A Parish of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH
Although all the chocolate bunnies have been eaten and all the Easter eggs found (hopefully), the celebration of Easter in the Church is far from over as Eastertide is just beginning. Catholics celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday; but the celebration of Easter through the season of Eastertide is 50 days long, leading up to Pentecost. It is the longest season in the Church’s calendar. But why is it that Catholics celebrate Easter for 50 days? The purpose of Eastertide is to bask in the glory of the Resurrection. This time is to reflect on the new life God has given us through Christ’s sacrifice. Everything changed and just a single day is not nearly enough time to celebrate the magnitude of Easter. Remember that we spent 40 days praying, fasting, and giving alms in preparation for the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Christ. In turn, we will spend the 50 days of the Easter season celebrating Christ’s victory over death. Another reason the Church celebrates Eastertide is to remember the 40 days Christ spent with his Apostles before he returned to the Father at his Ascension. Just as the disciples rejoiced in the Resurrection for 40 days, learning more from Jesus, we rejoice during the Easter season.
Just like last week’s Gospel, we get another reminder that the risen Jesus offers his peace to his friends and disciples. In today’s reading, they are still struggling with fear, doubt, and confusion about all that they have experienced over the previous three days. Rather than criticising them for their doubts or misunderstandings, Jesus begins this encounter with them with his famous words “Peace be with you.” Before he does anything else, he wants them to have that gift. Once the peace is given, then he can answer their questions. It is only after they receive his peace that they can come to believe that this person in front of them - whom they thought was a ghost - is really their risen friend. Jesus takes care to show the disciples that he still has a physical body. They can feel him with their own fingers. They can see the nail wounds in his hands and feet. They watch him eating fish. Jesus wants to be clear with them that he is not just some bright spirit ‘floating around’ the earth. In the Apostles’ Creed, which we proclaim throughout the seasons of Lent and Eastertide, we state: “I believe in the resurrection of the body.” The gospel today gives us that hope. Our belief is that somehow - we do not know how - God will give us new life in the physical bodies we had on earth. They will be recognisable, just as Jesus was recognisable after his resurrection, and they will still show the marks of our wounds, but those wounds will be healed. We will never be able to explain this hope and this belief with our minds, but then again, neither could the disciples have explained it rationally to others. Questions of the Week Jesus responds to his friends’ doubts and confusions by offering peace rather than criticism. In what area (s) of your life might God be inviting you to accept peace rather than remain troubled? What difference does it make for you to believe in the resurrection of the - body, not just a resurrection of the soul or spirit?
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . A fairly quiet week around The Presbytery as the children are still on holiday and Fr D recovers from his trip to Lourdes with special needs children . . . Fr D returned home from his trip about 17.00. He had worked on a shopping delivery which was timed for between 18.00 and 20.00 on Sunday evening. This had the advantage of giving a couple of days food and refilling bulkier items in the storeroom without having to make trips out of the house. Having popped in to see the sisters to tell them he was back Fr D just had time for a sandwich and some real tea before taking himself off to bed! Giving himself a little lie-in on Monday morning Fr D soon set about emptying his suitcase and putting all his clothes through the washing machine (three loads), by the time that he’d done all of this he was able to have a first look at the post and emails that had built up whilst he was away - as usual lots of it was junk (no matter how much he takes the address off of mailing lists it all seems to come in just the same! Having celebrated Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition on Tuesday morning Fr D had some time with Sarah in the office to ‘catch up’ (principally about the electricity company that the diocese placed us with when the British Gas contract ran out (it took six months for them to accept that we did not want their services and we are still awaiting a final bill!). Wednesday morning, after Morning Prayer and Mass, Fr D was off in the car to the Diocesan Office in Crawley to see what delights were sat in his ’in-tray’ after the Easter holidays. It seemed strange to travel down in the new car - not being able to hear any engine noise at all! After Morning Prayer and Mass on Thursday, Fr D was again off down to Crawley where he was working on a new (hopefully more efficient?) management scheme for the different types of Tribunal cases. He has discovered that the new Tribunal Secretary is quite proficient in Excel, so he can make some changes that he has been thinking about for a little while now. On Friday, after Morning Prayer and Mass, Fr D needed to finalise this week’s newsletter. This had to take place up in the Parish Office as his own computer is giving him great grief at present. He has a new one ready to replace it but needs the diocesan IT man to set it up alongside the two in the Parish Office, which will hopefully be done towards the end of April when work on the telephone lines takes place . . .
