Mission Lab Mission Lab  is a new series of monthly inspirations for parish evangelisation and outreach, a space to discover great ideas and support to put them into practice.  Each session will showcase how parishes around the diocese are building vibrant, outward-facing Catholic communities.  Sessions take place online at 7pm; sign up for the first one, which is on Tuesday 20th May: Welcomers and welcoming .  First impressions count: they can make the difference between keeping a newcomer and losing them.  How can we ensure everyone who comes to our parish has a welcoming experience and feels they belong?  Join Caritas and Adult Formation to hear from parishioners from Buxton and Glossop how they do it there.  Sign up at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/reIUs744Qg6Mau7MEGHiaA#/registration   Appeal for volunteers for Nottingham Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage The Health Team  who support the Nottingham Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage is in need of some additional experienced team members for this year’s pilgrimage.  If you, or someone you know, is a currently Registered Nurses or trained and experienced Care Worker, who may be interested and can commit to being available for this year’s Jubilee Pilgrimage between Monday 14th and Friday 18th July , as well as for a couple of training days on Sunday 15th and Saturday 28th June, please contact Deacon David Knight ( david@sthughslincoln.org.uk ) for more details. Jubilee of Communication Workers Conference  The Communications Department invites all involved or interested in communications (Social Media, Journalism, Website, Parish Newsletters, plus any other means...) to the upcoming Communications Conference, celebrating the Jubilee of Communication Workers. Held at Cathedral Hall, Nottingham, on Monday 2nd June from 10am – 2pm, the event will include a networking breakfast, a keynote input, workshops, Q&A, concluding with Mass celebrated by Bishop Patrick, with the blessing of communication workers, and lunch. Sign up at www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/events/comms-conference  (no later than 26th May with limited spaces) or contact naomi.roberts@dioceseofnottingham.uk  for further information. Unveiled Faces Healing and Transformation with the Saints; a Weekend Retreat  between Friday 27th and Sunday 29th June led by Father Emmanuel Mansford, CFR at the Christian Heritage Centre, contemplating the healing and transformational work of grace in the ordinary and imperfect lives of the saints.  In the light of their example, the retreat will offer an opportunity to reflect on and to seek healing for the wounds in our own lives.  To book, visit: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/unveiled-faces/     Lourdes Reunion The NDCYS is organising  a Lourdes Reunion on Sunday 27th July  at Saint Mary’s Church, Derby DE1 3AU.  Young people are invited from 11am, with Mass at 3pm, followed by refreshments for all pilgrims.  For more information and to register visit ndcys.com/events-and-opportunities Youth 2000 Summer Festival Taking place in the grounds of Ampleforth College from Friday 22nd - Monday 25th August , the Youth 2000 Summer Festival  provides young adults (aged 16-35) from across the UK the opportunity to come together and explore faith, build relationships and find hope.  This four-day festival includes great speakers, social time, break-out sessions, Daily Mass, 24/7 Adoration and much more!  Register your place at: youth2000.org/events/summerfestival2025 .  Tickets are also available for priests, religious, families and groups.  If you have any questions, please email events@youth2000.org . Summer School hosted by the Society of Saint Gregory The Society of Saint Gregory is hosting a Summer School between Wednesday 30th July and Saturday 2nd August with the theme of Jubilee and Hope reflected in the liturgies and music, providing an opportunity to reflect on how to take the message of hope back to our parish communities.  Further details from summerschool@ssg.org.uk Appeal for Briars Ambassador Could you be a Briars Ambassador  for 12 months?  The Nottingham Diocesan Catholic Youth Service (NDCYS) has a wonderful group of volunteers who support The Briars Catholic Youth Retreat Centre through practical support, prayer and fundraising.  The Friends of The Briars is hosting an Ambassadors’ Day for those interested in becoming a Briars Ambassador, on Saturday 7th June between 10.00am and 3.00pm at The Briars, DE4 5BW.  See the poster in church or visit ndcys.com/friends-of-the-briars/  for more. Summer courses What is God? Philosophical, Christian and Islamic Approaches, at the Christian Heritage Centre, between Friday 22nd and Monday 25th August .  This annual course in partnership with CEPHAS will look at the nature and knowledge of God from a pre-religious, philosophical understanding, before comparing the Islamic concept of God with the Christian, leaning on Saint Thomas Aquinas’ elaboration of the Trinity and the Incarnation.  For more information and to book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/what-is-god/

