FEBRUARY 2026 Newsletter from Arundel & Brighton Diocesan Link
The strength to persevere, the courage to speak out, the
faith to believe.' Sr Joan Chittister OSB
Welcome to this edition of my web newsletter February
2026
First I have to say Farewell to Brishop Richard as he moves
on from our diocese to the position of Archbishop of Westminster. A time of change for us. Meantime the diocese
makes no new decisions, but it gives us the time to engage with the many
initiatives introduced during Bishop Richard’s time with us.
By the time you read this the first of a new series introduced
by the NBCW which started with the first
webinar on 27th January will have taken place: Catholic Women Walking with Women . This is a year long webinar series designed to
meet women where they truly are and to explore how God walks with us in every
season.
You will see the drive by the NBWC following its new
constitution which opens it to membership by individual members.
February is the month we start our Lentern observance. If
you have any special initiatives this Lent why not share details with others in
the diocese.
Enjoy
Sue
_______________________________________________________________________________
We bid Farewell
to Bishop Richard as he leaves Arundel & Brighton for his new role as
Archbishop of Westminster and thank him for his guidance of our diocese these
10 yrs.
_____________________________________________________________________
Link to book- https://buytickets.at/nationalboardofcatholicwomen/2022253
Phyllis Zagano is an American author and academic. She was a member of the 2016-2018 Papal Commission for the Study of the Diaconate of Women. Dr Zagano is known for her knowledge and extensive research on the history of women deacons: a cause which she ardently supports.
____________________________________________________________________
Joining the NBCW gives you the opportunity
to be part of a national network of Catholic women who are
working together to make a real difference in the Church and society.
- Have
your voice heard:
NBCW is a consultative body to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
England and Wales, meaning your concerns and perspectives can help
shape Church priorities.
- Be
part of something bigger: Connect with Catholic women locally, nationally, and
internationally through our link with WUCWO (World Union of
Catholic Women’s Organisations).
- Grow
in faith:
Access resources, webinars, and events that support your spiritual,
educational, and social development.
- Work
for justice:
Join in campaigns and committees that address issues such as racial
justice, safeguarding, criminal justice, modern slavery, bioethics, and
climate change.
- Build
community: Meet
and collaborate with like-minded women who share your faith and values,
while celebrating the diversity of Catholic women’s experiences.
Membership is £10 per year for individuals.
________________________________________________________________________________
VACANCIES for NBCW
Volunteers. contact the administrator nbcwsecretary1@gmail.com
Opportunities to get involved in specific
committees of the NBCW
Members of the National Board of Catholic
Women were involved in Christian Unity week leading prayer services across the
country witnessing to the importance of Christian unity and ecumenism. If you have an interest in ecumenism there is
opportunity to be involved in the NBVCW
Ecumenical Committee.
Appointment of
Convenor to the Ecumenical Committee.
NBCW are looking
to appoint a new Convenor for the Ecumenical Committee.
We invite
Catholic women committed to Christian Unity, to consider leading the Ecumenical
Committee. The committee includes the Catholic representative to the national
body of World Day of Prayer, formerly Women’ s World Day of Prayer. The
committee has served as a consultative voice to the Bishop’s Conference, and
has also been instrumental in developing a variety of ecumenical
initiatives and in publishing several leading documents.
The position is voluntary. Meetings
are online in the main, though there are some in person meetings on occasion.
If you are interested in this valuable work please contact the
administrator nbcwsecretary1@gmail.com for further information and
application forms
NBCW Education Committee vacancy
The Women in the
Church Committee were delighted to have St Imelda Poole from Albania join our
zoom meeting on 26th January. Sr Imelda presented a
thought-provoking talk/ discussion about Human Trafficking in Albania. She is
part of the Mary Ward Foundation and encouraged us with this simple phrase from
Mary Ward, “ Do Ordinary things well”.
We would like to
invite her back in the future for an NBCW webinar.
Sr Imelda is
happy to accept invitations when she is visiting England, to talk about the
Mary Ward Foundation and her role in Albania.
Dame Yogi Sutton, former president of
the National Board of Catholic Women receives admission to the Order of St
Gregory by the invitation of Pope Leo X1V
I was
privileged to join friends and dignitaries for the investiture of Yogi Sutton,
a former NBCW president, who has been admitted as a Dame of St Gregory the
Great by Pope Leo the X1V.
On Sunday,
21 January at Corpus Christi church, Brixton Hill a huge gathering of people
witnessed Yogi being presented with her award, which is one of the highest
accolades for men and women in the Catholic Church.
Being one of
the five orders of knighthood of the Holy See, this honour recognises and
individual’s personal service to the Holy See and to the Catholic Church
through their unusual labour, support and commitment. Knights are chosen because they are exemplars
of their communities and their countries.
The event on
Sunday was presided over by Canon Victor Darlington, Episcopal Vicar for the South-East
Area, and four other priests. The Mass, and the gospel of the day, provided a
beautiful liturgy in which to recognise Yogi’s virtues as a tireless disciple
of Christ.
Significantly
her ministry was not just confined to the parish but extended to working for
racial justice within the organisation CARJ, to education and to justice for
women. She is truly an inspirational woman, and this award is testimony of how
much she is loved and respected as a woman who has heard the calling of Christ,
and who has become a servant of others.
Well done,
Yogi.
The attached
photographs show aspects of the presentation, past presidents of the NBCW, and
current members of the NBCW.
Provided by Jacintha Bowe
That’s all
for this month
Sue Petritz
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