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Second Sunday of Advent |
We welcome you to the community of St. Teresa's in Morden. If you are a new parishioner, please come and introduce yourself and also complete a parish census form. You are welcome to become involved in any aspect of parish life. Thank you for taking the time to read this and feel free to come and have a chat about the parish at a mutually convenient time.
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VATICAN SYNODAL PROCESS - Parish Consultation Phase
Please take a survey
This weekend at each Mass we will hear about the beginning steps of the Synodal Process at Saint Teresa’s. This is the start of a consultation and listening process so that we can hear from every parishioner.
Here is some information from the Diocese to help you reflect and consider your responses.
Questions for Use in Parish Listening, Sharing and Reflection
The Synod website provides suggestions on how to pose these questions to various groups of people in simple and engaging ways (https://rcaos.org.uk/synod).
Each diocese, parish, or group should not aim to cover all the questions but should discern and focus on those aspects of synodality most pertinent to its context.
Participants are encouraged to share with honesty and openness about their real-life experiences, and to refl ect on what the Holy Spirit might be revealing in what they share with one another. Frameworks for sharing can be found in the Facilitating Local Spiritual Conversations document.
This Synod poses the following fundamental question:
A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, ‘journeys together.’ How is this
‘journeying together’ happening today in your local Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our ‘journeying together’? (PD 26)
By growing together in communion, the people of God deepen their participation in the life of the Church and so become more effective missionary disciples in the world.
Read all of the questions. The questions in bold are the main ones we suggest you explore but you may wish to focus on the three thematic areas using the other questions offered here.
Communion The Church is Catholic because she is sent to all, in order to gather the entire human family from every nation and culture, under the Lordship of Christ and in the unity of his Spirit.
1. What are the ways in which your parish most successfully brings people together?
2. In which areas of parish life (liturgical, charitable, social etc.) does your parish feel and act as one?
3. In which areas of parish life (liturgical, charitable, social etc.) are you able to discern the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit?
4. How is the Holy Eucharist the main focal point for your parish?
5. Is the parish the sole locus for Communion in your area?
6. Christ is present as the head united to his body (Ephesians 1:22-23) in our parishes and communities. How is this reflected in your parish/community life? Are there other reasons that you gather together?
7. In what ways can you help to build up communion effectively and authentically in the coming months and years?
8. How do you relate to members of the Church who have drifted away from practice?
9. How does your parish relate to other parishes nearby and the diocese as a whole?
ParticipationParticipation is based on the fact that all the faithful are qualifi ed and called to serve each other through the gifts they have all received from the Holy Spirit. The authority of pastors is a specifi c gift of the Spirit of Christ the Head for the building up of the entire Body.
1. Reflecting on 16 months of the pandemic, how has participation in your parish been affected? Were these issues there before?
2. How can participation be strengthened moving forward into the future?
3. What are the means by which different voices can be heard in your parish (particularly those on the periphery of parish life)?
4. Which groups and individuals are least included in your parish?
5. How can you broaden the way you include people whilst keeping always true to the Gospel and our core Christian identity?
6. How do you currently participate, personally, in the life of the Church? How much responsibility do you have as an individual?
7. How can we better enable full participation and co-responsibility in the life of the Church at the parish and diocesan levels?
8. How does your parish effectively identify and use the gifts of its people?
9. How do families and young people effectively participate in the life of your parish?
What do you do to support them?
MissionThe People of God are on pilgrimage through history towards the heavenly homeland. Each one of the baptised is to be honoured with the same dignity as children of God and appointed to the same mission, the proclamation of the Good News and the building of the Kingdom of God.
1. Given what you see of the Church (words and actions), in the parish and beyond, what would you say is the Church’s mission?
2. How might we fi nd a shared understanding of mission in the different parishes and Catholic institutions in the Archdiocese of Southwark?
3. Are we looking in or are we looking out, as a parish community? Can we do both effectively?
4. From a missionary perspective, how would you characterise both the local situation and local needs in your parish and community?
5. How is your parish set up for evangelisation? How does your parish reach out to the broader community with the Good News?
6. Where is the Holy Spirit calling you to mission and service today?
7. In what ways do you already intentionally and actively seek to share the Good News of Jesus Christ?
8. How does the life of the parish, in terms of catechesis, adult formation, liturgy etc. aid in the formation of parishioners as missionary disciples?
9. How can the call to holiness and the call to mission be refl ected in different aspects of parish life?
Terms from the Synod documentsDiscernmentThe Synodal Process entails a discernment process. In this process, we listen to each other in order to discern what God is saying to all of us. This kind of discernment is not only a one-time event, but ultimately a way of life, grounded in Christ, following the lead of the Holy Spirit, living for the greater glory of God. Communal discernment helps to build fl ourishing and resilient communities for the mission of the Church today. Discernment is a grace from God, but it requires our human involvement in simple ways: praying, refl ection, paying attention to one’s inner disposition, listening and talking to one another in an authentic, meaningful, and welcoming way. Discernment in this spiritual key plants seeds that can bear the fruits of fraternity, healing, communion, mission, and more. God comes to lead and inspire us as we seek to discern His will.
CommunionSynodality is a living expression of the Catholicity of the Church as communion. In the Church, Christ is present as the Head united to His Body (Ephesians 1,22-23) in such a way that she receives from Him the fullness of the means of salvation. The Church is Catholic also because she is sent to all, in order to gather the entire human family in the richness of the plurality of cultural forms, under the Lordship of Christ and in the unity of His Spirit. The synodal path expresses and promotes her Catholicity in two ways: it shows the dynamic way in which the fullness of faith is shared by all members of the People of God and it assists in handing it on to all people and all peoples. (ITC, Syn., no. 58)
ParticipationA synodal Church is a Church of participation and co-responsibility. In exercising synodality she is called to give expression to the participation of all, according to each one’s calling, with the authority conferred by Christ on the College of Bishops headed by the Pope. Participation is based on the fact that all the faithful are qualifi ed and called to serve each other through the gifts they have all received from the Holy Spirit. The authority of Pastors is a specifi c gift of the Spirit of Christ the Head for the building up of the entire Body, not a delegated and representative function of the people. (ITC, Syn., no. 67)
In the synodal Church the whole community, in the free and rich diversity of its members, is called together to pray, listen, analyse, dialogue, discern and offer advice on taking pastoral decisions which correspond as closely as possible to God’s will. So, in coming to formulate their own decisions, Pastors must listen carefully to the views and experiences of the faithful. Canon law stipulates that, in certain cases, they must act only after having sought and obtained the various opinions according to juridically established procedures [82]. (ICT, Syn., no. 68) At the same time, the path of synodality requires much wider participation than only that which is required by the law.
MissionThe Church is missionary because that was the way of Christ. We are told in the Bible that ‘God so loved the world that he sent his only Son’ (John 3:16). Jesus was sent into the world to reveal God’s love. In turn, Jesus said to his apostles, ‘As the Father has sent me, so I send you’ (John 20:21). ‘You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8). The mission of Jesus to proclaim the Kingdom of God to all people has been handed onto the Church and individual believers, guided by the Holy Spirit.
The dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium sets out a vision of the nature and mission of the Church as communion, with the theological presuppositions of a suitable re-launch of synodality: the mystical and sacramental conception of the Church; her nature as People of God on pilgrimage through history towards the heavenly homeland, in which all her members are by virtue of baptism honoured with the same dignity as children of God and appointed to the same mission; the doctrine of sacramentality of the episcopate and collegiality in hierarchical communion with the Bishop of Rome. (ITC, Syn., no. 40)
The full document explaining terms can be found on the siocesan website: https://rcaos.org.uk/synod and on the General Secretariat for Synod of Bishops own site: https://www.synod.va/en.html
Here is some information from the Diocese to help you reflect and consider your responses.
Questions for Use in Parish Listening, Sharing and Reflection
The Synod website provides suggestions on how to pose these questions to various groups of people in simple and engaging ways (https://rcaos.org.uk/synod).
Each diocese, parish, or group should not aim to cover all the questions but should discern and focus on those aspects of synodality most pertinent to its context.
Participants are encouraged to share with honesty and openness about their real-life experiences, and to refl ect on what the Holy Spirit might be revealing in what they share with one another. Frameworks for sharing can be found in the Facilitating Local Spiritual Conversations document.
This Synod poses the following fundamental question:
A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, ‘journeys together.’ How is this
‘journeying together’ happening today in your local Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our ‘journeying together’? (PD 26)
By growing together in communion, the people of God deepen their participation in the life of the Church and so become more effective missionary disciples in the world.
Read all of the questions. The questions in bold are the main ones we suggest you explore but you may wish to focus on the three thematic areas using the other questions offered here.
Communion The Church is Catholic because she is sent to all, in order to gather the entire human family from every nation and culture, under the Lordship of Christ and in the unity of his Spirit.
1. What are the ways in which your parish most successfully brings people together?
2. In which areas of parish life (liturgical, charitable, social etc.) does your parish feel and act as one?
3. In which areas of parish life (liturgical, charitable, social etc.) are you able to discern the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit?
4. How is the Holy Eucharist the main focal point for your parish?
5. Is the parish the sole locus for Communion in your area?
6. Christ is present as the head united to his body (Ephesians 1:22-23) in our parishes and communities. How is this reflected in your parish/community life? Are there other reasons that you gather together?
7. In what ways can you help to build up communion effectively and authentically in the coming months and years?
8. How do you relate to members of the Church who have drifted away from practice?
9. How does your parish relate to other parishes nearby and the diocese as a whole?
ParticipationParticipation is based on the fact that all the faithful are qualifi ed and called to serve each other through the gifts they have all received from the Holy Spirit. The authority of pastors is a specifi c gift of the Spirit of Christ the Head for the building up of the entire Body.
