King 2021.

To order go to https://www.ctsbooks.org/product/cts-sunday-missal-2021/ or call 020 7640 0042

A reminder that at this current time Holy Communion can only be received on the hand. Please place your hands flat (do not try and take the host from the priest) so that the host can be placed on your hands without the priest touching your hand. Holy communion should be received in silence, understandably many of us go into ‘auto pilot’ and say “Amen” without thinking. However, where possible please try and remember to refrain from saying “Amen”. Please also, where possible, stretch out your hands over the barrier as to keep maximum physical distance from the priest at the moment of Communion.

My newspaper informs me that we are now a divided nation, between those who comply with the government’s requirement to wear masks and those who don’t. I have never trusted implicitly what the papers or other news media say. They each have their own agendas and I have learned to step carefully between fact and fiction, propositions and prejudices, truth and lies.  

Even so, it is worth thinking about what a mask does that is acceptable to some people and intolerable for others.  

A mask, of the type we have to wear in close contact, hides the mouth and jaw and the more prominent part of the nose. As such, Masks make it difficult to recognise people and just as difficult for us to project the kind of person we are.  

One way of justifying not wearing a mask was summed up in something I overheard. “Well, Jesus never wore a mask, did he?!” True, as far as we know. However, Christ the Man was not facing an epidemic of the sort we face today.  

The Son of God was dealing with a much more virulent and deadly disease – sin, the loss of faith in salvation, hope of rescue, and love of our neighbour. His mission to restore and deepen faith, strengthen hope and keep love’s flames burning was rooted in the truth of the psalms that remind us we are “a little less than god” (Ps.8.6) and “sons of the most high” (Ps.81.6). As such we are servants of God (Ps.133 and servants to others.  

To be children of God, His servants and of service to one another, it seems to me at least, to justify a small act – wearing a face mask to protect those whom we meet and to avoid the plague so that we can continue to do His work.                                  TC

Please note that at this time, our buildings will only be used for public Mass; no other groups will meet in the Churches. Anyone accessing the building other than for Mass or to clean must clear this with Fr Luke first.  

Sacristy: Sacristies are strictly out of bounds to all people, without exception (Fr Luke will act as his own sacristan for the time being) (Mildenhall parishioners must not use back door to enter church.)  

Toilets: If necessary one toilet will be available for everyone to use in each of our churches.  

Time in buildings: Please arrive just before Mass and leave shortly after (unless you are cleaning).

Thetford has a new Rosary group and with that an email address has been set up for intentions. Please feel free to email Thetfordrosary@gmail.com and your intention will be offered on a specific date. You will receive an acknowledgement, and this can be for your own personal intention or for someone you know. The intention will be prayed by someone from the rosary group and all details will be confidential.

Fr Luke writes: My rest-day (day off) is usually on a Monday.  This means that (except of course for emergencies) I will not usually respond to phone calls, messages, or emails from Sunday late-afternoon/evening until Tuesday morning at the earliest. For non-urgent matters and general parish admin I would most grateful if you can contact the presbytery between Tuesday and Saturday. Thank you for help and understanding with this. God bless you.

Fr Luke writes:            

Would you like a personal visit from the Risen Lord? Although restrictions prevent people receiving Holy Communion and gathering in Church. As a ‘religious worker’ I am key worker and so can come to you and assist you. I can bring the Blessed Sacrament to your home, expose the Host in small monstrance at your door, window or back garden if there is a side entrance (keeping 6ft away) lead prayers with you and then give you Benediction.   

So how about it? Are you missing Jesus? Want to pray together in person? Contact me now and we’ll book in time for a visit from the Risen Lord! I will remain at your door/garden/front window with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I will not come in, social distancing will be observed at all times.

Don’t worry you can now just visit our website!

The Facebook live steam in now integrated with our parish website, this means you can simply go to the parish website and see the live stream. The video will appear in a screen below the main logo (active while services are being streamed live). If it doesn’t appear after a few minutes refresh the page.  If still having problems, click on the link in the box below the live stream place holder.

For those of you who are using Facebook and commenting, please continue to do so as you can only interact with the page through Facebook.

