For those who may not have heard, it is with deep sadness we share the news of the passing of two remarkable members of the Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy, Sisters Mary Pius and Madeleine Sophie. Sr. Mary Pius, who lived to nearly 100 years, passed away last July, while Sister Madeleine peacefully departed in November at the convent in New Inn, Wales.
Both devoted over 70 years to their ministry, leaving behind a legacy of selfless service and unwavering dedication, a portion of which was to the parish of St. Teresa’s during their time at Morden.

For those who may not have known them, Sisters Mary Pius and Madeleine touched countless lives with their kindness and spiritual guidance. Their impact on many will forever inspire us.
As we bid farewell to these dear, committed members of the community of Sister of St Joseph of Annecy, let us remember their families, friends, and the Sisters of St Joseph’s in our thoughts and prayers.
May Sr Pius and Sr Madeleine Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.

To those who have already stepped forward and said yes to be on the Parish Leadership Team I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Your willingness to commit your time, talents, and energy to this important role is truly inspiring.
As we eagerly await the final few responses, I want to take a moment to reflect on the significance of your potential participation. Being a part of the Parish Leadership Team is not only a chance to contribute to the growth and development of our parish, but also a unique opportunity for personal growth and spiritual enrichment.
Serving on the Parish Leadership Team requires dedication, collaboration, and a deep sense of faith. It is a chance to shape the future of our parish community, to make a lasting impact on the lives of our fellow parishioners, and to create an environment that fosters spiritual growth and unity.
Perhaps you are still contemplating whether you should say yes to this invitation. I encourage you to take this opportunity seriously and prayerfully consider the role you can play in serving our parish. Your skills, experiences, and perspectives are valuable and can contribute to the overall vision and mission of our community.
Remember, saying yes to serving on the Parish Leadership Team is not just a commitment to the team, but also a commitment to God and His Church. It is an opportunity to respond to His call, to be a steward of His gifts, and to use your unique talents for the greater good.
Together, let us continue to discern and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. May He inspire and guide us as we build a strong, vibrant, and faithful community. Your presence on the Parish Leadership Team could make a significant difference, so I encourage you to prayerfully consider this invitation.
Thank you once again to those who have already said yes, and to those who are still contemplating, I eagerly await your response. May God bless you abundantly as you discern your role in the Parish Leadership Team I ask the parish family to please pray for The Holy Spirit’s guidance and the intercession of our beloved Saint Teresa for our Parish Leadership Team.

With sincere thanks and my blessing,
Canon Michael

“Devoting a specific Sunday of the liturgical year to the word of God can enable the Church to experience anew how the risen Lord opens up for us the treasury of his word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the world.” Pope Francis - ‘Aperuit Illis’
On 30 September 2019, Pope Francis, by the Motu Proprio Aperuit Illis declared the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time to be the Sunday of the Word of God.
“… It is fitting, then that the life of our people be constantly marked by this decisive relationship with the living word that the Lord never tires of speaking to his Bride, that she may grow in love and faithful witness. Consequently, I hereby declare that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the word of God. This Sunday of the Word of God will thus be a fitting part of that time of the year when we are encouraged to strengthen our bonds with the Jewish people and to pray for Christian unity. This is more than a temporal coincidence: the celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God has ecumenical value, since the Scriptures point out, for those who listen, the path to authentic and firm unity” (Pope Francis, Apostolic Letter, Aperuit Illis, nos 2-3, dated September 30, 2019)
This Sunday 21st January is the Word of God. It is devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the word of God.
The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions has created some resources for The Sunday of the Word of God:
https://fdlc.org/2024/01/sunday-of-the-word-of-god-2024-resources/

Pro-abortion MPs, Stella Creasy and Diana Johnson, have tabled two extreme abortion amendments in an attempt to hijack the Criminal Justice Bill. Right To Life UK has launched a tool on its website that makes it easy for you to email your MP to ask them to oppose the two extreme abortion amendments up to birth and sign Early Day Motion 131 to stop abortion pills being sent out without an in-person medical appointment. Please visit righttolife.org.uk abortion amendments to contact your MP now. It only takes 30 seconds.

I hope this New Year is off to a good start for you and your family.
I am writing to inform you about an important event taking place next weekend - a farewell celebration for our beloved Fr. Roshy, who will be leaving our parish after three remarkable years of service.
First and foremost, I kindly request that you keep Fr. Roshy in your prayers as he embarks on the next chapter of his journey. We are immensely grateful for the unwavering support he has provided to our parish community throughout his time here, and we want to ensure he feels our collective love and appreciation.
To honour his ministry and express our gratitude, we will be holding a Mass of Thanksgiving next Saturday at 5:30 PM. This will be a beautiful opportunity for us to come together and reflect on the impact Fr. Roshy has had on our lives. Following the Mass, there will be a reception held in his honour in the parish hall. Please join us in saying a heartfelt goodbye to Fr. Roshy and wishing him well in his future endeavours.
For those unable to attend the Saturday Mass, fear not! Fr. Roshy will also be present at our two Sunday morning Masses, giving everyone a chance to bid him farewell.
On a joyous note, I am thrilled to share that Fr. Roshy has recently achieved his goal of obtaining an MA from Saint Mary's University. This accomplishment will undoubtedly enhance his priestly ministry, and we are incredibly proud of his dedication and hard work.
As part of his commitment to the Capuchin Family, Fr. Roshy will soon be crossing the sea to Ireland, where he will join the Capuchins of Ireland. We are confident that Ireland will benefit greatly from his exceptional pastoral ministry, and we wish him all the best in this new chapter of his life.
Lastly, if you would like to make a donation to show your appreciation for Fr. Roshy's service, envelopes will be available at all our Masses this weekend and next . Your generous contributions will undoubtedly make a difference.
I would also like to take a moment to express my personal gratitude to Fr. Roshy for the unwavering support he has provided to Deacon Con, the Parish School, myself, and the entire office team. His kindness, wisdom, and guidance will be greatly missed.
Once again, let's keep Fr. Roshy in our prayers and come together to celebrate his incredible journey with us. Please spread the word among fellow parishioners and encourage their attendance at the Mass of Thanksgiving and farewell reception.
Thank you all in anticipation for your continued support and love for Fr. Roshy.
Warm regards,
and my blessing to you and all the Parish Family.
Canon Michael