Diocesan Pastoral Plan: -The Word Who is Life - You're Invited! Bishop Richard's Pastoral Plan is an invitation to everyone in the Diocese to live out the call, given to us in baptism, to spread the Good News of God's love in Jesus Christ. How do we best do this in the world of today? What are the unchanging treasures of the faith we bring to this mission? What changes will help us respond to the circumstances of our time and place? What gifts can you offer in all of this? Over the last few months, a team drawn from the nine existing parishes of the Epsom Deanery have been reflecting on how best to encourage and involve all parishioners in this task, which includes YOU. To that end, in the New Year, there will be a meeting in each of our parishes (St Joseph’s, Dorking: Sunday 25 th Jan, 11.30 am) to reflect on the journey so far and going forward. To help you, and us, prepare for these meetings, we are asking you to pick up a “You’re Invited!” postcard and flyer. These give some sense of what we hope the Pastoral Plan will achieve as well as some consideration to what might change as we go forward. Please make a note of our meeting date in your diary, and return the postcard to the box available in the Church by Sunday 14th December. Thank you for your response and we look forward to seeing you at the meetings. Many thanks, Fr Chris (Epsom Parish Administrator)
During the month there will be the blessing of graves at Dorking Cemetery at 12 pm this Sunday 23rd November. Everyone is welcome to attend. After Mass this Friday, 28th November we will have the blessing of those whose remains are in the ‘Garden of Remembrance’ after the 9.30 Mass.
Charity Christmas Cards Various charities, one of which is, ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ (a charity which particularly supports the persecuted Church) produce beautiful Christmas cards, with both Greek icons and Renaissance images of the Nativity, which are available for you to purchase in the narthex / lobby/ church porch. Purchasing their cards supports the persecuted Church and reminds all of us, that it is the Christmas Season into which we will be entering after Advent. P.S. when buying stamps for your Christmas cards, do ask for the ‘Christmas stamps’ in doing so, others, over-hearing your request, will be reminded of the reason for the season. Christmas cards & cribs This weekend, 29th November and next, 6th December, the parish ‘Christmas’ repository will be selling items in the parish hall after the Masses. If you don’t have a Christmas crib for the family this would be an opportunity to buy one to use as a ‘centre piece’ at home, perhaps adding figures to it, year by year. Your purchases will support the work of ‘Aid to the Church in Need’, their work in the Holy Land and those parts of the world where the Church is supressed.