This one little word has been banished since Ash Wednesday. In years gone by, there was a symbolic ritual in which a board with the word ‘alleluia’ written on it would be buried before Lent as a reminder of its noticeable absence over the coming season. We fast from using this word, just as we fast from food, however, that great fast comes to an end with the solemn Easter Vigil. This precious word that has been absent for so long returns as a whisper, and then grows in strength and volume until it’s a shout that echoes in our ears and hearts. But what does it mean? Why is it so important? The first part of the word ‘hallu’ means ‘praise’ in the form of a call, with a connection to song. The second part is a shortened form of God’s name: Yahweh. In short, then, the word means ‘praise God!’. We can stand in church on Easter Sunday and sing “Alleluia!” at the top of our lungs because we are a people ransomed, paid for, delivered, and won for the Father by the blood of our praiseworthy risen Lamb, Jesus Christ!
Welcome to the Parish of the Sacred Heart
The Parish of the Sacred Heart is an active Roman Catholic community within the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton for those living in the environs of Cobham, Stoke D’Abernon and Oxshott. Comprised of people from all walks of life, from different age groups and diverse cultures the Parish is an active community offering spiritual and pastoral support in the Catholic tradition. If you are thinking about coming to live in the area or are already in residence you are very welcome to join our community you can be assured of a welcome, being offered a wide range of spiritual and educational support. We also run a thriving Sunday school providing Religious Education for children from four to fourteen years of age and provides preparation for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation.
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Quote of the week
"The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives
fully is
prepared to die at any time - Author unknown
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The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . A fairly quiet week around The Presbytery as the children are still on holiday and Fr D recovers from his trip to Lourdes with special needs children . . . Fr D returned home from his trip about 17.00. He had worked on a shopping delivery which was timed for between 18.00 and 20.00 on Sunday evening. This had the advantage of giving a couple of days food and refilling bulkier items in the storeroom without having to make trips out of the house. Having popped in to see the sisters to tell them he was back Fr D just had time for a sandwich and some real tea before taking himself off to bed! Giving himself a little lie-in on Monday morning Fr D soon set about emptying his suitcase and putting all his clothes through the washing machine (three loads), by the time that he’d done all of this he was able to have a first look at the post and emails that had built up whilst he was away - as usual lots of it was junk (no matter how much he takes the address off of mailing lists it all seems to come in just the same! Having celebrated Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition on Tuesday morning Fr D had some time with Sarah in the office to ‘catch up’ (principally about the electricity company that the diocese placed us with when the British Gas contract ran out (it took six months for them to accept that we did not want their services and we are still awaiting a final bill!). Wednesday morning, after Morning Prayer and Mass, Fr D was off in the car to the Diocesan Office in Crawley to see what delights were sat in his ’in-tray’ after the Easter holidays. It seemed strange to travel down in the new car - not being able to hear any engine noise at all! After Morning Prayer and Mass on Thursday, Fr D was again off down to Crawley where he was working on a new (hopefully more efficient?) management scheme for the different types of Tribunal cases. He has discovered that the new Tribunal Secretary is quite proficient in Excel, so he can make some changes that he has been thinking about for a little while now. On Friday, after Morning Prayer and Mass, Fr D needed to finalise this week’s newsletter. This had to take place up in the Parish Office as his own computer is giving him great grief at present. He has a new one ready to replace it but needs the diocesan IT man to set it up alongside the two in the Parish Office, which will hopefully be done towards the end of April when work on the telephone lines takes place . . .
