St Mary's RC Church

31/07/2025

May I please remind you about our celebration for Father Peter’s anniversary of his ordination just in case it has been missed. We will be celebrating after the 11am mass on Sunday with a shared lunch. Please don’t worry if you have not had a chance to fill in the form at the back of church. Just let me know you are coming and if possible let me know what dish you are bringing. We have had quite a good response considering the short notice (apologies). Things we could do with is sandwiches, hot dishes, pizza or anything meaty really.

I am also putting together a board of memories (photos). If you have any you would like to add, please can you either leave them at the back of church or even better, take a photo of the photo and message it to me through WhatsApp or email at [email protected] I am hoping to put this together over Friday/Saturday if possible.

Sorry for the long message and looking forward to seeing you on Sunday. ❤️❤️

01/07/2025

Bishop Philip writes…

Prayers and greetings from Taizé in Burgundy, where with Bishop Jonathan, the Church of England Bishop of Portsmouth, I am leading an ecumenical youth pilgrimage this week. There are about 40 young people on the trip, mostly from Christ the King College, Newport IoW and they are here with their Head, Mr. Andrew Montrose. The Taizé Community is an ecumenical monastic community with about a hundred brothers, some Catholic and some Protestant, from thirty countries. It was founded in 1940. Taizé has become a centre of Christian youth pilgrimage, with over 100,000 young people a year visiting. The day is centred on prayer in common (using the famous Taizé chants), Bible study, communal work and shared reflection. I will be praying for you and everyone in the Diocese whilst here.

Meanwhile, welcome to this e-News for Tuesday 1st July 2025: https://mailchi.mp/portsmouthdiocese/issue496

The Confirmation season is coming now to an end, and we are looking forward shortly to the priestly ordination of Rev. Ryan Browne and to the ordination to the diaconate of Emmanuel Chituh and Richard Martin. Our thanks to Deacon Craig for editing this edition and to all of you for submitting the contents. I wish you all a blessed week ahead.

In Corde Iesu

+ Philip

Bishop of Portsmouth

[Image: Le Chant des Prés]

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The parish came together for a shared lunch, which was greatly enjoyed. Thanks to all who came, worked tirelessly in the kitchen and all those who helped clear away afterwards.

05/06/2025

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Alton Clothes Bank volunteers will be at this event on Saturday.

Volunteers' Week 2025

For International Volunteers Day in 2022, Pope Francis described volunteers as “the strength of the church”. They are “a dimension of the Church’s mission because you go there with your volunteering and maintain so many actions of the Church.”

We don’t always consider ourselves as ‘volunteers’ when contributing to the mission of the church. However, Volunteers Week gives an extra opportunity to give thanks for the time, commitment, energy, and passion that volunteers in every parish and school bring to the mission of bringing people closer to Jesus Christ through his Church. It is also a time to inspire and encourage others by reflecting on the joys that volunteering and service can bring to those involved.

If interested in volunteering, contact your local parish, school or email [email protected] to explore opportunities.

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For 26 years, the Bethany Mission to Support Priests has united lay people and clergy to pray together for priests. Sr. Daria Tyborska says the ...

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27/05/2025

Tuesday 27th May
ST AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY, Bishop, feast
Diocesan Prayer: Evangelisation of this country

27/05/2025

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The joy of the largest community of Peruvian faithful outside of Peru, found in Paterson, New Jersey, is impossible to contain for US-born and ...