Our former parish priest Mgr. Gerry Ewing is now the vice rector of St John’s Seminary at Wonersh. He has been given the task of renovating this very large building and has launched an appeal across the Archdiocese. We will be taking up a second collection for this purpose on Sunday 15th July. £2,000 is needed to renovate each room. If you would prefer cheques can be sent directly to him at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, Guildford GU5 0QX.

Sunday 8th July is Sea Sunday, when the Church remembers all those who live and work at sea. Seafarers are commonly recruited from poorer countries where wages are lower. They work in difficult and often dangerous conditions suffering from loneliness, spiritual deprivation and even exploitation as they transport the goods we use and consume every day. The average contract results in them spending ten months at sea at one time. Interestingly, there is an unusually high percentage of Catholics among seafarers.

The Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) is the official maritime welfare agency of the Catholic Church in Great Britain. It reaches out to seafarers that visit our ports each year, offering pastoral and practical support and care.

AoS is wholly dependent on voluntary donations, receiving no official funding from either the Church or the government; it takes the love of Christ to seafarers in the name of the Church, recognising them as our brothers and sisters in need. Sea Sunday is our chance to help AoS make a difference to the lives of seafarers. The parish will take up a second collection this Sunday – please give generously. www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk.

Father Alex has suffered a ruptured quadricep tendon, which means that the major tendon connecting the thigh to the kneecap has broken away from the knee. He had excellent surgery in St George’s Hospital and is now recuperating in Becket House. He is able to get around on crutches but it is difficult to manage steps; and getting in and out of chairs is not easy. It will take at least twelve weeks for full recovery and he thanks everyone for their sympathy and prayers and for helping in the Church while he is incapacitated.

First Holy Communion will be celebrated on Sunday 13th May at 12.00. We congratulate all our children on their special day and assure them of our prayers. We also express our thanks to the catechists for their hard work in preparing them so well for this important occasion.

Our next Quiz Night will take place on Saturday 12th May at 19.30 in the Corry Hall. There will be a Bar and a Raffle. Tickets £7.50 including buffet now available after masses. Come and enjoy what promises to be a most convivial evening.

As a result of recent interviews by the School Governors we are pleased to be able to announce that Miss Emma Cashier, who has been Acting Head of St Joseph’s School for the last two terms, has now been appointed as the permanent Headteacher. We offer her our congratulations and look forward to experiencing inspiring leadership from her in the years ahead.

Palm Sunday Vigil 24th           17.30 Mass & Blessing Palms
Palm Sunday 25th                   10.00 Mass & Blessing Palms
                                                   15.00 Royal Hospital Mass
Mon of Holy Week 26th           09.30 Mass
                                                   19.00 Penitential Service at St Mary Magdalene
Tue of Holy Week 27th            09.30 Mass
Wed of Holy Week 28th           09.30 Mass
                                                   11.15 Chrism Mass at St George’s Cathedral
Maundy Thursday 29th           19.00 Mass
Good Friday 30th                     10.00 Children’s Stations of the Cross
                                                   12.00 Walk of Witness
                                                   15.00 Solemn Celebration of the Lord's Passion
Holy Saturday 31st                   10.00 Confessions
                                                    20.00 Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday 1st                     10.00 Mass of Easter Day
                                                    15.00 Royal Hospital Mass

The staff and pupils of St Joseph's School will join us for mass at 9.30 on Monday 19th March, their patronal feast.

Stations of the Cross take place at St Thomas a Becket Church on Fridays at 10.00 and Sundays at 17.30.

Our Marriage Preparation Course takes place on Saturday 24th February in the Corry Hall 10.00-16.00.