ST DUNSTAN'S CHURCH
WOKING
NEWSLETTER
Father Peter Andrews, Parish Priest
Father Nick Harden
Deacon Russell Young
September 11th 2022, Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II RIP
My dear Friends,
It was with great sadness that I, like you, heard of the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday afternoon.
We were blessed by her presence in our lives and now return that blessing by praying for her, her family, and our new King, Charles III.
Jesus said, "I am the resurrection. Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live." (Jn 11:25)
We do believe.
Fr Peter
Dear Friends,
I came to St Dunstan's as Assistant Priest on the 12th September, 2011, and leave exactly 11 years later as your Parish Priest from 1st June 2018.
Throughout my time here you have shown me love, kindness and generosity. You have shared your lives with me, inviting me into moments of great joy and also sadness. Baptisms and funerals have been shared between us. We have learnt to lean on one another for strength and healing. First Holy Communions and Confirmations have been other highlights of mutual sharing and growth.
Our wonderful schools, St Dunstan's and St John the Baptist have been places where all have welcomed me with happiness and encouraged me to explore my Priesthood.
Indeed, of my 12 years of Priesthood, 11 have been with you all! What I am is very much of your making and formation. Any deficiencies are still mine, but I know that I am so much better as a priest and person, because of your nourishment of me and my vocation.
Thank you for being so patient and caring, putting up with my foibles, mispronounciation of names, forgetting to send the children out for their prayers on Sunday, and so on...!
You are a wonderful reflection of God walking and working amoungst His people and I will always carry you in my heart and prayers because I have been so blessed.
I know that you will give the same support, joy and love to Frs Rob and Nick as you journey into a new adventure together.
With my love and God's blessing. Fr Peter.
FAREWELL AND ‘THANK YOU’ FOR FR PETER
This weekend is Fr Peter’s last weekend in the Parish. On Friday 23rd September he is going to come back and celebrate Mass here at 7.30 pm. After Mass we will have a shared supper and a presentation to Fr Peter to say ‘thank you’ for everything he has done during his years as Assistant Priest and then Parish Priest of St Dunstan’s. We invite parishioners to ‘bring a plate’ to share. There will be an opportunity during the weekend of 17th/18th September to make a donation towards the ‘thank you’ gift for Fr Peter. More about this next week.
BAPTISMS
Please pray for those who will be baptised this weekend: Douglas Wood, Amabel Perry, Isaac Bangue, Olympia Kohonen, Verity Chapman, Joshua King, Harry Rayner, Cillian Khosla, Finn Shear, Freddie Copp and Sophia d'Antonio. Please pray also for their parents and godparents.
CONFIRMATION 2023
If you are in Year 10 or above at school and would like to be Confirmed next year then it is essential that you, and your parents, attend a meeting here on Sunday 25th September, immediately after the 5.30 pm Mass. Information about the programme will be given at the meeting.
FIRST RECONCILIATION AND HOLY COMMUNION 2023
The meeting for parents this Monday 12th September will be in the Function Room at 7.30 pm. All the information you need about how the course will run will be given at the meeting.
SIGNING OF SECONDARY SCHOOL SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FORMS
Dates and times when parents can come to the church to have their SIFs signed have not yet been finalised. We hope to announce these next week.
CHILDREN'S LITURGY AND TODDLERS' PRAYERS
We are delighted to say that we are now offering Children's Liturgy and Toddlers' Prayers at both the 9.00 am and 10.30 am Sunday Masses. We would still welcome new volunteers for either of these Masses. Please contact the Parish Office if you can help, on a rota basis, to enable our young parishioners to hear the Word of God through the Sunday Gospel.
NEW ALTAR SERVERS
If you have made your First Holy Communion and would like to serve at our Parish Masses there will be training sessions on Saturday 10th September and Saturday 17th September in the Church at 11.30 am - 12.15 pm. Please attend one session and meet in the Narthex.
CAFOD CAKE SALE
There will be a Cafod cake sale after 9.00 am Mass this Sunday where we will be raising money for the DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal. Thank you to everyone who generously supported our last sale in July where we raised £120.
REFRESHMENTS AFTER THE SUNDAY 5.30 pm MASS
Refreshments will be served after the 5.30 pm Mass next Sunday, September 18th. We welcome everyone to join us for a cup of tea or coffee, cake and some fellowship.
