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Welcome to the 'Parish News' section for Sacred Heart, Cobham
OUR PARISH SUPPORTS THE COBHAM AREA FOODBANK Please can you help local people in crisis by purchasing items on the list below and placing them in the Foodbank’s collection point in the narthex when to come to Mass at the weekend?
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Quite a busy time around The Presbytery this week as Fr D had several meetings that were not Parish based . . . . . Last Saturday morning Fr D had the final session before Communion Day with the parents and candidates on the First Eucharist Programme this year. This ‘slice of the cake’ was the penultimate one and covered the actual Communion Rite at Mass (how to receive Holy Communion). This Saturday the participants will practice receiving Holy Communion and ‘walk through’ what will be happening on Sunday when they celebrate their First Eucharist. After the 11.00 Mass on Sunday Fr D celebrated the Baptism of a young parishioner whose parents had been preparing for the sacrament over the past couple of months. On Monday Fr D was quickly off to Worthing where he was meeting with his Ministry to Priest’s Support Group. Being his old parish he was ‘spotted’ by some of his former parishioners and it took a little while to get from the car park into the church for their hour before the Blessed Sacrament! After celebrating Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition on Tuesday, Fr D picked up Fr Tony and headed off to Ewell where there was a Deanery Clergy Meeting that had been arranged outside of the normal pattern whilst Fr D was away last month at the Canon Law Conference (Deanery Clergy Meetings usually only take place between October and May!). The ‘cause’ for the meeting was a push by the diocese to move forward with the coming together of all the deanery parishes as one single parish, according to the bishop’s plan. The local clergy were all unanimous that we are not yet ready to move forward with this at this point in time and that things have to be done at our local speed not an external timetable. This decision will be taken back to the bishop at the next Council of Priest’s Meeting. In the evening on Tuesday Fr D met with those younger members of our Parish who recently celebrated their confirmation by Bishop Richard down in Arundel Cathedral. This was the last formal meeting of this year’s preparation course and looked at how the Confirmation Service went and into the future as they start life as fully adult members of the Church. The youngsters will be helping at the First Eucharist celebration this weekend and will receive their Certificates of Confirmation along with our First Communicants on Sunday 29th June (09.00) . . . . . .
“Every year, the Church in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, jointly mark the ‘Day for Life,’ as a reminder of the constant need to respect and protect the inherent value and dignity of each and every human life. This year, it will be celebrated next Sunday (Trinity Sunday), the 15th of June . All Catholics are invited to join in prayer and promotion of the Day. Useful resources, including a message from the bishops, and prayers, can be found on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales’ website ( CBCEW.org.uk ). There will also be a Retiring Collection for the Day for Life Fund. Every year, the fund allocates over £200,000 in grants, to organisations which promote the Christian respect for life from conception to natural death, in various ways. This has made a significant impact in local communities within England and Wales, by for example, providing mothers and children with necessary means. This would not be possible if it was not for your generous support to the fund, we therefore invite you to give as much as you can and encourage others to do so.”
What we know of Barnabas can be found in the writings of the New Testament. A Jew, born in Cyprus and named Joseph, he sold his property, gave the proceeds to the Apostles, who renamed him Barnabas, and lived in common with the very early converts to Christianity in Jerusalem. He persuaded the community there to accept Paul as a disciple, was sent to Antioch, Syria, to look into the community there, and brought Paul there from Tarsus. With Paul he brought Antioch’s offerings to the community in Jerusalem during a famine, and went back to Antioch along with John Mark, his cousin. The three then embarked on a missionary journey to Cyprus, Perga, and Pisidia, where they were so violently opposed by the Jews that they decided to preach to the pagans. Then they went to Iconium and Lystra, where they were acclaimed as gods and before being stoned out of the city, returning to Antioch. When disputes arose regarding the observance of Jewish rites, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem where the decision was made that pagans did not have to be circumcised to be baptised. Tradition variously says that Barnabas preached in Alexandria and Rome, was the founder of the Cypriote Church, became the Bishop of Milan the (which he was not), and has him stoned to death in 61 AD at Salamis. His feast day is June 11.
