News
Archive
June
2011
News Archive for 2011 - June
Pope Benedict XVI - Sixty Years a Priest
The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
Wednesday, 29th June 2011
Today
the Holy Father celebrates the sixtieth anniversary of his
ordination to the priesthood. He and his brother Georg were among
44 deacons ordained to the priesthood in Freising Cathedral by
Cardinal Michael von Faulhaber on 29th June 1951.
To mark the anniversary, the Congregation for the Clergy has asked dioceses worldwide to offer 60 hours of Eucharistic adoration praying for the sanctification of priests and for priestly vocations.
We wish the Holy Father every blessing and happiness as he celebrates the diamond jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood.
Ad multos annos!
Dr Dilys Wadman, Director of Education, retires ...
On Monday, 27th June 2011, Archbishop Peter offered Mass in thanksgiving for the work of Dr Dilys Wadman, who retires as Southwark's Director of Education at the end of August.
Archbishop Peter with Bishop Patrick, Bishop Crispian Hollis,
Bishop Malcolm McMahon, Archbishop Kevin, Bishop John,
Bishop Paul and Bishop Howard
Archbishop Peter paid tribute to the dedicated work that Dr Dilys had undertaken during her time as Director of Education and expressed his warm gratitude and that of the schools and colleges of the diocese for all that she had achieved.
Dr Dilys reads the First Reading
Archbishop Peter gives the homily
Dr Dilys speaks at the end of Mass
Archbishop Peter with Dr Dilys after Mass
More photos on RCSouthwark's Flick'r page
... and a new Director of Education is appointed
Professor Anne Bamford with the Archbishop's Council
Dr Wadman's successor will be Professor Anne Bamford, currently Professor at the University of the Arts London and Director of the International Research Agency.
In a letter to Headteachers of diocesan schools in May, Archbishop Peter wrote: 'I welcome the appointment of Professor Anne Bamford to this very important post in the Archdiocese and wish her every blessing in the years ahead. I am sure that under her leadership the Diocesan Commission will continue its vital work in supporting and promoting all that you do in providing excellent education for our children and young people in the schools and Colleges of the Archdiocese.'
Short biography of Professor Anne Bamford (.pdf)
Confirmations at Saint Paul's, Dover
On Sunday, 26th June 2011, Father Peter Madden, parish priest,
and parishioners of Saint Paul's Parish, Dover, welcomed
Archbishop Peter to their parish, where he presided at Mass and
conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The First Reading
Archbishop Peter confirms a young parishioner
The newly confirmed lead the Prayer of the Faithful
Archbishop Peter meets the people after Mass
More photos on RCSouthwark's Flick'r page
SFX student chosen to be Olympic Torchbearer
Congratulations to Gabriella Roseje, a student at Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College studying BTEC National Sports and Exercise Science. She has been nominated by David Beckham to be Samsung's first torchbearer to carry the Olympic Flame.
Gabriella is pictured above with David Beckham and London 2012 Olympics Organising Committee Chairman Sebastian Coe.
Gabriella was nominated both for her enthusiasm and commitment to her sport (rugby), and for her work with the Wooden Spoon Charity, which does charitable works with disadvantaged children and young people.
Visit St Francis Xavier College web site
50th International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin
Bishop Patrick will be leading the group going from this diocese to the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, from 10th – 17th June next year.
Pope Benedict has approved the theme ‘The Eucharist: Communion
with Christ and with one another’. This theme is rooted in the
document “Lumen Gentium”, and celebrates the 50th anniversary of
the Second Vatican Council.
The Bishops of England and Wales are urging Catholics this side of
the Irish Sea to attend the Congress and so support the Church in
Ireland at what is a very difficult time for them. Fr David
Gibbons, Director of the diocesan Christian Education Centre, is
the diocesan Delegate for the Congress, and more information can
be obtained from him (020 8672 7684 or
dgibbons@cectootingbec.org.uk).
The Congress website, at which you can register to attend, is www.iec2012.ie - which can also be accessed from the link on the right sidebar.
DePaul UK seeks hosts for homeless young people
DePaul UK helps young people who are homeless, vulnerable and disadvantaged. It is looking for people who have room in their lives and their homes to offer such young people a safe place to live.
DePaul UK has two schemes to help provide accommodation:
Supported Lodgings Scheme which acts as a stepping stone for homeless young people who do not yet have the skills they need to live independently, matching 16-25 year olds with householders who can offer them accommodation together with the security and support of living in a home environment. Download A5 leaflet (.pdf format)
Nightstop London which prevents homelessness by providing emergency accommodation for young people in the homes of local volunteers on a nght by night basis. Download A5 leaflet (.pdf format)
In honour of the Blessed Sacrament
Thanet Deanery's 40 hours Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
The Thanet Deanery held 40 hours (Quarant'Ore) Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Saints Austin and Gregory Church, Margate, from Thursday, 23th June 2011, opening with the Mass of Exposition.