DEC PAKISTAN FLOOD RELIEF APPEAL
Devastating floods have hit Pakistan, leaving millions in urgent need of help to survive. A third of the country is now underwater (that’s an area almost the size of Great Britain). Please pray for those affected and make a donation if you are able. You can donate using the Dona machines in the Narthex or at cafod.org.uk/give. Your donation will help CAFOD’s local partners support communities with clean drinking water, food, emergency medical assistance and shelter.
ST BERNADETTE RELIC TOUR
The Relics of St Bernadette will be journeying to the UK for the first time this Autumn visiting 51 venues across England, Scotland and Wales, offering a special opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes. The sacred Relics will visit three venues in our Diocese during the tour including St Dunstan’s on October 21st and 22nd. To find out more, visit stbernadette.org.uk or watch the trailer on YouTube at youtu.be/PFRMIvD9AiI. To book your attendance please visit www.abdiocese.org.uk/news/register-your-free-place-for-the-st-bernadette-relic-tour. More details on the services that will be held at St Dunstan’s will be available soon.
AN ILLUSTRATED TALK ABOUT ST BERNADETTE
To prepare for the visit of the relics of St Bernadette to St Dunstan’s Church, John Sexton will give an illustrated talk on the life and spirituality of St Bernadette on Tuesday 4th October at 7.30 pm in the Function Room. The presentation should finish at about 8.30 pm. All welcome.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOULS OF
Mihai Barbut RIP
(father of Fr Claudio Barbut) and
Andrew O'Sullivan RIP.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
May they rest in peace.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
May they rest in peace.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK especially for Tom Lennon.
MASS TIMES & INTENTIONS
Morning Prayer at 9.45 am, Monday - Saturday
Sunday Lectionary Cycle Year C
Weekday Lectionary Cycle Year 2, Week 24
Saturday 10th September, Our Lady on Saturday
10.00 am Manuel Lopez Paz RIP
10.00 am Manuel Lopez Paz RIP
Rosary and Adoration
1.30 pm Baptisms
2.45 pm Baptisms
Vigil Masses for Sunday
6.00 pm Peter O'Connor
6.00 pm Peter O'Connor
7.15 pm Mass in Portuguese
Sunday 11th September, Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Education Sunday
9.00 am Joe Colfer RIP
9.00 am Joe Colfer RIP
10.30 am Abraham Selvadurai RIP
12.00 noon Mass in Italian
5.30 pm HM Queen Elizabeth II RIP
Monday 12th September, Weekday
10:00 am Jenny Pam RIP
Rosary and Adoration until 2.00 pm
Tuesday 13th September, St John Chrysostom, Bishop, Doctor, Memoria
10.00 am Thomas Harte RIP
Rosary and Adoration
Wednesday 14th September, Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Feast
10.00 am Pam Niam Lim RIP
Wednesday 14th September, Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Feast
10.00 am Pam Niam Lim RIP
No Rosary or Adoration
11.30 am Requiem Mass for Maria Serafino RIP
Thursday 15th September, Our Lady of Sorrows, Memoria
10.00 am Mia Ginever RIP
Rosary and Adoration
Friday 16th September, Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, Martyrs, Memoria
Friday 16th September, Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, Martyrs, Memoria
St Dunstan’s School, Opening Mass of term
10.00 am Clare and David Walton, in thanksgiving on their Golden Wedding Anniversary
Rosary and Adoration
Saturday 17th September, Our Lady on Saturday
10.00 am Sarita Mascarenhas RIP
Saturday 17th September, Our Lady on Saturday
10.00 am Sarita Mascarenhas RIP
Rosary and Adoration
Vigil Masses for Sunday
6.00 pm Margaret Fuller RIP
6.00 pm Margaret Fuller RIP
7.15 pm Mass in Portuguese
Sunday 18th September, Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Evaneli Gaudium "Joy of the Gospel" Sunday
9.00 am Eileen Donovan RIP
9.00 am Eileen Donovan RIP
10.30 am Sarah (Terrie) Fitzpatrick RIP
12.00 noon Mass in Italian
5.30 pm All Parishioners
Sacrament of Reconciliation
After the 10.00 am Mass on Saturday or by appointment
After the 10.00 am Mass on Saturday or by appointment
All services will be Live Streamed at st-dunstans.org/streaming
CATHOLIC EDUCATION - TEACHING GRATITUDE, MERCY AND JUSTICE
This Sunday is kept by the Catholic Church in England & Wales as ‘Education Sunday’, celebrating and praying for the excellent work done in our schools and colleges. We know how popular our schools are – and not just among Roman Catholics. One of the guides at the Shah Jahan Mosque on their open-day last Saturday told me that he’d applied for a place at St. Dunstan’s for his son …
It's worth reflecting on the word, ‘Education’. The word’s Latin root (educare) is something to do with ‘leading out’. We could understand that as an extrusion process – forcing our young through a mould so that they all ‘turn out the same’. Schools have certainly operated that way in the past. But fortunately teaching today is based on a very different approach, drawing out individuals’ gifts, helping them to be more fully themselves.
