The Sick: The Diocese, on advice and under Data Protection Regulations (May 2018), asks us not to name individuals, but to pray for them as a group within the Parish Body as those in particular need.
Recently Dead: Peter Wallace, Philomena Binks
Anniversaries: John Fawcett, Peter Davey, Sheila Aldous Ball, Marie Podgorski, Joyce Baxter, Alice Crowther, Freddie Thompson
HOME COMMUNIONS If you require Holy Communion at home, please contact John Ridge: [email protected], Fr Kentigern or Fr Bernard either by e-mail or leave a telephone message by 8.00pm on Friday evening stating whether you require a weekly visit or a one-off call. Someone will then be in contact to arrange a suitable day and time to visit.
EASY FUNDRAISER Do you regularly shop online? Did you know you could support your church at the same time? For more information speak to Tracey in the Parish Office and see information leaflets in the Hall.
WORLD COMMUNITY OF CHRISTIAN MEDITATION Meets each week: Mondays at 2pm - 3pm in St Benedict’s Church Hall: contact Mary Sturges Thursdays at 8pm - 8 45pm on Zoom: contact David and Sue Walsh Should you wish to join either group contact Mary Sturges 01439788563.
CHRISTIAN MEN OF THE VALLEY Meet each Monday at 8.00pm to share faith, friendship and interests.
FABRIC PROJECTS Works have cost £35000. Thanks to some recent generous donations we have raised £3092.17. All donations gratefully received.
HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY Mr Wilding has rejoined the team of lay chaplains at York Hospital. He has produced an information sheet about this ministry, including details of how to contact a chaplain and arrange a visit to a loved one in hospital. You will find these notes at the back of church.
CAFOD Donate to CAFOD’s Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal at cafod.org.uk/ipc or call 0303 303 3030. or to the Sudan Crisis Appeal: cafod.org.uk/SudanAppeal or call: 0808 58 588 85.
PARKING Could I encourage as many as possible on Saturday Evening or Sunday Morning to use the parking available off St Hilda’s Walk – below the allotments or in the Doctor’s Surgery. This will help to prevent the congestion building up on West End during the weekend.
Our Lady & St Benedict’s St Vincent de Paul Conference.
Meets fortnightly on Mondays.
A lay catholic society which has been running for over 150 years in England and Wales, aims to meet the needs of the poor and vulnerable wherever and whoever they may be, by befriending or supporting either financially or emotionally.
The main aim of its members is to seek out people in need and to help them through person-to-person contact, at a local level. The need might be one of financial hardship, or sudden family crisis, of loneliness, of disability or of bereavement, or simply the need to see a friendly face for someone who is housebound. We, as Christians, are all called to have concern for the deprived and the poor and the SVP gives us the opportunity to turn that concern into action.
There are many aspects to the society both local, national and international, too many to detail here. More information can be found on www.svp.org.uk or from one of our conference members.
In being a member, not only are you part of an organisation that brings help and comfort to many, but by fulfilling your Christian calling to look after the poor and marginalised, many rewards are received in return.
We are very keen to meet anyone who is interested in becoming a member or who would like to find out more, or if anyone who feels that the SVP can help them. Please speak to Mary Borrett (07732786643) Mary Godwin, Patricia Leonard or Fr Bernard.
SAFEGUARDING SURVEY The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) has recently launched a survey aimed at victims and survivors, with a particular focus on how dioceses and Religious Life Groups (RLGs) respond to those who have suffered abuse. The primary focus is on those who have had contact with a RLG or Church since July 2024 in relation to this abuse. At Ampleforth Abbey, we are keen to encourage survivors and victims to contribute to this survey so that their experiences can help to make a meaningful and positive difference to the support that Churches and Religious Life Groups can offer. More information about this initiative and a link to the survey can be found on our website, where you can also read more about our commitment to safeguarding and supporting survivors of abuse: https://www.ampleforthabbey.org.uk/cssa-survey
A SECOND SURVEY You may already have seen the Public Call for Information – Survivor Engagement in the Catholic Church survey (ABOVE) which is currently being shared in churches and Religious Life Groups (RLGs) on behalf of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA). The CSSA are now asking every diocese and RLG to help them share a new survey inviting everyone engaged with the Catholic Church, including Clergy, Religious (Consecrated Life), Parish Safeguarding Representatives, Employees, Volunteers and Parishioners to contribute their experiences. The aim of this survey is to better understand how the Catholic Church engages with Survivors. While it is unlikely that many of you will have had direct contact with survivors through your work for AAT, it remains a core part of our wider safeguarding work. Some key elements of this work are summarised here:
We ensure that all staff receive training on how to respond to disclosures or allegations.
