Latest news with #StMary'sChurch
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Pope appoints Fr Jose Sebastian as new Bishop of Jalandhar
Pope Leo XIV Saturday appointed Fr Jose Sebastian Thekkumcherikunnel as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Jalandhar, in Punjab, a post that had remained virtually vacant for nearly seven years. Fr Jose (63) is currently serving as the financial administrator of the Diocese. 'His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rev. Jose Sebastian Thekkumcherikkunnel, a priest of the Diocese of Jullundur and currently serving as its Financial Administrator, as the new Bishop of Jullundur. The appointment was made public in Rome at noon (15:30 IST) on Saturday,' said Bishop Agnelo Rufino Gracias in a statement. Bishop Gracias, Emeritus Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, has been serving as Apostolic Administrato of the Diocese of Jalandhar since 2018, when the last Bishop, Franco Mulakkal, was arrested after he was accused of rape by a nun. The Vatican had temporarily relieved him of his responsibilities as the Bishop. Though he was acquitted by a court in Kerala in 2022, the Vatican had asked for his resignation, and was accepted as 'pro bono Ecclesiae' (for the good of the Church), in June 2023. In a message, Bishop Gracias said, 'I was very keen that the one chosen to be the Bishop should be from among the ranks of the Jalandhar priests. I realize how much the Diocese suffered, because I came from outside with no knowledge of Punjabi and little acquaintance with the ethos of the Diocese. Fortunately, the Holy See has appointed a priest from the Diocese who knows it very well.' A meeting of the Diocesan Consultors is scheduled for June 9, during which the date and logistics of the Episcopal Ordination will be finalized and announced, read the statement. 'The Diocese looks forward with renewed hope and unity, trusting in the leadership of Bishop-elect Thekkumcherikkunnel to guide God's people with wisdom, compassion, and faith,' it added. Tarsem Peter, who is closely associated with the Diocese, said the local appointment will boost the confidence of the local Catholics. As per the details shared by the Diocese, Fr Jose was born in 1962 in Kalaketty, Kerala and was ordained a priest on May 1, 1991 for the Diocese of Jalandhar. He began his ministry as Assistant Parish Priest at St Mary's Church in Fatehgarh Churiana and served as Parish Priest at St Joseph's Church in Khasa and Sacred Heart Church in Amritsar, before being appointed as principal of St Francis School. From 1996 to 2002, he served as Dean and Parish Priest of St Francis Church in Amritsar and later at Jandiala Guru. From 2002 to 2004, he obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. On his return to Jalandhar, he served as Vice Chancellor, Defender of the Bond, and Director of Village Catechesis. From 2007 to 2020, he was Chancellor and Judicial Vicar of the Diocese. He also taught at the Holy Trinity Regional Major Seminary in Jalandhar and served as Head of the Theology Department. For next two years, he served as Rector and Parish Priest of St Mary's Cathedral in Jalandhar Cantonment. Since 2022, he has been the Financial Administrator of the Diocese and was currently serving as the Parish Priest of St Joseph's Church in Phagwara and Director of St Joseph's Convent School.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Second Darlington foodbank makes 'incredibly difficult decision' to cut back support
A second Darlington foodbank has announced it has cut back its support due to funding difficulties. St Mary's Church, Cockerton, said it is struggling to maintain its foodbank service and warned it could close within months. Visitors will now be offered one food bag a month from May. It comes after King's Church, also in Darlington, recently revealed it has significantly scaled back its operation after a drop in funding. The service, which operates out of facilities on Whessoe Road, provided more than 125,000 free meals to people last year but saw its donations dry up despite increased demand. The news of St Mary's also reducing its support came less than a week later. Father Damon Bage, of St Mary's Church in Cockerton, Darlington. (Image: Sarah Caldecott) Father Damon Bage said the church is currently spending more than £200 per week on providing service, and if that continues, would be forced to close by July. 'So that we don't close fully we've had to make the incredibly difficult decision to drop down our offering to one bag a month beginning in May,' the announcement read. 'In the intervening weeks, clients are welcome to come and drop in for coffee and help themselves to whatever fresh food we have had donated that week. 'The Foodbank will still be open every week and that NEW clients who come along will be given food bags for four weeks. Sadly we can't sustain that for everyone all the time. 'This decision hasn't been made lightly and we would really appreciate people sharing this information as widely as possible.' Council leaders have been urged to improve and rethink how they support foodbank services and protect vulnerable residents. Jonathan Dulston, leader of Darlington Conservatives, said the foodbank cuts should act as a wake-up call for Darlington Borough Council. 'We are here for you': Darlington foodbank's emphatic message despite major cuts Darlington Council urged to rethink its foodbank support to protect vulnerable people Darlington plan to ban smoking in venues outdoor seating areas branded 'stupid' 'This is now an opportunity for us to rethink how our foodbanks across the borough work together in partnership,' Cllr Dulston said. 'I'm going to work to get foodbank leaders around the table to discuss how we can ensure foodbank provision is maintained across the borough, but also rethink how we deliver a universal foodbank programme across the town with solid information sharing.' Money from the council's Household Support Fund was allocated towards King's Church foodbank to help keep it afloat.
