st-josephs-dorking

Adult Formation

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 19:30:18 GMT

ADULT FORMATION:- continues this Monday, 8th June, our subject being the Liturgical Year and aspects of prayer. We begin at 7.00 pm; all are welcome to attend.

Public exams

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:03:18 GMT

PUBLIC EXAMS:- are underway! GCSE, A.s & A levels, as well as the differing university exams. These can therefore be anxious and tense times, both for those undertaking exams and for their families and friends, so, even if you are not directly involved in such matters, please do keep those concerned in your prayers at this time, that there be ‘level heads’ patients, discipline, and understanding. Very many thanks.

BABY FEST

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 15:23:29 GMT

An opportunity for parents with small children to have a shared lunch and to talk about more than sleep or the lack thereof! Takes place on Sunday 14th June from 12 mid-day . Any parents with younger children are invited to come along, bring some food etc to share for this very informal opportunity to meet and talk.

GIFT AID

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 13:37:35 GMT

GIFT AID ENVELOPES 2026/2027 :- As always, our grateful thanks to all those who are able to make financial contribution to the parish via the ‘Gift Aid’ scheme. For those who do so via the envelope system, we are pleased to tell you the envelopes for this tax year 26/27 are available in the sacristy, please collect your box with your name on a printed label on it at the earliest opportunity. Very many thanks.

Gift Aid and the ‘card machines ’:- Just a reminder that parish and diocesan donations via the card machine can be ‘Gift Aided’ if the card has been registered on one of the machines for Gift Aid, with the proviso that you, the donor, use the same ‘bank card’ each time to make any such donation. We will advise in the next couple of weeks of someone being available to assist and help / show individuals wishing to make ‘Gift Aided’ contributions in this way.

That said, we advise that ‘third party donations’ such as CAFOD where Gift Aid is encouraged, would require individuals to put their details on the envelopes provided by the charity and indicate ‘donation via card payment’, with the amount specified; this will then be forwarded to the particular charity. Very many thanks for your understanding.

Altar Servers

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:38:12 GMT

If any of the children who have just made their First Holy Communion would like to become altar servers, they are very welcome to do so. If parents get them to the church 15 to 20 minutes before Mass, we can begin to sort the children out with albs etc. To begin with, just being on the sanctuary and they will slowly be trained in what to do. Many thanks.

‘Not Dead Yet’

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:36:51 GMT

The disability group have set up a petition requesting that MPs do not cave to the pressure of bringing back the ‘Assisted Dying Bill’ tabled by Kim Leadbeater but which ‘fell due to a lack of time’. You can find the petition and contact your MP at:- Tell your MP to help stop the assisted dying Bill from returning Many thanks.

UK holidays for Catholic families

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:34:32 GMT

Catholic People’s Weeks aim to nourish both children and adults with ageappropriate activities, talks, Mass and lots of fun. “At CPW we felt very welcomed and included by everyone. The theme “eat pray love” was brought to life brilliantly with a wide range of talks and expertise on offer. The children’s sessions were very inclusive and greatly enjoyed by our daughter. The evenings offered joyful community activities such as the ceilidh and concert. We felt very special being a part of the CPW family and look forward to our second event!”

CPW is on Facebook, catholicpeoplesweeks.org or contact Louise Cook on 07947 089157

FAITH SUMMER SESSION

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:29:39 GMT

Takes place at Ampleforth Abbey from 27th to 31st July and is open to young people aged between 18 and 35. Further details and information at:_ Faith Summer Session 2026 - Faith Movement

SAVE THE DATE

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:24:49 GMT

SAVE THE DATE 1:-Sunday 19th July - Celebration of Fr Ian's 40th anniversary of Ordination. Mass at 10am followed by reception in the hall. All welcome.

