WELCOME TO THE NORTHERN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
  and our own most gentle Queen and Mother,
  look down in mercy upon England,
thy Dowry,  and upon us all who greatly
hope and trust in thee.

Through thee it was that Jesus our Saviour
  and our Hope was given unto the world;
and he hath given thee to us that we
might hope still more.

Plead for us thy children, whom thou
didst receive and accept at the foot
of the Cross,   O sorrowful Mother.  
Intercede for our separated English
brethren,that they may be united with
us in the one true Fold. Pray for us all,
dear Mother,that by faith fruitful in good
works, we may all deserve to see and
praise God together with thee in our
heavenly home.
 
Amen.

On the 11th October 2012, the worldwide Catholic Church, at the behest of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XV1 began the Year of Faith. The purpose of the Year of Faith is to invite Catholics to appreciate and
deepen the gift of faith given to them by God at baptism by partaking in various initiatives at the parish and diocesan levels and to rediscover a new enthusiasm in sharing their faith with others.

Indeed it is no coincidence that the Year of Faith began on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the second Vatican Council. Just as the Council was convened as a means to bringing renewal into the Church so too Pope Benedict wants all Catholics in this year of grace to be renewed in faith and to bring a
new springtime into the Church. In fact in speaking about the gift of faith, Pope Benedict in his personal statement Motu Proprio ‘Porta Fidei’ (The Door of Faith) reminds us that faith is a ‘lifelong companion that makes it possible to perceive, ever anew, the marvels that God works for us.. Intent on gathering the signs of the times in the present of history, faith commits every one of us to become a living sign of the presence of the Risen Lord in the world.’ What a great privilege and responsibility that is for every one of us!

It is the profound hope of the NCC committee that the delegates who come to the Northern Catholic Conference next June 7th-9th will be renewed in faith and build on the various initiatives and projects that they have partaken of at the parish and diocesan levels.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Fr Pat Deegan
Spiritual Director NCC