ST DUNSTAN'S CHURCH
WOKING
NEWSLETTER
Canon Rob Esdaile, Parish Priest
Father Nick Harden
Deacon Russell Young
January 22nd 2023, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday of the Word of God
YEARNING FOR UNITY
What does unity look like? Is it about ‘being the same’ as other members of the group? Is it about having the same ideas? Go on social media and you’ll be amazed at quite how many people agree with you as the algorithms curate your life … But could we find a unity less brittle than visible conformity or shared opinions? This is an important issue In our world in which so many take refuge in the easy slogans and quick fixes promoted in the echo-chambers of the internet. Can we honour difference and still be one?
It's also a vital question in the Church. For too much of our history, agreement about how to express Christian faith was something imposed. Killing ‘heretics’ seemed a reasonable thing to do. In reaction, the Reformation crystalised around a series of propositions which must also be accepted or rejected, whether on the authority of the Pope or that of Luther and his ilk. Now one man’s heretic became another man’s martyr. It took Pope St. John XXIII to state in 1962 that nowadays the Church prefers to correct error with ‘the medicine of mercy’. We’ve moved forward since then, thank God, and relations with other Christians hereabouts are usually relaxed and warm.
Yet there’s a characteristic tension, even in this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, between the approaches of Catholics and Protestants. We typically look for visible institutional unity, ‘being in communion’ with the Pope as a result of doctrinal agreement. Evangelical Protestants tend to be impatient with such niceties. What matters is ‘unity in mission’, living out a shared experience of ‘salvation’.
Let their approach challenge us, then. Our community needs to move from Maintenance – ‘looking after our own’ – to Mission – joyfully sharing the Gospel beyond our four walls (our latest ‘Alpha’ course surely ticks that box!) and working together on practical projects for justice (‘Live Simply’ is a start …). But let our approach also challenge them. Jesus prayed on the night before he died: “Father, may they all be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe that it was you who sent me.” (Jn 17.21) Being in communion matters. Visible unity matters. The Body of Christ is broken and incomplete while they are absent from our company. But as we join in Jesus’ prayer, let us remember that what we are called to share in is not just some particular structures or received ways of expressing our faith (helpful though these can be). It’s the very life of God, who is love. Fr Rob
It's also a vital question in the Church. For too much of our history, agreement about how to express Christian faith was something imposed. Killing ‘heretics’ seemed a reasonable thing to do. In reaction, the Reformation crystalised around a series of propositions which must also be accepted or rejected, whether on the authority of the Pope or that of Luther and his ilk. Now one man’s heretic became another man’s martyr. It took Pope St. John XXIII to state in 1962 that nowadays the Church prefers to correct error with ‘the medicine of mercy’. We’ve moved forward since then, thank God, and relations with other Christians hereabouts are usually relaxed and warm.
Yet there’s a characteristic tension, even in this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, between the approaches of Catholics and Protestants. We typically look for visible institutional unity, ‘being in communion’ with the Pope as a result of doctrinal agreement. Evangelical Protestants tend to be impatient with such niceties. What matters is ‘unity in mission’, living out a shared experience of ‘salvation’.
Let their approach challenge us, then. Our community needs to move from Maintenance – ‘looking after our own’ – to Mission – joyfully sharing the Gospel beyond our four walls (our latest ‘Alpha’ course surely ticks that box!) and working together on practical projects for justice (‘Live Simply’ is a start …). But let our approach also challenge them. Jesus prayed on the night before he died: “Father, may they all be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe that it was you who sent me.” (Jn 17.21) Being in communion matters. Visible unity matters. The Body of Christ is broken and incomplete while they are absent from our company. But as we join in Jesus’ prayer, let us remember that what we are called to share in is not just some particular structures or received ways of expressing our faith (helpful though these can be). It’s the very life of God, who is love. Fr Rob
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK especially for Matthew Balchin.
CAFOD CAKE SALE
There will be a cake sale to support CAFOD after the 9.00 am Mass this Sunday, January 22nd.
MINISTERS OF COMMUNION
We are in urgent need of more Ministers of Communion who would be willing to take Communion to those who are sick and are unable to come to Mass. Please contact the parish office if you are able to help. Thank you.
