We're delighted to welcome you back to our monthly e-newsletter and to share some exciting updates from across the diocese. We begin this edition with a Pastoral Letter from Bishop John, in which he looks ahead to the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow next month, and encourages us to pray for the success of the summit. Next, we take a look at our Hope in the Future Programme and introduce you to our next theme as we launch Stage Four of the programme. We look back on our Season of Creation stories and say "thank you and farewell" to a much-loved member of the Caritas Diocese of Salford team. We would also very much value your input on a survey we are conducting into our cemeteries and have shared details on some upcoming events you may be interested in.
We love hearing news from your parishes, so if you have any exciting events or projects going on pleaselet us know!
Pastoral Letter from Bishop John
"I am writing to you today to ask that, while we must concern ourselves with our own achievable changes in our personal lifestyle, we must make determined efforts in prayer that those gathering at the COP26 meeting may understand the urgency of making those radical decisions which are required to secure a healthy environment for future generations."
- Bishop John Arnold
In his latest Pastoral Letter, issued this month, Bishop John looks ahead to the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and calls us to join him in prayer for the leaders of our world and a successful summit that can pave the way for a better future for all people and creation.
Hope in the Future Stage Four Launch:
"Proclaiming the Good News"
To introduce the launch of Stage Four of our Hope in the Future Programme, our formation team has created a video explaining more about what it means to be missionary disciples and how we can respond to Jesus' call to rebuild His Church by proclaiming the Good News.
An Introduction to Hope in the Future
On Sunday 3rd October, Bishop John led a Holy Hour at Salford Cathedral, marking the launch of Stage Four of Hope in the Future: ‘Proclaiming the Good News’. This Holy Hour was celebrated in many parishes throughout the Diocese of Salford simultaneously; a shared expression of our readiness to communicate the Good News of Christ throughout the world.
Bishop John began the Holy Hour with an invitation from Pope Francis, calling us to enter into a closer relationship with Christ. This invitation was extended to all people, as “no-one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord” (Evangelii Gaudium 3). We were encouraged to think of ourselves as missionary disciples. Through kindness, generosity, and hard work, we are ambassadors for the church, sharing God’s love with our neighbours, proclaiming the Gospel through our words and actions.
Bishop John also called on us to profess our commitment to this mission. As Jesus said: ‘I must proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God: this is what I was sent to do’ (Luke 4:43), we say ‘we must proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God: this is what we were sent to do’. We prayed for the Holy Spirit to work through us, enabling us to share the joy we feel with the world.
There are also a number of events to support this stage including a formation series. Details on all upcoming events can be found on our What's On page.
What do you think of our cemeteries?
Invitation to complete survey
We are currently carrying out a survey on our diocesan cemeteries in Moston and Wardley and would be hugely grateful for your feedback.
Through the survey, we are hoping to better understand how people interact with St Joseph's Cemetery in Moston and St Mary's Cemetery in Wardley; how often people visit, who they are visiting with, how they are travelling there, and what they think needs to be changed.
The survey offers people the chance to share their thoughts about the cemeteries in detail and offer suggestions for improvement. In each cemetery, there is a memorial structure that needs work, so we'd especially love to hear what you think should be done with the Bishop's Circle in St Mary's and the Campo Santo in St Joseph's.
We'd like to hear all your views and suggestions before any final decision on the refurbishment works take place. As such, this survey is of crucial importance in achieving that and your participation is extremely valuable.
You can also log your details to be kept up to date. The survey will close on 29th October 2021.
Bringing Sacred Music into our Schools
Salford Cathedral's Music Team have received funding to bring collective choral singing to schools across the Diocese of Salford. The funding has been provided by the Hamish Ogston Foundation, and will allow us to join the National Schools Singing Programme by hiring a new Choral Director.
The Music Team will travel around diocesan schools hosting singing sessions during school hours and after-school choirs. The programme is active in dioceses across the country, and has been shown to positively impact children's well-being and academic performance.
Throughout November, Catholic dioceses around the country will celebrate a Mass for the Pandemic. This service will take place in Salford Cathedral at 11am on Sunday 7th November. The Mass is an opportunity to remember those we have lost and the hardships faced during the pandemic. It is also a time to give thanks for the compassion and commitment of our healthcare workers.
