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It is now just over a month until the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI for his historic visit to our country which will also include the beatification of Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman. These are two significant events for us and great opportunities for us to bear witness to our faith. Our parishes will be represented at the two major events, but it is important that we all prepare well, and pray for the success of the visit. The dedicated website for the visit, www.thepapalvisit.org.uk, is a great place for information, together with our diocesan website www.cliftondiocese.com. There are also a number of preparatory events including a discussion morning at Our Lady’s Churchdown on Saturday 21st August from 10:30am, and an evening at St. Mary’s School, Churchdown on Tuesday 31st August at 7:30pm, when Father Michael McAndrew, who is the Diocesan Director for the Papal Visit, will give a talk about the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI, and Jim Padden will give a presentation about Cardinal Newman. Just before the Pope arrives there will be an important diocesan event at Clifton Cathedral on Wednesday 15th September at 7:00pm. There will be a vigil of prayer for the success of the Pope’s Visit in the presence of the statue of Our Lady of the Taper – the statue from the Welsh National Shrine which will be on its way to Westminster Cathedral for the Pope’s visit. All are invited to join this prayer vigil in which Bishop Declan and Bishop Tom Burns of Menevia will participate.
A brief account of the life of Cardinal Newman can be found on the Newman Cause website. |
