At a time of unprecedented danger for the world, don't miss study days with Fr Ashley Beck on 'The Cry of Creation' and 'The Cry of the Poor' on 4 September and 3 October respectively.
Erin Walsh, along with 17 other young Catholics who volunteer with CAFOD, will be voicing their concerns about how we rebuild post-pandemic at the G7 Summit fringe events this weekend.
Thresholds of Hope offers an accessible and engaging way to find out more about faith and relationship with Christ – whether you are a committed Catholic or simply enquiring.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament gives us the opportunity to come into the Lord’s Eucharistic presence and quietly speak to him, to listen to what he says to us in silent contemplation, to be enfolded in his abundant love and to offer him the joys and sorrows of our daily life.
Guided by the Shrines around the world, all the faithful during the month of May are being asked to unite in the recitation of the Holy Rosary to ask for the end of the pandemic and the resumption of social and work activities.
A family from Hertfordshire began a YouTube channel called “One of Nine” in November 2020 to give a window on real Catholic life and connect with others across the country.
A new document from the Pontifical Biblical Commission traces the development of anthropological themes throughout the Bible, focusing on questions which are very much to the fore now: how should human beings treat the created world? How should we behave as brothers and sisters? Join Professor Nuria Calduch-Benages for the launch of the English translation on Saturday 20 March at www.whatgoodnews.org
Bishop Moth said: "In a time when we are being given so much hope by the efficient roll-out of the vaccination programme, it is shocking to hear that people with learning disabilities are being made the victims of such discrimination."
The “Guardians of Creation” project will take an ‘integral ecology’ approach at all levels, meaning that it will not just be limited to questions of carbon, but will consider wider social and environmental sustainability objectives.
CAFOD is inviting people to ‘Walk for Water’ so that people like Abdella in Ethiopia do not have walk for 10 hours a day to find water for their families.
Are you concerned about the environmental crisis we are facing? Join the Global Catholic Movement in a series of reflective evenings with inspiring speakers, prayer and discussion, using the film-based resource “Global Healing”.
'Let us Dream' has important messages for all of us. Join Dr Austen Ivereigh for a live session on Pope Francis' ideas for a better world post-Covid-19.
"In the post-pandemic world it will be important to derive from the Scriptures guidelines in our relationships with God, with brothers and sisters throughout the continent and beyond, and in our protection of the planet."Join others across Europe for this online conference organised by the Catholic Biblical Federation.
Upminster's Livesimply project has proved very worthwhile - benefitting the environment, raising money for charity, and bringing the parish and local community together. Could your parish do the same?
During the pandemic we have become acutely aware of the fragility of human life, says Bishop Alan in his pastoral letter, but those who believe in Christ look for the gifts of God which are freely given despite the almost impossible circumstances we can find ourselves in.
Following Pope Francis' message arishioners are being encouraged to contribute to the work of Pax Christi as a way to make a practical contribution to the work of peace.
Fr Adrian Graffy has produced a series of reflections designed to enhance our celebration of the Liturgy of the Word at Christmas, and to derive from the Christmas gospels profound insights into the person and mission of Christ the Saviour.
The service will be led by Bishop Patrick McKinney, Bishop of Nottingham and CAFOD Trustee, who will be joined by CAFOD Celebrity Ambassador Julie Etchingham (ITV News at 10) and CAFOD celebrity supporter Adrian Chiles (BBC Radio 5 Live).
The BBC hopes to give audiences an opportunity to reflect on the year that has gone as well as inspiring and uplifting them with traditional carols, festive music, spiritual contemplation and live music across television and radio.
Bishop Alan writes: "I want to thank clergy for all they are doing to care pastorally for people and to proclaim the presence and love of Jesus Christ at this time and in the difficult times ahead."
The Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary arrived in England during the Franco-Prussian War - and from a few German refugees, their Charism has spread throughout the UK and Ireland, to the Americas, Africa and The Philippines.
Claire Bailey, once assistant manager at the BCYS retreat centre on Canvey Island, will be supporting parish clergy, catechists and youth leaders, as well as school staff and chaplains as the Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry.
On World Mission Sunday 2020, we will be honouring the brave and selfless women and men already making a huge difference in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world. Please support Missio if you can.
Pete Codling talks to Cardinal Nichols about the progress of the artwork in February (courtesy of Catholic Church) A major new artwork commissioned to mark the astonishing achievement of St Jerome is to be unveiled on the 1600th anniversary of his death on 30 September. Jerome (c.AD 347–420) translated the Bible from the original Hebrew,
The ordination of Michael Barwick as a transitional deacon will take place this weekend. You can watch it livestreamed from Our Lady of Lourdes & St Joseph, Leigh-on-Sea,
Ten years after he whispered to Pope Benedict of his thoughts on priesthood, Paschal Uche was ordained in Brentwood Cathedral before a congregation few in number but full of joy.
Each day includes Morning Prayer, Mass, Rosary and Angelus, Afternoon Reflection and Evening Prayer, with the week also including a Marian (‘Torchlight’) procession where the Hail Mary will be prayed in over 40 languages, as well as Stations of the Cross. A talent show offers a social element to the pilgrimage on Friday evening, and throughout the week there is a special programme for young people.
“Journeying Together” aims to inspire, inform and encourage youth ministers as they continue to work with and support young people over the coming months.
"We can’t step away from the world altogether but sometimes, even every day, we need to step back from the world into that space within us where God sits quietly, to see things as they are, to get perspective and to approach the world anew."
Organised by BCYS, a full week of virtual pilgrimage with Bishop Alan will include daily Mass, Rosary, Angelus, Morning and Night Prayer, daily reflections ... and a talent show.