The church was then open for the next two days for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, which included the Divine Office and the Rosary. Each evening Night Prayer was recited and the night was spent in silent devotion.
The Dean, Father Luke Smith, parish priest of Sts Austin and Gregory, had asked that four people be present in adoration at all times, however, during most of the night hours there were nine or ten people keeping watch with the Lord. The 40 hours concluded on Saturday 24th June with Benediction immediately followed at 12 noon by a Mass of Thanksgiving.
Thanet Deanery's Blessed Sacrament Procession
During the afternoon of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi , 26th June 2011, the Thanet Deanery held a Blessed Sacrament Procession from Saint Peter's Church, Westgate-on-Sea, to the nearby Ursuline Convent for Benediction.
It was an opportunity for children from the Deanery parishes who had made their First Communion this year to join together in celebration.
Fr Luke carried the Blessed Sacrament and was accompanied by the priests and deacons of the deanery. The Knights of St Columba held the canopy.Tanya Utton, Head Teacher of the Ursuline College, kindly allowed the Deanery use of the College's dining room for refreshments on a day filled with warmth and sunshine – both meteorological and spiritual!
Benediction in the Ursuline Convent Chapel
Bexley and Greenwich Deaneries' Blessed Sacrament
Procession
at Lesnes Abbey
On the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, 26th June 2011, Bishop Patrick led the annual Procession of the Blessed Sacrament for Bexley and Greenwich Deaneries at Lesnes Abbey.
Seminarians admitted to Candidacy ...
Ola Craig and Kurt Barragan with Archbishop Peter
On Thursday, 23rd June 2011, Archbishop Peter visited St John's Seminary, Wonersh, to admit students training for the priesthood to Candidacy.
Among them were two Southwark students, Kurt Barragan and Ola Craig who hope to be ordained to the diaconate shortly before Christmas.
... and to the Ministries of Lector and Acolyte
The following day, Archbishop Peter conferred the Ministries of Lector and Acolyte.
Archbishop Peter with seven of the students who received the
Ministry of Lector, including Southwark students:
Mark Higgins (second from the left) and Dermott O'Gorman (right)
Archbishop Peter with the Seminary Rector, Mgr Jeremy Garratt,
and the five students who received the Ministry of Acolyte,
including Southwark students:
Samuel Davey (left), Joseph Owusu Ansah (second from the left) and
Daniel Weatherley (third from the right)
We congratulate them and keep them and all our seminarians in our prayers.
Photos from RCSouthwark's Flick'r page
New English Translation of the Mass is available
The
Catholic Truth Society has published booklets of the
new English translation of the Mass, including a large print
edition and one with.the parallel Latin text.
These attractive booklets are now available at the CTS bookshop in the piazza of Westminster Cathedral or online. The new English translation alone costs £1.95.
This gives an opportunity to familiarise ourselves with the new
translation before it is introduced in our parishes this
September.
Visit the CTS web site for information
† Canon Patrick Pearson who died on 23rd June 2011 May he rest in peace
His body will be received at St Joseph's Church, Bromley,
His Funeral Mass will be held at St Joseph's Church, Bromley, |
Three new Deacons for Southwark in three days ...
It was a wonderful weekend for the
diocese as three men were ordained as deacons for Southwark: Rev
Alan Burgess,
a student for the priesthood studying in Rome, on Friday,
and two permanent deacons
Rev Mathew Manoharan, on Saturday
and Rev Jolyon Vickers, on Sunday.
Please pray for them and those who
helped them
on their journey to ordination.
Alan Burgess ordained Deacon in Rome ...
Friday, 17th June 2011
Cardinal O'Brien lays his hands on Alan's head
Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien ordained Southwark seminarian Alan Burgess (Cathedral Parish) to the diaconate on Friday, 17th June, in the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.
Deacon Alan has completed three years of study at the Pontifical Beda
College and, after a pastoral placement in the diocese during the
summer months, will return there in the Autumn for his final year.
He was one of seven men ordained to the diaconate by Cardinal
O'Brien.
The Southwark contingent joining family and friends for the
ordination included Monsignor Nicholas Hudson, Father John
Weatherill and Deacon James Sheahan together with Southwark
Seminarians Leonard Tatt (Eltham), Matthew O'Gorman (Wallington),
David Howell (Surbiton) and Philip Andrews (New Malden).