The Irish station Radio RTE, which is based in Dublin, is broadcasting to the UK on long wave 252kHz. Every other Sunday they broadcast Mass at 11am.

Radio Maria England, which is based in Cambridge, broadcasts on DAB+ in Greater London and on DAB (Band 11C 220.352 MHz) in Cambridgeshire and the surrounding areas.  You can also listen to it from across East Anglia online at https://radiomariaengland.uk  Broadcasts include Masses, the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, and morning and evening prayer.

EWTN, which has a base in Walsingham, Norfolk, produces a wide range of radio programmes and can be reached on https://www.ewtn.com/radio

Premier Christian Radio is on DAB, Internet and can be also accessed via TV Freeview 725.

At this time, it will not be possible for people to receive Holy Communion. Everyone is invited, however, to join in the ancient practice of making regular spiritual communions, this can be particularly fruitful when following the daily Mass in your Missals on online via the live feed.

Prayer of St Alphonsus:  My Jesus, I believe that you are present in this Holy Sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things and I passionately desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come spiritually into my soul so that I may unite myself wholly to you now and forever. Amen.

Struggling with the coronavirus and social distancing measures? Scared? Need to talk? Struggling to get shopping or basic groceries?

Pick up the phone!  Your parish is your family and we are here for you, in the first instance feel free to call Fr Luke on 01842 812200 and he will do his best to help you, support you and put you in contact with others who may be able to help. If you don’t get an answer.  Leave a message and your number (Clearly) and he will get back to you. We may be socially isolating -but we are not on our own!

(especially if you are having trouble live-streaming Online)

Radio Stations: DAB (Digital) Radio: Radio Maria England, Premier Christian Radio (available on TV Radio as well and has Sunday Morning Worship) Radio 4 Has Sunday Worship on Sunday Morning at 8:10 am on FM and a Daily Service at 9:45 am on Long Wave (not FM).

TV: Sky TV 588 is ETWN (Catholic Channel) and has Daily Mass broadcast as well as other prayers and devotions.

Websites: https://pray-as-you-go.org/ https://shalem.org/programs/online/holy-interruptions/
https://stpaulcenter.com/hub/

Coloring prayer resources: If you would like adult-coloring sheets, to help with
prayer/mindfulness/meditation please contact Fr Luke and he will try and source them for you.

We are a small parish, as everybody knows and, unusually, we have to maintain three buildings. Fortunately, we have a congregation which, time after time, provides funds, through offertory payments, stole fees and donations. So we are very grateful. One way in which you can help the parish in the long term is to consider a bequest in your will. Talk to Fr Luke or Philip Kemp for further information about this.

Thank you all for helping to keep the parish going, your generosity means we are surviving as a parish. Although we have returned to public Masses, we are still not able to take a collection at Mass, so we still rely on your giving:

Please consider how you can donate at least equal to your normal giving.

Here’s how you can do this:

1. By Standing Order or Direct Debit. A form is included in the next section which you can use. Details of the parish’s bank account are

• Bank Name: Lloyds Bank plc
• Bank Address: Thetford (309858) Branch
• Sort Code: 30-98-58
• Account Number: 00489176
• These details are already printed on the Standing Order form below. You can set this up online or post this to your bank, if you are unable to go there in person.

2. By making a transfer from your bank account to the parish’s, using the details above.

3. By sending a cheque to the parish made out to Brandon & Mildenhall RC Parish.

                      ***  Please do not send cash  ***

We suggest that you arrange these payments on a monthly basis, starting on the first Monday of each month.

Thank you to all those who have been making bank transfers or forwarded cheques as offertory donations to the Parish since the lockdown commenced. Bank transfers are preferred but if you do make cheque payments please note that the payee details for the Parish are "Brandon and Mildenhall Catholic Parish".

THANK YOU for helping in keeping the parish going.

                   Fr. Luke Goymour, Parish Priest 

                   Philip Kemp, Parish Treasurer

Simply clink on the DONA button below to donate to our church online.  This action takes you to our online donation portal. When you see the input page, simply enter the amount you want to donate, then click 'Donate'; on the next page, enter your credit card details and again click 'Donate'. That's all you need to do to help keep our parish financially viable.

