Category: Saint George’s latest news

Back on the horizon again

“The Great Feast of Christ the King”

One day this will be the Greatest Feast of All.  When Christ will come in His glory; and all will be raised to life in the  Glory of God’s Kingdom.  This is the true inspiration that Christ left with His disciples – the promise I will be with you always, and after I am gone I will send the Holy Spirit which the early disciples experienced at Pentecost.  This is at the heart of our lives of faith; and please God, with the help of the parish council; the renewal of different ministries, and the inspiration of our children’s liturgy groups, and young people, a need for a new generation is so important to all.  So really, really important is there notice last week.

Preparing for Advent Family Workshop: Saturday, Nov 18th, 3.30pm – 6.00pm, St Wilfrid’s Hall. Following the success of last years event we are going to hold another Parish Advent Workshop and look forward to seeing many of our  families there. This is an opportunity for families to come together and have fun, be creative and prepare for Advent. There will be variety of Christmas related activities, relevant to all ages, followed by a short time of worship and a shared meal.  Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. To book your place please complete the form available at the back of church and collect a tear off slip for your small contribution to bring to the shared meal.

Today Breakfast will support CAFOD and 26th November the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal (these charities will  remain annually).  If you have a particular charity you would like us to support, please let us know.

We are looking for some people who would be available during the week (usually in the morning) who would be able to drive our van and pick up food donations.  They would need to be over 30 to comply with our insurance conditions.  (Somebody younger could still help by being the passenger to assist with loading and unloading the van).  If your availability is limited but you would still like to help you could go on our reserve team.

If you are interested please contact Phil Cole at                        [email protected].  

Saturday, Nov 18th, 3.30pm – 6.00pm, St Wilfrid’s Hall. Following the success of last years event we are going to hold another Parish Advent Workshop and look forward to seeing many of our families there. This is an opportunity for families to come together and have fun, be creative and prepare for Advent. There will be  variety of Christmas related activities, relevant to all ages,    followed by a short time of worship and a shared meal.  Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. To book your place please complete the form available at the back of church and collect a tear off slip for your small contribution to bring to the shared meal.

Thank you for celebrating World Mission Sunday

Thank you very much for your donations to World Mission Sunday last week.  Your prayers and support of World   Mission Sunday will help missionaries work alongside communities throughout the world that are poor or in need, regardless of their background or belief.  Please pray for the work of Missio and all those working to offer the love of Jesus, that we may remain strong in our witness to Christ’s love for all peoples.  To continue supporting mission throughout the year, please go to mission.org.uk or call 020 7821 9755 (office hours).

“Next time we meet, see you in heaven”

What a beautiful note coming from the mouth of Ruth Ayres to her friend Judy Davies, as her farewell greeting just before she flies out to her new life with her daughter in America.  When the spirit is willing then age can only be a number even if the health is not good.  Next Sunday it will be the turn of St George’s church to give thanks for all our treasured memories of those who contributed so much to the life of this church over the years.  We will have special prayers and blessing in the garden after the Mass.

Solid steps are being taken to develop our lives of faith and ministry here together in our parish.  In the wider context in our diocese much of the focus remains on what priests are available to the parish.  Our efforts over the years to be a body made up of many parts working together will be truly tested.   Our new parish council, with all the work that is taking place by our children’s liturgy group with the hope that it will serve all our young members better.  Yes a new     generation is required.

SAINTS & SINNERS CONCERT Our Lady of Ransom Church (Grange Road, BN21 4EU) – SATURDAY 4^THNOVEMBER 7.30pm with refreshments interval    midway.  An evening of secular and sacred music and storytelling, exploring and celebrating the journey of faith as saints and sinners on the road.  John         Holstrom (keyboard) and Dominic Dring (saxophone, flute and vocals), Elisha Dring (singer) and special guests.  Donation (suggest £5 to £10) on the night, with money raised going towards a local charity.

Deacon John expects to bless the graves at St George’s Memorial Garden and Willingdon Cemetery after Mass on Thursday November 2nd.

Fr Rory will bless the graves at St Wilfrid’s after Mass on Wednesday November 1st.

A  huge thank you to those who supported and helped arrange the Quiz on Friday. A special thank you to Gerry and David for putting together the questions and categories. Everyone seemed to enjoy the evening and the result of £451.20 will be split between both churches. We look forward to the next quiz in April which will be held at St George`s.

“Our Homeland is in Heaven”

St Paul to the Philippians 3:20-21

Last Sunday we had a special celebration here at St Wilfrid’s in remembrance of all our treasured memories, the souls of our departed who contributed so much to our parish.  Now they leave us with important challenges to continue to develop and to grow in our lives of faith.  Like each parish we have particular riches of memories to be treasured from the many who had contributed to our parish community.

On Sunday 5th November it will be the turn of St George’s.   They have also lost some very special people recently and please God, we will do justice to the occasion with a commemoration that reflects their achievements and        underpins our work to build upon this, so that our church has a definite future.

As we commence this years preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation, this needs to reflect upon the sure foundations of our faith.   After the resurrection, Jesus gave a mandate to His disciples to go out to proclaim good news; Gods salvation.  In our time at the seminary we received two most important emphasises.  Life is a journey, it has a beginning and an end, whether we like it or not.  The second is story telling.  To tell our story, but above all to listen to God’s story as He intervened through the ages.  The old Testament prepared us for this when Jesus highlighted special moments on that journey.  He referred to “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up ” John 3:14-16.  Prefiguring when Christ would be raised up upon the cross and all who would call upon Him would receive Gods salvation beginning with the forgiveness of sin.