Catholic education names those gifts as God-given. We believe God loved us into life. God meant you to be you. You’re not a mistake! Fundamentally, God delights in each of us – and there’s nothing we can do to stop that. What we can decide is whether we’re going to honour that truth – especially when neither we as individuals nor life in general seems delightful.
The Story of the Prodigal Son, which we hear this Sunday, is a fantastic way in to thinking about education. A dad (God) spends his entire life waiting for his kids to understand the depth of his love. The younger son eventually gets it – by failing completely, losing everything. Only then can he see that his father’s love isn’t a reward for good behaviour. Whether the elder son, so diligent and obedient (and resentful)! ever understands we’re not told. Maybe he’s still outside in the garden, refusing to join the party. Maybe we are, too, sometimes …
So fundamentally Catholic education is, firstly, about teaching people how to live gratefully – aware that gifts are just that. Secondly, it is about mercy, teaching the young (and their parents) how to deal with the Cross – how to handle failure, pain and resentment when they come their way; how to re-join the party after every wrong turn; how to help others to do the same. Gratitude and the joy of forgiveness lead to a third quality in a Catholic understanding of education, a thirst for justice. Our faith insists: no one should be excluded from the feast of life. But gratitude and mercy need extending also to the planet which sustains all life. And it may well be the youngsters in our schools who are best able to challenge the casual disregard we have shown over generations for our Common Home. Fr Rob
EVANGELII GAUDIUM SUNDAY
Sunday 18th September 2022
Evangelii Gaudium Sunday calls us to be joyous in proclaiming our faith. “Evangelii Gaudium” is Latin for “Joy of the Gospel”. The day supports the work carried out by the Mission Directorate at the Bishops’ Conference in supporting our bishops in three important areas: Firstly, evangelisation and catechesis. Guided by the Bishops, this work supports the dioceses in bringing the beauty of the Catholic Faith to the people in their parishes, and to those who do not yet know the Lord. Secondly, the beauty of the Liturgy and our church buildings. The Mission directorate ensures that liturgical directives from Rome are acted upon and liturgical texts are translated into English. Historical building experts work in the Directorate and support dioceses to fund and maintain beautiful places for prayer. Thirdly, sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith with Christian and non-Christians through outreach and dialogue. This work supports the bishops at the national level and helps create greater understanding. The directorate also reaches out to those with no faith, but who seek the Lord “with a sincere heart”.
Please support the Mission Directorate through prayer and donation. There will be a retiring collection on Sunday 25th September. For more information visit CBCEW.
GRANDPARENTS’ GROUP
We regret that the Grandparents’ Group Coffee Morning planned for Thursday 15th September has been cancelled. The next Grandparents’ Group Coffee Morning will be on Thursday 13th October.
SINGING AT FR PETER'S FAREWELL MASS
The 10:30 choir would like to invite anyone who might be interested in singing with them to an open practice on Wednesday 21st September at 7:30 pm in the church. We will be looking at music for Fr Peter’s farewell Mass in addition to our usual Mass preparations. See you there?
TODDLER GROUP
The Toddler and Parent Group has now restarted after the summer break. It runs on Thursday mornings in term time, from 9.30 am - 12 noon.
PARISH MAGAZINE
The Parish Magazine is now accepting contributions in the form of stories, comments, letters, reflective accounts, prayers or photos for the Autumn edition. Please send via the church office for the attention of the editor. Or alternatively email zjlightfoot@gmail.com. Deadline 3rd October 2022.
FOSD FIREWORKS NIGHT
Tickets are on sale NOW for the fantastic Friends of St Dunstan's School Fireworks Night on Saturday 15th October! Doors open from 6.30 pm and the Fireworks start at 8.00 pm. Entrance is £20 for a family ticket of up to 5, with individual tickets costing £6 for an adult and £5 for a child. Don’t eat before you go as there will be hot food, drinks and sweets available. Please no sparklers! All Parish members are welcome to attend. Please register to purchase a ticket if you haven’t already, to www.pta-events.co.uk/fosd. If you have any queries, please email fosd.events@gmail.com .
