Fr Chris writes:
It was wonderful to welcome our First Holy Communion families last weekend for the extremely important theme looking at the Eucharist, Thanksgiving in its broadest sense, and the Eucharistic prayer. Thank you for sharing with us all in the parish. It was also lovely to see so many from our parish family across our three Masses on Thursday too as Jesus ascended to heaven. He called us to make all peoples “disciples of all the nations” remaining with us until the end of time. “I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you and your hearts will be full of joy”. We now await our great celebration of Pentecost!
In our spiritual life, we all need the help of the Holy Spirit. With a strong willpower and enthusiasm, we can do so much. All great artists are aware of their need for inspiration. Without God’s grace I am / we are powerless in our spiritual life. To give time and energy to God, we need a strength we ourselves do not possess. Yet we live in a do-it-yourself society. We often pay lip service to others, but we are more interested in our own path and ideologies. Even in our Faith Life we can ask “what is in it for me?”
During Christ’s life, the disciples felt brave, strong, virtuous and generous. During the passion they learned some uncomfortable things about themselves. They recognised that they were cowardly, afraid, selfish and weak. But Christ had foreseen this. He knew their need for help and strength and hence asked them to wait for the Holy Spirit. Then with the help of the Holy Spirit they would have their tools to go out and preach the good news. Their weakness would be a strength; it would leave them open to the Holy Spirit, and ready for any pains or hardships on the journey ahead.
Many of us have had experiences that have opened us up to our weaknesses. Sometimes we can feel powerless in our own needs, or those we dearly want to reach out to in real and tangible ways. Some have had illness (both of body and mind), or a brush with death, many of us have lost someone we love. Like the disciples in the nine days between Ascension and Pentecost; we too are called to pray, to prepare and be ready to spring into action, when Pentecost day comes. We are to carry on the work of Jesus, in our broken and needy world. Just as Jesus prayed for his followers to continue his work; so, he prays for us too. May we be renewed and transformed for the journey ahead.
I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.
SAINT CUTHBERT’S SCHOOL
Staff, pupils, parents, grandparents and parishioners had a lovely celebration of The Ascension last Thursday at the school. Thank you to all who were involved. On Tuesday Fr Chris will be celebrating a Mass for some of the year groups, before heading off for his 48-hour in-service. Then it is half term, starting with our wonderful celebration of Pentecost – 27th & 28th May.
WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY
Sat 20th – Sun 21st May. This year’s World Communications Day is celebrated this weekend. The theme comes from Ephesians 4:15, Speaking with the heart – ‘The truth in love’. In his message to mark the day, Pope Francis stresses the need to listen before speaking truth with a pure heart to “see beyond appearances and overcome the vague din which, in the field of information, does not help us discern in the complicated world in which we live.”
The Holy Father, warning against indifference and indignation, hails the example of the great Doctor of the Church, St Francis de Sales, in particular his commitment to patient, heartfelt dialogue. A gifted theologian, his phrase ‘Heart speaks to heart’ inspired many, none more so than the recently canonised Saint John Henry Newman, who chose the phrase as his cardinalatial motto, ‘Cor ad cor loquitur’. Catholics in England and Wales will remember with affection that ‘Heart speaks unto heart’ was also the theme for Pope Benedict XVI’s historic visit to the UK in 2010. You will find information, resources, prayers and more on the Bishops’ Conference website: www.cbcew.org.uk/world-communications-day
POPE FRANCIS’ SPECIAL MESSAGE
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/wcd23-papal-message
This is a Sunday too, to give thanks for all who are involved in communication in our parish.
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.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Sun 11th June 2:30pm at St John’s Church Egham. Tea and Cake to be served afterwards in the Easter Centre, Manor Farm Lane, TW20 9HR
ST JOHN OF ROCHESTER
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
MISSIONARY ENDEAVOUR
OF THE DIOCESE
Last weekend we were due a second collection for our twin diocese in Peru. Unfortunately this was not taken at our first two Masses and we therefore decided to postpone the collection at the third Mass too. We will now take this collection on 22nd / 23rd July. 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.
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
There were two weeks of donations and, thanks to some very generous donors, we delivered 58kg (9st) to the local foodbank in Egham. Here is the list of essential items needed 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
The donations from our parish help local families in crisis. The boxes for donations are 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
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!
CONFIRMATION THANKS
We would like to say a huge thank you to Renata, Regina, Tom, Alex and all the other parishioners who gave up their valuable time to prepare our children (and us as their parents) for the sacrament of Confirmation. We really appreciate how much time and effort went into strengthening the faith of the candidates and getting them ready for what turned out to be a very special occasion at Arundel Cathedral!
BICYCLE RACK FOR CHURCH
AND JURGENS CENTRE
With the continued desire for parishes to reflect the great challenge of preserving our environment we are keen to support our cyclists. Some individuals and families cycle to Mass or activities in the Jurgen’s Centre. For a church and parish car park we should be providing a good and safe provision for cycle parking. Please contact the parish office if you know of any second hand cycle racks and / or if you have information on the suitability (and safety) of different designs.
BAPTISM PREPARATION
Please note: We are looking for some new catechists for Baptism Preparation, if you feel you may be able to assist, please have a word with Fr Chris. We have sessions 3 times a year.
A NEW WAY TO SPREAD THE WORD
Do you know someone who would benefit from listening to the Newsletter? To help our Community become more accessible, click the link to listen to the Newsletter introduction. It is a work in progress and any feedback is welcome. https://youtu.be/Wh5P8htjyXI
SAINTS DAYS
25th May Saint Bede the venerable
26th May Saint Philip Neri
27th May Saint Augustine of Canterbury
27th / 28th Pentecost
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:
Bernard Dickman, Fr Ray Blake, 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 (not a Mass) will be on Tuesday 6th June, 11:30am at the Assumption of our Lady Church. May she rest in peace.
We commend to the Lord, all our departed relatives and friends.
MASSES & LITURGIES
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Sat 20th |
9:15am |
(AOL) |
Exposition & Benediction |
|
10:00am |
(AOL) |
Mary Swartfigure R.I.P. |
|
|
10:35am |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation/Confession |
|
|
11:15am |
(AOL) |
Baptism of Alfie Smedley |
|
|
5:15pm |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation/Confession |
|
|
6:00pm |
(AOL) |
Colin King R.I.P. |
|
|
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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Mon 22nd |
8:30am |
(SJB) |
School Mass |
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Tue 23rd |
9:00am |
(SCS) |
School Mass |
|
Wed 24th |
No Parish Mass |
||
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Thu 25th |
No Parish Mass |
||
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Fri 26th |
9:30am |
(SJC) |
Claudia Leven R.I.P. |
|
Sat 27th |
9:15am |
(AOL) |
Exposition & Benediction |
|
10:00am |
(AOL) |
Len & Moira Burton R.I.P. |
|
|
10:35am |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation/Confession |
|
|
11:15am |
(AOL) |
Baptism of Alfie Smedley |
|
|
5:15pm |
(AOL) |
Reconciliation/Confession |
|
|
6:00pm |
(AOL) |
John Keele R.I.P. |
|
|
Sun 28th |
9:15am |
(SJR) |
People of the Parish |
|
11:00am |
(AOL) |
Carmel Paul R.I.P. |
|
|
*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
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21st May 2023 – 7th Sunday of Easter – Parish of St Cuthbert Newsletter.pdf
The Parish of St Cuthbert, Egham 