A Parish of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH
Holy Mass
Weekdays Tuesday - Friday 09.30
Saturday Vigil Mass 18.00, Sunday 09.00 & 11.00
Reconciliation available Saturday 17.00-17.30
Please check our weekly newsletter for any changes to the schedule
Advent & Christmas at Sacred Heart 2025
Advent Evening Prayer on Sunday 30th Nov., 7th Dec., 14th Dec., & 21st Dec at 15.30
Parish Christmas Bazaar Saturday 6th December 10.00 -13.00
Parish Advent Carol Service Sunday 21st December 18.00
Christmas Eve Wednesday 24th December
Children's Crib Service 16.30 (N.B this is not a Mass)
First Mass of Christmas (Vigil) 18.00
Carols before Midnight Mass 11.30
Midnight Mass
Christmas Day Thursday 25th December
Mass of Christmas Day at 09.00 & 11.00
Please be sure to get this date into your diary now!
Please be sure to put these dates into your diary now!
After much waiting Fr D has now received the date of next year’s Confirmation which will take place on Saturday 9th May and will take place at St Joseph’s Church, Epsom. Possible candidates for Confirmation need to be presently in Year 10 at Secondary School and be regularly in attendance at our weekend and Holy Day Masses. Possible Candidates fulfilling these criteria are invited to write to Fr D telling him your name, address, mobile & tel. numbers, email address, who your parents are, which school you attend, where and when you were baptised, and why you would like to consider being confirmed. These letters should arrive at the Presbytery by 18.00 on Sunday 14th December
On this feast day of Christ the King, the first reading tells us of King David’s anointing as the king of Israel. He was the one who unified the twelve tribes of Israel and brought them together as a people for the first time. Ever since, he has been upheld as the preeminent king in Jewish history. Many of the misunderstandings about Jesus’ identity stem from the fact that he did not fit the description of what the Jews were expecting in a king who was the “son of David.” They expected a military warrior who would save them from the oppression of who ever the current ruling empire was. They thought he would usher in an everlasting reign of national peace. They certainly didn’t expect a king like Jesus who sided with the poor and the outcast and had no patience for social climbing. They never expected a king who would resist all manner of violence, even to the point of accepting suffering on the cross rather than lashing out in retaliation. At the heart of the celebration of Christ the King (which always falls on the last Sunday of the year before Advent begins) is an understanding of Jesus as a king who talked and acted very differently from the descendant of David whom the Jews expected. When Jesus walked the earth, Jews were looking forward to a king who would once again unify their country and liberate them from the world powers who historically oppressed them. In a world where “might makes right,” it would be natural to presume that the coming Saviour would be a powerful political figure who would lead the Jews in throwing off Roman rule and reestablishing national independence. Such a king would naturally enjoy the prestige, wealth, and trappings of a worldly kingdom. No wonder so many Jews had trouble coming to terms with Jesus’ behaviour or flatly denied that he was their expected saviour. No wonder that Jewish rulers, Roman soldiers, and a condemned criminal mocked Jesus as “the King of the Jews” at his crucifixion. Jesus rejected any nationalism that included violence or oppression, and he preached love of enemies instead of the death of enemies. His refusal to play the part of a worldly king went so far that he refused to use his divine powers to save himself from horrific suffering. Questions of the Week Give examples of worldly rulers in history who used their power and authority appropriately and for the benefit of their people. Share examples of rulers who “lorded it over others” and used their power to
Welcome to the Parish of the Sacred Heart
The Parish of the Sacred Heart is an active Roman Catholic community within the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton for those living in the environs of Cobham, Stoke D’Abernon and Oxshott. Comprised of people from all walks of life, from different age groups and diverse cultures the Parish is an active community offering spiritual and pastoral support in the Catholic tradition. If you are thinking about coming to live in the area or are already in residence you are very welcome to join our community you can be assured of a welcome, being offered a wide range of spiritual and educational support. We also run a thriving Sunday school providing Religious Education for children from four to fourteen years of age and provides preparation for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation.
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Quote of the week
"The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives
fully is
prepared to die at any time - Author unknown
Parish News
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Our very latest news updates and information about Parish activities.
Andrew Dung-Lac, a convert ordained to the priesthood, was one of 117 martyred in Vietnam between 1820 and 1862. The Companion members of the group gave their lives for Christ between the 17th and 19th centuries, were beatified on four different occasions between 1900 and 1951, and were canonized during the papacy of St John Paul II. Christianity came to Vietnam through Portuguese Jesuits, who opened their first mission in 1615. Originally ministering to Japanese Catholics driven from Japan. Severe persecutions were launched at least three times in the 19th century. During the six decades after 1820 100,000 to 300,000 Catholics were killed or subjected to great hardship. Foreign missionaries martyred in the first wave included priests of the Paris Mission Society, and Spanish Dominican priests and tertiaries. In 1832, the Emperor banned all missionaries, trying to make the Vietnamese deny their faith. Much like the priest-holes in England during persecution, many hiding places were offered in homes of the faithful. Persecution broke out again in 1847, when the emperor suspected foreign missionaries and the Vietnamese Christians of sympathising with a rebellion led by of one of his sons. The last of the martyrs were executed in 1862. That year a treaty with France guaranteed religious freedom to Catholics, but it did not stop all persecution.
