A Parish of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH
Holy Mass
Weekdays Tuesday - Friday 09.30
Saturday Vigil Mass 18.00, Sunday 09.00 & 11.00
Reconciliation available Saturday 17.00-17.30
Please check our weekly newsletter for any changes to the schedule
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Well, Fr D has been away for a week now, with no sign of a post card. I knew that it must be that time of year again when he got the big box on wheels down from the attic a few days before he disappeared . . . . . This is a map of Lefkada which is where Fr D has gone off to this time. The airport is actually just south of Preveza which is on the mainland (about twenty-five minutes from the island). He last went to this island the October before the infamous ‘lockdown’ when Covid hit and all travel and holidays were banned. Fr D particularly likes this island because there is not much in the way of hotels having been built destroying the beauty of hundreds of fishing villages around the coast. It is also famous for the yachting that takes place all around the coast (and at least two of our own parishioners have been known to go on yachting holidays around the island.!). Fr D is staying in the capital.
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR GRAND DRAW TICKETS - If you were not able to collect Christmas Grand Draw Tickets after Mass over the last two weekends please make a point of collecting then as you leave Mass this weekend. ALL parishioners are being asked to take four books of tickets to try and sell to family, friends, and work colleagues over the next few weeks before the ‘big event.’ The Grand Draw is the major ‘money spinner’ of the Bazaar and we hope to have sold as many tickets as possible before the doors open on the day; this is also a way of everyone in our community getting involved! Don’t forget that if you are the
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 indeed this time as Fr D got himself ready to go off on holiday (it seems to involve a lot of preparation), as well as organising things for our Harvest Thanksgiving Mass and Social . . . . . . On Friday afternoon (it always is!) last week it was noticed that the internet was not working anywhere in the Parish plant. Fortunately the Newsletter was able to be printed thanks to the diocesan IT man loaning the Parish a portable ‘plug-in’ system for the weekend. Openreach decided that they could not attend with an engineer until Monday between 08.00 and 13.00. Fr D met with both parents and candidates for First Reconciliation in the Parish Centre on Saturday morning for their third session of input (Fr D was able to explain to the children that the reason that there are ten commandments is because most people have ten fingers - these were what amounted to ‘visual aids’ around the camp fires whilst the chosen people wandered in the desert for forty years!). On Monday Fr D was busy concentrating on getting the text of several newsletters sorted when the Openreach telephone engineer arrived to look at the internet and phones. After repeating much of what Fr D had already done in the way of obvious checks he went over to the local telephone pole to have a look at things. As it turned our two BT vans had been working in the same spot on Thursday afternoon (underground) and the engineer discovered that they had managed to damage the cable to the church and Parish Office. By this stage Fr D had discovered that the line into the Presbytery (used for broadband and TV) was also out. However, the engineer could only deal with the church and Parish Centre line as that was what he was called out for! Fr D immediately got on to BT and ordered another engineer’s visit (and it goes beyond that as Fr D knows that the Sister’s broadband and telephone line disappeared on Friday too!). Fr D was left with another engineer coming between 12.00 and 14.00 on Wednesday afternoon. Tuesday, after Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition, Fr D was off down to the diocesan offices for the last time before his holiday. When he got back in the late afternoon he needed to concentrate on getting some payments made to various suppliers and contractors - he hadn’t been able to do this before because the broadband was down. He also sorted the Intercessions for whilst he was going away . . . . .
Although all three readings today seem only superficially related, each implores the readers to persevere with confidence through times of trial. The prophet Habakkuk cries out to God for deliverance in a time of crisis. God responds, not with an immediate rescue, but with a promise that he will ultimately save “the just one.” Likewise, St. Paul encourages Timothy to live from the spirit of power, love, and self-control rather than falling back into cowardice. In the Gospel, Jesus reminds the apostles that even a little faith will suffice to do great things. Taken together, the scriptures for the day offer consolation and strength for everyone struggling with the challenges of daily discipleship in an imperfect world. Travelling with Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, the apostles acknowledge to Jesus that they don’t think they have enough faith. Instead of berating them for this, Jesus surprises them with the assurance that even a tiny amount of faith is enough to work miracles. If faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to uproot a mulberry tree, Jesus’ followers won’t have any excuses for why they can’t do great things in his name. In the meantime, while they are praying for greater faith, the disciples can do what they can with what they have. With faith the size of a mustard seed a person can plough, tend sheep, or serve at table and all of those actions can give glory to God. As St. Teresa of Calcutta wrote, we all have “the opportunity to be come holy through the works of love that we do because holiness is not the luxury of the few. It is a very simple duty for you, for me-you in your position, in your work, and I and others, each one of us in the work” (Where There Is Love, There Is God). How many times do Christians miss opportunities to serve God because the opportunities seem so trivial or commonplace? Or how many times do we not even attempt to do amazing things because we assume we don’t have what it takes to make a difference? Jesus doesn’t want excuses for not trying. The second half of the reading changes the subject to the expectations of faithful disciples. We are called to be like servants, going diligently about our work without the expectation of reward (although Jesus promises a reward in other parts of the Gospels). He wants his disciples’ motives to be pure-do the work of God because it is right and good, not because it will profit us personally.
