ST DUNSTAN'S CHURCH
WOKING
NEWSLETTER
Canon Rob Esdaile, Parish Priest
Father Nick Harden
Deacon Russell Young
September 18th 2022, Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
SHARING THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL
This Sunday has been named by our Bishops as ‘Evangelii Gaudium Sunday’ – which is both great and a bit dumb. Great, because Evangelii Gaudium (‘The Joy Of The Gospel’ in English) is the name of a wonderful document, published by Pope Francis at the beginning of his Papacy, laying down his hopes for the Church to become ‘a community of missionary disciples’; a bit dumb because a Latin book title is scarcely the best way of explaining anything. Ironically, Evangelii Gaudium Sunday used to be called Home Mission Sunday. The day is a chance to celebrate the work of relating the Gospel to people’s lives, showing its continued relevance and inviting people into the life of our community. And that is a task for all of us, young or old.
I would strongly encourage folk to read Pope Francis’ 2013 letter (which you can find here Evangelii Gaudium : Apostolic Exhortation on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today's World (24 November 2013) | Francis (vatican.va)). Not only does it explain the priorities of Pope Francis’ leadership of the Church over the last 9 ½ years but it gives us vivid images of what that Church should become. He talks of creating a Church with a ‘missionary option’, a Church which reaches out to others, a Church which dares to take risks: “I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.” It requires that shepherds “have the smell of the sheep”. Elsewhere, Pope Francis has used the image of the Church being a field hospital for those wounded by the battles of life, honing its message to speak the words of love, understanding and encouragement needed in difficult times.
But whatever the difficulties we face, Pope Francis insists that the Gospel is a source of joy. We place our trust not in our own capacities, natural brilliance or moral correctness, but in a God of love who is both the source of life and the promise of salvation. If the beauty of our world, the beauty of Jesus’ teaching, the beauty of his love unto death and beyond into the Risen Life of Easter – if that doesn’t put a spring into our step, I don’t know what will. But once that joy takes root in us what paths of hope it opens up!
Let’s take “the missionary option” of which Pope Francis speaks, walking together (“Synodality” is the jargon word) and working together to create spaces of hope, empowering each other to use all our gifts in service of the Gospel. Let’s set out joyfully on that journey today.
Fr Rob
FAREWELL AND ‘THANK YOU’ FOR FR PETER
Fr Peter will return to St Dunstan's on Friday 23rd September to celebrate Mass 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. If you would like to make a donation towards the ‘thank you’ gift for Fr Peter there will be a retiring collection this weekend, or you can give a donation using the Dona machines in the Narthex. If you would like to write a note for his leaving card, please sign one of the sheets available in the Narthex this weekend.
MONDAY ADORATION
Monday September 19th, the date of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, will be a Bank Holiday, and there will be no Adoration on that day.
PRAYER CARDS FOR HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II RIP
The Catholic Bishops Conference for England and Wales have prepared Prayer Cards on the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II RIP. If you would like one, please take one from the table in the Narthex.
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.
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
This Thursday, 22nd September, will be the first meeting for the new group forming. The group will meet over the coming months to explore what it means to be a Catholic Christian, to journey together as they reflect on coming to know and love God and who Jesus is in their lives.
If you are not already baptised, were baptised into another Christian faith or were baptised Catholic and have not gone on to celebrate Confirmation and you would like to find out more, then you are welcome to come along to this meeting. There is no commitment at this stage. You will be very welcome.
SIGNING OF SECONDARY SCHOOL SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FORMS
The Priests will be available to sign SJB Admission Forms on Monday 3rd and Monday 10th October, 6.00-8.00pm. There is no need to make an appointment, please just come to the church.
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, would like to serve at our Parish Masses and didn't attend the training session on Saturday 10th September, there will be a second session on this Saturday 17th September in the Church at 11.30 am - 12.15 pm. Please meet in the Narthex.
REFRESHMENTS AFTER THE SUNDAY 5.30 pm MASS
Refreshments will be served after the 5.30 pm Mass this Sunday, September 18th. We welcome everyone to join us for a cup of tea or coffee, cake and fellowship.
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?
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. There is online registration available at www.abdiocese.org.uk/news/register-your-free-place-for-the-st-bernadette-relic-tour, If you are able to register, this will help us plan for the visit, but booking is not necessary.
VOLUNTEER STEWARDS NEEDED
In little more than a month (from midday on Friday, October 21st to 8.00 am on Saturday, October 22nd) St Dunstan’s, Woking will be host to the relics of St Bernadette, the visionary whose experiences lie at the root of the whole phenomenon of pilgrimage to Lourdes. We are looking for people to offer their time to help welcome and guide visitors during this historic and beautiful event. If you are able to help, please contact the parish office. Thank you.
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 THOSE WHO ARE SICK especially for Teresa Spink.
MASS TIMES & INTENTIONS
Morning Prayer at 9.45 am, Monday - Saturday
Sunday Lectionary Cycle Year C
Weekday Lectionary Cycle Year 2, Week 25
Saturday 17th September, Our Lady on Saturday
10.00 am Sarita Mascarenhas RIP
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
Monday 19th September, Weekday
10:00 am Requiem Mass for Danny Remedios RIP
No Morning Prayer, Rosary or Adoration
Tuesday 20th September, St Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest, Paul Chong Hasang and Companions, Martyrs of Korea, Memoria
No 10.00 am Mass
Morning Prayer followed by Rosary
Wednesday 21st September, St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Feast
10.00 am The Potter family
Wednesday 21st September, St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Feast
10.00 am The Potter family
Rosary and Adoration
Thursday 22nd September, Weekday
10.00 am Jonathan Gibbons RIP
Rosary and Adoration
Friday 23rd September, St Pius of Pietrelcino, ‘Padre Pio’, Memoria
Friday 23rd September, St Pius of Pietrelcino, ‘Padre Pio’, Memoria
10.00 am Adrian Hagan RIP
Rosary and Adoration
Saturday 24th September, Our Lady of Walsingham, Memoria
10.00 am George Flynn RIP
Saturday 24th September, Our Lady of Walsingham, Memoria
10.00 am George Flynn RIP
Rosary and Adoration
Vigil Masses for Sunday
6.00 pm Freda Ballam and family
6.00 pm Freda Ballam and family
7.15 pm Mass in Portuguese
Sunday 25th September, Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
World Day of Migrants and Refugees
9.00 am Ray Coyle RIP
9.00 am Ray Coyle RIP
10.30 am Tam Shu Tong
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
EVANGELII GAUDIUM SUNDAY
Sunday 18th September 2022
Evangelii Gaudium Sunday calls us to be joyous in proclaiming our faith. The day supports the work carried out by the Mission Directorate at the Bishops’ Conference in supporting our bishops in three important areas: evangelisation and catechesis in bringing the beauty of the Catholic Faith to the people in their parishes, and to those who do not yet know the Lord; supporting and maintaining the beauty of the Liturgy and our church buildings; and sharing the beauty of the Catholic faith with Christian and non-Christians through outreach and dialogue.
Please support the Mission Directorate through prayer and donation. There will be a retiring collection on Sunday 25th September. For more information visit CBCEW.
FR ROB'S POEMS
Your new parish priest has produced 5 little volumes of poetry in the last decade. Copies of some of the volumes are available in the repository at £5 a copy.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The St Vincent de Paul Society (or SVP) is a voluntary network with over 7,000 members in England and Wales, with an active branch at St Dunstan's. We specialise in person-to-person contact, visiting vulnerable or isolated people and offering them friendship and practical support.
If you or someone you know is struggling or lonely, or if you wish to hear more about our work and how you can get involved, please contact us via email at wokingsvp@gmailcom.
If you or someone you know is struggling or lonely, or if you wish to hear more about our work and how you can get involved, please contact us via email at wokingsvp@gmailcom.
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 (not not in the Church Car Park please).
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 (not not in the Church Car Park please).
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.
GIFT AID
Our parish funds rely solely on donations received from parishioners. Please consider the option to make regular donations by means of a monthly bank standing order. All donations made by UK taxpayers also have the benefit of automatically adding a further 25% to the sums donated via GiftAid.
