Fr Chris writes:
It was lovely to return from my break to a huge number of Deanery Confirmations (this year at Arundel Cathedral), there was immense joy and conviction at both the morning and afternoon celebrations. Bishop Richard focused on vocation, and calling, reflecting on “becoming what we are meant to be”. Congratulations to all our newly confirmed, their parents / carers, sponsors, catechists and all who have prayed for them on their journey.
Thank you for your kind “Vocations Sunday” prayers and good wishes. I am passionate about ministry, especially in these changing times. As I write this, I am about to embark on a 48-hour course training in Mentoring, especially Clergy Mentoring. We face (with our parishes) changing times and we, priests and deacons, need courage, conviction, confidence and encouragement as we journey forward in faith.
I seem to be out and about (in the Deanery and Diocese) much more these days, and, especially compared to COVID days, I spend less and less time at home. It was lovely on our St. Cuthbert’s Year 3 Retreat Day (last Tuesday) to welcome the lovely class to the Jurgens Centre, Church and Presbytery Grounds, where we walked our own “Emmaus Walk”! Children love drawing houses, don’t they? Ask a child to describe their home though? Many don’t start with the material elements. They tell you about the people they live with, the things they do in the home and those things that make them feel safe, valued and secure. This is what makes a home a place to value and treasure.
Jesus explains the “Eternal Home” to the disciples. In the uncertainties they face (like us), they are promised the security of eventually sharing in the Father’s House. “Have trust”, Jesus reassures them “Don’t be troubled”. Jesus is returning to his Father (and our Father), but this is not a reason to lament, the disciples (and we too) will have a share in the great generosity of the eternal gifts of God. This is at the heart of our faith! Jesus the way, the truth and the life, leads us to the Father. It is necessary for Jesus to move on, so that the Church can begin its work on earth. What comfort and reassurance as Jesus prepares us a place in that home.
Our longed-for home is not about “things” but about “relationships”. Our relationship with God begins here on earth and we, who profess faith, seek to live out that relationship with generosity, love and trust. We seek to get to know God (through his Son) and to build up our relationship with him in our shared home “the Church”. Fixtures, fittings, colour schemes are important in our worship of God; but love, generosity, forgiveness, compassion and understanding are even more important!
May your love be upon us, O Lord,
as we place all our hope in you!
KING CHARLES &
QUEEN CONSORT CAMILLA
Sat 6th May 10am As a nation we join, this weekend, in prayer for the Royal Family at this time of the Coronation, watched by so many in our parish. 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.
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). Please use your prayer cards, that were issued last weekend, in your homes
CLERGY DEANERY MEETING
Tue 9th May The priests and Deacons of “Weybridge Deanery” will be getting together in Englefield Green for a morning meeting and lunch.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASSES
Sat 13th & Sun 14th May At our Saturday 6pm and Sunday 9:15am & 11am Masses we will be celebrating our First Holy Communion theme. The children and families will be attending their regular Mass with a look at their special theme for the week.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
Sat 13th May 11:15am, The Assumption of Our Lady Church. Please note this is aimed for parents and will be the final session before the autumn. We are also looking for some new catechists for Baptism Preparation, if you feel you may be able to help, please contact Fr Chris.
‘REMOVING THE SPLINTER’ ONLINE TALK FOR YOUNG ADULTS (18-35)
Mon 15th May 7.30pm Fr Rod Jones OSB will focus on what we need to ask Jesus to heal, in order to allow us to follow him more closely. For more details: lizzie.wakeling
ADoRE SPIRITUAL MINI-RETREAT
MISSION POSSIBLE
Sat 20th May Fr Jon Bielawski and Michele Thompson of “Genesis Mission,” show practical ways we can share the good news. Meetings Face-to-face & Online. More Info here:
www.altonrenewal.com/adore_live_23
THE ASCENT PROGRAMME INTRO
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (15-18)
Tues 23 May at 7.30pm This programme includes residential retreats and you can find out more in this online session, hosted by the Diocesan Youth Adviser. Info: lizzie.wakeling
FAMILY FUN DAY – FUNDRAISER
Sat 27th May 4pm-8pm (Free entry) 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. If you normally attend the Saturday 6pm Mass why not pop over before or after Mass?
THANKSGIVING – ROYAL HOLLOWAY
Sun 4th June 6pm Fr. John Dickson has decided, after eleven happy years, to retire from his post as Catholic Chaplain at Royal Holloway University.
Everyone is very welcome to join and give thanks at the Royal Holloway Chapel as we celebrate with his Retirement Mass.
We keep Fr John in our prayers and wish him well in his many continued endeavours.
