24 Hours for the Lord

St Ann's is to be the venue for Epsom Deanery's '24 Hours for the Lord' in this Year of Mercy

The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed in the monstrance on the altar for  Adoration from midday on Friday 4th March until 9.45am on Saturday 5th March.  Our period of Adoration concludes with Benediction at 9.45am and this will be followed by our usual parish Mass at 10am.

Do please come along if you can and spend some time with our Lord.  Five minutes or five hours, you will be welcome at any time.

The Sacrament of Confession will be available throughout this period.

Divine Mercy & 40 Hours Devotion . . .

We have just completed our Divine Mercy Devotions in the parish with a very good attendance. It's very encouraging to see so many people praising Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

It was wonderful to hear people praying with fervour and trust in the Divine Mercy.  I'm sure there will be many graces for those who participated and for our parish. 

I was kept busy the whole time hearing Confessions - Thanks be to God.  In fact I had to schedule  a brief interlude out of the Confessional to confer Benediction.  I have a feeling that if we didn't have an evening Mass to prepare for, I would have been hearing Confessions for even longer.  

Jesus, we trust in you.

And, didn't you sing and pray beautifully!

It's time to think ahead a little now to our 40 Hours Devotion which will take place from Tuesday 19th May to Thursday 21st May. All are welcome of course.  

Do come and spend a little time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the altar if you can.  Be it just a few minutes or a few hours, I assure you it will be a grace-filled experience.

To whet your appetite here are a few photos from last year's 40 Hours Devotion . . .

Times of Christmas Masses at St Ann's . . .

Just in case you were wondering, here are the details of our Christmas Masses . . . 

Please note that I will be available for Confession at the usual times on Saturdays but have also added a few other 'slots' when I shall be on call in the Confessional for any who wish to celebrate the Sacrament.

As usual, I am of course also available 'at call' for anyone who can't make any of the scheduled times.

Celebrating the Sacrament of Confession really is the best preparation for Christmas!

Family Confessions . . .

How wonderful to see families coming to Confession before they begin their school holidays . . .

We have some marvellous parents who are excellent models for their children. It reminds me once again of the importance of instilling good habits. Once children have made their First Confession, if children are brought regularly to Confession by their parents it makes such a difference. A good habit becomes a virtue, and we also know, 'good habits begin young.' I thank God that we have several families in the parish who do this and I would like to try to encourage more to follow suit.

I'm considering allocating one period a month of Saturday morning Confessions especially to hearing the Confessions of our children and families. I'd be interested to know if anyone has experience of something similar, and if they think it would be welcomed.

Palm Sunday . . .

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful Spring day for our Palm Sunday procession. Here are a couple of photos taken yesterday. As usual, our magnificent magnolia almost stole the show . . .

Although we only have a short distance to travel for our procession, it's fortunate that we are able to process alongside the main road for a little while. Hopefully it makes passing motorists stop and think. (Though not literally, we hope!)

The procession leaving the parish hall seemed to go on and on . . .

All the Masses were beautiful yesterday with the always-moving reading of the Passion and a marvellous beginning to Holy Week. Extra times made available for Confessions have been popular too and it's good to see so many taking advantage of this opportunity to prepare well for Easter.

A very prayerful and blessed Holy Week to all.

Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris . . .

We are beginning Lent, a time of penance and interior renewal to enable us to prepare for the great feast of Easter.

The Church continually invites us to purify our souls and to start afresh.

As we receive the ashes today we are reminded of the words of Genesis, following original sin,

'Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris'

Remember man, that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Genesis 3:19

In spite of this reminder we sometimes forget that without God we are nothing.

God wants us to abandon sin and return to Him; sin creates a barrier between God and ourselves.

'Jesus Christ himself is the most sublime grace of the whole of Lent. It is He who presents Himself to us in all the wonderful simplicity of the Gospel.' Blessed John Paul II

Jesus is continually looking for a contrite heart in each of us, a heart that acknowledges its weakness and sins and is prepared to change. God wants for us a sincere sorrow for our sins, which we show, above all, by going to Confession. Each of us should draw up a particular plan of mortification to offer to God each day of Lent.

More Confessions . . .

Having a had a super week in our parish primary school, I have today been privileged to assist with Confessions at The John Fisher School in Purley.

I received a very warm welcome from the school Chaplain, Fr James Clark and Mr Dan Cooper.

It was lovely to see so many of St Ann's boys in the school grounds as I walked through to the school chapel .

In past years, The John Fisher School has helped sow and nurture the seeds of many vocations, including several priests from our own diocese.

Let us all continue to pray for vocations.

