<![CDATA[St. Bart's RC Church, Norbury - Latest News]]>Thu, 21 Aug 2025 12:48:55 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[Lands End to John O'Groats]]>Mon, 11 Aug 2025 09:08:18 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/lands-end-to-john-ogroats
Many congratulations to one of our younger parishioners, Jonathan Vasallo, who completed the near 900-mile cycle ride from Lands End to John O'Groats in only 11 days, riding in memory of his beloved Grandparents, whilst raising £1224.00 for the Alzheimer's Society. Well done Jonathan! A terrific achievement!
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Further donations in support of Jonathan's superb achievement can be made online from HERE
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<![CDATA[Spiritual Discussion Group]]>Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:37:16 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/spiritual-discussion-group
St. Augustine of Hippo is a Doctor of the Church and one of the most influential theologians in Western Christianity. To mark the election of our first Augustinian Pope, Leo XIV, the St. Bart’s Spiritual Discussion Group has created a short programme on the life of St. Augustine and his mother St. Monica.
 
The programme starts on Thursday 28 August (St Augustine’s Feast Day) at 19:30, and will run for each of the following four Thursdays. All are welcome, even if you can’t make every session, and you can sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/HippoDoctor.
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<![CDATA[St. John Henry Newman to be a Doctor of the Church]]>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:19:25 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/st-john-henry-newman-to-be-a-doctor-of-the-churchPicture
Archbishop John welcomes the news that St. John Henry Newman is to be a Doctor of the Church. The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV will declare St. John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Catholic Church.

Responding to the news, Archbishop John said:

"The announcement that St. John Henry Newman will become a Doctor of the Catholic Church will fill the hearts of English Catholics with so much joy. It will also be welcomed by Catholics around the world for whom St. John Henry is an inspiring theologian and apologist for the Catholic faith." Read more>>>

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<![CDATA[Forthcoming Parish Social Occasions]]>Fri, 18 Jul 2025 18:09:51 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/forthcoming-parish-social-occasionsOur Social Committee are organising the following events and would be delighted to see you there!
 
• Saturday 20 September - Quiz Night in the Church Hall at 19:30
 
• Saturday 18 October - International Mass at 19:30, followed by International Food in the Church Hall
 
• Saturday 22 November – Bingo Night in the Church Hall at 19:30
 
Please add the dates in your diary, and further information will follow.
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<![CDATA[Our Parish Plan]]>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 08:44:21 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/our-parish-plan
Click/tap on the words above to find out more about the development of our Parish Plan.
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<![CDATA[NEW - Parish Food Hub on Saturdays]]>Fri, 20 Jun 2025 15:09:31 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/new-parish-food-hub-on-saturdays
click/tap on the pic for a larger image
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<![CDATA[Annual Corpus Christi Procession 22 June]]>Sat, 14 Jun 2025 12:49:57 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/annual-corpus-christi-procession-22-june]]><![CDATA[Statement from Archbishop John Sherrington on the upcoming Third Reading of the Assisted Suicide Bill]]>Sun, 08 Jun 2025 14:42:17 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/statement-from-archbishop-john-sherrington-on-the-upcoming-third-reading-of-the-assisted-suicide-bill
Click/tap on the image above to read this most important statement.
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<![CDATA[Were you there, or did you miss it?!]]>Sat, 07 Jun 2025 17:15:37 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/were-you-there-or-did-you-miss-it
Click/tap on the image above for a reminder, or to find out what went on!
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<![CDATA[The Well: Evening of Eucharistic revival at St. George's Cathedral with Christopher West and Mike Mangione - 11 September 2025]]>Fri, 30 May 2025 14:54:25 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/the-well-evening-of-eucharistic-revival-at-st-georges-cathedral-with-christopher-west-and-mike-mangione-11-september-2025
Join Christopher West and Mike Mangione on 11 September for an evening of beauty, reflection and Eucharistic revival Read more and book>>>
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<![CDATA[Pastoral Letter for Safeguarding Sunday - 17/18 May 2025]]>Thu, 15 May 2025 12:12:41 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/pastoral-letter-for-safeguarding-sunday-1718-may-2025
Archbishop John has written a Pastoral Letter to be read at all Sunday Masses on the weekend 17/18 May 2025.

