Welcome

Dear Friends,
After months of fighting, the war in Ukraine rumbles on. Millions of civilians are unable to return home and many still in the country are forced to live without access to food, water, health care, and other essential supplies. Innocent civilians have been caught up in the conflict, with almost 20,000 casualties, and over 6 million people internally displaced. Moreover, the conflict continues to disrupt the global economy and endanger essential food and other supplies to many countries. Let us redouble our prayers for an end to violence and war, for reconciliation and justice, and for true peace. Here in the Diocese, this would be a good intention to place before the Holy Spirit. As the Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation II says: by your Holy Spirit, “you move human hearts that enemies may speak to each other again, adversaries join hands and peoples seek to meet together.” We also have other intentions to pray for this week as well, not least for the unity of Christians as the Octave of Prayer draws to a close tomorrow. Let us pray too for the parish in Somers Town after the shooting and for our Jewish brothers and sisters commemorating Holocaust Day on Friday. Meanwhile, if you are aged 16-30, why not join us for the upcoming World Youth Day in Lisbon? Prayers and best wishes to you all for this coming week.