‘Repent and believe in the Gospel’
My dear friends,
The weeks are flying by and low and behold Lent is upon us.
As we enter into this Solemn Time of Prayer of Conversion, Transformative Healing and the Joy of the Pascal Mystery; let us do so with hearts wide open to embrace the grace that is being offered to us this Lent. Please allow yourselves to be led by the Spirit just as, Jesus was led by the Spirit in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights!
This grace filled time is God’s gift to each one of us, a gift freely given out of love, mercy, compassion and joy. These abundant gifts will help us in our own Conversion, Transformative Healing and lead us to the Joy of the Paschal Feast of Easter!
I am sure many of you have already prepared your spiritual tools to help you though this Holy Season of Lent. Bishop Patrick has given each family member of his Diocese of Nottingham a ‘Walk with Me’ Lenten Journey of Prayer Booklet to accompany them through this Holy Season.
Please, don’t let this sacred time pass you by! Our World needs your Conversion and prayers more than ever before. As the Catholic Community of Bestwood, Hucknall and Bulwell, I ask each of you to not only embrace this Sacred Time but grab it with both hands and allow your soul to be consumed by the power of God’s Love for you, a love that knows no bounds, a love that is all consuming, a love that wants to heal you and our world if only we ask with a heart that is genuine and sincere!
I want to take this opportunity to wish all of our school children, teaching staff a well deserved Half Term Break. I know how hard you all worked. Children while you have had to deal with many changes during this last year you have done so with sheer determination and hard work, may God continue to watch over you all and keep you safe. Teachers, you have been amazing in the way you have kept our Schools opened while working so hard to keep the children safe and deal with all the changes and sickness. May God reward you abundantly! Parents and Guardians, you too have played a huge part in home schooling your children and I do know that for many that has not been easy but with the vaccine been rolled out and God’s watchful eye and his ever-present grace and love for each of us, we will come through this stronger and more united in our love for one another and our Mother Earth!
Stay safe, well and blessed and please watch out for each other!
Fr John Martin
Parish Priest