Fr Chris writes:
A priest serves God in many different situations and circumstances. Obedience is important, we mustn’t be self-serving; but looking outward beyond personal goals or ambition. The Diocesan Priest should focus on the needs of parishes, the Diocese and the wider church, filled with hope, energy and joy. As a Diocesan Priest, I ask, “how can I help to bring about the reign of God here on earth”? Vocation promotion is important, as I / we encourage young people to consider their call in this life (whatever that may be) reaching their fulfilment and potential (especially in the way of faith).
Vocations grow first and foremost from the home and family. As Priests we highly value the home and the importance of Marriage and Family Life. Faith needs to be nurtured in the home, through a life of prayer and values, centred on Christ’s teaching. Prayer and sacramental practice begin in the home.
Our Catholic Schools should play an essential role in challenging, encouraging and fostering our young people’s practices, beliefs, and values. They are to encourage our young people (and their families) to be Christocentric. Young people are to have faith in themselves and in God’s ways. Our schools help prepare our young people to “cast out into the deep”! This cannot be wishy-washy but must be ecclesiological, with the church and local parish at its heart and centre, united with the home and family.
Our Parish is to be a parish that prays for vocations, nurtures vocations and models the joy that can come from serving God in the Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate (or in any other calling). We all share in the responsibility to nurture that spirit of God calling young people (and some not so young) to some definite service in the life of the Church. It is important for the faithful to value priests, working with them and offering them love, strength and support in the challenging demands they face (especially in these particularly challenging times).
This month, I celebrate 31 years as a Priest. Much has changed in Parishes especially people’s expectations, but at its heart our life remains unchanged. It is centred on prayer, the celebration of the sacraments and the pastoral care of all parishioners. I am still happy to be a priest as I journey with so many wonderful people, bringing Christ’s presence in a variety of ways to all those I meet. Please pray for all priests, in our ever-changing world, and with our increasing challenges, that God will fill us with His strength and power, as we seek to serve him in our weakness and frailty; as well as our strengths, hopes and joys. Thank you for your prayers and support.
The Lord is my Shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
A VOCATION PRAYER
LORD of the Harvest,
BLESS young people
with the gift of courage
to respond to your call.
Open their hearts
to great ideals, to great things.
INSPIRE all of your disciples
to mutual love and giving –
for vocations blossom in the
good soil of faithful people.
INSTIL those in religious life,
parish ministries, and families
with the confidence and grace
to invite others to embrace
the bold and noble path of a life
consecrated to you.
UNITE us to Jesus
through prayer and sacrament,
so that we may cooperate
with you in building
your reign of mercy
and truth, of justice and peace.
Amen
CONFIRMATION PRAYERS
Sat 29th Apr We pray for all our young people who have celebrate(d) their Confirmation at Arundel Cathedral – 29th April. May the Holy Spirit guide you, lead you and have a place in your heart always.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY
Sun 30th Apr The Children’s Liturgy will be held in St Johns of Rochester Church during the 9:15am Mass. Children between ages 3 yrs & 7 yrs are welcome to join us. Trica & Kate.
ALPHA
Tue 2nd May 7pm at the Jurgens Centre
Alpha’s first session explored the question “Is there more to life than this?” and took place last Tuesday. If you missed it, don’t worry, you still have the opportunity to join us this coming Tuesday. Plenty of food to share, interesting videos and friendly and amazing people to meet.
