Sacred Heart Catholic Church

The Mayors Toy Appeal for 2020 runs from Monday 9 November to Wednesday 16 December

Please see the website for details of how to donate

|Tunbridge Wells Borough Council | Mayoral A\C | Sort code: 30-00-02 | Account Number: 01397910 | Ref: Toy Appeal |

This year’s Mayors Toy Appeal is going to be more difficult than most and as you have supported in the past I’d like to ask for your support again! This year, I’m afraid, it will be online donations only but if you would like to donate cash online or buy a gift please go to www.twmta.co.uk to find all the details.

 

However if you are happy to shop in Tunbridge Wells and buy a gift of £10 or more, you can be entered into a draw by showing your proof of purchase to the Town Hall reception staff and have a chance to win an amazing £500 worth of shopping vouchers. All details on the website or give me a call on 07748 074811.

Wish us luck and thank you

Karen

Missio Red Boxes

Yes. It’s that time of year again. Please bring your overflowing boxes to Church next time you come to Mass or leave them in the porch of the Priest’s Cottage if that is more convenient.

Look forward to seeing you all soon

Chrissie & Toni

 

Statement on Safeguarding Friday 20th November 2020
The account given in the IICSA Report of abuse known to be inflicted on children in the Catholic Church in England and Wales in the past 50 years is shocking and overwhelming. At our meeting this week, we Bishops have stood together in profound shame. We express our sorrow and contrition before God.
We have reflected on our need to reach out afresh to those who bear the wounds of permanent damage caused by this abuse. We commit ourselves to listen more intently to those who have been abused so as to learn from them and benefit from their wisdom. It is through learning from their testimony that hearts are changed.
We are grateful to those survivors who have come forward, not only to lay before us their experience of abuse, but to help us understand the depth of their pain. We invite anyone who has experienced abuse to come forward, no matter how long ago the abuse took place. We undertake to listen carefully to them with open heart and mind and support them on a journey of healing.
We have carefully considered the recommendations of the IICSA Report and formally accepted them. We have already begun work towards their implementation.
The IICSA’s generic hearings into the Church began last October. Around that time we commissioned an Independent Review of our Safeguarding Structures and Arrangements in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. This was carried out by Mr Ian Elliott, an experienced safeguarding professional who has worked across the world in this area.
This week, alongside the IICSA Report, we have also examined in depth the Final Report of the Elliott Review and fully accepted its recommendations. It is a searching analysis of our safeguarding work, in its weaknesses and strengths. It proposes a number of remedial and forward-looking recommendations, which accord with the IICSA Report’s own recommendations. The work of implementation will begin immediately. It will be carried out in close cooperation with the Religious Orders who play such an important part in the life of the Church.
In all our activities, our desire and resolve is to be a Church in which every child and vulnerable person is not only safe but nurtured into human flourishing. These recommendations present us with steps towards this goal. Key to them is a standards-based approach to safeguarding together with a specially commissioned national body with powers of effective audit and oversight of safeguarding in both Dioceses and Religious Orders. Everyone in the Church will

be required to work to clear, published standards of behaviour and action. Most significantly, the Elliott Report has been fashioned with the participation of survivors of abuse. Their insight and wisdom has been crucial. We thank them for their great courage and generosity in working with us and we look forward to continuing this growing collaboration.
The Elliott Report builds on all that has been achieved in our safeguarding ministry in the past 20 years, achievements also recognised in the IICSA Report. Therefore we thank profoundly all who contribute to the work of safeguarding in the Church today: the thousands of Parish Safeguarding Representatives, the professionals who work in our Safeguarding Offices in every Diocese, the Safeguarding Commissions who oversee this work and give objective and professional advice to guide our decisions, the staff of the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service and those who serve on the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission. These, and many others, have contributed greatly to the current work of safeguarding in the Church.
Today, however, we acknowledge without hesitation, our failings, our mistakes, our lack of adequate cooperation. We express our deep sorrow and ask forgiveness, especially from victims and survivors. We affirm our resolve to effect the next step in our work of safeguarding and care for survivors. In prayer we turn to Christ the Good Shepherd, the fount of healing and compassion, asking that this moment of painful truth becomes a time of grace as we strive to fulfil the ministry entrusted to us as bishops in an unshakeable unity of purpose.

Dear Parishioner

The current COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it difficulties and losses for people across our diocesan church family. Bishop Richard is offering a live streamed Deanery Mass for those who have died during this difficult year. It will take place at Holy Cross, Heathfield on Friday 20th November at 7pm.

If you wish to provide the names  of those you would like remembered at this Mass, please send them to me by Wednesday so I can forward them to the Dean.

The links to the streaming camera at Holy Cross Priory are as follows:

http://www.ctkhcp.org/live-camera

http://www.ctkhcp.org/live-camera2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwWE1PjYbDs&feature=emb_err_woyt

The information we have is that any of them should work, but if you are struggling, you should try them all. The camera runs 24/7 but the sound only works when the church microphones are switched on.

BISHOP’S CATECHESIS FOR ADVENT

The bishop will be offering talks at the Cathedral on the Fridays preceding the Sundays of Advent.  These will begin at 7pm.  The dates and themes are as follows and information will be included on the diocesan website.  The first will be livestreamed only, on account of the lockdown, but it will be possible for people to attend the other three and bookings can be made through the Cathedral office.

