Catholic Parish of Haslemere, Chiddingfold & Hindhead

Message to the Parish From Mary's Meals 

Easter Message

Dear Parishioners!

​

For over 2000 years the resurrection of Jesus from the dead has sustained people in faith and hope even in the most difficult  times.

The world and all humanity togather with United Kingdom, have faced great challenges over the centuries. Today once again we have to face the seriousness of the crisis of the spread of the coronavirus around the world and throughout this country.

It is now almost three weeks since our churches closed its doors and you weren’t able  to worship and pop in for private prayers but the present crisis will not disturb the rhythm of our parish life. The prayer of the Church will continue day by day. This highest form of prayer - Holy Mass which I say every day will sustains us all. 

​

When I say daily Mass, I have in my heart all our parishioners. I often think about people who are alone, and for whom it is more difficult to face these moments. Above all I think of the elderly of our parish, who are very dear to me.

The reality of Easter remains – that life is stronger than death and that even now, especially now, God is with us. Easter is the celebration of Jesus conquering death, rising from the tomb. It’s the feast of triumph in the power of God’s life to bring life to us in every situation we face.

Please, let me conclude this Easter message with a poem by Alan Amos - “A locked church” and dedicate it as my Easter wishes to all my dear Parishioners.

Ah my dear Lord, the church is locked
but let my heart be open to your presence;
there let us make, you and I,
your Easter garden;
plant it with flowers,
and let the heavy stone be rolled away.

Sincerely yours

- father Irek
 

During this challenging time, where we are unable to attend Mass together,the Diocese has launched an online ‘Parish offertory support campaign’ so that parishioners can still make their offertory donation if they wish. 

​

You can give your offertory HERE

​

The money will come in centrally and then be sent to the Parishes accordingly. It is therefore very important that when making your donation in this manner you name your Parish, Priest or area

​

The Diocese thank as well those who give by standing order

Mary's Meals would normally visit it us this time of year to share their activities and fund raise.

Above is a video message from founder, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow.  If you would like to know more about Mary's Meals you can find a further video HERE

​

To donate; please follow the link HERE

Redemptorist Sunday Message

This is a very difficult time for everyone but especially for those whoes financial situation makes the purchase of food challenging in calmer times let alone during the current crisis. Many people are now shopping from home rather than going to the supermarkets so are not able to drop off food for those in, at the moment, quite desperate need. What would really help is if parishioners were able to donate items directly to Tesco and Waitrose collection points or the Methodist Church (between 9am and 12.00 on Wednesday and Friday) if you shop by other means.

The needs at a specific time are regularly listed and updated on the Parish website but with the general difficulty finding items at the moment anything you can spare would be most welcome.

​

Thank you for the wonderful support you five to the Haslemere Food Bank, without your generosity many would go hungry, especially at this time

Prayer From Pope Frances

Prayer from Pope Fances 

O Mary,

you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.

​

We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.

​

At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain with steadfast faith.
 

You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need.

​

We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee,

joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.

​

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,

to conform ourselves to the Father’s will

and to do what Jesus tells us:

He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us,

through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.

​

Do not despise our pleas–we who are put to the test–and deliver us from every danger,

O glorious and blessed Virgin.

“Love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12)

A very warm welcome to our parish website for the Catholic parish of Haslemere, Hindhead and Chiddingfold.​

The parish consists of three churches, Our Lady of Lourdes in Haslemere, St.Anselms in Hindhead and St. Teresa of Avila in Chiddingfold. In addition to these three churches serving the parish, masses are also celebrated at the Holy Cross Hospital Chapel in Haslemere.

Although the parish covers quite a wide geographical area with three churches, there is a strong unity of purpose and spirit of mutual support within the parish, with many opportunities for spiritual development and events of a more social nature for everyone to come together, creating a dynamic outward looking parish.

We extend a warm welcome to all who wish to join us in both our services and our social and outreach activities.

We greatly value opportunities to build on our relationship with other Christian Churches, local organisations and the wider community of which we are a part.

As a Roman Catholic Parish of approximately 400 parishioners, we form part of the Deanery of Guildford, the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton and the Universal Church under the leadership of Pope Francis with Father Ireneusz Stadler as Parish Priest.

Young People

​

The Corona virus has brought us to this point that we are not able to gather in Church this Sunday and following Sundays as well till the further notice. I hope that we will all soon be back in our beautiful parish Churches.

I will be celebrating Masses in Our Lady of Lourdes church, albeit alone, for a time.  I will still celebrate the Mass pro populo for the people of the parish and other intentions you will ask for. I hope that it will be a consolation to you to know that this celebration is taking place, even though you cannot attend.  I would like to invite everyone to join with me in prayer in your homes at these times.  Please, reflect on the Readings of the Day and make your own prayers of intercession.  This is a time for Spiritual Communion, also – a moment of grace when those who cannot attend Mass can unite themselves in prayer with the Sacrifice of the Mass. 

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION PRAYER

Lord Jesus I cannot receive you Sacramentally at this time but I ask you to come into my heart and soul to be with me.
May your loving Presence in me bring your love to all through my words and actions, Amen.

Whenever we celebrate the Eucharist, we are united with the Church throughout the world and with our brothers and sisters who have “gone before us with the sign of faith.”  We are united with Mary, Mother of God and with all the saints.  

Dear all, for each Sunday I will publish for you my homily hoping that some of the thoughts may inspire you or at least bring some consolation in this difficult time. Let us remember in prayer about each other. 

​

​

A number of Parishioners have enquired as to how our Easter Offering to Fr Irek will be addressed this year given that we are unable to attend Mass over the Easter period.

Priests rely on the Easter Offering for a significant proportion of their annual personal income and the Bishop believes that it is important to ensure that this remuneration is received by the Clergy this year.

The Bishop has therefore instructed that Priests should withdraw from Parish General Funds an amount equivalent to the Easter Offering they received in 2019.

The Bishop has advised that any donations received from Parishioners in relation to the Easter Offering will be allocated to the Parish General Fund