Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies in Weybridge Deanery 2017-19

An opportunity to study for the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS) is being offered in Weybridge Deanery and is open to others outside the deanery who are interested.
It starts at the end of September.
Further information is available on this flier or from the Coordinator, Fr Jonathan How (contact details on the flier).

CCRS is a widely-recognised qualification, designed for both catechists and Catholic teachers, and covering the main areas of Catholic theology. Many people enrol in it for their own personal faith development.
More details about CCRS may be found at the website of the Board of Studies of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

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Pope Francis issues Apostolic Letter on liturgical translation

Pope Francis has published a motu proprio, ‘Magnum Principium’, granting bishops’ conferences greater control over the translation of liturgical texts. Bishops’ conferences will have main responsibility for translations, with the Holy See approving them.

Read about it in an article in the Catholic Herald and on Pray Tell.

The text of the motu proprio ‘Magnum Principium’ on the Vatican website, with a note from Archbishop Arthur Roche, secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Anne Ward receives Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal

Congratulations to Anne Ward who has been awarded the “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” (“For Church and Pope”) medal by Pope Francis for her considerable contribution to the musical life of the diocese and, in particular, her many years of dedicated service to the diocesan Lourdes pilgrimage. Bishop Richard presented Anne with the medal at the Opening Mass of this year’s pilgrimage.
Read more on the A&B Lourdes pilgrimage website.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor RIP

We pray for the repose of the soul of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor who died on 1 September 2017, surrounded by his family and friends.

Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that the soul of your departed servant Cardinal Cormac,
to whom you committed the care of your family,
may, with the manifold fruit of his labours,
enter into the eternal gladness of his Lord.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Here is a link to a page on the Bishops’ Conference website which includes an obituary and photos of our much loved former Bishop,
a page on our diocesan website, a reflection by Fr Robin Gibbons, and a tribute from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

Holydays of Obligation – Epiphany and Ascension

With effect from the First Sunday of Advent 2017, two holydays of obligation are being reinstated in England and Wales. This decision was made by the Bishops of England and Wales, and has been confirmed by the Holy See.
The days are:
The Epiphany of the Lord – 6th January (transferred to the adjacent Sunday when it falls on a Saturday or Monday),
and The Ascension of the Lord – Thursday after the Sixth Sunday of Easter.

For more details, see:
Decree on Holydays of Obligation (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales )
Vatican Decree on Holydays of Obligation (Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments)
Vatican Letter on Holydays

More information may be found on the Liturgy Office website.

Rite of Induction of a Parish Priest

At this time of year we pray especially for all those priests who are moving parish, that God will guide and bless them abundantly during this period of transition and in their ministry in new pastures. We pray too for all the parish communities involved.

For parish priests, secretaries, MCs, etc., here is the diocesan Rite of Induction of a Parish Priest – in Word format for you to include in an order of service – along with sample Intercessions. If you need help or have any questions, please contact us.

Day of Reflection for Readers

Bishop Richard will lead a day of reflection for Readers
on Saturday 16th September 2017
at Sacred Heart Church, Cobham, 11.00am-4.00pm.
There will be talks on the Scriptures, the Lectionary, the Liturgy of the Word, preparing to read, and using microphones.
There will also be a time of Lectio Divina, and Mass will be celebrated to conclude the day.
Please see the poster for details, and please book to let us know you plan to attend.
(NB Booking is essential as spaces are limited.)

RCIA Network Conference June 2017

Who do you say that I am? – Images of Christ in the New Testament.
A Conference for RCIA teams and all who engage with scripture in liturgy and catechesis.
Tues 6th – Thurs 8th June 2017, High Leigh Conference Centre, Hoddesdon, Herts. Main Speaker: Ian Boxall.
Don’t miss this chance to hear Ian Boxall, to deepen your knowledge and understanding of scripture and to reflect on your response to ‘Who do you say that I am?’
Still some places available. Last chance to get early bird fee for the conference – save £40!
More information at the RCIA Network’s site.

RCIA – Celebrating the Scrutinies

On the Rites page, you can find RCIA resources for Lent, including texts for celebrating the Scrutinies (on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent) with the Elect – those journeying towards Baptism.

Here is a brief history of the scrutinies from Team RCIA, and an article by Paul Turner.

Christian Unity Week – Pope Francis celebrates Vespers

Today, at the close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope Francis will preside at Vespers in the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.
The Sistine Chapel Choir will be joined by the choir of Westminster Abbey.
You can follow the live feed at 4.25pm (or watch it later), and there is also a lovely interview on Vatican Radio with the Dean of Westminster, Dr John Hall, and Mark Spyropoulos, the only full time English singer with the Sistine Chapel choir (who was at school at Worth).
The collaboration of the two choirs grows out of recent years of deepening Anglican-Catholic relations, in particular following Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to London in September 2010.