Listly
26-03-2025
- Listly
5 Unique Experiences to Enjoy in Negombo: Making the Most of a Single Day in the City
With Sri Lanka being a multi-religious country, Negombo features various places of worship from different faiths. However, the town was a favoured spot among Christian missionaries during Portuguese and Dutch colonial times resulting in it becoming a predominantly Christian town with several beautifully built churches and cathedrals. Notable among these is St Mary's Church, a magnificent building that seamlessly blends European and Sri Lankan architecture, intertwining spirituality and local heritage. Other significant churches worth visiting include St Sebastian Church Wellaweediya and the Church of Our Lady of Good Voyage, which is said to be a favoured place of worship among sailors before they set out on the waters.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Oxfordshire's 'poshest place to live' linked to Oasis star and Hollywood heartthrob
It has been dubbed one of Britain's poshest places to live – linked to notable celebrities such as Oasis' Liam Gallagher and Orlando Bloom – but what else do we know about Henley? Just one hour away from London, the stunning Henley is beloved by A-listers, with famous former residents including George Harrison, George Orwell and Liam Gallagher. The town has idyllic views of the River Thames and surrounding countryside, with plenty of parks and recreational areas for picnics and a range of top-rated schools. Henley was named among the poshest places to live by The Telegraph, famed for its annual Regatta and 'alfresco Pimm's, swaying bunting, and swooshing rowers'. But what is it about Henley that makes it so special? Let's take a look. 'Henley has an international reputation for the world's greatest rowing regatta, splashes out with the 'joie de vivre' of the summer arts festival and gets into the groove with '80's music festival Rewind,' the town council website states. 'This is a town that enjoys a party and has more events to enjoy than anywhere else in the region. 'It is seen more often on TV screens in over 100 countries as one of the locations for the fictional county of Midsomer in the classic show Midsomer Murders, known in much of the world as Barnaby.' 'The main street has many Georgian frontages covering older buildings and among the 300 buildings within the town designated 'of special architectural or historical interest' are St Mary's Church, the Town Hall, Market Place and Henley Bridge,' the town council states. Recommended reading: Henley is named poshest town in Britain by Telegraph Henley Library set to reopen following refurbishment Rower James Cracknell becomes Henley charity's first patron Park Place, an 18th century country house that sold for £140million in 2011 and is one of the nation's most expensive homes ever, which is also nearby. The picturesque town was once home to Dusty Springfield, George Orwell and George Harrison, while Liam Gallagher was dubbed 'the hellraiser of Henley' back in 2009. Mary Berry and James Cracknell currently live in the town and enjoy a quieter way of life there, while Hollywood heartthrob Orlando Bloom once called Henley his home. He reportedly introduced his pop star girlfriend Katy Perry to his mother at the Stag and Huntsman in Hambleden in 2016, and has been spotted in Henley on several occasions since.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
South East remembers dead on Covid reflection day
People across the South East are gathering for a day of reflection to mark five years since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK. At least 232,000 people in the UK died during the pandemic with Covid-19 listed as one of the causes on their death certificates. There are nine official Day of Reflection events taking place across Kent, Surrey and Sussex on Saturday. "We hope to offer communities across the country the opportunity to join together in commemoration of those who lost their lives," the government has said. In Maidstone, 633 trees are being planted in various locations - one for each person in the borough who died during the pandemic. There will also be events held at Jeskyns Community Woodland, Bedgebury Forest and Hope All Saints Sculpture Park and Memorial Garden in Romney Marsh. In Surrey, people are invited to spend time reflecting in Alice Holt Forest, sign a book of remembrance at Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, view the Reigate and Banstead Borough Council building being illuminated or join services at St Mary's Church in Sutton Green and Guildford Cathedral. There will also be a series of events taking place in Eastbourne, starting at St Mary's Church. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Memorial trees to be planted to mark Covid deaths Covid inquiry: The UK pandemic in numbers
