An invitation from Bishop John
 
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
 
This Easter Season finds us living among the terrible effects of a tragic Pandemic interrupting the peace of our normal daily lives. 
 
Among us are those who have mourned the passing of loved ones, distraught at not being able to say an adequate final farewell; those concerned about their sick and vulnerable loved ones whom they cannot go to be with and comfort; people alone and isolated from companionship; families worried about their livelihoods; all of us concerned for the future.  We listen daily to news briefings for some optimistic data bur find it hard, as yet, to see any light at the end of the tunnel. 
 
Yet, in all of this we are an Easter People who live these days in confident trust and sure supernatural hope that God does not abandon His People. 
 
Already, we are seeing signs of hope in the witness of daily acts of heroism from our health and social care workers and all those in key and frontline services.  We see it in those who care for the vulnerable in our society with daily solidarity.   Our modern society is experiencing anew how no-one can save himself but we are all in the same boat and depend on each other, and Our Loving Saviour Jesus Christ, to see us safely to the other side.   
 
Our churches may be closed but our faith is alive all around us with many innovative ways being born of being the Church.  Livestreamed Masses, Rosaries, Novenas, Devotions and Kids’ Church are daily attracting record numbers on-line.  Parish communities are gathering together for socials like Coffee Mornings and many other ways of remaining open.  In all of this Catholics are seeing awakening in our Church our radical need for prayer and Christian fraternity.
 
Therefore, with so much hope, and these intentions in mind, I invite you to join me in praying our Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit this year when, as a diocesan family, we prepare ourselves for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our Church and our mission.  
 
Strangely in these otherwise dark times in our world, we feel inspired to pray with renewed trust and confidence in Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, to bring about His promised new Springtime, so awaited and longed for, in the life of our Church in the world. 
 
May Our Blessed Mother Mary, Who was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit from Nazareth to the Upper Room and beyond, accompany and intercede for us.
 
With the assurance of my prayers and blessing,
 
+ John

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Pentecost Novena sign-up
The Diocesan Commission for Evangelisation is promoting this Novena for the nine days from Ascension Thursday (21 ^st May) till Pentecost Sunday (31 ^st May).  To sign up please access the web address http://eepurl.com/g2D9yP .  Alternatively you can log on each day to the diocesan web page www.rcdop.org.uk or social media.
 
 

How to pray the Novena

You will receive an email each day from Ascension Thursday till Pentecost Sunday.  There is special intercession for each day.  These reflect the Charter of the Diocese from the Synod, namely the various areas we identified as priorities for prayer.  These include Evangelisation, Collaborative ministry, Faith formation, Welcoming Parishes, outreach to Marginalised, Youth, Marriage and Families.  The intercession for each day is accompanied by a passage of scripture, a reflection and a prayer.
There are additional prayers including the Diocesan Prayer of the Synod which we encourage you to say daily.