Dear Parishioners,
This weekend I feel as though we are a family mourning the loss of one of our own following the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II which broke on Thursday evening. Like all families at such times, it is important to pause, reflect and be thankful. The media are providing us with the family albums that are looked through by many families in the early days of loss highlighting the significant and momentous, as well as the more trivial and jovial.
As a people of faith we are asked to hold those who grieve and mourn – those who referred to our late Monarch in the familiar terms of Mother, Grandmother, Mother-in-law, relative and friend – in prayer, as well as praying that the soul of a good and faithful (as well as faith-filled) servant to be granted a welcome into God’s Kingdom, life’s work over, and a vocational calling well fulfilled. Let us not forget to hold in prayer our new King – in waiting for so long – that he will be blessed with all the skills necessary to live out, what for him, will be a life-long commitment of service to others.
Late yesterday evening the Bishop announced that a Solemn Requiem Mass for the late Queen will be celebrated at St. Anne’s Cathedral, Leeds, this coming Monday 12th September at 10.30 a.m. to which the Faithful are invited. The Mass will also be livestreamed via the Cathedral website www.leedscathedrallive.org.uk
With prayerful remembrance, kind thought and affection.
As ever, Fr. Nicholas