St John Vianney, pray for us . . .

Let the Little Children Come to Me . . .

'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'

(Matthew 19:14)

Hooray! I have this week confessed all the children in Years 4, 5 and 6 in our parish school, and as always, what a delight it has been to do so.

Our children are now ready for Our Lord's coming at Christmas.

For those parishioners whose school days are but a dim and distant memory, (and those in between!) you may like to know that our parish Advent Penitential Service is on Wednesday 7th December at 7.30pm in St Ann's Church. All are welcome, not just our own parishioners.

There will be a short liturgy including an examination of conscience, followed by an opportunity for individual Confession. I will be assisted by several other priests from our Deanery. I hope many of you will follow the excellent example of our children and use this chance to prepare well for the feast of Christmas.

School Confessions . . .

Top marks to The John Fisher School in Purley!

This afternoon I spent an hour or so at the school hearing Confessions. This session had been arranged to give the boys an opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance before the end of the school year. How fortunate the boys are to have Mr Dan Cooper arranging this and other opportunities for Confession throughout their time at the school.

It's always a pleasure to visit the school and very encouraging to see that such care is taken to provide good pastoral and spiritual development for the pupils.

Happy holidays to staff and students alike!

School Confessions . . .

I've commented before on this topic I know, but I think it's worth repeating.

Last week and this I've been hearing Confessions in some of our local Catholic schools, both primary and secondary.

I always find this a great joy. It's so encouraging to hear the honest, direct Confessions of our children. We adults could certainly learn a thing or two from them about how to approach the sacrament.

There is however, one thing that affects my delight in this experience.

When chatting with our children whilst visiting schools, I am saddened by the number of times I hear them say, 'I couldn't come to Mass on Sunday because my Mum/Dad/parents didn't go' or, 'I couldn't come to Mass on Sunday because I was at a friend's sleep-over' or 'I couldn't come to Mass on Sunday because I had to go shopping/visit someone/go to football/rugby etc.' I hear this several times during the week.

Naturally, we wouldn't expect our young children to come to Mass on their own if their parents are not coming themselves. What sort of an example are these parents giving to their children?

Parents are the first and the best educators of their children in the ways of faith (as it clearly states in the Rite of Baptism).

Long before they start formal schooling, in many homes, parents are doing a grand job of passing on the faith to their children. They are saying prayers together at bedtime, sitting down together for meals which begin with grace and reading their children bible stories. During our Sunday Masses, I have observed many families engaging their children, explaining to them in simple terms what is happening during the Mass.

We can do so much to encourage our children in the practice and understanding of their faith. This is why it is all the more disappointing when it doesn't happen.

Phew - What a Week! . . .

What an exciting week I've had. I've been visiting 0ur parish school of St Anne's to hear Confessions and also a local secondary school.

This is always a very joyful experience and also quite humbling to hear the simple, honest Confessions of our children. What an inspiration they are to us.

I've been visiting the care homes in our parish and the sick and housebound who are still able to live in their homes.

I am always greatly encouraged by the time I spend with the housebound. Their faith and prayerfulness is marvellous to witness and, I know I've said it before but they really do represent a powerhouse of prayer in our parish community.

I would like to thank them for their prayers on behalf of our parish family.

Our Lady, Health of the Sick,

Pray for us.

'Come and See' - 'Coming Home' . . .

We were delighted that Joanna Bogle, the well-known Catholic writer and broadcaster accepted our invitation to come and speak to us for the final session of our 'Come and See' initiative.

Joanna took as her theme 'Coming Home' and gave a very interesting talk which, whilst very entertaining, nevertheless retained an authentic message about the important of the sacrament of Confession, not just for those who are returning to the practice of their faith, but for every Catholic.

Of course we don't know what the outcome of our 'Come and See' initiative will be but we have 'sown the seed' and pray that with the Lord's help our efforts will be multiplied and bear fruit.

Our Lady, Help of Christians, pray for us.

'Come to me all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.'

'Come to me all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest.'

The words from the lips of Jesus in today's Gospel.

The heaviest weight that any of us carry is our sins. St Augustine comments, 'Jesus tells people who are sweating under heavy and useless burdens, "Come to me . . . and I will give you rest." Every time we confess our sins we are liberated, we are freed, because our sins, even venial sins, are repugnant to God and a burden for ourselves.'

Jesus invites us to take this yoke and exchange it for the burden of our sins; 'my yoke is easy . . .'

When we examine our conscience carefully we will find that we have much to confess. Let us ask Our Blessed Lady, refuge of sinners, to lead us regularly to the Sacrament of Confession.

Our Lady, refuge of sinners, pray for us.

