Calling People Home

This past week all parishes received a letter from our Archbishop, John Wilson saying that this Pentecost, (5th June) he is again Calling People Home and back to Sunday Mass. He sees this as a simple initiative which comprises two elements:

• A letter from him to all parishioners who are worshipping Sunday by Sunday, inviting them to play their part in reaching out to fellow Catholics who no longer come to Mass. These may be family, friends, neighbours, or colleagues.
• A card from him to those who have not returned to Mass, who are hesitant, or whose practice has come to a halt during the pandemic, inviting them to return.

Copies of these letters will be sent to us for distribution on Pentecost Weekend (4/5 June 2022) or, if large numbers are absent owing to the Platinum Jubilee, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.

In addition to these two letters, he invites the recitation of a simple novena prayer ahead of Pentecost for the express intention of the return of any of our brothers and sisters in faith who, for whatever reason, have yet to return. Here is the Novena Prayer.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

The Archbishop finishes his letter by saying there are many challenges today; the cost-of-living crisis, a feeling of tension in society and worldwide conflicts that impact our ability to see good and to hope. “We, however, remain confident that the Lord Jesus’ power, love and mercy can and does speak to these situations and to people’s hearts, providing precisely what is needed for each of us through the Gospel. We have so much to gain by such simple acts to heal the wounds of separation exacerbated by the pandemic.” He is asking us do all we can to support this initiation of invitation.

Also included with this newsletter is a message from the bishops of England and Wales issued at the beginning of the month