Deanery News & Updates
Webmaster • February 16, 2025
Deanery news! The next edition of the Deanery newsletter is scheduled for 8th/9th March, the 1st Sunday of Lent, and will include a report on recent events and discussions, information on forthcoming events around the Deanery, clergy biographies, and more. Lent Reconciliation Service: Bishop Richard is visiting each Deanery to celebrate Reconciliation Services and will be coming to the Epsom Deanery on Tuesday 25th March, 7pm, at St Michael’s, Ashtead.
At the Deanery Clergy Meeting, it was agreed that, as a sign of our working towards greater collaboration, this would replace all other Lenten Reconciliation Services. There are, of course, the regular opportunities for Reconciliation in each community, and the opportunity for Reconciliation at the Deanery Retreat Days.
Holy Hour: Bishop Richard has asked that each Deanery pray for the Diocese in a monthly Holy Hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. We’ll do this on the first Friday of each month, from 5pm to 6pm, at St Michael’s, Ashtead, including the Rosary, Scripture Reflection and Benediction. All are very welcome.
Pulpit swaps: although the regular relationship between people and their clergy is one to be treasured, given that the clergy will be working as one team, it seems a good idea, every now and again, to see (and get to know a little) the other priests of the Deanery. So you may notice a ‘Pulpit Swap’ coming to a community near you! (We’ll start with priests, and then later, do a ‘Deacon swap’.)
PLEASE NOTE Mass on Thursday will be at 10.00 am
Thursday, June 5th, 2025 @ 10:49 am The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which seeks to legalise assisted suicide, is fast approaching its decisive vote in the House of Commons which will likely take place on either the 13 or 20 of June. The Catholic bishops of England and Wales oppose this flawed bill both in principle and in practice. Among the many concerns, we are particularly alarmed by the following: • This legislation would require many hospices and care homes to facilitate assisted suicide. This will put in jeopardy their ability to provide care. Parliament has rejected an amendment that would have allowed institutions to opt out of participating in the provision of assisted suicide.[1] • The provisions for conscientious objection for health and social care workers are both unclear and inadequate. This problem will not be addressed by proposed amendments. • Safeguards against coercion for the most vulnerable are wholly inadequate, particularly in cases involving coercive control or social pressure. During Committee Stage, the bill’s main proponent was unable to confirm whether individuals seeking assisted suicide due to financial concerns or feelings of being a burden would be prevented from accessing it.[2] Since then, no progress has been made, and many MPs consider the existing safeguards insufficient, with the potential to result in a “terrible tragedy.”[3] We note the opposition for the bill from key professional bodies including the Royal College of Psychiatrists whose members will be expected to be involved in the process of assessing those who elect for assisted suicide. We have already seen the bill weakened during Committee Stage. In addition, MPs are expected to debate nearly 60 pages of amendments in under 15 hours. The whole process by which this bill has been brought forward and debated is insufficient for such a radical change. We urge Catholics, and all people of goodwill, to contact their MP and ask them to vote against this bill. We also ask you to pray that our representatives choose to protect the most vulnerable citizens of this country when they vote later this month. You can contact your MP using this this tool . Archbishop John Sherrington Archbishop of Liverpool Lead Bishop for Life Issues [1] https://thecatholicherald.com/religious-orders-may-be-forced-out-of-care-homes-by-assisted-suicide-bill/ [2] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/12/choose-assisted-dying-to-save-money-on-care-kim-leasdbeater/ [3] https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/naz-shah-mps-conservative-labour-stephen-kinnock-b1228203.html
Next Saturday 21st June 2025, from 12-3pm. Barbecue; Bar; Cakes & Refreshments; Games & Stalls; Raffles and for the ‘big raffle’ ticket will be available after this weekend’s Masses. Parishioners are warmly invited to come along and join in the fun.
We need at least two people to help as catechist for First Holy Communion for the next academic year; a weekly commitment from late October to June is required to help our children to prepare for this wonderful Sacrament. If you are willing and able to help, please speak to Fr. Ian
Firstly, celebrating the Jubilee Year of Hope designated by the late Pope Francis, secondly the 60th anniversary of the Diocese, and thirdly our renewed call to mission as laid out in Bishop Richard’s Pastoral Plan. As a parish we have been allocated 12 tickets for the event, coach transport is being organised so that people are collected and dropped back locally, anyone under the age of 18 is to be accompanied by an adult who will take responsibility for them across the day. If you would like to attend, mindful of the small number of tickets, please speak to Fr. Ian, who will be able to advise further.
Please keep in your prayers those who are undertaking public exams at this time. Although a very short period in a lifetime, it can be a time of stress, anxiety and various other emotions for those undertaking exams and their families, so, please pray for them and be mindful of their needs.
The programme will continue this Monday, 16th June at 7 pm. our subject on this occasion will be the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist. Everyone is welcome to attend (those under 18 need to have a parent or guardian with them).
This weekend the Sunday is designated as such and there is a second collection in support of this element of the work of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales. See further on in the newsletter about this critical matter in the face of abortion up to birth and euthanasia, as well as the link to the website:- Day for Life - Catholic Bishops' Conference
For those of you who contribute through the ‘gift aid envelope system’ please collect your box for 2025/26 (with your name on it) from the sacristy. Gift Aid Declaration for 2024/25: A paper copy of your declaration should be available for collection from the sacristy next weekend, saving the parish the cost of postage.
ROSARY CIRCLE FOR PRIESTLY VOCATIONS As we enter into the month of June there is a new ‘Rosary Circle Chart’ on the noticeboard, to encourage us all to pray for vocations to the Priesthood. The ‘Chart’ lists the 20 decades of the Rosary and a number of columns for people to put their initial or a tick in a box to indicate they will commit to praying the particular decade each day for the month of June, and hopefully, this will create a number of ‘circles’ praying for this intention. This is a very simple spiritual exercise many of us could join in with; at least 20 people praying one decade of the Rosary each day, so the whole of the Rosary is prayed for this particular intention, thus creating a ‘Rosary Circle’. Let it be said, however, that anyone can join the Rosary Circles at any time. PLEASE BE PART OF A ROSARY CIRCLE PRAYING FOR PRIESTLY VOCATIONS FROM THE PARISH! Thank you. Prayer for vocations to the Priesthood: ( Dropped in through the presbytery letter box, so a ‘thankyou’ to the courier) God our Father, look in love upon our homes, our families and our communities. Raise up from amongst us worthy priests to preach the Gospel to all people, to minister at your altar and care for your flock. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and make us faithful and inspiring witnesses to your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen