The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark covers the London boroughs south of the Thames,
the County of Kent and the Medway Unitary Authority

Our Archbishop is
Archbishop Peter Smith
who was installed
at Saint George's Cathedral on 10th June 2010

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From Friday, 11th May, to Sunday, 13th May 2012, eleven Permanent Deacons accompanied by ten wives attended an annual Retreat led this year by Father Peter Hall, OFM, who gave talks on the five Solemnities from The Ascension of the Lord through to The Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father Peter and the retreatants are pictured in the grounds of Maison Diocesaine d’Accueil at Merville in France enjoying the early evening sunshine between talks.
One of the retreatants remarked that Father Peter's talks were both enlightening and inspiring especially when considering a homily for any of the Solemnities!
Next year's Retreat in Merville is already booked and the dates for Deacons dairies are Friday 10th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May 2013 further details will be available at a later date from the Reverend John Greenwood our Director of Diaconal Ongoing Formation.
(posted 16-05-12)
|
† Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father William Scanlan who died on 14th May 2012 May he rest in peace |

On
Saturday, 12th May 2012, exactly 50 years to the day that St
Edmund’s Catholic School, Dover, opened its doors to its first set
of students, the school played host to a reunion day for former
students and staff.
Some families attended with as many as three generations of former and present students.

Paul Cannons and Mike Prebble
With no formal schedule, guests were invited to walk through the school at their leisure, allowing memories to flood back from their school days. Tours were led by long serving members of staff Mike Prebble and Paul Cannons, as well as the schools’ Executive Headteacher, Chris Atkin. A familiar face greeted everyone as they entered the school, signing in with another long serving member of staff, Sharon Zelenczuk.

Mrs Huntley (teacher from 1962) looks at a picture of recent
staff
Laid out in the main hall were photographs from across the five decades.

Class of ’62 (first ever year) look back at their class photo

Colleagues reunited
Chris Atkin, Executive Headteacher, said: ‘It is great to reminisce – all round a really enjoyable day.’
Visit St Edmund's School web site

Saint George's Cathedral was chosen as the location for the Borough of Southwark's Civic Awards Ceremony on Saturday, 12th May 2012.
Among
those receiving the Freedom of the Borough of Southwark was Sir
Michael Caine, who grew up locally at Elephant and Castle.
The Worshipful Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Lorraine Lauder MBE, made the presentations.
Others honoured with the Freedom of the Borough were:
Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC,
Harriet Harman QC MP, Simon Hughes MP, Tessa Jowell MP, Barry
Albin Dyer,
Stephen Humphrey MA
and Coral Ann Newell.

Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC receives the Freedom of the
Borough
Report on the Southwark Council web site

Photo: Aylesford Carmelites
On Saturday, 12th May 2012, Bishop Paul joined the Legion of Mary on pilgrimage at The Friars, Aylesford, to celebrate the memory of Edel Quinn, Ireland's 20th century apostle to Africa.
Edel
Quinn was born in County Cork in 1907. She wanted to become a Poor
Clare, but was prevented by advanced tuberculosis. At the age of
20 she joined the Legion of Mary in Dublin and devoted herself to
helping the poor in that city.
When
she was 29, in spite of her illness, Frank Duff chose her to be a
Legion of Mary Envoy to establish the organization in the vast
territories of East and Central Africa.
She established hundreds of Legion Branches in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and Mauritius, engaging thousands of Africans in the Church's work of evangelization. Edel died in Nairobi in May 1944, aged 36.
The cause for her beatification was introduced in 1956 and she was declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II on 15th December, 1994. The cause continues.

Photo: Aylesford Carmelites

On Sunday, 13th May 2012, Bishop John offered Mass at St Francis'
Church, Maidstone, during which he conferred the Ministry of
Reader on two men who are studying for the Permanent Diaconate:
Ian Black, Maidstone parish, and Wayne Tuckell, Margate Parish.
The conferral of this Ministry is one of the steps on the path to ordination. Bishop John presented each of them with a copy of the Bible.