A Feast of Confessions! . . .

This past Sunday, being the first Sunday of the month, I was available to hear Confessions after every Mass as usual. It was so encouraging to see so many coming to celebrate the Sacrament and especially when whole families would come together, sometimes three generations of the same family.

Our Year Six children are now coming to the end of their time in primary school and preparing to move up to secondary school; leaving behind the familiar and getting ready to make new friends and meet all the challenges that the move will inevitably mean for them. On Tuesday I was able to visit our parish school and confessed 58 of our Year Six children. It is always a great pleasure and a very humbling experience.

Finally, yesterday, I was delighted to be able to assist in hearing Confessions at The John Fisher School nearby. Although not in our diocese, being so close to Banstead, many of our parishioners are pupils at the school and I'm very happy to help out with Confessions throughout the year. I am always very impressed with the preparation that the boys have received and the way in which they approach the Sacrament.

Oh, my God, because you are so good,

I'm very sorry that I've sinned against you and,

with the help of your grace,

I will try not to sin again.

Gone fishing . . .

I was struck by today's Gospel . . .

Leaving Jerusalem for Galilee as Jesus had told them, they arrive near or at the same place where He had found them and invited them to follow Him. They had returned to their work . . . they had gone fishing, 'but that night they caught nothing.'

In the morning Jesus stood on the shore, the disciples did not know it was Jesus . . . they still didn't recognise Him. Then He speaks, 'Friends, have you caught anything?' They reply, ' No' and at His instruction they cast their net and haul in a huge catch of fish.

During the night, on their own, they laboured in vain; in the light when it was morning and at the word of God their nets were completely filled.

It is exactly the same for ourselves; in the absence of Christ there is emptiness. Through His word and in His light we bear fruit in abundance.

A great disappointment for any of us is when we cannot hear or see Christ because we are in the dark in our sins.

When we regularly receive the Sacrament of Confession we will always be in the light of Christ and bear much fruit.

Who said Confession was out of fashion? Not at St Ann's, Banstead!

'There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over the ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.' (Luke 15)

What a super crowd we had at our parish penitential service last night. I am very grateful to my brother priests from the Deanery who kindly came along to assist me in hearing Confessions. We were four priests all together and were busy for quite a while - Laus Deo!

Confession - The Forgotten Sacrament . . .

There are many excellent DVDs available on the sacrament of Confession and "Confession - The Forgotten Sacrament" from St Anthony Communications is no exception.

I don't think I can improve on the description of the video given on the web site:

"This short but powerful film begins by explaining the reality and gravity of sin and the effect it has on our lives and the lives of others. You then discover the Biblical roots of the need for a confession of sins, and the institution of Confession as a sacrament by Jesus Christ. Although presenting sin in its true light, this film focuses on the love and mercy of God - that although we are all sinners, He is always waiting, patiently, lovingly, fatherly, for us to return."

Commentary is provided by well known speakers and authors including Fr Nicholas Schofield, Fr Thomas Crean OP, Fr Marcus Holden, Fr Jeremy Davies and more.

How very timely in the light of today's Gospel of the story of The Prodigal Son that I should have received this DVD in the post yesterday.

I am sure this video would be very helpful not just for those who already frequent the sacrament but also for anyone who had been away from Confession for a while or who has difficulties with this sacrament.

Further information and details on ordering from St Anthony Communications website.

Confession, Confession, Confession . . .

'Let the Children Come to Me . . . '

I've been busy this week visiting our school and am delighted that I've been able to confess all the children in years, 4, 5 and 6 so we are all ready for the Great Feast of Easter!

It's always such a joyful experience to hear the simply, sincere confessions of our children. They really do set us adults an excellent example.

More on Confession . . .

As promised, here is a video which explains very clearly the 'practicalities' of the Sacrament of Confession.

The only thing I would add, is to say, although a formula is helpful, the priest is there to help you in whatever way he can and will think no less of you if you stumble over the prayers. Believe me, he will just be overjoyed to see you.

Times for Confession at St Ann's are:

Saturday: 10.30 am - 11.30 am

5.00 pm - 6.00 pm

After each Mass on the first Sunday of the month

Preparing for Easter . .

Lent is fast approaching. The season of Lent is a time of preparation for the Great Feast of Easter. The most important thing we should do is to make a good Confession. This is not only desirable but is one of the precepts of the Church: 'You shall confess your sins at least once a year.'

If you haven' t been to Confession for some time and, regrettably, find the idea rather daunting, I hope that you will find this short video very helpful. I think it is excellent and well worth watching.

Next time we'll look at the practicalities - that is, how to go to Confession.