There is no obligation to attend every session, so just come and check it out. For more information or to volunteer and support the team, email parishofegham.alpha
ST CUTHBERT’S CORONATION CIRCUS
Wed 3rd May 3.30pm & 5.30pm If your pre-schooler has been offered a place at St Cuthbert’s starting in September 2023, which you plan to accept, then you would be very welcome to the Coronation Circus. Tickets £10. www.stcuthberts.surrey.sch.uk/coronation-circus
JUSTPEOPLE WORKSHOP
Wed 3rd May 7:30pm to 9pm (and every two weeks thereafter for three sessions) The Sacred Heart Study Group Zoom is hosting a 3-part JustPeople Workshop led by Marie Norbury from PACT (Prison Advice & Care Trust). It will reflect upon Scripture, Church Teaching, and Catholic Social Teaching through the lens of people affected by imprisonment. It will also raise awareness of the amazing work carried out in the prisons by PACT. Info: 07581194907 / marie.norbury
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID COURSE
Wed 3rd to Thur 4th May Cost: £120
This course will teach you how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue. It is MHFA England accredited and you will receive a certificate of attendance. Info: Lizzie.Wakeling
MENTORING COURSE
Thur 4th to Fri 5th May “I have been asked by Bishop Richard to train as a Clergy Mentor. As such I will be receiving some on-going training and supervision. Consequently, I will be away this coming Thursday and Friday on my initial training. I hope the skills I learn will be useful for my pastoral ministry too”. ~ Fr Chris
KING CHARLES &
QUEEN CONSORT CAMILLA
Sat 6th May 10am As a nation we join in prayer for the Royal Family at this time of the Coronation. As a Church we pray that the Royal Family may have a positive contribution to the faith and morals we seek to uphold in the building of God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Almighty God, we pray,
that your servant Charles, our King,
who, by your providence
has received the governance of this realm,
may continue to grow in every virtue,
that, imbued with your heavenly grace,
he may be preserved
from all that is harmful and evil and,
being blessed with your favour may,
with his consort and the royal family,
come at last into your presence,
through Christ who is the way,
the truth and the life and
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.
AMEN.
Morning Mass will be at 10:00am on Saturday 6th May and will follow the Bishops of England and Wales Liturgical Texts and Readings. This is prior to the televised coronation at 11am (with highlights being shown throughout the weekend).
BAPTISM PREPARATION
Sat 13th May 11:15am, The Assumption of Our Lady Church. Note: This is a session for parents.
FAMILY FUN DAY – FUNDRAISER
Sat 27th May 4pm-8pm Our friends at Runnymede Muslim Society (RMS) are holding a Family Fun Day at the Jurgens Centre. It is being held to raise funds in support of their new masjid in Egham. All are welcome and there will be plenty of fun, activities & stalls. Please do support this worthy cause.
CORPUS CHRISTI ARUNDEL CATHEDRAL
www.arundelcathedral.uk/corpus-christi
Feel free to join in this year as a part of the 150 years of the church. The Cathedral will be open to view the Carpet Of Flowers on Wednesday 7th June 9.30am – 7.00pm and on Thursday 8th June 9.30am – 5.30pm when the Mass begins. You can join the procession from the Cathedral to Arundel Castle, with Benediction. Ideal for groups of friends, there are some lovely Tea Rooms and Cafes in Arundel and beautiful walks if you want to make a day of it! If you have any questions or would like to help, e-mail arundel or call 01903 882297
ST JOHN OF ROCHESTER
Please keep these evenings free to celebrate the church’s presence in Egham Hythe, prior to its closure.
Thur 22nd June The Feast of St John Fisher, Bishop, and St Thomas More, Martyrs. We will have an Evening Mass with celebration. St John Fisher is also known as St John of Rochester.
Fri 14th July We will have Mass with Bishop Richard to give thanks for the faith and life of the Catholic Community in the Egham Hythe area. More information and requests for assistance to follow as we proceed with the necessary actions.
RETROUVAILLE PROGRAMME
From Thur 6th July Help Your Marriage – Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples who have difficulties in their marriage. It brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage. Tens of thousands of couples headed for divorce have successfully saved their marriages by attending and using the tools provided. The programme helps spouses uncover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. It helps them through difficult times whether they are disillusioned or in deep misery. There is no group therapy or group work. For confidential information or to register for the next Virtual weekend on 6 – 9 July 2023 or a Face to Face weekend in Welwyn Garden City on 13-15 October 2023, call or text 07887 296983 or 07973 380443 or email retrouvailleukinfo – or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR CHILDREN OF CATECHETICAL AGE
For Baptism and all sacraments, at least a year of practice is required with opportunities to share in the life of the parish. All those enquiring should maintain contact with Fr. Chris to assist you on the journey. Then a formal preparation can be commenced, followed by the celebration of the sacrament(s). This is asked of by the Diocese, deanery and parish for all children aged 7+ .
Any questions please speak to Fr Chris
RUNNYMEDE FOODBANK
With rising living costs, energy prices at a record high and social security payments barely covering the essentials, more and more people are being left with no option but to use a foodbank. Here is the list of items most needed this week: Milk – Pasta Sauce – Longlife Juice – Sponge Pudding – Tinned Vegetables (Carrots) – Shaving Foam – Anti-Bacterial Spray – Conditioner
Please continue to support our local foodbank generously and leave your donations in the boxes at the back of our churches. Thank you.
