Bishop Philip writes…

This coming Sunday is Pentecost Sunday! 50 days after Easter, we celebrate the descent of the Advocate Christ promised, the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity – Who hovered over the waters at the world’s creation, Who spoke through the prophets of old, Who overshadowed the womb of the Blessed Virgin, Who filled and animated the Heart of Christ and Who has filled us with His love. The Spirit blows where He wills but at Pentecost we praise Him for beginning the re-creation of the world through the life and mission of the Church. Next Sunday, and all this week, let us thank Him for filling us with His love. Let us thank God that we belong to Christ’s one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. The Church exists across space-time as a Sacrament, that is, a sign and an instrument to gather the world into unity with one another and with God, to give people the gifts of eternal life in Jesus Christ and to send them out to build the Kingdom especially serving the poor and needy. This week, let us pray every day for the mission of the Church, for the unity of Christians and for the coming of the Kingdom and its values in our world.

Meanwhile, welcome to e-News Issue 533 (2026/17) for Tuesday 19th May 2026. I hope you enjoy reading through the various sections of e-News with all the good news that we have to thank God for in our Diocese. As we pray this week the Great Novena, the nine days of prayer leading up to Pentecost, note too below another novena is lined up: the Novena for Life, from Pentecost to Trinity. May the Lord bless you with His love during these holy days.

With all good wishes and an assurance of my prayers,

In Corde Iesu

+Philip

Bishop of Portsmouth