SAVE THE DATE 2:- Saturday 12th September - Ride & Stride . Join the fun with a sponsored walk/cycle around our local churches to raise funds for Surrey Churches Preservation Trust and St. Joseph's. Full details to follow. Supporting this event will help to raise funds, some of which we, hope, will go towards the recent cost of our own church roof repair.

Foundation Governors

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:19:45 GMT

St Joseph's School is seeking one more Foundation Governors to support the school in its work. This is a fantastic way to volunteer in the community and to apply your skills and experience to help the school improve and flourish. Please contact the school office at: office@stjosephs-dorking.surrey.sch.uk to find out more, or drop in to the school any time!

Rosary Circles for Priestly Vocations

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:37:30 GMT

If you haven’t already done so, but would still like to commit to praying a decade of the Rosary each day during February, then please do put your initial or a tick in one of the boxes on the ‘Rosary Circle’ chart in the church porch.

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 February, 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.

St. Joseph’s Bee Keepers

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:00:14 GMT

“Last year, we finished with 7 colonies and as the weather got colder we left them with plenty of food to help sustain them during the winter. Sadly, when the weather was warm enough to start up inspections for this season there was only one colony left. However, it went from strength to strength and a couple of weeks later, we split it into 3 colonies. We have also had 3 swarms and split the first one again, so now we are back up to 7 colonies. It is a fascinating hobby and even if you don’t have time to come weekly, you might just like to come and have a look. If you like the idea then come when you can. We have two spare bee suits. If you would like to come, then phone Tommy on 07941 850036.”

Pope Leo’s Encyclical Letter

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 10:53:27 GMT

Pope Leo’s Encyclical Letter on the place of AI in human relations can be found at:- Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Leo XIV Magnifica Humanitas (15 May 2026 ) For a report on his letter see:- Magnifica Humanitas: Pope invokes justice to combat ‘anti-human vision’ in AI – Catholic World Report

Paper copies are available for sale in the church porch.

Youth Group at St Joseph’s

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 10:22:11 GMT

Continues this Thursday, 18th June for young people from Year 6 to Year 11 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the Church Hall. We would also like to ask the whole parish community to join us in prayer, so that this initiative can provide a welcoming space where young people can grow in faith and friendship. A minute’s prayer each day would be great.

Thank you! Kathia, Lucy, Matthew and Denzyl.

Children's Liturgy

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 09:44:21 GMT

CHILDREN’S LITURGY at the 10.00 am Sunday Mass

Our sessions are aimed at all primary school children, so they learn about the Gospel in a fun and child friendly way. These are the dates for the rest of this school year when we will have children’s liturgy: June 14th 28th and July 12th.

Mass and Meet

Sun, 31 May 2026 20:12:21 GMT

Mass and Meet On Friday 3rd July with Mass at 12.00 mid-day, followed by a light lunch in the hall. Everyone is welcome.

MASS INTENTIONS

Sun, 31 May 2026 14:46:57 GMT

You will see from the ‘diary’ for this week, Masses are the ‘celebrant’s intention’; however, if you would like to have Mass offered for a personal or particular intention, please put details on a ‘Mass Intention’ envelope and hand it to Fr. Ian or drop it through the presbytery letterbox. You might like to have Mass offered for someone’s well-being, the repose of their soul, birthday etc. By tradition, the Mass ‘offering’, (rooted in Leviticus 7:28- 34 and Deuteronomy 18:3-8) should be sufficient to sustain a priest for the day. Many thanks.

Musicians, Singers and Readers

Sun, 31 May 2026 13:22:04 GMT

There is a lot of quiet talent in the parish, with a lot of youngsters being very proficient readers, as well as musicians and singers of all ages! It would be great if such talents could be used to the glory and praise of God in the liturgy.

To that end, over the next few weeks, we will be making appeals for people to be involved in these things. Don’t be concerned if you don’t feel too confident, support and help can and will be given and you won’t be asked to take on and lead on every front, all these things are shared ministries. There are those who have assisted with these ministries and will help to integrate your talents with those already involved in them. If you find it’s not for you, having given something a go, we will be thankful that you made the offer and had a go.

