ST DUNSTAN'S CHURCH, Woking
ST HUGH OF LINCOLN CHURCH, Knaphill
Canon Rob Esdaile, Parish Priest, Father Robert Sprott
Deacon Russell Young, Deacon Rob Wellbelove
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2nd March 2025 Day for the Unemployed
The Ashes Of Springtime
“When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears,” and, “the kiln tests the potter’s vessels”. These wry observations come from this Sunday’s first reading (Sirach 27.4-7). They may well feel particularly resonant at the moment. The global sieve is indeed being shaken – and the potential for abuse of power has become all too evident in many ways. Many individuals and nations are going through the most testing of times.
The Catholic Church is not immune from this shaking and testing, as we wait anxiously for news of Pope Francis’ health and face the ending of his ministry at some stage in the not-too-distant future, with all the questions this will raise about our future path. Our own diocese celebrates its sixtieth anniversary this year with the clergy workforce smaller and more stretched than ever before and an urgent need to find new, collaborative ways of animating our community.
In both the Church and the secular world we are living through (to quote Pope Francis) “a change of era, rather than an era of change.” Yet we must have eyes for the fruitfulness that is there amid the turmoil, the good news acts of kindness and courage that so often go unreported. Our parish is itself bursting with new life. This Saturday evening we shall pray with around 40 adults currently preparing to be baptised or received into full communion this Easter before Bishop Richard welcomes them at Arundel Cathedral next weekend. This Sunday evening around 90 of our young people will be formally enrolled as candidates for confirmation before their own meeting with Bishop Richard in three months’ time.
This Sunday’s psalm has the refrain, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord.” Cultivating grateful, appreciative hearts able to see fruitfulness where it is to be found – that is our best defence against both cynicism and a sense of helplessness. In our second reading (1 Cor 15.54-8) Paul cries out his conviction that in Christ “death is swallowed up in victory” and that “in the Lord your labour is not in vain.” As Jesus reminds us in the Gospel (Lk 6.39-45), we are not condemned to fruitlessness – unless we choose to follow ‘blind guides’ or focus on others’ faults, instead of acknowledging our own.
So as we enter Lent this Wednesday, let us do so in good heart. Our ashes are not signs of death but a promise of a new ‘springtime’ (the original meaning of the early English word, ‘Lent’) and renewed fruitfulness. Let us each humbly make our own new beginnings during the forty days ahead, as we also pray for those who will soon receive the Holy Spirit through baptism or confirmation. Fr. Rob
Defending The Poorest
Whatever the rights and wrongs of increasing the defence budget, the fact that the government has funded it by cutting Overseas Development funding from 0.5% of GDP to 0.3% should be a cause of concern for all Catholics. Once again, the world’s poorest are to be hit the hardest. The knock-on effects of cutting immunisation, education, feeding and agricultural programmes will be more avoidable deaths, more conflict, more environmental destruction and more displacement of people, leading to a greater outflow of refugees towards our shores. Cafod invite us to write to our MP, Will Forster at Tell your MP that you oppose the aid cuts or visit cafod.org.uk. You can read the statement by Christine Allen, Director of Cafod, here: CAFOD statement on UK cuts to Official Development Assistance (ODA) or visit the CAFOD website.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOULS OF
Deirdre O’Donnell RIP and
Rita Walsh RIP
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, May they rest in peace
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK especially for those whose names are on our prayer boards.
UPCOMING FUNERALS
The Requiem Mass for Calogero Sole RIP will take place at St Dunstan's on Tuesday 4th March at 12.00 noon.
The Requiem Mass for Alfreda Mianowska RIP will take place at St Dunstan's on Friday 7th March at 10.30 am.
THE 2025 JUBILEE
A Year of Hope: An Introduction to the Jubilee Year with the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development
How can we respond to Pope Francis’ call to be “tangible signs of hope” in this Jubilee Year? Find out by watching this inspirational event (find it and other Jubilee resources at cafod.org.uk/jubilee). Featuring Fr Jan Nowotnik, Director of Mission at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, CAFOD Director Christine Allen and more. Discover how we can act in faith and in love as pilgrims of hope this Holy Year.
To find out more about Jubilee events taking place across our diocese in 2025, please visit the A&B Diocesan website at www.abdiocese.org.uk/diocese/news.