Catholic Bishops Conference of England & Wales Statement on the upcoming Third Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which seeks to legalise assisted suicide, is fast approaching its decisive vote in the House of Commons which will likely take place on either the 13th or 20th of June. The Catholic bishops of England and Wales oppose this flawed bill both in principle and in practice. Among the many concerns, we are particularly alarmed by the following: This legislation would require many hospices and care homes to facilitate assisted suicide. This will put in jeopardy their ability to provide care. Parliament has rejected an amendment that would have allowed institutions to opt out of participating in the provision of assisted suicide. The provisions for conscientious objection for health and social care workers are both unclear and inadequate. This problem will not be addressed by proposed amendments. Safeguards against coercion for the most vulnerable are wholly inadequate, particularly in cases involving coercive control or social pressure. During Committee Stage, the bill’s main proponent was unable to confirm whether individuals seeking assisted suicide due to financial concerns or feelings of being a burden would be prevented from accessing it. Since then, no progress has been made, and many MPs consider the existing safeguards insufficient, with the potential to result in a “terrible tragedy.” We note the opposition for the bill from key professional bodies including the Royal College of Psychiatrists whose members will be expected to be involved in the process of assessing those who elect for assisted suicide. We have already seen the bill weakened during Committee Stage. In addition, MPs are expected to debate nearly 60 pages of amendments in under 15 hours. The whole process by which this bill has been brought forward and debated is insufficient for such a radical change. We urge Catholics, and all people of goodwill, to contact their MP and ask them to vote against this bill. We also ask you to pray that our representatives choose to protect the most vulnerable citizens of this country when they vote later this month. Archbishop John Sherrington Lead Bishop for Life Issues and Archbishop of Liverpool
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Not quite such a busy week around The Presbytery this time as the schools are all on their half term breaks. They begin again on Monday with the older students all facing exams - please pray for them at this decisive time in their school lives . . . . . On Saturday morning Fr D was down at Arundel Cathedral with some of our teenage parishioners to celebrate their Confirmation with Bishop Richard. Our Parish was part of the first celebration for the Epsom Deanery, another scheduled for the afternoon. Fr D was particularly pleased when Bishop Richard remarked to him afterwards that he could tell the youngsters from Cobham as they all spoke up when he was confirming them. Monday Fr D decided to have a long leisurely breakfast. Towards the end of it he could hear some strange banging sounds which seemed to emanate from the corner of the kitchen. Not being able to locate a cause and with the strange sounds still occurring he went and opened the front door to find a workman ‘capping off’ the two pipes into the gas meter. This was the final stage of requirements before the gas company come and remove the meter entirely. The complete removal of the meter has been necessitated because the new diocesan supplier had started to make a standing charge since last October (after no charges for three years) which was only discovered when a bill arrived. Having spoken about the unreasonableness of such a charge when no gas was being used (indeed Fr D turned the whole thing off three years ago) Fr D said that we’d have the meter removed! They then informed us that this could cost up to £10,000! Fr D said that he wanted a quotation for removal (which turned out to be just under £300); the quotation proved to be far less than they thought (trying to get us to back off!). Fr D said to go ahead, they wanted payment before, then said that we had to disconnect and purge the pipes (more delay tactics!). Finally with the disconnection, purging, and capping of the pipes, they have run out of excuses and now need to come and do the work we requested over two months ago (subject to any more ridiculous excuses and delays). This now means that at the Presbytery there is no more gas supply (or meter) and no more standing charges - we should not expect any more dealings with the gas company nor any more invoices, finally . . . .
Margaret was born in 1473, at Hungerford, in Somerset. Her father, the Duke of Clarence, was brother to both Edward IV and Richard III. This meant that all her life she was seen as a threat to the crown, as she had a legitimate claim to the throne. Indeed as soon as the Tudors came to power they imprisoned Margaret’s brother, the Earl of Warwick, and eventually executed him. The king had her marry Sir Richard Pole, who was related to Henry VII. She became lady in waiting to Catherine of Aragon, starting a lifelong friendship, and she became governess to Princess Mary, the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine. At first Henry favoured Margaret but this came to an end at the time of his divorce from Catherine. Her loyalty to the queen, and to Mary, as well as to her Catholic faith, brought her into conflict with the King at the time of his divorce and remarriage to Anne Boleyn. If her own opposition to Henry’s behaviour, and her position as a possible contender for the throne when the dynasty was looking shaky were not enough, her son Reginald Pole was needling the King from overseas and encouraging opposition to him. This made Margaret’s position very dangerous. Although the King described her as ‘the holiest woman in England’ she was arrested on the grounds of treason, and imprisoned for some time at Cowdray in 1538-9, although she never faced trial and there was no credible evidence against her. In spite of this she was executed in 1541, at the age of 70. Reportedly the inexperienced executioner took ten blows to sever her head.
