Draft Letter to Parish Priests
Date: As postmark
Dear Father,
This year’s Home Mission Sunday, 19 September 2010, falls within the historic visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom. During his visit, Pope Benedict will beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman.
Cardinal Newman was a pastor of souls, a university teacher, and a student of Christian theology and history. His studies were never purely theoretical but were informed by pastoral experience. Newman had a profound understanding that his life had a purpose and a mission and he firmly believed that all who are baptised are called to ‘radiate the presence of Christ’. It is therefore particularly pertinent that his beatification is taking place on the annual day of prayer for Home Mission (the spread of the Gospel in England and Wales).
Materials for the Sunday have been created by the Bishops’ Conference Home Mission Desk which works closely with the Catholic Communications Network (CCN). A Papal Visit Parish Resources booklet was recently produced with partners and sent to every parish and religious community in England and Wales. The aim of the booklet is to support the Catholic Community in celebrating and witnessing to its faith during the Pope’s visit and beyond. Additional free downloadable materials are provided on the Papal Visit website, which also offers ideas about how to follow up the Pope’s visit: please see www.thepapalvisit.org.uk.
The work of the Home Mission Desk relies heavily on the collection taken on Home Mission Sunday. During the past year the collection has funded substantial work in preparation for the Papal Visit. The collection supports the work of the Catholic Enquiry Office as a national point of contact for faith enquirers. During the year ahead, it will also help to fund projects that build on the fruits of Pope Benedict’s visit.
Thank you in advance for your prayers and financial support. Further information about Home Mission Sunday is available on the Bishops’ Conference website: www.catholicchurch.org.uk. A suggested newsletter insert was included in a recent ad clerum.
God bless you,
Rt Rev Kieran Conry
Bishop of Arundel and Brighton
Chairman, Bishops’ Conference Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis
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FREE MONTHLY HOME MISSION E-BRIEFING REGISTRATION FORM
The Home Mission Desk offers a monthly Home Mission E-Briefing that is sent out by e-mail. If you wish to receive it please insert your name and e-mail address below, or e-mail .
If you wish to receive occasional mailings about the work of Home Mission and related initiatives of the Bishops’ Conference, please insert your postal address.
Name:...... E-mail:......
Address:......
...... Postcode:......
Name of Parish:...... Date:......
HOME MISSION SUNDAY: GIFT AID
Dear Father,
The Home Mission Sunday collection is due to be taken on Sunday 19 September 2010.
Donation envelopes have been enclosed as it is our intention to collect the Gift Aid for these collections. In order that we may succeed we need to ensure that all the envelopes and the money for the total collection are sent to us please. Those not wishing to Gift Aid do not need to use the envelopes to make their donation.
A cheque for the whole collection should be made payable please to ‘Catholic Trust for England & Wales (CaTEW)’ and should be enclosed with the Gift Aid envelopes.
The total Parish collection may be remitted by using the bank account details listed below.
Bank Account: HSBC, Pall Mall
Sort Code: 40-05-20 Account Number: 81379607
Thank you for your support and assistance in this matter. If you need to clarify any details please do not hesitate to contact me.
Laurence Fenton
Assistant General Secretary - Operations
Tel: 0207 901 4826 E-mail:
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HOME MISSION SUNDAY 2010
Parish Name:
Diocese:
Contact E-mail Address:
Collection Details
Total Number of Envelopes Used:
Total Amount of Gift Aid Envelopes: £
Total Amount of Collection: £
Please make cheque(s) payable to ‘Catholic Trust for England & Wales (CaTEW)’.
Thank you for your support.
Catholic Trust for England and Wales,
39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX
Company no. 4734592. Registered charity no. 1097482.