Many thanks.

Defend NHS staff conscience rights

Sun, 31 May 2026 12:31:37 GMT

Following the fall of the Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill, fresh bids to introduce an assisted dying law in England and Wales are anticipated. Any new law would likely pressure NHS staff to be involved in some way and offer even less protection to institutions like hospices. You can help protect healthcare workers and hospices by signing the Bios Centre online petition.

It calls on Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, to protect conscientious objection rights for religious and personal beliefs. Sign the petition at https://bioscentre.org/petition-on-conscience-protection/ or scan this QR code with your smartphone.

Latest on Parliament and Assisted Dying from ‘Right to Life’

Tue, 26 May 2026 13:16:23 GMT

“The House of Commons Private Members’ Bill ballot has now taken place, and your MP needs to hear from you again. A number of the 20 MPs drawn in this morning’s ballot voted for the assisted suicide Bill at Third Reading last year. They are now coming under considerable pressure from assisted suicide campaigners, led by Kim Leadbeater MP, to bring back her dangerous Bill.

Please take 30 seconds now to send your MP a new email with important new polling that every MP needs to see, whether or not they were drawn in the ballot.

New polling from Whitestone Insight has been released following the ballot, and is the largest public poll conducted on assisted suicide since the Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill was introduced.

The polling includes seat-by-seat results that show there is no local mandate in your constituency for MPs to revive Kim Leadbeater’s failed assisted suicide Bill and bypass the House of Lords to push it into law.

This needs to get in front of your MP as soon as possible, so they can see what people in your constituency think. The Other Half, who commissioned the polling, has launched an easy tool that lets you email your MP with the poll results for your constituency and ask them to oppose the Bill being brought back. Please take 30 seconds now to contact your MP, using the simple tool. ” Write to your MP - Stop the assisted dying bill being brought back

CONFIRMATION

Mon, 18 May 2026 14:40:13 GMT

Our prayers and congratulations to the young people who were Confirmed recently at St. Joseph’s, Epsom:- Joe, Maks, Nadia, Joshua, Amelia, Sofia, Mark, Adam, Amelia and Karol. We pray they will deepen in their love of God, mature in their faith and be true witnesses of Christ in the world, all the days of their lives.

Holy Hour

Mon, 11 May 2026 16:03:54 GMT

There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament this Thursday, 4th June, from 18:00 to 19:00 An opportunity to spend some quiet time in the presence of the Lord.

The dawn crow of the cockerel in the Passion pt2

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:45:51 GMT

The dawn crow of the cockerel in the Passion Narrative: - (Part 2)

The Midrash, about King Solomon who desires to build the Temple, the shamir and the Hoopoe begins by announcing that King Solomon got himself a male and female demon (derived from shiddah and shiddot which could mean ‘singers’ (see Jerusalem Bible version) but is obscure enough, according to the footnote, to possibly mean demons) who, in turn, eventually got a hold of the king of the demons, Ashmedai, who pointed King Solomon in the direction of the hoopoe, the guardian of the ‘shamir’.

The text continues:- “Solomon replied, “I want nothing at all that is yours. But because I desire to build the Temple, I need the shamir.” Ashmedai (the king of demons) said to him. “ The shamir was not placed in my charge but given to the prince of the sea, and he gave sole charge of it to the wild cock, (the hoopoe) who is entrusted with it on oath. Do you know what he does with it? He takes it to an uninhabited mountain and sets it down upon a peak, and the mountain splits asunder. Then the wild cock gathers seeds of trees and scatters them in the split, which consequently attracts settlers .” (Hence the Aramai Targum calls the wild cock the “splitter of mountains.”)” (See:- “The Book of Legends Sefer Ha-Aggadah” No. 122 P. 130 Ed. Hayim Nahman Ravnitzky, Schocken Books, New York, 1992)

If, in Judaism at the time of our Lord, the cockerel announces the new day and the call to first prayers, the clearing by the priestly caste of the ashes of the previous days sacrificial oblations in the Temple as preparation for sacrifices of the new day, and indeed, the cockerel is recognised as the one who has charge of the shamir then surely, we can equate the shamir with our Lord and the wood of the cross!