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Lots of rushing around this week, as the roof works came to an end and various smaller electrical jobs began to be sorted out . . . . . On Monday the roof workers were completing the works with some painting of woodwork and fitting new guttering at lower levels where there was none before or where the wrong size had been fitted at some point in the past. All of the guttering is now ‘deep flow’ rather than having some shallow (which means that the water enters and flows straight out over the side and down the nearest wall!). Following Morning Prayer, Mass, and Exposition on Tuesday, Fr D was off down to the diocesan offices in Crawley where a case has arrived in his ‘in-tray’ which is ready for him to begin the process of judgement on. In the evening Fr D met with the parents of this year’s First Reconciliation candidates for their last session before the great day on Saturday 29th November. The candidates will meet with Fr D on Saturday (along with their parents) for their last session as well. After Morning Prayer and Mass on Wednesday, Fr D met with our electrician who had come to begin several minor works that Fr D had made a list of (light above main entrance to church; confessional speakers; lighting tubes in St Francis room and kitchen of Parish Centre; removal of old single pendant bulb and replacement with LED battens in the loft; additional sockets in the loft). At lunchtime Fr D was meeting with Fr Ruslan (Walton) for their monthly lunch. In the evening Fr D had a meeting with representatives of the other parishes in the deanery to further the work on the bishop’s ‘Pastoral Plan’ along with two of our parishioners. The preparations for a series of presentations in the New Year (Cobham’s Wednesday 21st January 19.30) now seem to be ready and will be informed through an opportunity in every Parish during Advent to find out how YOU can be involved as the plan progresses. Following Morning Prayer and Mass on Thursday Fr D was off to Notre Dame School to celebrate Mass for the school’s major Feast Day (the Presentation of Our Lady in the Temple in Jerusalem).
Although Saint Cecilia is one of the most famous of the Roman martyrs, the familiar stories told about her are apparently not founded on authentic material. There is no trace of honour being paid her in early times. A fragmentary inscription of the late fourth century refers to a church named after her, and her feast was celebrated at least in 545. According to legend, Cecilia was a young Christian of high rank betrothed to a Roman named Valerian. Through her influence, Valerian was converted, and was martyred along with his brother. The legend about Cecilia’s death says that after being struck three times on the neck with a sword, she lived for three days, and asked the pope to convert her home into a church. Since the time of the Renaissance she has usually been portrayed with a viola or a small organ. Like any good Christian, Saint Cecilia sang in her heart, and sometimes with her voice. She has become a symbol of the Church’s conviction that good music is an integral part of the liturgy, of greater value to the Church than any other art.
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Busy week once more as workmen replacing the roof of The Presbytery removed scaffolding from the front band side of the house and moved some of it to the rear in order to work on the bay window roof and the roof over the dining room. These are more complicated roofs as they join up to the building at different levels. The majority of the works should be completed by this weekend (with perhaps some guttering to be addressed at the beginning of next week. Fr D has been delighted by the work that has been done and is glad that we decided to do it eighteen months earlier than scheduled - there were parts of the main roof that had begun to show signs of rot and the tiles on the back of the house were at the point of crumbling (but given that they were all the original tiles from the 1930’s they’ve lasted well and owed us nothing!). Fr D sincerely hopes that the new tiles will last the same ninety years (becoming someone else’s problem to deal with!). As mentioned in last week’s newsletter remote work is beginning on looking at the next aspects of necessary works (church lighting system and the heating system for the church), research has begun on both these projects with a view to working out the ‘what’ and the ‘when.’ On Tuesday Fr D met with the rest of the deanery clergy, at Our Lady and St Peter’s, Leatherhead, for their regular monthly meeting. Increasingly most of the agenda is taken up with the Bishop’s Pastoral Plan and how this will be put into effect in our area. During Advent there will be postcards given out in each of the present parishes which parishioners will be asked to complete ready for presentations/questions to be asked at a meeting in each parish to be held in the first two months of 2026. Two teams of clergy/laity have been meeting throughout the Autumn working on the Bishop’s plan in our area; it is hoped that these will for the basis of a Parish Leadership Team and a Parish Finance Committee for the new larger Parish of several communities together. In the evening Fr D gain met with parents of our Reconciliation candidates to look at the work that the children will be doing with their parents on Saturday - this was the penultimate session ready to celebrate First Reconciliation on Saturday 29th November.
