MESSAGES FROM FR DAVID

Dear Parishioners

A few weeks ago I asked you to be patient as I needed to help my parents out of some difficulties. My brother and I spent three days helping repair their house and sort things out for them so that they could prepare to move to a new, more suitable house. My mother has diabetes and cannot drive and my father has a number of difficulties which make moving to the nearby town imperative. The good news is that all our hard work has meant that their house is sold and they are now moving on the 25th to their new home. Unfortunately my father has now been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer and needs an operation at the earliest opportunity. This means that I must go and help them again (taking turns with my brothers) and later I will need to help my mother when my father has his operation. This means that I may not be around as much as I’d like. I do hope that you will understand.

Fr David 

Rosary!
As I have reported before in this august journal – people often ask me for the ‘traditional’ devotions of the Church. I always try to meet requests and do my best to organise or make available opportunities for these devotions. We currently have two opportunities for the rosary – a long standing and much praised devotion for all the faithful – priests and people. However, it seems that those who wish to pray it publically are very small – perhaps one or two if the turn out is anything to go by. Therefore, with immediate effect we shall be ceasing to pray the rosary publically and will replace that time with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Monday and Vespers and Exposition on Thursday evening.
A parishioner has also made a request for more support for the Thursday evening mass – I would very much echo that plea. As a priest I enjoy the privilege of celebrating mass often – almost daily. There is a great deal of richness from Word and Sacrament to be received in the daily unfolding of scripture and prayer and the offering of mass is one of the great privileges of being a Christian. That parishioner pointed out the personal benefits of coming together for worship on a weekday evening – an opportunity for a small bit of peace and quiet, of recollection, of petition and prayer, of spiritual growth and development – and most priceless of all – of being nurtured and fed at the table of the Lord. I really cannot understand why you don’t make greater use of these opportunities – perhaps you’re spoiled! 
 

BAPTISM PREPARATION - I am currently looking for a few people to help me prepare parents for the baptism of their children. We have a course most months which consists of two evenings from 7.45 to about 9pm. The course consists of a video and guiding the participants through the questions that the video proposes. It can be quite good fun and interesting and is always encouraging seeing the parents beginning to deepen their understanding of baptism in the Catholic Church. It is not absolutely vital that you understand everything about the Church’s teaching about baptism at this stage – we would ask you to attend a couple of courses yourself to get the hang of it. More important is an ability to help people reflect on their own faith and then make decisions accordingly. If you feel God may be calling you to this ministry please speak to Fr David as soon as possible.

YOUTH LEADERS - We currently have small number of young people who attend a monthly youth group meeting on a Saturday. The group is lead by Gloria Benson and Dominic Getting. We need more people to help with the youth and support Gloria and Dominic. Can you help? THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT because if we neglect our youth they will just drift away to people who WILL show an interest in them. So please, can you help? If interested please speak with Gloria Benson on 01252 677414 or email: gloria.benson@chyp.com

GENERAL

CONFIRMATION - 2008 saw NIL that’s NO candidates being Confirmed from our two parishes so here is another opportunity for our young people to consider the sacrament of Confirmation once again taking them forward to their adult spiritual life. Our programme this year will start in September but of course we need young people to come forward to commit to the programme as well as the all important catechists to run the programme. So any young people who will be Yr 10 in September please come forward as your parishes NEED YOU! If you or someone you know is interested in the Confirmation programme or being a catechist then please contact Gloria Benson email gloria.benson@chyp.com or on her mobile 07968030163 alternatively please contact Fr David.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - Application forms for the First Holy Communion Programme will be available shortly. If your child is due to start Year 3 at school in September you will need to get them signed up by 31st August at the very latest! We also need catechists! Could this be your ministry? Please speak with Fr David if you are interested.

TREASURER – I am very pleased to tell you that Gerry Blair has offered to take over the role of Treasurer from Julia Hirst, and that I have accepted his offer. Gerry has a lot of experience in the accounting world and it is good to welcome him to the Parish Finance Committee. Thank you Gerry! And thank you Julia for all the hard work that you have put in over the last few years. You are very much appreciated.

MEN’S STUFF - First Thursday of the month at 8pm in the Lower Hall at Holy Family. Fr David and Dcn John invite all menfolk to join them for a relaxing and sociable 1½ hours. Please bring your own beer or wine and or soft drinks if you’re driving. Next meeting Thurs 5th June

GIFT AID DONATIONS (G.A.D.) A 2% cut in basic rate of income tax sounds like good news. However, this has the effect of reducing our revenue from HM Revenue and Customs by 3%. For that reason we would request that all donors consider raising their level of giving to compensate. Please note that this does not take into effect the rate of inflation which we all experience each year. If, at present, you do not donate your offertory contribution under the GAD Scheme, would you please consider joining and thereby, automatically, increasing your contribution by 25p in the pound. For further details please contact Alan or Florence (in confidence) either after Mass or telephone 687246 for Holy Family, or contact Teresa in the office who will forward your details to David Tuttlebee for Holy Angels. Many thanks.

