Next Sunday (21st) we will be celebrating our annual Carol Service in the church at 18.00 where we will have the opportunity to join together singing our most loved seasonal carols. Afterwards there will be a Parish Social in the Parish Centre serving mulled wine and mince pies.

This was formed last Sunday (7th December) at an Inauguration Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard at Christ the Prince of Peace. The Mass, which was attended by people and clergy from across the community of communities,’ ten churches and Mass centres, marked an important milestone in the development of mission in the Diocese, with Weybridge the third new parish to be formed this year. Speaking during the Mass, Bishop Richard remarked: “There have been many conversations and a lot of wonderful meetings to bring us to today’s celebration. Let us pray for one another, and continue to pray together, delving more deeply into the wonder of the Faith and working ever more closely in this great mission that the Lord has given to us, journeying with one another towards the Kingdom of Heaven.” Weybridge is the second deanery in Surrey to become a parish in the care of a group of priests working together ‘in solidum,’ with the priests as a whole - and each priest individually - responsible for the pastoral care of the new Parish.

The “O Antiphons” are prayed for 7 days in preparation for Christmas: December 17–23. For those familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours, these are the antiphons used with the Magnificat each day. They are based on Isaiah’s prophecies and reveal the different titles given to the Messiah. O Sapientia (O Wisdom) Isaiah 11:2–3; 28:29 O Adonai (O Lord) Isaiah 11:4–5; 33:22 O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) Isaiah 1:1; 11:10 O Clavis David (O Key of David) Isaiah 9:6; 22:22 O Oriens (O Rising Sun) Isaiah 9:1 O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations) Isaiah 9:5; 2:4 O Emmanuel (God with us) Isaiah 7:14 Since each antiphon is short, it is helpful to spend time reading it each day, pondering it and praying it meditatively throughout the day as a way to make an immediate spiritual preparation for Christmas.

After baptizing the crowds who came out to hear him preach in the wilderness, John the Baptist was thrown into jail by Herod. Herod was offended when John called out his adultery with his brother’s wife and “all the evil things Herod had done” (Lk 3:19). The age-old practice of the powerful imprisoning the righteous played out again. We may be puzzled why John is uncertain in this gospel passage about Jesus’ identity. Weren’t they cousins? Didn’t John tell the crowds that Jesus was the Lamb of God when he baptized him? Didn’t he tell them that Jesus was the one for whom he was preparing the way? Why the uncertainty now? John’s uncertainty about Jesus mirrored the questions that many Jews had about him. They were expecting a Messiah who would overthrow the Roman occupiers of their day. They were expecting a king who would rule their nation with great power and subdue all their enemies. They expected a king-military hero. Jesus’ way of acting in the world and the company he kept wasn’t what the Jews were expecting in a Saviour. Yes, he was doing deeds of amazing power, but he was also hanging out with sinners, eating with tax collectors, and talking with women in public (gasp!). He also wasn’t treating the rich and the powerful with special respect. In short, he was a mystery to many. So it’s not surprising then that John is unsure just who this Jesus was turning out to be.  By telling John’s disciples that John could decide for himself who Jesus was by his actions, Jesus trusted John would “get it.” After all, John certainly knew the Old Testament scriptures well and would have recognized the parallels between what Jesus was doing - giving sight to the blind, healing the deaf and the lame, and proclaiming good news to the poor - and the promise from the prophet Isaiah of the wonders God would do.? Questions of the week . . . .  What are some other examples from history of powerful people imprisoning the truth-tellers?  When have you met someone who didn’t conform to certain cultural or religious expectations but did wonderful, life-giving things?

Please be sure to put these dates into your diary now!

