​Returning to Mass at Pentecost
 
Following the Spring Plenary, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have made an announcement on the "Sunday Obligation":
 
"Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, until the present time, we have shared with you our judgment that the situation of the last two years has meant that the Sunday Obligation has been impeded and has needed to be fulfilled in other ways. We thank God that this situation has now changed.
 
"The pressing challenges of the pandemic have lessened significantly. Most people have resumed the wide range of normal activities, no longer restricted by the previous Covid measures. We therefore believe that the reasons which have prevented Catholics from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation no longer apply.
 
"We understand there will still be some members of our congregations who, for reasons of health, do not feel safe enough to return to Mass. It has always been the understanding of the Church that when the freedom of any Catholic to attend Mass in person is impeded for a serious reason, because of situations such as ill health, care for the sick or legitimate fear, this is not a breach of the Sunday Obligation."

​The fourth Sunday in Lent is called Mothering Sunday. There are traditions associated with Mothering Sunday in England which date back as long ago as the 16th century. It is told that this was the day when people were encouraged to return to worship in their ‘mother church where they had been baptised. People who usually attended the local parish church, would make a longer journey to the ‘mother church’ or cathedral of the Diocese. Girls in domestic service would bake to show their mothers their new skills in the form of a gift, traditionally a simnel cake. On this day many girls who were in service were allowed time off from domestic chores to visit their mothers and their family.
 
Today Mothering Sunday is a popular day when Christians choose to use the occasion to think about all things which concern motherhood. We give thanks for the Church as Mother, the Virgin Mary as the mother of Jesus, we remember that God cares for us like a mother and last but not least we give thanks for our own mothers. Mothering Sunday is the fourth Sunday in Lent and it is a time of special for thanksgiving. Sunday is the one day of joy in Lent, when flowers abound in all churches and when people are allowed a time off from the penitential season. It is also known as Mid-Lent Sunday, Refreshment Sunday or Laetare Sunday. The Latin name of Laetare, means rejoice.

​We are overjoyed that the relics of St Bernadette will be in the Archdiocese during their visit to the UK and that they will be coming to the Shrine in Hednesford. Details are still being finalised but I expect the timetable at Hednesford to be as below:

Saturday October 8th.In Church

• 10 pm - Prayers of Welcome.
• 10.15 pm - Midnight - Veneration of the Relics.
• Midnight - Night Prayer.

Sunday October 9th.In the Grotto

• 8 am - Morning Prayer.
• 8.15 am - 3 pm - Veneration of the Relics.
• 3 pm - 4 pm - Opportunity for Individual Confessions & Anointing.2

​The Synodal Pathway - becoming a listening Church The Synodal Pathway is a massive consultation initiative being undertaken by Pope Francis. Every catholic in the world is invited to give an input on the whole of the life of the Church to an international Synod of Bishops in 2023. Our Archbishop also intends to implement his Diocesan Vision in the light of the responses and feedback which you give. How can we respond?

There is a handbook which can be accessed through the diocesan website - https://www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/thesynod-2021-2023#handbook The handbook emphasises the importance of many different voices being heard, everyone being given a chance to speak, and the importance of listening to one another and making a record of all the contributions after three large meetings.

Many people remain understandably anxious about a series of large group meetings and so we have decided to have one joint parishes meeting with Cannock Parish in St Mary’s on Tuesday 15th February at 7 pm when these questions will be discussed. The meeting will be broadcast live on facebook.com/cannockcatholic/live and mcnmedia.tv/camera/st-mary-st-thomas-more and available to watch later. Those watching on facebook will be able to leave comments.

Before the meeting, you are invited to look at the Handbook. The key pages are 13 to 17, and in particular page 15 and page 17. Think carefully about the questions on page 15. Copies are available at the back of church and will also be shared on WhatsApp and the email list.

​Please then make your comments at the meeting or send them to Fr. Jeremy or directly to the Archdiocese at synodalpathway@rcaob.org.uk