ST DUNSTAN’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL OPEN MORNINGS
for applications to start in Reception class September 2023
for applications to start in Reception class September 2023
Please note our Open Mornings for parents to visit the school with regards to applying for a place in September 2023, will be on Friday 14th October and Friday 18th November 2022.
If you would like to find out about how to apply for a place for your child at our school, then please do attend this presentation. A prompt arrival for the 9.30am start would be very much appreciated and the session will finish by 11am. Car parking will be available in the lower school playground.
The Open Morning is for parents/carers only. Please therefore could we ask you to pre-arrange childcare for young children and babies.
To book a place, please complete the form using this link or call Mrs A Murray via the school office on 01483 715190.
If you would like to find out about how to apply for a place for your child at our school, then please do attend this presentation. A prompt arrival for the 9.30am start would be very much appreciated and the session will finish by 11am. Car parking will be available in the lower school playground.
The Open Morning is for parents/carers only. Please therefore could we ask you to pre-arrange childcare for young children and babies.
To book a place, please complete the form using this link or call Mrs A Murray via the school office on 01483 715190.
NEW TREASURER NEEDED
Woking Street Angels are looking for a new Treasurer to manage their charity accounts. For more information, (without any commitment) and the job description please contact chairwokingstreetangels@gmail.com.
MODERN SLAVERY
On Monday 17th October at 8.00 pm there will be a talk on Zoom about Modern Slavery, how it is right here on our doorstep, how to spot it and simple steps we can take to report it. Save the date! More details to follow.
DIOCESAN RUN EVENTS
Grandparents’ Annual Formation Day
Wednesday 14th September 11 am – 3.30 pm
There are still places available for the annual day of formation for grandparents which will be held at the St Philip Howard Centre in Crawley. This is always a wonderful meeting point and an opportunity for discussion. We are privileged to have Susan Longridge from the Sycamore course coming to share her findings on what encourages a return to faith. Refreshments will be available but please bring your own lunch. In order to manage numbers please book via the website or contact E: formation@abdiocese.org.uk for further information.
A Call to Holiness – A Series of Talks for Young Adults (18-35)
Join our Diocesan Young Adults community for a series of online talks from a variety of excellent guest speakers, who will be helping us to explore God’s call on our lives. The first of these takes place on 19th September at 7.30 pm where we will be joined by Dr Pia Matthews who will be speaking on the topic of Human Flourishing. To receive the joining instructions for the online meeting E: lizzie.wakeling@abdiocese.org.uk.
Marriage Anniversaries Mass – Saturday 8th October 11.30 am
There are still places available for those who wish to join us for our annual Mass celebrating marriage. The event this year is going to be held at Arundel Cathedral and Bishop Richard will be presiding. If this year’s anniversary is of particular significance for you please do book on the events section of the website or contact Katherine, our Marriage and Family Life Adviser E: Katherine.bergin@abdiocese.org.uk for further information.
We can abolish slavery in our lifetime!
Monday 17th October 11 am – 12.30 pm
If you learn about modern slavery and how you can make a difference you can engage in the fight against this modern day scourge. Do join the Abolition Initiative’s Kick Off Event for Antislavery Week at the Ropetackle Centre, Shoreham. For more details on this and other anti-slavery events please contact Tessa Ricketts, Social Action Adviser E: tessa.ricketts@abdiocese.org.uk.
To find out about and book events hosted by the Diocese please visit www.abdiocese.org.uk/diocese/events.
To find out about and book events hosted by the Diocese please visit www.abdiocese.org.uk/diocese/events.
EXTERNALLY RUN DIOCESAN EVENTS AT WORTH ABBEY:
St Bernadette: 21st-24th October
The cost of this retreat is now £240. In September and October, the relics of St Bernadette will be visiting Worth on pilgrimage. This is a very special once in a lifetime event that will provide an opportunity for people, of all ages and backgrounds, to experience the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes. You can also book to stay at Worth during this time and learn more about St Bernadette. Places are limited for all retreats, so book your place early to avoid disappointment. Concession rate for shared occupancy and bursary assistance available.
For more information and to book and pay for your place/s visit www.worth.co.uk or email retreats@worth.org.uk or call 01342 710318.