All Parishioners are invited to pray a 9-day novena starting 11th November for our Confirmandi, due to be Confirmed on the Feast of Christ the King, Sunday 20th November, at 11.30am. This is also the day when the Church celebrates Youth Day.
See below for the Novena, which will also be handed out to parishioners after all Masses this weekend.
Whilst it is with sadness, it is also in the light of the Lord Jesus, our Life and Resurrection, that I write to inform you of the death of our dear friend and brother, Bishop Howard Tripp, who completed his long and fruitful earthly pilgrimage yesterday, Monday 3rd October.
Bishop Howard was born in Croydon on 3rd July 1927, and attended the John Fisher School in Purley. Following formation at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, Bishop Howard was ordained priest on 31st May 1953 at St Gertrude’s Church, Croydon by Archbishop Cowderoy.
Bishop Howard’s first appointment was at Blackheath, followed by a curacy at Our Lady Queen of Peace, East Sheen from 1956-1962 before becoming parish priest there from 1965-1971. Aged 38, he was the youngest parish priest in the Southwark Diocese. During his time at East Sheen, Bishop Howard was appointed Diocesan Covenant Organiser (1958) and Assistant Diocesan Financial Secretary (1962). He held both posts until 1968. From 1971-1980, Bishop Howard served as the Director of the Southwark Children’s Society.
On 30th January 1980, Bishop Howard was ordained Bishop of the titular see of Neoportus and Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark by Archbishop Michael Bowen, with responsibility for the South-West Pastoral Area. He served in this position until his retirement on 7th January 2004.
In more recent years, Bishop Howard has been cared for graciously by the Little Sisters of the Poor, and was a much- loved member of the community there.
Let us entrust his soul to the intercession of the Mother of the Lord Jesus who is our Mother, too. Let us pray that she will welcome him and introduce him into a heavenly inheritance where he will enjoy for ever the fullness of peace.
With an assurance of my prayers and blessing. Yours sincerely in Christ,
+John The Most Rev. John Wilson Metropolitan Archbishop of Southwark
Today starts the Novena to the Holy Spirit, 9 days before the Solemnity of Pentecost. Those who come to Mass daily can participate as it is let buy Fr Uche at the end of Mass. If you’re unable to do so you can follow it here:
Fr Uche had the opportunity to visit The Cornelian Maternity & Rural Health Care Facility when he was in the area for a few days after Easter. For more photos taken during the visit, and a letter of thanks from Fr Jude Nnorom, who recommended he charity for our support, please see LENT 2022 in the main menu above.
Catholics in Health and Social Care: ethics and practice
Are you looking for an opportunity to meet people motivated by their faith to care for others? Would you like to explore the unique contribution that faith makes to the health and social care sector? Are you interested in learning about the ethical challenges work in this sector may bring? St Mary’s University, the Anscombe Centre and the Bios Centre are holding events on ethics and practice in health and social care. The events are aimed at Christians working in the health and social care sectors, but anybody is welcome to attend to discuss, amongst other topics, the challenges of assisted dying, the care of the dying and questions of conscientious objection in the workplace. The events will take place in London (2nd April) and by zoom (14th May). Participants will include: Bishop John Sherrington, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster; Prof David Albert Jones, Director of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre; Margaret Doherty, Director of the Centre for the Art of Dying Well; Dr Helen Watt, Senior Research Fellow of the Bios Centre. There will also be a panel discussion with chaplains and practitioners in health and social care. As well as some fascinating talks and discussions, it will be an opportunity to network with others who take an interest in these vital issues.