From the Bishop

 

This year will be a bit peculiar as I have the dubious privilege of spending three weeks at the Lambeth Conference for most of July.  This will inevitably affect my diary. That said for some peculiar reason I have several vacant Sundays this year.  Also very few confirmations have been booked this year – so dates please.

 

Inevitably there will be a bit of clerical movement this year.  There are four C parish vacancies and I have encouraged several of our priests to apply.

 

The Committee of the Lay Assembly met and once we have a date we will send out invitations to the next Assembly.  I have had many positive comments about the last meeting and a fairly clear idea about where we wish to go.

 

Vocations are the key to our future and I have seen several good young men recently.  That said I am a bit concerned as there have been few for two years.  We are just producing enough to survive but not to expand. Lack of priests would damage our future.  We need to address this issue. Are there any possible in your parish?

 

The Chrism Mass will be on Tuesday 18 March at 11.30 in Christ the King Gordon Square. FIF Concelebration Chasuble or Alb and White Stole to be worn.   I hope we will have a good lay attendance again.  Please encourage non Fulham orthodox priests to attend.

 

The Clergy Conference in Merville last September was a real success and everyone seemed to have enjoyed it.  There was a good theological input and a pleasant atmosphere.  As usual worship was a delight. 

 

We have had several new priests – Fr. Aquilina at Sevenoaks and Fr. Mark Nicholls at Rotherhithe and Fr. James Mowbray at S Mary Swanley.  All are real assets. 

 

Sadly Fr. Michael Brundle died.  He was a wonderful parish priest and will be missed by all.

 

The FIF Assembly will be held in the Emmanuel Centre on the 10th -11th October. Assembly Mass Friday 10^th October at 9.30 venue to be advised.

 

+John Fulham

 

 DIARY EVENTS

               

12 March           Fulham Council 11.30 Bishops House

18 March           Chrism Mass 11.30 Christ the King

16 April             Fulham Clergy Meeting 11.30

14 June              Boulogne Pilgrimage FiF- London

21 June              Glastonbury Pilgrimage

8 Sept                 Fulham Clergy Meeting 11.30 

10 Sept               Fulham Council 11.30 Bishops House

 

ORDINANDS

Please pray for:

 

Milo Brandon (St Chads Hoxton) SSH

Michael Bailey (Ascension Lavender Hill) SSH

 

Please pray for those being ordained this year

Simon Stokes

Ben Archibald

 

A form for men seeking a vocation can be filled in online now on my website. 
I have seen a number of candidates recently and several are with DDO’s.

  

VACANCIES

  

S Matthew Willesden

S Luke Uxbridge Road

S Gabriel Pimlico (short listed)

S Mary Lewisham (advertised)

 

Fr Shaun Richards is now much better and thanks everyone for their prayers and concern.

 

Please pray for Fr. Davenport.

 

CONFIRMATIONS

 

 

LONDON
Quainton Hall School	9 Mar
S Augustine Kilburn	6 Apr
Holy Trinity Hoxton	4 May
S Luke Uxbridge Rd	18 May
S Mary Paddington	7 Sept
S Peters LondonDocks	14 Sept
S George Hanworth	26 Oct
SOUTHWARK
S Mary Lewisham	13 Apr
S Agnes Kennington	23 Nov
ROCHESTER
S Barnabas TW	20 Apr
S Luke Gillingham	11 May
S Mary Swanley	29 Jun
The Annunciation Chislehurst	2 Nov

 

Please let me have a.s.a.p any further confirmation dates for this year 2008

 

 

 

FORWARD TEACHING

Many of our parishes have used the course for the last year. If you haven’t been using it, this is a wonderful tool for untrained teachers and a good resource for trained ones too! It can take much of the drudgery out of teaching. It can be ordered from Forward in Faith 020 7388 3588

 

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PEW SHEET

Many of our Parishes are already using the FiF Pew Sheet which is cheap and well produced. It is available in multiples of 25. It can give us a collective feel. Contact FiF for samples and details. 020 7388 3588

 

Liturgy

Though I am happy to do what most parishes do. If you want it I will send a text for confirmations and the Canon of the Mass.  Some use far too many of the variants, which makes a tedious service. A draft copy for Confirmation and Baptism can be copied from my website www.bishopoffulham.co.uk.

 

 

Website - www.bishopoffulham.co.uk

 

You can copy and paste my Easter letter if you so wish from the website.  If you have anything you would like to appear on the website please email: judibroadhurst@aol.com

 

Please let Judi know if your parish has a new website so that she can put links from the Bishop’s website to your parish. Also any email changes please or errors you find.

 

Forward in Faith also has a very good website now at www.forwardinfaith.com.  There are now pages added to the website for the National area Committees.

 

FORWARD IN FAITH Annual Pilgrimage to Boulogne contact Fr. Gray to find a coach pick up point or arrange one with other parishes in your area.  Mass at 12.00 in the Cathedral 14th June 2008

 

S. Luke Gillingham

This parish is the subject of a deanery pastoral report.  I hope to save it.  It is the only Catholic parish in the Medway Towns. Without their own priest they have grown and are producing confirmation candidates.  They have also engaged the community and are doing a lot of pastoral works.  Well done.  Please pray for them.

 

C PARISHES

 

In the last few years several have petitioned under the Act of Synod but remain under the care of the Bishop of London or Edmonton

 

S Alban Holborn

All Saints East Finchley

S Gabriel Warwick Square/o:p>

S Paul Tottenham

Holy Trinity Winchmore Hill

 

We have added S Cuthbert Philbeach Gardens to ours.

 

I am amazed at so called Catholic parishes which have not passed ‘C’.  The text is on the website under ABC Motions.  Encourage them or rebuke if necessary. 

 

 

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