FLAME 15th MARCH 2025
The parish has tickets for the largest Catholic youth event in the UK! The full day event at Wembley Ovo Arena includes world class speakers, dynamic music and an atmosphere full of energy, prayer, joy and hope. It is suitable for young people aged 14 upwards. If you're interested, contact Teresa: pastoral.woking@abdiocese.org.uk
DIACONATE INFORMATION EVENING
There will be an open evening at St John the Evangelist, Horsham, RH12 2PJ on Friday 14th March 2025, beginning at 7.00pm. This will provide an opportunity for men who are keen to understand more about the Permanent Diaconate, the discernment process and an exploration of a possible vocation to the Ministry. If this is something that you may be interested in learning more about, please email tim.murrill@abdiocese.org.uk for more information and to register to attend.
LOURDES – A RETREAT
22nd-26th SEPTEMBER 2025
SPIRITUAL LEADER – FR PETER ANDREWS
This retreat is an opportunity to spend a few quiet days in Lourdes with time for prayer alone or as a pilgrim group. Those who wish can join the Torchlight and Blessed Sacrament Processions, visit the Grotto and the Baths. However, those who prefer can spend time alone or with others as they feel called to do. There will be the opportunity to join a visit to Bartres where Bernadette lived for a time. If you would like more details about travel, accommodation, cost and the itinerary, then please speak to Mary Smith and ask for a brochure.
WALK 200KM IN 40 DAYS TO HELP FIGHT GLOBAL POVERTY
Challenge yourself and take on The Big Lent Walk! Walk when and where you choose over 40 days, alone or with friends. Raise money to help people as they overcome poverty. https://walk.cafod.org.uk/
Or join our parish group where we can support one another. Please contact Lila Fletcher lila.fletcher@gmail.com or 07950 771534. Or sign up on the list in the church entrance. A chance to do something for others this Lent.
DISCOVER THE STORY BEHIND WINTERSHALL'S BIBLICAL PLAYS
In a captivating insight into the world of Wintershall’s acclaimed biblical plays, the Guildford and District Knights of St. Columba are set to host a revealing talk on Saturday 1st March 2025 from 2.30pm to 3.45pm at St Dunstan’s Church in Woking. Attendees will gain unique insights into Wintershall’s history, mission, and its dedication to authentic storytelling, as well as the spiritual challenges of portraying biblical figures. With tickets priced at £5 and proceeds supporting Wintershall’s work and the Knights of St. Columba’s charities, this event offers a deeper appreciation of Wintershall’s legacy and its powerful portrayal of Christ’s teachings. Advance booking is highly recommended at http://www.ticketsource.co.uk (search “Wintershall”)
OVERSEAS PROJECT JACKPOT CLUB
The result of the January draw on 16th February 2025 is:
1st Prize – Angela Watson
£19.00
2nd Prize – Tony and Mary Box
£9.00
Congratulations!
With £37.00 raised for the Ikutha Project this month!
We have more contributors signed up in February so the amount raised continues to grow. If you would like to join the Jackpot Club and help Sister Munanie support the struggling community of Ikutha, Kenya, please collect a registration form from the Narthex. You can join at any time to be included in the following 12 monthly draws.
or contact Sarah
email: livesimply@st-dunstans.org
DIOCESAN EVENTS
LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2025 - Applications for this summer's Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes (25th-31st July by air or own transport, 24th July - 1st August by coach/jumbulance) are now open on the diocesan website: https://www.abdiocese.org.uk/lourdes/home.
The Diocese sends out a weekly E-Bulletin newsletter. Please click on the link to sign up mailchi.mp/7529e811ae63/joinourlist. To find out about and register for events hosted by the Diocese please visit the events calendar www.abdiocese.org.uk/diocese/events.