LENT LUNCHES
We are looking for someone or a small team of people to help organise the Churches Together in Woking Lent lunches. These are held at St Dunstan’s on the six Fridays in Lent, starting on Friday February 24th. If you would like to find out more, please contact the parish office. Thank you.
REFRESHMENTS AFTER THE SUNDAY 5.30 pm MASS
There will be refreshments after the Sunday 5.30 pm Mass this Sunday, January 22nd.
ALPHA
The new Alpha Course is now underway. Please pray for all those taking part. If you would still like to join, please email the parish office woking@abdiocese.org.uk.
Last weekend we had the LiveSimply Launch where we showed the moving and inspiring film ‘The Letter’ that explained Pope Francis encyclical ‘Laudate Si’ and his vision for a world that strives to counteract climate change and respects creation.
Climate change can seem an insurmountable issue that is beyond our ability to change but the film shows how ordinary individuals can have a huge impact. In the film Pope Francis says ‘It’s like a choir. We have to sing together.’
As a Parish, we hope to ‘sing’ together to show that we can strive to work to live: a more simple lifestyle, in solidarity with people in poverty and more sustainably with creation. Thank you to all those who attended last weekend and have registered your interest.
If you could not attend on Saturday, are interested in working towards a fairer and more sustainable world, and would like to see this interesting and challenging film, it is available at https://www.theletterfilm.org/
There will be further opportunities to register an interest on sign-up sheets after the weekend Masses. Keep your eyes peeled for more information on the award in the weeks ahead. Some of our future LiveSimply actions may involve group activities while others may be carried out individually in your own homes and lives.
Climate change can seem an insurmountable issue that is beyond our ability to change but the film shows how ordinary individuals can have a huge impact. In the film Pope Francis says ‘It’s like a choir. We have to sing together.’
As a Parish, we hope to ‘sing’ together to show that we can strive to work to live: a more simple lifestyle, in solidarity with people in poverty and more sustainably with creation. Thank you to all those who attended last weekend and have registered your interest.
If you could not attend on Saturday, are interested in working towards a fairer and more sustainable world, and would like to see this interesting and challenging film, it is available at https://www.theletterfilm.org/
There will be further opportunities to register an interest on sign-up sheets after the weekend Masses. Keep your eyes peeled for more information on the award in the weeks ahead. Some of our future LiveSimply actions may involve group activities while others may be carried out individually in your own homes and lives.
The Cafod LiveSimply Team
JUSTICE AND PEACE ASSEMBLY – ‘HUNGRY FOR CHANGE’
The Annual diocesan Justice & Peace Assembly, 'Hungry for Change', will take place on 28th January, 9.30 am - 1.30 pm at The St Philip Howard Centre, RH10 6RP. The Assembly will explore food and conflict and the positive steps we can take towards a fairer, more peaceful world. Register your free place here. If anyone would like to car-share, please contact the parish office.
NEW PARISHIONERS EVENING
There will be a New Parishioners’ Evening on Friday 10th February at 7.30 pm in the Function Room. If you have joined St Dunstan’s Parish in the last 6 months, or if you were not able to come to the last New Parishioners’ Evening, then you are invited to come along and meet one another, some longer-standing parishioners and our Parish Clergy: Canon Rob, Fr Nick and Deacon Russell. You are warmly encouraged to bring along your children too. There is no need to let us know if you are coming. It would be lovely to see you if you can attend.
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY – UNITED SERVICE THIS SUNDAY
All of us, everyone, is invited to join in the special service being held at Woking United Reformed Church, White Rose Lane GU22 7HA at 4.30 pm this SUNDAY, 22nd JANUARY 2023. Refreshments will be served. The service brings together all churches to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and focuses on 25 years of the work of Engage, taking the Christian faith into local schools. Do please give this your support.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (SVP)
The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is a voluntary network with over 7,000 members in England and Wales, with an active branch at St Dunstan's. If you or someone you know is struggling or lonely please contact us via email at wokingsvp@gmail.com. If you use WhatsApp, you can now sign up for occasional updates about the SVP and our work by scanning the QR code.
CHANGING PATTERNS OF PARISH LIFE
Following Mary Smith’s retirement from her office-based role the parish office will now generally be open on weekdays between 9.00 am and 3.00 pm. Please email woking@abdiocese.org.uk to contact the office outside of these hours. We hope that the parish answerphone will be restored soon.
