Woodhall Spa Parish
Welcome to Woodhall Spa Parish
Our Lady and St Peter Woodhall Spa
click on the picture above to see inside and here to see the garden
Church Open for Sunday 10am Mass and Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10.00am
Serving Woodhall Spa, Horncastle, Coningsby and Metheringham
Parish Priest Fr John O'Donnell
Our Lady and St Peter
15 Cromwell Avenue, Woodhall Spa, LN10 6TH
Tel 01526 352245
e-mail catholic.church.woodhallspa@gmail.com
The Catholic Church in England and Wales
Daily Readings - read the entire New Testament over a 2 year period
(reading plan courtesy of Gideon International)
St Mary's Church of England Church, Horncastle
click on the picture of the church to see inside
Church Open for Saturday 6pm Mass
Live and recorded Masses at St Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham
Please click on the picture link below
For todays Mass Readings and for the Readings for the Week
click on the date link below
Live and recorded liturgies and addresses of Pope Francis with English commentary
Please click on the picture link below
ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION PRAYER
Offered as an example of a suitable prayer for use by home viewers wishing to participate in a Live Streaming of the Mass
After the celebrant has received Holy Communion himself, the celebrant reads aloud the Act of Spiritual Communion, and invites the home viewers to say the words of the prayer with him.
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen
Notices
Cake Sunday next Sunday 5th February - come and sample some pretty good cake and some pretty good company
Cuppa and chat on Tuesday 7th February 10.30 after Mass. It’s always good to talk!
For “Churches Without Walls” and "Community of Enquiry" meetings, programme and information click here
"Talking Philosophy & Theology: a Carmelite Perspective - Reading & Discussion Zoom Group - Open to All" - A group of Third Order Carmelites, a lay organisation, are offering a course via Zoom on the philosophy that is woven into the spirituality of Ss Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Sr. Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein). Next meeting via Zoom 1st February at 7.45 for 8.00pm. Should anyone be interested please contact james.hunter200@btinternet.com Click here for more details
Grapevine Newsletter
06.01.23
The Cost of Living Crisis
At the Bishops' Conference, we are acutely aware of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis up and down the country.
The crisis is having a devastating effect on families, pushing many deeper into poverty and leading many others to struggle with day-to-day living costs.
Street Pastors in Lincoln
Seventeen towns and cities in Nottingham Diocese have a Street Pastors scheme which reaches out to young people..
Lincoln Street Pastors are looking for people who are willing to offer up their time and their prayers for the Night Time Economy streets of Lincoln and become one of the team of Lincoln Street Pastors.
To find out more about what's involved follow the links below.
Open hearts
Becoming a hospitable Church for a hostile environment
Tuesday, 28 February at 7.00 p.m. Online
The Epiphany is a time to remember all who migrate, whether voluntarily for work or as refugees from violence. At least one of the Magi is thought to have come from modern-day Iran, Syria or Afghanistan. With Eritrea, these are the nationalities which today account for most of those crossing the Channel in small boats.
There are many ways in which your parish can respond to the needs of those who come to our shores.
An informal online conversation to explore how we can support those fleeing violence and destitution, or settling in our diocese for a better life.
Meet others who want to help those seeking asylum recover their human dignity. Explore the potential of a network for advocacy and practical service to those who are arriving in our diocese from overseas. We'll seek out solutions for action, whether as individuals, as parishes or as a diocese.
In Caritas we would like to bring people together who wish to support asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. Whether you are experienced in volunteering with refugees, a migrant yourself, or are new to the cause, join us on 28 February.
Nottingham Diocesan E-News • Advent/Christmas 2022
A collection of all the latest news, events and stories from the Diocese of Nottingham
Warmer Welcome Workshop
This Winter Caritas Diocese of Nottingham will be hosting a regular online get-togethers on Zoom for anyone offering parish-based hospitality and outreach in the cost-of-living crisis.
Whether you are in the earliest stages of planning to open a 'Warm Hub', or have been running a community café for many years, these friendly gatherings will be an opportunity to:
meet others who organise similar projects to yours
exchange good practice and pick up ideas from across the diocese
ask for advice from peers and from diocesan staff
help your project grow in size and community impact
find support with project development and fundraising.
Tuesday 10 January at 4.00 p.m. (note the earlier start)
Monday 13 February at 7.00 p.m.
Tuesday 14 March at 7.00 p.m.
Pope Francis January 2023
For educators
We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than confrontation and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all.
I would like to propose that educators add new content to their teaching: fraternity.
Education is an act of love that illuminates the path for us to recover a sense of fraternity, so we will not ignore those who are most vulnerable.
Educators are witnesses who not only impart their mental knowledge, but also their convictions, their commitment to life.
They know how to handle the three languages well: that of the head, that of the heart, and that of the hands, all in harmony. And hence the joy in communicating.
