Fr Chris writes:
Welcome to our First Holy Communion children and families. Like you, I am very excited about your celebrations and your ongoing journey of faith.
As a parish, I need you; we need you. You are all valuable and precious both in God’s sight, and to the whole community! I was delighted to read Justin’s words in our Children’s Newsletter for this month. “First Holy Communion … teaches us valuable lessons about forgiveness, community, faith, and prayer…. We’re not alone in our faith journey, and we can help each other by being kind and doing good things for others…going to Mass is an important way to show our love for Him”.
Saying “thank you” is important. My parents always reminded me of the importance of appreciation, and I used to write thank you letters and draw pictures to show my appreciation to others. I am aware that I probably don’t say “thank you” often enough in the parish, as appreciation is a real community builder. In our busy and rushed world it seems to me that taking time for thanksgiving can all too easily get squeezed out. At mass we give thanks to God – we are united – we belong here – all are welcome. We pray together. In the Eucharistic prayer, we remember all that Jesus did for us and we are thankful. At the last supper Jesus took the gifts and gave thanks and everyone shared the gift. In the same way, I believe strongly in praying and giving thanks before a meal. After we receive Holy Communion (and especially on First Communion Day) our prayer should be “thank you Jesus”. Jesus comes to us and gives himself for us as a real, generous and sacrificial gift.
On Thursday we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension (please note the Mass times). Today, in our Gospel, Jesus speaks words of reassurance; he is aware of the human pain of taking leave of those we love. “Continue to love me and keep my commandments” he pleads. “My Father will give you another advocate to be with you forever” he re-assures them. “I will not leave you orphans; I will come back to you” he insists. Jesus will be with his first followers in a new kind of way, just as he still comes to us in the Sacraments.
In Holy Communion, we have access to Jesus’ real presence with the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is not present as a vague memory, or a person who lived long ago, but as a life-giving and transformative presence. He nourishes us with his love. The food of the Eucharist gives us the strength to do his work, to live his word, and to be his disciples. Jesus will not abandon us but enables us to build God’s Kingdom in a new way with the Holy Spirit to help us.
Cry out with joy to God all the earth.
CLERGY DEANERY MEETING
The priests and Deacons of “Weybridge Deanery” met last Tuesday in the Jurgens Centre – thank you to those who assisted with refreshments. It was a good occasion of fraternal support and respite from busy lives!
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. We welcome parents (and parents to be) to our Baptism Preparation. Your request to receive Baptism for your child carries a real responsibility. As always, we keep you in our prayers and look forward to your continued presence as you make the solemn promise to “raise your child in the practice of the faith”.
Please note: We are looking for new catechists for Baptism Preparation; if you feel you may be able to assist, please contact Fr Chris.
ALPHA SESSIONS
Tue 16th May 7pm Thinking about attending Alpha, but you missed the first sessions? Don’t worry: you are invited to the next session at the Jurgens Centre. Delicious food served with friendly company, followed by a video and some interesting discussions about faith. For info, contact parishofegham.alpha
THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD
Thurs 18th May “He ascended not to distance himself from our lowly state but that we, his members, might be confident of following where he, our head and founder, has gone before.” (Feast Day Preface).
Please note our times of Masses:
9:00am St Cuthbert’s Primary School
12 noon The Assumption of Our Lady Church
7:00pm St. John of Rochester Church
All are welcome.
CLERGY INSERVICE 2023
Wed 24th – Thur 25th May. Fr Chris will be joining the Inservice training for diocesan priests and deacons. Please keep them in your prayers.
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 RHUL.
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.
ST JOHN OF ROCHESTER
Please read the recent 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. Patronal Evening Mass.
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.
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? For confidential information about Retrouvaille 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
PARISH MASS BOOKS
For those who wish, please feel free to take a set of the six Sunday Mass books for year A, B and C. These can be used for preparing for Mass or re-reading after Mass, tying us in with the liturgical theme. The volume and page are on the front of the newsletter each week. A donation will be most welcome, but please bear in mind that a new translation of the readings is in preparation and the books will therefore devalue!
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.
RUNNYMEDE FOODBANK
A record number of food parcels have been distributed across the UK this year.