We have a Survivor Working Group who meet through the year to review cases, levels of contact and support for survivors. This group includes a member of the monastic community, and external specialists with experience of working with survivors.
We have a contract with Survive York where we fund therapeutic support for survivors when we refer them to their organisation, or when they self-refer.
We work closely and openly with external agencies and the Non-Recent Abuse Investigations Team (NRAIT) to support victims and survivors.
We offer face to face meetings with the Abbot or other members of the monastic community.
We alert survivors to our Complaints Policy and to the fact that they are entitled to make a claim for compensation, we also signpost them to the Abbot's key messages and commitment to safeguarding on our website.
Thank you to all who were able to offer donations to Methodist Asylum Project organisation. Wednesday 26 November they were delivered to the central building in Borough Road despite the difficulty in the Parking provision. It was great to receive so many items which had been especially purchased or generously knitted, tiny mittens and gloves in particular. Thank you for reading the 'suggested item list’ and responding to it carefully. Although there’s not another general Collection until FEBRUARY Paul George and I are hoping to attend the Christmas Party on Saturday December 6th. The gifts of Teddy Bears, Toys, Jewellery and Toiletries will be seen again as the volunteers, who know their clients well will have wrapped up those as individual presents. They really are ‘Doing the little they can for the person in front of them and doing it well’ Thank you for your support. Mary Sturges [email protected] 01439788563
Tuyoor Al-Amal (Birds of Hope) After Mass on Sunday 7 December the children of our Primary School will be holding a Christmas Craft Sale in St Benedict’s Hall to raise money for this School Charity in Lebanon to which they have become very close.
MIDDLESBROUGH FOODBANK AND NOW FOR THE CHRISTMAS APPEAL! We will again be uniting our efforts at the Ampleforth Hub and St John’s Easingwold with those of Sue Allen and Jonathan Pomroy of the Ampleforth Benefice, where special collections will be taken in Ampleforth and in the villages of Cawton, Stonegrave, Gilling and Oswaldkirk. We know you will want to give generously and to include Christmas food, goodies and toiletries along with the usual donations of essentials. Let’s do all we can to help bring warmth, kindness and hope to families in need.
NEXT DELIVERY: TUES. 9th DEC. DEADLINE for Ampleforth: 12 noon MON. 8th DEC.
Donations should be left at the back of Our Lady and St Benedict’s Church as always. THANK YOU ALL!
MFB GIFT AID forms are now available at the back of church for individual donations of cash and cheques. If you are able to, please could you hand them into the office along with your donation.
Please remember, every single donation counts and is gratefully received, ……so THANK YOU VERY MUCH and special thanks too to those who support the MFB with on-line donations.
THE CHURCH OF ST HILDA AND THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY AND ST BENEDICT
Rev James & Fr Kentigern invite you to join them for
COMMUNITY PRAYERS 10.00am
Monday 8 December – St Hilda Monday 22 December – St Hilda
Followed by refreshments and fellowship
CAN YOU HELP? Rosie Hayman, in her work at Sacred Heart School, is looking for any unwanted, spare Christmas decorations and/or craft ideas to make decorations for the School Chapel. Please speak to her for more details.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Saturday 29 November: Advent Church Cleaning Working Party 2.00pm. ALL WELCOME. There will be a second opportunity from 2.00pm on Saturday 6 December.
Thursday 4 December: Peter Wallace Funeral at 2.30pm. At the moment, due to Belinda’s condition, this will be a private family only occasion. There will be an opportunity for a Parish Memorial Mass at a later date.