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. Info: arundel or call 01903 882297
ST JOHN OF ROCHESTER
Please read the enclosed newsletter supplement. We will endeavour to keep you informed of any updates. 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. 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
CONFIRMATION PRAYERS
We continue to pray for all our young people who celebrated their Confirmation at Arundel Cathedral last week. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide you, lead you and have a place in your heart always.
LOCAL ELECTIONS
Last weekend “Good Shepherd Sunday” we prayed for the forthcoming local elections for Runnymede and our many individual wards within our parish. We prayed for wisdom and discernment in our voting; and for those who will represent us locally. As we go to print the results are not known, but by the time you read this our local councillors have probably been appointed! Let us pray for them and like Jesus, on the road to Emmaus, may they walk alongside us all and especially the vulnerable. May they make our local environment one of justice, love and care for one another and for all that is entrusted to our stewardship.
CONSOLATION & BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
As a parish, we want to try and do everything we can to help you through a difficult and sometimes painful time.
Our support group is here to listen, offer support, prayers and friendship to those people and families recently bereaved. We are also here for those who may be looking after a loved one who is suffering from a terminal illness. If you wish to talk to us, please contact the Parish Office on 01784 477620 or email parishofegham and one of us will contact you.
GIFT AID ENVELOPE BOXES
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.
CHAPLAINS VISITS
Fr Chris is looking forward to visiting the Year 1 And Year 4 Classes at St Cuthbert’s on Friday.
RUNNYMEDE FOODBANK
Thank you for your generous donations, the Runnymede Foodbank is seeing increased demand for their services with a record number of families needing foodbank support.
Here is this week’s list of items needed, food and other essentials: Long Life Milk – Pasta Sauce – Long Life Juice – Sponge Pudding – Tinned Vegetables – Shaving Foam – Anti-Bacterial Spray – Shampoo – Conditioner
Please leave your donations in the boxes at the back of our churches.
PARISH SUPPLY – THANK YOU
Thank you to Fr Bill for supplying at the Saturday evening Mass last weekend as Fr Chris returned from Arundel (amidst long traffic jams!) and to Fr Peter for supplying the previous weekend allowing Fr Chris a short break, which he greatly enjoyed.
COMMUNICATION WITH PRESBYTERY
For the moment, please telephone Fr Chris on 01784 434280 as he is often not in or on an appointment – do feel free to leave a voice message. His email is chris.spain65 and we hope, in the near future, our parish emails will be changing to a standardised format.
Please do not leave a text message (SMS message) on his landline, these do not work properly on the phone-system. Several people have been trying to do so – Please email or speak on the phone, which IS answered whenever Fr Chris is in and free to do so!
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.
SAINTS DAYS
Sat 13th Our Lady of Fatima
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
13th / 14th May Missionary Endeavour of the Diocese
20th / 21st May World Communications Sunday
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
|
Sat 6th |
9:15am |
(AOL) |
Exposition & Benediction |
|
10:00am |
(AOL) |
Mass for Coronation of King Charles III |
|
|
10:35am |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation / Confession |
|
|
5:15pm |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation / Confession |
|
|
6:00pm |
(AOL) |
People of the Parish |
|
|
Sun 7th |
9:15am |
(SJR) |
Labib Family living and deceased |
|
11:00am |
(AOL) |
Annabel Clarke R.I.P. |
|
|
*Livestreamed |
|||
|
Mon 8th |
9:30am |
(SJC) |
Mary Swartfigure |
|
Tue 9th |
9:30am |
(SJC) |
Len & Moira Burton R.I.P. |
|
Wed 10th |
No Parish Mass |
||
|
Thu 11th |
9:30am |
(SJC) |
Lily Khan blessings |
|
Fri 12th |
9:30am |
(SJC) |
Souls in Purgatory |
|
Sat 13th |
9:15am |
(AOL) |
Exposition & Benediction |
|
10:00am |
(AOL) |
Alpha in the Parish |
|
|
10:35am |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation / Confession |
|
|
5:15pm |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation / Confession |
|
|
6:00pm |
(AOL) |
Catherine & Brendan McInerney |
|
|
Sun 14th |
9:15am |
(SJR) |
The Dent Family |
|
11:00am |
(AOL) |
People of the Parish |
|
|
*Livestreamed |
|||
AOL – Assumption of Our Lady
SJC – St Joseph’s Chapel (to the side of AOL)
SJR – St John of Rochester
This Week’s Picture: Fr Chris’ Home – The Presbytery
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
7th May 2023 – 5th Sunday of Easter – Parish of St Cuthbert Newsletter.pdf
7th May 2023 – St John of Rochester Plans – Parish of St Cuthbert Newsletter.pdf
May 2023 – Parish of St Cuthbert – Children’s Newsletter.pdf
The Parish of St Cuthbert, Egham 