Prayer for Pope Leo XIV

Next week the children finish school for the long summer holidays. We’d like to wish them and the teachers a restful break so that they may return in September raring to go. Let us also pray for those children who are leaving Our Lady’s to go to the ‘big school’. May they continue to ‘aspire through the love of Jesus they may have life and have it to the full.’

God has truly blessed us in this parish, and we have a lot to be grateful for. Abbot Brendan has asked me to pass on his thanks for the very warm welcome he received last Sunday. He enjoyed his visit to the parish and was particularly impressed by how welcoming everybody was as well as the number of young people and children we have in the congregation and in the children’s liturgy (the suitcase was a highpoint ). I also want to say a big thank you for all those who made the coffee morning on Tuesday such a roaring success. It was wonderful to see so many people there, enjoying each other’s company while eating the delicious cakes and biscuits, some of which had been made by the children from the school. It was great to see the year 4 children mingling with the people who were there, and I know everyone had a most enjoyable time. Many thanks to everyone who made it happen.

If you would like a Mass to be said for your intention, there are envelopes available at the back of church for you to use. Holy Mass makes present the mystery of the Lord’s death and resurrection. There is no greater prayer than the Mass, since it is the most perfect offering we can make to God. In offering Mass for a specific intention, we are asking that the fruits of Christ’s redemptive power may be applied to the requested intention. The offering you make also helps support the clergy. I will try my best to accommodate your request however, if the date given is not available, the nearest possible date will be given. Please give a contact number so that I can ring you if need be.

A big thank you for all those who took part in our Corpus Christi procession last Sunday. It was a joyful occasion and great to celebrate together the great gift of the Eucharist. I especially want to thank Chris and his team of altar servers who led the procession it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. Next year I hope we can go further round the streets of the parish and who knows we might even have a band to accompany us.

Sunday 15th – Sunday 29th June, daily 11.00am – 3.00pm The Shroud of Turin: Is this the face of Jesus Christ? – St. Francis Xavier’s, Hereford An award-winning exhibition of the “Turin Shroud.” Open daily 11-3 free admission Saturday 21st June, 2pm to 5pm Belmont Parish Fete – Belmont Abbey, Hereford Saturday 28th June, 10.00am – 3.00pm Catholic Renewal Jubilee Day – Belmont Abbey, Hereford The diocesan Catholic Charismatic Team invites you to praise and worship. Mass and small group sharing at Jubilee Shrines across the Archdiocese. Bring a packed lunch Saturday 19th July 2025, 10am to 12.30pm FROM FRANCIS TO LEO: WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CONCLAVE ? with CNN’s Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb in dialogue with Austen Ivereigh, who commentated for the BBC. What was the choice the Cardinals faced, and what are the indications of where Pope Leo wants the church to go. It will be held on Saturday 19 th July, 10.00am - 12.30pm at Hedley Lodge, Belmont Abbey, Hereford HR2 9RZ. All are welcome. Thursday 24th July at 11.00am Annual Mass at Longworth Chapel, Bartestree Celebrant: Archbishop Mark Friday 15th August at 2.30pm Mass of the Assumption of our Blessed Lady – Rotherwas Chapel Sunday 24th August – time tba John Kemble Pilgrimage - St. Mary the Virgin, Welsh Newton Sunday 14th September at 3.00pm Ecumenical Vespers at Tintern Abbey on the Feast of the Holy Cross. Preacher: Abbot Brendan, with singing led by the monks of Belmont and Newport Cathedral Download details here

Today, the children of Our Lady's School came over to lay flowers before the statue of our Holy Mother of God. We sang a hymn, Fr Andrew said some prayers and a decade of the rosary. It was quite beautiful.

Pope Francis has died at 7.35am on Easter Monday at the age of 88 Requiescat in Pace. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-dies-on-easter-monday-aged-88.html

WOW (Widow or Widowers) group Since 2022 we have steadily grown in numbers and now there are almost twenty of us, aged from 65 to 80+. We meet in the Belmont parish centre on the first Tuesday of the month at 11 O'clock, share a cuppa, cake and friendly chat. We also have some sort of activity, in March it was pancakes (as the meeting fell on shrove Tuesday) supplied by the kitchen at Belmont Abbey, and a quiz. Last month we had a game of “Bird Bingo” which was enjoyed by all. We go for the occasional meal out, the Cider Orchard Restaurant at the college being a particular favourite. In the summer months we have been on outings to local National Trust Properties. We go to parish events as a group meaning there is always someone you know to sit with. As a group we help with the Annual Summer Fete either as stall holders, washer ups or car park attendants. Although based at Belmont Abbey, the group is open to any widow or widowers not just parishioners, several of our members are non-catholic. That said, we always start the meeting with our WOW Prayer,where we particularly remember our loved ones’ anniversaries. New to this year I have also started to do a newsletter for the group. Anyone interested can just turn up on the meeting day or in any further info is required my email is: juliemirfin@btinternet.com . March 25 Newsletter

13th July – Bring a dish to share, Pimm’s, strawberries and cream. 26th September – MacMillan Coffee Morning. 11th October – Parish Quiz. 18th October – Jumble Sale. 15th November – Christmas Fayre. 7th December – Christmas Lunch, bring a dish to share plus raffle. To be arranged, Bingo, Children’s Film Night, Children’s Quiz.