Alan, a former Anglican, was received into the Church by
Archbishop Kevin in 2006. He had graduated from the University of
British Columbia in the early 80s and also attended the University
of Grenoble. Before pursuing his vocation, he worked as a
consultant bibliographer to the British Library and for 16 years
as a senior medical publisher.
Cardinal O'Brien with the newly ordained deacons in the
sacristy
of the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls
Deacon Alan and his guests in the garden of the Beda College
Deacon Alan with Seminarian Leonard Tatt (Beda) and Fr John
Weatherill
Deacon Alan with Deacon James Sheahan
Deacon Alan with Seminarian Matthew O'Gorman (VEC)
Photos from RCSouthwark's Flick'r page
Mathew Manoharan ordained Deacon in Lewisham ...
Saturday, 18th June 2011
Bishop Patrick lays his hands on Mathew's head
On Saturday, 18th June, Bishop Patrick ordained Mathew Manoharan to the diaconate in St Saviour's Church, Lewisham.
Deacon Mathew has been appointed to the Lewisham Deanery
to serve in the parish of St Saviour, Lewisham.
Bishop Patrick presents Deacon Mathew with the Book of the
Gospels
Bishop Patrick with Deacon Mathew and Felicita Manoharan
Deacon Mathew and Bishop Patrick gather with the clergy after
Mass
A few more photos on RCSoutwark's Flick'r page
and Jolyon Vickers ordained Deacon in Tenterden
Sunday, 19th June 2011
On Sunday, 19th June, Jolyon Vickers was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop John at St Andrew's Church, Tenterden.
Deacon Jolyon has been appointed to the Maidstone Deanery to serve in the parish of St Andrew, Tenterden.
Bishop John lays his hands on Jolyon's head
Jolyon makes his promise of obedience
Bishop John presents Deacon Jolyon with the Book of the
Gospels
Bishop John and Deacon Jolyon exchange the sign of peace
Bishop John with Deacon Jolyon and his wife Suzanne, Mgr
Edward Hill, parish priest, and other deacons
Photos from RCSouthwark's Flick'r page
We congratulate Deacons Alan, Mathew and Jolyon and keep them and all who are training for the priesthood and diaconate in our prayers.
Induction of new Parish Priest at Richmond
On Friday evening, 17th June 2011, Bishop Paul inducted Fr Eddie Higgins as the new parish priest of St Elizabeth's, Richmond. Several priests of the diocese including Mgr William Saunders, the local dean, concelebrated in a packed church.
Among those present were the mayor and several members of the local Christian community. The Mass was followed by a reception in the parish centre.
Christine Brett, Headteacher of St Elizabeth's Primary School,
reads the first reading
Children of St Elizabeth's Primary School read the Bidding
Prayers
Fr Eddie Higgins makes his Profession of Faith
The new parish priest speaks to his people
Injured Servicemen join Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes
©
Photo Lacaze
The British contingent marches with Bishop Richard Moth across
Rosary Square to the Grotto at Lourdes
Some 250 members of the British Armed Forces have recently taken part in an International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Bishop Richard, the Bishop of the Forces, led the British contingent.
The International Military Pilgrimage started in 1958 when the French Armed Forces invited the German military to join them in Lourdes as a gesture of post-war reconciliation. This year, 20,000 military pilgrims representing 37 countries gathered in Lourdes for the annual pilgrimage.
All the military contingents march to the venues and this year the Band of the Royal Corps of Signals accompanied the British group. Officer Cadets from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst followed an old pilgrim custom and walked the hillside Stations of the Cross in bare feet.
The Bishopric of the Forces is especially concerned about its ministry to wounded servicemen and women and Bishop Richard thanked the Archdiocese of Southwark for sponsoring two servicemen injured in Afghanistan to join the pilgrimage.
Read the full report on the International Military Pilgrimage (.doc)
Installation of the new Archbishop of Cardiff
On Monday, 20th June 2011, Bishop George Stack, formerly an Auxiliary Bishop in Westminster, was installed as the new Archbishop of Cardiff in the Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Saint David in Cardiff.
As part of the ceremony of installation, Archbishop Peter, who had been the Archbishop of Cardiff from 2001 until his appointment to Southwark last year, handed the crozier to his successor.
© Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk
Archbishop Peter welcomed the appointment of Bishop George when it was announced in April: 'I was delighted to hear the news that Bishop George Stack has been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as Archbishop of Cardiff. He will bring to the Archdiocese ten years’ experience as an Auxiliary Bishop in Westminster and I’m sure he will tackle this new and important task with his customary enthusiasm and zeal. I am so pleased for the priests and people of Cardiff and Herefordshire.'