BLUE CHRISTMAS A SPECIAL SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO ARE ALONE OR WHO ARE GRIEVING AT CHRISTMAS TIME SUNDAY 21ST DECEMBER 3.00 P.M. HOLY CROSS GILLING
A ZOOM COURSE FOR ADVENT Spiritual Intelligence – wise living in an age of disconnection
What if wisdom went deeper than logic and emotion? What if the way we pray, notice beauty, and make meaning are all part of a deeper intelligence—spiritual intelligence? If you would like to join me exploring this course on zoom, please get in touch by email: [email protected] The course will run on Monday evenings at 7.00 p.m. from 1st December. Open to everyone
OVERFLOW With the bad weather having prevented sharing this webinar live, watch out for a chance to share in watching a recording.
UPPER ROOM WITH MIDDLESBROUGH SVP Our children heard a presentation about this “drop-in” centre in Middlesbrough, open each Saturday morning for two hours, providing hot food and drink, care, advice and a friendly welcome to the homeless. They were invited to take up an ADVENT CARE BAG CHALLENGE. Provide simple toiletries, woolly hats, scarves, gloves etc to create gift bags to give a homeless person. ALL WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE. Send suitable items to School.
Friday 12 December Fr Abbot Robert invites all to attend the Ampleforth Abbey Trust Carol Service at 2.30pm in the Abbey Church. (Our Primary School Children will be participating) There are refreshments to follow and a retiring collection for Tuyoor Al-Amal (Birds of Hope)
Saturday 13 December Ampleforth College Schola Cantorum invite you to Advent Carols by Candlelight. Tickets £10.00. Visit the College Website for more details.
Carol Service in the Advent Season SUNDAY 7TH DECEMBER 7.00 P.M. ST HILDA’S CHURCH, AMPLEFORTH ALL WELCOME
Christmas Tea Party Please see the poster advertising the Tea Party arranged by Ampleforth College Year 11 Chaplaincy Group on Tuesday 9 December. If you would like to attend and require transport to or from “The Windmill” from Ampleforth Village, please use the sign up sheet or speak to Fr Kentigern.
Come and enjoy good company, seasonal refreshments, and a heartwarming celebration of the season in aid of a good cause CAFOD Any donations greatly appreciated
On Tuesday 9th December 📍At The Windmill on East Lane 🕰️10:30-12:30
Join us for a day of teaching, discussion, reflection and encouragement.
Saturday 31st January 2026 10.30am until 3pm Parish Hall of Our Lady's Catholic Church, York, YO24 3DX
Bring your own lunch, refresments provided.
Stay Curious try ALPHA Enjoy a complimentary meal as we come together to share thoughts and foster community. Everyone is welcome! Gilling Village Hall Every Wednesday from 24th September to 3rd December 7.00pm **For catering purposes please register your interest here [email protected]
Music at Ampleforth College CHORAL MASS Fridays in Term Time 7.00pm ALL WELCOME
YOUTH CHURCH @ AMPLEFORTH For young people in the Valley and beyond... Learning about God and faith through fun, friendship and food. Sundays in term time from 6.30pm to 8.00pm meeting in Ampleforth Village Hall. AUTUMN TERM 7th December last one this term!
BEREAVEMENT CAFE A gentle supportive space to sit with others who understand. Whether your loss is recent or many years past, you are welcome to come for conversation, quiet and a cup of tea. Alternate Mondays 2.00 - 3.30pm Beadlam Grange Bistro Facilitated by Ryedale Churches Together. ALL WELCOME
WARM WINTER SPACES Begins again in Ampleforth Village Hall Wednesdays 12.00 - 2.00pm December 3rd, 10th & 17th. An opportunity to meet old friends and to make new ones in a warm and welcoming environment. Enjoy a light lunch, tea and cake. Dietary requirements catered for.
Everyone welcome. No pre-booking required. No charge, a voluntary donation will be accepted.
Transport can be arranged - call Mary in advance on 07732 786643
COFFEE AND CRAFTING Continues each Thursday 10.15 - 12.30 in St Benedict's Church Hall Join us for creativity and community. We invite you to bring along any crafting or art projects and enjoy skill sharing with others during this social time., ALL AGES WELCOME. Children must be supervised at all times by parents or caregivers during the event.