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SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR OUR PARISH FINANCE TEAM
We would like to hear from volunteers to join our team as we work to improve the parish finances, introduce card readers, manage gift aid and expand our finance committee.
If you have experience in dealing with finances please email the parish office or speak to any member of the Parish Pastoral Council.
CONFIRMATION - DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS SUNDAY 31ST AUGUST.
Young people in Year 8 or above are invited to apply for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Application forms are available from the sacristy, church porches or can be printed directly from the website:
stchristopherscheam.com/sacraments. Preparation for Confirmation classes will start in September and Confirmation will take place on Sunday 16th November at 12pm.
SUMMER MEMORIES 2025
To lift spirits during the winter months Violet would love you to send in your photos of this summer. Please ensure that there are no people in the photo for GDPR reasons but lovely views, pets etc are welcome! Please hand them in to the parish office by 12th September. Violet cannot wait to display them! Any queries contact her on: violet.des@outlook.com
CALLING ALL ARTISTS
We are considering an art exhibition to be held sometime in the Autumn. If you would be interested in taking part please let the parish office know in person or by email.
ASSISTED DYING BILL
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
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