Beneath the Mitre – Planting Hope
In the third of a series exploring episcopal life, the Bishop of Salford John Arnold offers environmental lessons to children, and solace to the dispirited. At the age of six, I had my heart set on following my father into the law. I made myself a little office at home, with a toy plastic phone. […]
The O Anitphons
The O Antiphons refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They also form part of the Gospel Acclamation at Mass. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec 17-23, with Dec 24 being Christmas […]
Gaudete!
Eeeee. ‘ave ur seen what he’s wearing now? The question is sometimes asked why do priests wear rose coloured vestments on the Third Sunday in Advent? I know, everyone says “because it is Gaudete Sunday.” But what does that mean? On one Sunday each, in Advent and Lent, Roman Catholic priests have the option of wearing a […]
How to Go to Confession
1 Examine your conscience 2 Be sincerely sorry for your sins 3 Confess your sins 4 Resolve to amend your life 5 After your confession do the penance the priest assigns ‘It was God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the work of handing on this reconciliation. […]
Are You Ready?
The Advent Season is once again upon us when we turn our minds to preparing for Christmas. However, I pose the question: Is Advent only about preparing for Christmas or is there more to it? After all the Birth of Our Lord happened some two thousand years ago, surely we are not preparing for it […]
Advent
What is Advent? Pope Benedict XVI, in a homily given on the First Sunday of Advent in 2008, noted that the Latin word adventus is one that “could be translated by ‘arrival’, ‘coming’ or ‘presence’” (Pastoral Visit to the Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls, homily of his holiness Benedict XVI, First Sunday of Advent, 30th […]
Mobile Phones
Mobile Phones in the Confessional Following discussion at the Bishops’ Conference, it has been advised that, due to the sacred nature of the confessional, clergy and penitents are requested not to have active mobile phones with them in the confessional. They should not just be put on silent/airplane mode but should be turned off completely […]
Pastoral Letter
DIOCESE OF SALFORD Pastoral Letter of the Right Reverend John Arnold Bishop of Salford To be read and distributed in all Parishes on the weekend of 14th/15th October 2023 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, What is God asking of us, as the community of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Salford? How should […]
Food Bank
Many thanks to all who supported our appeal for the Food Bank this weekend. A total of £429.67 was raised. Many thanks also to those who have donated food in the boxes for this purpose at the back of our churches. Thank you for your kindness. Please continue to support the food bank. In case […]
Sunday Evening
Tonight, Lord, I am alone.Little by little the soundsdied down in the church.The people went away,And I came home,Alone. I passed people who werereturning from a walk.I went by the cinemathat was disgorging its crowd.I skirted cafe terraces where tired strollerswere trying to prolong the pleasureof a Sunday holiday.I bumped into youngstersplaying on the footpath,Youngsters, […]