ST DUNSTAN'S CHURCH AND ST HUGH OF LINCOLN CHURCH
MASS TIMES & INTENTIONS
Weekday Lectionary Cycle Year 1, Sunday Lectionary Cycle Year C
St Dunstan’s Church: Weekday Masses preceded by Morning Prayer at 9.45 am, and followed by the Rosary
Saturday 1st March, St David, Feast
10.00 am St Dunstan’s Mass Thanksgiving Mass and family intentions
2.30 pm St Dunstan’s Ukrainian Eucharist
6.00 pm St Dunstan’s Vigil Mass Frank and Eunice Connelly RIP
6.00 pm St Hugh’s Vigil Mass People of the Parish
7.15 pm St Dunstan’s Mass in Portuguese
Sunday 2nd March, Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Day for the Unemployed
9.00 am St Dunstan’s Mass All Parishioners
9.30 am St Hugh’s Mass Margaret Earley RIP
10.30 am St Dunstan’s Mass Diego Alonso RIP
12.00 noon St Dunstan’s Mass in Italian
5.30 pm St Dunstan’s Mass For Confirmation Candidates
Monday 3rd March, Weekday
10.00 am St Dunstan’s Mass, then Adoration until 2pm Bridie, John and Steven Buckingham RIP
10.00 am St Hugh’s Mass The cousin of Marie France RIP
Tuesday 4th March, Weekday
10.00 am St Dunstan’s Mass Geof Constable
12.00 pm St Dunstan’s Requiem Mass for Calogero Sole RIP
THE SEASON OF LENT
Wednesday 5th March, Ash Wednesday
10.00 am St Dunstan’s Mass (with St Dunstan’s School years 3-6) Sean Kealy RIP
10.00 am St Hugh’s Mass Deceased members of the McHugh and O’Riordan families
7.30 pm St Dunstan’s Mass Sandeep Marinus Joseph RIP
7.30 pm St Hugh’s Mass Holy Souls
Thursday 6th March, Thursday after Ash Wednesday
10.00 am St Dunstan’s Mass Felix Quinn RIP
10.00 am St Hugh’s Mass Imelda Lillis RIP
Friday 7th March, Friday after Ash Wednesday
10.00 am St Hugh’s Mass Carolina & Luigi Natale
10.30 am St Dunstan’s Requiem Mass for Alfreda Mianowska RIP
10.45 am St Hugh’s Service for the World Day of Prayer
Saturday 8th March, Saturday after Ash Wednesday
10.00 am St Dunstan’s Mass Manfred Gramstadt RIP
12.30 pm St Dunstan’s Baptisms
2.30 pm St Dunstan’s Ukrainian Eucharist
6.00 pm St Dunstan’s Vigil Mass Holy Souls
6.00 pm St Hugh’s Vigil Mass Jim and Edith Moore RIP
Sunday 9th March, First Sunday of Lent
9.00 am St Dunstan’s Mass All Parishioners
9.30 am St Hugh’s Mass People of the Parish
10.30 am St Dunstan’s Mass Francis Selvadurai RIP
4.00 pm St Dunstan’s Stations of the Cross
5.30 pm St Dunstan’s Mass Patricia Rice
Sacrament of Reconciliation
St Dunstan’s Church – After the Saturday 10.00 am Mass or by Appointment
St Hugh of Lincoln Church – Before the Saturday Vigil Mass at 5.15pm to 5.45pm
Livestream Information
Services from St Dunstan's Church are streamed by ChurchServicesTV
Services from St Hugh of Lincoln are streamed on YouTube
SUNDAY READINGS
Ecclesiasticus 27:5-8, Psalm 91:2-3,13-16, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, Luke 6:39-45
OFFERTORY COLLECTION
Thank you for the St Dunstan's Sunday collection 22nd/23rd Feb of £4778.45. Thank you also for the collection for the Lourdes Pilgrimage Fund of £2540.50. Please consider setting up a monthly standing order and adding a further 25% via GiftAid at no cost to you if you are a UK taxpayer. The forms to set up GiftAid to St Dunstan's Church are available on the GiftAid table in the narthex or the parish website. Thank you for the St Hugh's Sunday collection 22nd/23rd Feb of £1099.67.
To set up GiftAid for St Hugh of Lincoln Church visit sthughoflincoln.com/gift-aid-giving/ for the forms and more details.
MARRIAGES
Couples wishing to get married in a Catholic Church are reminded to give a year’s notice of their intention to allow adequate time to prepare for the life-changing promises that they are making and so that the parish community can support you on your journey. If you wish to enquire about being married at either St Dunstan's or St Hugh's, please use one of the following links. Thank you.
BAPTISMS
Parents wishing to apply for baptism for their infant or pre-school child to take place at St Dunstan's or St Hugh's, please submit an application using one of the following links. Most celebrations of Baptism take place on the second Saturday of the month at St Dunstan's and the last Sunday of the month at St Hugh's. By prior agreement with the Parish Priest a celebration of Baptism may occasionally take place at a Sunday Mass at St Dunstan's.
