Below is the newsletter from Bedford Street Angels, dated April 2022 (please click on the image to enlarge). It should make interesting reading for this great work in our town of Bedford. This month they decided to dedicate the whole issue to a testimony from one of their volunteers.

Please follow the link to download and print a PDF of the Bedford Street Angels’ newsletter.

[Read more…] about Bedford Street Angels – April 2022 Newsletter

Following the announcement by HM Government on 19th January that the measures put in place to mitigate against covid virus transmission as “Plan B” will be lifted in full on 27th January, we have this morning received updated guidance from the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales. This guidance has been agreed with Public Health officials.

The main mitigation against serious health issues arising from covid infection is to be fully vaccinated; this means two doses plus a booster for anyone aged 16 or over. The vaccine programme in England and Wales has had a major impact in reducing death and serious illness from infection with Covid-19. The Church in England and Wales supports the vaccination programme and encourages people to be vaccinated.

The scientific consensus is that society is moving towards the stage where the virus is transitioning from the pandemic phase to the endemic phase, but as stated by HM Government, there is still a risk associated with gathering for sustained periods in enclosed spaces and therefore there needs to be continued caution by all against infection. This, however, has to be balanced against the need to move forward safely towards a normal lifestyle.

[Read more…] about CV-19 Guidance for Parishes – 27th January 2022

Many of you are generously sponsoring young children in Uganda in their education. Ted Fawcett, parishioner at St Joseph’s and chairman of EVC Uganda, gives us an update on the achievements of the charity during 2021:

A Message FROM EVC Uganda’s CHAIRMAN

This year, through the Grace of God and the hard work of the EVC team, has been another great success in meeting the needs of the children we serve in Uganda and seeing the work grow.

At the smaller of the two primary schools EVC supports, a boys’ dormitory was completed, as well as a 5-classroom block. The latter will provide vocational training facilities, an IT suite, and also a library. Water harvesting facilities were installed on three of the buildings and a new toilet block for the 5-classroom block was built. Our aim over the next couple of years will be to fully resource the library, to improve the standard of education, to recruit more highly qualified teachers and, ensure all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

[Read more…] about EVC Uganda 2021 Review

Please see below for information about services to help victims and survivors of church-related abuse:

Please follow the link to download this leaflet: Hurt by Abuse

[Read more…] about Safeguarding: Resources for Victims and Survivors

Do you have worries or problems that are getting you down?

Bedford Prayer Line is a new phone line for anyone who feels overburdened or in need of prayer and would like our Catholic Church communities to pray for them.

Simply phone the number 07835 571333 and leave a message. A church volunteer will check the messages and our local Catholic Church communities will pray for those leaving messages and their requests.

SmartLoving Fertility is an online course for learning how to manage fertility naturally in the context of the Catholic faith.

Based on the Sympto-Thermal method, the course incorporates a unique blend of scientific insights, relationship frameworks and Catholic Theology.

Please visit their website for more information: www.smartloving.org/fertility