24th January, 11.00-16.00 at St Michael’s Church, Worthing, BN13 3AL. Led by Bishop Richard and Catherine Christmas (diocesan Liturgy & Music Adviser) this day will include talks on the Scriptures, the Lectionary and its use in the Liturgy, the Liturgy of the Word, and preparing to minister as a reader. Register your free place: https://abdiocese.churchsuite.com/events/

The Word Who is Life: The Call to Mission Continuing to Develop Our Response . . . . . . Background As many of you already know, over several years, Bishop Richard has met with clergy and parishioners to reflect on the opportunities and challenges our Church is facing and how best to respond to them. He then published The Word Who Is Life — our Diocesan Pastoral Plan — which was then presented to everyone in the Diocese (there are synopsis’ still available in the church narthex). Locally, as part of this Plan, the nine parishes that today make up the present Epsom Deanery will come together to form a New Single Parish at some point in 2026. The central message of the Pastoral Plan is “ The Call to Mission ” — inviting all of us to help to shape our parishes into strong, lively, and welcoming communities. What’s happening now So what is happening now? Here in Epsom Deanery, a team formed from clergy and parishioners from EVERY parish has been discussing how we should respond to this The Call to Mission . One of the first things the team asked itself was how to get everyone involved. To that end, a meeting is planned in the New Year in each of our existing parishes to share information of what the Pastoral Plan means, how any necessary changes will be decided, and to get the participation of all communities in shaping what our response will be. For our Sacred Heart community this meeting will take place at 19.30 on Wednesday 21st January - Please put the date in your diary today! What we are now asking of you The Pastoral Plan is a call to all parishioners, and we know that our communities are blessed with many different gifts. That is why your participation is needed even before this meeting take place. On your way out of church today, you are asked to take a “ You’re Invited! ” POSTCARD and a FLYER which outline how we are shaping our response to this call and what we can expect to be different over the coming months and years. For example, one of the goals is a wider expansion of parishioner leadership, participation, and engagement. Another goal is for our parishes to work more closely with one another and with our schools. Both postcards and flyers include QR codes or a link to a website where you can find more information to help you make your contribution: in particular, we are asking you to get involved by helping us to identify: Opportunities, Challenges, and any Questions . There are several ways for you to share your thoughts:  You can fill in one of the “You’re invited!” postcards and return it before Sunday 14th December  You can use the online form whose address you will find on the flyer  Or, if you prefer, you can email directly to epsomdeanerynewsletter@gmail.com

CAFOD is once again encouraging people to “swap the socks for something special this Christmas,” giving a World Gift that will delight loved ones and help families and communities around the world to thrive. CAFOD’s World Gifts are ethical presents that make a real difference - from their Winter Warmth gift helping families stay safe through cold weather, to their Super Soup Kitchens supporting local partners providing meals for those in need, every gift brings hope where it’s needed most. Each World Gift comes with a card to give to your loved one, showing how their gift is changing lives. You can also add extra festive joy with the charity's stocking fillers, from chocolates to devotional items, and even some adorable cuddly toys! Find out more from CAFOD’s brochure available in the narthex

This week Pope Leo concluded his Apostolic Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon on Tuesday. Bringing the 6-day apostolic visit to a close, he said: “We hope to involve the entire Middle East in [a] spirit of fraternity and commitment to peace, including those who currently consider themselves enemies.” Reflecting on the three days he spent in Lebanon, Pope Leo referenced the country’s rich spiritual heritage and the resilience of its people, noting the deep veneration for the Blessed Virgin Mary shared by both Christians and Muslims.  Addressing the ongoing challenges facing the country, he expressed solidarity with victims of the Beirut port explosion in 2020: “I carry with me the pain" he said, “and the thirst for truth and justice, of so many families, [and] an entire country.” Calling for an end to hostilities, he added: “We must recognise that armed struggle brings no benefit. While weapons are lethal, negotiation, mediation and dialogue are constructive. Let us all choose peace as a way, not just as a goal!” The Pope invoked the words of St John Paul II: “Lebanon is more than a country; it is a message! Let us learn to work together and hope together, so that this may become a reality.”