LOURDES PRAYER NETWORK - MONDAYS WITH MARY - The Prayer Network offers an opportunity to extend the Lourdes experience, continuing our pilgrimage prayers and maintaining connections through the year. It consists of Assistant Chaplains and pilgrims, united in support for the intentions of our Diocese and further afield. As well as the chance to request prayers through the website and/or pray for others, it also offers a monthly online gathering led by our Lourdes Assistant Chaplains. You are warmly invited to join us for this time of prayer and reflection. All are welcome. If you would like the Prayer Network to pray for an intention close to your heart, or to volunteer to pray for others, you can email: prayer.lourdes@abdiocese.org.uk Monday, 14 - Sep-2026 19:30 - 20:10; Monday, 12 - Oct-2026 19:30 - 20:10; Monday, 09 - Nov-2026 19:30 - 20:10; Monday, 14 - Dec-2026 19:30 - 20:10.  You are welcome to include a reason for the request but there is no obligation to do so, and no personal details will be shared with anyone in the Prayer Network.

MASS OF WELCOME, 24TH OCTOBER, 11.30, WORTH ABBEY - Following his episcopal ordination, Bishop Stephen will celebrate a special Mass of Welcome at Worth Abbey attended by representatives from diocesan deaneries, new parishes and schools. The Diocese is providing a coach for each deanery/new parish to support participation from across our family of faith, details will be shared with parish communities shortly.

The Most Holy Name of Mary honours Mary’s name because it belongs to the Mother of God. Where did the devotion come from and how does the Church celebrate today? Mary’s name is important because it is an important part of our relationship with her. Whenever we ask for her intercession or pray to her, we invoke her name. St Bernard of Clairvaux writes: May her name never be far from your lips, or far from your heart … If you follow her, you will not stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you turn your thoughts to her, you will not err. If she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you need not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is gracious to you, you will surely reach your destination. St Alphonsus Liguori also writes: After the most sacred name of Jesus, the name of Mary is so rich in every good thing, that on earth and in heaven there is no other from which devout souls receive so much grace, hope, and sweetness.  When we call upon Mary by her precious name, we call to the one who will always come to our aid and love us like a mother we also honour her for the greatness she has through God as Christ’s mother and the queen of the universe

The first reading and the Gospel reading today both address the responsibility of believers to call out and name injustice and sinfulness when they see it. In the Old Testament reading, God tells the prophet, Ezekiel, that he must speak out to dissuade wicked people from doing harm, or he will be responsible for their deaths. Likewise, Jesus gives his disciples instructions for confronting those who have done wrong. Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel reading today about reconciling someone who has sinned is a challenge for two kinds of Christians. First, it is a challenge to those in the Church community who judge others publicly - boldly proclaiming in print, from the pulpit, or in the media. It is often easier for an accuser to go public with an accusation than address the matter privately and with more humility and sensitivity first. Jesus is asking such accusers to do the hard work of personal conversation first, which may have the effect of helping the accuser to grow in understanding and acceptance of the “sinner.” (Of course, Jesus isn’t asking people to put themselves in danger to do so, for example, asking a victim to approach her rapist in private.)  Jesus’ words are also a challenge for other Christians who are too hesitant or timid to call out sinfulness and injustice when they see it. Sometimes we let injustice continue because it doesn’t hurt us directly - the sin isn’t “against” us. Interestingly, the phrase “against you” was not in most of the ancient manuscripts of this Gospel, meaning it was probably added later. So Jesus was calling on his disciples to privately point out their brother’s sin before escalating to a broader audience), regardless of whether they were directly impacted. Jesus is asking for courage here to stand up for any victim who is hurt by another’s behaviour. When a white person confronts another white person privately for a racist comment, that is the first step toward growth and reconciliation. Questions of the week  How does this Gospel reading most challenge you?  When have you had a growing experience of privately confronting someone who had sinned or being confronted privately yourself? How did it change you and the other person?

