Pope Francis 1936 – 2025
Requiescat in pace, Holy Father.
WEEKLY MASSES:
TUESDAY 7PM
WEDNESDAY 9.30AM
THURSDAY 9.30AM
FRIDAY 9.30AM
Weekend Masses:
Saturday (St Swithun) – 6:00pm
Sunday (St Thomas More) – 8:45am
Sunday (St Swithun) – 10:45am
YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES
Ten Year Mission Plan for the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth.
The work of planning for the future of the Church in our Diocese continues apace! The past months have seen a great deal of widespread public consultation, to which some of our own parishioners contributed. Bishop Philip, with the Bishop’s Council, and the Diocesan Curia (administration) has now launched a draft plan: You will be my witnesses.
We are requested to consider it carefully. We need to ensure the Mission of the Church in these coming years. Jesus Christ, most importantly, is at the centre of everything that we do. We are reminded that we are all called to be evangelists, proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel. And we have to evangelise ourselves every day, as well as sharing the Word with others! Some restructuring within the Diocese is proposed. Perhaps most visibly the Pastoral Areas would become twenty-four new Parishes, with an occasional change of shape. Havant Pastoral Area would stay together and welcome the Parish of St Colman and St Paul, Cosham and Paulsgrove.
We already share a great deal. This could beautifully reflect the wonderful sense of Synodality which we have seen this year. Listening and working together with our near neighbours can lead to sharing our time, talents and treasure: all this for the glory of God and the good of our sisters and brothers.
It could also be the opportunity for increased clergy brotherhood. Priests and deacons could complement each others’ gifts and minister to more people over the whole local area. There is still much to be worked out, so it is great to ask you to contribute your thoughts as well as your prayers. We will keep you posted and please keep an eye on the Diocesan Website: Portsmouth Diocese, Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth
OUR PASTORAL AREA WILL INCLUDE
Farnborough, Fleet, Church Crookham, Sandhurst, Aldershot
The Church Teaches us that:
“The Eucharist is the source and the summit of the Christian life…For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself…The Eucharist is also the culmination both of God’s action, sanctifying the world in Christ and, of the worship men offer to Christ… In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith… ” (CCC1324-5). And: ” Because Christ himself is present in the sacrament of the altar, he is to be honoured with the worship of adoration. “To visit the Blessed Sacrament is . . . a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of adoration toward Christ our Lord” (CCC14-18).
SACRAMENTS
The Latin word sacramentum means “a sign of the sacred.” The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God’s saving presence. That’s what theologians mean when they say that sacraments are at the same time signs and instruments of God’s grace.
The first sacrament, for all Christians, is Baptism whereby we become a member of the Church and receive the Holy Spirit to help us live as a true disciple of Christ. The other six sacraments (Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick) are further moments of grace that deepen our Baptismal commitment.
BAPTISM
Parents who want to have their child baptised need to speak directly with a priest, according to where they live. The priest will explain them the procedure and help them with the preparation.
If they usually go to Mass at St Swithuns or St Thomas More they have to meet and speak with Fr Wojciech and introduce themselves to him and ask for Baptism for their child.
Download our New Baptism Form here.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION & CONFIRMATION
First Communion is considered one of the holiest and most important occasions in a Roman Catholic’s life. It means that person has received the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ. … They can receive communion for the first time whenever they’ve met all the Church’s requirements.
If your child will be 8 years of age by 31st August of that same year and you would like him/her to make his/her First Holy Communion.
Please contact the parish office or see the Priest after Mass to discuss if you would like your child to have the sacrament of communion.
Confirmation is the sacrament by which Catholics receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Through Confirmation, the Holy Spirit gives them the increased ability to practice their Catholic faith in every aspect of their lives and to witness Christ in every situation.
Please contact the parish office or see the Priest after Mass to discuss if you would like your child to be Confirmed.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION
If you live in the parish and would like to get married either in one of the parish’s churches or in a Catholic Church outside the parish you will need to contact the priest at least 6 months before the date of marriage and preferably a year before. The two requirements for marriage in a Catholic Church are: 1. Completion of marriage paperwork with the priest (with supporting documents as necessary); 2. Completion of a parish marriage preparation course. Marriage Paperwork The marriage paperwork will involve an initial meeting with the priest who will help you fill out a form giving the necessary details. He will also tell you the supporting documentation which will be needed. This will include a recently issued copy of your Baptismal Certificate (note that to be married in a Catholic Church one of you at least must be a Catholic). A Marriage preparation course will be required; this can be organised via the Church. Civil Requirements Each church in the parish has its own Authorised Persons for the civil registration of your marriage. They will enter your details into the civil Marriage Register and give you your Marriage Certificate. You will need to give notice at the local Registry Office from 12 months before the date of your marriage but no later than 28 days before your marriage. The Registry Office will provide licence forms (Blue Forms) which should be given to the priest. Contact the parish office for further details
CONFESSION
Saturdays, St Swithun’s Church, 5.30pm-5.50pm
Or speak to Father after Mass to arrange another day or time.
St Swithun’s Parish Centre
St Thomas More Catholic Church