Photos from RCSouthwark's Flickr page

Wayne Tuckell (left) with members of his family, Fr Luke
Smith, his parish priest, and friends from the Margate parish
before the Mass in Maidstone

On
Bank Holiday Monday, 7th May 2012, Archbishop Peter celebrated
Mass at The Friars, Aylesford, for the altar servers of the
diocese, many of whom are members of the Guild of Saint Stephen.
Many of the servers were young, but also present were members of the Guild who have dedicated decades of their lives to service on the sanctuary.

Father Stephen Boyle, Southwark chaplain to the Guild of St
Stephen




Archbishop Peter with those who served the Mass
And after lunch ... football.
More photos of the Mass on RCSouthwark's Flickr page
(posted 09-05-12)

On Saturday, 5th May 2012, Bishop Patrick commissioned ninety new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in St Joseph's Chapel at The Friars, Aylesford.
The new ministers came from eighteen parishes around the diocese: Abbey Wood, Ashford, Barnes, Bexleyheath, Bromley Common, Canterbury, Dartford, Faversham, Maidstone, Paddock Wood, Pembury, Petts Wood, Plumstead Common, Purley, Sheppey, Sydenham Kirkdale, Tenterden and Westerham.

A session with Monsignor Matthew Dickens, Vicar General


Bishop Patrick gives the new ministers their certificates
during Mass

Concelebrants at the Mass were Monsignor Matthew Dickens and
Father Paul Connelly, parish priest of The Holy Cross, Plumstead
Common
(posted 09-05-12)

On Saturday, 5th May 2012, Archbishop Peter presided at Mass in the Cathedral on Diocesan Diaconate Day. During the Mass our Permanent Deacons renewed their commitment to diaconal service and four men who are studying for the diaconate were admitted to Candidacy for Holy Orders.
Father Peter Edwards, the Director of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate, concelebrated at the Mass.


Those to be admitted to Candidacy for Holy Orders are
presented
to the Archbishop ...

... who hands a crucifix to each of them

After Mass: the Archbishop with those newly admitted to
Candidacy
More photos of the Mass on RCSouthwark's Flickr page
(posted 09-05-12)

On Wednesday, 2nd May 2012, Archbishop Peter visited St Francis Primary School, Maidstone, to bless the new extension to the school buildings.




Archbishop Peter with Mr D. Bray (Headteacher), Mrs A. Black
(Chair of Governors) and Canon John Clark (Vice Chair and local
parish priest)
More photos of the occasion on RCSouthwark's Flickr page
Visit St Francis' School's web site
(posted 09-05-12)

On Tuesday, 1st May 2012, Archbishop Peter was welcomed at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Bermondsey: Dockhead, to offer a Mass in celebration of the Centenary of St Joseph's Primary School, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1912.


Pupils from the school read the Bidding Prayers

Archbishop Peter presents a commemorative plaque to the
Headteacher, Mr Mark Macauley, and the Sisters of Mercy
After Mass the celebrations continued with a Centenary Parade along local streets and a Celebration Fair in the school grounds.
More photos of the Mass on RCSouthwark's Flickr page
Visit St Joseph's Primary School's web site
(posted 09-05-12)

© Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk
Photos of the Conference on Human Trafficking held in Rome on Tuesday, 8th May 2012, have been uploaded to the CCEW Flickr page.

© Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk
Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council
for Justice and Peace, Bishop Patrick, Chairman of the Office for
Migration Policy of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
and Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria

© Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk
Julie Etchingham, Co-presenter of ITV News at Ten - Moderator of
the Conference - with Cardinal Turkson and Bishop Patrick

© Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk
Mr Liam Vernon Deputy Director, United Kingdom Human
Trafficking Centre, Detective Inspector Kevin Hyland, Specialist
Crime Directorate SCD9 Human Exploitation and Organised Crime,
Metropolitan Police, UK, and Mr Steve Harvey Europol Netherlands

© Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk
Cardinal Turkson with Mr Nigel Marcus Baker OBE MVO,
Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Holy See
More photos on the CCEW Flickr page
Reports on the CCEW News and Media web site

On Bank Holiday Monday, 7th May 2012, over 2000 Catholic migrants living and working in London attended a special Mass for Migrants at Westminster Cathedral. This was the seventh annual Mass for Migrants organised by the dioceses of Westminster, Southwark and Brentwood and again the occasion reflected the tremendous diversity of London’s Catholic community.
Bishop Thomas McMahon of Brentwood was the principal celebrant and the homily was given by Bishop Patrick, who praised the contribution that migrants make to British society, and asked Catholics to 'proclaim a message of hope that God is close to the poor, the vulnerable, the exploited, those seeking asylum and those who are undocumented'.
The music came from across the globe: a choir for the Mass was provided by the Nigerian community and a liturgical procession and dance was carried out by young people from the Vietnamese Community.


Those attending the Mass included MPs Jon Cruddas and Jim Dobbin, the Deputy Mayor of the City of Westminster, the Mayors of Richmond, Kensington and Chelsea and Brent, and ambassadors from the EU and other countries including Ghana, Nigeria, the Philippines, Bolivia and Poland.
Full text of Bishop Patrick's homily (.pdf available)
Report on the Diocese of Westminster's web site
(with link to an audio file of Bishop Patrick's homily)
More photos on Catholic Westminster's Flickr page
Bishop
Patrick, Chairman of the Office for Migration Policy at the
Bishops' Conference, will attend a conference in Rome next week on
combating human trafficking.
The Conference has been organised by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales in collaboration with the Pontifical Councils for Justice and Peace and the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.
Those attending will include Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, with representatives of the FBI, London's Metropolitan Police and the Polish Police Force.
The aims of the Conference are:
The Church is well placed to contribute to these aims: its parish structure ensures that pastoral workers, priests and religious are present at the ground level and it has, on the global level, an established network of communications.
Bishop Patrick said: 'Those who are trafficked are the most vulnerable and most exploited in the world today. It's an area which we can not only focus on but we can harness a lot of agencies in the Church and outside the Church to make a significant contribution.'
Press release on the CCEW News and Media web site
Speakers at the Conference on the CCEW News and Media web site

On Friday, 27th April 2012, Bishop Patrick and Bishop James Langstaff, the Anglican Bishop of Rochester, consecrated the graveyard and blessed the new Memorial Gardens at St Paulinus Church, Crayford.
(posted 01-05-12)
Sunday, 29th April 2012, is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. The Church is encouraged to pray earnestly for an increase of priestly and religious vocations. In Southwark, the day also gives the opportunity to contribute to the Ecclesiastical Education Fund for the training of priests.
And vocations was on the agenda of the Bishops' Conference meeting in Leeds last week ...

© Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk
Archbishop Peter, the Vice-President of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, chaired the Press Conference at the conclusion of the bishops' meeting at Hinsley Hall, Leeds.
One of the initiatives approved by the bishops which he announced is the National Vocation Framework - a three-year vision to proclaim the universal call to holiness by promoting a culture of vocation. The plan was outlined by Father Christopher Jamison OSB, Director of The National Office for Vocation. It will be launched at various centres throughout England and Wales: for London and the South the launch will be at St George's Cathedral on Wednesday, 7th November 2012.

© Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk
In essence, the Framework invites those who have been called to call others. This involves outreach to the unbaptised and the lapsed, as well as enabling those active in the Church to respond to their particular vocation. There are a variety of vocations through which the faithful may be sanctified, among them ordained ministry and consecrated life, marriage and single lay life.
Read more about the National Vocations Framework (.pdf)
News report on the CCEW News and Media web site
Visit the National Office for Vocations web site

At the Press Conference, Archbishop Peter also reported on the other issues which had been discussed by the bishops during their meeting. Audio files of his overview and the question and answer session can be found on the CCEW News and Media web site.
Press Conference following the BCEW meeting on the CCEW web site
More photos of the Press Conference on the CCEW Flickr page


Bishop Paul, Fr Paul Hough, parish priest, Mr Jacques Lambert
and some of the pupils and staff of St Elphege's Primary School
On Sunday, 22nd April 2012, Bishop Paul presided at Mass at St Elphege, Wallington, the only church in the diocese dedicated to the saint, to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Elphege at Greenwich on 19th April 1012.
Among those present were members of St Elphege's Primary School.

