PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS, R.I.P.
O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant, Pope Francis, who you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy forever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be to the Father…
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace Amen. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace Amen. 

 

THE NINE DAYS OF MOURNING FOR POPE FRANCIS
The funeral mass for the late Holy Father Pope Francis will have already taken place by the time you read this bulletin. The Mass will have concluded with the Ultima commendation and the Valedictio, marking the beginning of the Novendiales or 9 days of mourning and Masses for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis.
During the Novendiales, Bishop Marcus will celebrate a Solemn Requiem Mass at Leeds Cathedral, together with priests and deacons, on this Tuesday 29th April at 5.30pm. Attending this Mass will be civic guests and representatives of other Christian denominations and other religious faiths. 

 

SICK AND HOUSEBOUND Please pray for them. Damian Ainscough, Anna Barszc, Christopher Brown, Patience Dare, Carol Dent, Anne Hayward, Eileen Hodgson, Dorothy Kershaw, Anthony Margrave, Jean McAndrew, Mirry Redman, Bernard Rook, Ken Rumney, Timmy Ryan, Kevin and Catherine Thornton, Alison Urquhart and all those who are ill and would like to remain anonymous.

 

HOLY COMMUNION FOR THE, SICK AND HOUSEBOUND The letter of St James, Chapter 5, verse 14: “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” If you or anyone you know is ill, either in hospital or at home, and would like to receive the Church’s ministry in anointing and Holy Communion, please let Fr Nigel know and he will come and visit you/your family and friends He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

 

SUNDAY OFFERINGS. Those of you who wish to give offerings to the parish by Standing Order (if you are not already doing) will need these details: HSBC: 40-27-15 ACCOUNT NO. 31017373 ACCOUNT NAME: DIOCESE OF LEEDS

 

THE EASTER RAFFLE at St Joseph’s raised £250.20 for the ongoing St Joseph’s Gardening Project. Many thanks to Eileen, Nicola and Yvonne and all helpers.

 

NEXT ROSARY CIRCLE Tuesday May 6th after 10AM Mass. The first Glorious Mystery – The Resurrection. Please read in advance Luke 24v13-35 The Road to Emmaus. All very welcome. Patrick. 

 

CAFOD – LETTER OF THANKS. Michelle Oakford, Head of Supporter Relations at CAFOD sent a letter of thanks to parishioners of St Joseph and St Thomas of Canterbury for their generous support and for the latest donation of £413.94. This helps communities around the world to build a brighter future.  

 

GARDENING TEAM FOR SACRED HEART CHURCH GROUNDS We need to put together, quickly, a Gardening Team, as it seems that the groundsman employed over the past eight years is no longer available. Please put your names on the list provided if you’d be willing to help. The tasks would include lawn mowing, weeding an tidying up. This can be an opportunity for us to get creative and plant some different flowers. 

PRAYER FOR THE JUBILEE 2025
Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom. May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.
May your grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the world. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise forever. Amen. Pope Francis

May Easter wrap its loveliness about your heart,
and may the full significance of the Resurrection dawn on you
as bright and beautiful as the eternal spring …
and whenever dark hours come,
may the remembrance of the Resurrection
shine through the darkness and light your way with faith
and lift the clouds from your heart
as the stone was lifted from the tomb.