PASTORAL LETTER FROM
BISHOP RICHARD MOTH
The 4th Sunday of Eastertide is a time to reflect on the importance of prayer and the role that priests play in our lives. In his Pastoral Letter, Bishop Richard Moth encourages us to make prayer a regular part of our lives and to support our priests in their ministry. Find the full letter and his Video message here:
https://www.abdiocese.org.uk/pastoral-letters/4th-sunday-of-eastertide
BOXES OF GIFT AID ENVELOPES
Please ensure you collect your new boxes of gift aid envelopes from the porch of the Assumption. Please get in touch with Alice Moore if you would like your box left for you at the St John of Rochester Church. Email annual gift statements were sent out on the 23rd April from
giftaidnotifications Please check your junk mail if you haven’t received this. For those without email addresses, letters will be posted to you by the end of May.
MAY – THE MONTH OF MARY
The month of May is one rich in tradition and a beautiful time of the year to honour our heavenly mother. There is so much we can do to honour this month in the home, individually or with those we live with. We could pray the Angelus, the Rosary or other devotions. We can imitate her (1) her humility (2) her faith (3) her obedience (4) her unceasing prayer and praise (5) her self-denial (6) her purity (7) her ardent love (8) her patience (9) her kindness (10) her heavenly wisdom. Surely, Mary is the perfect model for us to imitate and to assist us in our every need.
WE PRAY FOR THE SICK
and for all carers of the sick, including their relatives and friends. We pray for those in our parish and beyond who carry their sickness privately; and for those who have asked for our prayers:
Mary Swartfigure, Isolina Wright,
Fr Stephen Hardaker, Ray Davis, Maria Walsh, Bella Pozella, Geoffrey and Josephine Gibson,
Florence Goonetillake, Bernard Horton,
Chris, Louise & Helen Michael, James Clubley,
Whinghnoi Chan, Alan Diver,
Joan Davies, Kevin Livesey,
Prue Jurado and Husband, Heather Price,
Brian Fernandes, John Gordon, Laurie Hatcher
REST IN PEACE
We pray for all who have died recently and for all those who mourn the death of a loved one. We commend to the Lord, all our departed relatives and friends.
MASSES & LITURGIES
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Sat 29th |
9:15am |
(AOL) |
Exposition |
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Confirmation Day at Arundel Cathedral |
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5:15pm |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation / Confession |
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6:00pm |
(AOL) |
People of the Parish |
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Sun 30th |
9:15am |
(SJR) |
Alice Mabbs R.I.P. |
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11:00am |
(AOL) |
Margaret Coleman R.I.P. |
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*Livestreamed |
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Mon 1st |
9:30am |
(SJC) |
Len & Moira Burton R.I.P. |
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Tue 2nd |
No Parish Mass St Cuthbert’s School Y3 Retreat Morning |
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Wed 3rd |
No Parish Mass |
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Thu 4th |
No Parish Mass Fr Chris on Mentoring Course – Ladywell |
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Fri 5th |
No Parish Mass Fr Chris on Mentoring Course – Ladywell |
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Sat 6th |
9:15am |
(AOL) |
Exposition & Benediction |
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10:00am |
(AOL) |
Mass for Coronation of King Charles III |
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10:35am |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation / Confession |
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5:15pm |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation / Confession |
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6:00pm |
(AOL) |
People of the Parish |
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Sun 7th |
9:15am |
(SJR) |
Labib Family living and deceased |
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11:00am |
(AOL) |
Annabel Clarke R.I.P. |
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*Livestreamed |
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AOL – Assumption of Our Lady
SJC – St Joseph’s Chapel (to the side of AOL)
SJR – St John of Rochester
SAINTS DAYS
Tue 2nd Saint Athanasius
Wed 3rd Saint Philip and St James
Thurs 4th The English Martyrs
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
29th / 30th Apr Education of Future Priests (GA)
13th / 14th Apr Missionary Endeavour of the Diocese
Donate:donate.mydona.com/parish-of-st-cuthbert
Cheques made payable to:‘Parish of Egham’
Diocesan E-News, National links and
livestream: http://fb.me/stcuthbertparish
30th April 2023 – 4th Sunday of Easter – Parish of St Cuthbert Newsletter.pdf
The Parish of St Cuthbert, Egham 