The cross upon which our Lord was nailed, would have been erected in the rock, that is, it would have split the rock, and so we could say that symbolically, Christ is indeed the shamir who ‘attracts settlers’, the new Covenant, which is the Church, and therefore it is no surprise, the shamir disappeared after the building of the Second Temple, because Christ is the shamir, the tool required to build the (new) Temple, announced by the cockerel on Good Friday morning.

When, as the Gospel recounts our Lord died upon the cross, the veil of the Temple was torn from top to bottom (Mk 15:37, Matt 27:51) and thus the Covenant of Sinai is superseded, the New and Everlasting Covenant (of the Church) is established through the Resurrection of Jesus and the institution of the Ministerial priesthood and the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper; these surely all point to Jesus as being the shamir. The cock crow on that Good Friday would see our Lord died upon the Cross and again, as the Gospel relates, there was an earthquake and the ground was split open and the souls of many rose from the dead (Matt 27:51).

Is it that Christ is the shamir, the tool who enables the new temple to be built, the ‘keystone’ over which many would stumble, but upon whom, the Church, the New Temple or Tabernacle is built? In which case, the dawn crow of the cockerel, the splitter of stone, if the Gospel narrative references the Midrash, is of greater significance than we may think!

The dawn crow of the cockerel in the Passion pt 1

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:42:39 GMT

The dawn crow of the cockerel in the Passion Narrative: - (Part 1)

In Judaism there are ‘interpretive commentaries which surround many of the text of the Old Testament, called ‘Midrash’. One such Midrash is about King Solomon and the building of the First Temple. The Midrash talks of a tool, the ‘shamir’ which is required to cut the stone for the Temple. The shamir is in the charge of a wild cockerel, the hoopoe. “An essential element in Solomon's construction of the Temple was the miraculous shamir stonecutter. In instructing us how to make the permanent altar to God, the Torah says, "do not build it out of cut stone" (Ex. 20:22). The shamir disappeared after the destruction of the Temple.

The Nature of the Shamir:- The word "shamir" in biblical Hebrew was used in two senses: a) a penpoint made out of a hard substance (Jeremiah 17:1); or b) sharp thorns (Isaiah 5:6).

Each usage relates to the ability of the shamir to pierce hard surfaces. The Talmud and later great rabbis described how the passage of the shamir along the surface of a stone would cause it to split perfectly into two pieces.

Small as a barleycorn (less than one centimeter), the shamir did not have an inspiring physical appearance. According to Rabbi Bachiya in the Talmud, the shamir was first used at the time of the construction of the Tabernacle to engrave the names of the tribes on the precious jewels of the High Priest's breastplate. For safekeeping, the shamir was kept wrapped in wool, placed in a lead basket filled with barley bran (Talmud, Sota 48b.) The choice of these materials was specific, since no other materials were able to resist its penetrative powers.

A Midrash recounts that even King Solomon had no idea where to find the shamir, although he knew he needed it to build the Temple. Solomon went to great lengths to obtain the shamir, even to the point, evidently, of contacting demons who had some relationship with the shamir and the other supernatural phenomena. The Midrash relates that Solomon consulted the king of the demons, who did not have it but knew that the angel of the sea had given the shamir to the hoopoe bird (dukhifat, Lev. 11:19), a type of fowl who needed it to survive. In the end, King Solomon captured the shamir from the hoopoe, a ‘wild cockerel’. (See:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoopoe )

The shamir was used by man only in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple. Supernatural beings created by God for specific functions do not exist forever. The Mishna (Sota 9:12) states that the shamir existed until the destruction of the Second Temple. According to the Tosefta, the shamir disappeared after the destruction of the Temple (my note: in the year 70 A.D, some 27 years after the events of the first Easter, that is, the Death and Resurrection of Jesus) since it was no longer needed.” (Taken from:- https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/38030 3/jewish/Modern-Physics-and-the-Shamir.htm )

“Hoopoes will also feed on insects on the surface, probe into piles of leaves, and even use the bill to lever large stones and flake off bark.” We can understand the origins of the idea of the ‘rock splitter’ in the Midrash from the observations made about this wild cockerel, the hoopoe.

A report from the ‘Centre for Social Justice’

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:22:00 GMT

Worth a read:- a report from the ‘Centre for Social Justice’

https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2025/03/CSJ-The_Lost_Boys.pdf

Life in the Spirit Seminars

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 16:39:03 GMT

Life in the Spirit Seminars from each Tuesday from 14th April to 2nd June 2026 at St. Joseph’s, Redhill, each week at 7.30. Further details available from the poster on the noticeboard.

Adult Information

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 15:51:30 GMT

The programme is open to everyone, but especially those who wish to know more about the Catholic faith with a view to becoming a Catholic. Our programme continues this Monday 9th March, when we look at the foundations of the Church, built on Peter and the Apostles. Please note we will begin at the earlier time of 7.00 pm; all are welcome.

Children's Liturgy – Could you help with the leadership?

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 18:51:09 GMT

We have so much enjoyed restarting the Children's Liturgy over the past year. It has been fantastic to see the enthusiasm of children and parents for these sessions, and rewarding for us to see the children enjoying growing in the knowledge of their faith. It would be lovely to have more leaders so that we can increase the number of sessions. Besides a love of God, no formal qualifications are needed to assist other than be happy to have a DBS check and enthusiasm. We work as a team, supporting one another in working with the children in all the sessions. So, if you are interested in finding out more, please do speak to one of us after Mass or contact us through the church office. God bless, Kathia, Matthew, Elizabeth and Monika

PARISH REPOSITORY / BOOK STALL

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 14:37:10 GMT

PARISH REPOSITORY / BOOK STALL : - Is something perhaps, which we take for granted in the church narthex, but which has been looked after and managed for many years by one person with assistance from others. Given the passage of time, it would be appreciated if a couple of people would assist in learning of how to manage and order items for the repository with a view to taking on the role in due time. If you would be willing to help withs, please e-mail the parish office with your details, which will then be passed on to the current manager. Many thanks.

Music Group at 10.00 Sunday Mass

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 13:34:22 GMT

Do you play a musical instrument and could you support the music group at the 10.00 Sunday Mass? We are particularly looking for instrumentalists to join the music group; you need to be reasonably confident on your instrument but please just come and have a chat to explore if it’s for you. And if you’d like to sing with us you’re very welcome too! And are there any organists out there who might want to play sometimes? You don’t have to be available every week to be involved! If you can help,

For the Music Group please either speak to Gabrielle or anyone else in the Music Group after Mass, or email gabrielle.musictherapy@gmail.com .

And if you’re a budding organist please speak to Vinita after Mass or email vmgoveas@hotmail.com

DORKING FOOD BANK

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:09:40 GMT

If you would like to contribute to the food bank, the Food Bank Box is by the side door of the Church and is for contributions of appropriate products as listed, which are gratefully received.

The box is emptied regularly and the products are delivered to the local Food Bank Depot, where they are labelled and St Josephs Parish is acknowledged.

Should you wish to help with the Food Bank a few more people are needed to assist occasionally with the weekly collection when the regular collectors are away. Please see our own parish website under the heading ‘Churches Together in Dorking at: https://www.sjcc.org.uk/churches-together-dorking

Volunteers would need to have their own transport to get the products to the actual food bank depot. Please let Maria know if you’re willing to help. For further details about the foodbank, please see their website at: Dorking Area Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis

Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 10:09:41 GMT

From THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE UNBORN CHILD:-

After a two-year delay, the Government have finally published the official abortion statistics for 2023.

The results are shocking but not surprising. There were 277,970 terminations recorded, an 11% increase on the year before. These are the highest numbers of abortions in the UK’s history, nearly 300,000 per year across all four nations - a figure never envisaged when the legislation was first passed. There is also a rise in pills by post abortions - 200,745 abortions involved taking both abortion drugs at home, 72% of the total. You can read our full press release here .

These appalling figures come as peers are due to debate the biggest expansion of abortion since 1967 - allowing self-induced abortion up to birth. As you know, the House of Lords will debate Clause 191 to the Crime and Policing Bill in the coming weeks - either on 27th January or 2nd February.

Amendments tabled at Committee Stage include removing Clause 191 from the Bill entirely, ending the pills by post policy, and mandatory investigations for underage abortions.

Please write to members of the House of Lords and ask them to fight the extreme abortion up to birth amendment. We must work to stop these horrendous statistics rising still higher. If this change goes through, key protections for women and babies will be removed.

Please use our tool to contact members of the House of Lords. It will generate a Peer at random for you to write to, and bring up an editable template. Please edit this template to put it in your own words, and to include your own concerns and experiences. Once you have finished your letter, it will be emailed to you to print off and send to the Peer by post . Alternatively, you can opt to send your message by email, though paper letters are always more impactful than emails. The SPUC tool can be found at:-

Fight the latest attempts to decriminalise abortion - SPUC You can contact as many Peers as you are able to (but send the letters in separate envelopes).

Diocesan Pastoral Plan

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:07:07 GMT

The Pastoral Plan – The Word Who is Life (From Fr. Chris Bergin):-

“Bishop Richard’s appointment as the next Archbishop of Westminster means there are some immediate consequences for us regarding the implementation of the Pastoral Plan in the Epsom Deanery. Whilst some things, by Church Law, are put on hold until a new Bishop arrives – particularly any decision to combine the existing nine parishes into one new parish – other key elements of the Plan remain as important for us as ever; prayer, formation and mission continue to be the priorities that shape our pastoral life. Whilst the parishioner meetings around the nine parishes will not now go ahead as planned (as a significant factor in the planning for these – particularly the timetable – was the proposed changes to structure), the Parish Leadership Team will be working on proposals to enable us to continue our reflections on mission, to celebrate and develop co-operation between our parish communities, and continue to invite all parishioners to get involved. You’ll be able to hear more about this in the next Deanery newsletter which will be available next weekend, 17th/18th January.”

Additionally, there's a piece on the Diocesan website about what happens (and doesn't happen) during sede vacante which may be of help: Sede Vacante: Next steps for the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton | News

Eucharistic Adoration

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 13:16:41 GMT

There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for quiet prayer from 18.00 to 19.00 hrs on Thursday 4th June; all are welcome to come and spend time with our Lord.

Missio Red Box

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 23:25:43 GMT

If you have a Red Box (Mill Hill Missionaries) in your home which is not emptied by the parish collectors or if you would like a Red Box in your home to help the APF’s missionary work, please contact Louis McCulloch on 01306 899001 or louis.mcculloch1@gmail.com .

Lifts to Church

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 19:48:51 GMT

We are hoping to create a small group of volunteers to assist those with mobility issues in getting to church. Please do get in touch either if you think you can help provide the occasional lift by car, or if you yourself need occasional help to get to church due to mobility issues. Please get in touch on 07393814255. Benjamin Morrell.

MASS INTENTIONS AND STIPENDS

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 12:33:14 GMT

Every now and again the question about Mass intentions comes up in regard to having a Mass for a particular intention, e.g. the repose of someone’s soul, a person’s health or well-being, thanksgiving etc.