Photo: Peter Jennings
Archbishop Peter with his successor as
Archbishop of Cardiff
Cardinal Cormac, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the Apostolic Nuncio, and Archbishop Vincent were among archbishops and bishops from England and Wales, including Bishops Patrick, Paul and Howard, who attended the Mass in support of the new Archbishop.
Press release from CCEW web site with link to Archbishop Stack's homily
Photos on the CCEW Flick'r page
The Sacrament of Confirmation at the Cathedral
Archbishop Peter with the Cathedral clergy: Fr Chukwuemeka
Nnaji, Deacon James Sheahan, Canon John O'Toole and Father John
Diver
Archbishop Peter conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on young parishioners of the Cathedral parish on Trinity Sunday, 19th June 2011.
Fr John Diver calls the candidates and presents them to the
Archbishop
Archbishop Peter with the newly confirmed
More photos of the Confirmation Mass on RCSouthwark's Flick'r page
Mass in Celebration of Marriage
On Saturday, 18th June 2011, at Saint George's Cathedral, Archbishop Peter offered Mass for all married couples in the diocese, but especially for those among the 900 people gathered with him in the Cathedral who are celebrating a significant anniversary of their marriage this year.
262 couples were present, together with 386 members of their families. Mr and Mrs Lane from Sidcup, celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary, were the longest married couple. They were joined by 17 other couples who were celebrating their Diamond Anniversaries. 65 couples were celebrating their 50th; 66 their 40th; 60 their 25th; 35 their 10th and 15 their first.
Archbishop Peter congratulated them all and wished them every blessing for the future.
During the Mass, the couples present renewed their marriage vows.
86 parishes were represented with the largest contingent coming from Thornton Heath (12 couples), closely followed by Selsdon (9 couples), Addiscombe and Welling (8 couples) and Clapham, Tunbridge Wells and Worcester Park (7 couples).
Archbishop Peter gives the homily
Archbishop Peter leads the couples in the renewal
of their marriage vows
Renewal of marriage vows
Father Graham Preston, the diocean Episcopal Vicar for
Marriage and Family Life, thanks all present
More photos of the Mass on the RCSouthwark Flick'r page
Celebration of Confirmation at Kidbrooke
Archbishop Peter, Father Eric Nimmo, Parish Priest, and two
'young'
altar servers
On Tuesday, 14th June 2011, Archbishop Peter presided at Mass at Saint John Fisher, Kidbrooke, during which he confirmed six members of the parish.
Archbishop Peter in front of St John Fisher Church, Kidbrooke
More photos on the RCSouthwark Flick'r page
Archbishop Peter visits Saint Mary's School, Gillingham
Archbishop Peter speaks to the children during the Assembly
On Tuesday, 14th June 2011, Archbishop Peter visited Saint Mary's Primary School in Gillingham to meet the staff and children and to bless the new Nursery, a new class room and the new ICT suite.
Father Geoffrey Pointer, Parish Priest, and pupils of the
school
reading the Bidding Prayers
Archbishop Peter blesses the new nursery, while the pupils of
the
School Council join in prayer
More photos on the RCSouthwark Flick'r page
KSC annual Marian Pilgrimage to Aylesford
On Sunday, 12th June 2011, the Southern Provinces of the Knights
of Saint Columba held their annual Marian Pilgrimage at The
Friars, Aylesford.
Archbishop Peter presided at the Mass and gave the homily.
Archbishop Peter also presided at a ceremony during which over
60 members were raised to full Knighthood within the Knights of
St Columba.
More photos on the RCSouthwark Flick'r page
Father Ed Hartley celebrates his Golden Jubilee
On Saturday, 11th June 2011, Archbishop Peter visited the parish of Saint Joseph's, Folkestone West. He joined the family, friends and parishioners of Father Ed (Edmund) Hartley who is marking the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the Priesthood.
Ad multos annos!
Archbishop Peter and Deacon Gehad Homsey after the Mass
Father Ed replies to the toast at the reception
More photos on the RCSouthwark Flick'r page
Archbishop Peter visits the English Martyrs, Walworth
On Friday, 10th June 2011, the first anniversary of his installation as Archbishop of Southwark, Archbishop Peter visited the parish of the English Martyrs, Walworth.
He presided at the morning Mass for the parish and the school, at the end of which he presented Bene Merenti medals to Mr Ron Bursey, Mrs Pat Bursey, Mrs Eileen Griffin and Mr David Dwane for their long service to the church and the parish.
