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: Lisa Gazzi Anniversaries: Henry Thrower, Gordon Reece, Vincent Fox, Norah Casey
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. To date, we have received £1292.67 in fabric donations. All contributions to these costs will be 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.
LOCAL EVENTS / INITIATIVES Friday 26 September: Cawton Community Soup Lunch – Gilling Village Hall – Open to anyone young or old. Soup, roll, cake and tea/coffee £5. If interested text to 07969 384098.
Oswaldkirk Harvest Service 7.00pm Saturday 27 September: Ampleforth Autumn Village Show. See leaflets for details. Friday 17 October: Ampleforth Harvest Service 7.00pm Friday 24 October: Ecumenical Harvest Service at Gilling 6.30pm
Robert Toone completed a triathlon on Sat 13th September, swimming 1.9km, cycling 90km and running a half marathon (21km) to raise money for Youth 2000. Founded in 1990, Youth 2000 has helped tens of thousands of young people experience God’s love and many credit Youth 2000 as part of the reason they have met their spouse or decided to pursue a vocation to religious and consecrated life or priesthood. All one-off donations will be matched by a generous donor and if you decide to give monthly the first 12 monthly gifts will be doubled. Here is the fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/roberttoone70-3 Or search Robert Toone on www.justgiving.com Or see him in Church or donate via the Church Office.
COFFEE AND CRAFTING Starting on Thursday 2 October (10.15am – 12.30pm) those interested are invited to a new initiative in St Benedict’s Parish Hall. Come bring any crafting you’d like and join others in sharing skills and social time. All ages welcome (children to be supervised at all times by parents).
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 29 September – St Hilda Monday 11 October – Our Lady & St Benedict Monday 25 October – St Hilda
Followed by refreshments and fellowship
MISSIO It is time for Red Boxes to be returned once more. Would you kindly do so at your earliest convenience. If you would like to join this support network, please find details at the back of church. The latest magazine is available in the porch for regular supporters. Please pick yours up if you haven’t yet.
On the weekend on 27 / 28 September we will be visited by a Mission Priest giving an Appeal. Would anyone be willing to offer hospitality for the night? LAST CALL FOR HELP!
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.
JUSTICE AND PEACE NEWS
ISRAEL AND PALESTINE
A Call to Prayer and Public Witness for Peace in the Holy Land We are witnessing the devastating escalation of violence in Gaza and the West Bank, with Israel’s latest decision to mount a new offensive in Gaza City threatening hundreds of thousands with further forced displacement. The cries of Palestinian church leaders for peace and solidarity have echoed across the global Church, urging us to respond with clarity, compassion, and conviction. As Christian agencies rooted in faith and justice, we believe the gravity of this moment demands a visible, united Christian witness—one that speaks to our shared commitment to peace, reconciliation, and the dignity of all people. In response we are calling on churches across Britain to pray for peace on Sunday 21st September, coinciding with UN World Peace Day and the global call to prayer from the World Council of Churches. Prayer could include holding a minute’s silence, or the prayer from Archbishop Hosam of Jerusalem, or joining the #FastforGaza action. Your prayers might focus on one or more of the issues below:
An immediate ceasefire in Gaza
Unfettered access to humanitarian relief.
An end to violence in Israel and Palestine.
The release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees.
A meaningful peace process
To support these actions, we are working with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and Churches Together England to create an accessible online hub of resources for prayer and action. This will include theological materials, liturgical resources, and guidance to help churches engage confidently with the complex realities of the region. Bishop Terence Patrick Drainey I suggest a period of silent prayer after Mass on 21 September.
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.
METHODIST ASYLUM PROJECT - MIDDLESBROUGH We are waiting for news from the organisers who guide us, as we try to support the Asylum Seekers, who are resident in the Middlesbrough. Unexpectedly, the building used by the Methodist Church to sort and store Donations has been sold. Completion date has not been revealed. An alternative venue is being sort. In the mean time we are asked not to bring any gifts. Apologies to donors who had planned to offer soft toys , especially those bears. We will let you know as soon as we can what the next steps might be. As always thank you for your interest and prayers. Mary Sturges 01439788563’
PARISH COMMUNITY BARBECUE A big thank you to all who came to our Parish and School barbecue. The rain held off and parents, children and parishioners enjoyed getting together. The tombola, donations and Lucky Dip raised £114 for the Parish. Special thanks to the children for their brilliant welcome banner and to those who helped set up/ man the stalls/ cook/ clear away afterwards: your work is greatly appreciated!
HARVEST SERVICES
ST OSWALD, OSWALDKIRK: Friday 26th September 7.00 p.m. - followed by refreshments in the church. ST HILDA, AMPLEFORTH: Friday 17th October 7.00 p.m. – followed by Harvest Supper in the Village Hall – tickets £10 HOLY CROSS, GILLING: Friday 24th October 6.30 p.m. – followed by refreshments in the church.