We hope this website will answer all your questions about our church and its community. If there is anything you would like to know that is not covered in these pages, please feel free to get in touch using the ‘Contact us’ tab above.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC
ST MARY’S WILL BE OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES:
Mondays 10.30am-12.30pm, Wednesdays 4.00pm-6.00pm,
Saturdays 10.30am-12.30pm, Sundays 3.00pm-5.00pm
Please note: Hand sanitiser must be used on entry and exit and there is a single directional walkway which is indicated.
The Bishops have made clear that in these emergency circumstances, and for as long as they last, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is removed.
We will be using this page to keep you informed during the pandemic.
Please keep checking back for the latest updates.
************************************************
Facebook support group
A private Facebook support group called St Marys Community Support has been set up to help parishioners stay in touch, share information/advice, and offer each other support . Click here to join the group now. NB: You will need to have a Facebook account to join, but it is easy to set one up. Please share this information with others in the Parish.
************************************************
06.7.2020: Letter from Fr Paul – 6 July 2020, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear All, You have probably heard in the news how in some cities in America mobs are pulling down a number of statues. Should controversial statues be removed? Well, that’s not for me to say. That is something to be decided by local communities after discussion and debate, but it should not be the action of a mob. Statues of the saints have also been pulled down and desecrated. Last week a mob of two hundred gathered in the city of St Louis to pull down a statue of St Louis (1214-1270), the great monarch of France. Click here to read more
03.7.20: Liturgy for Sunday 5 July 2020
03.7.20: Newsletter for Sunday 5 July 2020
28.6.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 28 June 2020, Saints Peter and Paul
Dear All, Today is the transferred Solemnity of SS Peter and Paul. I say transferred because the real date of the Feast is 29th June (Monday), and in normal times it would be a Holyday of Obligation. The current practice in England and Wales when a Day of Obligation falls on a Saturday or Monday is to transfer it to the Sunday. Click here to read more
28.6.20: Newsletter for Sunday 28 June 2020
Click here to read (includes Liturgy for Saints Peter & Paul and Financial Report)
27.6.20: Archbishops’ Letter to Catholics in England
Click here to view/download the letter
25.6.20: Re-opening the Church for private prayer
Click here to read this news item
21.6.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 21 June 2020
Dear All, This is the first Sunday in ‘Ordinary Time’ we have had since before Lent, and so the priest returns to wearing green vestments. This is going to be rather short lived since next Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of the Princes of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul who were martyrs and so red is worn. Red is also going to be worn tomorrow because it is the Feast of two very important English martyrs: St John Fisher and St Thomas More. Both were executed under King Henry VIII in 1535. Click here to read more
19.6.20: Liturgy for Sunday 21 June 2020
19.6.20: Newsletter for Sunday 21 June 2020
14.6.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 14 June 2020, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi
Dear All, In the year 1263, a German priest by the name of Peter of Prague was going on a pilgrimage to Rome and he stopped off at the town of Bolsena in Italy to celebrate Mass. He was having problems believing that Christ was truly present in the Holy Eucharist. Click here to read more
13.6.20: Liturgy for Sunday 14 June 2020
13.6.20: Newsletter for Sunday 14 June 2020
09.6.20: Letter from Fr Paul: Re-opening the church
Dear Parishioners, As you will no doubt be aware, the Government has given permission for places of worship to re-open under strict conditions from next Monday 15th June for private prayer only. Our ability to open next Monday will be dependant on all the necessary measures being in place by then. If they are not we will have to delay. But it will soon be possible to come in on certain days and at specified times and pray before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. I will let you know those times at the weekend and they will also be posted on the front door of the church. We are not able to resume the public celebration of Mass at this stage. This is a little further down the road and even then there will still be restrictions. Click here to read more
07.6.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 7 June, Trinity Sunday
Dear All, On the Sunday after Pentecost, we always celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Blessed Trinity or Trinity Sunday as it is more commonly called. The doctrine of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of our faith (Catechism of the Catholic Church #234). That is there is one God and three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When you think about it, the Trinity really is the central mystery of our Faith. Click here to read more.
05.6.20: Newsletter for Sunday 7 June 2020
05.6.20: Live Stream Mass from Nottingham Cathedral
Click here to view this news item
31.5.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 31 May 2020, Pentecost Sunday
Dear All, Happy Feast! Today’s Feast of Pentecost is one of the greatest of the liturgical year and we can read a full account of it in the Acts of the Apostles (2:1-42), and we hear the first part of it in today’s First Reading. The Gospels do not give an account of Pentecost. Click here to read more
29.5.20: Liturgy for Sunday 31 May 2020
29.5.20: Newsletter for Sunday 31 May 2020
22.5.20: Liturgy for Sunday 24 May 2020
22.5.20: Newsletter for Sunday 24 May 2020
22.5.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 21 May 2020, Ascension Thursday
Dear All, I wish you all a very happy Solemnity of the Ascension! But what is the Ascension of Our Lord and why is it important? It is distinct from His Resurrection. At the Resurrection, the body and soul of JESUS were reunited in a glorified state. I’ve written about this in previous letters. But forty days later, “He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father” as we say in the Creed each week. Click here to read more
19.5.20: Liturgy for Ascension Thursday (21 May 2020)
16.5.20: Liturgy for Sunday 17 May 2020
15.5.20: Newsletter for Sunday 17 May 2020
15.5.20: Pray a Novena for Pentecost
Click here to sign and have the Novena prayers emailed to you.