New Gift Aid envelopes have arrived but are not being distributed until Sunday Mass collections resume. Parishioners who are in the Gift Aid scheme are encouraged to make their offertory contributions preferably by bank transfer, or by cheque, as indeed many are doing so already. Your contributions are still being collated for Gift Aid claim purposes. Many thanks.

Thank you to those who have signed up to GA. If you missed this and would like to discuss your GA, please let me know. If you pay UK tax the Parish can claim back 25% of your Sunday offering from the tax office. The only details required are your name, address and signature confirming you pay UK tax. Philip Kemp Tel 07514430468 Email pjkemp1@gmail.com

I am obliged to inform existing members of the Gift Aid Scheme that I will be claiming tax rebates for 2019-20 tax year on your behalf unless informed of the contrary. You are also requested to advise me of any changes in address, post code or name in the last 12 months.

Thank you

Philip Kemp, Parish Treasurer & Gift Aid Organiser

Tel 07514430468; Email pjkemp1@gmail.com

The 50:50 Club is a major source of income to help keep this parish running.   ---  FACT 

The proceeds go half to winners and half to the parish   --- FACT 

You can join now!  ---  FACT 

Speak to David Thomas (St Thomas’); Janet Murphy (St John’s)  ---  SIMPLE! 

50:50 Club Winnings

I will hold on to the monthly winnings until after the lockdown. Alternatively winners can email me their bank details to facilitate a bank transfer.

PhilipKemp: pjkemp1@gmail.com

Winners for September and October 2021 were published in the Parish Newsletter for the week of November 21st, 2021.

A new book by a local Catholic author Derek Williams is available at the back of the Church priced £7.99.

“Tithing for Catholics is an innovative piece of writing that cuts to the heart of Scripture and Church Teaching…. the author takes us on a journey of first-hand experiences that demonstrate how tithing is a real service of faith that won’t let you down because God cannot be outdone in generosity”

                                                                        - From the cover of ‘Tithing for Catholics’

Please place money in CTS box or give to Fr Luke directly.

The Parish - whole Church – depends on its members for finance to achieve its mission. That is why we have first and second collections at Mass and welcome people’s generosity in making donations. 

Have you considered continuing your contributions after you have departed? 

You can do this by making a gift in your will. You can specify what it is to be spent on and the charity that will benefit.  Talk to our treasurer for more information: 

Philip Kemp: Tel 07514430468; Email pjkemp1@gmail.com 

Whether you want to support a local cause such as your parish or diocese, provide for vulnerable families in the UK or help overseas communities and parishes, a legacy could be the most far-reaching gift you ever make.

Go to https://www.yourcatholiclegacy.org for more information.

The Easter Mass Offering is normally an important contribution to annual income of the Parish Priest. If you are considering making a BACs (online transfer) for this purpose please reference it 'Fr Luke'.  

Fr Luke writes: Thank you so much for all your kind offerings, gifts and cards all appreciated, I hope that despite everything you are still able to enter into the joy of season and celebrate our faith in the Risen Lord.

Fr Luke writes: I am gradually revamping the resources and CTS racks in our churches. New ‘CTS Essentials’ leaflets have been purchased dealing with a variety of subjects including: Contemplative Prayer, the Blessed Sacrament and Sunday Mass please feel free to take any of these leaflets. (These leaflets are free - even if they are priced at 20p!)

Books and booklets remain as individually priced, but I will be updating the selection shortly – Please use this resource to help nourish your faith.

A superb free App from the British Jesuits. Lots on the App including a daily 10-12 min prayer meditation, as well as Stations of the Cross, Rosary meditations and other prayer resources. If you have a smart phone download the App, it could help develop your prayer life and your friendship with Jesus. Why not try it out for Holy Week? 

