News and Events
We Remember Pope Francis
AND Pray for our new Pope Leo xiV
This week's Newsletter
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (31st August 2025)
Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey
Reflection on last week's Gospel
22 SUNDAY in ORDINARY Time -year C
"If somebody invites you to a party, don't occupy the first place, lest someone more famous than you is invited by him. " (Luke 14:7).
Today's readings talk about one of the most beautiful virtues - humility. A humble person is able to stand in the truth and say, "I am not special, I am not better than anyone else." I am a sinner. I know my place in the line". Humility is the opposite of playing God - playing with God and trudging yourself into a place that belongs only to Him. Such a man is praised by Mary Magnificat's hymn:
His mercy is from generation to generation, upon those who fear him. He showed the power of his arm, he scattered the delicious thoughts of his hearts. He has removed the rulers from the throne and exalted the humble. He fed the hungry with goodies, and gave the rich away with nothing.
Humility is the truth about yourself The realization that we brought nothing into this world and we cannot take anything out of it. And even if we have anything, we have it by the grace of God. "What do you have that you wouldn't receive, and if you did, why are you bragging like you didn't? ” (1 Cor 4, 7). This awareness produces modesty, non-pretentiousness, authenticity. A person likes Jesus, a quiet and humble heart.
Let us recall here the parable of the Pharisee and the customs officer. The Gospel teaches us to keep saying, "Lord, have mercy on me a sinner". When we look with pride at others, unbelievers, those who “attack the Church,” when we feel we are superior and possess the fullness of the truth, we put ourselves in the position of a Pharisee. But this is what he heard: "Woe to you Pharisees..." " (Luke 11:42).year C
"If somebody invites you to a party, don't occupy the first place, lest someone more famous than you is invited by him. " (Luke 14:7).
Today's readings talk about one of the most beautiful virtues - humility. A humble person is able to stand in the truth and say, "I am not special, I am not better than anyone else." I am a sinner. I know my place in the line". Humility is the opposite of playing God - playing with God and trudging yourself into a place that belongs only to Him. Such a man is praised by Mary Magnificat's hymn:
His mercy is from generation to generation, upon those who fear him. He showed the power of his arm, he scattered the delicious thoughts of his hearts. He has removed the rulers from the throne and exalted the humble. He fed the hungry with goodies, and gave the rich away with nothing.
Humility is the truth about yourself The realization that we brought nothing into this world and we cannot take anything out of it. And even if we have anything, we have it by the grace of God. "What do you have that you wouldn't receive, and if you did, why are you bragging like you didn't? ” (1 Cor 4, 7). This awareness produces modesty, non-pretentiousness, authenticity. A person likes Jesus, a quiet and humble heart.
Let us recall here the parable of the Pharisee and the customs officer. The Gospel teaches us to keep saying, "Lord, have mercy on me a sinner". When we look with pride at others, unbelievers, those who “attack the Church,” when we feel we are superior and possess the fullness of the truth, we put ourselves in the position of a Pharisee. But this is what he heard: "Woe to you Pharisees..." " (Luke 11:42).
Fr Andrzej Muszala
Message from Bishop John
A Diocesan Synod is an important event in the life of a Diocese in which Bishop, priests and lay-people come together in a spirit of prayer to discern together what God is asking of His Church in our Diocese and will help us to live out our calling to be Missionary Disciples.
The Vision of our Diocesan Synod is: To enable true collaboration between the clergy and laity at diocesan and parish level by truly listening to each other.
To discern what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church in Salford at this next stage of our journey.
Synod Implementation
Update - June 2025
'Our Diocese continues its journey of renewal and listening, begun by the Synod process. A Synod Implementation Team has been formed to guide the four key areas identified at our voting day in March. Each grouping of Leadership and Collaboration, Community and Outreach, Young People and Schools, and Spirituality and Formation, have their own dedicated subgroup. As these teams begin their work, two recommendations are already developing. The Community and Outreach group is recommending the establishment of Welcome Teams in every parish. Parishes are encouraged to share their good practice on Welcome and are asked to form Teams by the First Sunday of Advent. Ideas and opinions are being gathered which may promote appropriate support structures for our clergy.
Let us continue to pray that we may discern what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church, and to our Diocese, in these times.'
Stay With Us Lord On Our Journey
Pentecost 2025
Today we celebrate the feast of Pentecost, just reflect on that prayer of the holy Spirit
“You send forth your spirit and they are created and you renew the face of the earth”...taken from that great Creation psalm. This renewal happens through the Holy Spirit in every age and every time, bearing witness to Jesus, in our lives.
As Pope Benedict tells us The Holy Spirit...“inspires the church in her task of proclaiming the word of God, and in the preaching of the Apostles”...as he also tells us, “without the efficacious working of the Spirit of truth the words of the Lord cannot be understood."
Just reflect also on the words of St John Paul II when he says that...“The Spirit …makes present in the church of every time and place the unique revelation brought by Christ to humanity, making it alive and active in the soul of each individual”, all the time bringing about renewal in the hearts of believers .
As Jesus was to tell his disciples the night before he died... “I will the pray to the Father, and he will send you another counsellor to be with you forever even the spirit of truth…he will guide you into all truth for he will not speak on his own authority…and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me for he will take what is mine..”
As St Hilary tells us... “Since in our weakness we cannot grasp the Father and the Son, our faith is enlightened by the gift of the Holy Spirit”, the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and Son, leads us into all truth for all time.
St Paul tells us, no one can say that Jesus is Lord unless they are under the influence of the Spirit, again the Holy Spirit bearing witness to Jesus.
St Paul also points to the unity that the Spirit gives us all...”there is a variety of gifts but the same Spirit...working in all sorts of ways in different people“...which made me think of the gifts of the Spirit. Again St Paul helps when he lists them as...“ joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control."...all helping us to live the life that God wants us to live. And again..."Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit”...or as Pope Francis tells us..."there is no greater freedom than that of allowing oneself to be guided by the Holy Spirit.”
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Response: "And with your spirit."
Upcoming Events
Jubilee Year
Pope Francis declared 2025 as a Holy Year of Jubilee for the church. The theme is Pilgrims of Hope . The pilgrims of Hope Jubilee presents each one of us with an opportunity to reignite the flame of our faith in our own hearts and to share the light of faith with those in darkness. More information on the Jubilee can be found below.
We can continue to Journey Together as 'Pilgrims of Hope' and to commend our prayers to the Lord for his intentions during this year.
Have a look at what has been happening in the Jubilee Calendar below and what is yet to come!
