Notes from Fr. Claro
Fifth Sunday of Easter
28th April 2024
I thank Jesus the High Priest for my 43rd Priestly Anniversary which is on this Sunday. I was ordained priest on 28th of April 1981 at the Redemptorist Church in Tacloban City, Leyte. It is also my 30-year ministry in UK, 1 year Margate, Kent; 11 years London, 5 years Isle of Wight, 7 years Southampton, 3 years Portsmouth and more than 3 years now here in Faringdon. In the Philippines, I gave missions in different Islands (there 7,000 islands in the Philippines), mostly in the mountains and slums organising Small Basic Christian Communities. I don’t why I am counting the years now.
I am enjoying my pre senior moments learning more about life in science and theology. Only at this time that I have been reading lots of books many of which were my textbooks 50 years old. I am also joining Online conferences on Social Encyclicals of the Church and the Popes organised by the Dominican LasCasas Institute in Oxford. I am encouraging my confrere – priests and my parishioners to study and learn more about the Bible and our faith. We are a learning, not just a worshiping community. The more I know my God, the more I love Him and commit more to Him in my Ministry in Proclaiming the Risen Lord.
Many Christians especially Catholics are now stale in their faith. We need to invigorate one another in the Risen Lord as People of God.
The Filipinos and Asylum Seekers, my adopted families, are inviting us for a “surprised” Tea & Coffee and food afterwards. Come and celebrate with us.
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At the Mass
Let us also pray for Kevin and Lisa Viller who are going to get married in Scotland next month.
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MAY
Faringdon Town Council will hold the town meeting on Wednesday 1st May 2024. We invite all local organisations and groups to write a short report about the 2023/24 year, April to April, to be included in our report pack.
7th -14th May, Pilgrimage to POLAND
9th May Thursday, THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD, Solemnity
CONFIRMATION: 11am Saturday 11th May at St John Cathedral in Portsmouth
19th May PENTECOST SUNDAY
31st May FRIDAY, VISITATION of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
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Those who want to have confessions or home visit, please email Fr. Claro at cconde@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Take note that we have an office email, office.buck@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk for inquiries about baptism, first holy communion, confirmation, marriage and other parish matters.
CONFIRMATION DATE: Saturday 11 of May at St John Cathedral in Portsmouth
First Holy Communion: Feast of Corpus Christi Sunday 2nd of June 2024
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The Liturgy Project: Formation Days:
The Diocese’s Liturgical Formation Team will be hosting the following Formation Days at St Bede’s Church, Basingstoke, RG24 9DX:
A Day for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Saturday 4th May 2024 9:30am – 2:30pm
A Day for Readers: Saturday 19th October 2024 9:30am – 2:30pm
Please RSVP to liturgy@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
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ATTENTION GIFT AIDERS. The Charity number of the Diocese has changed, you need to fill up an updated form to claim for Gift Aid from the HRMC. See Nerisa in the church to get and submit the forms.
PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND
Pilgrimage to Poland & the Divine Mercy, 7th – 14th May 2024, Chaplain to the group: Fr. Claro Conde. Contact 01793 881166/ 020 3720 0450, info@allsaintstravel.co.uk
PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
18th – 21st Jun 2024 contact ALL Saints Travel Contact 01793 881166/ 020 3720 0450, info@allsaintstravel.co.uk
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New Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster
The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed Rev. Monsignor Paul James Curry, a priest of the Diocese of Westminster, until now Parish Priest of Our Lady of Victories, Kensington, as Titular Bishop of Ramsbiria (Ramsbiriensis) and Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster. Please keep him in your prayers as he prepares for his new ministry.
New Auxiliary Bishops for the Archdiocese of Birmingham
The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed two new auxiliary Bishops for the Archdiocese of Birmingham. They are Rev. Monsignor Timothy Francis Menezes as Titular Bishop of Tugga (Thuggensis) until now, Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, and Rev. Canon Richard Adrian Walker as Titular Bishop of Mortlach (Murthlacensis) until now, Vicar General of the Archdiocese. Please keep both of them in your prayers.