CARDINAL JOHN HENRY NEWMAN DECLARED FIRST ENGLISH DOCTOR OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

On his feast day of 9th October, Cardinal Newman was declared the first English Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIV. This celebrates Newman’s profound writings on faith, reason and conscience and his elevation marks an historic moment for all who draw inspiration from his intellectual and spiritual legacy.

POPPIES FOR SALE AT WEEKEND MASSES

Thank you to everyone who contributed - either by spending their time at craft circle making them or buying them. Thanks to all their hard work we have raised an incredible £587 for the Royal British Legion.

PILGRIMAGE TO WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL WEDNESDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 11AM - Westminster Cathedral, 42 Francis Street, London SW1P 1QW

Parishioners are invited to to Westminster Cathedral to mark the end of the Jubilee Year as ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’

The tour will start at the main entrance at 11am, confession at 1130am and mass at 1230pm.

If you are planning to attend please tell the Parish Office so the Cathedral know how many parishioners to expect.

RCIA CLASSES - AUTUMN 2025

RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is the process given to us by the Church to initiate adults and older children into Christianity as it is lived in the Roman Catholic tradition. It can be for unbaptised people who wish to celebrate the sacraments of initiation; baptism, confirmation and eucharist. It can also be used for those who have already been baptised and who want to celebrate the sacraments of confirmation and/or eucharist and to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church. The classes generally run in the evenings and the course lasts for a few months. If you are interested please contact the parish office for further details.

CONFIRMATION - SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER 12PM

A reminder that the church will be extremely busy on this day with 38 candidates so on this occasion we will not be able to accommodate any parishioners not directly involved.

For this weekend only please choose an alternative mass to attend. Thank you for your understanding.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - 16/17 MAY 2026

If your child is in year 3 or above and wishes to receive the sacrament application forms are available at both church entrances and on the link below. Please note the closing date is 15th December 2025.

First Holy Communion 2026

ASSISTED DYING BILL - HOUSE OF LORDS

Parishioners are reminded that Cardinal Vincent Nichols has asked Catholic to contact their local MP to lobby against these changes. Please use the link below to find out more and ways to oppose the bill.

www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/news-events/news/how-to-oppose-the-assisted-suicide-bill

This is a crucial debate in the House of Lords which may affect the funding of hospices. Currently one third of the cost of hospices is met by the Government. Please pray for the future of St Raphael’s hospice.