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . A very quiet week around The Presbytery as Fr D has been away in Lourdes with special needs children since Monday. He has been doing this during Easter week for thirty-five years now and, although really tired from all the Holy Week and Easter liturgies he really enjoys another aspect of his priestly ministry. The year the group flew out to Lourdes on Easter Sunday (which is why Fr D did not fly out with them!) from Stansted airport. By the time they got to the hotel (Myosotis - forget-me-not) it was early afternoon and they went straight into the dining room for a late lunch, even before finding their rooms. Once they had found their rooms and left their luggage in them they went down for a first visit to the Grotto at which Our Lady appeared to Bernadette. On the way back there was a café stop where a few of the traditional HCPT children’s Lourdes songs were taught. Then the group were finally able to unpack before dinner and an early night! Monday morning the group went off on a ‘tour of the town,’ taking in some of the important buildings (Boly Mill, Cachôt, Parish Church, Maison Paternelle) and a diorama of the story of Bernadette. On the way back for lunch there was another café stop before a rest. In the afternoon they walked up to the Cité San Pierre where Fr D (who had arrived via Bordeaux) was able to join them and celebrate Mass in a replica of Bernadette’s sheepfold. On the way back to the hotel there was another café stop and postcards were bought to send home to parents. After dinner the group paid a late night trip to the Grotto (and a café stop!) before bedtime. Highlights of Tuesday were Mass, another trip to the Grotto, a ‘water service’, a slow afternoon on ‘the prairie,’ a trip to the ‘HCPT Funzone,’ and joining in with the evening torchlight procession. Wednesday the group followed the Way of the Cross at the very big outside stations, went on a visit to Hosanna House (where they celebrated Mass) and had a games night in the evening. Thursday is always the main day of the week for HCPT when all the groups gather together to celebrate the Trust Mass (nearly 4,000 people this year). In the afternoon there was a visit to the Fort at the top of the town before joining in the Blessed Sacrament Procession. In the evening a very big candle decorated with outlines of all the group members hands was lit opposite the Grotto . . . . . .
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . A very busy week around The Presbytery, as might be expected as we are now in Holy Week . . . . Last Friday evening and on Saturday morning we celebrated our Adult and Children’s Lenten Reconciliation Services. The Adult one which we now celebrate with the Effingham and Fetcham Parish was reasonably attended (given that we had arranged five priests!) but Fr D was disappointed that the majority of persons seemed to be from the other parish and not many from our own? (Fr D was explaining to the other priests that he obviously lived in a parish made up of angels!) On Monday Fr D was checking that we had got all the slots filled on our Holy Week ministries rota, and was delighted when it worked out that we had. He was then working in finalising the Triduum booklet that we will be using Thursday - Saturday. After celebrating Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition on Tuesday Fr D was out (in the new car) visiting on the way to Brooklands to do some final shopping (he doesn’t need to get much in at this time as he will be going away to Lourdes with sick children on Sunday afternoon). In the afternoon he started thinking about Intercessions and Notices (for two weekends). Wednesday, after Morning Prayer and Mass, Fr D changed the sanctuary in the church from Lent mode to Holy Week mode in preparation for Holy Thursday onwards. It was quite time consuming because the sacristan is away until after Easter and he had to find lots of things that he normally just mentions and they are there! In the afternoon Fr D was getting rid of last year’s Holy Oils ready for this year’s new oils which were blessed at the Chrism Mass in Arundel Cathedral on Wednesday Evening. Thursday morning Fr D was putting the finishing touches to the Easter Sunday newsletter before going off to Epsom to collect this year’s oils; these were brought up in the evening just before the Holy Thursday Mass began. After the Mass several parishioners were present for the traditional ‘watching’ at the altar of repose until midnight. Friday being Good Friday Mass is not celebrated in favour of the Commemoration of the Passion in the afternoon. In the morning Fr D led a Way of the Cross for children up to eleven years old . . . . . .