Parish Priest Notices
Important items highlighted by Fr. Daryl. These will contain news elements & important requests
As the number of parishioners using the ‘Dona’ electronic giving machine at the rear of the church has been steadily growing, the Parish Finance Committee has decided that a second machine should be available to reduce the queuing that sometimes takes place whilst waiting to access the terminal. When the second terminal arrives we will be positioning both terminals half way down the two side aisles, this will assist access and ‘unblock the exit at the end of Masses. Of course, parishioners do not have to wait until the end of our Masses to use the terminals - after arrival and before taking seats?
Traditionally the month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in purgatory. The Church commemorates all her faithful children who have departed this life, but have not yet attained the joys of heaven. St Paul warns us that we must not be ignorant concerning the dead, nor sorrowful, “even as others who have no hope . . . . for the Lord himself shall come down from heaven . . . . and the dead who are in Christ shall rise.” The Church has always taught us to pray for those who have gone into eternity. Even in the Old Testament prayers and alms were offered for the souls of the dead by those who thought “well and religiously concerning the resurrection.” It was believed that “they who had fallen asleep with godliness had great grace laid up for them” and that “it is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” We know that a defiled soul cannot enter into heaven. As usual Parishioners who have taken the time to complete a ‘Dead List’ for any family or friends who have died since last November will now be able to ‘look up’ the names in our Parish Book of the Dead; which will be placed on the sanctuary throughout November. Each weekend during November one of our Masses will be celebrated for the Holy Souls
Please be sure to get this date into your diary now!
Please be sure to put these dates into your diary now!
After much waiting Fr D has now received the date of next year’s Confirmation which will take place on Saturday 9th May and will take place at St Joseph’s Church, Epsom. Possible candidates for Confirmation need to be presently in Year 10 at Secondary School and be regularly in attendance at our weekend and Holy Day Masses. Possible Candidates fulfilling these criteria are invited to write to Fr D telling him your name, address, mobile & tel. numbers, email address, who your parents are, which school you attend, where and when you were baptised, and why you would like to consider being confirmed. These letters should arrive at the Presbytery by 18.00 on Sunday 14th December
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OUR DIAMOND JUBILEE - VIEW THE GALLERY
PRAY FOR OUR BISHOP RICHARD MOTH
As a Parish we encourage our community to pray for our shepherd, Bishop Richard as he leads our Diocese.
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Saturday 11th October, 10.00 - 13.00 at St Dunstan’s Catholic Church, Shaftesbury Road, Woking GU22 7DT. Curious about spiritual direction? It’s not about being told what to do, but about having someone walk alongside you as you listen for God’s voice in the middle of daily life. Spiritual direction is a gentle space to grow in your relationship with God, to notice where God is already at work, and to be encouraged in faith, hope and love. The diocese has a network of trained spiritual directors so please join us for tea/coffee from 10.00, a short talk at 10.30 with time for questions, then try a 10 - 15 minute taster session with trained A&B Diocese spiritual directors. Free; all welcome.
The Diocese is gathering on Saturday 20th September (10.00-16.30) to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope, the 60th Anniversary of the Diocese, and our continuing mission in these present times. The celebration will be taking place at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, which has a capacity for 1,200 people to attend. We have a number of guest speakers scheduled to inspire and uplift us during the day; topics covered include: • Communities of Hope - Michelle Moran (Sion Community) • Scriptures of Hope - Dai Woolridge (Bible Society) • Missionaries of Hope – Rev. Greg Bakker (Church Mission Society) We will also be joined by the ‘One Hope Project,’ a Catholic Worship Collective who will assist us with our music and those involved in our diocesan Schools Singing Programme will also be with us for the day. Families are encouraged to attend, as there will be a special ‘youth stream,’ allowing the younger members of our communities to engage with the virtue of hope in a way that is meaningful for them. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will also be available throughout the day. The day will finish with Mass. Tickets have been allocated proportionally to each parish according to Mass attendance; Sacred Heart Parish has 11. The festival is free to attend, members of the Parish attending are asked to travel by coach, leaving from the Sacred Heart (the cost of this is covered). Those people with disabilities/access issues will be able to travel independently and parking for this will be available on site. If you would like to receive one of our Parish tickets to attend please get in touch with the Parish Office within the next two weeks (by 13.00 Monday 11th August) - first come first served (no additional tickets available).
Bishop Richard - A talk on Mary leading us to Her Son
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Vocations
Are you feeling increasingly compelled to spend time with Jesus? Do you find that your time is spent seeking him and all things connected with him?