Bishop Paul receives the gifts from the children

Bishop Paul gives the homily

Bishop Paul with the children around the altar for the 'Our
Father'
(posted 27-04-12)
On
Friday, 20th April 2012, Bishop Paul conferred the Sacrament of
Confirmation on eleven students at Marymount International School
in Kingston. Among those present were the school Chaplain,
Fr Chris McAneny, who concelebrated at the Mass, families, staff
and pupils. Music was led by the School Schola.

Bishop Paul, Fr Chris and the newly confirmed young people

Bishop Paul, Fr Chris, Mr Jacques Lambert (Bishop’s Private
Secretary)
and the altar servers
(posted 27-04-12)

Twenty-one boys, aged 12 - 17, from The John Fisher School, Purley and three members of staff including the Head Teacher, Mr Mark Scully, and School Chaplain, Fr James Clark, celebrated Easter Week on pilgrimage in Rome.
In a full programme, they offered Mass at St Peter's Basilica, St Paul's Basilica and at the Venerable English College; they toured the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps and the four Major Basilicas. They prayed as they climbed the Scala Santa.
They sat very close to Pope Benedict during the papal audience and, as it was only a few days before his birthday, they sang "Happy Birthday" to him, he turned and thanked them.

Inside St Peter's Basilica

Outside the Basilica of
St Paul Outside The Walls

In the Church of the Venerable English College
(posted 26-04-12)

Archbishop Peter has made the following appointments:
Father Michael Leach as Parish Priest of Ss Philip and James,
Herne Hill;
The parish of Our Lady of Grace, Charlton, has been entrusted to the care of the Holy Ghost Fathers (Spiritans) with
Father Uche Njoku, CSsP, as Parish Priest
Father Michael Ezenwammadu, CSsP, and Father Jude Nwachukwu, CSsP,
as Assistant Priests;
Father James Campbell, SJ, as Assistant Priest at The Sacred Heart, Wimbledon.
____________________
The following Jesuit students have recently been ordained to the diaconate and will exercise their ministry in the diocese:
Deacon Jerri Melwin Dias, SJ, to the Jesuit Community in Wimbledon to exercise his ministry in the parish and among the Indian communities in Southwark;
Deacon Quoc Trieu Nguyen, SJ, to the Jesuit Community in Wimbledon to exercise his ministry in the parish;
Deacons John Du Hyun Kim, SJ, and Deacon Xavier Tharamel, SJ, to the Jesuit Community in Brixton Hill.
____________________
Father Ugochukwu Nnaji, MSP, is resident at The Assumption, Deptford, while awaiting a new appointment.
____________________
Father Shaju Varkey's Presbytery address at Our Lady of the Crays, Cray Valley, is now
2A Kent Road
St Mary Cray
Orpington
Kent
BR5 4AD
The Presbytery telephone number is 01689 331489
____________________
The Korean Catholic Chaplaincy is now established in new
premises in Sutton:
Korean Catholic Chaplaincy
104 & 106 Benhill Wood Road
Sutton
Surrey SM1 3SR
The Chaplain Father Damien Lim resides at
106 Benhill Wood Road, Sutton, Surrey SM1 3SR
Telephone number: 020 8644 5204
Email:
londoncatholic@gmail.com
www.londoncatholic.net
____________________