Are you leaving school or university soon, in between jobs or would like to do something 'different'? The Diocesan Youth Service is looking for people age 18-30 to join the Ignite Team, sharing the Gospel Message with young people in a way they can relate to. These are full-time positions, with food, accommodation and a monthly allowance provided. Ideal as a ‘gap year’. For more information see www.rcdea.org.uk/youth .

CPW offers a chance to enrich and develop your faith, as well as warmly welcoming people from other faith traditions who are in sympathy with the catholic tradition. Events range from 1-day meetings to 7-day holidays, from retreats to conferences to walking holidays. They vary from activities for whole families (in school holidays) to 18+ events: and they are affordable holidays in comfortable accommodation. A limited number of leaflets are available. For details talk to Gill or Tom Caple. 

Fr Luke writes: I have decided to produce regular (or semi-regular depending on commitments!) articles which I shall include with the newsletter from time to time as a supplement entitled ‘what we believe’. I hope to explore with you some aspects of our faith that perhaps, we haven’t always (or at least recently) thought about too deeply. It is not always possible and not really the right forum to explore these themes in depth in homilies so I have decided to explore them in written form with the hope that we can go a bit deeper and, if you wish, read at your own pace and re-read as necessary. I may also in time have these available online as well.   

The third reflection on the Creed: ‘Creator of Heaven and Earth’.  

The fourth reflection: ‘Of all things visible and invisible’. 

The fifth reflection:  ‘I believe in Jesus Christ, the Only Son, Our Lord.’ 

The sixth reflection: "He was conceived by the Holy spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. "

This is a programme of weekly sessions exploring understanding of our faith and spiritual development, held at Our Lady Immaculate & St Etheldreda after 7 pm Mass each Thursday.  All are welcome. Tom & Gill Caple have details. 

For a full programme see the OLiSE website - www.olise.co.uk. 

Fr Luke writes: In order to help me run our parish I am looking to appoint a group of advisors from both the Mildenhall and Brandon Community. I am going to spend some time next week praying over the mission and ministry of our parish and planning the way forward. A constitutive part of this team will be a new safeguarding rep as our current rep, Andy Watts has decided to step down. I am grateful to Andy for the work he has done. If I approach you over the next few weeks, please be generous in giving of yourself in service of our parish community. If you have any ideas or suggestions about how things are done in our parish please feel free to email me or to talk to personally, I want to hear your views. 

An anonymous donor has given the parish 10 copies of this Redemptorist booklet, which can be used by children (with or without their parents, depending on age) to follow and learn about the Mass. Users can colour in and wipe off again and again. 

Five of the copies will be available in each church. You may use it, but please clean and return it after Mass. If you want to take it home for study between masses, please do so, but return it the following week. Thank you. 

A new series of day-retreats entitled 'Discipleship Days' aimed at those aged 16 - 35, are now being launched around the Diocese of East Anglia. These days are for those who wish to grow in their faith through a day of fellowship, formation and prayer. The first one took place on the 23rd of February in Brandon. These events are free of charge. If you are under 18, please go to www.rcdea.org.uk/youth for a parental consent form. 

Having a mass said or paying for flowers in the church are practical ways supporting the work of the parish. Please give your donations to Fr Luke or Philip Kemp. 

Has your house been blessed? Would you like a home visit and a blessing for you home and family? 

If you would like Fr Luke to visit you in your home and invoke God’s blessing upon your home and family, please speak to him after Mass or call the presbytery. 

Even if your home has been blessed in the past we can still pray together and ask for God’s blessing upon our lives. It’s also an excellent way for priest and parish to get to know each other! 

Just Traid, the Fair Trade shop next to St John the Baptist Church, St John’s Street, Bury, has launched an exciting new menu in their café and a wide range of goods in their shop. Well worth a break to rest your legs and your pocket, when Christmas shopping! 

• Just Traid are also looking for volunteers to help in the shop and the kitchen. For more talk to Gill Caple. 

The Fund deals with emergency grant applications from families or individuals in need. It also considers support for young people wishing to explore a third world project in their gap years or long vacations. 

The fund is administered by Caritas East Anglia. All applications come from the parish or endorsements from professionals working with applicants. 