Services marking the death and celebrating the life of Pope Francis Vespers for the Dead | Holy Spirit, West Bridgford Friday 25th April at 7.00PM Adoration at 6.30pm and followed by Vespers and then Mass at 7.30pm Solemn Vespers | Saint Barnabas Cathedral Friday 25th April at 7.00PM Live Stream Link Diocesan Requiem Mass for His Holiness Pope Francis | Saint Barnabas Cathedral Saturday 26th April at 6.30PM Live Stream Link Parish Requiem Mass | St Margaret Clitherow, Keyworth Sunday 27th April at 9AM Jubilee Churches with Books of Remembrance Cathedral Church of Saint Barnabas | 7AM - 7PM Good Shepherd, Woodthorpe | 7AM - 8.30PM Saint Philip Neri, Mansfield Our Lady of Lincoln, Lincoln Our Lady and Saint Norbert, Spalding Saint Mary, Derby Saint Joseph, Matlock Holy Cross Priory, Leicester | 7.30AM - 7.30PM Saint Mary of the Annunciation, Loughborough Our churches with Books of Remembrance Holy Spirit: open daily | 9AM - 4PM St Anne, Radcliffe on Trent | open daily St Margaret Clitherow, Keyworth: Thursday and Friday 24th and 25th April | 9AM - 12 NOON Our Lady of Grace, Cotgrave: Thursday and Friday 24th and 25th April | 10AM - 12 NOON Prayers for the late Holy Father, and for the Church Official Prayer Card prepared by the Liturgy Office Diocese of Nottingham - Online book of remembrance, as well as the biography, statement and information relating to the death of Pope Francis Read more