The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales are meeting from Monday, 23rd, until Thursday, 26th April 2012, at Hinsley Hall in Leeds. Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the apostolic nuncio to Great Britain, will address them during the meeting.
It is expected that, among the topics that will be discussed, a National Vocations Framework - a plan to develop a culture of vocation - will be on the agenda, together with the Catholic involvement in the London Olympics.
Congratulations
to the team supporting Jesuit Missions who ran the London Marathon
on Sunday, 22nd April 2012.
Of the 27 runners, supporting Jesuit projects across the world, Olly de Montfort (left) was first to cross the finishing line. Olly is the nephew of the late Tony Montfort, who was the Director of Jesuit Missions for almost 40 years. The oldest member of the team, Father Daniel O'Connor, a Columban priest, ran the course in less than three-and-a-half hours.
Among the runners were friends and relatives of the Wimbledon-based Jesuit Missions office - including four Wombles who live, of course, on Wimbledon Common!
Source: JM Marathon
Deacon James Bradley, who was received last year into full communion with the Church as a member of the Sevenoaks Ordinariate Group, was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Alan Hopes, Auxiliary in Westminster, at St Patrick's Church in Soho on Saturday, 21st April 2012 in the presence of Monsignor Keith Newton, his Ordinary.

He was one of the two former Anglican deacons - the other being Deacon Daniel Lloyd of the Oxford Ordinariate Group - who were not previously ministering as priests in the Anglican Church.

Fathers James and Daniel with Bishop Alan Hopes
and Monsignor Keith Newton

Fathers James and Daniel give their first blessings to Mgr
Andrew Burnham and
Mgr Keith Newton
Father James has been ministering as a deacon at The Holy Ghost, Balham, while continuing his studies for the priesthood. On Sunday, 22nd April, he offered his First Mass in that church. The parish priest, Father Stephen Langridge, gave the homily. Father James will continue to reside at Balham until the Summer.

We congratulate Fathers James and Daniel on their Ordination to the Priesthood and wish them every blessing and happiness.
Photos: Fr Ed Tomlinson and the Marylebone Ordinariate Group

©Johan Bergström-Allen / www.carmelite.org
The British Province of Carmelites held its Annual General Meeting at The Friars, Aylesford, during Easter Week from Tuesday, 10th until Friday, 13th April. About fifty members of the Carmelite family gathered. Bishop Patrick was invited to facilitate their discussions.

©Johan Bergström-Allen / www.carmelite.org
Bishop Patrick with Father Wilfrid McGreal OCarm, Prior
Provincial

©Johan Bergström-Allen / www.carmelite.org
A plenary session

©Johan Bergström-Allen / www.carmelite.org
Enjoying a meal in the Pilgrims' Hall

©Johan Bergström-Allen / www.carmelite.org
Father Wilfrid presented Sylvia Lucas with a gift to mark the twenty-fifth
anniversary of her profession as a member of the Carmelite Third
Order. Sylvia is the Schools Leadership Adviser on our diocesan
Schools Commission. She is the Convenor of the London Carmelite
Spirituality Group
Carmel in the City.
Report of the AGM on the British Province of Carmelite Friars web site
Many more photos of the AGM on gbcarmelite' Flickr page
(posted 20-04-12)
In
response to a real shortage of military chaplains in all three
Armed Services, Bishop Richard, the Bishop of the Forces, has
asked servicemen and women and serving chaplains to fervently pray
that more priests come forward to serve as chaplains.
He has written a pastoral letter to be read in service
communities, and prayer cards have been distributed members of the
armed forces, their families and chaplains.
(posted 20-04-12)