1. Reflecting on 16 months of the pandemic, how has participation in your parish been affected? Were these issues there before?
2. How can participation be strengthened moving forward into the future?
3. What are the means by which different voices can be heard in your parish (particularly those on the periphery of parish life)?
4. Which groups and individuals are least included in your parish?
5. How can you broaden the way you include people whilst keeping always true to the Gospel and our core Christian identity?
6. How do you currently participate, personally, in the life of the Church? How much responsibility do you have as an individual?
7. How can we better enable full participation and co-responsibility in the life of the Church at the parish and diocesan levels?
8. How does your parish effectively identify and use the gifts of its people?
9. How do families and young people effectively participate in the life of your parish?
What do you do to support them?
MissionThe People of God are on pilgrimage through history towards the heavenly homeland. Each one of the baptised is to be honoured with the same dignity as children of God and appointed to the same mission, the proclamation of the Good News and the building of the Kingdom of God.
1. Given what you see of the Church (words and actions), in the parish and beyond, what would you say is the Church’s mission?
2. How might we fi nd a shared understanding of mission in the different parishes and Catholic institutions in the Archdiocese of Southwark?
3. Are we looking in or are we looking out, as a parish community? Can we do both effectively?
4. From a missionary perspective, how would you characterise both the local situation and local needs in your parish and community?
5. How is your parish set up for evangelisation? How does your parish reach out to the broader community with the Good News?
6. Where is the Holy Spirit calling you to mission and service today?
7. In what ways do you already intentionally and actively seek to share the Good News of Jesus Christ?
8. How does the life of the parish, in terms of catechesis, adult formation, liturgy etc. aid in the formation of parishioners as missionary disciples?
9. How can the call to holiness and the call to mission be refl ected in different aspects of parish life?
Terms from the Synod documentsDiscernmentThe Synodal Process entails a discernment process. In this process, we listen to each other in order to discern what God is saying to all of us. This kind of discernment is not only a one-time event, but ultimately a way of life, grounded in Christ, following the lead of the Holy Spirit, living for the greater glory of God. Communal discernment helps to build fl ourishing and resilient communities for the mission of the Church today. Discernment is a grace from God, but it requires our human involvement in simple ways: praying, refl ection, paying attention to one’s inner disposition, listening and talking to one another in an authentic, meaningful, and welcoming way. Discernment in this spiritual key plants seeds that can bear the fruits of fraternity, healing, communion, mission, and more. God comes to lead and inspire us as we seek to discern His will.
CommunionSynodality is a living expression of the Catholicity of the Church as communion. In the Church, Christ is present as the Head united to His Body (Ephesians 1,22-23) in such a way that she receives from Him the fullness of the means of salvation. The Church is Catholic also because she is sent to all, in order to gather the entire human family in the richness of the plurality of cultural forms, under the Lordship of Christ and in the unity of His Spirit. The synodal path expresses and promotes her Catholicity in two ways: it shows the dynamic way in which the fullness of faith is shared by all members of the People of God and it assists in handing it on to all people and all peoples. (ITC, Syn., no. 58)
ParticipationA synodal Church is a Church of participation and co-responsibility. In exercising synodality she is called to give expression to the participation of all, according to each one’s calling, with the authority conferred by Christ on the College of Bishops headed by the Pope. Participation is based on the fact that all the faithful are qualifi ed and called to serve each other through the gifts they have all received from the Holy Spirit. The authority of Pastors is a specifi c gift of the Spirit of Christ the Head for the building up of the entire Body, not a delegated and representative function of the people. (ITC, Syn., no. 67)
In the synodal Church the whole community, in the free and rich diversity of its members, is called together to pray, listen, analyse, dialogue, discern and offer advice on taking pastoral decisions which correspond as closely as possible to God’s will. So, in coming to formulate their own decisions, Pastors must listen carefully to the views and experiences of the faithful. Canon law stipulates that, in certain cases, they must act only after having sought and obtained the various opinions according to juridically established procedures [82]. (ICT, Syn., no. 68) At the same time, the path of synodality requires much wider participation than only that which is required by the law.
MissionThe Church is missionary because that was the way of Christ. We are told in the Bible that ‘God so loved the world that he sent his only Son’ (John 3:16). Jesus was sent into the world to reveal God’s love. In turn, Jesus said to his apostles, ‘As the Father has sent me, so I send you’ (John 20:21). ‘You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8). The mission of Jesus to proclaim the Kingdom of God to all people has been handed onto the Church and individual believers, guided by the Holy Spirit.
The dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium sets out a vision of the nature and mission of the Church as communion, with the theological presuppositions of a suitable re-launch of synodality: the mystical and sacramental conception of the Church; her nature as People of God on pilgrimage through history towards the heavenly homeland, in which all her members are by virtue of baptism honoured with the same dignity as children of God and appointed to the same mission; the doctrine of sacramentality of the episcopate and collegiality in hierarchical communion with the Bishop of Rome. (ITC, Syn., no. 40)
The full document explaining terms can be found on the siocesan website: https://rcaos.org.uk/synod and on the General Secretariat for Synod of Bishops own site: https://www.synod.va/en.html
NOVEMBER DECEASED LIST – THE MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS
We offer you the chance to hand in a list of names, family, friends, etc.
These names will be placed on the Sanctuary in front of the Altar with candles lit either side. They will be remembered in Holy Mass every day during the month of the Holy Souls. In our Prayers of Intercession, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and periods of Adoration.
Listen graciously to the prayers of our Parish Family, in Your compassion, O merciful Father, have mercy on our deceased brothers and sisters and to all who were pleasing to You at their passing from this life, give kind admittance to Your Kingdom.We commend One and All to Your Divine Mercy.
Amen.
These names will be placed on the Sanctuary in front of the Altar with candles lit either side. They will be remembered in Holy Mass every day during the month of the Holy Souls. In our Prayers of Intercession, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and periods of Adoration.
Listen graciously to the prayers of our Parish Family, in Your compassion, O merciful Father, have mercy on our deceased brothers and sisters and to all who were pleasing to You at their passing from this life, give kind admittance to Your Kingdom.We commend One and All to Your Divine Mercy.
Amen.
O LORD, PLEASE HEAR OUR PRAYERS
For all who are on our Parish Sick List, for family and friends,
We pray for those who are unwell.
Those struck down by serious disease.
Those awaiting a diagnosis or operation.
Those receiving treatment for cancer.
Those with debilitating, chronic conditions.
And those with terminal illness.
From our Altar, from our hearts may we also send out our blessing to all who are unwell at home in our Hospitals, Care Homes, Nursing Homes and those in Hospice care. Amen
We pray for those who are Sick and Housebound remembering especially:
Anne-Marie Mendonça, Theresa Mason, Moira Macklin, Maureen Smith, Maureen Flaherty, John McDonagh, James Diver, Francesco Gargano, Theresa McGoldrick, Patricia Jayasena, Jean Lue, Ruba Santipillai, Baby Alexander Lynch, Erika Geddes, Denise Waaldjk, Valerie Somerset, Leonard James Connolly, Thea Haddad, Margaret Lahy, Brian Wratten, Ann Van Essen and Jane Turner, Kevin Mooney, John Mooney, Angela Patcheye, Leonard Paice, Ken and Margaret Peacock, Michael and Madge Durkan, Jocyln De Silva, Mary Jeanette Connaire, Mary Reilly, Alan O’Leary, Bill and June O’Keefe, Gerry Gillan, Bella Harding, Eileen Stevens, Dave Herris, Gabriel Lyons, Sylvester Forya, Anna Urbni, Tony London, Kevin McKeon, Vincent Moyle, John Antao, Stella Carrasco, Gerald Pereira, Fiona Beagan, Pope Francis and Pope Benedict, Pope Emeritus.
My Lord, hear our prayers for all those who are sick in hospital, hospices and care homes. May they receive your special blessing.
If you wish to be prayed for on our Parish Sick List, please let us have your name. Every First Friday we offer and remember you in Holy Mass. We also keep you in our daily prayer, our times of Adoration, Novena’s and the Holy Rosary.
PLEASE continue to remember the Sick Clergy of the diocese and send out your blessing in prayer to all the Nations of the World, as they do their best to combat the pandemic and natural disasters that many nations are battling with at this time. THANK YOU!
We pray for those who are unwell.
Those struck down by serious disease.
Those awaiting a diagnosis or operation.
Those receiving treatment for cancer.
Those with debilitating, chronic conditions.
And those with terminal illness.
From our Altar, from our hearts may we also send out our blessing to all who are unwell at home in our Hospitals, Care Homes, Nursing Homes and those in Hospice care. Amen
We pray for those who are Sick and Housebound remembering especially:
Anne-Marie Mendonça, Theresa Mason, Moira Macklin, Maureen Smith, Maureen Flaherty, John McDonagh, James Diver, Francesco Gargano, Theresa McGoldrick, Patricia Jayasena, Jean Lue, Ruba Santipillai, Baby Alexander Lynch, Erika Geddes, Denise Waaldjk, Valerie Somerset, Leonard James Connolly, Thea Haddad, Margaret Lahy, Brian Wratten, Ann Van Essen and Jane Turner, Kevin Mooney, John Mooney, Angela Patcheye, Leonard Paice, Ken and Margaret Peacock, Michael and Madge Durkan, Jocyln De Silva, Mary Jeanette Connaire, Mary Reilly, Alan O’Leary, Bill and June O’Keefe, Gerry Gillan, Bella Harding, Eileen Stevens, Dave Herris, Gabriel Lyons, Sylvester Forya, Anna Urbni, Tony London, Kevin McKeon, Vincent Moyle, John Antao, Stella Carrasco, Gerald Pereira, Fiona Beagan, Pope Francis and Pope Benedict, Pope Emeritus.