13.5.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 13 May 2020, Our Lady of Fatima
Dear All, I hope you are all well. We priests remain in reasonably good shape! I am awaiting news to see whether in the light of the Prime Minister’s recent statements on the Coronavirus whether we will be able to open the church at least for some hours during the day for private prayer. When this happens it is likely conditions will be attached to it, but I’m not sure yet exactly what they might be. Click here to read more
09.5.20: Liturgy for Sunday 10 May 2020
08.5.20: Newsletter for Sunday 10 May 2020
07.5.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 7 May 2020
Dear All, Today, in the traditional calendar is the Feast of St Stanislaus, Patron Saint of Poland. According to Wikipedia the Feast is kept in Poland tomorrow. Either way I wish all our Polish parishioners a very happy Feast and may St Stanislaus continue to protect Poland from secularism and help us all stand up for the truth of Christ. Click here to read more
01.5.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 1 May 2020, Feast of St Joseph the Worker
Dear All, I hope you are keeping well. We priests thankfully remain fine, and as always we remember you all daily and your intentions at the altar. Thank you for your continued prayers for us. Today, 1st May is the Feast of St Joseph the Worker and I celebrated Mass this morning at St Joseph’s altar in the church. I’d never said Mass on that altar before but it was really beautiful. That altar was in the original church and so Fr Luigi Gentili, the first Rosminian Father in England, would almost certainly have celebrated Mass on it. An awesome thought for me this morning! Click here to read more
01.5.20: Liturgy for Sunday 3 May 2020
01.5.20: Newsletter for Sunday 3 May 2020
01.5.20: Letter from Fr David – 1 May 2010
On this St Catherine’s Day Monty and I were down by Sileby Mill, on our daily exercise, and we saw our first flock of swallows for 2020! Baby ducklings next! Spring is truly here as all the wonderful blossom and blooms declare. Click here to read more
26.4.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 26 April 2020, Third Sunday of Easter
Dear All, Thank you for all your continued messages and good wishes and promises of prayers. We priests continue to remember you all and your intentions at the altar each day. We are there on your behalf. But we do miss you. I know so many of you are longing to be at Mass and we are longing to see you there. It’s always nice to see some of you when I’m out on my rounds, but it’s hard to know how long the present situation will continue. Click here to read more
24.4.20: Liturgy for Sunday 26 April 2020
24.4.20: Newsletter for Sunday 26 April 2020
20.4.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 19 April 2020, Divine Mercy Sunday
Today is the Octave Day of Easter and also Divine Mercy Sunday. We priests continue to remember you all and also your intentions in our daily Masses. Liturgically, everyday this past week has been Easter Sunday, and today’s Gospel (John 20:19-31) includes two appearances of JESUS to His disciples: the first on the evening of Easter Sunday and the second “eight days later” when Thomas was also present. Click here to read more
18.4.20: Masses for the sick and an online Retreat
Fr David would like to pass on the information linked below about a series of weekly live-streamed Masses for the sick, their families and NHS frontline workers, plus an online retreat from Walsingham starting tomorrow night.
Live-streamed Masses for the sick
Walsingham Retreat and Catechesis
18.4.20: Letter from Geoff Mercer of the Parish Finance team
17.4.20: Liturgy for Divine Mercy Sunday
17.4.20: Newsletter for Divine Mercy Sunday
15.4.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 15 April 2020, Easter Wednesday
Dear All, I wish you a happy Easter Octave. The Octave means we celebrate the whole of this week as if it were Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday is stretched out over eight days to give us more time to meditate on the most important event in human history – the Resurrection of JESUS from the dead. Click here to read more
12.4.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 12 April 2020, Easter Sunday
Dear All, A very happy Easter to you on this greatest of all Feasts: the day of the Lord’s Resurrection, when the holy women went to the tomb to anoint JESUS’ body, but found the stone already rolled back. Click here to read more
11.4.20: Divine Mercy Image
Click on this image to view/download it in anticipation of Divine Mercy Sunday on 19 April.