Photo:
london se1 community website
Representatives from St Elphege's parish, Wallington, joined Bishop Patrick at Southwark Anglican Cathedral for the celebration of the millennium of St Elphege's martyrdom on Thursday, 19th April 2012.
Martyred
at Greenwich on 19th April 1012
Saint Elphege is one of the many saints closely associated with the diocese of Southwark.
He was born in 954, at Little Weston, two miles from Bath. He entered the Benedictine monastery of Deerhurst in Gloucestershire and became a hermit at Glastonbury. He was appointed Abbot of Bath by St Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 976.
He was made Bishop of Winchester in 984. The Danes and Norwegians invaded Britain. Elphege was sent to King Olaf of Norway and confirmed him. Olaf promised not to invade again and returned to Norway. The introduction of Christianity to Norway is largely due to him.
In 1006 Elphege became Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1011 the Danes
returned and sacked and burned Canterbury. St Elphege was taken
captive to Greenwich. His captors demanded a ransom of £3000, but
Elphege refused to allow his ravaged people to raise the money.
When his captors demanded gold he is reported to have said to them
'The gold I give you is the Word of God.' His captors, drunk with
wine and enraged at the ransom being refused, pelted Elphege with
bones of oxen and stones, until one of them dispatched him with an
axe. He was buried in St Paul's Cathedral and 11 years later, on
the orders of King Canute, his body was taken for reburial at
Canterbury. He was canonised by Pope Gregory Vll in 1078.
On Thursday, 19th April 2012, Bishop Patrick will attend a service at Southwark Anglican Cathedral opening the Millennium celebration. A later service will be held at St Alfege Anglican Church in Greenwich, at the site of the martyrdom, at which the Archbishop of Canterbury will preach.
On Sunday, 22nd April 2012, Bishop Paul will preside at Mass at St Elphege, Wallington, the only church in the diocese dedicated to the saint. Mass will be offered in the local Anglican church of St Mary's, Beddington, on the actual feast, 19th April.
The Bishops of Winchester owned land and premises at Beddington and it is probable that by the late 9th century a wooden Saxon church existed on the site of St Mary's, so St Elphege will have known the area and offered Mass there. His predecessor as Bishop of Winchester, St Ethelwold, died at Beddington.
Masses to mark the Millennium will also be offered at St Thomas of
Canterbury, Canterbury, and in the Greenwich parishes of Our Ladye
Star of the Sea and St Joseph.
St Thomas a Becket, when facing his own martyrdom in 1170, is reported to have said: 'I commend myself to God, to holy Mary, to blessed Denys, and St Elphege.'

Archbishop Peter has made the following appointments:
Father Paul Mason as the Director of Ongoing Formation of Priests. The Archbishop has also approved his appointment as Pastoral Director at Allen Hall Seminary, Chelsea;
Father Jesmond Pawley OFM Conv as Judicial Vicar;
Father Thomas Udie as Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Surrey Docks;
Father Shaju Varkey as Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Crays, Cray Valley;
Father Kevin Fitzgerald as Parish Priest of St Dunstan, Hersden;
Father Francis Lynch as Parochial Administrator of St Gertrude, Bermondsey;
Father Luke Marappillil as Parochial Administrator of St Osmund, Barnes;
Father Georges Mampillil MST as Chaplain to King's College Hospital;
Father Salvador Nicolas Bilono III and Father Eugene Britto IVD as Assistant Priests at St Anselm, Tooting Bec.
____________________
Archbishop Peter has also:
Merged the parishes of Margate and Cliftonville to form the new parish of Sts Austin and Gregory with St Anne, Margate, where Father Luke Smith is Parish Priest;
Established St Anselm, Pembury, (formerly part of the parish of St Justus, Paddock Wood) as a quasi-parish, where Father Edward Tomlinson, a priest of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, is Priest in Charge.
____________________
Father Dominic Allain is taking a sabbatical break.
____________________

Father William Agley has been seconded to the Vatican Curia to work in the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy. He was formerly the Diocesan Judicial Vicar and Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Crays, Cray Valley, and is now resident in Rome.
____________________

On Saturday, 14th April 2012, Archbishop Peter presided at a Mass at the Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon, during which he ordained six members of the Society of Jesus to the Diaconate.

