St Robert's Building Fund
Launched!
The St Robert's Building Fund was launched at Masses on Low Sunday weekend. Previously, it was announced that, due to an accumulation of quite urgent work which needs to take place on the church and presbytery, mainly in the area of roof and drains, we would be setting up such a Fund to ease the burden on existing parish funds. The work is expected to last between three and five years, with a plan to begin in the autumn this year. The total cost is reckoned to be in the region of £300,000.
An overview of the proposed works with pictures of some of the affected areas is available at the link below and we will be giving regular updates on the progress of both the fund and the work once it starts.
The architect’s proposals are still going through the various diocesan committees whose approval is needed in terms of art, architecture and finance (the church is a listed building). A reminder that the advantage of the Fund is that it can be gift aided and the Diocese will not take any portion of it as part of their assessment. We will keep parishioners updated as time goes on but, as always, thank you for your continuing generosity to the mission of St Robert’s.
Pope Francis was remembered at a special Mass in St Robert's on Wednesday this week and, of course, prayers will be said for him at all Masses during the "Novendiales" - nine days of mourning. May he rest in peace.
Congratulations to eight young men baptised, confirmed and received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Thank you to Jack Clarke and Margaret Tolan who, along with Fr Simon, accompanied them on their journey of faith. Matthew, Jacob, Nathan, George, Jake, Will, Will, David, Margaret, Jack and Fr Simon will continue to meet and explore faith in the weeks to come and, if anyone out there is looking to join the Catholic Church, they are very welcome to come and explore with us. Just speak with Fr Simon after Mass to register your interest.
Confirmation names chosen by the candidates include the patron saint of England - George, the soldier who pierced Christ’s side on the cross and became a convert - Longinus, Oscar Romero, the martyred bishop of El Salvador and Francis of Assisi.
Pope Francis has encouraged parishes to connect with local Saints in this Jubilee Year, asking them to "remember and honour these figures of holiness each year". Richard Atkinson, a parishioner from Yorkshire has researched a selection of Saints and the Blessed with Yorkshire connections and has kindly agreed to come to St Robert's to share with us his understanding of their journey in faith to demonstrate the extraordinary lives they led from ordinary beginnings. The lives of the Saints are a historical account but their witness of God's love along with their intercessions shed light on our lives today. The talk will take place in the parish centre at 4pm on Sunday 18th May and all are welcome. Refreshments will be provided. Do put this date into your diary - it should be an enjoyable and informative event in celebration of this Jubilee Year.
The next Men's Evening will take place for parishioners on Wednesday 21st May between 6.30pm to 9.30pm. It will begin with the usual adoration in church from 6.30pm. We will then repair to the parish centre at 7pm for drinks and a talk by a well known St Robert's parishioner. This will be followed by a two course meal. Do join us for what should be an enjoyable evening. A sign up sheet is in the narthex simply to give an idea of numbers. A nominal charge of £15 to cover costs will be payable on the night by cash or card. Any monies left over will go into the St Robert's Building Fund. A sign up sheet will be placed at the back of church in early May.
A retreat for up to twenty six St Robert's parishioners has been organised to take place at Ampleforth Abbey from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th September 2025. All accommodation and meals will be included and the retreat will be led by Fr Luke Beckett OSB. More details of cost, timings etc. will be promulgated closer to the time along with the opportunity to book a place. Save the date if you would like to join us.
A Celebration Mass for Married Life for couples and their families celebrating their 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 70th wedding anniversaries this year will take place at St Anne's Cathedral at noon on Saturday 17th May, giving couples an opportunity to renew their marriage vows. If you are celebrating the anniversary of your wedding and you would like to take part, please fill out the application form which is available at the back of church or downloadable below.
May is the month dedicated to Mary and the May crowning is an act of popular devotion in honour of our Blessed Mother, proclaimed as Queen of Heaven by Pope Pius XII. The children attending the 9am Mass on Sunday 4th May will participate in the crowning and everyone is invited to bring flowers to offer our Blessed Mother this day and throughout the month of May. Vases will be available in the Lady Chapel for your convenience. A special Tea and Coffee will be served in the Centre after Mass.
Thank you to those parents who have signed up their children for First Holy Communion this year. Applications for this year's programme have now closed - the registration period of several weeks is now over. The First Holy Communion Programme began with a parents evening on Tuesday 22 nd April 2025. This was an opportunity for all parents to attend a presentation on what the programme involves and on the work that they are expected to do with their children at home between the sessions. The catechesis takes place after the 9am Mass from 10-11.30am on Sundays 27 th April, 11 th May and 18 th May with your child receiving First Holy Communion at their usual mass time throughout June. Please arrange with the parish office the mass date and time you would like your child to receive the sacrament for the first time. A plenary mass, when all the children come together to be presented to the parish and receive their certificates, will take place at 9am on Sunday 6 th July. Please note if your child completed their First Reconciliation in 2025, your child will complete their First Holy Communion in 2026.
CAFOD
Please find on the link below a letter from Fr Simon and Miss Collins, headteacher of St Robert's School, outlining information for parents who are considering signing their children up for First Sacraments in St Robert's parish. Details of dates for the First Communion course and dates for holy communions will be announced in due course. This year, families will be given a choice of dates and Masses during the month of June at which their child can make their first holy communion and then there will be a joint celebration organised in July to bring the group together. You will find elsewhere on the website and on the parish bulletin details of the Reconciliation programme. The deadline for application for Confirmation has now passed but candidates will be able to apply for the 2026 Confirmation course in due time.