Full details of this, together with other options for donating, can be found on the Donate page on the parish website. Copies of the documents required are also available on the GiftAid table in the narthex. Please contact our parish GiftAid Organiser Ian White on 01932 340747 or at ianwh236@gmail.com for more information or assistance. Thank you.
Full details of this, together with other options for donating, can be found on the Donate page on the parish website. Copies of the documents required are also available on the GiftAid table in the narthex. Please contact our parish GiftAid Organiser Ian White on 01932 340747 or at ianwh236@gmail.com for more information or assistance. Thank you.
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
The Relics of St Bernadette
We are so excited to be welcoming the relics of St Bernadette to our Diocese, and our Youth Adviser is making the most of the opportunity by hosting events for teenagers and young adults.
The Young Adults Community (for those aged 18-35) will be travelling to Arundel Cathedral on 22 October for Mass, veneration of the relics and lunch. They will then receive a talk from Canon David Parmiter before joining the Blessed Sacrament Procession. We are currently coordinating minibuses from a variety of locations across the Diocese to ensure that as many people are able to join us as possible. Any Young Adult is welcome to join us for the day, so if you would like to know more contact our Youth Adviser E: lizzie.wakeling@abdiocese.org.uk
Bookings for World Youth Day are now open!
Join the Diocesan Group attending World Youth Day in 2023 for an experience of fellowship, faith and jolly good fun! Lisbon2023 is expected to follow the standard schedule of WYD events beginning with an Opening Ceremony & Mass on Tuesday 1st August and concluding with a Papal Mass on Sunday, 6th August. Throughout the week, pilgrims will have opportunities to attend Catechesis, Masses, and Youth Festival events from concerts and film festivals to Adoration and prayer nights.
The pilgrimage is for anyone aged 18-35, who has a desire to celebrate their faith with like-minded people, we guarantee there is no other pilgrimage quite like it!
To book your place visit W: https://abdiocese.churchsuite.com/events/laowefiv or E: lizzie.wakeling@abdiocese.org.uk for more information.
However, the celebrations don’t end there! There is also an event for 14-17 year olds on 23rd October at Worth Abbey. If you were a Redshirt in Lourdes this year, or are interested in becoming a Redshirt next year, this is the event for you! Our Youth Adviser is coordinating a ‘mini-Lourdes’ experience with a chance for participants to spend some time with other young Catholics their age, having fun, being inspired in their faith and taking part in a candlelight procession. Once again contact E: lizzie.wakeling@abdiocese.org.uk for information.
The pilgrimage is for anyone aged 18-35, who has a desire to celebrate their faith with like-minded people, we guarantee there is no other pilgrimage quite like it!
To book your place visit W: https://abdiocese.churchsuite.com/events/laowefiv or E: lizzie.wakeling@abdiocese.org.uk for more information.
However, the celebrations don’t end there! There is also an event for 14-17 year olds on 23rd October at Worth Abbey. If you were a Redshirt in Lourdes this year, or are interested in becoming a Redshirt next year, this is the event for you! Our Youth Adviser is coordinating a ‘mini-Lourdes’ experience with a chance for participants to spend some time with other young Catholics their age, having fun, being inspired in their faith and taking part in a candlelight procession. Once again contact E: lizzie.wakeling@abdiocese.org.uk for information.
Externally run Diocesan events
The St Bernadette Relic Tour arrives in our Diocese this October visiting St Dunstan’s in Woking (21st), Arundel Cathedral (22nd), and Worth Abbey (23rd). The visit provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for people across our community to venerate St Bernadette’s Relics in a church or cathedral near them. Registration is encouraged though everyone is very welcome to attend and no one will be turned away. To find out more please visit W: stbernadette.org.uk.
P/T Clerk needed urgently in Cranleigh
St Joseph’s Specialist Trust, a Catholic school and home in Cranleigh, is urgently seeking a Clerk to support their work caring for children with complex needs and severe learning disabilities, many of whom are on the autistic spectrum. The role encompasses 160hrs a year at £20/hr. For details and to apply please visit: https://www.abdiocese.org.uk/careers/clerk-st-josephs-specialist-trust