My Lord, hear our prayers for all those who are sick in hospital, hospices and care homes. May they receive your special blessing.
If you wish to be prayed for on our Parish Sick List, please let us have your name. Every First Friday we offer and remember you in Holy Mass. We also keep you in our daily prayer, our times of Adoration, Novena’s and the Holy Rosary.
PLEASE continue to remember the Sick Clergy of the diocese and send out your blessing in prayer to all the Nations of the World, as they do their best to combat the pandemic and natural disasters that many nations are battling with at this time. THANK YOU!
RECENT DEATHS
Now At Rest And Kept In Prayer
Avril Jean Costella RIP
Shirley Johnson RIP
Dermot Peter Long RIP
Lourdes Mary Fatima
Irene Ward RIP
Sarah Marie Frost RIP
Veronica Gorrod RIP
Finbarr Francis Hurley RIP
Lolito Laydia RIP
Michael O’Kelly RIP
Newton Coutinho RIP
Anna Darby RIP
Mary Creighan RIP
Michael Joseph Nihill RIP
Gerald O'Toole RIP
Sarah Hedy Connolly RIP
Sotelo Cabrera RIP
Noel Ryan RIP
Michael Scott RIP
Anna-Maria Fantocchi RIP
Giovanni Corsini RIP
Gerry Kirrane RIP
Gay Phillips RIP
Tony Byrnes RIP
Jane Neyman RIP
Francis Assisi Mendonça RIP
Joseph Antony Quintus Rabindran RIP & Jayandradevi Rabindran RIP
Remo Dipre RIP
Alan Frederick Burridge RIP
Jonny Purvis RIP
Ann Donaldson RIP
Baby Angelika Hobbs RIP
Annie Francis RIP
Giovanni Mansini RIP
Joseph Lunn RIP
Norah Mary Williams RIP
Francisco José Carrasco RIP
Eva Sereny RIP
Steven Duggan RIP
Lena McBride RIP
Mary Whelan RIP
Mary Connolly RIP
Kevin Mattimoe RIP
Michael Bourke RIP
Dorothy Gertrude Cleary RIP
Frances Healion RIP
Douglas Banks RIP
Robert Peter RIP
Recent Southwark Diocese Clergy Deaths
Deacon William Boyd RIP
Deacon Jim Hayes RIP
Fr. Paul Sanders RIP
Canon Richard Hearn RIP
Fr. Richard Diala RIP
Fr. Michael Boland RIP
Fr. Robert Copsey SOLT RIP
May They Meet The Risen Lord
Remind us, Dear Lord, of the great company of your people who have been called before us, famed or forgotten, celebrated or overlooked, all who have run their race and kept the faith, walking the way of Christ to their journeys end.
Hear our parish and family prayer for them. Hear our prayer for those whose anniversary occurs in this month of August. Please hear our prayers for all at rest in our local cemeteries.
Help us to learn from them, to be faithful servants of the Gospel and one day citizens of Heaven.
DENNIS LEADLEY RIP
Funeral – Wednesday 8th December, 2.40pm at N.E. Surrey Crematorium
Dennis moved into The Grove (care home) in May 1999. He was very sociable person. He loved chatting with people, make jokes, teasing them, etc. Dennis knew what is happening in the world. He listened to his radio every day and watched news in TV. Everyone who was in the service received updates on daily basis from him. He would not missed any news or any person. Dennis loved going to library to borrow books with different places/countries, he loved traveling, especially by public transport. He loved emergency services Police, Ambulance, Fire brigade. Whenever he saw the cars he was very excited and talked about it to everyone. He knew what is broken in the house and he asked for replacement. He could buy new item today but tomorrow that item was already old and he asked for new one. He could spend money.
Every day Dennis talked about his parents being in heaven, he was saying ”My mum is in heaven, my dad is in heaven and my dog Tim is in heaven” When he wasn’t happy with someone he always said “I will tell my mum” or “My mum will sort you out”
Dennis lived at The Grove for over 22 years but now he is with his parents in heaven and probably he already report you all to his mum :)
All friends from The Grove and staff members saying last Good Bye to you Dennis, we all miss you and we will not forget you.
May Dennis Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory.
Dennis moved into The Grove (care home) in May 1999. He was very sociable person. He loved chatting with people, make jokes, teasing them, etc. Dennis knew what is happening in the world. He listened to his radio every day and watched news in TV. Everyone who was in the service received updates on daily basis from him. He would not missed any news or any person. Dennis loved going to library to borrow books with different places/countries, he loved traveling, especially by public transport. He loved emergency services Police, Ambulance, Fire brigade. Whenever he saw the cars he was very excited and talked about it to everyone. He knew what is broken in the house and he asked for replacement. He could buy new item today but tomorrow that item was already old and he asked for new one. He could spend money.
Every day Dennis talked about his parents being in heaven, he was saying ”My mum is in heaven, my dad is in heaven and my dog Tim is in heaven” When he wasn’t happy with someone he always said “I will tell my mum” or “My mum will sort you out”
Dennis lived at The Grove for over 22 years but now he is with his parents in heaven and probably he already report you all to his mum :)
All friends from The Grove and staff members saying last Good Bye to you Dennis, we all miss you and we will not forget you.
May Dennis Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory.
CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH O’BYRNE RIP
Funeral – Tuesday 14th December 11.20 at N.E. Surrey Crematorium
Christopher O’Byrne, a son or Ireland, born in Cork died on 8th November at the age of 90 years. Our prayers and condolences go out to his family, his wife June and three children, Angela, Debbie and Christopher along with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Christopher was
May Christopher Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory
Christopher O’Byrne, a son or Ireland, born in Cork died on 8th November at the age of 90 years. Our prayers and condolences go out to his family, his wife June and three children, Angela, Debbie and Christopher along with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Christopher was
May Christopher Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory
FR. ROBERT ELLIS RIP
It is with sadness that we learn of the death of our former assistant priest Fr. Robert Ellis. In May 1991, Robert was appointed as an assistant priest at St Teresa’s where in the words of Archbishop Michael Bowen “..he proved to be highly effective.” This was to be Robert’s final appointment as an assistant as in January 1995, Archbishop Michael wrote appointing him as parish priest of Our Lady Immaculate, Surrey Docks. In his letter to Robert, Archbishop Michael wrote, “It remains for me to say a very warm word of thanks for the work you have done in Morden as an assistant priest. I know you will be very much missed, but I hope you will settle happily in Surrey Docks.
Since 2016 he has been Parish Priest of St Thomas Aquinas, Ham. After a very short term of illness Fr. Ellis died on Friday 29th October in Kingston Hospital.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Robert Ellis and for the comfort of the Holy Spirit upon his family, friends and brother priests.
May Fr. Ellis Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory
Since 2016 he has been Parish Priest of St Thomas Aquinas, Ham. After a very short term of illness Fr. Ellis died on Friday 29th October in Kingston Hospital.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Robert Ellis and for the comfort of the Holy Spirit upon his family, friends and brother priests.
May Fr. Ellis Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory
SHEILA BORG RIP
Funeral – Tuesday 21st December, 12 Noon Mass at St. Teresa’s then 1.20pm N.E. Surrey Crematorium
Sheila died at the age of 86 years and our prayers and condolences go out to her two daughters Jennifer and Theresa. Sheila was Baptised at Saint Teresa’s Church and was a parishioner for many years. A daughter of Malta, Sheila lost her husband 12 years ago.
May Sheila Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.
Sheila died at the age of 86 years and our prayers and condolences go out to her two daughters Jennifer and Theresa. Sheila was Baptised at Saint Teresa’s Church and was a parishioner for many years. A daughter of Malta, Sheila lost her husband 12 years ago.
May Sheila Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.
DANIEL SAMUELS RIP
Funeral – Wednesday 15th December 10am Mass at St. Teresa’s. 11.30am N.E. Surrey Crematorium
With our parish school we are offering our love and spiritual support to the Samuel’s family following Daniel’s sudden death. Daniel was just 39 years old. His wife Rebecca and Daniel were blessed with three daughters, Eva, Jaya and the eldest Hallie.
Daniel was very much a family man. He worked in the world of finance. Daniel has a twin brother and we offer sympathy and condolences to all the family. His roots are West Indian. His mother-in-law Jean Phipps said he was a wonderful son-in-law and his commitment to family life was exemplary.
As we wait for his funeral arrangements we keep Daniel’s soul in this month of the The Holy Souls in prayer.
May Daniel Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory.
With our parish school we are offering our love and spiritual support to the Samuel’s family following Daniel’s sudden death. Daniel was just 39 years old. His wife Rebecca and Daniel were blessed with three daughters, Eva, Jaya and the eldest Hallie.
Daniel was very much a family man. He worked in the world of finance. Daniel has a twin brother and we offer sympathy and condolences to all the family. His roots are West Indian. His mother-in-law Jean Phipps said he was a wonderful son-in-law and his commitment to family life was exemplary.
As we wait for his funeral arrangements we keep Daniel’s soul in this month of the The Holy Souls in prayer.
May Daniel Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory.
ROBERT PETER RIP
30 Day Requiem Mass Saturday 11th December (5.30am GMT). See link below to watch.
It is with sadness that we learnt of the death last week of Fr Roshy’s father, Robert Peter, who was 70 years old. Fr Roshy was able to return home in Kerala and be with his father for a short time before his death. The funeral took place on Sunday 14th November and there will be a 30th Day Requiem Mass on December 11th at 11 IST (5.30am BST) https://www.facebook.com/StJosephChurchPerumonMundackal/
Please remember Fr. Roshy and his family in your prayers.
