Chess Valley RC @ChessValleyRC

Today is the feast of Saint Cleopas, one of the two disciples who encountered Jesus during the road to Emmaus after his Resurrection. “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?”

Our Faith and Friendship group are meeting at 2.15pm in the hall at Our Lady Help of Christians today. This group is for all those who would like to learn about their faith over a cup of tea and make new friends - come join us!

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Walsingham, who appeared to Richeldis de Faverches, a pious English noblewoman, in 1061 in the village of Walsingham in Norfolk. A shrine built in her honour at this site is now one of the major pilgrimage sites in England.

Today is the feast of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968), an Italian friar, priest, stigmatist and mystic known globally as Padre Pio. He spent countless hours hearing confessions and encouraging a deepening of faith in others. He is a patron of civil defence volunteers.

Today is the feast of Saint Sadalberga (c.605-c.670), a Frankish noblewoman who wanted to be a religious but was forced to marry. She later founded the Abbey of St John at Laon, serving as abbess until her death. Her husband and two of her five children are also saints.

Today is the feast of Saint Matthew, one of the Twelve Apostles, and author of the Gospel of Saint Matthew. Tradition holds he preached the Gospel to the Jewish community in Judea, and in other countries. He is the patron of civil servants, tax collectors, and accountants.

Today is the feast of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang and the martyrs of Korea. Andrew was the first Korean-born priest, and Paul was about to be ordained when they - and several thousand Christians - were persecuted and martyred. They are the patrons of Korea.

Today is the feast of Saint Theodore of Canterbury (602-690). Born in Tarsus, he studied in Constantinople and Rome before being appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. During his tenure he travelled England, supporting and re-establishing the Church throughout the country.

Our Life in the Spirit Prayer Group meets this evening from 8pm in the parish hall at Our Lady Help of Christians to give praise and worship to God through fellowship, praise and worship, intercession and silent prayer. You are very welcome to come and join us!

Today is the feast of St Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663), an Italian Franciscan friar, priest and mystic. He had little education, but a deep gift for explaining theology in simple terms. He experienced ecstatic visions all his life, and is a patron of aviators and astronauts.

Today is also the feast of Saint Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), a German Benedictine abbess, composer, philosopher, mystic, visionary, polymath and writer - of theological, botanical & medicinal texts, as well as liturgical hymns and antiphons. She is a Doctor of the Church.

Today is the feast of Saint Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621), an Italian Jesuit cardinal who was a professor of theology, rector of the Roman College, and supporter of the reform decrees of the Council of Trent. A Doctor of the Church, he is a patron of canon lawyers and catechists.

Our Youth Group - for those in school year 7 and above - meet this evening at 6.30pm. Come and join us for fun and games, food and various activities.

Today is the feast of Saints Cornelius & Cyprian (3rd century), named in the First Eucharistic Prayer. Pope Cornelius worked for unity in a time of schism and is a patron against fever and earaches. Cyprian was a Father of the Church and is the patron of Algeria and North Africa.

We invite all our parishioners to pray for the guests and team attending Alpha, which starts this evening.

September marks 70 years since the first Mass was held in St John Fisher Church. To celebrate this there will be a Mass of thanksgiving led by Bishop Paul McAleenan on Wednesday 17th September at 7pm followed by a parish party. Parishioners from all three parishes are welcome!

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, commemorating sorrowful events in her life, and asking “O God, give your Church the grace to imitate devoutly the Blessed Virgin Mary in contemplating the Passion of Christ”. She is the patron of Malta, Slovakia and Poland.

Today is the feast of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, recalling the finding of the Cross by Saint Helena, the dedication of churches by Constantine on the site of the Holy Sepulchre and Mount Calvary, and the restoration of the Cross to Jerusalem by Byzantine emperor Heraclius.

Today is the feast of Saint John Chrysostom (c. 347-407), an Early Church Father known for his preaching and public speaking. Honoured in the Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, he is a patron of education, lecturers and orators.

Today is the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, a day on which “the inexpressible love of the Mother of God for her Holy Child is recalled, and the eyes of the faithful are directed to the figure of the Mother of the Redeemer, for them to invoke with devotion.”