4th Sunday of the Year.
Parish Priest: Fr. David Palmer: Tel: 01673 842323 E:mail: holyroodchurchmr@outlook.com
Welcome to our website. Here are the Mass times for this week:
Confessions are available after Mass or during exposition Thursday 10:30am or on request
Coffee and tea etc. in the schoolroom after 11.30 Sunday Mass.
February 100 Club Winners: 1st: 94 Rob W, 2nd 41 Holly C, 3rd 57 Jenny L
Reader and Flower rota: The new rotas are now available on the Events Page. The Coffee rota is on the calendar in the schoolroom.
January 100 Club Winners: 33 Ann D, 73 Christine G, 75 Keith
Exploring Catholicism 7pm Thursday Schoolroom. This week we will be exploring The Eucharist. Anyone is welcome to attend. Refreshments are available from 6.30pm. Session finished by 8.15pm.
First Aid kits: Two new First Aid kits and Accident Report books are available. One kit and book is in the Narthex; the other kit and book are in the schoolroom. Bottled water is also in the Narthex.
Schoolroom Hire: The amended Booking Forms and Amended T&Cs are now available. A copy of the T&Cs is on the schoolroom noticeboard. Please see Mary Q or Keith for more information.
Parish E-Mailing List: We have set up a new parish E-mail list which allows those who join to be kept up-to date with information in the parish via E-mail. It is a versatile tool and will allow (in time) various groups within the parish to have their own sections. If you would like to join, please just send an E-mail with “Parish List” in the subject line to holyroodchurchmr@outlook.com (You can leave at any time).
Rosary: The Rosary is said before the 10am Mass at Holy Rood on Tuesdays, all are welcome to join in.
Exposition and Adoration (Confessions available) Thursdays 10:30am Holy Rood (after Mass)
Mass Intentions: If you want to have a Mass offered for a particular intention, we have “Mass intention Envelopes” at the back of each Church. The Diocese recommends a donation of £10 for a Mass intention.
Food Bank: Tinned & dried goods are always needed to help those families who are struggling at this time of year. If you would like any further information please have a chat with Pauline.
What‘s happening out and about?
If you want to know more about the Nottingham Diocese Go Make Disciples project then here is a link GMD At the bottom of the linked page you can download the 80+ page document which will give you more information.
If you would like to know more about The Diocese Charity Status Charity No. 1134449 or the Sick and Retired Priest Fund Charity no. 510119, click here
Year of St Francis
Pope Leo has announced a “Year of St Francis” here is the decree that the Holy See has issued.
DECREE ON THE EIGHTH CENTENARY OF THE DEATH OF ST.FRANCIS OF ASSISI, A SPECIAL JUBILEE YEAR IS ANNOUNCED WITH ATTACHED PLENARY INDULGENCES.
“Keep the memory of our father and brother Francis, to the praise and glory of Him who made him great amongst men and glorified him amongst angels. Pray for him, as he himself asked us before he died, and pray to him, so that God may also share with him in his holy grace.”
Whilst the fruits of grace of the Ordinary Jubilee of the year 2025 that has just ended, in which we have all been spurred to become pilgrims of this hope that does not disappoint, are still timely and effective (cf. Rom 5:5), here is added to it as an ideal continuation a new occasion for jubilation and sanctification: the Eighth Centenary of the happy passage of St. Francis of Assisi from earthly life to his heavenly homeland (3 October 1226). In recent years, other important jubilees have concerned the figure and works of the Saint of Assisi: the eighth centenary of the creation of the first Nativity scene in Greccio, of the composition of the Canticle of the Creatures, a hymn to the holy beauty of creation, and that of the impression of the Sacred Stigmata, which took place on Monte della Verna, almost a new Calvary, two years before his death. 2026 will mark the culmination and fulfillment of all previous celebrations: it will in fact be the Year of St. Francis and we will all be called to become saints in the contemporary world following the example of the
Seraphic Patriarch.f it is admirably true that “there is no other name under heaven given to men” (cf. At 4:12) apart from Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of humanity, it is equally extraordinarily true that between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, in the age of so-called holy wars, laxity of morals, misunderstood religious fervour, “a sun was born into the world”: Francis, who, from the son of a rich merchant, became poor and humble, true Ancient Christ on earth, providing the world with tangible examples of evangelical life and a real image of Christian perfection. Our time is not very different from that in which Francis lived, and precisely in the light of this his teaching is perhaps even more valid and understandable today. When Christian charity languishes, ignorance spreads like immorality, and those who exalt concord among peoples do so more out of selfishness than out of a sincere Christian spirit; when the virtual takes over the real, disagreements and social violence are part of everyday life and peace becomes more insecure and distant every day, this Year of St. Francis spurs all of us, each according to our possibilities, to imitate the poor man of Assisi, to form ourselves as far as possible on the model of Christ, not to frustrate the purposes of the Holy Year that has just ended: may the hope that has seen us as pilgrims now be transformed into zeal and fervour of active charity.
“And in this I want to know if you love the Lord and love me as his servant and yours, if you will do this, namely, that there may never be a brother in the world who has sinned as much as he could sin, who, after seeing your eyes, goes away without your merciful forgiveness, if he asks for it.”