The Archbishops warn that we cannot return immediately to our customary practices and there will be a limit on the number of people who can attend Mass in our churches.
Couples from around the diocese are being asked to share via the Marriage & Family Life Facebook page their own inspirations for living out their vocation as spouses and parents in the domestic church.
This year Caritas Brentwood was organising the annual Mass for Migrants on behalf of the Dioceses of Westminster, Southwark and Brentwood (picture above from 2017). The Mass honours all those migrant workers who have made such a contribution to our society and is traditionally held near the feast of St Joseph the Worker. It was
In these challenging days we need to support each other and, especially, look after and pray for the vulnerable and elderly... each and every act of kindness, in imitation of our Lord, reminds us that we are truly blessed by God.
The Norbertines at Our Lady Immaculate, Chelmsford invite you to take part in an online retreat during Holy Week and attend liturgies virtually via their Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChlkkivPXvddwvUOQzd9itA
"I would invite people to watch the videos with the gospel text of John before them, so that in new circumstances we can celebrate the new life of the Risen Jesus which we have received, and which guides and nourishes us even in the most difficult circumstances."
In his pastoral letter for the Feast of the Holy Family, Bishop Alan says the presence of the Child Redeemer at Bethlehem is an enduring sign of hope for the Church and the world.
National Youth Sunday in England and Wales falls this weekend. Speakers from the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service will be appealing for your support at Masses across the Diocese.
The 'Year of the God who Speaks', inaugurated by Bishop Alan at Gidea Park, aims to encourage greater love of and familiarity with the Bible. Talks will be posted on the revamped What Good News website, adding to its rich archive.
The annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes this year was 'a week infused with faith and joy' as young people from 46 parishes supported pilgrims with varying needs from across the Diocese.
Fr Adrian Graffy has organised a range of events to celebrate a 'Year of the God who Speaks', which begins in October 2019 and marks the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Biblical Federation.
More than 400 people came together to celebrate their faith, including children who had just made their first Holy Communion and representatives from schools in the town.
Pope Francis will canonise Blessed John Henry Newman on Sunday 13 October in St Peter's Square, making him the first English saint recognised since the 17th century.
CAFOD is asking parishes across the diocese to foster conversations about the climate emergency this month - and put pressure on politicians to take more rapid action.
In his message for the 2019 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis says fear and a throw-away culture lead to the rejection and exclusion of people seeking a better life.
In recent years a wave of prayer that has taken its name from the Our Father, called ‘Thy Kingdom Come’, has been spreading around the world with individuals, families and churches of every Christian denomination praying for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As part of this movement, on the afternoon of Pentecost Sunday,
Who could you nominate? The awards honour the achievements of young people across the country who make our communities and the world a better place, taking their inspiration from Catholic social teaching.
In safeguarding training at a meeting at Valladolid, victims of abuse have helped the Bishops to learn to listen more deeply to people who have been hurt.
The Bishops said the document arising from the Youth Synod is "a great invitation from Pope Francis asking all of us to reflect on so many aspects of our world today, a world in which hunger, homelessness, violence, cruelty and exploitation touch and diminish the lives of so many young people".
Thirty five people from our Diocese, including a number from the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service, travelled earlier this year to World Youth Day in Panama and Costa Rica. Here, some young pilgrims tell their stories.
A series of Passion paintings by Andrew White will be on show at Brentwood Cathedral during Lent. Fr Martin Boland will be reflecting on each painting on successive Sundays on BBC Essex. You can listen to his reflections here.
Don't miss the chance to hear Fr Alban McCoy, Dean of St Edmund's College, Cambridge, talk about how Pope Francis has fostered the renewal of the Catholic Church - and ask how that renewal might be sustained.
BCYS is thriving in its new home and have lots on offer for both young and old - from retreats to sleep-outs for the homeless, from football to monthly youth Masses.
With a well-known rap artist alongside video input from Jean Vanier and prayerful reflection from a Cardinal and an Archbishop, as well as superb music, drama from RISE theatre, and live art work, there is much to inspire at the fourth Flame Congress for young people in March. Don't miss it.
The Vision Document aims to maximise the opportunities for evangelisation and sacramental provision across the diocese, given the resources available in the future.
An innovative project aiming to help those feeling psychologically stressed, sad or lonely received a resounding welcome from those attending its first healing service.
A new website to draw together and support social justice groups and organisations is under construction in the Diocese - and needs your input by 18 October. Don't miss the opportunity to tell your stories and attract new volunteers.
At the end of their Ad Limina meeting in Rome, the Catholic Bishops of England & Wales asked Pope Francis for a message to bring back to priests and people in the UK.
English Martyrs parish is planning a service aimed to facilitate the healing of the emotional, psychological and spiritual wounds caused by life today. All welcome.
“The story of a little, poor, ill girl here in 1858 shows us that even those who think themselves weak, excluded, written off, even they – and especially they – can find themselves planted in rich soil.”
The encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu, the 'magna carta' of biblical studies, was published by Pope Pius XII 75 years ago in the middle of WWII. Hungarian scholar Fr Levente Martos Balazs visited the UK recently to mark its anniversary.
There are a few spaces left on this free Reframe workshop in Hornchurch, which aims to enable Catholics to be confident witnesses to their faith, sharing the Church’s teaching in a spirit of understanding.
Come and find out about a hugely influential document issued by Pope Pius XII as the second world war raged - and the effect it had on biblical studies.
What started out as an invitation from the Archbishops’ of Canterbury and York in 2016 to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer.
