Cardinal Newman to be recognised as a saint
Parish Webmaster • September 17, 2019
Pope Francis is to canonise Blessed John Henry Newman in St Peter’s Square on Sunday 13 October 2019 alongside four others.
This will make Cardinal Newman the first English person who has lived since the 17th century to be officially recognised as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.
John Henry Newman (1801-1890) was ordained as a Church of England priest and soon became the leader of the Oxford Movement but converted to Catholicism in 1845. He founded the Birmingham Oratory in England and was later made a cardinal. When he died at the age of 89, more than 15,000 people lined the streets of Birmingham for his funeral.

Banks have been increasing their charges for processing cash “payments in” at an enormous rate and our bankers [HSBC] are no exception. This means that a significant proportion of our weekly income goes in bank charges. To help offset this expense terminals will be available in the church from this weekend to enable parishioners to use debit and credit cards to make contributions. They operate in the same way as terminals in shops, restaurants, etc. Should you wish to gift aid your donation just select the option and the terminal will prompt you to enter your details. This only has to be done once as the terminals will remember your gift aid details for donations in the future using the same card.

This programme will commence in the New Year. Application forms are available at the back of the church. Please ensure a copy of the child’s baptismal certificate is attached to the form if they were not baptised in this parish. Completed forms should be posted through the presbytery letterbox. Any child in Year 3 and above who lives in the parish and attends Mass is eligible for First Holy Communion. Those who live outside the parish must obtain the permission of their own parish priest before applying.

VERY MANY THANKS to all our parishioners who helped to make our Christmas celebrations so peaceful and prayerful. Our altar servers, the beautiful flower arrangements, readers, eucharistic ministers, the choir and organist, church cleaners, sacristans, ushers, those who built and assembled the crib. So many people who work so hard behind the scenes to make it possible for us to celebrate Christmas worthily and well. Also thank you for your generous Christmas offerings; they are much appreciated.

WORLD YOUTH SUNDAY, celebrating the young people of our Church. There will be a second collection to support the work of the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service, helping young people grow in faith through retreats, pilgrimages, and leadership opportunities. You can donate in the parish this weekend, or online at www.bcys.net/donate , and please keep all young people in your prayers.





