News & Events at
St Christopher’s
WINTER FAIR - 8 WEEKS TO GO!!
Thank you to the 25 people who came to the planning meeting. We now have 8 weeks to go before the fair and would like to ask for your help. Pledge sheets will be at both entrances for you to sign up to help or bake or donate. This week we would like raffle prizes, bottles - soft drinks and alcoholic, toys and games. If you have a gazebo that you are willing to loan for the day please let the parish office know. Thank you!
FUNDRAISING PIANO RECITAL SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER FOR AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED
An evening of classical music to help raise money for Christian families facing persecution at All Saints Church, High Street, Carshalton SM5 3AG.
Tickets are free and can be obtained online using the QR code on the posters or by contacting the parish office.
CONGRATULATIONS TO DEBORAH BLANC ON COMPLETING HER THAMES PATH ULTRA CHALLENGE!!
Deborah walked 100km over two days from Bishops Park Fulham to Henley to raise money for Arthritis UK. This was deeply personal challenge for Deborah and she is grateful for all the support she has had.
If you still wish to donate you can do so by visiting: www.justgiving.com and search ‘Deborah Blanc’ or scanning the QR code on the posters or via the parish office.
TEA AND COFFEE AFTER TUESDAY MASS IS BACK!! WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
SATURDAY SOCIAL CIRCLE DATES: 17TH OCTOBER AND 5TH DECEMBER
All parishioners who live alone are welcome to join the social circle. They will be meeting on 17th October 2-4pm for an afternoon of whist.
Please note there will be no November meeting. Saturday 5 December will be a Christmas craft afternoon.
SUTTON FOOD BANK VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS
Volunteers are still needed to assist with collections at Tesco Extra for 2-3 hours on a one-off/regular basis. For more information please contact John Warr on: 07983 990851
EUCHARISITIC MINISTERS NEEDED FOR BOTH 10AM & 12PM MASS
We are still looking for any parishioners who wish to become Eucharistic Ministers and assist at the 10am & 12pm Sunday Mass. If you are interested please speak with Father Antony in the first instance and contact the parish office. Please note that this role requires a DBS.
SAFEGUARDING
Following on from Safeguarding Sunday parishioners are reminded that safeguarding is a shared responsibility. In our parish community this calls for us all to support creating spaces where everyone is safe, valued and protected. If you have any safeguarding concerns please speak to the Parish Safeguarding Reps - Angela Pitcher and Kim O’Brien or contact the parish office. Contact info on the newsletter.
PARISH LENDING LIBRARY
This new initiative will allow Parishioners to borrow books exploring their Christian faith. If you have any books you wish to lend out please contact the Parish Office in the first instance. We would also like children’s books that support children’s liturgy and explain the Bible stories. Thank you for your support.
MEDITATION GROUP IS CHANGING FROM OCTOBER
Meditation will now be on twice a week - alternate Mondays and every Friday. For all seeking a spiritual, reflective and uplifting experience. Please check the website for dates.
Meditation dates: Monday 12th October
PARISH LEADS—AN OPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOUR PARISH
Parish Leads will be key members of their parish community who have accepted their Parish Priest’s request to be a principal point of contact in their parish for either Evangelisation (proclaiming Christ and his gospel by word and example), Catechesis (handing on the faith to children and young people) or Adult Formation (supporting continuing growth and development in the faith). Information about the role of Parish Leads is available from the Sacristy, and to find out more about ‘Some Definite Service’, the Archbishop’s vision to develop and grow as a missionary archdiocese, please visit https://aec.rcaos.org.uk/sds
ST RAPHAEL’S WELLBEING CENTRE
Have you been diagnosed, or are you caring for someone with a life limiting, progressive or chronic illness or are you recently bereaved?
The Wellbeing Centre offers social, therapeutic and advisory support for residents of Merton and Sutton, over the age of 18.
Come along to our bright, modern centre based in St Bede’s Conference Centre located in the same grounds as St Raphael’s Hospice.
We are open for morning and afternoon activities on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Our sessions are fun and friendly and are designed to empower you to live well with your diagnosis, offer peer support, promote independence and offer respite and relaxation.
The services are free of charge although donations are most welcome.
To find out more or to have a look around our Centre please call our Wellbeing Centre Team on 020 8099 1722 or email us on wellbeingcentre@straphaels.org.uk
You can also visit our website
for further information www.straphaels.org.uk/wellbeing-centre
Diocesan Directory
A searchable PDF of the 2025 Diocesan Directory can be found here: https://www.rcaos.org.uk/diocese/diocesan-directory/
Mass Online & Daily Liturgical Resources:
A weekly schedule of live-streamed Masses can be found on Church Services tv
Each day, Vatican News live-streams Pope Francis' 6am (GMT) Masses at Casa Santa Marta on
Facebook and YouTube
The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham’s schedule of live-streamed Masses and services
The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales’ directory of churches streaming Catholic Mass on line can be found at cbcew.org.uk
Children's Liturgy can be watched on CAFOD’s website