And they will be heeded much more attentively and will become community builders.
Why? Because they’re sowing this testimony.
Let us pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than confrontation and helping especially the youngest and most vulnerable above all.
January 2023
Christmas message from Cardinal Vincent Nichols 17.12.22
Pope Francis: 'Celebrate Christmas with the people of Ukraine in our hearts' 14.12.22
Brothers and sisters, I say to you: there is so much suffering in Ukraine, so much, so much! And I would like to draw some attention to the coming Christmas, even the holidays. It's nice to celebrate Christmas, to have parties... but let's lower the level of Christmas spending a bit – that's what they're called. Let's have a more humble Christmas, with more humble gifts. We send what we save to the Ukrainian people, who are in need, who suffer so much; They are hungry, they feel the cold and many die because there are no doctors, nurses at hand. Let us not forget: a Christmas, yes; at peace with the Lord, yes, but with Ukrainians in their hearts. And let's make that concrete gesture for them.
Ukraine
Pray for Peace in Ukraine
Click on the picture link above for details
Good news for prospective hosts
of Ukrainian refugees
October 2022
We are happy to announce a new matching service under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, supported by the nationwide Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) in England and Wales.
St John of God Hospitaller Services in partnership with CSAN are offering a matching pathway, training and support programme for sponsors and individuals displaced by the war in Ukraine. We aim to support people on their journey and provide opportunities to integrate into our community in the UK.
After months of the brutal Russian war in Ukraine, the number of people fleeing the war and in need of shelter remains high and will continue to rise as winter is fast approaching.
We are very conscious that so much of our attention is rightly focused on those at home who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. There will be those in our communities less affected by that who may be able and willing to open their hearts and homes to displaced people from Ukraine. Can you help?
CAFOD Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal
At least 3 million people have fled their homes to escape conflict in Ukraine. Your donations will reach families who are in urgent need of help.
Parishes of Welcome
The war in Ukraine shows no sign of ending soon, and its people are continuing to flee. Would you like to help your parish extend a welcome to refugees? Are you seeking to host a family or individual - or do you already have a guest and experience you'd like to exchange with fellow hosts?
We have received numerous expressions of interest in hosting refugees from the conflict in Ukraine. Compassion and solidarity are alive and well in the Diocese of Nottingham. That's why we're opening a Parishes of Welcome scheme, to help you find the support you need as a welcomer, locally and nationally, within the Church and beyond.
Even if you don't have spare accommodation, there are already plenty of opportunities to develop the care, support and accompaniment that will help those who have fled Ukraine to find a place of safety.
Pope Francis Message for the 55th World Peace Day 01.01.22
Click on the picture link above to read the message
Sponsorship to all Ukrainian refugees
Click on the picture link above for details
Caritas in Ukraine
Caritas Ukraine and Caritas-Spes are working on the ground to help about 13.000 people in different parts of the country, and especially in critical areas such as Mariupol, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kyiv and Odessa. Caritas Internationalis have launched a campaign to support their work, especially for the most vulnerable people, such as the elderly and children in the conflict zones.
#HelpUkraine
Organisations in Derby serving the Ukrainian community have come together to launch the #HelpUkraine appeal. The national launch was hosted by the Ukrainian Parish Church of St Michael the Archangel, near the Arboretum. It is introduced in the video above by Fr David Senyk, parish priest of communities the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in the area of our diocese.
You are invited to donate to this appeal, which is managed by the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain with the Church's support. It represents the efforts of Ukrainians here in Nottingham Diocese and across the UK, and is the perfect way to show solidarity with our own neighbours, and their efforts for their compatriots, in this crisis.
Care for our Common Home
The Call of Creation
Bishops launch new edition of environment document 04.10.22
On the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecologists and animals, the Social Justice Department of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has launched a new edition of its teaching document on the environment – The Call of Creation.
First published two decades ago, in 2002, this new edition is released at the conclusion of the Church’s month-long Season of Creation. The document calls for a “profound interior conversion” and for Catholics to “repair our relationship with God’s creation” to address the current ecological crisis.
Pioneer Parishes
a new environmental initiative
'Pioneer Parishes' is an ambitious new environmental initiative for the Diocese of Nottingham, equipping parishes to map a journey to sustainability.
We're launching on St Francis' Day, 4 October at 7.00pm and we invite you to join us online that evening to pray, learn and find out more.
You can learn about Pioneer Parishes, a new scheme to support your parish in reaching net-zero and rewilding our land, and hear from one of the parishes who are already leading the way.
Click here to book your place.
Nottingham Diocese goes green
On 23 September the Diocesan Board of Trustees formally approved a far-reaching environmental policy framework for the diocese, its parishes and schools.