May Robert Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory.
It is with sadness that we learnt of the death last week of Fr Roshy’s father, Robert Peter, who was 70 years old. Fr Roshy was able to return home in Kerala and be with his father for a short time before his death. The funeral took place on Sunday 14th November and there will be a 30th Day Requiem Mass on December 11th at 11 IST (5.30am BST) https://www.facebook.com/StJosephChurchPerumonMundackal/
Please remember Fr. Roshy and his family in your prayers.
May Robert Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory.
JOSE GONCALVES
Funeral – Thursday 16th December Requiem Mass 9.30am at St. Teresa’s, 11am Burial at Sutton Cemetery
Jose Goncalves passed away on 30th October aged 79 years. Jose lived locally in Carshalton and our prayers and condolences are with the family, especially his sister Virginia at this time.
May Jose Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory
Jose Goncalves passed away on 30th October aged 79 years. Jose lived locally in Carshalton and our prayers and condolences are with the family, especially his sister Virginia at this time.
May Jose Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory
MICHAEL JOHN MCANDREW RIP
Funeral – Thursday 16th December, 3.20pm at N.E. Surrey Crematorium
We send our prayers and condolences to the family of Michael McAndrew who died recently. We remember especially his daughter Cherrie and all who knew Michael.
May Michael Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory.
We send our prayers and condolences to the family of Michael McAndrew who died recently. We remember especially his daughter Cherrie and all who knew Michael.
May Michael Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory.
VISIT BY BISHOP PAUL HENDRICKS
Last week we welcomed Bishop Paul Hendricks who visited Saint Teresa’s Parish. He gave thanks to Canon Michael for all his work during the pandemic and his efforts in keeping the spirituality of St. Teresa’s alive during during the pandemic, not just for parishioners of St. Teresa’s but globally too.
HAPPY NEW ‘CHURCH YEAR’
Over the years, Christians have developed a variety of devotions and symbols to help them observe the Advent season. Each in its own way helps visualize the Advent experience of waiting and watching, listening and preparing for the celebration of Jesus's birth at Christmas, for the advent of Christ's presence in our daily lives, and for the Lord's return at the end of time. In his Angelus message for the first Sunday of Advent in 2020, Pope Francis reminded us that " Advent…is a time of expectation and a time of hope." Advent “reminds us that God is present in history to lead it to its ultimate goal and to lead us to its fullness, which is the Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ. God is…the 'God-with-us', God is not distant…. God walks beside us to support us…. He accompanies us through the events of our lives to help us discover the meaning of the journey, the meaning of everyday life and to give us courage when we are under duress or when we suffer."
THE ADVENT WREATH is one of the most recognized Advent symbols and a common Advent devotion. It consists of a horizontal wreath of evergreens into which four candles are placed -- three purple candles (a sign of royalty) and one pink candle (a sign of joy). The candles are lit in succession for each week of Advent. The circle of evergreens represent God's never-ending love for humankind; the candles symbolize the long years during which the Hebrew people waited for the promised Messiah who, when he arrived, enlightened a world made dark by human ignorance and sin with the light of God's love and forgiveness. The first two purple candles, lit during the first two weeks of Advent, represent hope and faith; the pink candle, lit during the third week, symbolizes joy; the third purple candle, lit during the last week of Advent, symbolizes peace -- all four representing the gifts which the Son of God's Incarnation bring to human kind.
Lighting of the candles is accompanied by prayers and scripture readings which also remind us that the fullness of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ grows gradually, both in ourselves and in a world still waiting for the final expression of God's eternal kingdom of peace and justice. The Advent wreath is believed to have originated among German Lutherans in the sixteenth century, but did not become popular there until the mid-nineteenth century; it was gradually adopted by other Christian denominations.
THE ADVENT WREATH is one of the most recognized Advent symbols and a common Advent devotion. It consists of a horizontal wreath of evergreens into which four candles are placed -- three purple candles (a sign of royalty) and one pink candle (a sign of joy). The candles are lit in succession for each week of Advent. The circle of evergreens represent God's never-ending love for humankind; the candles symbolize the long years during which the Hebrew people waited for the promised Messiah who, when he arrived, enlightened a world made dark by human ignorance and sin with the light of God's love and forgiveness. The first two purple candles, lit during the first two weeks of Advent, represent hope and faith; the pink candle, lit during the third week, symbolizes joy; the third purple candle, lit during the last week of Advent, symbolizes peace -- all four representing the gifts which the Son of God's Incarnation bring to human kind.
Lighting of the candles is accompanied by prayers and scripture readings which also remind us that the fullness of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ grows gradually, both in ourselves and in a world still waiting for the final expression of God's eternal kingdom of peace and justice. The Advent wreath is believed to have originated among German Lutherans in the sixteenth century, but did not become popular there until the mid-nineteenth century; it was gradually adopted by other Christian denominations.
BISHOPS’ STATEMENT: HONOURING SUNDAY
During the pandemic, public worship was suspended for a time and there have been restrictions on parish life. As a result, people have been exploring other ways to practice their faith including Spiritual Communion via live streaming.
As people begin returning to more regular patterns of parish life and following the first face to face meeting of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales in Leeds, the bishops have issued the following statement about the importance of honouring Sunday:
Honouring Sunday
As the Synodal Pathway of listening and discerning unfolds, we the bishops of England and Wales, are paying particular attention to the hopes and fears, the joys, and anxieties of all who are sharing their thoughts and feelings with us.
Longing for our Lord
We are attentive to the experience of the last year or so, when we have lived our faith through the limitations of the pandemic. We have heard of the longing which some express as a “homesickness”. We want to be in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. We yearn to celebrate the sacraments together, especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We desire to be nourished by our Lord in Holy Communion. The live streaming of the Mass and the remarkable response of our Catholic communities to those in need, have provided comfort, sustenance and resilience.
The Eucharist, source, and summit
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our spiritual and pastoral life. Many people have said to us that they have appreciated the noble simplicity of the Mass at this time, which has allowed the mystery and majesty of our Lord’s sacrificial love to shine through.
The central appeal of the Mass, its beauty, and its transcendence, raises our minds and hearts to God in an unambiguous and compelling manner. Our Lord Jesus invites us to receive anew the gift of Sunday as the preeminent day, the day of the Resurrection, when the Church gathers to celebrate the Eucharist. Here we stand together before our heavenly Father, offering our thanksgiving and prayer, through our Saviour in the Holy Spirit. Here we receive Christ in his Word. Here we are nourished by Christ in his precious Body and Blood. This is our primary joy, for which there is no substitute, and from which we draw our strength.
The Gift of the Sunday Eucharist
The Sunday Eucharist is a gift; as God’s holy people we are called to praise and thank God in the most sublime way possible. When the Church speaks of the Sunday obligation, it reminds us that attending Mass is a personal response to the selfless offering of Christ’s love.
At this time, we recognise that for some people there may be certain factors which hinder attendance at Sunday Mass. The pandemic is clearly not over. The risk of infection is still present. For some, there is legitimate fear in gathering together. As your bishops, we recognise that these prevailing circumstances suggest that not everyone is yet in the position to fulfil the absolute duty to attend freely Sunday Mass.
Responding to the Gift
We now encourage all Catholics to look again at the patterns which they have formed in recent months with regard to going to Mass on Sundays. This would include consideration and reflection about what we might do on Sundays, such as sports or shopping, or other leisure and social activities. This review, and the decisions which arise from it, fall to every Catholic and we trust this will be done with honesty, motivated by a real love for the Lord whom we encounter in the Mass.
The Sunday Mass is the very heartbeat of the Church and of our personal life of faith. We gather on the “first day of the week,” and devote ourselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42). The Eucharist sustains us and spurs us on, renewing our gratitude and our hope. When we say “Amen” to Christ in receiving his Body and Blood, we express the love of God which is deep within us, and at the end of Mass, when we are sent forth, we express our love for our neighbour, especially those in need. These two dimensions reveal the full meaning of our faith. We are gathered together and sent out, we pray and are fed, we worship and we adore; these are intrinsic to our lives as those baptised into Christ.
Approved at the Plenary Assembly of Bishops in Leeds - Friday, November 19th, 2021
As people begin returning to more regular patterns of parish life and following the first face to face meeting of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales in Leeds, the bishops have issued the following statement about the importance of honouring Sunday:
Honouring Sunday
As the Synodal Pathway of listening and discerning unfolds, we the bishops of England and Wales, are paying particular attention to the hopes and fears, the joys, and anxieties of all who are sharing their thoughts and feelings with us.
Longing for our Lord
We are attentive to the experience of the last year or so, when we have lived our faith through the limitations of the pandemic. We have heard of the longing which some express as a “homesickness”. We want to be in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. We yearn to celebrate the sacraments together, especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We desire to be nourished by our Lord in Holy Communion. The live streaming of the Mass and the remarkable response of our Catholic communities to those in need, have provided comfort, sustenance and resilience.
The Eucharist, source, and summit
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our spiritual and pastoral life. Many people have said to us that they have appreciated the noble simplicity of the Mass at this time, which has allowed the mystery and majesty of our Lord’s sacrificial love to shine through.
The central appeal of the Mass, its beauty, and its transcendence, raises our minds and hearts to God in an unambiguous and compelling manner. Our Lord Jesus invites us to receive anew the gift of Sunday as the preeminent day, the day of the Resurrection, when the Church gathers to celebrate the Eucharist. Here we stand together before our heavenly Father, offering our thanksgiving and prayer, through our Saviour in the Holy Spirit. Here we receive Christ in his Word. Here we are nourished by Christ in his precious Body and Blood. This is our primary joy, for which there is no substitute, and from which we draw our strength.