We congratulate nineteen members of our community who were baptised and confirmed or received into the Church this Easter.   Catherine (Merryn)   I am deeply grateful for the guidance, kindness, and support I received from everyone involved in the RCIA program. It was a truly enriching experience to explore the Bible readings and delve into the Catechism, which helped prepare me for this beautiful new chapter in my life. Our parish is filled with some of the warmest and most caring people I've ever met, and their encouragement has meant so much to me on my journey to baptism. I'm especially thankful to Fr. John and Fr. Evarist for their time and patience. Since being received into the Catholic Church, I've experienced a profound peace and joy in my heart — something I never knew was possible. This has truly been the best decision of my life. To anyone seeking deeper meaning and purpose, I wholeheartedly encourage you to come and see!  Anne (Sponsor and Helpers)   It was a wonderful opportunity for myself as a helper to share in the  candidates’ journey to joining the community of the Annunciation Parish. Their love and joy at receiving the sacraments permeated the atmosphere. Catherine Laboure (Sarah)    I have received so much support on my journey to being received for full communion in the Catholic faith. It has been informative, at times challenging, but overall enlightening. Everyone facilitating and participating in the RCIA course has been welcoming and non judgemental. I have really enjoyed the journey of discovery and becoming part of the Catholic family.  Cecilia (Catechist) Having been in the UK for three years, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue assisting with the catechumenate in the parish, nurturing new Catholics. Walking alongside the catechumens and accompanying them on their journey of faith truly depends on God's guidance. Baptism is not the end, but the beginning. Faith is a lifelong commitment. I hope that the new Catholics will continue to actively participate in Mass, engage in parish activities, frequently receive the sacraments, and together experience the grace of the Lord. Joseph (Vincent) & Alice (Shadow) 信仰耶蘇基督，是我們一家的決定，當由我們為大兒子選讀天主教幼稚園開始。移居英國後，很高興從認識第一個家庭帶領之下來到這個教會。這裏的感覺很好，很舒服，不會有壓迫感。 不知道是不是神的安排，兩三個月之後，我們一家總算是安定下來，我們參加彌撒時就知道很快會有RCIA，有機會更加了解這個信仰。 還記得導師Pat在第一堂第一個分享，她個人希望有朝一日所有基督徒都是天主教徒。但最令我深感震撼的是，當她解釋約瑟聽到聖靈的說話去埃及時。她說：「你們可能都是因為相信，所以移民英國」。 另一方面，我們很難想像一個五歲和一兩歲的小孩子，可能安安靜靜地上完整個彌撒，也沒有搗蛋地完成所有RCIA。事實上他們做到了。 可以說一路上我們深深感受到神的陪伴與帶領。當受浸的那一刻來臨，我深刻體會到神無比的恩典與愛，讓我真正明白什麼是真正的平安與滿足。 我感謝神賜下這份恩典，也盼望能將這份平安與喜悅分享給你們。願我們都能在神的愛中同行，經歷祂的豐盛祝福。 Believing in Jesus Christ was a decision made by our whole family, beginning when we chose to enrol our eldest son in a Catholic kindergarten. After moving to the UK, we were delighted to be introduced to this church by the first family we got to know here. The atmosphere felt welcoming and comfortable—never overwhelming or pressured. Looking back, it almost feels as though it was all part of God's plan. Just two or three months after settling in, we found some stability as a family, and around that time, we heard during Mass that the RCIA programme would be starting soon—an opportunity for us to deepen our understanding of the faith. I still remember our catechist Pat’s very first sharing in the first session. She said that, personally, she hoped that one day all Christians would be Catholics. But what struck me the most was when she described how Joseph responded to the Holy Spirit’s message and fled to Egypt. She said, “Perhaps you, too, moved to the UK because of your faith.” On a practical level, we could hardly imagine how a five-year-old and a toddler could sit quietly through an entire Mass—let alone make it through the entire RCIA process without causing a fuss. Yet, by God’s grace, they did. Throughout the journey, we have truly felt God’s presence and guidance. When the moment of baptism came, I experienced God’s immense grace and love in a profound way. It gave me a deep sense of peace and fulfilment that I had never known before. I am grateful to God for this gift and hope to share that same peace and joy with you. May we all walk together in God’s love and continue to experience His abundant blessings. Luke (Ciao)    很高興自己在教會及導師的幫忙下終於接受領洗，在這個慕道班裏認識到很多教友和導師.很多謝每一位的付出。在領洗的當晚其實有一點緊張，但當想到接受領洗時會將過往所犯的錯被天主赦免，感覺像所有的事情都重新開始。 