The Bishops’ Conference have organised a weekly live stream Mass to pray for Keyworkers and their Families. These Masses are celebrated by a different Bishop each Thursday at 7pm from one Cathedrals across the country. Archbishop John will be celebrating the 2nd July Mass. The planned schedule for the next few weeks is:
Parents have a lot more time with their children at the moment. The diocese is offering a programme they have run in the past in several parishes but now as an online service for families. For more details email Lisette Blanchett-Ball on [email protected].
Archbishop John invites everyone in the Diocese to join him for a special online gathering on Wednesday 27th May. He will be leading a live streamed May Devotions, including a Scriptural Rosary at 7pm from the Cathedral. At this time when we are asked to be more isolated than usual it is an opportunity to “spiritually gather” together. Copy and paste this link: https://bit.ly/363jJX7 (as above), click on the QR Code, or visit our diocesan website for more info.
Over the weekend, we learned with great sadness that the Reverend Peter Holmes, our dear friend and Chair of the Joel Board of Trustees, passed away from COVID-19. As vicar of St Peter’s Church, Kingston for more than 25 years and founder of The Joel Community Night Shelter, he was passionately dedicated to social justice for those on the margins.
Peter followed Jesus’ example and threw the church doors wide-open to those people that few cared about, particularly the ‘street-homeless’. He was an inspirational man of God, a pioneer and mentor to so many of us. We will miss his friendship, his leadership and his Christ-centred approach to life.
Ephesians 5:2
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
We offer our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Peter’s wife Carol and their four children, and to the congregation at St Peter’s. Despite our great sadness, we take comfort in knowing that Peter is in a wonderful place, with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.