The Gift of the Sunday Eucharist
The Sunday Eucharist is a gift; as God’s holy people we are called to praise and thank God in the most sublime way possible. When the Church speaks of the Sunday obligation, it reminds us that attending Mass is a personal response to the selfless offering of Christ’s love.
At this time, we recognise that for some people there may be certain factors which hinder attendance at Sunday Mass. The pandemic is clearly not over. The risk of infection is still present. For some, there is legitimate fear in gathering together. As your bishops, we recognise that these prevailing circumstances suggest that not everyone is yet in the position to fulfil the absolute duty to attend freely Sunday Mass.
Responding to the Gift
We now encourage all Catholics to look again at the patterns which they have formed in recent months with regard to going to Mass on Sundays. This would include consideration and reflection about what we might do on Sundays, such as sports or shopping, or other leisure and social activities. This review, and the decisions which arise from it, fall to every Catholic and we trust this will be done with honesty, motivated by a real love for the Lord whom we encounter in the Mass.
The Sunday Mass is the very heartbeat of the Church and of our personal life of faith. We gather on the “first day of the week,” and devote ourselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42). The Eucharist sustains us and spurs us on, renewing our gratitude and our hope. When we say “Amen” to Christ in receiving his Body and Blood, we express the love of God which is deep within us, and at the end of Mass, when we are sent forth, we express our love for our neighbour, especially those in need. These two dimensions reveal the full meaning of our faith. We are gathered together and sent out, we pray and are fed, we worship and we adore; these are intrinsic to our lives as those baptised into Christ.
Approved at the Plenary Assembly of Bishops in Leeds - Friday, November 19th, 2021
CONFIRMATION CATECHISTS - CAN YOU HELP?
What is a Catechist? The word catechist comes from the Greek word “echo”. Catechists are people who ECHO the Word of God.
“Catechists must hand on the teachings of Christ to those being catechized; …Catechists must make the words of Christ their own: ‘My teaching is not my own but is from the one who sent me,’ and they confess with Saint Paul, ‘I handed on to you … what I also received.’” National Directory for Catechesis (Ch 4:29E)
The Confirmation Team are currently looking to recruit volunteers for their programme, which is due to start in the New Year.If you are interested, please contact Rob Mobilé at roberto@need2succeed.co.uk.
A meeting will be held in December to discuss the programme and training for all catechists.
For the safety of our children, all volunteers (18+) must complete a DBS background check.
“Catechists must hand on the teachings of Christ to those being catechized; …Catechists must make the words of Christ their own: ‘My teaching is not my own but is from the one who sent me,’ and they confess with Saint Paul, ‘I handed on to you … what I also received.’” National Directory for Catechesis (Ch 4:29E)
The Confirmation Team are currently looking to recruit volunteers for their programme, which is due to start in the New Year.If you are interested, please contact Rob Mobilé at roberto@need2succeed.co.uk.
A meeting will be held in December to discuss the programme and training for all catechists.
For the safety of our children, all volunteers (18+) must complete a DBS background check.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WELCOMES YOU -
SAINT TERESA’S WELCOME YOU
If you are considering becoming a Catholic or you are a baptised Catholic who is considering completing your Sacraments of Initiation (Confirmation, Holy Eucharist) our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) can help you.
Please speak with one of the priests or our parish Deacon. Because of Cofid-19 we are adapting our parish programme to make it easier for you.
The RCIA process is designed to offer you guidance and support in your spiritual journey towards a deepening relationship with Jesus.
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 1st December at 6.30pm.
Please speak with one of the priests or our parish Deacon. Because of Cofid-19 we are adapting our parish programme to make it easier for you.
The RCIA process is designed to offer you guidance and support in your spiritual journey towards a deepening relationship with Jesus.
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 1st December at 6.30pm.
YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH – A MASS OF THANKSGIVING AND HEALING
On Friday the 10th December we will be holding a day of Thanksgiving to Saint Joseph and Healing.
9am Adoration
Divine Mercy Chaplet
Rosary
12noon Holy Mass
Anointing of the Sick
Article from Vatican News:
Pope Francis began a new series of reflections on St Joseph at yesterday's General Audience. He explained that "today, as never before, in this time marked by a global crisis," St Joseph can offer us "support, consolation, and guidance."
As the year of St Joseph draws to a close, the Pope said he hoped his reflections might "further help us to allow ourselves to be enlightened by his example and by his witness."
The Holy Father began his teaching with a reflection on the biblical context of the life of St Joseph. Recalling the figure of Joseph, the son of Jacob, in the Old Testament, Pope Francis noted that the name "Joseph" - Hebrew for "may God increase, may God give growth" - is "a wish, a blessing based on trust in God's providence and referring especially to fertility and raising children." This, he said, "reveals an essential aspect of Joseph of Nazareth's personality. He is a man full of faith in God, in His providence."
Pope Francis went on to consider the places associated with St Joseph, especially Bethlehem and Nazareth, which "assume an important role in our understanding" of the saint.
Bethlehem, he said, means "house of bread" or, in Arabic, "house of meat," both expressions that are full of significances in light of the Incarnation and the Eucharist. Bethlehem also recalls the story of Ruth, the great grandmother of David the king, from whom Joseph traces his descent; as well as the prophecy of Micah, who foretold the coming of the Messiah from Bethlehem.
While Jerusalem was "the city loved by the Lord, the 'holy city'," it was Bethlehem and Nazareth, both outlying villages, "far from the clamour of the news and the powers of the time" that are most associated with Saint Joseph. "The choice of Bethlehem and Nazareth tells us that the periphery and marginality are preferred by God," Pope Francis said. "Failure to take this fact seriously is equivalent to not taking seriously the Gospel and the work of God."
Jesus goes out especially in search of those on the peripheries, not only sinners, but also "those who have done no evil but have suffered it: the sick, the hungry, the poor, the least."
Now, as then, the Pope said, "there is a centre and a periphery" in society; and, as in the time of Jesus, "the Church knows that she is called to proclaim the good news from the periphery." Here St Joseph can be an example, reminding each of us to accord special importance "to what others cast aside." In this sense, the Pope said, St Joseph "is truly a master of the essential: he reminds us that what truly matters does not attract our attention, but requires patient discernment to be discovered and appreciated."
Pope Francis asked us to pray for Joseph's intercession, "that the whole Church might recover this insight," adding, "Let us start again from Bethlehem, let us start again from Nazareth."
And to all those living on the geographical or existential peripheries, the Pope had this message: "May you find in Saint Joseph the witness and protector to whom you can look."
Concluding his catechesis, Pope Francis offered the following prayer to St Joseph:
Saint Joseph,
you who always trusted God,
and made your choices
guided by His providence
teach us not to count so much on our own plans
but on His plan of love.
You who come from the peripheries
help us to convert our gaze
and to prefer what the world discards and marginalises.
Comfort those who feel alone
and support those who work silently
to defend life and human dignity. Amen.
9am Adoration
Divine Mercy Chaplet
Rosary
12noon Holy Mass
Anointing of the Sick
Article from Vatican News:
Pope Francis began a new series of reflections on St Joseph at yesterday's General Audience. He explained that "today, as never before, in this time marked by a global crisis," St Joseph can offer us "support, consolation, and guidance."
As the year of St Joseph draws to a close, the Pope said he hoped his reflections might "further help us to allow ourselves to be enlightened by his example and by his witness."
The Holy Father began his teaching with a reflection on the biblical context of the life of St Joseph. Recalling the figure of Joseph, the son of Jacob, in the Old Testament, Pope Francis noted that the name "Joseph" - Hebrew for "may God increase, may God give growth" - is "a wish, a blessing based on trust in God's providence and referring especially to fertility and raising children." This, he said, "reveals an essential aspect of Joseph of Nazareth's personality. He is a man full of faith in God, in His providence."
Pope Francis went on to consider the places associated with St Joseph, especially Bethlehem and Nazareth, which "assume an important role in our understanding" of the saint.
Bethlehem, he said, means "house of bread" or, in Arabic, "house of meat," both expressions that are full of significances in light of the Incarnation and the Eucharist. Bethlehem also recalls the story of Ruth, the great grandmother of David the king, from whom Joseph traces his descent; as well as the prophecy of Micah, who foretold the coming of the Messiah from Bethlehem.
While Jerusalem was "the city loved by the Lord, the 'holy city'," it was Bethlehem and Nazareth, both outlying villages, "far from the clamour of the news and the powers of the time" that are most associated with Saint Joseph. "The choice of Bethlehem and Nazareth tells us that the periphery and marginality are preferred by God," Pope Francis said. "Failure to take this fact seriously is equivalent to not taking seriously the Gospel and the work of God."
Jesus goes out especially in search of those on the peripheries, not only sinners, but also "those who have done no evil but have suffered it: the sick, the hungry, the poor, the least."
Now, as then, the Pope said, "there is a centre and a periphery" in society; and, as in the time of Jesus, "the Church knows that she is called to proclaim the good news from the periphery." Here St Joseph can be an example, reminding each of us to accord special importance "to what others cast aside." In this sense, the Pope said, St Joseph "is truly a master of the essential: he reminds us that what truly matters does not attract our attention, but requires patient discernment to be discovered and appreciated."
Pope Francis asked us to pray for Joseph's intercession, "that the whole Church might recover this insight," adding, "Let us start again from Bethlehem, let us start again from Nazareth."
And to all those living on the geographical or existential peripheries, the Pope had this message: "May you find in Saint Joseph the witness and protector to whom you can look."