The contributions from our parish are welcomed by the Runnymede Foodbank. The Foodbank updates the list of items specifically needed in the Runnymede area. Here is the lists for the month of May:
Long Life Milk – Coffee – Sponge Pudding – Tinned Fruit – Tinned Vegetables – Jam – Instant Mash – Antibacterial Spray – Shaving Foam – Conditioner – Deodorant – Toothpaste – Washing Up Liquid – Dog Food
Please leave your donations in the boxes at the back of our churches. Thank you for your generosity.
EDDIE HOPKINS
“Many of you will remember Eddie, who joined our parish on a pastoral placement. He has now been formally called for ordination to the diaconate, prior to his priesthood ordination. I am delighted for him. I knew him as a friendly and devoted parishioner in the previous parish I served. Please keep him in prayer as his big day looms in June! I know that he will be a great gift to the diocese.” Fr Chris
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
13th / 14th May Missionary Endeavour of the Diocese Many years ago, our Diocese was twinned with the Diocese of Chulucanas in Peru and (when Priests were more plentiful), we sent priests from our Diocese to theirs to assist in their mission over large areas bringing the Sacraments to remote places and supporting the catechists in their work with local communities. We still support their work today financially and in prayer. Please give generously.
20th / 21st May World Communications Sunday This collection supports the work of the Catholic Communication Network. Positive communication and the enabling of the written word and the publication of materials, in paper form and online, to speak of the wonderful faith we share and enable evangelisation and invigoration are so important at this time, where apathy and lapsation seems to be on the increase.
This is also a Sunday to give thanks for all who are involved in communication in our parish.
LOCAL ELECTIONS
Two weeks ago on “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. Fr Chris got up early to vote before his two-day course at Ladywell Franciscan Centre. Last weekend we prayed for all our new and re-elected councillors in our prayers of intercession. Please keep up your prayers for their work and service. Let us pray that, like Jesus, on the road to Emmaus, they may 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.
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…
FULL OF GRACE
“Inspired by Mary, full of grace, we pray for
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the courage to seek God working in our lives
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the strength to be attentive to the radical truth of the Gospel
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the persistence to put our faith, hope and love into action daily in the world
Holy Mary, Mother of God and full of grace, pray for us.”
Stephen Davies CAFOD ®
SAINTS DAYS
Sat 13th May Our Lady of Fatima
Thurs 18th May The Ascension of our Lord
(Holy Day of Obligation)
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:
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, Ana Alves,
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.
Mary Swartfigure is known to many in the parish community, and we pray for the repose of her soul, and for her family and friends at this sad time. Her funeral service is on Tuesday 6th June 11:30am at the Assumption followed by internment at Englefield Green Cemetery at 1pm.
We commend to the Lord, all our departed relatives and friends.
MASSES & LITURGIES
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Sat 13th |
9:15am |
(AOL) |
Exposition & Benediction |
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10:00am |
(AOL) |
Alpha in the Parish |
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10:35am |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation/Confession |
|
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11:15am |
(AOL) |
Baptism Preparation |
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5:15pm |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation/Confession |
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6:00pm |
(AOL) |
Catherine & Brendan McInerney |
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Sun 14th |
9:15am |
(SJR) |
The Dent Family |
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11:00am |
(AOL) |
People of the Parish |
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*Livestreamed |
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Mon 15th |
8:30am |
(SJB) |
School Mass |
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Tue 16th |
9:30am |
(SJC) |
Stuart Meads R.I.P. |
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Wed 17th |
No Parish Mass |
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Thu 18th |
9:00am |
(SCS) |
School Mass |
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12 Noon |
(AOL) |
Sandra Collum |
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*Livestreamed |
|||
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7:00pm |
(SJR) |
McInerney Family Intentions |
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Fri 19th |
9:30am |
(SJC) |
Len & Moira Burton R.I.P. |
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Sat 20th |
9:15am |
(AOL) |
Exposition & Benediction |
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10:00am |
(AOL) |
Mary Swartfigure R.I.P. |
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10:35am |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation/Confession |
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11:15am |
(AOL) |
Baptism of Alfie Smedley |
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5:15pm |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation/Confession |
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6:00pm |
(AOL) |
Colin King R.I.P. |
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Sun 21st |
9:15am |
(SJR) |
People of the Parish |
|
11:00am |
(AOL) |
Terence Partridge 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
SJB – St John’s Beaumont
SCS – St Cuthbert’s School
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
14th May 2023 – 6th Sunday of Easter – Parish of St Cuthbert Newsletter.pdf
The Parish of St Cuthbert, Egham 