Over the past year, the Fund has supported families and individuals facing homelessness or job losses resulting in rent arrears. Others helped have been dealing with the sudden onset of terminal illness. 

For more details go to:  https://www.rcdea.org.uk/caritas-east-anglia/ 

November is a traditionally the month when we pray for the dead. In both of our Churches you will find a ‘Book of the Dead’. 

Please put the names of your loved ones who have died in the book and they will be prayed for throughout November. I will also offer Mass for the Holy Souls at various points in November and they shall be remembered in those Masses. 

To add a name, simply find the page which corresponds to the month that they died and write the name in. Any name of any deceased person can be added, they do not need to have died in this last year nor do they need to be a Catholic. All people alive and dead can benefit from our prayers! 

were donated to the parish and have come from the shrine at Krakow. To find out more about this devotion please take a leaflet from the rack at the back of Church. 

If you are struggling to get a roast dinner ready after Mass at Brandon, consider taking one home with you from the Orient Express Carvery!  For £9:99 they give you a takeaway tin and you fill it with freshly cooked food and locally sourced meats. 

Time set aside for Lectio Divina enables us to discover in our daily life an underlying spiritual rhythm. We discover an increasing ability to offer more of ourselves and our relationships to the Father, and to accept the embrace that God offers us in the person of his son, Jesus Christ. We can attend "with the ear of our hearts", listening for God's presence in our lives. 

• Choose a text of the Scriptures that you wish to pray. This could be a reading for that day’s mass, or a particular book from the New Testament. The amount of text covered is in God's hands, not yours. 

• Place yourself in a comfortable position and allow yourself to become silent. This could be a few moments focused on your breathing, or a favourite prayer. Use whatever method is best for you and allow yourself to enjoy silence for a few moments. 

• Turn to the text and read it slowly, gently. Savour each portion of the reading, constantly listening for the "still, small voice" of a word or phrase that somehow says, "I am for you today." In Lectio Divina, God is teaching us to listen to him, to seek him in silence. 

• Take the word or phrase into yourself. Slowly repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your inner world of concerns, memories, and ideas. Memories or thoughts are simply parts of yourself that, when they rise up during Lectio Divina, are asking to be given to God along with the rest of your inner self. 

• Speak to God. Whether you use words, ideas, or images--or all three--is not important. Interact with God as you would with one you know loves and accepts you. Give to God what you have found within your heart. Experience God by using the word or phrase he has given you as a means of blessing and of transforming the ideas and memories that your reflection on his word has awakened. 

• Rest in God's embrace. And when he invites you to return to your contemplation of his word or to your inner dialogue with him, do so. Learn to use words when words are helpful, and to let go when they no longer are necessary. Rejoice in the knowledge that God is with you in both words and silence. 

 Many prayer groups find it a useful approach to collective study and prayer. 

This form of Lectio Divina works best in a group of between four and eight people. A group leader coordinates the process and facilitates sharing. The same text from the Scriptures is read out three times, followed each time by a period of silence and an opportunity for each member of the group to share the fruit of her or his Lectio. 

• The first reading is for the purpose of hearing a word or passage that touches the heart. When the word or phrase is found, the group's members take it in, gently recite it, and reflect on it during the silence that follows. After the silence, each person shares which word or phrase has touched his or her heart. 

• The second reading (by a member of the opposite sex from the first reader) is for the purpose of "hearing" or "seeing" Christ in the text. Each ponders the word that has touched the heart and asks where the word or phrase touches his or her life that day. Then, after the silence, each member of the group shares what he or she has "heard" or "seen." 

• The third and final reading is for the purpose of experiencing Christ "calling us forth" into doing or being. Members ask themselves what Christ in the text is calling them to do or to become today or this week. After the silence, each shares for the last time, and the exercise concludes with each person praying for the person on the right of him or her. 

Those who regularly practice this method of praying and sharing the Scriptures find it to be an excellent way of developing trust within a group. It also is an excellent way of consecrating projects and hopes to Christ before more-formal group meetings. 

 Based on “How to Practice Lectio Divina” Rev. Luke Dysinger OSB www.beliefnet.com