10.4.20: Newsletter for Easter Sunday
Please click here to view/download
10.4.20: Easter Vigil Liturgy
Click here to view/download the Easter Vigil Order of Service
09.4.20: Letter from Fr Simon – 9 April 2020, Maundy Thursday
Dear Parishioners, I would like to wish all of you every blessing as we begin The Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Be assured that I remember ALL parishioners at each Mass I say in our empty Church. Click here to read more
09.4.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 9 April 2020, Maundy Thursday
Dear All, Today we begin the Sacred Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday). If you are saddened that you cannot participate in the Triduum this year by being personally present, if you are hurting because of it, take heart, because it is a sign that you truly love Our Lord. Click here to read more
08.4.20: Liturgy for Good Friday
08.4.20: Gift Aided donations
Have you recently set up a standing order online to send regular payments to St Mary’s? If so, and you would like to Gift Aid your donations, you can download and complete a Gift Aid declaration here. Completed forms should be returned to Geoff Mercer.
06.4.20: Liturgy for Maundy Thursday
05.4.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 5 April 2020, Palm Sunday
Dear All, What a beautiful day it has been today – perfect weather for a procession! What a pity we couldn’t have had it. But I know you have celebrated this first day of Holy Week in your homes and in your families and that you will continue to do so throughout the week. I hope most of you had palms. I celebrated Mass in the church at 11am. The angels and saints were all there with me and I know you were all there in spirit. Click here to read more
03.4.20: Newsletter for Sunday 5 April 2020
This is now available to read/download by clicking here
01.4.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 1 April 2020
Dear All, Holy Week is almost upon us, but this year it will be really different because you’re going to be celebrating it at home. It’s a rather odd thought having to celebrate Holy Week and the Triduum entirely at home but this is what Providence has dealt us. The ceremonies we normally have at church are so beautiful and moving, but this year the onus is on you to make it something really beautiful and special, and a Holy Week that you will remember in years to come. Click here to read more
30.3.20: Letter from Fr Paul – Sunday 29 March 2020
Dear All, Today, the Fifth Sunday of Lent is also known as the First Sunday of the Passion when we veil all the crosses, statues and images in the church. As you can see from the photo below, in spite of the present situation the veiling was still done yesterday morning at St Mary’s. It’s important the liturgical life of the Church doesn’t collapse. Your homes now need to become churches. Click here to read more.
28.3.20: The Pope’s Blessing and Sacrament of Confession while the church is closed – a message from Fr Paul
27.3.20: Readings and Prayers for 29 March 2020
Please click here to download the Mass Sheet for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
27.3.20: Rededication of England as the Dowry of Mary (29.3.20)
Please click here to read Fr Paul’s letter about how you can be involved
26.3.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 26 March 2020
Dear All, I felt very sad yesterday at having to lock the church on our Patronal Feast of the Annunciation. But from now on the church has to be closed until further notice and therefore will not be available for private prayer. Come the weekend I will leave copies of the newsletter outside the front door of the church in a box for you to take. You may also subscribe to the newsletter on the parish website. And from today I will also leave the Holy Water urn and small jug outside the front door of the church for you to take Holy Water home. Click here to read the full letter
26.3.20: How to gain a plenary indulgence during time of pandemic
The Vatican has issued a new decree which allows us to gain a daily Plenary Indulgence even in this time in which most are unable to receive Holy Communion or make their Confession. It really is very generous. Make the most of it. Click here to read more
25.3.20: Food bank donations
All food bank donations in Loughborough are currently being coordinated by John Storer House on behalf of Charnwood Community Action. In-date food can be taken to John Storer House, Wards End, Loughborough LE11 3HA, Monday-Friday, between 9am and 3pm. Please ring the doorbell to make sure there is someone to take the food in before leaving.
25.3.20: Support for St Mary’s during Lockdown
It is not possible, for the time being, for parishioners to support St Mary’s through the weekly offertory, although the costs associated in maintaining the Church and the Priests remain.
I would like to ask all parishioners, who have previously provided their support in this way, to consider setting up a monthly standing order to St Mary’s. If you would like to do this, please email office@stmarysloughborough.org.uk and ask for the Parish account details to be sent to you.
Alternatively, donations can be made using Paypal by clicking here, or by cheque made out to St Mary’s RCP.
Thank you – Fr Paul
25.3.20: Letter from Fr Paul – 24 March 2020
Please click here to read the letter
23.3.20: Letter from Fr Paul
Please click here to read the letter
23.3.20: Catholic newspapers online
more and more UK Catholic Diocesan newspapers are now accessible via www.ChurchPaper.co.uk. Included in the list is Nottingham Catholic News and UCM News.
23.3.20: A reflection by Fr Richard Hendrick OFM
21.3.20: Pastoral Letter from Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster
Please click here to read the letter.
20.3.20: Mass Readings and Prayers for Sunday 22 March 2020
Please click here to view/download the readings and prayers
19.3.20: Letter to Parishioners from Fr Paul – 19 March 2020
Please click here to read the letter.
19.3.20: A message from Fr Paul
18.3.20: Isolated but not alone
Click here for some online resources for Catholics compiled by The Tablet.