With these extraordinary words, reported in the well-known Epistle ad quendam ministrum, St. Francis at the same time not only dispenses consolation and advice to an anonymous confrere, but above all outlines and emphasises the fundamental concept of mercy, to which that of forgiveness and indulgence is inextricably linked. And it is precisely a pardon, the well-known “Pardon of Assisi” or “Indulgence of the Portiuncula,” that Pope Honorius III granted by exceptional privilege directly to Francis for those who, having confessed and received communion, visited on the 2nd August an ancient church near Assisi, erected 800 years earlier on a “small portion of land” (hence the name Porziuncola).With the same generous enthusiasm and joy that the Saint, in seeing his prayer answered by the Vicar of Christ, radiated on the crowd present at the consecration of the Portiuncula in announcing the grace granted, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Minister of our faith and our joy, establishes that, from January 10, 2026, to coincide with the closing of the Ordinary Jubilee, until 10 January 2027, a special Year of St. Francis may be proclaimed, in which every Christianfaithful, following the example of the Saint of Assisi, may himself become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace.
For a more perfect attainment of its intended purposes, the Apostolic Penitentiary, through the present Decree issued in conformity with the will of the Supreme Pontiff, on the occasion of the Year of St. Francis, grants the Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father), which can also be applied in the form of suffrage for the souls in Purgatory:
1) Members: – of the Franciscan Families of the First, Second and Third Regular and Secular Orders;
– Institutes of Consecrated Life, Societies of Apostolic Life and Public or Private Associations of the Faithful, male and female, which observe the Rule of St. Francis or are inspired by his spirituality or in any form they perpetuate his charism;
2) to all the faithful without distinction who, with a spirit detached from sin, will participate in the Year of St. Francis by visiting in the form of a pilgrimage any Franciscan conventual church, or place of worship in any part of the world named after St. Francis or connected to him for any reason, and there they will devoutly follow the Jubilee rites or spend at least a suitable period of time in pious meditation and will raise prayers to God so that, following the example of Saint Francis, may sentiments of Christian charity towards one’s neighbour and authentic wishes for harmony and peace among peoples spring up in hearts, concluding with the Our Father, the Creed and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Francis of Assisi, St Clare and all the saints of the Franciscan Family.
The elderly, the sick and those who take care of them and all those who for serious reasons are unable to leave their homes, will also be able to obtain the Plenary Indulgence, provided that they are detached from any sin and intend to fulfil the three usual conditions as soon as possible, if they join spiritually in the Jubilee celebrations of the Year of St. Francis, offering their prayers to the Merciful God, the pains or sufferings of one’s life.
In order that such an opportunity to obtain divine grace through the Power of the Keys of the Church may be realised more easily, this Penitentiary firmly asks all priests, regular and secular, endowed with the appropriate faculties, to make themselves available, in a ready, generous and merciful spirit, for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This decree is valid for the Year of St. Francis. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary. Given in Rome, from the See of the Apostolic Penitentiary, on the 10th January 2026, the Vigil of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
I have My Mission – Each of us has a mission from God. Each of us has been chosen to bring the love of God to others. On Saturday 31st January, at Saint Mary’s Church, Derby, the Diocese has organised a Day to help you live this mission, your mission. Could you represent our parish at this day? Mass will be celebrated at 10.00am with the Conference starting at 11.00am. The keynote speaker is Abbot Hugh Allan o.praem, Mission Director for the Bishops’ Conference. To book your place visit dioceseofnottingham.uk/events or email formation@dioceseofnottingham.uk
Saint Mary’s Parish, Loughborough (LE11 3AB), is hosting a Gregorian Chant Day on Saturday 14th February, from 10.00am until 4.00pm, concluding with the singing of Vespers. Greg Treloar, previously Diocesan Director of Music, will be leading the day, for which there is a suggested donation of £10. For more information, or to register for the day, please contact Martins: martinsobi@gmail.com
Holy Family Parish, Leicester is seeking to appoint a friendly and organised part-time Parish Administrator to support the day-to-day running of the parish. The role will be for 10 hours per week at Band £13.09 per hour. The successful applicant will undertake duties including parish administration, answering enquiries, keeping records, and organising rotas and newsletters. To request an application form, email office@dioceseofnottingham.uk The closing date is Friday 6th February.
The Glossop parishes are hosting a presentation by Light of Faith (a ministry of the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph), with the topic New Directions in Catechesis: a new approach to sacramental preparation and catechesis is transforming families and parishes – could it work for yours? The presentation is designed for parish clergy, parish lay leadership, parish catechists, head teachers, school chaplains, and anyone who helps in sacramental preparation. They would also love to welcome people who feel they could help parents in their task of passing on the faith to their children. This event is free (although donations are welcome to help the parishes pay the sisters’ travel and accommodation costs and other expenses) and is on Friday 6th February, at 7.00pm, in Saint Mary’s Parish Hall, Glossop. For details visit www.glossopcatholics.org.uk/newdirections
For your information or assistance…
We have two email addresses that perform different roles. Just to clear any confusion here is a reminder.
holyroodchurchmr@outlook.com is the one to use to communicate with Fr. David directly re spiritual, personal, or ongoing matters.
holyroodmr@gmail.com was set up in 2020 to deal with general enquiries, communication generated via the website, and third parties such as West Lindsey churches festival. These emails are initially looked at by the bulletin team and passed to Fr. David if appropriate.
God bless you all,
Fr. David
