Pilgrimage to Pentecost

is a course designed to guide participants on a spiritual pilgrimage towards Pentecost.

You can join a group in person at one of the "Hub" locations around the Archdiocese

or on Zoom;

or follow the course on your own at home.

As pilgrims on this journey, we will follow the example of Our Lady and the first disciples, who prepared for the first Pentecost together, by reflecting on the Scriptures and devoting themselves to prayer.

The Pilgrimage to Pentecost runs during Eastertide from the 2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

to the Saturday after Pentecost Sunday.

We have prepared it for the Southwark Archdiocese in 2025, as part of the celebrations for Jubilee 2025 and two significant diocesan anniversaries. However, you could use it in subsequent years during Eastertide or, with suitable adjustments, at another time of the year. Pilgrimage to Pentecost has three principal components:

• The Course Booklet: a specially written booklet, grounded in scripture and tradition, with daily scripture-based reflections and a Pentecost Novena for the 9 days leading up to Pentecost Sunday. To be purchased here or for bulk orders, email.

• Six weekly sessions: each with a video consisting of worship, a short talk and a testimony professionally filmed at Southwark’s Jubilee Churches and Shrines.
• The films will be available to watch on the Archdiocese’s YouTube channel, even for those not taking part in an organised group.

• In-person Pilgrimage Day: we are encouraging every ‘pilgrim’ to attend the Archdiocesan Jubilee Celebration Day at The Friars, Aylesford on Pentecost Saturday, 7 June – this is an important part of the Pilgrimage, because at the Closing Mass Archbishop John will pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit – a new Pentecost - on those present and on the entire Archdiocese.

Nearest Hub for those who wish to join a group.

Beckenham

St Edmund of Canterbury Church Hall,

Village Way, Beckenham BR3 3NP -

Wednesday rather than Tuesday evenings, (8 to 9.30 pm followed by refreshments)

Beckenham - details and to register

First Holy Communion Programme.

Dates for First Confession.

Friday 25th April at 3.40 pm

Saturday 26th April at 10 am

Saturday 3rd May, following 10 am Mass

(Saturday, 3rd May is our final meeting for parents

as we discuss the details of the First Holy Communion Day

We begin with Mass at 10 am).

Book your date online.

First Holy Communion Day

Saturday 17th May at 10.30 am.

CAFOD Myanmar Earthquake Appeal

Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar,

CAFOD is responding through the Catholic Church there to support families affected by the disaster.

Your donations will provide essentials like water, food, solar lights, and mosquito nets.

Please give to CAFOD’s Myanmar Earthquake Appeal in church

or you can donate online at atcafod.org.uk/myanmar

or by calling 0303 303 3030.

You can also text EARTHQUAKE to 70450 to donate £10.

Inauguration of Holy Year Jubilee 2025

Seee link for latest.

Celebration Masses

for those who were received into the fullness of the Church

through being numbered among the Elect or Candidates  on Holy Saturday

Three venues around the diocese.

See link for details.

Shrine of St Jude,

Faversham,

Day of Prayer and Healing.

Saturday 31st May 2025.

See link for details.

Jubilee Celebration at Aylesford Priory.

on Saturday 7th June 2025

From 10 am to 5 pm.

See link for further details.

Mass in Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage, July 12th, at St George’s Cathedral.

If you are celebrating your 1st/10th/25th/40th/50th/60th + wedding anniversary this year,

please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than the middle of May,

providing the following details: your names in the format John and Mary Smith, your home address, your parish,

and the anniversary you are celebrating,

so you can receive an invitation from the Archbishop for the renewal of vows during Mass.

Spaces are limited.

Contact us at mflse@rcaos.org.uk As the title of your email, please write your parish location e.g. Clapham, Beckenham.

Marriage and Family Life South East

RC Archdiocese of Southwark

IMPORTANT UPDATE

I’m writing to share an important update on the campaign to defeat Kim Leadbeater’s assisted suicide Bill.

This is a little longer than my usual emails,

but you must read it so you are aware of exactly what the situation is now,

and what you need to do to ensure this dangerous Bill is defeated.

As I mentioned in my last email, the Committee Stage of the Bill ended very late on Tuesday night last week.

From here, the first day of Report Stage for the Bill will take place on 25 April—which is now only 23 days away—

and will be held in the main House of Commons chamber, where all MPs can bring forward and vote on amendments.

How these votes go will likely significantly impact whether the Bill is defeated later on, so it’s vital that you mobilise and contact your MP before 25 April.

After the Report Stage, Kim Leadbeater will either hold the final Third Reading vote on 25 April or spread the Report Stage across two days (25 April and 16 May) before a final vote on 16 May. Although we expect her to opt for two days, nothing is confirmed yet.

I will keep you updated and let you know as soon as anything is confirmed, but at this stage, the main focus is ensuring we get as many emails and in-person visits to MPs as possible before 25 April.

Best wishes,

Catherine Robinson
Right To Life UK

Please click for further details.

A Year of Hope: Introduction to the Jubilee Year

How can we respond to Pope Francis’ call to be “tangible signs of hope” in this Jubilee Year?

Find out by watching this inspirational event

find it and other Jubilee resources at cafod.org.uk/jubilee).

Featuring Fr Jan Nowotnik, Director of Mission at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales,

CAFOD Director Christine Allen and more.

Discover how we can act in faith and in love as pilgrims of hope this Holy Year.

You Can Help Your Marriage –Do you feel alone?

Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other?

Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long'i') helps couples through difficult times in their marriages.

Out of 21 couples who joined the Retrouvaille programme in February,

two couples have turned away from divorce, and others now found hope to restore their marriages.

There is no group therapy or group work.

This programme has helped 10s of 1000s of couples experiencing difficulties in their marriage.

For confidential information about Retrouvaille’,

or to register for the next programme commencing via Zoom on …

20-22 June 2025

Call or text 0788 7296983 Email info@retrouvaille.org.uk

www.retrouvaille.org.uk

A Jubilee Year

is a special time dedicated by the Catholic Church

to reconciliation, conversion, and spiritual renewal.

During this year, the faithful can receive

plenary indulgences, participate in events and spiritual activities, and deeply reconnect with their faith.

As so many will not be able to travel to Rome to celebrate the Jubilee Year,

the Pope asks local Bishops to designate appropriate churches in each diocese

to be centres of pilgrimage where the many Jubilee Indulgences may be obtained.

See link for further details.

Appeal for School Governors.

Governors have an important role to play in ensuring sure schools are run effectively.

They work as part of a team with the Headteacher and other staff

to provide a happy, safe, and thriving learning environment as well as an excellent education for all the children.

See link for details.

For families and young adults:

The latest CELEBRATE resource which is ourLent Online Family Activity pack designed to support family faith life.

It is packed full of engaging activities, ways to pray, books to savour and films that both entertain and promote conversation in faith.

Parishes, schools and families can download their free Lent family activity pack here.

CELEBRATE also has a couple of events coming up:

See link for details.

See link for details.

Cafod Family Fast Day (Spring).

Total sent £500.

See link for details.

Organisations supporting

Respect for Life and all of God's Creation.

December update on Assisted Suicide Bill and undecided MP's.

See link for details.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Child

See link.

Pax Christi

Annual Report.

&

Latest Report.

See link.

Easter  Edition

With the ESV translation of the scripture.

Price £1.

now available from the back of the church.