PARISH QUIZ NIGHT ENDS

After many happy years of bringing people together each month, our Parish Quiz has reached the end of its journey. Sadly, due to a lack of volunteers able to organise and run the event, we are no longer able to continue.

Thank you to everyone who supported the quiz over the years and helped make it such an enjoyable part of parish life.

YES WE REMEMBER - A POEM FROM OUR RESIDENT POET

This poem marks Bishop Ralph's Golden Jubilee of ordination.

YES, WE REMEMBER

How can it be

So many years have flown,

Yet, enduring BE flock

Still remember the gentle shepherd’s

Tender care and warmth.

But, as Redemptorist protocol prescribes,

Our cherished pastors

Move on to enigmas new.

No mystery who updated us

With snippets of your progress –

In familiar homeland

And even warmer climes!

Now, Your Odyssey has run full circle.

Dear Ralph,

Ever true to your vows and principles,

On this Golden Celebration,

You are in our hearts and prayers.

Eileen Murray © 10 July 2026

FLAME – MARCH 2027

📅 Date: 15 March 2027

📍 Location: OVO Arena Wembley

The archdiocese is organising a trip to FLAME - the largest Catholic youth event in the country where 10,000 young people gather together at Wembley Arena to listen to speakers, pray and praise.

It is open to young people in Year 9 and above. If you’re interested in bringing a group of young people, please contact Sarah McGeehan on or 07415099048.

Please note: young people must be accompanied by a teacher, youth leader or chaplain.

More information: FLAME 27 – CYMFED

JULY 2026 CATHOLIC PICTORIAL

The online version of July's Catholic Pictorial can be found at  CATHOLIC PIC JULY 2026 by CPMM Media Group - Issuu

A STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES

“Yesterday’s (Wednesday 24 June) news of the charges brought against Bishop David Oakley (Bishop of Northampton) is deeply distressing for all, both within the Catholic community and beyond. 

“We are profoundly aware that the report of this allegation may reawaken painful memories for many people and again offer an unreserved apology to those who have been hurt by abuse in the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

 “In this moment we would like to provide pastoral reassurance on the commitment of the Church to safeguarding.

“The Catholic Church in England and Wales maintains a zero-tolerance policy for abuse in the Church and in wider society, and we are cooperating fully with the statutory authorities.

“Our immediate focus is on providing pastoral support and ensuring that we, as the Church, can continue our mission safely and transparently.

“Anybody who comes to our parishes, schools and communities must be safe and we are resolute in our commitment to safeguarding. 

“We reiterate the open invitation from the bishops to meet with and listen to victims and survivors, so that we can learn from and be guided by their experiences as we continue to make our communities safe places. 

“We are committed to continual review and development, assisted by the independent auditing work of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, so that all our communities are places of safety and sanctuary for all.”

Archbishop Richard Moth

President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

Archbishop of Westminster

Archbishop Bernard Longley

Vice-President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

Archbishop of Birmingham

If you are concerned about the safety of a child or vulnerable adult and feel they are in immediate danger, please call the police. If you wish to report any non-urgent concerns, please contact your local social services or our safeguarding team direct at Safeguarding | Report a concern

or Mark Robson 0151 522 1013 / 07585761965 Claire Newton 0151 522 1043 / 07384643237 or

ESCAPE - A POEM BY OUR PARISH POET

ESCAPE 

The warm breeze ripples across 

The still, green water of this hidden treasure.  

I sit, idly relaxed, watching another world 

Surviving the realities of an awakening day. 

Birds, butterflies, bees  

Enjoy the bounty and beauty 

Of a Summer garden in all its glory. 

The already hot sun shimmers iridescently 

On the two dragonflies waltzing  

Above the pink and white beflowered lily pads, 

The playground of thirteen newly hatched ducklings, 

Watched by their mother, in perpetual motion, 

Ever aware of the lurking heron and the other predators.  

The sinuous, golden body 

Of a large carp breaks the surface – 

And so departs another innocent victim – 

Enjoying this blissful day. 

How long before the victor becomes the vanquished? 

Begone dull care! 

‘Tis not the time to darkly muse – 

Even if it is the longest day! 

The sky is blue, 

The warm wind whispers through the trees, 

Rose scented air bewitches. 

The sun warms the skin. 

And, soporifically, eyelids droop. 

Retreat! 

Now, from dappled, cooler vantage, 

I watch a world so differently desirable - 

But we can always dream and hope. 

Eileen Murray © 21 June 2026 

THE WEATHER:

There may still be a few people who are in denial that global warming is a reality we as a human family need to take seriously, but this week has certainly provided us with another wake-up call. The forecast is that by the time we are celebrating on Sunday we will be enjoying some cooler air. I hope you have coped alright. As you can imagine some of the less able members of the CSsR community have found things very difficult! Let’s continue to strive to respond to the CAFOD call to live as simply as we can.

 AUGUSTINIAN MISSION APPEAL:

Thank you for the generous donations to Fr Emmanuel last week. We raised £1037.32 and are still waiting on the figure for the donations made directly to Fr Emmanuel using his card machine. We will share the grand total once we have the final figure.

JUNE 2026 CATHOLIC PICTORIAL

This months edition has a feature on our day marking the 300th Birthday of St Gerard Majella, and the Blessing in Bishop Eton School of the statue of Our Lady, given by the Sisters of the Cenacle after the recent closure of the Convent. 

The online version of June's Catholic Pictorial can be found at https://issuu.com/catholic_pic/docs/01_catholic_pic_june_2026

GENTLEMEN’S BREAKFAST CLUB

The last Saturday of the month at Christ the King Church there is a Gentlemen’s Breakfast at 8:30am. Talk to Deacon Peter to find out more about coming along to the Club.