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . A really busy week around The Presbytery as Fr D finalised the necessary preparations for the celebration of Holy Week. On Saturday afternoon, last weekend, Fr D met up with the members of the HCPT group that he will be joining in Lourdes during Easter week. The helpers met to do some training and to find out about the children they will be looking after for the week in Lourdes. Later the children and their families arrived in time for tea and to be introduced to the key helper for each child. At some point before Easter the key helper will be visiting their child at home before they meet, very early in the morning on Easter Sunday for the flight to Lourdes. Having celebrated Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesday morning, Fr D was completing the final edits of the booklet that we’ll use during the Triduum this year. He also began to put together our Adult Lenten Reconciliation Service ready for the end of the week (Friday 19.30). In the evening Fr D was in Tadworth parish to assist with their Reconciliation Service. The last discussion group meeting for the diocesan ‘Invited’ programme took place upstairs in the Parish Centre. After Morning Prayer and Mass on Wednesday, Fr D was ‘reading up’ the various ceremonies of Holy Week to make sure that he’s covered all the bases! In the evening he was opening up for the Easter choir to have one of their practices for Holy Week. The last of the local Churches Together ‘Alpha’ meetings took place in the Parish Centre. Once he had celebrated Morning Prayer and Mass on Thursday, Fr D went across to the garage in Leatherhead where he was picking up his new car for the handover. He had originally been told that the handover would probably take a couple of hours but, in the event, it only took just over an hour to complete before he was leaving the forecourt. In the afternoon Fr D was off, in the new car, to Burgess Hill where he had a meeting of the Trustees of the Bosco Catholic Education Trust. This is one of two trusts in the diocese which look after all the Academy Catholic Schools (Bosco looks after Sussex and Xavier looks after Surrey). When he got back in the evening Fr D set the car charging up for the first time - hoping that he was getting it right! After Morning Prayer and Mass on Friday Fr D had to go down to the diocesan offices in Crawley for a meeting . . . . . .
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . This week at The Presbytery has been significantly busy as things start ‘hottingup’ for our Holy Week and Triduum liturgies (Fr D is still concerned that there are a lot of gaps on the ‘Ministries lists’ at the back of the church – waiting for parishioners to volunteer . . . .) On Monday Fr D was playing host once more to his Ministry to Priests Support Group. They arrived in the church for an hour before the Blessed Sacrament at midday. After this they gathered in Fr D’s study to celebrate Midday Prayer of the Church before retiring to a local hostelry for a good lunch, over which they began their ‘review of life’ for the past month. When they got back to The Presbytery for a cup of tea before leaving to go back to their parishes they wanted to see and ask questions about the Air Source Heat Pump which now provides the heating and hot water for The Presbytery. Some are thinking about this for reasons of economy and being aware that the time is fast approaching when gas boilers will no longer be available. One eagle-eyed priest saw a new box on the wall outside of the kitchen back door and started asking questions. It was the newly fitted (January) electric car charger box ready for the imminent arrival of Fr D’s new car. When the solar panels were fitted two years ago Fr D had the workman do the necessary wiring in preparation for the box. He is now negotiating with the electricity provider for ‘intelligent’ electricity for the car between 23.30 and 05.00 which will be significantly cheaper than our already cheaper normal rate! On Tuesday after celebrating Morning Prayer and Mass (no Exposition) Fr D picked up Fr Tony Churchill and they went off to Ewell for this months Deanery meeting. There was plenty of discussion concerning Confirmation (4th May this year) and the Bishop’s plans for the future of the diocese (booklets concerning this are available from the narthex – important to read). When the meeting and lunch ended Fr D was just able to bring Fr Tony back home before he had to go off down to the coast to be at a Governors meeting for one of the Primary Schools in the Bosco Education Trust. (By the time that he got back in the late evening Fr D was so tired he just made a sandwich and took himself off to bed!). Wednesday after Morning Prayer and Mass Fr D was working on this week’s newsletter, struggling with a computer that has taken to ‘playing up’ on a regular basis; he kept having to save and shut it down to be able to continue (though usually good with technology he was very near to throwing it out of the window of his study!). In the evening Fr D was letting the choir into the church for an Easter rehearsal session. Thursday Fr D was down in Crawly wearing his Tribunal hat; when he came back he had the final meeting with parents having their child baptised on Easter Sunday . . . .
