In his Ash Wednesday homily, Bishop John calls us to "think globally" this Lent as we observe the traditional themes of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Referring to the heartbreaking news of the war in Ukraine, Bishop John reminded us that our global community is already battling the effects of the pandemic, in addition to the impact of climate change, and that our thoughts and prayers during this period of reflection must undoubtedly be with our brothers and sisters around the world who are affected by these crises.
Bishop John has also recently joined other faith leaders to make a stand against the Nationality and Borders Bill, in solidarity with those forced to flee their homes.
In this month's newsletter, we also provide practical guidance on how to help families in Ukraine and those who have fled to surrounding countries, in addition to prayer resources, and ideas on how to use our Lenten observances to care for our common home.
We also take a look at some upcoming events and offer a fascinating insight into the stained glass windows of Salford Cathedral.
Bishop John's Ash Wednesday Homily
I tend to think of this season of Lent as rather personal; thinking of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving from a personal point of view, but I think in a rather different context this year because we’ve got three global crises and I think that must affect our thinking.
The first is the pandemic. Yes, really, we’re doing quite well – it would seem we're emerging from it but of course, this isn’t the case for so many other nations. Then we’ve got climate change. And the reality of that is not going to go away. And now we have a new crisis, which is becoming a global crisis over Ukraine.
So, I would suggest that this season of Lent we have to add a global dimension to what we are about: prayer, fasting, almsgiving. Let’s see what we may achieve by even our humble efforts in this season of lent to make our world a better and safer place for all our brothers and sisters, in caring for our common home.
Caritas Diocese of Salford has spoken out to strongly condemn the large-scale military intervention in Ukraine and brutal aggression towards its people, saying: “We deplore the consistent attacks on civilian lives and civilian infrastructure witnessed over the past days. Such acts of aggression endanger international stability and peace and bring international law into disrepute.”
The charity is continuing to follow the crisis and humanitarian situation in Ukraine and the surrounding countries receiving refugees and those displaced.
Staff are receiving regular updates from Caritas Internationalis and in particular from Caritas Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and Bulgaria and are being asked advice from parishes and schools in our own diocese on how to donate to support those in crisis.
If you would like to find out more about how you might be able to help those affected by the war in Ukraine, please click the red button below. We also ask that you please continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and for peace.
This Lent, our diocesan social action charity Caritas Salford is calling on people across Greater Manchester and Lancashire to help fight poverty.
Caritas estimates that this year will present increased challenges for those experiencing personal crisis and disadvantage because of poverty, and is once again asking for support to help those in need in our communities.
Click the button below to find out more about how you can support Caritas Salford's Lent appeal.
This Lent, we are looking to renew our relationship with the earth and its Creator through the Lenten themes of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
As such, we have created a pack with key environmental resources from across the Catholic community, in addition to stories and ideas from our parishes around the diocese.
Please click hereto download your pack for your parish now.
As one of the three pillars of our Lenten observances, prayer plays an integral part of our Lent journey. But sometimes, true prayerfulness can be more difficult than it might seem. Often it can be hard to find time, or peace and quiet in the hubbub of our daily lives, and sometimes it can be hard just even knowing what to say.
Lent gives us the opportunity to look anew at our prayer lives and rediscover the grace and peace of true communication with God.
Explore the ideas below to see how a new way of praying could transform your prayer life this Lent.
Bishop makes stand against Nationality and Borders Bill
Bishop John has joined other faith leaders to express horror over the Nationality and Borders Bill, and calls on the prime minister to urgently rethink the “manifestly unjust” legislation.
More than 1,000 faith leaders, representing the six major faith groups in the UK, said they are ‘horrified and appalled about the potential repercussions’ of the Bill and called on the Prime Minister to make urgent changes ‘even at this late stage’.
Throughout February, we highlighted several panels from the bottom of our cathedral's magnificent east window on Facebook and Instagram. The East Window is the pride of our cathedral, and is one of the first things you notice as soon as you walk in. It’s full of details, but among the most fascinating is the series of panels at the bottom, which tell the history of Catholicism in England. This article will take you on a journey through centuries of history, told through stained glass.
We are delighted to announce that our annual pilgrimages to Walsingham and Lourdes will be returning in 2022.
Bishop John will be leading our annual pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Shrine in England on Saturday 7th May 2022, and will then be returning with us to Lourdes between Friday 29th July and Thursday 4th August 2022.
Details are now available for both pilgrimages and we are asking people who would like to join us to register their interest now.
Please click here for more information on our Walsingham pilgrimage.
Please click here to find out more about joining us in Lourdes.
Planting the Seeds of Hope in for a Post-Pandemic Parish
Out of the darkness of the pandemic emerged a bright symbol of hope; a community parish garden project that cares for both community and common home.
We were delighted to catch up with an inspiring group of volunteers from the parish of St John Fisher in Kearsley to find out more about how they've transformed their parish grounds into beautiful gardens of hope and peace.
As Covid-19 restrictions begin to ease, 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:
Mass for Young Adults St Augustine's Church, Grosvenor Street, All Saints, Manchester, M15 6BW Sunday 13th March 2022, 5.30pm We are delighted to announce the return of our regular Mass for Young Adults.
The Mass will take place on the second Sunday of every month at St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Grosvenor St, Manchester.
Our next Mass will be at 5.30pm on Sunday 13 March, with the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 4.45pm.
After Mass, we will have a social event and will hear from the Daughters of Divine Charity, who will give a short talk about the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
John Pridmore Parish Mission St James and All Souls Parish, Pendleton Way, Salford, M6 5JA 21 - 23 March 2022, 7.30pm
Ex-gangster and international bestselling author John Pridmore will be heading to Salford this Lent to share his extraordinary story of redemption.
John Pridmore will be speaking at St James and All Souls Parish, Pendleton Way, Salford, from Monday 21 March to Wednesday 23 March at 7.30pm. Each evening will cover a different aspect of John's story and the series will conclude with a Eucharistic Healing Mass on Wednesday 23 March at 7.30pm.
Daily Confessions available at the Hidden Gem during Lent During the Season of Lent, a priest will be available each day at St Mary’s - the Hidden Gem - in Mulberry Street, Manchester, for confession and to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, at the following times:
Monday 11.00am – 11.55am
Tuesday 11.00am – 11.55am
Wednesday 11.00am – 11.55am and 4.00pm – 5.00pm
Thursday 11.00am – 11.55am
Friday 11.00am – 11.55am and 2.00pm – 2.55pm
Saturday 10.30am – 11.15am and 4.00pm – 5.00pm
Sunday 9.00am – 9.45am
Cathedral Concert Series Salford Cathedral, 250 Chapel St, Salford M3 5LL
Monthly Salford Cathedral is very excited to announce the launch of a new monthly concert series. Over the coming months, we look forward to welcoming some remarkable performances from fantastic artists from across the region. Please see below for upcoming dates:
Saturday 5 March, 3pm – Emmeline String Quartet
Saturday 2 April, 3pm – Silviu Cobeanu (Cantor at St Marie’s Cathedral, Sheffield)
Saturday 7 May, 3pm – Cathedral Choral Scholars
Do you have some good news to share?
We are always looking to hear news from our parishes.
How have you been making Hope in the Future a reality in your parish?
Prayer groups?
Charity work?
Events like Alpha or Nightfever?
Holding deanery gatherings?
Shared leadership teams?