The Holy See has announced the death of Pope Francis on 21st April 2025. The Church now enters an official nine-day period of mourning.
Let us pray for the repose of Pope Francis' soul, that he may know, in full measure, the merciful and loving embrace of the Father, of the one God to whom he gave his life in unstinting service.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Below are some liturgical and devotional resources, prepared by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Prayer cards have been printed for the whole of England and Wales, and will be delivered to all parishes.
https://rcdow.org.uk/pope-francis-rip/
Holy Year Pilgrimage
During this Jubilee Year one of our major Pastoral Area events is the Saint Wulstan Southern Way Catholic Pilgrimage, from Thursday 22nd May until Wednesday 28th May. Perpetual pilgrims will walk 100 miles or so from Worcester (the titular city of Saint Wulstan’s large diocese) to Bristol (where he persuaded slave traders of his time to cease). As well as the perpetual pilgrims we are all invited to: walk for some of the way; engage with Masses and other events each day along the route; and support the pilgrimage through prayer and other ways.
For more information, including the stops within our pastoral area, and how we can be involved as a perpetual pilgrim (register by 27th April), independent day or half-day pilgrim (register by 11th May) or locally as we walk, talk, pray and celebrate, please visit https://saintwulstan.org.uk/pilgrimage/. There is an email address on that website for further information. It is due to pass through our three parishes on Sunday 25th May, with a stop at Our Lady and Saint Thérèse, Painswick, at 1:30pm, and Saint Joseph’s, Stonehouse, from 5:00pm. There will also be morning prayer at Saint Joseph’s on Monday 26th May at 8:30am.
Jubilee Year 2025
The Holy Year ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ began on 24th December and continues until 6th January next year. There will be a meeting for our three parishes at Saint Joseph’s, Stonehouse next Saturday 25th January at 11:00am for us to discuss how we can celebrate this year.
A new page has been added to the website for information relating to the Jubliee Year 2025.