Parish Priest Notices
Important items highlighted by Fr. Daryl. These will contain news elements & important requests
DIY ABORTION UP TO BIRTH - Dame Diana Johnson MP has put forward an extreme abortion amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill. This amendment would decriminalise abortion in England and Wales and means that there would be no criminal sanctions for a woman using deadly abortion pills sent to her by post to carry out an abortion at home, right up to the time of the baby’s birth! The Government has confirmed that the Bill will not be debated until after the Easter recess. So this will be a date after 15th April. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will be alerting people to the actual date as soon as it is known. There is now more time for concerned citizens to lobby their MP’s to vote against Dian Johnson’s amendment. Please go to https://www.spuc.uk/abortion amendments for:- • More information about abortion decriminalisation • To find who your MP is • To use SPUC’s online tool to contact your MP ASSISTED SUICIDE DEBATE - There will be an important debate on assisted suicide in the House of Commons on Monday 29th April at 16.30. This debate is taking place as a result of the campaign by media personality Dame Esther Rantzen who wants a change in the law to legalise assisted suicide. It is vital that as many MP’s as possible speak up in the House to oppose any move to make assisted suicide legal in England and Wales. Please go to https://www.spuc.org.uk/livesworthliving for:- • A briefing on the case against assisted suicide • Three video stories opposing any change in the law • An online tool to contact your MP
Every household within the Parish is requested to complete a ‘Parishioner Registration/Census’ form so that our Parish records may be kept up to date. These forms can be obtained from the Parish Office and should be completed fully before being returned to the Parish Office. Should you move address within the Parish at any time please complete a new form and write ‘AMENDMENT’ across the top of the form. Thank you.
HOLY THURSDAY MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER - 28th March 20.30 CHILDREN’S GOOD FRIDAY WAY OF THE CROSS - 29th March 10.00 COMMEMORATION OF THE LORD’S PASSION - 29th March 15.00 EASTER VIGIL OF THE RESURRECTION - 30th March 20.30 EASTER SUNDAY MASSES - 31st March 09.00 & 11.00
Although all the chocolate bunnies have been eaten and all the Easter eggs found (hopefully), the celebration of Easter in the Church is far from over as Eastertide is just beginning. Catholics celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday; but the celebration of Easter through the season of Eastertide is 50 days long, leading up to Pentecost. It is the longest season in the Church’s calendar. But why is it that Catholics celebrate Easter for 50 days? The purpose of Eastertide is to bask in the glory of the Resurrection. This time is to reflect on the new life God has given us through Christ’s sacrifice. Everything changed and just a single day is not nearly enough time to celebrate the magnitude of Easter. Remember that we spent 40 days praying, fasting, and giving alms in preparation for the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Christ. In turn, we will spend the 50 days of the Easter season celebrating Christ’s victory over death. Another reason the Church celebrates Eastertide is to remember the 40 days Christ spent with his Apostles before he returned to the Father at his Ascension. Just as the disciples rejoiced in the Resurrection for 40 days, learning more from Jesus, we rejoice during the Easter season.
