Diocesan Pastoral Plan: -Having heard last Friday, 19th December, that Bishop Richard Moth has been appointed as the Archbishop of Westminster, the Episcopal seat of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton has become vacant and therefore, until a new bishop is appointed, the pastoral plan, as with many other elements of diocesan life, has to be ‘put on hold.’ As the appointment was made just before Christmas and with the Christmas Day Masses followed swiftly by the weekend, it is a little difficult to advise what will happen as regards the series of meetings which had been scheduled across the Epsom Deanery for January and early February. Hopefully, something of a plan, even if it is that nothing should happen (though unlikely) will emerge across the coming week and a notice in next week’s newsletter will advise accordingly. Your understanding in these matters is much appreciated. For the present, to pray for Archbishop-elect Richard Moth and for his successor in our own diocese.
From SPUC:-The Bill has now passed to the House of Lords for further debate and scrutiny. It is entirely in the Lords’ power to substantially amend and even to reject the Bill. The Bill is now at the Committee stage and will be discussed in the Lords Chamber on the following Fridays: 14 November 21 November 5 December 12 December 9 January 2026 16 January 23 January 30 January 6 February 27 February 13 March 20 March 27 March 24 April Please send letters to Peer asking them to oppose the Bill.” Please use the link:- Fight the Leadbeater bill - SPUC
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.