Everyone is welcome to attend, but we'd like to extend a special invitation to healthcare workers, carers and hospice workers across the Diocese of Salford; you have exemplified the Christian attitude towards care in your hard work.
This service will also be available on Salford Cathedral's churchservices.tv livestream, which can be accessed hereor on Salford Cathedral'swebsite.
Thank you Sister Lucy!
Sister Lucy Dunne from the Franciscan Missionaries of St Joseph has been an integral part of the Caritas Diocese of Salford family for 20 years, spending almost every day helping people who are homeless, isolated, or seeking asylum at the Cornerstone Day Centre in Hulme.
Now in her eighties, Sr Lucy has decided to take a much-deserved retirement. We would like to express our thanks and admiration for Sr Lucy's tireless work over the years and wish her a happy and peaceful retirement.
Christians around the world are united in faith and action last month as the Season of Creation returned with an urgent call to respond to the environmental crisis.
Running from 1 September to the Feast of Saint Francis on 4 October, the ecumenical festival of Season of Creation sought to renew our relationship with the earth and its Creator by recognising the sanctity of creation and the dignity of human life.
Here in the Diocese of Salford, we celebrated the Season of Creation by joining our brothers and sisters around the world for a period of prayer, reflection, and practical action.
With the help of our environmental team at the Laudato Si' Centre, we shared some inspirational stories of environmental action from our parishes and schools around the diocese, and explored ways you can make effective changes at home and in your communities.
Follow the Laudato Si' Centre on social media now!
The Laudato Si' Centre now has its very own social media channels! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get regular updates, reflections, and stories from schools, communities, and parishes across the diocese.
Upcoming events
As Covid-19 restrictions continue to lift, we're delighted to welcome you back to in-person events, as well as maintaining a virtual offer for people preferring to join via Zoom. Find out more about upcoming events below:
Pause for Hope – A service for people affected by cancer St Michael & St John's Roman Catholic Church, Clitheroe.
Sunday 24 October 2021, 3pm
St Michael & St John’s Roman Catholic Church in Clitheroe will be hosting a special ecumenical service for people who have been affected by cancer.
“A Pause for Hope” will take place on Sunday 24 October 2021 at 3pm.
The address will be given by Fiona Castle OBE (widow of Roy Castle), and other participants will include professional practitioners, fundraisers, and patients.
Hymns will also be sung by The Ribble Valley Choir.
The service is open to all and tea and biscuits will be served afterwards.
Proclaiming the Good News: providing opportunities for encounters Conference Room 1, Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP
Wednesday 20th October 2021, 7pm
Throughout Stage Four of our Hope in the Future journey, we will have a number of opportunities for you to explore our faith and role as missionary disciples through our formation series.
Our first talk will take place on Wednesday 20th October at the Cathedral Centre, on Ford Street.
The session, entitled Stage 4 – Proclaiming the Good News: providing opportunities for encounters – will be led by Fr Chris Gorton.
Visitors are invited to arrive from 7pm for tea and coffee, before the session begins at 7.30pm, lasting approximately one hour. There will then be an opportunity to ask any questions before the session finishes at 9pm.
For anyone unable to attend in person, our talks will also be streamed on Zoom. A suggested donation of £5 is payable on the door.
‘Camino – Making the Journey’ Resource Launch For Catechists leading Journey in Faith (RCIA)
St Thomas of Canterbury Church (Parish of St Cuthbert), Lonsdale Road, Bolton, BL1 4PN (also available via Zoom)
Wednesday 3rd November 2021, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Inspired by the online diocesan Confirmation programme, 'Empowered', we have produced a similar programme for those enquiring about the Catholic Faith or taking part in the RCIA/Journey in Faith in their parish/deanery.
This course can also be used for general Adult Formation. The sessions are designed to be used online, in person or a mixture of both. They are designed to last around one hour and can be downloaded as PowerPoint or PDF files. All course materials are complete but can be adapted by those delivering the sessions. Each session includes a time of prayer, a main input video, some scripture, reflective music, a time of discussion and extracts from the Catechism. There are six introduction sections looking at pilgrimage sites and 21 sessions on different aspects of the Catholic Faith.
The launch will include an introduction to the programme, an opportunity to view a session and chance to ask any questions. The event and resources are free of charge.