After the Mass he met the people of the parish in the school hall and later visited the English Martyrs School and blessed the new reception class.
Ron Bursey, David Dwane, Archbishop Peter, Eileen Griffin,
Fr. Francis Kemsley, Prior and Parish Priest, and Pat Bursey
Report and more photos on the Carmelite web site
More photos on the RCSouthwark Flick'r page
New Evangelisation and the Alpha Course
Archbishop Jose Octavio Ruiz Arenas, the Secretary to the recently-established Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation, was in London for the Alpha International Conference in London (June 6th – 10th) as the guest of the Alpha for Catholics team.
Bishop Patrick attended and took part in the Conference on Wednesday, 8th June.
© Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk
The Alpha course is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed manner over ten weekly sessions. It also serves as a refresher course for practising Catholics or for those who have lapsed in their faith and want to clarify their thoughts about belief. The Alpha Course is run in eight parishes within the Southwark diocese.
Archbishop Jose Octavio Ruiz Arenas and
Bishop Patrick
© Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk
© Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk
Press release on the CCEW web site
Alpha in a Catholic Context web section
Canon John bids farewell to the CEC
The Archbishop's Council visited the Christian Education Centre
at Tooting Bec on Monday, 6th June 2011 to receive the Centre's
annual report.
This was Canon John O'Toole's last official engagement as the Director of the Centre, a post he has held since 2004. He takes up his new appointment as Dean of Saint George's Cathedral this coming weekend.
Archbishop Peter paid a warm tribute to Canon John and to the staff of the Centre for their valued work of evangelisation and formation throughout the diocese.
Father David Gibbons, the new Director of the Christian Ecucation
Centre
A few more photos of the occasion
|
† Father David Waite O.Carm. who died on 6th June 2011 at The Friars, Aylesford, after a long illness May he rest in peace
His body will be received in the Relic Chapel His Requiem Mass will
be in the Relic Chapel |
Tribute to Father David Waite OCarm on the Carmelite web site
Ascension Sunday Mass at Pollards Hill
Archbishop Peter with Father Jan Bak, Parish Priest
On Ascension Sunday, 5th June 2011, Father Jan Bak SDS and parishioners of Saint Michael's, Pollards Hill, welcomed Archbishop Peter to the parish. He presided at Mass and met the people afterwards.
Father Jan Bak proclaims the Gospel
More photos on the RCSouthwark Flick'r page
Seven priests ordained for the Ordinariate
Fr Christopher Pearson, Fr Christopher Lindlar, Fr Nicholas
Leviseur,
Fr Simon Heans, Deacon James Bradley, Archbishop Peter Smith,
Mgr Keith Newton, Fr Ivan Aquilina, Fr Edward Tomlinson
and Fr Stephen Bould
Seven former Anglican clergy were ordained to the Catholic priesthood for the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham by Archbishop Peter in Saint George's Cathedral on Saturday, 4th June 2011.
In his homily Archbishop Peter promised them the support of the Archdiocese: '...you know you will have the companionship and support of the people to whom you have been pastors for many years, as well as the wider community, God's people in the Archdiocese - priests, deacons, religious and laity.'
He concluded: 'I pray that your example and way of life as shepherds of the flock will bring those you serve closer to Christ and to a deeper holiness of life. I pray that, like you, they will continue to grow in the love of God and of their neighbour, and become more credible witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.'
Monsignor Keith Newton, Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate, concelebrated at the Ordination Mass. Apart from the ordination of three former Anglican bishops in January, this was the first priestly ordination of former Anglican clergy and begins a wave that will continue throughout the month, with more than 50 ordinations expected.
We congratulate them and keep them in our prayers
Full text of Archbishop Peter's homily (.pdf available)
More photos on RCSouthwark's Flick'r page ...
... and on the Personal Ordinariate Flick'r page ...
... and on the Sevenoaks Ordinariate Group's Picasa page ...
... and a few more photos on this linked page
KHS Prayer Vigil and Investiture at the Cathedral
Archbishop
Peter and Bishop Richard Moth attended a Prayer Vigil with the
Knights of the Holy Sepulchre at Saint George's Cathedral on
Friday, 3rd June 2011.
Monsignor David Hogan (Prior of the Northumbrian Section) presided at the Vigil and Archbishop Peter gave the homily.
Archbishop Kevin McDonald, Grand Prior, presided at the Mass on Saturday, 4th July, and invested the new Knights and Dames.
More photos on the RCSouthwark Flick'r page