FILM CLUB – TUESDAY 31st JANUARY, 2.00 pm
The Film Club is restarting at St Dunstan’s on Tuesday 31st January at 2.00 pm in the Function room. The film to be shown is yet to be decided. Please see next weekend’s Newsletter for details.
ADMISSION TO RECEPTION AT ST DUNSTAN’S SCHOOL, SEPTEMBER 2024
When you apply for your child to be admitted into the Reception Year at St Dunstan’s School in September 2024, one of the forms you will have to submit to the school is the Supplementary Information Form (SIF). One of the questions on the form asks you to state how often you attend Sunday (or Saturday evening) Mass. Once you have completed the SIF form, a priest in the parish where you normally attend Mass must sign the form indicating that they confirm (or not) the Mass attendance you have stated. This will happen during December. Dates will be in the newsletter.
St Dunstan’s is a very large Parish, and it is impossible for the priest(s) to be objective about their response to what has been stated on your form. For this reason, we offer you the opportunity to ‘sign’ a register of attendance at Mass whenever you come on either Saturday evening or Sunday. In this way the priest can look at the register when you bring your SIF form for signing in December and compare the two. Signing will begin on the weekend of February 4th/5th. To join the signing process you need to come to the Parish Office on a weekday to set up a sheet for your child. You will also be given more information about what is involved. The Office is normally open 9.00-3.00, but please do avoid times when Mass is being celebrated.
St Dunstan’s is a very large Parish, and it is impossible for the priest(s) to be objective about their response to what has been stated on your form. For this reason, we offer you the opportunity to ‘sign’ a register of attendance at Mass whenever you come on either Saturday evening or Sunday. In this way the priest can look at the register when you bring your SIF form for signing in December and compare the two. Signing will begin on the weekend of February 4th/5th. To join the signing process you need to come to the Parish Office on a weekday to set up a sheet for your child. You will also be given more information about what is involved. The Office is normally open 9.00-3.00, but please do avoid times when Mass is being celebrated.
REPOSITORY
There are still some diaries and calendars available in the Repository, now half price.
ST DUNSTAN’S CHURCH - MASS TIMES & INTENTIONS
Morning Prayer at 9.45 am, Monday – Saturday,
Morning Prayer at 9.45 am, Monday – Saturday,
Weekday Lectionary Cycle Year 1, Week 3; Sunday Lectionary Cycle Year A
Saturday 21st January, St Agnes, Virgin, Martyr, Memorial
10.00 am Lydia Noble RIP
Rosary
1.00 pm The Marriage of Emma Sison and Scott Burgess
3.00 pm Mass in Ukrainian
Vigil Masses for Sunday
6.00 pm Fr Ken Payne RIP
6.00 pm Fr Ken Payne RIP
7.15 pm Mass in Portuguese
Sunday 22nd January, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday of the Word of God
9.00 am Carmela Valentino RIP
10.30 am Mr Anacleto Baptist D’Costa RIP
12.00 noon Mass in Italian
5.30 pm All Parishioners
Monday 23rd January, Weekday
10.00 am Jim Flynn RIP
Rosary and Adoration until 2.00 pm
Tuesday 24th January, St Francis de Sales, Memoria
Tuesday 24th January, St Francis de Sales, Memoria
10.00 am The Intentions of Eileen Cash
Rosary
Wednesday 25th January, The Conversion of St Paul, Feast
10.00 am Fr Frank Harrington RIP
Rosary
Thursday 26th January, Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops, Memoria
10.00 am The Intentions of Fr Francis Maple O.F.M. Cap.
