Sunday 18 May is Safeguarding Sunday and Archbishop John has issued a pastoral letter. In his letter, Archbishop John said “Safeguarding is not the work of a few; it is a shared responsibility. Each of us — clergy, volunteers, parents, parishioners — is called to remain vigilant, informed, and committed to the well-being of every member of our community”. You can find out more about Safeguarding Sunday, including accessing the full pastoral letter, at https://rcaos.org.uk/safeguardingsunday25.

We are delighted to announce that our RCIA candidates will receive their certificates next Sunday during the 11am Mass. Please join us in congratulating them on this important milestone in their faith journey!

The priesthood has always been essential to the life of the Church, from the time of Jesus until today. Good Shepherd Sunday is the day we pray for vocations, for our priests, and take up the Priest Training Fund second collection. This fund pays for the formation of men to become priests in our Archdiocese.
After their ordination, our priests dedicate their lives to serving Christ and His people in our parishes, hospitals, schools, chaplaincies, prisons and in service to the needy, throughout South London, Kent and Surrey. We are blessed to have 9 men in formation to the Priesthood for our Archdiocese. However, it costs £30,000 a year to sponsor each seminarian. They study for 6 years before being ordained a Catholic priest.
We therefore rely on your generous support and prayers. Please support our priests of the future with a gift today.
Thank you!

• Donate Online: www.rcaos.org.uk/donate/PTF
  
• Telephone weekdays 9 am – 5 pm: 020 7960 2504
  
• Cash / Cheque – please use the Priest Training Fund envelopes at the back of church

Fred Mendonça to give a talk after Mass
St. Teresa’s Church, 250 Bishopsford Road, SM5 2BZ will provide a weekly term-time music-based therapeutic activity for people living with dementia. The Tuesday sessions will commence on 3rd June 2025 between 1:30 and 3pm in the Parish Hall with parking available, including for blue badge holders.
This service is offered free of charge to attendees and carers and is available to Merton residents on a first-come-first-served basis.
What do we do:
For people with dementia, we are supported by Alzheimer’s UK and offer:

• musical activities including singing popular songs,
• the chance to play an instrument while singing, and
• gentle physical activities for those who are able.

For their carers, we are supported by Merton Council and uniquely offer, at no cost, break-out sessions alternating between the chance to:

• learn to play guitar/an instrument (instruments provided),
• prepare and take-away meals, using specially devised recipes, and ingredients provided which include nutrients that are beneficial for brain health,
• gentle exercise classes which support physical and mental wellbeing

If you would like to attend these sessions, please contact the St.Teresa’s office for more details;
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0208 648 4113
If you have the time and skills to make a difference with this major cause of our time and community, please contact the Parish Office to volunteer your help … we will guide you through Safeguarding and all other preparation needed.