Just like last week’s Gospel, we get another reminder that the risen Jesus offers his peace to his friends and disciples. In today’s reading, they are still struggling with fear, doubt, and confusion about all that they have experienced over the previous three days. Rather than criticising them for their doubts or misunderstandings, Jesus begins this encounter with them with his famous words “Peace be with you.” Before he does anything else, he wants them to have that gift. Once the peace is given, then he can answer their questions. It is only after they receive his peace that they can come to believe that this person in front of them - whom they thought was a ghost - is really their risen friend. Jesus takes care to show the disciples that he still has a physical body. They can feel him with their own fingers. They can see the nail wounds in his hands and feet. They watch him eating fish. Jesus wants to be clear with them that he is not just some bright spirit ‘floating around’ the earth. In the Apostles’ Creed, which we proclaim throughout the seasons of Lent and Eastertide, we state: “I believe in the resurrection of the body.” The gospel today gives us that hope. Our belief is that somehow - we do not know how - God will give us new life in the physical bodies we had on earth. They will be recognisable, just as Jesus was recognisable after his resurrection, and they will still show the marks of our wounds, but those wounds will be healed. We will never be able to explain this hope and this belief with our minds, but then again, neither could the disciples have explained it rationally to others. Questions of the Week Jesus responds to his friends’ doubts and confusions by offering peace rather than criticism. In what area (s) of your life might God be inviting you to accept peace rather than remain troubled? What difference does it make for you to believe in the resurrection of the - body, not just a resurrection of the soul or spirit?
This one little word has been banished since Ash Wednesday. In years gone by, there was a symbolic ritual in which a board with the word ‘alleluia’ written on it would be buried before Lent as a reminder of its noticeable absence over the coming season. We fast from using this word, just as we fast from food, however, that great fast comes to an end with the solemn Easter Vigil. This precious word that has been absent for so long returns as a whisper, and then grows in strength and volume until it’s a shout that echoes in our ears and hearts. But what does it mean? Why is it so important? The first part of the word ‘hallu’ means ‘praise’ in the form of a call, with a connection to song. The second part is a shortened form of God’s name: Yahweh. In short, then, the word means ‘praise God!’. We can stand in church on Easter Sunday and sing “Alleluia!” at the top of our lungs because we are a people ransomed, paid for, delivered, and won for the Father by the blood of our praiseworthy risen Lamb, Jesus Christ!
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PRAY FOR OUR BISHOP RICHARD MOTH
As a Parish we encourage our community to pray for our shepherd, Bishop Richard as he leads our Diocese through the COVID-19 difficulties.
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INVITED – GOD WITH US - Our third season has begun. This is a diocesan-wide opportunity for everyone to pause, reflect on and grow in their faith. You are invited to join a group of parishioners each Monday evening until Christmas in St James’ Room in the Parish Centre at 19:30, where a specially commissioned film will be shown, following the film there will a time to consider some prepared questions for discussion, in small groups followed by a time for prayer. There is no need to book - just turn up to the Parish Centre, any questions please email/phone Deacon Paul : email: paul.fisher@abdiocese.org.uk or phone: 07979 755391
The first of two important Synod meetings will take place in Rome shortly, beginning on Wednesday 4th October. The Synod of Bishops will, for the first time, include non-Bishop voting members, comprising of a number of laymen people with the Catholic Church in England and Wales being well represented. Archbishop John Wilson, the Archbishop of Southwark, and Bishop Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds, were elected by their brother bishops to attend. Joining them will be Bishop Nicholas Hudson, an Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Westminster - chosen by Pope Francis, and Professor Anna Rowlands and Austen Ivereigh chosen as expert facilitators. Fr Timothy Radcliffe, the Dominican preacher, will lead a retreat for all Synod members prior to the official opening. In a 20-minute conversation Fr Jan Nowotnik - who will attend as a voting member and whose doctoral thesis focused, in part, on the preparation for a Synodal Church - joins theologian Professor Anna Rowlands to preview the Synod. Both will be in Rome, and both will have a key role in proceedings. Speaking earlier this week, Fr Jan said: “I think what the Synod is, in Pope Francis’ mind, is about drawing all the members of the Church - and those beyond the Church - into a deeper relationship with God and a deeper relationship with each other. The Church exists to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ, and to bring his healing mercy to the Church.” You can follow the latest news and updates on this latest stage of the Synod on the CBCEW website: www.cbcew.org.uk/previewing-the-synod-a-historic-moment-in-the-life-of-the-catholic-church/
Bishop Richard - A talk on Mary leading us to Her Son
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Vocations
Are you feeling increasingly compelled to spend time with Jesus? Do you find that your time is spent seeking him and all things connected with him?