Fr Dermot Preston SJ, the Provincial of the British Province
of the
Society of Jesus, presents the candidates to Archbishop Peter


The candidates prostrate themselves during the Litany of the
Saints

The candidates kneel as Archbishop Peter prays the Prayer of
Consecration

The newly ordained deacons are presented with the Book of the
Gospels

Deacon Jerri Melwin Dias SJ thanks all those involved on
behalf of the newly ordained

Archbishop Peter with the six new Deacons
We congratulate the new deacons and keep them in our prayers:
Jerri Melwin Dias SJ, John Du-Hyun Kim SJ, Vincent Mulenga SJ,
Quoc Trieu Nguyen SJ, Juan Carlos Pallardel SJ and Xavier Tharamel
SJ.
Many more photos of the Ordination on RCSouthwark's Flickr page
(posted 16-04-12)

INSPIRIT
on BBC London 94.9
on Sunday, 15th April 2012, from 6:00 am until 9:00 am
This Sunday marks the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic and on this programme the Apostleship of the Sea will be reflecting on what life is like for modern day sailors and their chaplains.
Father Paul Mason has recently returned from an Apostleship of the Sea cruise chaplaincy. He will be interviewed during the programme at 8:40 am.


When we Christians celebrate Easter, we celebrate the fact that Christ is risen from the dead and that he lives in our hearts and minds through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, who is the Lord and giver of Life. In celebrating Easter we are celebrating life itself and life to the full. From the darkness of his death, the light of eternal life shone out in all its brightness when Jesus, the Light of the world, was raised to new life.
Our Easter faith is a joyful and
exultant proclamation that there is a real meaning to life, a
vitality to every day, a purpose to those efforts of loving which
can at times tire our hearts and distress our spirit. We believe
that the whole meaning and purpose of life lies in the gift of
love - that
self-giving love which was at the heart of Christ's own life - a
love that will never end.
We will know that Easter is real, that Christ lives, when we allow him to make our own lives sources of light and life for others; when our words heal and encourage; when our hearts come alive with compassion; when we stand firm for the value of life in all its aspects. Easter becomes a reality in our own lives when people are healed, consoled and strengthened by the life-giving love we show to each other, and especially to those in need. Easter is real when we become living signs and symbols of the presence of the risen Christ in our world, and of the values which he taught during his life on earth.
May the presence of the risen Christ in your lives bring you happiness and renewed strength this Easter.
With my blessing and an assurance of my prayers,

Archbishop of Southwark

On Easter Sunday, 8th April 2012, Archbishop Peter presided at the
10:00 am Mass in St George's Cathedral. Canon John O'Toole, the
Cathedral Dean, concelebrated. Music for the Mass was sung by the
Cathedral Girls' Choir.






Full text of Archbishop Peter's Easter Sunday homily (.pdf available)
More photos of the Easter Morning Mass on RCSouthwark's Flickr page
On Holy Saturday, 7th April 2012, Archbishop Peter presided at the Easter Vigil in St George's Cathedral. He baptised ten adult catechumens and received one candidate into full communion with the Catholic Church. He confirmed them and two additional adults.





Full text of Archbishop Peter's Easter Vigil homily (.pdf available)
More photos of the Easter Vigil on RCSouthwark's Flickr page

On Holy Saturday afternoon, there was the traditional blessing of Easter food for the Polish community in Purley by Fr Gregory Verissimo. It was the first time this had taken place at St John the Baptist, Purley, and there was a good turn out of Polish parishioners and a few from other parishes in the area.
Families brought their baskets containing eggs, bread and festive baked goods, meat, sausages and other foods: bread - in memory of the bread with which Jesus fed those who listened to him and which he shared with his apostles at the Last Supper; meat and sausages - in memory of the Paschal lamb; eggs - a sign of the new life we share with the risen Christ.




On Good Friday, 6th April 2012, Archbishop Peter presided at the Celebration of the Lord's Passion at St George's Cathedral.