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 . . . . Well, Fr D has been away for a week now, with no sign of a post card. I knew that it must be that time of year again when he got the big box on wheels down from the attic a few days before he disappeared . . . . . This is a map of Lefkada which is where Fr D has gone off to this time. The airport is actually just south of Preveza which is on the mainland (about twenty-five minutes from the island). He last went to this island the October before the infamous ‘lockdown’ when Covid hit and all travel and holidays were banned. Fr D particularly likes this island because there is not much in the way of hotels having been built destroying the beauty of hundreds of fishing villages around the coast. It is also famous for the yachting that takes place all around the coast (and at least two of our own parishioners have been known to go on yachting holidays around the island.!). Fr D is staying in the capital.
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St John Henry Newman, the 19th century’s most important English-speaking Catholic theologian, spent the first half of his life as an Anglican and the second half as a Roman Catholic. He was a priest, popular preacher, writer, and eminent theologian in both churches. Born in London, England, he studied at Oxford’s Trinity College, was a tutor at Oriel College, and for 17 years was vicar of the university church, St Mary the Virgin. He eventually published eight volumes of Parochial and Plain Sermons as well as two novels. His poem, “Dream of Gerontius,” was set to music by Sir Edward Elgar. After 1833, Newman was a prominent member of the Oxford Movement, which emphasized the Church’s debt to the Church Fathers and challenged any tendency to consider truth as completely subjective. Historical research made Newman suspect that the Roman Catholic Church was in closest continuity with the Church that Jesus created. In 1845, he was received into full communion as a Catholic. Two years later he was ordained a Catholic priest in Rome and joined the Congregation of the Oratory, founded three centuries earlier by Saint Philip Neri. Returning to England, Newman founded Oratory houses in Birmingham and London and for seven years served as rector of the Catholic University of Ireland.
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 indeed this time as Fr D got himself ready to go off on holiday (it seems to involve a lot of preparation), as well as organising things for our Harvest Thanksgiving Mass and Social . . . . . . On Friday afternoon (it always is!) last week it was noticed that the internet was not working anywhere in the Parish plant. Fortunately the Newsletter was able to be printed thanks to the diocesan IT man loaning the Parish a portable ‘plug-in’ system for the weekend. Openreach decided that they could not attend with an engineer until Monday between 08.00 and 13.00. Fr D met with both parents and candidates for First Reconciliation in the Parish Centre on Saturday morning for their third session of input (Fr D was able to explain to the children that the reason that there are ten commandments is because most people have ten fingers - these were what amounted to ‘visual aids’ around the camp fires whilst the chosen people wandered in the desert for forty years!). On Monday Fr D was busy concentrating on getting the text of several newsletters sorted when the Openreach telephone engineer arrived to look at the internet and phones. After repeating much of what Fr D had already done in the way of obvious checks he went over to the local telephone pole to have a look at things. As it turned our two BT vans had been working in the same spot on Thursday afternoon (underground) and the engineer discovered that they had managed to damage the cable to the church and Parish Office. By this stage Fr D had discovered that the line into the Presbytery (used for broadband and TV) was also out. However, the engineer could only deal with the church and Parish Centre line as that was what he was called out for! Fr D immediately got on to BT and ordered another engineer’s visit (and it goes beyond that as Fr D knows that the Sister’s broadband and telephone line disappeared on Friday too!). Fr D was left with another engineer coming between 12.00 and 14.00 on Wednesday afternoon. Tuesday, after Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition, Fr D was off down to the diocesan offices for the last time before his holiday. When he got back in the late afternoon he needed to concentrate on getting some payments made to various suppliers and contractors - he hadn’t been able to do this before because the broadband was down. He also sorted the Intercessions for whilst he was going away . . . . .
Parish Priest Notices
Important items highlighted by Fr. Daryl. These will contain news elements & important requests
Our Music Group is presently practicing for our Parish Carol Service on Sunday 21st December ; if you are a musician or someone who likes to sing in a group with others you are warmly welcomed to join the group; Scheduled rehearsals are: Tue. 14th Oct. 19.30, Sat. 25th Oct. 10.30, Tue. 4th Nov. 19.30, Wed. 26th Nov. 19.30, Wed. 10 th Dec. 19.30, and Sat. 20th Dec. 10.30.
