"becoming a missionary parish"

E-Mail naomi.roberts@dioceseofnottingham.uk

Where next?

The 5th Gospel – is being prepared by Sr Susan and Fr Gerry SDB – this is what a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is often regarded as – walking the places associated with Jesus in the Holy Land

For several years, Sr Susan and Fr Gerry have run a pilgrimage retreat – with reflections, Stations of the Cross, renewal of Baptismal Promises, service of healing, Mass at places where such rituals are closely associated with Jesus and his teaching

Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Eucharist, Our Father, the Beatitudes, Stilling the Storm, the Gospels – will never be the same again the experience of being in these places changes our mind set and touches our hearts

We are preparing for 2024 – if you would like more information, contact Sr Susan: susanpbvm@yahoo.co.uk

Pro-Life Matters

Catholics believe that all life is God-given, and must be protected from harm This is why the church encourages us to oppose anything which undermines the value of life, such as abortion or euthanasia, and instead to see all life as having value, whether unborn, old or disabled

There are many groups working in our diocese to promote this ‘pro-life’ view. Here are news items from some of them.

Nottingham Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC)

"Abortion kills babies – and it hurts women too" That was the message of SPUC’s annual pro-life chain held on Trent Bridge, Nottingham in April, marking the date when the 1967 Abortion Act was implemented The witness is in the form of a ’chain’ of supporters, who hold placards with pro-life slogans so that the passing motorists can read them This year’s event was well supported, with nearly 50 pro-lifers turning out – including this young mum and her daughter

There are several SPUC groups around our diocese (Melton, Oakham, Lincoln, Market Harborough, and Nottingham) SPUC’s aim is to make abortion unthinkable and unnecessary If you would like to know more about the work of SPUC, go to spuc org uk, or contact John on spucnottingham@gmail com

Ending Abortion Through Prayer : 40 DAYS FOR LIFE

During Lent, pro-lifers from many parishes in Nottingham, Derby and beyond took part in a prayer vigil outside the main abortion clinic in Nottinghamshire, which is in Stapleford

Each day, for 40 consecutive days, members of the campaign stood in prayer opposite the clinic for 12 hours each day – from 6am until 6pm They were praying for an end to abortion They were also offering practical help to women who might be in need, to enable them to keep their unborn child; and support for women who have had an abortion, and are in need of healing Vigils like this one get an unfair press. Abortion advocates claim that vigil members obstruct access to the abortion clinic, shout abuse, and attempt to shame women. This simply isn’t the case. Instead, vigils are always peaceful, prayerful, and compassionate. To find out more about this rapidly growing global movement, go to 40daysforlife.com.

If you would like to help the centre in any way – by making a donation of good quality used baby clothes – please ring Carol To make a financial donation, the details of our bank account are as follows: St Colette's PSC, Natwest Beeston, 51-70-06 83740716 On behalf of women in difficult circumstances, and their babies, thank you for your support