24 - 26 January 2025

Celebration of those in Communications

Over the weekend of the 24-26th January 2025 THE SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD, we recognise the important role of communication in sharing the Good News.

We celebrate all in our diocese and parish all those involved in the communications, especially our Diocesan Press Officer, Mr Phil Gibbons, who works closely with the Bishop and Diocesan Departments, as well as dealing with the media on behalf of our parishes. Also, in our parish we pray for those who communicate Sacred Scripture in our Masses and Liturgies, ensuring that they deliver the readings clearely and precisely, so as to ensure understanding to those listening. We pray that more people will volunteer to be celebrants of the Sacred Readings and communicate the news of our parish.

Since the pandemic we have celebrated many of our Masses and Services both in person for people to attend and also online, for those unable to attend due to ill health. We also have many people all over the world who ‘tune’ in via Facebook and our parish website. Many Churches ‘livestream’ their services and it’s reaching out to those who are unable to attend. Of course, for those who are able, it does not replace the ‘Obiligation’ to attend Mass.

We are grateful to Mr Phil Gibbons, the Diocesan Press Officer, for building our new website for the parish. www.holyfamilypatchway.co.uk He is also available should we need support. He has constructed a number of parish websites and also the Cathedral and Diocesan website.

In every parish there are people who construct the weekly newsletter which is distributed in the back of the Church and online and via email. A lot of work goes into these newsletters so that everyone is kept up-to-date with parish activities.

We always welcome ‘constructive support and suggestions’ to improve our communications. But remember, if you suggest something, please help by volunteering to put your suggestion into action!

Key Saints who are ‘Communicators’

Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael (feast day September 29), servants and messengers of God. “Because they 'always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven’ they are the mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 329)

St. Paul the Apostle (5-67, feast day June 29), patron of missionaries, evangelists, writers, journalists, authors, public workers, rope and saddle makers, and tent makers. St. Paul, whose writings are contained in the Canon of the Bible, transformed his life after an encounter with the Risen Lord and became one of the most important and influential of all the saints.

St. Hildegard (1098-1179, feast day September 17), patron saint of musicians and writers. A Doctor of the Church and mystic, St. Hildegard was a talented poet, composer, and writer, who travelled widely to evangelize to large groups of people.

St. Clare of Assisi (1194-1253, feast day August 11), patron saint of television, bike messengers, eye disease, goldsmiths, good weather, and needle workers. Inspired by her friend Saint Francis of Assisi, St. Clare dedicated her life to poverty, prayer, and service and founded the Order of Poor Ladies (now known as the Poor Clares).

St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622, feast day January 24), patron of the Catholic writers, Catholic press, the deaf, journalists, and adult education. A Doctor of the Church, St. Francis was devoted to evangelization and catechesis through preaching and writing.

St. Maximillian Kolbe (1894-1941, feast day August 14), patron of journalists, media communications, the family, and the chemically addicted. A Martyr of Charity, St. Maximilian used modern communication techniques to share the faith before his persecution under the Nazi regime and death in a concentration camp.

St. Titus Brandsma, (1881-1942, feast day July 27), a Dutch Carmelite priest, journalist and martyr, he was arrested by the Nazis after personally delivering to the editors ordering them not to print official Nazi documents. He was killed by lethal injection at the Dachau death camp.

Blessed Carlo Acutis (1991-2006), proposed patron of young people, computer programmers, and the Internet. Carlo was an Italian website designer who documented Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions on a website he designed. On July 1, 2024, Pope Francis presided at an Ordinary Consistory of Cardinals, which approved the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis. On 23rd April 2025.

PRAYERS

Prayer of Saint Francis de Sales

Be at Peace Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope as they arise. God, whose very own you are, will deliver you from out of them. He has kept you hitherto, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in his arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day. He will either shield you from suffering, or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination. Amen.

St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Patron of Journalists, Writers, Editors and the Catholic Press.

Pope's Prayer for Communications

Lord, teach us to move beyond ourselves, and to set out in search of truth. Teach us to go out and see, teach us to listen, not to entertain prejudices or draw hasty conclusions. Teach us to go where no one else will go, to take the time needed to understand, to pay attention to the essentials, not to be distracted by the superfluous, to distinguish deceptive appearances from the truth. Grant us the grace to recognize your dwelling places in our world and the honesty needed to tell others what we have seen. Amen.

From the message of the Holy Father for World Communications Day 2021.

Prayer for Communicators

Lord, let the good news of your marvellous deeds fall on every ear, and let all tongues rejoice in your wisdom, your compassion, your faithfulness, and your love. Make me bold and let me share your Word with those you desire to reach. As my heart overflows with your love, speak through me. Let me proclaim your glory and your majesty, and tell of the kindness you have shown your people. This I ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Communications Prayer for Those Working in Diocesan and Parish Communications

Holy Spirit, you blessed the first disciples with the power to spread God’s love throughout the world. Give me a new power to proclaim your word through my own unique gifts and through the channels of clear communications. Make me willing to receive that word as it enters my daily life. Bless all who use their talents in the field of communications. Guide those who send out the message and those who receive it, so that all people may come to know your truth and be renewed by your love. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Catholic Communication Campaign Prayer Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Help us to recognize the evil latent in a communication that does not build communion. Help us to remove the venom from our judgments. Help us to speak about others as our brothers and sisters. You are faithful and trustworthy; may our words be seeds of goodness for the world: where there is shouting, let us practice listening; where there is confusion, let us inspire harmony; where there is ambiguity, let us bring clarity; where there is exclusion, let us offer solidarity; where there is sensationalism, let us use sobriety; where there is superficiality, let us raise real questions; where there is prejudice, let us awaken trust; where there is hostility, let us bring respect; where there is falsehood, let us bring truth. Amen.