Season of Creation study days

At a time of unprecedented danger for the world, don't miss study days with Fr Ashley Beck on 'The Cry of Creation' and 'The Cry of the Poor' on 4 September and 3 October respectively.

Faith in action at the G7 Summit

Erin Walsh, along with 17 other young Catholics who volunteer with CAFOD, will be voicing their concerns about how we rebuild post-pandemic at the G7 Summit fringe events this weekend.

Step into a new relationship with God

Thresholds of Hope offers an accessible and engaging way to find out more about faith and relationship with Christ – whether you are a committed Catholic or simply enquiring.

Reflection for a Holy Hour on Corpus Christi

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament gives us the opportunity to come into the Lord’s Eucharistic presence and quietly speak to him, to listen to what he says to us in silent contemplation, to be enfolded in his abundant love and to offer him the joys and sorrows of our daily life.

Biblical answers for a new time

A new document from the Pontifical Biblical Commission traces the development of anthropological themes throughout the Bible, focusing on questions which are very much to the fore now: how should human beings treat the created world? How should we behave as brothers and sisters? Join Professor Nuria Calduch-Benages for the launch of the English translation on Saturday 20 March at www.whatgoodnews.org

Sunday of the Word of God: online conference

"In the post-pandemic world it will be important to derive from the Scriptures guidelines in our relationships with God, with brothers and sisters throughout the continent and beyond, and in our protection of the planet."Join others across Europe for this online conference organised by the Catholic Biblical Federation.

Upminster Parish shares Livesimply insights

Upminster's Livesimply project has proved very worthwhile - benefitting the environment, raising money for charity, and bringing the parish and local community together. Could your parish do the same?

“Personal knowledge of Jesus brings salvation and peace”

During the pandemic we have become acutely aware of the fragility of human life, says Bishop Alan in his pastoral letter, but those who believe in Christ look for the gifts of God which are freely given despite the almost impossible circumstances we can find ourselves in.

Support Peace Sunday on 17 January

Following Pope Francis' message arishioners are being encouraged to contribute to the work of Pax Christi as a way to make a practical contribution to the work of peace.

Enrich your understanding of the Christmas Gospels

Fr Adrian Graffy has produced a series of reflections designed to enhance our celebration of the Liturgy of the Word at Christmas, and to derive from the Christmas gospels profound insights into the person and mission of Christ the Saviour.

All welcome at CAFOD’s online Advent Service

The service will be led by Bishop Patrick McKinney, Bishop of Nottingham and CAFOD Trustee, who will be joined by CAFOD Celebrity Ambassador Julie Etchingham (ITV News at 10) and CAFOD celebrity supporter Adrian Chiles (BBC Radio 5 Live).

BBC to televise Midnight Mass from Clifton Cathedral

The BBC hopes to give audiences an opportunity to reflect on the year that has gone as well as inspiring and uplifting them with traditional carols, festive music, spiritual contemplation and live music across television and radio.

A message to parishes from Bishop Alan

Bishop Alan writes: "I want to thank clergy for all they are doing to care pastorally for people and to proclaim the presence and love of Jesus Christ at this time and in the difficult times ahead."

World Mission Sunday 2020: Here I am, send me!

On World Mission Sunday 2020, we will be honouring the brave and selfless women and men already making a huge difference in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world. Please support Missio if you can.

St Jerome on a laptop: mosaic honours Bible translator

Pete Codling talks to Cardinal Nichols about the progress of the artwork in February (courtesy of Catholic Church) A major new artwork commissioned to mark the astonishing achievement of St Jerome is to be unveiled on the 1600th anniversary of his death on 30 September.  Jerome (c.AD 347–420) translated the Bible from the original Hebrew,

Don’t miss ‘Lourdes in your Living Room’

Each day includes Morning Prayer, Mass, Rosary and Angelus, Afternoon Reflection and Evening Prayer, with the week also including a Marian (‘Torchlight’) procession where the Hail Mary will be prayed in over 40 languages, as well as Stations of the Cross. A talent show offers a social element to the pilgrimage on Friday evening, and throughout the week there is a special programme for young people.

A reflection on reopening for private prayer…

"We can’t step away from the world altogether but sometimes, even every day, we need to step back from the world into that space within us where God sits quietly, to see things as they are, to get perspective and to approach the world anew."

Livestreamed Mass to honour migrant workers on the frontline

This year Caritas Brentwood was organising the annual Mass for Migrants on behalf of the Dioceses of Westminster, Southwark and Brentwood (picture above from 2017). The Mass honours all those migrant workers who have made such a contribution to our society and is traditionally held near the feast of St Joseph the Worker. It was

An Easter pastoral letter from Bishop Alan

In these challenging days we need to support each other and, especially, look after and pray for the vulnerable and elderly... each and every act of kindness, in imitation of our Lord, reminds us that we are truly blessed by God.

Holy Week events at St Philip’s Priory

The Norbertines at Our Lady Immaculate, Chelmsford invite you to take part in an online retreat during Holy Week and attend liturgies virtually via their Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChlkkivPXvddwvUOQzd9itA

Watch Lenten lectures in preparation for Easter

"I would invite people to watch the videos with the gospel text of John before them, so that in new circumstances we can celebrate the new life of the Risen Jesus which we have received, and which guides and nourishes us even in the most difficult circumstances."

Please support the work of BCYS

National Youth Sunday in England and Wales falls this weekend. Speakers from the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service will be appealing for your support at Masses across the Diocese.

Are you going to join ‘Thy Kingdom Come’?

In recent years a wave of prayer that has taken its name from the Our Father, called ‘Thy Kingdom Come’, has been spreading around the world with individuals, families and churches of every Christian denomination praying for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As part of this movement, on the afternoon of Pentecost Sunday,

Bishops welcome Pope Francis’ message to young people

The Bishops said the document arising from the Youth Synod is "a great invitation from Pope Francis asking all of us to reflect on so many aspects of our world today, a world in which hunger, homelessness, violence, cruelty and exploitation touch and diminish the lives of so many young people".

A look back at World Youth Day

Thirty five people from our Diocese, including a number from the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service, travelled earlier this year to World Youth Day in Panama and Costa Rica. Here, some young pilgrims tell their stories.

Are you going to Flame 2019?

With a well-known rap artist alongside video input from Jean Vanier and prayerful reflection from a Cardinal and an Archbishop, as well as superb music, drama from RISE theatre, and live art work, there is much to inspire at the fourth Flame Congress for young people in March. Don't miss it.

Diocese publishes Vision Document

The Vision Document aims to maximise the opportunities for evangelisation and sacramental provision across the diocese, given the resources available in the future.

Showcase your work on Brentwood’s Caritas site

A new website to draw together and support social justice groups and organisations is under construction in the Diocese - and needs your input by 18 October. Don't miss the opportunity to tell your stories and attract new volunteers.

In Rome with Caritas

Director of Development Steven Webb reports on his visit to Rome on behalf of Caritas Social Action Network and Caritas Brentwood.

Pledge to Pray at Thy Kingdom Come

What started out as an invitation from the Archbishops’ of Canterbury and York in 2016 to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer.