Category: Saint George’s latest news

Foundation governors are appointed by the Bishop to serve as his representatives on the governing body of diocesan schools to ensure the Church’s mission is upheld.  Governors have oversight of the curriculum and the appointment of staff and are accountable for the performance of the school.  They have a strategic role to play as well as acting as a critical friend to the head teacher.  The governing body needs people with a mixture of skills and experience and would welcome anyone who can offer their own perspective and time.  Training is provided to help governors fulfil this very important role.

If you would like to know more, contact the clerk to the governors, Mandy Randall: [email protected] or visit the diocesan website which can be found at  https://www.abdiocese.org.uk/education/governance

We are encouraging everyone to mark the day by praying the words of Pope Francis taken from his encyclical letter Fratelli Tutti – on fraternity and social friendship:

Come, Holy Spirit, show us your beauty,

reflected in all the peoples of the earth,

so that we may discover anew

that all are important and all are necessary,

different faces of the one humanity

that God so loves.

Amen.

A man had spent fruitless day fishing. He didn’t want to go home empty-handed. He decided to stop at a local fish market. “I’d like three good sized fish,” he said to the clerk. “But before you wrap them, toss them to me, one by one.” The clerk looked puzzled at his request, “Sir? That’s a strange thing to ask.” Smiling the man said, “This way I’ll be able to tell my wife truthfully that I caught them!

You probably know that the ashes to be used this year on Ash Wednesday on 2^nd March actually come from the burning of the Palms given out at Palm Sunday last year. Please bring your palms to the church next week so we can prepare the ashes in plenty of time. Thank you.

We are now in our fourth week of focusing on the Synod, and our thanks goes to all parishioners who have so far attended meetings and/or given their responses to the questionnaires.

A particularly special thank you goes to the children who have taken time to give us some very useful ideas.  

All the responses have been passed to the Diocese.

A final handout is being given to everyone this weekend. It includes one final question and the opportunity to further suggest how we as a Parish can improve and work together to make Our Church work for us all.  We encourage all of you to give us plenty of suggestions!

There is no need to give your name and we will prepare a summary of all your comments in a few weeks time.

If you missed any of the first three questionnaires, it’s not too late to complete them, there are spare copies at the back of Church. You can also request a copy by calling Jackie on 01323 841504 or email [email protected].

Once again, as well as providing Private Individual or Group responses to this week’s questionnaire, you are also invited and very welcome to attend either or both of the following group sessions being held for the Parish. 

Wednesday 9th February after 10am Mass – St Wilfrid’s Hall

Saturday 12th February 10am – St George’s Hall

Zoom – for those unable to attend our discussion groups weekly, we could organise a Zoom group. Please contact Bob Waters at [email protected] if you would be interested and like to take part in this, day/time to be confirmed.

Further information:

www.abdiocese/org.uk/synod – this includes the Diocese document and an online easy to use survey.  Even if you undertake this survey though, which we wholly encourage, please also take time to respond to the Parish survey.

https://www.synod.va/en/documents/english-version-of-the-preparatory-document.html

The readings this weekend challenge us all to be the person God is calling us to be – namely one of his disciples. This means we must recognise and accept the presence of God in our lives, realise that we are unworthy but at the same time to be willing to let his hands mould us to follow him. The readings tell us, as he told Isaiah, St. Paul and St. Peter. We must remember that God has his own reasons and thinking when he chooses those who are to be his Disciples. We can ask ourselves if we are firmly committed to be a disciple and, if not, resolve to change and be positive about how we do it. St. Paul, as described in the second reading, is a good example of changing ones thoughts and actions and what the result could be.  The Responsorial Psalm is a wonderful example of a prayer of gratitude. The Second Vatican Council teaches that we are all called to Christ’s ministry by virtue of our Baptism into Jesus Christ.

On a different theme his Holiness Pope Francis has reminded us that Friday, February 11, is to be a World Day of the Sick, as instituted by St. John Paul II thirty years ago, with the theme of a quotation from St. Luke: “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful”. This theme makes us first turn our gaze towards God, who is “rich in mercy” (Eph 2:4); he always watches over his children with a father’s love, even when they turn away from him. Mercy is God’s name par excellence; mercy, understood not as an occasional sentimental feeling but as an ever-present and active force, expresses God’s very nature. It combines strength and tenderness. For this reason, we can say with wonder and gratitude that God’s mercy embraces both fatherhood and motherhood (cf. Is 49:15). God cares for us with the strength of a father and the tenderness of a mother; he unceasingly desires to give us new life in the Holy Spirit.

He finishes with: Dear brothers and sisters, to the intercession of Mary, Health of the Infirm, I entrust all the sick and their families. United with Christ, who bears the pain of the world, may they find meaning, consolation and trust. I pray for healthcare workers everywhere, that, rich in mercy, they may offer patients, together with suitable care, their fraternal closeness.

To all I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing. Francis.

Children with Cancer Friendship Group are holding an informal meeting at St. Wilfrid’s Church, 90, Broad Road, Lower Willingdon BN20 9RA, on 7th February from 2.30pm to 4.00pm., where there will be hymns,  a Bible Reading, talk and refreshments.  All are welcome

The Bishops of England & Wales have issued the following guidance following the new Covid Virus announcement by the Government:

1. Please continue to wear a face covering in church.
2. Social distancing is now optional.
3. Hymn books and missals, etc can now be used.
4. Continue to sanitise hands.
5. Holy water stoups can now be refilled (but water must be changed weekly).
6. Church cleaning can return to normal.
7. The sign of peace can be reinstated.
8. Holy Communion continues to be given in one kind only.
9. If you feel unwell, please stay at home.

Facilitated by the House of Prayer team, this day will provide a time of quiet reflection during this season of renewal. Based on Ignation spirituality, we will explore prayer and scripture in a new and profound way. Saturday 12^th March 10am-4pm House of Prayer East Molesey Cost £25 email [email protected] for details

Confirmation Catechist Reflection & Formation Day

Join us for a day of Lenten reflection led by The Catholic Bible School. You will have the opportunity to stop, pray, and spend time with the Lord during this season of renewal. You will also discover new and exciting ways to help young people connect to their faith.  Saturday 26^th March 10am-3.30pm St John the Evangelist Horsham Cost £5 email [email protected] for details.