The Good Shepherd

Roman Catholic Parish in Telford, Shropshire incorporating St. Mary's, Madeley and St. Paul's, Dawley

Also serving the communities of Broseley and Stirchley

Assisted Suicide bill being re-introduced

Please contact your MP to oppose assisted suicide

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is back in the House of Commons and seeks to legalise assisted suicide. It will have its Second Reading and vote on Friday, 11 September 2026. Please write to your MP to make your voice heard and oppose the Bill.

“This bill is wrong in principle,” says Archbishop Richard Moth, President of the Bishops’ Conference, “It is also deeply flawed and, if passed, could lead to vulnerable people feeling pressured into ending their lives. The Bill has a serious lack of protection for health and social care staff and risks putting many wonderful hospices and care homes in the position of no longer being able to operate. I urge you to write to your Members of Parliament to petition them to vote against the Bill at Second Reading.”

You can support the Archbishop’s call and contact your MP now as a matter of urgency. Even if you have already done so in the past, please speak up and voice your opposition. The charity Right to Life UK has a simple online mechanism to do this. It takes little more than a few minutes to enter your postcode, make sure the suggested text suits your viewpoint and submit your message to ask your MP to stop this flawed Bill progressing through parliament.

For more information and resources, please visit:

cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assisted-suicide

To write to your MP, click the link below, or scan the QR code on the poster --------------------------------------------->

righttolife.org.uk/Sept11vote

Statement on the re-introduction of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Please contact your MP to oppose assisted suicide

Archbishop John Sherrington has expressed profound regret that the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will return to parliament this Autumn, having failed to become law earlier this year. Responding to the announcement, Archbishop John, the Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales said:
“I am deeply disappointed that the previously unsuccessful Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is being reintroduced in the House of Commons. It is likely to be debated in September.
“The Catholic Church opposes this Bill in principle and joins with many other people of faith and none in arguing that we should not cross this watershed.
“The recent debate about this Bill showed how many people found the proposed legislation, even if they accepted it in principle, to be flawed and full of unresolved matters. The majority in the Commons reduced between readings, the Lords identified many shortcomings and bad legislation.
“Many professional bodies argued against this Bill, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Physicians, whose members would be required to be involved under the provision of the Bill. Disability rights groups, those fighting against eating disorders, and against domestic abuse were highly concerned and considered it dangerous.
“Concerns that were raised remain unresolved. The Bill undermines freedom of conscience for medical professionals and care workers. It also requires care homes and hospices to participate in assisted suicide, threatening not only their future existence but also the wellbeing of their more vulnerable staff. Reintroducing this legislation, once again, places the most vulnerable at risk. I ask MPs to reject this Bill.
“Recent debates have exposed the uneven provision of palliative care across the country. Surely what is now needed to help the terminally ill is an improvement in compassionate, high-quality palliative care, and proper hospice funding. I urge a debate about priorities in healthcare funding, especially for those living with terminal illness.
“Finally, I call on all people of goodwill to join me in work and prayer to prevent this flawed bill from succeeding.”
Archbishop John Sherrington

Archbishop of Liverpool

Lead Bishop for Life Issues

ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY

Who are we?

The SVP is an international, voluntary, Christian organisation whose aim is to serve those in need, whoever they are, wherever they are from, and whatever their religious beliefs, by providing a sympathetic ear and practical help.

Find out more about the SVP nationally at svp.org.uk

If any parishioner, or anyone you know, is lonely, bereaved, in need of emergency financial help or just needs a listening ear, then the SVP Conference here in the Parish of the Good Shepherd is always available to offer help and support.

We can be contacted in complete confidence:

- by email at SVPGoodShepherdMadeley@outlook.com

- and by phone on 07565 315068.

Our Conference meets every other Tuesday night in the Lower Room after evening Mass.

If you are interested in joining the SVP, please speak with one of our members.

Enjoy a space to meet and chat

The SVP Conference of the Parish of the Good Shepherd provides a space to meet and chat in the Lower Room of St. Mary's Presbytery.

The SVP space is available on Mondays from 10:00 until 14:00 and can accommodate 26 people at any one time.

It is staffed by SVP members and parish volunteers.

We provide hot soup, fruit, tea, coffee, biscuits, newspapers, games, puzzle books, clothing.

In the Welcoming Space we also provide support for people needing help with form filling for DWP and other agencies, Food Bank referrals and other types of form completion.

The current rota for the Welcoming Space can be found here.

Thank you to Father Michael for making the space available for use and to those who have donated board games.

Thanks also to those who have volunteered to help run it.

Cost of Living: Help for Households

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Check if you are eligible for the

Priority Services Register

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Catholic Housing Aid Society

The Catholic Housing Aid Society (CHAS) was established in 1965, with the aim of assisting anyone with a financial housing problem.

For example, the Trustees would consider supporting someone with rent arrears who who may be in danger of eviction.

The organisation is a 'specialised fund' and cannot make grants for general purposes.

The fund works closely with the SVP and, where applications are made through the SVP, they expect the SVP to be committed, with time and appropriate funds, to the specific case being submitted.

Each case is considered on its own merits with the amount of grant being varied accordingly.

Application forms can be obtained from Andrew Theobald: by post at 9 Connaught Road, Sutton. SM1 3PJ; by email at redtheo@aol.com

Applications should be submitted with as much supporting detail and documentation as possible to receive the full consideration of the Trustees.

Grants for Older People on Low Incomes

Small grants of up to £400 are available to support vulnerable older people living on low incomes in England and Wales.

Friends of the Elderly currently have four grant streams open for older people who are of/over state pension age, have savings of less than £4,000, and who do not fit the criteria for other funders.

The funding is available to help with the cost of replacing everyday items, small home repairs and mobility adaptations; help older people get online; to help with unexpected bills; and essential living costs including clothing, food, medicines and books.

Applications must be made via a third-party Referral Agent such as charities, local authorities, housing associations, community organisations, Information, Advice and Guidance providers and social services representatives.

Applications can be made at any time, but resources are limited.

If you think you may qualify, the SVP will be happy to help you, in confidence. Just speak with Father Michael or one of the SVP members

You can find more information here

A new volunteer organisation is being set up in Telford to bring together people who have been supporting refugees and asylum seekers, with the aim of providing a consistent and co-ordinated approach to helping them.

If you would like to be involved or find out more there is information in the leaflet here

MASS TIMES
Saturday Vigil
St. Mary's, Madeley - 5pm

Sunday
St. Paul's, Dawley - 9am
St. Mary's, Madeley - 11am

CONFESSIONS
See Parish Newsletter

WEEKDAY MASSES and OTHER SERVICES
See Parish Newsletter

FIND US

CONTACT US
Telephone: 01952 586118
e-mail: pp@goodshepherd.org.uk

St. Paul's
Burton St. and Doseley Rd.
Dawley
Shropshire. TF4 3AH
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St. Mary's
70 High St.
Madeley
Shropshire. TF7 5AH
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