I’m very grateful to have finally received baptism, with the support of the Church and our catechists. Through the RCIA programme, I’ve come to know many fellow parishioners and mentors, and I truly appreciate everything each person has contributed. I was a little nervous on the evening of the baptism, but when I thought about how my past sins would be forgiven by God through the sacrament, it felt like a fresh start—as though everything in life was beginning anew. Mark (Kirk)     I am truly grateful to have completed my baptism under God's guidance. This day holds deep meaning for me, marking the beginning of my new journey of faith as a child of God. During my preparation, I faced difficulties due to a back injury, which at times made me feel helpless. However, many brothers and sisters in the parish showed me great care — praying for me and offering help without hesitation. Their warmth and support gave me the strength to persevere and allowed me to truly experience how God's love flows through the people around us. I am deeply thankful to the parish and all the catechists for their continuous guidance and encouragement. Moving forward, I will strive to grow in faith and live out the love and hope that God has given me. Sylvia In the past, I believed in God, and it is no doubt on God’s love and salvation. However, I had the impressions on Catholics that all teachings are bounded by rigid rules and very formal as well as so many statues. It stopped me to step in more.  Over ten years later, it is so amazing that God brings me and my family to join the Catholic community in UK and even my family are baptised in April 2025. Through the teachings from RCIA helpers at Holy Spirit Church and supporting from sponsors/godparents, it makes me more understanding on Catholics. I reacquaint myself with faith in Catholic church.  When Fr John anointed me with the oil of salvation, I felt my shoulder and head were warm and my headache was gone. I experienced the healing from God. I kept on praying before baptism and I trust that it is the path which God has already planned for me and my family. After baptism, I have peace in my heart and will continue to work hard to walk through the faith journey together with my family.                                                             Zechariah   (Ben)   Having just been baptised, my heart is filled with gratitude and joy. I decided to begin this journey of faith because my wife and son had already become Catholics, and I hoped to grow together with them spiritually. This desire to walk with my family in faith became the first step that led me closer to God. During the catechumenate, I felt truly blessed to be able to attend classes with a big group of friends who, like me, had come from Hong Kong to the UK. We shared our thoughts, encouraged each other, and created a warm and supportive environment. What touched me most was learning about Jesus’ teaching to “love your neighbour as yourself.” His example helped me reflect deeply and rediscover who I am and how I want to live. On the day of my baptism, I felt like I was being welcomed into a big, loving family. I was a bit nervous, but even more so, I was excited and hopeful. It was a moment of peace and deep emotion. Now that I’m baptised, I hope to learn to love the people around me even more. I want to turn to God in prayer regularly, and strive each day to become a better person — little by little, more like Christ. I’d also like to express my thanks to all the catechists and helpers who dedicated their time to guide us, especially Pat, Cecilia, and Ceci. Their care and commitment helped me gain a much deeper understanding of the Catholic faith and drew me closer to God. May God bless everyone on their journey — no matter where you are along the path, if your heart is seeking, God will surely lead the way. Zoe   Recently, I received the Sacrament of Baptism and I wanted to share a few words from my heart. It was a quiet and sacred moment. When the water was poured and the words were spoken, I felt a deep sense of peace and stillness as if God was gently embracing me. Baptism, for me, was not the end but a beginning - a starting point of a lifelong journey with Christ, held by the love of God and guided by the light of His presence. I am deeply grateful to be part of this faith community and I look forward to walking this journey with all of you. Thank you for your prayers and your presence. Alice (Helper) As an RCIA helper, I was especially moved to see how sincerely and wholeheartedly our catechumen(s) embraced this life-changing sacrament. Their faith journey—filled with questions, prayer, and deep reflection—has been an inspiration to all of us walking alongside them. Baptism marks not an end, but a beginning—a beginning of a lifelong journey of discipleship, nourished by the sacraments, supported by community, and guided by the Holy Spirit. Let us as a parish community continue to pray for and encourage our newly baptized as they continue growing in faith and living out the Gospel Ceci (Faith Formation Coordinator) This is my second year supporting the RCIA, and it’s a joy to accompany the candidates on their faith journey. It’s been a meaningful experience for me as well—their passion and faith constantly inspire and remind me of God’s work in our lives. I’m truly grateful for the amazing things God is doing among us. Let us continue to keep them and their vocations in our prayers.