Concluding his catechesis, Pope Francis offered the following prayer to St Joseph:
Saint Joseph,
you who always trusted God,
and made your choices
guided by His providence
teach us not to count so much on our own plans
but on His plan of love.
You who come from the peripheries
help us to convert our gaze
and to prefer what the world discards and marginalises.
Comfort those who feel alone
and support those who work silently
to defend life and human dignity. Amen.
BAPTISM
SATURDAY 11TH DECEMBER 11am
For all those parents or guardians who are waiting to receive the holy sacrament of Baptism for their child, we are looking to hold a meeting next month.
Some rules and regulations are still in place which we must try and adhere to.
We invite parents to a meeting on Saturday 11th December at 11am in the Parish Church. We will offer weekday baptisms at 11am and possibly Saturday baptisms after the First Holy Communion classes at 12.30pm. This meeting will also include an explanation of the Sacrament of Baptism. We will also keep you up to date on any new guidelines.
Over the last few months we have welcomed into the parish family:
Matteo Herkus
Tamara Regitharan
Seanna Chavez
Risha Kiritharan
Rithisha Kiritharan
Dominic Adjetey
Kiekoloreoluwa Dada
Peter Pal
Kyle James
Cillian Lewis
Nancie-Rae Farnham
Olivia New
Jahsaiah Williams
Oliver Ersapah
Xayne Ubongen
Elijah Calvo
Oran Robinson
And this weekend we welcome Sophia Bate.
For all those parents or guardians who are waiting to receive the holy sacrament of Baptism for their child, we are looking to hold a meeting next month.
Some rules and regulations are still in place which we must try and adhere to.
We invite parents to a meeting on Saturday 11th December at 11am in the Parish Church. We will offer weekday baptisms at 11am and possibly Saturday baptisms after the First Holy Communion classes at 12.30pm. This meeting will also include an explanation of the Sacrament of Baptism. We will also keep you up to date on any new guidelines.
Over the last few months we have welcomed into the parish family:
Matteo Herkus
Tamara Regitharan
Seanna Chavez
Risha Kiritharan
Rithisha Kiritharan
Dominic Adjetey
Kiekoloreoluwa Dada
Peter Pal
Kyle James
Cillian Lewis
Nancie-Rae Farnham
Olivia New
Jahsaiah Williams
Oliver Ersapah
Xayne Ubongen
Elijah Calvo
Oran Robinson
And this weekend we welcome Sophia Bate.
PRESENTATION TO STEWARDS
Next Sunday 12th December at all Mass a presentation will be made to those Stewards who have kept St.Teresa’s open. With all the various Covid restrictions over the past 21 months the parish has been able to re-open because of the generosity of those who volunteered to act as Stewards, not just for the Holy Mass but also to enable Sacraments to take place too, baptisms, weddings, funerals, Confirmation and First Communions. Our thanks go out to them for their continued support, from both the parish family and the diocese.
RECONCILIATION & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2022
This year, once again, due to Covid restrictions, we are approaching the Reconciliation & First Communion Programme somewhat differently.
We would like to invite families to an information meeting followed by Mass on Saturday 8th January at 10:45am in the church. At this meeting, you will be able to pick up an application form if you wish your child to make their first communion at St. Teresa’s. ALL application forms need to be returned to the parish office along with a copy of your child’s baptism certificate, and a fee of £15, no later than Wednesday 19th January.
1. The cost of the programme, is £15. Cash will be accepted, please make cheques payable to
‘St. Teresa’s Church’
2. Each child will receive a book ‘I BELONG’, at their first meeting. Children need to bring their books to each meeting; they will also use these books at home.
3. Each meeting in church will last 45 minutes. We ask you to please have your child in church at least 5 minutes before the class starts, and to collect them promptly at the end of the session. We will be using the parish hall for the children’s meetings, while parents are expected to remain in the church for updated information, where necessary, and Adoration.
4. We will have 2 x 45min sessions each day, on the dates specified below, so prompt attendance and collection is a must. We envisage 2 groups of 30/35 children for each session, depending on numbers. Numbers will be capped at 70.
5. The first session of the day will start at 9:30am ending at 10:15am
6. The second session of the day will start at 10:30am ending at 11:15am
Church session dates: Saturday, February 5th, 12th, 26th
Saturday, March, 12th, 19th, 26th
Saturday, April 23rd, 30th and Saturday May 7th
Children will make their First Confession on 19th March. We will give you more information nearer the time. First Communion dates/times will be confirmed as the programme progresses.
Please remember to complete and return your child’s application form to St. Teresa’s
Parish Office as soon as possible as late applications will not be accepted after 19th Jan.
We look forward to meeting all families very soon.
We would like to invite families to an information meeting followed by Mass on Saturday 8th January at 10:45am in the church. At this meeting, you will be able to pick up an application form if you wish your child to make their first communion at St. Teresa’s. ALL application forms need to be returned to the parish office along with a copy of your child’s baptism certificate, and a fee of £15, no later than Wednesday 19th January.
1. The cost of the programme, is £15. Cash will be accepted, please make cheques payable to
‘St. Teresa’s Church’
2. Each child will receive a book ‘I BELONG’, at their first meeting. Children need to bring their books to each meeting; they will also use these books at home.
3. Each meeting in church will last 45 minutes. We ask you to please have your child in church at least 5 minutes before the class starts, and to collect them promptly at the end of the session. We will be using the parish hall for the children’s meetings, while parents are expected to remain in the church for updated information, where necessary, and Adoration.
4. We will have 2 x 45min sessions each day, on the dates specified below, so prompt attendance and collection is a must. We envisage 2 groups of 30/35 children for each session, depending on numbers. Numbers will be capped at 70.
5. The first session of the day will start at 9:30am ending at 10:15am
6. The second session of the day will start at 10:30am ending at 11:15am
Church session dates: Saturday, February 5th, 12th, 26th
Saturday, March, 12th, 19th, 26th
Saturday, April 23rd, 30th and Saturday May 7th
Children will make their First Confession on 19th March. We will give you more information nearer the time. First Communion dates/times will be confirmed as the programme progresses.
Please remember to complete and return your child’s application form to St. Teresa’s
Parish Office as soon as possible as late applications will not be accepted after 19th Jan.
We look forward to meeting all families very soon.
REPARATION TO OUR LADY
For the remaining Saturdays in Advent, St. Teresa’s will begin the devotion of the Rosary of Reparation to Our Lady, prior to 5.30pm Mass and Confession in fulfilment of the request of Jesus to Sr. Lucia in 1925.
The Rosary will begin at 4.45pm on the Saturday’s in Advent and in the New Year this devotion will continue on the First Saturdays of every month.
The Rosary will begin at 4.45pm on the Saturday’s in Advent and in the New Year this devotion will continue on the First Saturdays of every month.
HOW DO I BECOME MORE ACTIVE IN MY PARISH?
Saint Teresa’s offers a variety of opportunities and reaches out to welcome parish members who wish to become more actively involved in the social, spiritual and organisational life of the parish faith community.
These are still difficult times. Covid-19 has changed the way we reach out. Parish life still carries on. Our commitment to serve one another and the Lord is still at the top of the list.
So, at Saint Teresa’s opportunities to serve include liturgical ministries such as lector, extraordinary Eucharistic minister, hospitality minister and music ministry; catechetical ministries; outreach to the sick and housebound; ministry to the elderly and much more. We also offer you the chance to join the Legion of Mary, the SVP and Ministry to Youth.
Please keep in mind that becoming more active in any faith community is a bit like getting to know your in-laws; it takes time and patience on both sides to fit in – much less change – the customary way in how the community does things. God bless you – and please let us know if you like to get more involved.
These are still difficult times. Covid-19 has changed the way we reach out. Parish life still carries on. Our commitment to serve one another and the Lord is still at the top of the list.
So, at Saint Teresa’s opportunities to serve include liturgical ministries such as lector, extraordinary Eucharistic minister, hospitality minister and music ministry; catechetical ministries; outreach to the sick and housebound; ministry to the elderly and much more. We also offer you the chance to join the Legion of Mary, the SVP and Ministry to Youth.
Please keep in mind that becoming more active in any faith community is a bit like getting to know your in-laws; it takes time and patience on both sides to fit in – much less change – the customary way in how the community does things. God bless you – and please let us know if you like to get more involved.
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Lord help me
to remember
that nothing
is going to happen
to me today
that You and I
together can’t handle.
Amen
to remember
that nothing
is going to happen
to me today
that You and I
together can’t handle.
Amen
ON THE “CHURCH’S SYNODAL PATH OF COMMUNION, PARTICIPATION AND MISSION”
Unlike previous gatherings of the world’s bishops, Pope Francis wants this synod to include directly the people in local dioceses across the world, especially with the lay faithful.
Here in Southwark we will be holding consultation and listening sessions to gather perspectives that we will use in preparing a report for Rome to be delivered by next April. Following this long process of listening, the Pope will convene the synod of bishops in Rome in October 2023.
What Pope Francis is calling “the synodal path” is a journey of prayer and reflection. In this coming year, he is asking each of us to think about our relationship with Our Lord Jesus, our communion with Him in His church, and how we participate in His mission.
As a parish we will come together to reflect and respond to the Holy Father’s request. In unity with Archbishop John and our Diocesan family we will hold a meeting in the very near future. We hope you will be able to attend.
Every parish has been asked to send at least two Delegates for meetings with Archbishop John and his team. I’m pleased to announce that Paul Carter and Fred Mendonça have agreed to take on this role.
Here in Southwark we will be holding consultation and listening sessions to gather perspectives that we will use in preparing a report for Rome to be delivered by next April. Following this long process of listening, the Pope will convene the synod of bishops in Rome in October 2023.
