New Plenary Indulgences connected to two anniversaries of St Thomas Aquinas
Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP, Master of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) has written to the order in connection with two anniversaries of St Thomas Aquinas.
We celebrate the 7th Centenary of the canonization of St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church, on 18 July 2023 and his 750th death anniversary on 7 March 2024.
The Dominican Order petitioned the Holy See for the granting of a plenary indulgence to the faithful who participate in the masses organized by the Dominican Family in our churches and schools on the important occasions of these two jubilees – the anniversary of the canonization and of the death of St. Thomas Aquinas. The indulgence is also granted to those who make a pilgrimage to Churches, shrines and oratories under his patronage. The double jubilee celebrations will be from 28 January 2023 to 28 January 2025.
As a Doctor of the Church, St. Thomas remains an excellent model and teacher for us today. Thomas enunciated a way to hold in fruitful tension the contemplative (study and common prayer) and apostolic dimensions of our Dominican life:
“For even as it is better to enlighten than merely to shine, so is it better to give to others the fruits of one’s contemplation than merely to contemplate”
The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, at its recent plenary meeting, noted the publication of ‘I am real, I am here’; a letter to Catholic bishops from women@thewell. It recognises that prostitution violates some of the most fundamental human rights to security, physical and psychological integrity and health. Together with the other bishops, we value the work of women@thewell and we encourage Catholic communities to pay attention to the plight of prostituted women and to work for change. More information can be found at Women@thewell’s website: www.watw.org.uk
Flame, the bi-annual national Youth gathering at WembleyArena, will be held on Saturday 4th March 2023. More information will be available in the new year, including how we will participate as a diocese. For a taster of what the event is like please watch this interview with Cardinal Vincent and two young people: www.cbcew.org.uk/cardinal-
World Youth Day 2023
Bishop Patrick will be attending World Youth Day in Portugal, between 1st and 6th August next year, and taking a contingent of about 20 young people (aged 18-35) from across our diocese, the first time we will have had a diocesan contingent for 15 years.
School admissions to Catholic Primary Academies (Reception Year) – Children born between 01/09/2018 and 31/08/2019
Applications are now closed.
The Online Catechist Network is delighted that the next Diocesan Network will be a resource showcase. We will welcome CaFE (Catholic Faith Exploration) and Aid to the Church in Need: ACN presenting resources for use with children and teenagers, as well as some upcoming campaigns; CaFE launching their new course Belong and Believe aimed at parishes engaging with the wider community to understand how to be more missional.
Register at www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/
Abortion Act Update
On 27th October it was 55 years since the Abortion Act received Royal Assent in 1967. Since then a staggering 10,021,618 unborn babies have lost their lives to abortion across England, Wales and Scotland. Right To Life UK has released a two-minute video called The Ten Million, which attempts to illustrate what the UK has lost through the death of these millions of people. Right to Life are encouraging people to share the video with friends and family who may find it of interest:
www.righttolife.org.uk/
Catholic Medical Association UK
Follow this link to find out more about this association which supports healthcare professionals including students to manage the challenges faced by catholics in health care settings. CMA Chaplaincy Poster (final)
Dominican Month of Peace 2022- Myanmar
Flyer – Dominican Month of Peace 2022_Myanmar
Synod 2021-2024 Update
- At the end of the Sunday Angelus (16th October), the Holy Father announced that the upcoming 16thOrdinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will be held in two moments, that is, in two sessions, spaced one year apart: the first from 4th until 29th October 2023, the second in October 2024. This decision stems from the desire that the theme of a Synodal Church, because of its breadth and importance, might be the subject of prolonged discernment not only by the members of the Synodal Assembly, but by the whole Church. Moreover, this choice is in continuity with the ongoing synodal journey, to which the Pope himself referred: the Synod is not an event but a process in which the whole People of God is called to walk together toward what the Holy Spirit helps it to discern as being the Lord’s will for his Church.
Statement from the Bishop on the Death of HM The Queen
Retrouvaille: A Programme for Couples Struggling in their Marriages
Help Your Marriage – Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples who have difficulties in their marriage. It brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage. Tens of thousands of couples headed for divorce have successfully saved their marriages by attending and using the tools provided. The programme helps spouses uncover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. It helps them through difficult times whether they are disillusioned or in deep misery. There is no group therapy or group work. For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’ or to register for the next programme commencing with a Virtual weekend on 13 – 16 October 2022 or a Face to Face weekend in Welwyn Garden City on 24 – 26 February 2023, call or text 07887 296983 or 07973 380443 or email
retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com – or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
ACMO-Accompanying Couples over a Lifetime (July 2021)
Holy Cross Lay Dominicans meet on the second Saturday of the month starting with Mass at 10 o’clock. Why not join them? You would be most welcome.
Catholic Voices and Word on Fire are hosting a conference called Sharing the Church’s Story. Join Catholics who are passionate about the renewal of the Church in the UK, and a host of dynamic speakers including Bishop Robert Barron. This conference is for everyone. Its on Saturday 17th September, 10am – 6pm, at Friends House, Euston Road, London; more details at: https://www.sharingthechurchsstory.com
The Anscombe Bioethics Centre in Oxford
The Centre is the oldest bioethics institute in the United Kingdom and has for decades advised the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, and assisted Catholic medical professionals on morally difficult medical matters so as to support them in their vocation.
Their efforts in education and research for Catholics who are doctors, nurses, or others working in fields related to health and social care, have never been more important or more relevant to the Church. In order to amplify this work, they have just launched a new website. It includes features such as:
- Their new ‘Bioethics in Brief’ guides, which give good, short explanations of various issues in medicine.
- Their ongoing briefing series on euthanasia and assisted suicide (EAS).
- Their briefing series on COVID-19.
Vacancies
- The NDCYS (Nottingham Diocesan Catholic Youth Service) is seeking to appoint from October, a new Director of Youth Services to drive their work forward and to ensure the service delivery meets the needs of young people. Your skill, experience and vision will be crucial to the success of the service and you will have the privilege of leading and caring for a team of skilled, passionate and talented staff. For more information visit www.ndcys.com
- Holy Cross School will be in need of at least 2 new Foundation Governors for the beginning of the next academic year in August 2022. See more in Advert if interested.
Do something amazing today – Give Blood!
There are currently low fill rates of blood donations at the Leicester Donor Centre. Do something amazing. Support your NHS by giving blood! Twitter: @GiveBloodNHS; Facebook: givebloodnhs; Visit www.blood.co.uk for more.
Universe Catholic Weekly
In place of the now defunct Catholic Universe Newspaper, there is now the Universe Catholic Weekly. The publication is being revived as a weekly online subscription based publication delivered direct to smartphones and tablets. It’s once again the ideal place to advertise catholic teaching vacancies. To subscribe, visit here and get 3 months of the Universe Catholic Weekly for just £20.
An offer for schools: If any member of your staff takes out a subscription we’ll offer a free subscription this year to any pupil!