New Youth Club for St Robert's

Please find at the link below Bishop Marcus' Pastoral Letter on Assisted Suicide which will be made available at all Masses this weekend. There will be a Eucharistic Holy Hour of prayer to promote the dignity of every human person and the culture of life in our countries in the face of the assisted suicide legislation before the UK Parliament. In keeping with parishes across the country, this will be on Wednesday 13th November from 11am, ending with the noon Mass.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred upon young people from the parishes of St Robert, St Joseph, St Aelred and St Mary, Knaresborough, at a Service in St Robert's church beginning at 7pm on Tuesday 4th February 2025. The sacrament will be administered by Bishop Marcus. Each parish will hold their own preparation sessions with St Robert's being on two Sunday afternoons in early 2025 - Sunday 19th January and Sunday 2nd February. Our young people will, by the time they receive the sacrament, have spent time in prayer, scripture reading and preparation to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. All children who are regularly attending Mass at St Robert's are invited to take an application form for the sacrament from the Narthex, complete it with their parents and then return it to the parish office. Last date for registration will be 22nd December 2024.

YOUTH CLUB – we are pleased to announce that there is a new Youth Club being formed at St. Robert’s! Youth aged 12-18 are invited to “Come & See” on Sunday Nov 10th from 12:30-2pm in the parish centre. There will be food, games, fun and fellowship. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex for food catering purposes.

'He Loved Us'

The end of the year is a busy time in the parish. On Monday 4th November at 7pm you'll see elsewhere that we have a special Mass for our Dead, at which those who have bid farewell to loved ones in St Robert's during the past year are invited to a special Mass of Remembrance. On Sunday 10th November there will be a short Act of Remembrance at the 11am Mass. On Sunday 24th November, it is envisaged that the young people of the parish will take lead roles in the 11am Mass, it being the feast of Christ the King and a traditional day for celebrating with the youth. On Sunday 1st December, the First Sunday of Advent, we will begin to use readings from the new translation of the Lectionary. Also, on that day, there are plans for wreath making sessions after the 9am and 11am Masses. On Wednesday 4th December we are planning a Day of Recollection taking place before and after the noon Mass, to include lunch. The day will be led by Fr Luke Beckett OSB of Ampleforth Abbey. The Childrens' Choir will take a lead in t

The joint pilgrimage to Palazzola and Rome of St Robert's and St Aelred's parishioners was a great success last week. Staying at the English College's villa in the Alban hills, the pilgrims journeyed to the Catacombs of San Sebastián on Tuesday, to Rome on Wednesday and to the Papal Summer Palace of Castle Gandolfo on Thursday. During the course of Wednesday, the pilgrims attended the Papal Audience in St Peter's square, took a tour through the streets of Rome and visited the Venerable English College at the kind invitation of the Rector, Fr Stephen Wang. The photograph shows the pilgrims in the garden of the English College.

Many thanks to Linda OCarroll for her work researching the biography of an illustrious parish priest of St Robert's (1889-1905) which can be accessed at the link here on Wikipedia. Canon Pope is especially remembered here for a distinctive and precious chalice which we use at special Masses and for commissioning the beautiful stations of the cross and having the organ installed by William Hill. His journey through life is particularly interesting as he was one of the converts who became a Catholic in the wake of St John Henry Newman's conversion.

There are currently five young people attending the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) Course and we keep them in our prayers as they continue to discover where the Lord is leading them. If you have felt called to discover more about the Catholic faith, do speak with Fr Simon after Mass to discuss how the parish can accompany you on your own spiritual journey.

We are looking to recruit more altar servers for the 5pm Vigil, 9am and 11am Masses at St Robert's. Those eligible to apply are aged up to 18, having made their first reconciliation. It is important that the parents of new recruits are prepared to make sure their regular attendance each week, ideally at the same Mass, to ensure that all services are covered. If you would like to be an altar server, please register your interest with Fr Simon or with Mr Paul Parker, who leads the servers at the 11am Mass or Mr Dave Baker, who leads the servers at the 9am Mass.