The policy challenges us to live out Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si in our life as a Church. It establishes an endeavour to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, and to make our land a home for nature. It's an ambitious vision, and everyone has a part to play.
The Season of Creation with Caritas Nottingham
Each year on the 1st September, the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Creation, established by Pope Francis in 2015.
The Joy of Love
New reflection document on Marriage and Family Life
Click on the picture link above for details
Pope Francis Message for the second world day for Grandparents and the Elderly 24.07.22
Click on the picture link above for details
We are delighted to launch in the Autumn - Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive), this is the Diocese of Nottingham's ministry for those aged 18-35. The Adult Formation for Mission Department will be working closely with the Vocations Team and a group of young adults to plan events and activities in for young adults in the diocese.
We will be starting with monthly meetings in Nottingham that will be focused on bringing young adults together to pray, grow in faith and socialise, we have organised two pilgrimages to different pilgrimage sites in the diocese, click on the picture below to see the list of dates.
Join our mailing list here
Pope Francis Letter to Married Couples December 2021
Pope Francis Message for the first world day for Grandparents and the Elderly 25.07.21
Click on the picture link above to read the letter
Novena on the Care of Creation
The 'God Who Speaks' team offers this Novena of readings and prayers as tangible action to respond to the urgent climate change issues we all face.
please click on the picture link
A Father's Heart - A Podcast for Catholic Dads
This new podcast series from the Diocese of Nottingham for the Year of St Joseph will explore what does it mean to be a Catholic Dad , taking St Joseph as our model. Each month a section of the Apostolic Letter Patris Corde will be explored through conservation with two dads from the Diocese of Nottingham sharing their thoughts and experiences.
'Being a Disciple'
The 'Being a Disciple' series was run in conjunction between the Diocese of Nottingham and Catholic Voices over four evenings on Zoom in January 2021.
Brenden Thompson, CEO of Catholic Voices presented in each session a fundamental principle of being a Catholic disciple. Session 1 explores the Word of God and how as disciples we are called to internalise it that means to live it, to share it and to seek to know it better.
This course was aimed at both those who would like to grow in their personal discipleship and those who want to help others grow.
The recordings are presented here for you to access and use this course to help you grow as a disciple or to help others in your community.
youth2000uk Youth 2000 seeks to draw young people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, lived at the heart of the Catholic church. www.youth2000.org
Let us pray for peace, and let us bring it about, starting in our own homes!
May we help people to discover the joy of the Christian message: a message of love and mercy. Pope Francis
Pope Francis: our path is to take care of others
Pope Francis 03.02.15 - Daily contemplation of the Gospel
Daily contemplation of the Gospel helps us to have true hope. The Pope again urged people to take 10 minutes out of their day to pick up the Gospel and talk to the Lord, rather than waste it on TV soap operas or listening to other peoples’ gossip.
Take up the Gospel, read and imagine the scene, imagine what happens and talk to Jesus, from the heart. And with this we allow hope to grow, because we have our gaze fixed, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
We should all carry out this contemplative prayer. 'But I have so much to do!'. At home, 15 minutes, pick up the Gospel, a small passage, imagine what happened and talk with Jesus about it. So your gaze will be fixed on Jesus and not so much on a TV soap opera, for example. Your ears will be focused on the words of Jesus and not so much on your neighbourhood gossip ... ".
Hope comes from this prayer, he said, adding "our Christian life unfolds in that context, between memory and hope": "Memory of our past journey, memory of so many graces received from the Lord. And hope, looking at the Lord, who is the only one who can give me hope. And in order to gaze at the Lord, to know the Lord, we pick up the Gospel and carry out this contemplative prayer.
Today, for example, try for 10 minutes - 15, no more – to read the Gospel, picture it and say something to Jesus. And nothing more. And so your knowledge of Jesus will be bigger and your hope will grow.
Bishop Patrick recommends the new Pocket Gospels
Pope Francis has said "Everyone should carry a small Bible or a pocket edition of the Gospels and should find at least a few minutes every day to Read the Word of God"
Priced £4.99 from the Bible Society
Daily Readings - read the entire New Testament over a 2 year period
(reading plan courtesy of Gideon International)
Sunday & daily Mass live streamed at
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Thoughts from Elston Hermitage on Angels
Of all things visible and invisible angels then are part of that invisible side of God's creation and so worthily deserve our attention.
Angels are God's messengers not only for great occasions but we can be assured they are constantly looking after us too as promised by the Psalmist 'The Lord will command his Angels to guard you in all your ways, they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone' (Ps. 91 11-12). Angels then are body and soul guards, and each of us has a guardian angel to watch over us.
Pope Francis: Guardian angels our companions on life’s journey
Pope Francis at Mass at Casa Santa Marta. "Guardian angels exist, they are not the fruit of imaginative doctrine, but companions that God has placed beside us on our life’s journey."
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