PARISH FINANCE COMMITTEE meets every 2 months to discuss the church finances and buildings. We are looking for new members with maintenance and fabric skills to compliment the committee. If you think you have a skill or knowledge you can offer, please contact Fr David, Deacon John or leave your details with Teresa at the Parish Office.

NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL – If anyone would prefer to receive the weekly newsletter via email please send me your details Teresa@holyangelsash.org.uk

COFFEE MORNING after 9.30 Mass – 10 – 11am every Wednesday starting this Wednesday, at Holy Angels. An opportunity to relax and socialise with each other. If you are usually at home on Wednesday’s why not come along and meet other people in a warm and comfortable environment. Children also welcome!

Car Parking

The landlord of the Alma has said that he would welcome CAREFUL parking by parishioners attending mass. The emphasis here is on the word "careful". You may remember that a previous landlord allowed us to use his car park but withdrew permission due to the way in which some people parked their cars. Please see this as a privilege and not a right...

ARE YOU A NEWCOMER? If so - WELCOME! Please make yourself known to Fr David after mass or to one of our welcomers. There are also Welcome Packs at the back of both of the churches with some general information and a form so that we can enter your details on our database. Please return it to Fr David or send it to Teresa in the Parish Office. Thank you.

PARISH OFFICE. The parish office at the Holy Angels has moved to the room that was previously the parish meeting room. The entrance is now at the rear of the church (the old back door). This entrance is in a temporary state but improvements will be made in the New Year. Please try to use this entrance because if you ring the door bell at the presbytery front door you cannot be heard. 

Fr. David and I attended a meeting with the Papal Nuncio on 20th May. He gave us an unscripted address about his work, and then took questions from the large number of clergy gathered. Two issues that struck me are related and I thought I would share them with you.
The first was that he felt that formation in the faith is not as deep in our young people today as in the past. He cited his experiences with his own nephews and nieces and their children. He felt that this may contribute to the reduction in vocations, along with other changes in society and culture. He later gave his testimony of his own calling. He decided to go to the seminary in his final year at university. Having made this decision he went home, nervously, to tell his father. His father, contrary to his expectation, posed no objections just asking him to complete his university course. (This had been his plan anyway.) His father then shared that for some 25 years he and his mother had prayed the rosary that one of their (10?) children would receive a calling to the priesthood. They never expressed this desire or put any pressure on them, just left it to the Lord. This left me with the thought that if a parish were to pray, with real faith, for one vocation in every 20 years there would be no shortage of priests. We will look out for a suitable prayer but would encourage you all to pray that there be at least one vocation, to the priesthood, in both of our parishes in the next few years. - Deacon John

CATHOLIC SINGLES is an organisation which helps single Catholics meet up, either one to one or through social events. For more information please tel. 0161 941 3498, visit the website www.catholicsingles.org.uk or email info@catholicsingles.org.uk

THE CATHOLIC CENTRAL LIBRARY, with over 70,000 books and pamphlets and 150 periodicals has moved to St Michael’s Abbey, Farnborough. For details of access etc ‘phone 01252 543818 or go online www.catholic-library.org.uk

HOLY FAMILY CHILDRENS LITURGY: We are currently short of numbers to assist with the weekly Children’s liturgy. We therefore would like to seek out new volunteers to assist with the important task of sharing the weekly gospel with our young people. The commitment is likely to involve on average no more than one Sunday per calendar month. If you are concerned about being inexperienced - do not worry - we will pair you with a more experienced helper. If you have a child aged 4-11 years or would like to volunteer to support our young people please contact either Martin O'Dwyer after 9:15 am Sunday mass or telephone on 01252 678325 or Marian Holland on 01252 330368.

HOLY ANGELS AND HOLY FAMILY PASTORAL CARE: In this modern age we find ourselves in a busy, rapidly changing world. Many parents work outside the home and children and youth have ever-increasing demands and stress. Families are separated by long distances and we have less and less time for a simple visit to chat, pray or have a cup of tea with those we love and care for. This can leave many people lonely or vulnerable and in need of contact, encouragement, and support. With this in mind, we are in the process of organizing a Pastoral Care Group in the parishes, lead by Father David. Linda Jane Grantham will help co-ordinate this group, which will supplement the much-valued care that already exists informally within Holy Angels and Holy Family. Initially we hope to regularly visit the housebound and elderly. Also we will be organizing visits to take the Eucharist to people who are housebound, either through sickness, age or circumstance. Gradually our work will expand to support other needs such as bereavement. In the meantime, please keep this initiative in your daily prayers. We will be working very hard and will keep you informed of how we progress. You can contact Father David or Deacon John at the parish office or Linda Jane (01252 331928) if you have a need, question or suggestion.