Traditionally the month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in purgatory. The Church commemorates all her faithful children who have departed this life, but have not yet attained the joys of heaven. St Paul warns us that we must not be ignorant concerning the dead, nor sorrowful, “even as others who have no hope . . . . for the Lord himself shall come down from heaven . . . . and the dead who are in Christ shall rise.” The Church has always taught us to pray for those who have gone into eternity. Even in the Old Testament prayers and alms were offered for the souls of the dead by those who thought “well and religiously concerning the resurrection.” It was believed that “they who had fallen asleep with godliness had great grace laid up for them” and that “it is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” We know that a defiled soul cannot enter into heaven. As usual Parishioners are invited to complete a ‘Dead List’ (available in the narthex) for any family or friends who have died since last November. These will then be added to our Parish Book of the Dead which will be placed on the sanctuary throughout November. It is customary for these lists to be accompanied by a Mass Intention for the ‘Holy Souls’ (the diocese has stipulated that the donation for a Holy Souls Mass is £10). Each weekend during November one of our Masses will be celebrated for the Holy Souls
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR GRAND DRAW TICKETS - If you were not able to collect Christmas Grand Draw Tickets after Mass over the last two weekends please make a point of collecting then as you leave Mass this weekend. ALL parishioners are being asked to take four books of tickets to try and sell to family, friends, and work colleagues over the next few weeks before the ‘big event.’ The Grand Draw is the major ‘money spinner’ of the Bazaar and we hope to have sold as many tickets as possible before the doors open on the day; this is also a way of everyone in our community getting involved! Don’t forget that if you are the
Although all three readings today seem only superficially related, each implores the readers to persevere with confidence through times of trial. The prophet Habakkuk cries out to God for deliverance in a time of crisis. God responds, not with an immediate rescue, but with a promise that he will ultimately save “the just one.” Likewise, St. Paul encourages Timothy to live from the spirit of power, love, and self-control rather than falling back into cowardice. In the Gospel, Jesus reminds the apostles that even a little faith will suffice to do great things. Taken together, the scriptures for the day offer consolation and strength for everyone struggling with the challenges of daily discipleship in an imperfect world. Travelling with Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, the apostles acknowledge to Jesus that they don’t think they have enough faith. Instead of berating them for this, Jesus surprises them with the assurance that even a tiny amount of faith is enough to work miracles. If faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to uproot a mulberry tree, Jesus’ followers won’t have any excuses for why they can’t do great things in his name. In the meantime, while they are praying for greater faith, the disciples can do what they can with what they have. With faith the size of a mustard seed a person can plough, tend sheep, or serve at table and all of those actions can give glory to God. As St. Teresa of Calcutta wrote, we all have “the opportunity to be come holy through the works of love that we do because holiness is not the luxury of the few. It is a very simple duty for you, for me-you in your position, in your work, and I and others, each one of us in the work” (Where There Is Love, There Is God). How many times do Christians miss opportunities to serve God because the opportunities seem so trivial or commonplace? Or how many times do we not even attempt to do amazing things because we assume we don’t have what it takes to make a difference? Jesus doesn’t want excuses for not trying. The second half of the reading changes the subject to the expectations of faithful disciples. We are called to be like servants, going diligently about our work without the expectation of reward (although Jesus promises a reward in other parts of the Gospels). He wants his disciples’ motives to be pure-do the work of God because it is right and good, not because it will profit us personally.
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OUR DIAMOND JUBILEE - VIEW THE GALLERY
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.
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Saturday 11th October, 10.00 - 13.00 at St Dunstan’s Catholic Church, Shaftesbury Road, Woking GU22 7DT. Curious about spiritual direction? It’s not about being told what to do, but about having someone walk alongside you as you listen for God’s voice in the middle of daily life. Spiritual direction is a gentle space to grow in your relationship with God, to notice where God is already at work, and to be encouraged in faith, hope and love. The diocese has a network of trained spiritual directors so please join us for tea/coffee from 10.00, a short talk at 10.30 with time for questions, then try a 10 - 15 minute taster session with trained A&B Diocese spiritual directors. Free; all welcome.
The Diocese is gathering on Saturday 20th September (10.00-16.30) to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope, the 60th Anniversary of the Diocese, and our continuing mission in these present times. The celebration will be taking place at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, which has a capacity for 1,200 people to attend. We have a number of guest speakers scheduled to inspire and uplift us during the day; topics covered include: • Communities of Hope - Michelle Moran (Sion Community) • Scriptures of Hope - Dai Woolridge (Bible Society) • Missionaries of Hope – Rev. Greg Bakker (Church Mission Society) We will also be joined by the ‘One Hope Project,’ a Catholic Worship Collective who will assist us with our music and those involved in our diocesan Schools Singing Programme will also be with us for the day. Families are encouraged to attend, as there will be a special ‘youth stream,’ allowing the younger members of our communities to engage with the virtue of hope in a way that is meaningful for them. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will also be available throughout the day. The day will finish with Mass. Tickets have been allocated proportionally to each parish according to Mass attendance; Sacred Heart Parish has 11. The festival is free to attend, members of the Parish attending are asked to travel by coach, leaving from the Sacred Heart (the cost of this is covered). Those people with disabilities/access issues will be able to travel independently and parking for this will be available on site. If you would like to receive one of our Parish tickets to attend please get in touch with the Parish Office within the next two weeks (by 13.00 Monday 11th August) - first come first served (no additional tickets available).
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?