The issue of Assisted Suicide will return to the Houses of Parliament this month, following the failure of MP Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to make it through the necessary legislative stages in time to become law. A new Private Member’s Bill, which is broadly identical to Kim Leadbeater’s 2024 legislation, was reintroduced to Parliament by Labour MP Lauren Edwards in June, with Members of Parliament facing a vitally important vote next Friday (11th) which will determine whether Assisted Suicide moves closer to becoming law, or is rejected. The Catholic Church teaches that every human life from conception to natural death is sacred, with the dignity and value of each person central to an effective moral vision for society. Assisted Suicide is strongly opposed by the Church with bishops across Scotland, England & Wales calling for better provision and funding for palliative care which aims to manage pain and other symptoms, looking after a person’s emotional, practical, and psychological needs while supporting their loved ones. Speaking in July, Prime Minister Andy Burnham (who plans to abstain from September’s vote) suggested it would be difficult to implement Assisted Suicide before social and palliative care were improved. Hospices face significant financial pressures currently, with the UK Government providing around a third of the sector’s running costs and local fundraising teams expected to make up the shortfall. MP Lauren Edwards’ Bill arrives at a time when the wider National Health Service (NHS) is in crisis. Patients are facing increasing delays in seeing General Practitioners (GPs), with long waiting lists for treatment and support services – not least for mental health. The strong arguments being made in favour of Assisted Suicide don’t answer the right question; we must protect and improve the provision of ethical end-of-life care. The vote next Friday can be won. As the previous assisted suicide bill passed the House of Commons by a small margin, only twelve MPs need to change their minds for the revived suicide bill to be defeated at its second reading. A number of MPs have already expressed reservations about bringing it back or forcing it through parliament. The Prime Minister has now said that the debate should wait until palliative and social care are properly funded. Mounting evidence from the small number of places around the world that have legalised assisted suicide show that safeguards do not work, and that changing the law can have devastating consequences. If assisted suicide becomes law, thousands of individuals will be placed at risk for years to come. One of the most effective ways to persuade MPs to oppose this dangerous bill is through physical letters or postcards from constituents asking them to vote NO to the bill.  PLEASE TAKE A POSTCARD FROM THE NARTHEX THIS WEEKEND AND MAKE A POINT OF SENDING IT TO OUR LOCAL MP TO INFORM HIM OF YOUR IMPLACABLE RESISTANCE TO THIS MEASURE.

The Gospel reading picks up on images of keys and a key holder from the first reading from Isaiah. Keys signify ultimate power over the palace; the one with the keys has the authority to decide who is allowed in and who is kept out. When Jesus promises Peter the “keys to the kingdom of heaven,” he raises him to a place of high authority as well. This is the Gospel passage that gives us the image of St. Peter guarding the “pearly gates” and controlling access to heaven. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all include this Gospel story of Jesus asking his disciples who the people think he is. They all include Peter’s correct answer that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. It is only Matthew’s Gospel that incorporates the next few verses upholding Peter as the foundation of the church and the “keeper of the keys” to the kingdom of heaven. Catholics look back to this story as the basis for their belief in Peter as the first pope and the idea of apostolic succession. Traditionally it has been understood that in this exchange, Jesus made Peter the primary apostle. Later, Peter transferred his authority to another man, who transferred it to another, and so on, down through all the bishops of Rome, the successive popes. Other Christians do not accept Peter’s primacy or the idea that the pope’s authority can be traced back in an unbroken line to Peter. Regardless of whether one believes in the idea of apostolic succession, it is good to note the play on words in the nickname Jesus gave to Simon. Peter in Greek is Petros, which is related to the word petra “rock.” This story suggests Peter’s ability to be a rock-solid foundation for the church.  Just a few verses after this reading, though, Jesus orders Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me” (Mt. 16:23), another play on Peter’s “rock” nickname. So Peter, like all human leaders, has the potential to be a solid foundation for God’s kingdom in the world, and the potential to be in opposition to that kingdom. Even though Jesus praises Peter in this story, Peter will always remain human. The same can be said for every pope we have ever had. Questions of the Week • If Peter had a “rocky” nature that had the potential for greatness, but also could pose as a stumbling block, what characteristic(s) do you have which have potential for good but also for harm? • In thinking of church leaders in your lifetime, who has demonstrated the ability to be a strong foundation for you and the greater church? How so?

Application Forms for next year’s 1st Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist Programmes are now available from the Sacristy after our weekend Masses. Prospective candidates: • need to have been born before 31st August 2019, • be in at least Year 3 when schools re-commence in September, • and, of course, be attending our weekend and Holy Day Masses along with their family. It is very difficult to imagine that someone who is not presently attending our community on a regular basis could possibly be prepared and ready to receive a sacrament within the next year. Parents only (not grandparents or friends) should collect the application which needs to be completed and returned by 18.00 on 31st August 2026 (sorry, no late applications can be accepted).

DREAMS FOR HOPE - a local charity run by one of our parishioners (Jim Vizzini), provides beds for children in and around the Borough of Elmbridge who are suffering from bed poverty. Our local Waitrose in Cobham have chosen the ‘Dreams for Hope’ charity to take part in the Community Matters Scheme, one of only three charities to have been picked. The scheme runs from July 1st to September 30th and you can help by dropping a token into the "Dreams For Hope" box when you exit the store.  When Fr D was dropping off his tokens after a shop this week he thought that parishioners may have forgotten about the scheme - more tokens needed ! ! !

Christian greetings and the Peace of our Lord be with you always. We would love to thank you by allowing our group to come to your church and sell our olive wood religious articles, the result of which was very beneficial and rewarding for our needy Christian families in Bethlehem. We raised a magnificent £ 2,742 . Your help is a great support for us, and for our Christian families in the Holy Land. There are not enough words to thank Fr Daryl and the parishioners of the Sacred Heart, be assured that you are always in our prayers. If anyone has missed the carvings display, it is possible to place an order online directly at www.tbng.co.uk God bless you all. Love and blessings from The Bethlehem Nativity Group