• 27^th November: Advent – Waiting
• 4^th December: John the Baptist – Witness
• 11^th December: Gaudete – Rejoice
• 18^th December: Mary – Openness

Dear Parishioners

You have probably heard by now that for the next few weeks we will not be able to gather for Mass. I will still be saying Mass privately each day and will be praying for you and your intentions during this time. I will also be at the end of the phone should you wish to call me for a chat.

Hopefully we will be able to re-commence Mass next month and I look forward to seeing you all again then. Inthe meanwhile I would like to remind you that we can still keep Christ at the centre of our lives even if we have to worship and pray at home. An Act of Spiritual Communion can help us and I encourage you to ask for Our Lord’s guidance by offering prayers like this one written by St. Alphonsus Liguori in the 18th century. It seems particularly appropriate at this time.

My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen

God bless you all

Father Martin

Holy Hour Sunday 3 to 4pm

Although we are unable to gather for Mass the Church will be open each Sunday afternoon during lock down for private prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. You do not have to come for a whole hour; just drop in for a short time and bring your hopes and fears to the Lord. Information about the locations of live-streamed celebrations of Mass is available on the Diocesan Website at: https://abdiocese.org.uk/livestream.

Mass Times in December

We hope to re-start Mass on 3rd December when the current lock down comes to an end. Mass times from Thursday 3rd December are as follows:

Thursday​10am

Saturday ​6pm

Sunday​10.30am

 

Please check the parish website for information if the lock down is extended beyond 2nd December https://www.sacredheartchurchwadhurst.org.uk.

 

Christmas Mass Times

There will be two Masses on Christmas Eve at 4pm and 6pm, and two on Christmas Day at 9am and 10.30am. As space in the Church is limited due to social distancing we will be asking you to let us know in advance which Mass you would like to attend. More details about how to do this will be available in early December. Please do not contact us about this yet. Confessions in the lead up to Christmas will be by appointment with Father Martin.

Feast of Christ the King

Saturday 21st November has been designated as a day of prayer for the ending of this pandemic. The bishop will be leading a period of Eucharistic Adoration, livestreamed from the cathedral, from 6.30 to 8.30. This initiative is a part of the journey towards the next International Eucharistic Congress and will be a graced time of prayer together in the midst of this time of pandemic. If you are unable to access the Cathedral live stream, you can pray at home during this time or before the Blessed Sacrament on Sunday 22nd (3 to 4pm), the feast of Christ the King.  

November – Remembering our Departed Loved Ones

Father Martin will be offering private daily Masses for those of our family and friends who have died. If you haven’t already done so, you can place the names of those whom you would specifically like prayer for, into an envelope and leave in the box in the porch of the Priest’s Cottage. Alternatively you can email details to the parish office.

Path to the Graveyard

Work on upgrading the path to the graveyard is due to finish next week. If you would like to make a donation towards the cost of this work please visit our Just giving page using the following link https://www.justgiving.com/team/SacredHeartChurch. orsend a cheque payable to the Sacred Heart Church.

The 200 Club Appeal

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for all your contributions to the 200 Club last year. Apologies for the delay this year in providing feedback on the status quo of the 200 Club, however we have been seeking to understand from the church Bank Accounts, which Standing Orders from last year have been successful.

It seems that about 50% have worked and 50% have not! Equally, as a result of the disturbance to our routines from the current pestilence, it has not been apt to approach the usual ‘cash’ contributors given their shielding protocols. Many of you will have received e-mails from me seeking to either confirm current membership, or to appeal to those who’s Standing Order failed to materialize this year.

In order to maintain the £25 per month ‘draw’, and £50 per quarter draw, and to promote Parish finances, the 200 Club seeks more support from you. If you are still interested in the 200 Club draw, raising money and supporting the Parish finances, could I ask you please to establish a Standing Order with your bank with the following details:

Name of Account = The  Sacred Heart, Wadhurst

Account Number = 11077198

Account Sort Code = 40-05-20

Reference = “200 Club”

 

If you do proceed, it is £12 per annum (June to June) and if you could let me know how many tickets you have purchased that would be fantastic. My e-mail address is hungerford_richard@yahoo.co.uk.  Alternatively, please could you provide a cheque for £12 to The Sacred Heart Church but marking on an envelope your details that would be great.

Richard Hungerford.

A Message from Father Martin

Dear Parishioners

It’s good to be in touch with you again and I’m very glad to be able to see so many of you at the open air Mass on Sunday mornings. Thanks to all who help to make it possible. We hope to be able to continue to have Mass outside well into the autumn, so don’t forget to come prepared with your coats, brollies, rugs or blankets.

Face coverings are now mandatory in places of worship. You are asked to comply with this requirement whilst inside the Sacred Heart Church to ensure that everyone feels safe in an area where there are people from differing households who do not normally meet. Please also sit where directed by the Stewards on duty and respect the marked one-way system and social distancing guidelines.

Dear Parishioners and Friends,
In the light of the situation regarding the COVID 19 (Corona Virus) I would like to extend to you all an assurance of my heart felt thoughts and prayers. I am very aware for many of us, this is a time of anxiety and fear as we deal with this unknown disease and its outcome. We must think especially for these heroic Doctors, nurses, paramedics and helpers, who are often terrified and afraid, yet they put their lives on the line for so many of us. I was very moved when I heard a nurse say on the ITV News last night, that she prays before she goes out on the wards. We all know how Jesus went around the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people, Mt. 4:23. Pope Francis too is also united to all of us by this special prayer. Let us be strong together and for each other.

God Bless

Fr Martin