Priest are allowed to celebrate one Mass each day for a particular intention, such as those mentioned above, however it must be stressed that we cannot ‘buy’ a Mass! Remember, that the Mass, the Holy Eucharist, is the unbloodied sacrifice of Christ upon the Cross, Jesus offers Himself to God the Father on our behalf; through the action of the Mass He unites us to our Heavenly Father especially through Holy Communion, the Mass then, is the perfect prayer of the Church and is not something we can ‘buy’.

The ‘Mass Stipend’ or ‘Mass Offering’ is a gift to the priest, (normally financial) when a particular intention is requested, its roots are in the Old Testament and the Levitical priesthood. The tribe of Levi, were set aside by God through Moses to administer the Tent of Meeting which later became the Temple in Jerusalem. The Tent of Meeting / Temple was the place of the Holy of Holies which contained the Ark of the Covenant; it was here that the Levites served God on behalf of His people, they were ‘set aside’ for such work.

Part of the priestly work was to offer sacrifices to God, and the priests were allowed to take certain parts of the sacrificial animals so as to sustain themselves and their family (see Dt 18:1-8). In the same way, if we would like a Mass for a particular intention, we can always put details on a ‘Mass Intentions’ envelope (available at the back of the church) with an offering, and hand it to Fr. Ian or put it through the presbytery letter box. The financial offering, or ‘Mass Stipend’ is a personal gift to the priest and helps, as its roots suggest, in sustaining the priest personally for a day

Catholics Seeking Guidance

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 09:25:36 GMT

Catholics seeking guidance: In light of recent coverage, some references to help and guide:

Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2277 Catechism of the Catholic Church - IntraText The Code of Canon Law: Code 227 Code of Canon Law - Book II - The People of God - Part I. (Cann. 208-329) The Code of Canon Law: Code 915 Code of Canon Law - Book IV - Function of the Church Liber (Cann. 879-958) followed by the commentary from the Pontifical Council for Legislative Text (24/06/2000) Declaration of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts which

clearly outlines the responsibility of priests towards the People of God entrusted to their care.

Getting Married

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 08:41:19 GMT

GETTINNG MARRIED:- A reminder that if you are planning to marry in the Church and live within the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, Bishop Richard requires that you give twelve months notice to your Parish Priest. (The Diocese includes the whole of Sussex and Surrey outside the London boroughs.) During that time, the Parish Priest will outline the particular requirements in regard to a marriage preparation programme.This means that at the present time, the earliest a wedding could take place will be the end of June 2026, however, given that most reception venues require 18 months notice, 12 months notice to the parish should come as no surprise.

Parish Library

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 10:28:27 GMT

Parish Library:- A reminder that there is the parish library in the narthex,/ main entrance to the church. There is a wide selection of books, both of a devotional and doctrinal nature, so do have a look and don’t be afraid to borrow.

On a similar note, the ‘Catechism of the Catholic Church’ can be found on the Vatican web site. Type in ‘santa sede’ on a search engine and it will bring up the web site, go to the top right of the home page to select a language, and then scroll down to the bottom of the page to ‘resources’ click on that ‘button’ and it will take you to a menu page for the ‘Code of Canon Law’, the Catechism and the documents of the Second Vatican Council; all useful stuff informing our faith and therefore the opportunity to grow in the love of God, His Church and our neighbour.

The Anima Christi

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 10:32:49 GMT

The Anima Christi (Prayer after receiving Holy Communion):-

Soul of Christ, be my sanctification, Body of Christ, be my salvation,. Blood of Christ, fill all my veins. Water flowing from the side of Christ, wash out my stains. Passion of Christ, my comfort be. O good Jesu, listen to me. In Thy wounds I fain would hide, N’er to be parted from thy side, Guard me should my foe assail me. Call me when my life shall fail me. Bid me come to thee above, With Thy saints to sing Thy love, World without end. Amen.