A regular visitor ...

We are delighted that Fr Stephen Dingley is able to celebrate Mass in the parish this week as he is in Banstead visiting his family. Fr Stephen is enjoying a well-earned break from St John's Seminary, Wonersh where he is on the teaching staff.

It is always a great joy to see Fr Stephen, especially as he's 'one of our own'. We wish him a very restful break.

This photo of Fr Stephen was taken by Mr Mark Sculley, Headmaster of The John Fisher School, Purley, during the Consecration of the School Chapel in January this year for the 50th Anniversary celebrations. Thanks to the Hermeneutic of Continuity from whose blog I 'borrowed' the photo and extracted this picture of Fr Stephen. Fr Stephen is an old boy of the school as many of you will know. As there are many current and past pupils of The John Fisher School in the parish, some of you may have been present at this event.

Yet more celebrations in the parish ...

What a joyful time we're having in the parish at the moment. Congratulations to Elsa and David who renewed their Marriage Vows on their 20th Wedding Anniversary yesterday, the Feast of the Transfiguration.

I was delighted that their son, Joshua was able to serve Mass for me too on this special day for his family.

As you can see they were joined by many family members and friends which made it extra special for everyone, I'm sure. We wish Elsa and David continued health and happiness.

Happy Birthday to You ....

As I have said many times, it's always a delight to celebrate Birthdays, Anniversaries and such like at Mass within the parish community.

Today we celebrated Mass for Margaret Bowen-West on the occasion of her 'special' birthday.

Afterwards we had a celebration in the hall as you can see in the photos.

A delightful e-card ...

Many thanks to whoever organised (anonymously) to send me greetings, prayers and good wishes on the Memorial of St John Vianney on behalf of all the parish.

Please click here to see the card.

St John Vianney

Today at Mass we prayed for all parish priests as we celebrated the Memorial of St John Vianney, also known as the Curé d'Ars. I was touched and moved by these words in my
spiritual reading,

'On a certain occasion people asked a lawyer from Lyons returning from Ars, what he had seen there. He answered, " I saw God in a man.",

Today we ask the Lord that we may be able to say the same of each priest on account of his holiness, his union with God and his concern for souls.

If you read this blog, please pray for me.

Some very energetic parishioners ...

Anyone walking past St Ann's on Sunday morning would have been excused for thinking that the Tour de France had taken a detour!

Chris Donovan, Headteacher of our Parish Primary School, St Anne's and three fathers of children at the school, Matt Carr, Richard McKenzie and Mark Sullivan were setting out on their sponsored cycle ride to Arundel cathedral. As you can see from the first picture two of the children came to cheer their Dads on their way.

A fourth parent from the school, Mark Oliver, accompanied the intrepid cyclists in his van to provide support if necessary (and also to bring the weary home in more comfort afterwards).

Ready for the off. How many miles did you say it was?!

Don't they look a happy bunch, and so they should be after achieving their goal. Well done all of you. We look forward to hearing how much you've raised for St Anne's School Building Fund. By the way, I'm sure it's not too late to make a donation if you didn't manage to sign the sponsorship form beforehand!

First Saturdays Devotion to Our Lady

A little while ago I posted an item on the First Fridays devotion. As tomorrow is the first Saturday in August I thought I'd write a few lines about First Saturdays. There are so many very good Catholic web sites that explain the devotion so well that I've taken a few lines from a couple of them:

'During her July apparition at Fatima, Our Lady said to Lucia, “I shall come to ask... that on the First Saturday of every month, Communions of reparation be made in atonement for the sins of the world.” '

Why Five Saturdays?

'Christians have always honoured the Blessed Virgin on Saturday because of her constant faith in Jesus on that first Holy Saturday before the Resurrection.

Five first Saturdays of reparation were requested to atone for the five ways in which people offend the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

1. Attacks upon Mary's Immaculate Conception

2. Attacks against her Perpetual Virginity

3. Attacks upon her Divine Maternity and the refusal to accept her as the Mother of all mankind

4. For those who try to publicly implant in children's hearts indifference, contempt and even hatred of this Immaculate Mother

5. For those who insult her directly in her sacred images.'

If you would like to learn more about this devotion you will find an excellent explanation here.

Meanwhile, I do hope some of you may feel that you would like to begin practising this devotion and I look forward to seeing you at Mass tomorrow.