Oxford Catholic Chaplaincy Latest News
Click here for a message from the Chaplains - May 24
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Student Mass on Tue-Wed-Thu at 8am, followed by (free) breakfast
12.15pm Public Mass Mon-Sat, 6.15pm Public Mass on Thursday (Feast of the Ascension)
Sunday Masses at 11am, 5.45pm and 9pm
Confessions on Saturday 11.30am-12pm and Sunday 10.15am-10.45am. Please contact Fr Matthew or Fr William directly if you would like an appointment outside of those times.
The Chaplains - Fr Matthew, Alvea and Fr William
A retreatant’s reflection of Minster Abbey
During our visit, there were numerous services a day that allowed one to be flexible and attend as many as one pleased. Usually, I started the day off with Lauds at 8:30am, though on the last day (after having time to recuperate from Hilary Term), I attended the first service of the day, Vigils at 5:30am. It was so relaxing to listen to the hymns sung by the nuns and it really helped set the prayerful mood for the day. Ending the day with Compline was wonderful and I found praying as a group blissful.
Academic Mass 2021 – Fr John O’Connor’s homily
Here in a Catholic Chaplaincy, it’s not only a matter of sharing ideas and perspectives with others. It is also a matter of supporting one another as you journey together in faith.
Your knowledge and understanding does not need to be perfect to play a valuable part in the conversation. Your every statement and claim do not need to be understood as the last word on the matter, your definitive judgment for all time. Inevitably, some of your views will alter and grow; some might grow stronger, some might quietly disappear, whilst others will shift a bit. And, believe me, this applies whether you are in your teens or in your nineties.
What is Pope Francis asking us to do and why?
What is special about the latest convocation is that it comes with an invitation to us all to reflect on our experience of the Church as a community of people who are journeying in faith through life.
Pope Francis has said that the process of consultation in the Church should be a characterised by ‘a dynamism of mutual listening, carried out at all levels of the Church’. He has also said that people shouldn’t be afraid of saying what they think – there needs to be bold, and respectful, speaking.
Synod 2021 – 2023: Bishop John Arnold’s address to Oxford and Cambridge Chaplaincies
The Universal Synod begins in our families, parishes, schools, chaplaincies and communities. Pope Francis is providing a series of questions from which we may select any to which we may want to reply. Discernment is founded on prayer and is an offering of our thoughts as a contribution to a universal conversation. There is no question of winning an argument but of recognising God’s will.
Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy Covid Response – Michaelmas 2021
We hope that what’s proposed will reassure those of you who are keen to minimise the risk of infection and encourage others that we hope to be as free of restrictions as we responsibly can be. We will review our protocols regularly in the light of Government and University guidelines. Don’t hesitate to pass on feedback!
‘Farewell’ community meal for Frs Ian and Nick – to be rescheduled again
While we hoped to be out of isolation on Saturday, the University has strongly advised us to continue isolating until Sunday night. We are sorry to postpone the farewell for Frs Ian and Nick again.
Regarding NHS Track and Trace
This message is particularly for those of you who have been to the Chaplaincy since last Friday morning and who use the NHS Track and Trace App when you visit.
Latest news from the Chaplaincy
[a] Chaplaincy resident had tested positive to COVID after taking a Lateral Flow Test. They had self-isolated immediately. We await the result of the PCR test, due sometime in the next 48 hours.
End of Year Chaplaincy Retreat – Barmouth 2021
A time to unwind at the end of the year in a house by the sea with magnificent hills to east and the south.
Some Changes at the Chaplaincy
Frs. Nick and Ian are being asked by the Jesuit Provincial to take up new missions from this September.