As the new school year approaches, we pray for those who will be in receipt of public exam results at this time and for their families. We pray for those who have achieved all, if not more than they aspired to, that they will be humbly thankful, and for those who are perhaps upset and saddened at not doing as well as they had hoped, that they will not become despondent and over-awed. Whatever the circumstances, may all remain steadfast in the love of God, whether at the thrones of Heaven or the foot of the Cross. We think and pray too, for those who are making new beginnings, maybe leaving a first born at the school gate for the first time, for those starting at secondary school and the not so familiar surroundings, those going off to tertiary education and for those who are leaving their last born at an educational establishment. These are times of change, concern, even worry, upset and apprehension, both for youngsters and for their parents in these new circumstances, and so we commend them to the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, that they be consoled, strengthened and inspired by Jesus, Mary and Joseph. May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sunshine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. Also, to quote Padre Pio “Pray, hope and don’t worry.”  and St. Teresa of Avila “Let nothing disturb thee, nothing affright thee, all things are passing, patients gains all. He / She who serves God wants for nothing, for He alone is sufficient.”

Have created a new letter with more recent findings, with which you are encouraged to contact your MP regarding the ‘Assisted Dying Bill’ which has a ‘Second Reading’ on Friday 11th September. Amongst the findings presented is the following:- “Recent polling has found widespread support for the Prime Minister’s view. A landmark Whitestone Insight MRP poll commissioned by The Other Half, the largest poll on assisted suicide since the introduction of the assisted suicide Bill in the last session, found that 60% of the public believe, like the Prime Minister, that Parliament “should prioritise fixing the NHS and improving palliative, social and end-of-life care…” If you have not already done so, please contact your MP regarding this most serious of matters via:- https://righttolife.org.uk/Sept11vote Many thanks.

Further to the note, care of ACN, in last weekend’s newsletter (below), about the town of Taybeh, the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales in their ‘weekly roundup’ inform us that the town has become ‘a closed military zone’ under the auspices of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). Being a closed military zone, it means that Israelis, foreign nationals, and journalists are prohibited from entering. “It is claimed that this is designed to prevent attacks on residents by Israeli settlers, but it is far from clear that this move will achieve that objective. The Israeli government must find a way of protecting the legitimate communities from settler violence whilst allowing citizens to go about their normal business. This ban will lead to a vital loss of income from tourism and pilgrimages and, thereby, international scrutiny on the situation.” You can read more on the matter at:- https://www.cbcew.org.uk/bishop-james-curry-on-the-declaration-of-taybeh-asa-closed-military-zone/ where the Bishop’s Conference urge you to write to your MP on the matter. The ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ article can be found at: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/6c13c05d80.html#page/4 Since writing, you will have heard on the news that other villages in the West Bank are also designated as ‘closed military zones’. ----------------------------------------- Taybeh, the last entirely Christian town in the West Bank, is at risk of becoming a ghost town. Christians have probably lived there since apostolic times and the town is mentioned in John’s Gospel by the older name of Aephraim. Jesus withdrew there shortly before his crucifixion (John 11:54). But since June 2025 Taybeh has seen increasing attacks by extremist Jewish settler. The remains of the fifth-century Church of St. George have been vandalised, as has the nearby cemetery. Cars have been set ablaze and properties torched. Agricultural land has been destroyed and farmers stopped from entering their olive groves. And in March 2026 settlers seized a quarry and factory on the town’s edge. Parish priest Dr. Bashar Fawadleh said Israeli soldiers have failed to help Taybeh’s Christians when the town has been attacjked: “They didn’t protect us, they didn’t stop the settlers, and this is because they protect settlers, because a lot of the soldiers come from settler communities – and they are encouraged by the fanatical elements in the government.” The February 2026 cabinet decision to support the expansion of Israeli Settlements in the West bank placed further strain on Taybeh. “The general climate has become more fragile and tense, with an increase in military operations, traffic restrictions due to the installation of military gates at several entrances to the city.” Soldiers decide when gates are open “disrupting the daily lives of civilians,” Fr. Bahar said. The priest added some families had already left Taybeh and others were “seriously considering it.” Fr. Bashar told CAN he understood the fears families had for their children, but that Taybeh’s Christian presence is a living testimony to the Faith “in this land where Christianity was born. Leaving the land is sometimes a human necessity, but staying is often an act of faith and hope.” With just 1,400 souls left in Taybeh, Fr. Bashar has asked for prayers that the town’s “Christians remain a living community and not a mere memory of the past.” (Due acknowledgement to’Aid to the Church in Need, Magazine Summer 2026: https://heyzine.com/flipbook/6c13c05d80.html#page/4 )

Ahead of the Second Reading and vote in the House of Commons for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life Bill) on Friday 11 September, the Communications Directorate of the Bishops' Conference has produced a poster to encourage Catholics to write to their MPs. The poster has a scannable QR code, that is linked to the Oppose Assisted Suicide section on the Bishops' Conference website. The page can also be found at: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assisted-suicide/ . The page has various resources, copies of statements and guidance on writing to your MP. A useful video to watch, from SPUC can be found at:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf2OCZ1OrT4