The  2025 Jubilee Year   ‘Pilgrims of Hope’  is fast approaching and the  2024 Year of Prayer  is about to conclude. The Jubilee Year will run from the opening of the Holy Door in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, on  Tuesday 24 December 2024  to the  Feast of Epiphany 2026. Pastoral Letter from Bishop Patrick More details: Diocese of Nottingham | Year of Jubilee Resources: Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales Jubilee 2025 Official Site Jubilee Prayer Card Podcast Watch Bishop Patrick’s Message for the Opening of the Jubilee Year Year of Prayers Live Talks: A pilgrimage towards the Jubilee Year 2025

For Lent 2025 For the LVIII World Day of Peace: 1st January 2025

Michael spent the month of January 2025 in our parish for his pastoral placement. Here are his reflections on this meaningful experience. Greeting from Michael Furey, Pastoral Placement during January Dear Parishioners of the Annunciation, Rushcliffe, My name is Michael Furey, and I am a student for the priesthood for the Diocese of Nottingham. I am currently in my third year at St Mary’s College, Oscott in Birmingham. I am originally from Derby and my home parish is St Joseph’s in the city centre, where I was baptised, made my first holy communion and was confirmed. I attended St Joseph’s primary school and St Benedict secondary school. I first thought about the possibility of becoming a priest when I became an altar server but forgot about the idea when I began secondary school. However, the idea of priesthood probably never left me completely and then when I was fourteen the possibility came back to me and the thought of becoming a priest has never left me since. After leaving school I had a few different jobs, then in 2021 I applied for the formation programme for our diocese and was accepted by Bishop Patrick and sent to the Royal English College of St Alban’s in Valladolid, Spain. This is a college where students go for their first year of seminary studies to focus predominantly on their spiritual and human development before proceeding to their next seminary to study subjects like philosophy and theology. I have previously had pastoral placements in parishes in Lincoln, Nottingham, Leicester and Glossop working with schools, a university and a prison. I have also done a separate placement in Edinburgh working with adults with learning disabilities in residential homes. At Oscott I have a weekly placement at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton visiting patients and their families on the wards bringing them Holy Communion, praying with them and getting to know them. Myself and other seminarians work alongside a team of hospital chaplains to provide whatever help we can to those who are patients, relatives and those who work in the hospital. I am very grateful to Father John and Father Evarist for agreeing to host and mentor me for this placement and I look forward very much to meeting you all and spending the month of January with you and getting to know the people in West Bridgford, Cotgrave, Keyworth and Radcliffe-on-Trent. Michael J. Furey. 10th January 2025 Dear Friends, Thank you all for the warm welcome I have received since arriving in your parish for my placement. It has been great getting to meet so many of you and being able to help with Altar Serving, reading at mass, giving out Holy Communion and meeting the catechists and candidates for their First Holy Communion and Confirmation. I will be joining the confirmation group on their trip to the Briars this Saturday, and this will be my first time visiting the Briars since 2020 so am looking forward to it very much. I am also looking forward to shortly visiting St Edmund Campion and the Becket schools and hopefully go out with some of the Eucharistic Ministers to bring Holy Communion to some of our parishioners at home. While I am here with you if anyone would like to ask me anything, or have any questions about priesthood, vocations, seminary life or anything else feel free to do so and I will be more than happy to try my best to answer them. Wishing you all and your families a good and happy week and with my prayers for you and for our parish. Michael Furey. 17th January 2025 Thank you to the Parish of the Annunciation, Rushcliffe Dear Friends, Thank you all so much for the wonderful experience you have given me while on placement in your parish. The time has now sadly come for me to say goodbye to you all and return to the seminary for the next semester. I have enjoyed every moment of my placement and have learnt so much. There is so much that seminary life does not teach you about parish life and it is only thanks to the generosity of Fr John, Fr Evarist and all of you that I have learnt so much. The work has been varied with visits to the schools, Nottingham prison, all four of our churches, the briars and engaging in programs like Confirmation and RCIA. It has been great for me to get to know so many people and to share my experience so far of seminary and parish life. Its also been nice to have some friendly fun about our local derby, (yes, for those who don’t already know I am a Rams fan and proud of it)! This is something which brings ordinary everyday things to life and makes it easy to build up a good rapport and remember that there is time for business and pleasure whilst on placement, (although being a Rams fan doesn’t bring much pleasure just now, but enough about that). As I prepare to return to seminary could I please ask you for your continued prayers for myself and our other diocesan seminarian, Lukas Mickevicius who is two years below me, and pray that other young men in our diocese may consider the option of the priesthood. We do face a challenging future in our diocese with fewer priests and seminarians and the parish was, in my case, where I first considered the possibility of becoming a priest. So please do pray for vocations to the priesthood and also to the diaconate, religious life and marriage. My deepest thanks to you all once again and a special word of thanks to Fr John, Fr Evarist, Margaret, Cecilia and Ceci. Be assured of my prayers for you and the parish and I hope to return for a visit when possible. Finally…   UP THE RAMS!!! God Bless Michael. 31st January 2025

Holy Spirit, West Bridgford Our Lady of Grace, Cotgrave St. Margaret Clitherow, Keyworth St. Anne, Radcliffe-On-Trent and Bingham

International Mass to celebrate the beautiful diversity of our parish community

Friday 3rd May is the 50th anniversary of the Dedication of the Church of Holy Spirit, it was consecrated in 1974. A Special Mass for the Golden Jubilee was held on Saturday 22nd June followed by refreshment.

If you know of anyone in hospital who would like a visit from the chaplain, please call: QMC : 0115 9249924 (ext. 83799)  City : 0115 9691169 (ext.837) or email: contactachaplain@nuh.nhs.uk https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/spiritual-and-pastoral-care-wellbeing