October Newsletter from NBCW Diocesan Link

 


                                                                    JUBLEE 2025


October 2025 Web Newsletter

Welcome to the October edition of the NBCW Diocesan Link newsletter.

 If you were at Ardingly on Saturday September 20th you will know the diocese hosted an inspiring Festival of Hope. Michelle Moran from the Sion Community spoke of the ‘importance of Baptism’. She repeated the words ‘Enthusiasm’ and ‘Confidence’ as she spoke of  what we have to do ‘to bring people into our sacred space’.

Dai Woolridge from the Bible Society, who is a spoken word poet, spoke of Words of Hope, asking us to i) Be open to Nudges…is the Holy Spirit nudging you to share your faith;

ii) Be open to the stranger;

iii) Be open to the Scriptures. ‘Let’s be equipped with the news.’

There is a free Bible course.    Access the course     

Christine Allen Director of CAFOD spoke of Pilgrims of Hope and our responsibilities for securing social justice.

Rev. Greg Bakker an Anglican parish priest spoke of forming communities and told his story of when he had not always listened to new ideas.

This has reminded me of the meeting I organised in February 2019 between the Women of this diocese and Bishop Richard. Over 70 women met to tell of their gifts and share their hopes. With the interruption of Covid and changes in parish structures I wonder what happened to those women. How many have been able to use their gifts to the full?  Has the Synodal process helped?                                   IS IT TIME FOR A REVIVAL.


 

Some photos of 2025 Festival of Hope are at the end of this blog.

Do share comments And thankyou for reading my blog.

Sue Petritz

 Diocesan Link for Arundel & Brighton

Actively promoting the presence, participation & responsibilities of Catholic Women

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              CAFOD Family Fast Day  October 3rd

 

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October 6th  7.45-8.45 pm  BOOK CLUB  The NBC W invites you to a book club where we will read Gabrielle Thomas’s book For the Good of the Church. She looks at the concept of Receptive ecumenism and how it can help churches. Do join us for this introductory session to introduce ourselves, decide future meeting dates and process and hear about the author . Please email admin@NBCW.co.uk to register


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Date: Tuesday 7th October at 7pm Fruits of the Synod - In conversation with Sr Marie Kolbe Zamora.  Please join us on Zoom as we talk to Sr Marie Kolbe Zamora about her work during the Synod on behalf of Catholic Women around the world. This event will have a particular focus on how we can realise the fruits of the synod and how to grow them.

Please email admin@NBCW.co.uk to register


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The Social Responsibility Committee of the

National Board of Catholic Women

invites you to a WEBINAR

On   WEDNESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2025, 7:00 – 8:30 pm

Women in the Criminal Justice System:  Keeping Women out of Prison

with

Emily Evison Prison Reform Trust (PRT) and

Julia Corcoran, Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT)

Chaired by Bishop Richard Moth, Liaison Bishop for Prisons

 

        a shadow of a person behind bars in a jail cell

Join us for this inspirational event, and together we will explore the challenges faced by women in the justice system and discuss constructive alternatives as we learn more about the issues, hear from experts, and reflect on how we, as people of faith, can support women in finding hope and dignity outside of prison.

Register at: nbcw.co.uk/event/keeping-women-out-of-prison/

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FOCUS on the NBCW

Each Month I will share the work of one of the committees of the NBCW. Perhaps you have skills that could help their work, or it is an area you are particularly interested in, if so do contact them to see what future opportunities there are.

                

Social Responsibility Committee of the NBCW

The Social Responsibility Committee is one of the three advocacy committees in the National Board of Catholic Women.  Its mission is: firstly, to raise awareness of key social issues, based on Catholic social teachings on the theme of ‘Who is my Neighbour?’; and secondly, to lobby for better conditions and policies by sharing our concerns and writing to our MPs in parliament.  The main social issues identified include (1) poverty and its impact on families; (2) the treatment of prisoners and, in particular, women in the criminal justice system; (3) racial justice; and (4) asylum and immigration.  In order to raise awareness of these issues, members of the SRC carry out research, write reports and organise webinars.  Recent webinars have dealt with Women’s experiences in the Asylum system (May 2024); Child poverty: challenges and solutions (October 2024); and Racial Justice: embracing ALL (February 2025).  Our next webinar in October 2025 is on Women in the Criminal Justice System:  keeping women out of prison.

 Rose Cartledge is the current convenor. She and the committee welcome new members with an interest and/or expertise in any of the topics covered. You can contact her here.

 

DO see September Newsletter for more October events

Festival of Hope September 20th










 






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