More photos of the Good Friday Liturgy on RCSouthwark's Flickr page

The Mass of the Lord's Supper
Thursday, 5th April 2012
Saint George's Cathedral

Archbishop Peter presided at the Mass of the Lord's Supper on
Maundy Thursday evening at Saint George's Cathedral. The
concelebrants were
Monsignor Matthew Dickens, Vicar General, Canon John O'Toole,
Cathedral Dean, Father Philip Glandfield, Father John Diver and
Father Chukwuemeka Nnaji.










More photos of the Mass of the Lord's Supper on the CCEW Flickr page
The church of Our Lady of Reparation ('St Mary's'), West Croydon, has installed a camera focused on the sanctuary which provides live streaming 24/7 across the world wide web. It will therefore broadcast all services in the church. There is a short advert at the start of each viewing session.
Please click on the screen above to view the coverage. You will need Adobe Flash Player installed.
This is of great value to those who are unable to attend the Holy Week services or Sunday Mass. But in such a richly multi-cultural parish, it also enables relatives and friends who are abroad and are unable to attend in person to share in the baptisms, marriages and funerals of those close to them.
Holy Week Services at St Mary's:
Maundy Thursday: Mass of the Lord's Supper at 8:00 pm
Good Friday: Solemn Afternoon Liturgy of the Lord's Passion at
3:00 pm
Taizé Time of Prayer from 7:30 pm until 10:30 pm
Holy Saturday: The Easter Vigil at 8:00 pm (please note that the
Blessing of the New Fire will not be covered as it takes place
outside the church).
Sunday Mass times can be found in our online directory - please click here
Please click on the screen above to view the coverage.
The camera is usually trained on the grotto 24/7, however other services are broadcast - especially the International Masses in the St Pius X Basilica.
There is a schedule of services on this page, but please remember that Lourdes is an hour ahead of London, so it is necessary to log in an hour earlier than advertised. The coverage needs renewing every 15 minutes.

Wednesday, 4th April 2012
Saint George's Cathedral

Archbishop Peter presided at the Chrism Mass at Saint George's Cathedral on Wednesday, 4th April 2012. Of all liturgical gatherings, the Chrism Mass most eloquently expresses the unity of the whole diocese - lay people and religious, bishops, priests and deacons - with the Archbishop.




During the Mass, over two hundred priests from diocesan parishes and religious communities renewed their commitment to priestly service.

Archbishop Peter consecrated the Oil of Chrism and blessed the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick - oils which will be received in each parish in the diocese during the Mass of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday. They symbolise the pastoral and sacramental care which is at the heart of the Church's ministry. They will be used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders and in the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.






After the Mass, the Archbishop hosted lunch for the clergy in the Amigo Hall.
Full text of Archbishop Peter's homily (.pdf available)
More photos of the Chrism Mass on RCSouthwark's Flickr page

Monsignor John Broadhurst, representing Monsignor Keith Newton, the Ordinary of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, presided at the Mass of Reception at St Mary's, West Croydon, on the evening of Tuesday, 3rd April 2012.
Mgr John, a former Anglican Bishop, received into full communion with the Catholic Church members of the Croydon Ordinariate Group, led by Father Donald Minchew, former vicar of St Michael and All Angels with St James, Croydon. He was joined by his assistant priest, Father Ken Berry, and about 40 members from the St Michael's congregation and local parishes.
Fathers Donald and Ken are looking forward to their Ordination to the Priesthood within the Easter season.
The new Catholics were welcomed by Provost Joseph Collins on behalf of the priests and people of the parish. We add our own welcome and will keep them in our prayers.
More photos on the Personal Ordinariate Flickr page

On Palm Sunday, 1st April 2012, Archbishop Peter presided at the
11:30 am Mass at St George's Cathedral.



More photos of the Palm Sunday Mass on RCSouthwark's Flickr page
Southwark's
Diocesan Chancery has revised and added information to its page on
this site.
The Chancery forms for Marriage, Reception into full communion with the Church and the Commissioning of Extra-ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are now available for priests and deacons to download from this page.
Please click on the logo above to visit this page.