Jubilee year 2025

Pilgrims of Hope

Welcome to the Jubilee Year. Pope Francis began the Jubilee of Hope in December 2024 when he opened the ‘Holy Door’ in St Peter’s Basilica. Catholics from all around the world are invited to join in this year of special graces.

Pilgrimage is part of the practice of many different religions and is part of this Jubilee Year experience as the Pope has called us to be 'Pilgrims of Hope'. There will be different opportunities for pilgrimage throughout the year which we will hear about here and in the newsletter.

The Companion Booklet identifies six Jubilee themes in scripture that we will be exploring. Click on the links below for more information:

· Food poverty

· Modern slavery

· Managing debt

· Forgiveness

· Rest and worship

Events for the Jubilee year at St Gregorys

Our Lady Home Pilgrimage

Find out more about how to make a pilgrimage without leaving your home by clicking here

Lenten almsgiving

Giving alms has always been an important part of lent. In this Jubilee Year, we invite you to give generously to The Wellspring Charity.

The Wellspring charity was started in 1990 by Fr Con Botter, who was the parish priest of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stockport. Based in Harvey Street, The Wellspring opens every day of the year, with staff and volunteers providing help for local people who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes.

They provide free meals, offer hygiene facilities, tailored health and wellbeing support and advice and referrals on a wide range of issues, all in a welcoming, non-judgemental atmosphere.

During Lent we are collecting donations of dried or tinned food such as pasta, rice, baked beans, tinned vegetables, sauces, biscuits, crackers, long life drinks etc.

PLEASE LEAVE WHAT FOOD YOU CAN IN THE BOX AT THE BACK OF CHURCH - THANK YOU

Monday 31 March - Pilgrimage to St Joseph's Shrine, Stockport

We will be visiting St Joseph's Shrine in Stockport meeting in the church car park at 10am. Please sign up or call the church office if you would like to come along.

Here is the itinerary for the day:

10am Meet in church carpark

11am Arrive at St Josephs Stockport for adorationof the Blessed Sacrament, an opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconcilation (a requirement of the Plenary Indulgence, see below) and recitation of the rosary

12 noon Mass

1.15pm Bring your own packed lunch to eat together in the Parish centre

Plenary indulgence

It is now possible to receive a plenary indulgence at St Joseph’s Stockport, which along with the Cathedral is the pilgrim church for our diocese. A plenary indulgence removes all temporal punishment due to sin.

Here is how:

Pray in the Church, either St Joseph’s Stockport or the Cathedral (if possible, pray for vocations to the priesthood but this is not obligatory)
Pray for the Pope’s intentions when you are there
Receive Holy Communion
Go to Confession within 20 days before or after the visit
Detach yourself from all sin

Tuesday 1 April 7pm Parish Reconciliation Service

Forgiveness is an important theme during this Jubilee Year and the season of Lent is traditionally the time to take a good look at ourselves. It’s an opportunity to reassess our relationship with God and one another. In what ways have we fallen short in carrying out Jesus’s commandment to 'love one another as I have loved you'. When we are truly sorry God always forgives us. If we try to excuse our weaknesses, he will give us every chance to change.

No one becomes fully human overnight, and as we mature, we need to experience the healing, reconciling action of the Holy Spirit. The Church celebrates this action of the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of reconciliation and it is completed when we return our forgiveness to our families and friends. The more we grow in our understanding of God’s everlasting love for each and every one, the more we will recognize our need for forgiveness and healing.

The sacrament of reconciliation is above all an act of God’s love, it is a personal moment to be lived in a relationship of love with God. It is not a routine or an ordeal to be gone through, but very much part of the personal renewal which takes place in each person.

There will also be opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation if you are able to join in the parish pilgrimages to St Joseph's Shrine in Stockport and the Cathedral in Shrewsbury.

Tuesday 10 June 7.45pm Just-Ice talk in the Parish Hall

Just-ice is an ethical ice cream café on the main street in Poynton. They have been supporting victims of modern slavery for many years. The café employs survivors to help them gain skills, participate in education courses and engage with the local community.

Some of the team from Just-Ice are coming to St Gregory’s on Tuesday 10 June at 7.45pm.

Please join us to hear about their important work in the community and an opportunity to taste some their delicious ice cream.