What Pope Francis is calling “the synodal path” is a journey of prayer and reflection. In this coming year, he is asking each of us to think about our relationship with Our Lord Jesus, our communion with Him in His church, and how we participate in His mission.
As a parish we will come together to reflect and respond to the Holy Father’s request. In unity with Archbishop John and our Diocesan family we will hold a meeting in the very near future. We hope you will be able to attend.
Every parish has been asked to send at least two Delegates for meetings with Archbishop John and his team. I’m pleased to announce that Paul Carter and Fred Mendonça have agreed to take on this role.
PRAYER FOR THE LAITY
Lord God, you willed the power of the Gospel to act as a leaven in the world and you called the lay faithful to live out our lives amid temporal affairs. Let us be so on fire with Christian spirit that as we engage in our role in the world we will build and proclaim your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Synod Prayer:
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
forever and ever. Amen
Synod Prayer:
We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful;
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity
so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of You,
who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
forever and ever. Amen
SECONDARY SCHOOL - MASS ATTENDANCE FORMS
As per the statement from the Catholic Bishops of England in July this year (see below), the Sunday Obligation will resume from the first week of Advent - Sunday 28th November 2021, COVID situation permmitting!
As we being to return to some form of normality, the School Mass Attendance forms for all children of Years 4 and 5 ONLY, will be given out once a month at all of the Masses.
Parents must fill in this form, clearly stating the child's name and contact details. Children should NOT be filling in these forms themselves.
As we being to return to some form of normality, the School Mass Attendance forms for all children of Years 4 and 5 ONLY, will be given out once a month at all of the Masses.
Parents must fill in this form, clearly stating the child's name and contact details. Children should NOT be filling in these forms themselves.
The Passage
The Passage, a Christian Charity working with homeless people, is holding a fundraising concert at the Royal Festival Hall on Thursday 25 November on the theme Bohemian Rhapsody, featuring popular works by Dvořák, Mahler and Smetana. The performers includes Andrei Ioniță, Cello; Anush Kovhannisyan, Soprano; Streetwise Opera; Toby Purser, Conductor; and the Orion Orchestra. Full details and booking at https://passage.org.uk/night-under-the-stars-2021/ or telephone 020 75921856.
CAFOD
“Like many women around the world, Garmah in Liberia had no legal rights to her home when her husband died. CAFOD worked with local experts to help her and now Garmah and her children live rightfully and happily together in their family home. “I feel safe, my children have a place to rest their head and I can make a garden to feed them and myself. God sent redeemers to fight for my land rights. I am overfilled with joy.” Thank you for your support which enables hundreds of women like Garmah remain in their homes during times of struggle. Other examples of our work can be found in our World Gift catalogues or website worldgifts.cafod.org.uk.
Have a wonderful Christmas.”
Have a wonderful Christmas.”
Photo: CAFOD/Evelyn Fey
PAX CHRISTI – CHRISTMAS CARDS
New Christmas cards are now available from Pax Christi: Felt banners were created some years ago for display at a church in Cambridge during Christmas. These banners have now been made into Christmas cards. They can be ordered at £4.50 plus p+p from: HTTPS://paxchristi.org.uk/product/nativity-trio-cards/
ARE YOU CONSIDERING GETTING MARRIED?
Please be aware of the following change in the law which takes effect from 1st July 2021!
Immigration laws for EEA nationals will change from the 1 July to reflect the changes brought about following EU Exit. These changes will impact EEA citizens who wish to marry in England and Wales as the definition of a relevant national has changed. A relevant national, from the 1 July 2021, will be classed as:
• A British Citizen
• An Irish Citizen
• An EEA National who has been granted Settled or Pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) or those with a pending application submitted before the 30 June 2021.
Currently couples who are subject to immigration control must make an appointment at one of 75 Designated Register Offices within England and Wales to give notice to marry. From the 1 July 2021, all register offices will be designated for the purposes of taking a marriage for these couples.
An EEA national who does not hold a status under the EUSS will be treated as all other foreign nationals and will have to give notice of their intention to marry (together with their partner) at a register office in the registration district where either resides and be issued with a Marriage Schedule.
Immigration laws for EEA nationals will change from the 1 July to reflect the changes brought about following EU Exit. These changes will impact EEA citizens who wish to marry in England and Wales as the definition of a relevant national has changed. A relevant national, from the 1 July 2021, will be classed as:
• A British Citizen
• An Irish Citizen
• An EEA National who has been granted Settled or Pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) or those with a pending application submitted before the 30 June 2021.
Currently couples who are subject to immigration control must make an appointment at one of 75 Designated Register Offices within England and Wales to give notice to marry. From the 1 July 2021, all register offices will be designated for the purposes of taking a marriage for these couples.
An EEA national who does not hold a status under the EUSS will be treated as all other foreign nationals and will have to give notice of their intention to marry (together with their partner) at a register office in the registration district where either resides and be issued with a Marriage Schedule.
PARISH FINANCE
Sunday Collections and Donations
During the current situation, we would like to say a huge THANK YOU to the many of you who have kindly signed up to standing orders. This is so much appreciated and valued. If you wish to contribute by cheque in lieu of plate collections, this can be sent to the presbytery: St. Teresa’s Church, 250 Bishopsford Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 6BJ. They may be made payable to St. Teresa’s Catholic Church.
Our thanks to the families of Maureen Deb and Theresa Bearn for their generosity and thoughtfulness for the kind donation of £1,000 each in honour of the memory of Maureen and Theresa.
May God bless you and may their souls Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory.
Many thanks to those of you who have so kindly offered to set up standing orders in lieu of our Sunday plate collections. This is a most convenient method of planned giving (for all concerned); already used by so many at Morden – and is vitally important at this time. Regular standing orders can be for any amount, no matter how small – just give what you can afford. Please send a written request via the parish office with contact details.
We will be happy to receive any offerings directly by on-line banking or by standing order, which can be arranged through your bank, or by using the DONATE link here or on the parish website.
Our thanks to the families of Maureen Deb and Theresa Bearn for their generosity and thoughtfulness for the kind donation of £1,000 each in honour of the memory of Maureen and Theresa.
May God bless you and may their souls Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory.
Many thanks to those of you who have so kindly offered to set up standing orders in lieu of our Sunday plate collections. This is a most convenient method of planned giving (for all concerned); already used by so many at Morden – and is vitally important at this time. Regular standing orders can be for any amount, no matter how small – just give what you can afford. Please send a written request via the parish office with contact details.
We will be happy to receive any offerings directly by on-line banking or by standing order, which can be arranged through your bank, or by using the DONATE link here or on the parish website.
Do You Gift Aid?
The value of your donation can be increased by 25% at no extra cost to yourself, simply by gift aiding it if you are a taxpayer. The parish learns nothing about your private financial affairs. The average weekly collection between plate and standing orders, is approximately £2,400 a week. If only half of that was GIFT AIDED, it would mean an extra £300 a week, or £15,600 a year to Parish funds. We are genuinely grateful to those who are Gift-Aiding. If you haven’t been doing so, please print off a Gift Aid form from the parish website. At the present time the parish income is down about £5,000 each month. Hopefully, when parish life returns to normal, we will soon see these financial worries and concerns disappear.
Thank you
Thank you to everybody who continues to support the parish through the collection, standing orders, gift aid and dropping in contributions. Online donations have seen an increase recently - A big THANK YOU FOR THOSE DONATIONS coming in via our parish website 'JUST GIVING' - Press the button marked DONATE. If you scroll down further, we also say 'Thanks' for your support and other ways you can support our parish. Again, THANK
YOU.
YOU.
GIFT AID NOTICE
PLEASE COLLECT YOUR GIFT AID ENVELOPES FROM THE CONTACT CORNER
For those already signed up, Gift Aid Envelopes will be available during this weekend 3/4th April. Please collect your Gift Aid or Standing Order envelopes before or after Mass from the Contact Corner. If you pay tax and would like to join, please have a word with one of the team , it's simple and at no extra cost to you the Church can claim back 25%. See below for more details Do You Gift Aid?
For those already signed up, Gift Aid Envelopes will be available during this weekend 3/4th April. Please collect your Gift Aid or Standing Order envelopes before or after Mass from the Contact Corner. If you pay tax and would like to join, please have a word with one of the team , it's simple and at no extra cost to you the Church can claim back 25%. See below for more details Do You Gift Aid?
CARD READERS
To make things easier we have now introduced a number of card readers which you will find throughout the church. The CollecTin reader is near the Icon of Padre Pio, instructions are listed next to the machine. You can use this for all offertories and donations.
The Sum-Up card reader will be situated in the narthex near the statue of St Teresa and can be used only for candles. Coming soon in the Repository will be another card reader so that you can pay for all your purchases using a credit/debit card.
The Sum-Up card reader will be situated in the narthex near the statue of St Teresa and can be used only for candles. Coming soon in the Repository will be another card reader so that you can pay for all your purchases using a credit/debit card.
COLLECTIN
CollecTin is a card reader on which you can give your offertory and any other donation. All special collections will be listed on this machine and if you Gift Aid you need only register once, and it will remember you for all your donations - if you use the same card (each card would need to be registered).
Candles
SUMUP CARD READER
- IF THE SCREEN IS BLANK press the power button
- ENTER THE AMOUNT YOU WISH TO DONATE e.g. 5-0-0 is £5.00, and press the green tick button
- TAP CARD for contactless or INSERT CARD using your pin
- SELECT RECEIPT use up and down arrows to select option required
QR SCAN POINTS
There is now the opportunity to donate using a QR Scanner on your phone (if you have one installed).
