CHURCHES TOGETHER ENGLAND STATEMENTS ON UKRAINE

During the Churches Together in England (CTE) Forum which took place from the 14th  - 16th March, the CTE Presidents and the Fourth Presidency Group released two statements on behalf of the CTE Forum.  

1^st  Press Release: Statement on the conflict in Ukraine, 15 March 2022  click here
2^nd  Press Release: Ukrainian refugee crisis, 16 March 2022   click here

A POEM FROM OUR RESIDENT POET

Beatus Nonagenta Natalis Carissime

Happy 90^th Birthday Darling

Would we ever have believed

That the spark ignited,

In past historic times,

Would still burn,

No less bright,

Than when gentle lips

Imbued with essence magical,

First softly touched

And fused two souls

Into one eternal entity,

Who would walk resolutely through Life

Happily contented and blessed.

Eileen Murray © 9 March 2022

LITANIES OF PEACE AND LITURGY OF THE WORD

LITANIES OF PEACE AND LITURGY OF THE WORD have been compiled by the J&P Commission (available on our website). 

The Litanies can be used in groups or for private prayer; the Liturgy of the Word could be used for home prayer, especially for those who are unable to participate communally. J&P are also producing a Stations of the Cross PowerPoint in time for Holy Week.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP UKRAINE

A message from Fr Taras Khomych, a Ukrainian priest ministering within our archdiocese: 

If you know people who are not sure how best to express their support for Ukraine, the Ukrainian Institute in London has posted a list of  suggested actions.

PRAYER FROM THE PAPAL PRAYER NETWORK

PRAYING FOR THE UKRAINE

A plea from Ukrainian Catholic Bishops

Read more: Praying for Ukraine

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

The distant Welsh panorama fades
Into the grey mistiness
Of another cold, dark Winter's day.
From the sixth floor,
A serpent of light crawls
Along the perimeter of the Mersey -
A sign that the world is still inhabited!
Here, suspended between heaven and earth,
All is silent save for the repetitive beeping
Of life-saving machines.
Someone coughs,
Figures move backwards and forwards,
Distant voices float
From the nearby nursing stations.
It is a time for reflection -
Time to look back on the week's happenings,
But equally as important,
Look forward positively, to whatever lies in store.
It is in this friendly, intense calm
That mysterious bonds are woven,
Some of which will last into the unknown future.
Others, which will be like seed
Scattered on the stony ground.
Once replete, salved, comforted,
The dwellers of Ward 6A
Will settle, disparately,
To pass the long, dark night,
We pray, in hope of a brighter tomorrow.

Eileen Murray © February 2022

KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA RECRUITMENT VIDEO

The Knights of St Columba have released a new recruitment video - See below

A POEM  FOR CHRISTMAS FROM OUR RESIDENT POET

WAITING IN HOPE

Once again, Christmas waits apprehensively

In the wings,

Scrutinising the entrances and exits

Which play a vital part

In the festive pageant.

It's only when the niceties of life

End so unexpectedly,

With heart-breaking results,

That we realise how fortunate we have been.

Yet, the human spirt is indomitable.

A glance through the pages of history

Reveals tales of unbelievable fortitude.

As we wait, uncertain of what lies

In the immediate future,

Minds and hearts turn

To the lonely, hazardous journey

Of the young  couple, long, long ago,

Who placed their trust in God.

Without their consent,

There would be no seasonal love,

No sharing, no reunions,

No tiffs, no tears, no laughter,

No nostalgic memories of days gone by -

No Joy to the World -

No Christmas.

But, miracles do happen!

May the light of that Special Baby

Illuminate our homes,

 Filling us with Hope for the year ahead.

Eileen Murray © December 2021

PRAYING FOR THE HOLY LAND