VOCATIONS

There will be a Discovering Priesthood Day at Arundel Cathedral (London Road BN18 9AY) on Saturday 28th June (10am - 4pm). This day is aimed at young men from 14 -18 years who would like to find out more about the life and ministry of Catholic priests. Parents should contact Fr Paul Turner, the Diocesan Vocations Director for a parental booking form.
For further information on either event please contact Fr Paul Turner the Diocesan Vocations Director on 01293 603773 or vocations@dabnet.org.
Prayer for Vocations
God our Father,
look in love upon our homes, our families
and our communities.
Raise up from among us worthy priests:
to teach the Gospel to all people,
to minister at your altar,
and to care for your flock.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit,
and make us faithful and inspiring witnesses
to your Kingdom.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen

JUSTICE AND PEACE

From the J&P group - This is mine!
Mining can cause serious damage - destroying people's homes and lands, poisoning water and ruining the environment. While UK pension funds invest millions of pounds of our money in mining companies, the activities of some of these companies put poor people and the environment in danger.
Almost all of us who are pension fund members have a stake in mining companies. So we have the power to call for change. This is why CAFOD is asking people like you to contact their pension funds to urge them to use their influence to stop mining companies harming people and the environment.
Action cards will be given out after Mass for your help.

Fairtrade Coffee Morning Sunday 6th July after mass.
Another opportunity to replenish your cupboards with Fairtrade goods. Rob Thorburn will also be along with Palestinian Olive Oil, dates, herbs and soaps.

YOUTH

World Youth Day - Sydney Australia 2008

YOUTH GROUP meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month in St Mary's Hall, Holy Angels.
Call or email Gloria Benson 07968030163 or Gloria.benson@chyp.com 

BISHOP KIERAN’S ABSEIL FOR WORTHING CHURCHES HOMELESS PROJECT – A successful descent of Arundel Castle was made by both Bishop Kieran and Bishop Lindsay. The Bishop thanks everybody who sponsored him but it is still possible to support him via his fundraising page www.justgiving.com/bishopkieranconry He only needs a further donation of £20 to make his target!

VISIT OF PAPAL NUNCIO – The visit went very well and the Nuncio was very pleased and impressed by what he saw especially the clergy and lay people he met during his visit. He told Bishop Kieran as he left that he felt he had seen ‘a healthy and happy diocese’.

JUBILARIANS AND ORDINATIONS – Please give thanks for the ministries of Fr Tony Lovegrove and Fr Brian O’Sullivan who each celebrated 50 years of priesthood last weekend in Steyning. Also pray for Ian Wells who will be ordained to the diaconate at The Holy Spirit Church in Fetcham on 7th June. Congratulations to all!

DIARY DATES

 Holy Family Thursday evening Mass.......Have you ever tried it ...it's lovely! Although this is a somewhat selfish plea (as I fear it may be stopped unless attendance increases!) it is really a lovely and peaceful Mass to attend. As the end of the working week draws near it's a wonderful way to spend half an hour in the presence of the Lord. Currently we are few in number - but please do give it a try. Make a date in your diaries....7.30 Thurs. See you there. A Parishioner!

HOLY HOUR - Why not join the usual two or three and spend a little time in quiet prayer in the presence of The Blessed Sacrament on a Wednesday evening between 7pm and 8pm. All welcome! Another Parishioner!!!

Fancy a Cuppa ?……Thanks. The funds raised for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice at the T @ 3 was £426.10. Many thanks for your support. See you again next year! Breda & Richard Read

SUNDAY 24 AUGUST : FR LAURENCE FREEMAN OSB will talk on Meditation as a Meeting Place at Guildford Cathedral from 2.30 - 5.00 pm. He will also preach at Evensong at 6.30 pm. He will show how Christian Meditation, a form of contemplative prayer creates community and its relevance for the 21st century. Fr Laurence is a Benedictine monk and Director of the World Community for Christian Meditation. No need to book. For more information call Philip Kitchen 01372 200558 or email surreymeditation@yahoo.co.uk

THE PASSAGE - Please support the excellent work which The Passage does for homeless people in Central London, by attending The Passage annual Garden Party in the beautiful and historic College Garden, Westminster Abbey on Wednesday 23 July, from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Tickets at £22 each, include wine, soft drinks, buffet supper and live music. Tickets are available from The Passage, St Vincent's Centre, Carlisle Place, London SW1P 1NL. Tel: 020 75921856. Email:tickets(fl)passage.org.uk See also www.passage.org.uk It will not be possible to purchase tickets at the Abbey. All proceeds in aid of The Passage

2008 INTER-PARISH ANNUAL GOLF COMPETITION FRIDAY, 3rd OCTOBER 2008 - This enjoyable Golf Day now in its 11 year, will be held on October 3rd at Sutton Green Golf Club, GU4 7QF The organisers this year are Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Frimley, who were last year's winners. The teams come from parishes in the Guildford, Woking and Weybridge Deaneries and any profits from the raffle on the day plus a donation from OLQH, will go to the Diocesan Lourdes Fund. If you would like further information and would like to put a team together please contact Teresa and she will forward the information on to you

Wednesday 10th September - You are invited to an evening with a difference especially if you enjoy cooking. There will be an evening with Pampered Chef at Holy Angels, you will view some recipes being carried out in front of your eyes with beautiful cooking utensils and equipment and of course an opportunity to buy what you see. All funds raised will be donated to Parish funds. We will be touting for numbers later in the summer.

SCHOOLS

THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SERVICE Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel & Brighton – have two exciting new full-time posts. Education Officer and Planning & Development Officer. Go to www.dabnet.org or contact Mary Reynolds on 01293 511130 for an application pack.

THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY HELP