There are a number of Scan points in the church, one by the Statue of the Sacred Heart, one by the Exit side door and one on the noticeboard in the porch.
There are a number of Scan points in the church, one by the Statue of the Sacred Heart, one by the Exit side door and one on the noticeboard in the porch.
Please Be Aware
At this time, there is an increasing risk of cybercrime and online fraud. If you ever receive an email stating a change in bank account details purporting to be from the Archdiocese or from any of the diocesan parishes, please contact the diocese immediately by telephone on 020 8682 7880 in order to verify that the email is genuine and not a scam.
Basic Government Advise on Face Coverings/Masks at Mass
Face coverings are mandatory now in places of worship. Many of you already attend Holy Mass wearing one – Thank You!
From now on at St. Teresa’s all who attend Mass or any other service must wear a face covering, unless they are exempt from doing so. This is for the good of all who gather in the Church for Mass, as it is an enclosed public space where there are people from different households who do not normally meet.
From now on at St. Teresa’s all who attend Mass or any other service must wear a face covering, unless they are exempt from doing so. This is for the good of all who gather in the Church for Mass, as it is an enclosed public space where there are people from different households who do not normally meet.
Mass at St. Teresa’s
St. Teresa’s Parish General Protocols
The Cardinal and the Archbishop wish to reassure you that THE DISPENATION of the faithful from the obligation to attend SUNDAY MASS remains in place for the time being. NO ONE IS OBLIGED to attend Holy Mass whilst dispensation is in effect.
The Cardinal and the Archbishop wish to reassure you that THE DISPENATION of the faithful from the obligation to attend SUNDAY MASS remains in place for the time being. NO ONE IS OBLIGED to attend Holy Mass whilst dispensation is in effect.
- All Sunday and Weekday Masses will continue to be Streamed Live on the Internet via the usual link.
- Attendees and volunteers from demographic groups at a greater risk of serious illness, such as people 65 years of age or older and individuals with chronic medical conditions, are encouraged to stay safe by avoiding public gatherings, but are not prohibited from attending Mass if they so choose.
- Anyone attending Mass does so at their own risk.
- All attendees are strongly encouraged to wear a mask before entering the church, until they leave. Each person should bring their own masks.
- Another reminder: ANYONE who has even the slightest symptoms or feelings of sickness must remain home.
- THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY, (at this time), at Holy Mass is JUST 40 to be compliant with physical distancing guidelines issued by The Bishop’s Conference and the Government.
- Until further notice: Our Parish will adopt a FIRST COME, FIRST-SERVED approach at all our Masses.
- Please watch out for signage. Separate points of entry and exit will be clearly designated.
- We are required to keep a register of all attendees. So please put your name, address, contact telephone number, email address (if applicable) and the Mass you are attending on a piece of paper which you will hand in on entrance to the church.
- All attendees will be directed to their own special seat so as to monitor occupancy.
- Two benches will be designated for families.
- Infants and children should remain with their parents AT ALL TIMES.
- It is O.K. to wear disposable gloves. Those cleaning or altar cloths, replenishing candles or handling the parish collection should wear disposable gloves.
- We will have one point of entry in order to control the number of people entering. Once the maximum number of attendees is reached, no one else will be allowed entry.
- Doors will be locked until 25 minutes before Mass begins.
- If weather permits, all doors will be propped open before Mass as you arrive so that you do not need to touch the handles or doors to enter.
- At the end of Mass, exits will be signposted and indicated by the parish priest to expedite the guided departure and minimise chances of people encountering one another. In all cases, PHYSICAL DISTANCING MUST BE OBSERVED.
- I will be delighted to see you back, but please note that I must refrain from greeting you personally at the end of Mass. I must not impede or delay the orderly and rapid departure of you and your family.
- The Parish Church is closed at the end of each Mass for a special cleaning. Our thanks to the parish team.
- Please be aware that there will be NO toilet facilities.
SAFETY
- Physical distancing of 6 feet or 2 metres is in place at all times and in all directions between people who are not of the same household.
- You will be led by a team member to your seat – please do not move or swap seats.
- Reminder – Volunteers and ALL members of the congregation should use the Medical Guidelines that have been issued before attending Mass. If you have ANY symptoms, such as a cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat, please stay at home.
- All team members, welcomers and participants – please wear your own personal shield or mask.
- All who attend must observe proper hand hygiene from the point of entry, whilst inside and upon exciting the church.
- Hand sanitising stations are available by the doors of the church.
- Hand washing with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds (say a prayer) is also strongly encouraged before arriving for Holy Mass.
HOLY MASS
These are some of the main points to note:
- Sacred Vessels will be purified and washed by the parish priest after Mass. This reduces the risk and need to have sacristans and Eucharistic ministers in the sacristy.
- No singing of hymns at this time. SORRY!
- Entrance and recessional processions are omitted. There will be a simple entrance by the priest.
- There will be only one lector and one reading.
- No Altar Servers so as to minimise the risk of exposure and to properly maintain physical distancing at all times.
- The chalice, paten, ciborium, cruets and lavabo will be on a small table beside the altar.
- Your parish priest will not be wearing a mask during the Liturgy of the Eucharist; therefore, all ciboria will be covered at all times. He will wear a visor if and when he distributes Holy Communion.
- No presentation of gifts will be made.
- No collection is taken up during the Mass. Instead, bins/baskets will be at strategic points for the faithful to make their offerings at the end of Mass. Secure vigilance will be in place over the donations.
- There is no Sign of Peace.
- There will be no Holy Water in fonts.
- All hymnals, missalettes, pew cards, pencils, donation envelopes and other loose items will be removed.
- Newsletters are only available on-line at the parish website.
- The individual attestation at the distribution of Holy Communion (“The Body of Christ, R:Amen) is eliminated. Instead, one general announcement (“The Body of Christ”) will be made by the parish priest, and one general response (“Amen”) is to be made by one and all before distribution begins. Then each person who wishes to receive the Blessed Sacrament comes forward in procession at a safe distance and receives in silence.
- The Precious Blood will not be distributed at this time.
- Holy Communion may only be received in the hand.
- For the common good, our Bishops around the world acknowledge that Communion on the tongue is the right of the faithful, ask you please receive ONLY in the hand until further notice. Thank you for your understanding and support.
- When needed, Ministers of the Eucharist may be invited to officiate at Holy Communion time. If called upon, Ministers of Holy Communion must sanitise their hands immediately after receiving Communion BEFORE distributing Holy Communion to the faithful. They must also sanitise their hands immediately after distribution.
Should you have any questions regarding this information please reply by email: morden@rcaos.org.uk or call our parish number: 020 8648 4113
PERFECT CONTRITION AND SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
What to do if you cannot go to Confession or Holy Communion due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
If you have to self-isolate or are quarantined, you will be unable to receive the sacraments as normal. In these circumstances, there are devotions through which you can receive absolution for your sins (under certain conditions), and the consolation of Eucharistic grace.
The following devotions are officially encouraged by the Church and have been practised by saints.
If you have to self-isolate or are quarantined, you will be unable to receive the sacraments as normal. In these circumstances, there are devotions through which you can receive absolution for your sins (under certain conditions), and the consolation of Eucharistic grace.
The following devotions are officially encouraged by the Church and have been practised by saints.
How to make an Act of Perfect Contrition
Through an act of Perfect Contrition, you receive pardon for your sins outside of confession, even mortal sins, on condition that you are determined to amend your life and make a firm resolution to go to sacramental confession as soon as this becomes possible for you.
Perfect Contrition is a grace from God, so sincerely ask for this gift throughout the day prior to making you act of contrition: ‘My God, grant me perfect contrition for my sins.'
Perfect Contrition is a grace from God, so sincerely ask for this gift throughout the day prior to making you act of contrition: ‘My God, grant me perfect contrition for my sins.'
- In reality or imagination kneel at the foot of the crucifix and say to yourself: “ Jesus, my God and my Saviour, in the midst of your agony, you remembered me, you suffered for me, you wished to wipe away my sins”
- Contrition is ‘perfect’ if you repent your sins because you love God ans are sorry for having offended Him and causing the sufferings of Christ on the cross. Before the Crucified Christ remember your sins, repent of them because they have bought our Lord His sufferings on the cross. Promise him that with His help, you will not sin again.
- Recite, slowly and sincerely, an act of contrition focussed on the goodness of God and your love of Jesus: “O my God, because You are so good, I am very sorry that I have sinned against You and by the help of Your grace I will not sin again. Amen.”
- Make a firm resolution to goo to a sacramental confession as soon as practically possible.
How to make a Spiritual Communion
The key to Spiritual Communion is to grow in your heart a constant desire for the Blessed Sacrament.
- If you are aware of serious or mortal sin, make an Act of Perfect Contrition
- Imagine the sacred words and actions of the Mass or watch online or on TV.
- Make all those acts of faith, humility, sorrow, adoration, love and desire that you usually
express before Holy Communion. - Desire, with earnest longing, to receive our Lord present – Body, Blood, soul and Divinity –
in the Blessed Sacrament, - Say this prayer of St. Alphonsus de’ Ligouri: “My Jesus, I believe You are present in the
Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire You in my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though You are already there, I embrace You and unite myself wholly to You; do not let me ever be separated from You, Amen.” - After moments of silent adoration make all those acts of faith, humility, love, thanksgiving and offering that you usually express through prayers after Holy Communion.
Regular Mass Times
|
Saturday Vigil Mass |
5.30pm online |
Sunday |
9.00am online 11.00am online |
Monday - Saturday |
10.00am online |
Spiritual Reflection |
6pm online |
How To Find Us
250 Bishopsford Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 6BZ
Tel: 020 8648 4113