We are a small group of parishioners who come together to share our faith with:

• Catholics who wish to deepen their knowledge of the faith.
• Catholics who are returning to the practice of their faith.
• Those who are not Catholics but would like to know more about what Catholics believe or who might even be thinking of joining the Church.

Our meetings are informal and friendly, starting with a cuppa and continuing with some chat, information giving and discussion. There are opportunities to ask questions which may have puzzled you for years, share and discuss your views or just listen. Following a ‘Welcome meeting’ in September, our programme will start in October with an introduction to the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, particularly visiting the journeys of Abraham, Moses and the Israelites before learning more about Jesus and His journey to Calvary.

We explore the basics of Faith through a course called ‘Catholic Foundation Stones’, prepared by Bishop John Wilson, previously Diocesan Administrator of Leeds, now Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, and Fr. Andrew Allman of Lancaster Diocese. Dates for 2016 start fortnightly on Thursday 13 October, Oct 27, Nov 10th, & 24th, and Dec 8th in the Newman Centre Lounge 7.15 -9.00pm, then from 12th January 2017 weekly until Easter (April).

Non Catholic participants regularly take the step to join the Church at Easter but others may wish to take more time to make the life changing decision to join us. Several people who have become fully initiated into the faith enjoy returning to the group and make a valuable contribution to the meetings as they share their testimonies and experiences of becoming members of the church community. Here is an excerpt from the testimony of Christine, who is now a member of the J.I.F. team.

Although I have been coming to Mass with family members for many years I felt that I was missing the most important part of sharing in the Eucharist, as Jesus asked us to do in his memory. It has taken me a long time but I made it in the end.

When I went to the first meeting for my Journey in Faith I was a little nervous but everyone made me feel welcome, and it is good to talk to other people about their faith and feelings. I was really looking forward to the Easter Vigil, and it was a very special day for me, a day I will never forget.

If, like me, anyone is thinking of taking the next step and being Confirmed, I thoroughly recommend it.
Christine Priestley.

If you are interested in joining us or in knowing more please don’t hesitate to contact any team member or The Parish office: 0113 2645260 or email: admin@newmanparish.org.uk or Carol Daley: 0113 2937494 or email: cmdaley40@gmail.com