Rosary
Friday 27th January, Weekday
10.00 am The Intentions of Anna Richmond
Rosary
Saturday 28th January, St Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor, Memoria
10.00 am Charles Ismail RIP
Rosary
Vigil Masses for Sunday
6.00 pm Bridget Ann Meldrum RIP
6.00 pm Bridget Ann Meldrum RIP
7.15 pm Mass in Portuguese
Sunday 29th January, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
9.00 am Pauline Pitt RIP
10.30 am Gina Poulter 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
All services will be Live Streamed at st-dunstans.org/streaming
ST HUGH OF LINCOLN CHURCH – MASS TIMES
Saturday 21st January, St Agnes, Virgin, Martyr, Memorial
6.00 pm Vigil Mass for Sunday
6.00 pm Vigil Mass for Sunday
Sunday 22nd January, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday of the Word of God
9.30 am Mass
9.30 am Mass
Tuesday 24th January, St Francis de Sales, Doctor, Memoria
10.00 am Mass
Thursday 26th January, Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops, Memoria
9.00 am Mass at St Hugh of Lincoln School, all welcome
Saturday 28th January, St Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor, Memoria
6.00 pm
Vigil Mass for Sunday
Sunday 29th January, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
9.30 am Mass
Sacrament of Reconciliation - Saturdays 5.15 – 5.45 pm
READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY
Isaiah 8:23-9:6; Psalm 26:1,4,13-14; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17; Matthew 4:12-23.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION
Thank you for last Sunday’s Offertory collection of £4,466.35 (the cash offertory, donations on the contactless machines and the average of the standing orders). Please consider setting up a monthly standing order and adding a further 25% via GiftAid at no cost to you if you are a UK taxpayer. The forms for this are available on the GiftAid table in the narthex and on the parish website.Thank you also for contributions of £414.13 for Pax Christi.
HMP SEND
The Catholic chaplaincy team is keen to recruit new volunteers. Should you be interested in finding out more and/or would like to attend the weekly mass one day, please contact Ian White at ianwh236@gmail.com or on 01932 340747.
DAY OF REFLECTION FOR MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST - RESCHEDULED
This day of reflection, to be led by Bishop Richard, was scheduled for Saturday 18th February but has had to be rescheduled for Saturday 11th March. The venue and times remain the same: Christ the Prince of Peace Church, Portmore Way, Weybridge, KT13 8JDm 11.00 am – 4.00 pm. The day will include theological and practical talks, Eucharistic Adoration, and Mass. Pease bring a packed lunch.
CAFOD
Could your New Year’s resolution be to help build a better world through volunteering? CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, is looking for people to give some time and join them in their mission. Could you help develop our work in parishes or Catholic schools? Or raise a voice and campaign for justice throughout the diocese? Training and support are provided. See cafod.org.uk/Volunteer for more information or get in touch at arundelandbrighton@cafod.org.uk.
A Programme for couples struggling in their marriages
Help Your Marriage – Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples who have difficulties in their marriage. It brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage. Tens of thousands of couples headed for divorce have successfully saved their marriages by attending and using the tools provided. The programme helps spouses uncover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. It helps them through difficult times whether they are disillusioned or in deep misery. There is no group therapy or group work. For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’ or to register for the next programme commencing with a Face to Face weekend in Welwyn Garden City on 24 - 26 February 2023, or a Virtual weekend on 6 - 9 July 2023, call or text 07887 296983 or 07973 380443 or email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com - or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk.
WOKING STREET ANGELS
Woking Street Angels would like to invite all church ministers and members of your congregation to its annual Commissioning Service . We are blessed to have great support from many Woking Churches, financially, with volunteers and with prayer and we have now passed our tenth anniversary. Our Service will be held at St. Paul’s Church, Oriental Road, Woking on Sunday, 26th February 2023, commencing at 4.00 pm. It should last less than an hour and will be followed by a social time with tea and cakes. We would be delighted if you could please support this by coming along. There will be a chance to find out more about our current work, meet some of the operational Angels and trustees, hopefully also Emma, our new Woking Street Angels Coordinator and other guests. Inquiries: contact wokingstreetangels@gmail.com.
FRIENDS OF THE HOLY LAND – CONCERT
Join Friends of the Holy Land for an unforgettable evening of uplifting music on Thursday 16th February in Westminster Cathedral at a concert featuring the London Welsh Male Voice Choir supported by The Priests. The London Welsh Male Voice Choir has recorded with Charlotte Church, Aled Jones and Bryn Terfel. The Priests are three Roman Catholic priests from Northern Ireland who scooped the Guinness World Record for "Fastest-selling UK debut for a classical act" with their first album. The concert starts at 7:30 pm and tickets starting at £20 are available now through Eventbrite at - http://bit.ly/3i0ath2 or search LWMVC Concert at Westminster Cathedral, or by calling the office – 01926 512980. www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/westminster-concert2023.