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Quite a ‘full on’ week around The Presbytery over the last seven days as things gathered pace for this year’s Confirmation celebration down at Arundel Cathedral at the weekend . . . . . At our 11.00 Mass on Sunday we sent forth our Confirmation candidates ready for their meeting with Bishop Richard at Arundel Cathedral. Fr Daryl celebrated a ‘Lucenarium Service’ (literally Service of Light) with candidates, parents and sponsors during the Mass. As well as prayers over the candidates, asking the Holy Spirit to be with them, the candidate’s parents handed over the lit original baptismal candle to their child - a tangible sign that the candidates are now responsible for their ongoing life of faith. At the time they were baptised the priest said to the candidate’s parents “Receive the light of Christ. You are to be the first and best teachers of the faith to your child. Keep the flame of faith alive in their hearts…..” On Monday Fr D was playing host to his Ministry to Priests Support Group. They met in the church at midday for an hour before the Blessed Sacrament before going into The Presbytery to celebrate Midday Prayer together and then off to a local hostelry for lunch. After lunch they were able to share their experiences since their last meeting after which they had tea before heading back to their respective homes until next month. After celebrating Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition Fr D met with a new parishioner, trying to help with finding schools for their children before heading off to the Diocesan Offices in Crawley where he had an interview with a new client who is looking to have their marriage annulled. The interview typically takes about two and a half hours and Fr D is always quite exhausted when he finishes. In this case the other party will not be taking part so the next move is to interview their witnesses. Having celebrated Morning Prayer and Mass on Wednesday Fr D started work on this weeks newsletter and began to start thinking about next year’s sacramental programmes - pulling together the various bits of information that he needs regarding school holidays etc. Following Morning Prayer and Mass in Thursday Fr D went off in a different direction in the car as he had a witness interview to complete in Englefield Green. These interviews are shorter, about one and a half hours normally. When he got back home he made sure that he had Friday’s requiem sorted . . .
Born of a noble family near Glastonbury, England, Dunstan was educated by Irish monks and while still a youth, was sent to the court of the King. He became a Benedictine monk about 934 and was ordained, about 939. After a time as a hermit at Glastonbury, he was recalled to the royal court and appointed the abbot of Glastonbury Abbey in 943. He developed the Abbey into a great centre of learning while revitalizing other monasteries in the area. He became advisor to King Edred and began a far-reaching reform of all the monasteries in he realm. He was also deeply involved in secular politics and incurred the enmity of the West Saxon nobles for denouncing their immorality and for urging peace with the Danes. The next king in 955, became his bitter enemy for Dunston’s strong censure of his lifestyle. The king confiscated his property and banished him from his kingdom until his death. The new king appointed Dunstan Bishop of Worcester and London in 957. When the civil strife ended and the country was reunited Dunstan was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. Dunstan was made legate by Pope John XII, restoring clergy discipline, rebuilding several monasteries. When the king died, Dunstan helped to elect Edward the martyr king. When his influence began to wane he retired from politics to teach at the Cathedral school and died there. He is the patron of armorers, goldsmiths, locksmiths, and jewellers. His feast day is May 19th.
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Fr D arrived back home on Friday evening having been away since Monday at the annual Conference of the Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Despite its name the conference is a really international affair with many participants travelling from Australia, India, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Italy, Malta, Africa, Canada, and the USA. Whilst on the conference (this year taking place in Harrogate) the participants take part in lectures which cover many of the different areas of Church Law - Education, Marriage, the Sacraments, Church structures, Religious Life, Temporal Goods, Penal Law . . . . This year the topics covered:- Dr. Philip Milligan , Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life ‘Taking Recourses Seriously. Promoting the Rights of the Faithful through Canons 57 and 1732-1739.’ Professor Chad Glendinning, Professor of Canon Law at St Paul’s University, Ottawa ‘Together for Mission: Exploring Possibilities for Greater Participation of the Lay Faithful in "Ecclesial Discernment" and the Decision-Making Process.’ Professor Hildegard Warnink , Professor Canon Law, Catholic University, Leuven ‘The relationship between matrimonial consent and faith, especially deficiency of faith as a possible ground for nullity.’ Monsignor Shane Kirby , Substitute Promoter of Justice, Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura ‘Ten Years of the Processus Brevior: reflections on law and praxis.’ Father Thomas Kulandaisamy, Diocese of Clifton ‘Recourse to the Apostolic Signatura: Challenging Administrative Decrees of Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, with a focus on DIVCSVA for Dismissal from Religious Institutes.’ Also during each conference there are two Question and Answer Sessions, one for General Subjects and One for Marriage. The Annual General Meeting of the Society also takes place during the week. Over the years it has become customary for the conference to take place on a four-yearly cycle between England (Harrogate), Ireland (Galway), Scotland (Stirling), and Rome. . . . . .