Newsletter - 15 March
The Jubilee Year of St Francis
The Jubilee Year of Saint Francis is a special “Year of Grace” proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV to run from 10 January 2026 to 10 January 2027. This Year marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi in 1226.
In his proclamation, Pope Leo asks the Church to embrace St. Francis’ legacy of peace, reconciliation and care for creation. Francis, he says, is a messenger of peace in a world torn by war. The Pope also links the Franciscan vision of peace to the care of creation, urging respect for all as demonstrated by Francis calling the sun and moon “brother” and “sister” and recognising in every creature a reflection of divine beauty. Pope Leo reminds us that for Francis “Peace with God, peace among human beings and with creation are inseparable dimensions of a single call to human reconciliation.”
This year, the Season of Creation in our parish will be dedicated to Saint Francis, the patron saint of ecology who lived in simplicity and wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself.
Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight
hundred years ago
went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace,
intercede for us before the Lord.
You recognised true peace in the Crucifix of San
Damiano,
Teach us to seek in Him the source of all
Reconciliation
That breaks down every wall.
You who unarmed, crossed the lines of war
And misunderstanding,
Give us the courage to build bridges
Where the world raises up boundaries.
In this time afflicted by conflict and division,
Intercede for us so that we may become
Peacemakers:
Unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace
That comes from Christ.
Amen
(Pope Leo XIV)
Helena Worley
Focus of the week
SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION
There will be a Service of Reconciliation on
Tuesday 17 March at 7.30pm.
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EASTER PROGRAMME
Please collect an Easter Programme from the entrance hall.
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The next We Dare to Ask meetings will be held on 24 and 31 March.
Notices of the Week
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