The full text may be read from here.
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<![CDATA[St. Bart's Orchestra Concert - Free admission, donations welcomed!]]>Sun, 11 May 2025 18:44:12 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/st-barts-orchestra-concert-free-admission-donations-welcomed]]><![CDATA[We have a new Pope!]]>Thu, 08 May 2025 19:03:45 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/we-have-a-new-pope
From Archbishop John Read more>>>>

From the Catholic Herald Read more>>>>

From the CBCEW Read more>>>

From the BBC Read more>>>
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<![CDATA[Prayers upon the death of Pope Francis]]>Sat, 03 May 2025 16:01:47 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/prayers-upon-the-death-of-pope-francis
Click/tap on the pics for larger images - click HERE for a printable version
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<![CDATA[Pope Francis RIP]]>Mon, 21 Apr 2025 10:59:40 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/pope-francis-rip
Archbishop John calls Pope Francis a Pope for the poor and a Pope for peace
 
Following the death of Pope Francis, Archbishop John said the Holy Father was a Pope for the poor and a Pope for peace. Archbishop John said:

"Like the Lord, when the poor cried, Pope Francis heard them. But as the Lord Jesus taught us, it is not enough just to hear these cries, we must commit ourselves to responding to them too. That is exactly what Pope Francis did and it is why he meant so much to so many."

Throughout his Pontificate, Pope Francis led the world in calls for peace. Archbishop John said:
 
"His calls for peace were always filled with a closeness to people suffering violence and despair. His calls for peace were a constant reminder that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. His calls for peace were always a reminder that God wants us to live as brothers and sisters, not enemies."
The Archbishop asked “Catholics across the Archdiocese of Southwark to pray for Pope Francis and for our priests to offer Mass for the repose of his soul.

Archbishop John is offering a Mass at St George’s Cathedral for Pope Francis on Tuesday 22 April at 12.30pm. All are welcome. Livestream link.

Please pray for Pope Francis. Read more>>>
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<![CDATA[Holy Week and Easter - Polyphony Choir]]>Mon, 14 Apr 2025 20:10:59 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/holy-week-and-easter-polyphony-choirThe wonderful music our Polyphony Choir will be singing for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil.

If you'd like to join them, then do pop up to the gallery on Tuesday 29 April just before 20:00 to say hello. Enter through the side door in Ellison Road. Find out more here.
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<![CDATA[Pastoral Letter on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill]]>Sat, 05 Apr 2025 12:10:12 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/pastoral-letter-on-the-terminally-ill-adults-end-of-life-billPicture
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ
 
Following my pastoral message in March 2024, I wish to speak to you again about the process by which Parliament is currently considering legalising assisted suicide through the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. As I made clear previously, concerning this grave matter, as Catholics we maintain a principled objection to this change in law, because we recognise that every human life is sacred: a gift of God, bearing a God-given dignity. We are, therefore, clearly opposed to this Bill in principle, elevating, as it does, the autonomy of the individual above all other considerations.
 
The passage of the Bill through Parliament, as originally proposed, would lead to a vote in late April on whether it progresses further. This will be a crucial moment and I, together with all the Bishops of England and Wales, am writing to ask your support in urging your MP to vote against this Bill at that time.
 
There are serious reasons for doing so. At this point we wish not simply to restate our objections in principle, but to emphasise the deeply flawed process undergone in Parliament thus far. We wish to remind you that it is a fundamental duty of every MP to ensure that legislation is not imposed on our society which has not been properly scrutinised and which will bring about damaging consequences.
 
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will fundamentally change many of the key relationships in our way of life: within the family, between doctor and patient, within the health service. Yet there has been no Royal Commission or independent inquiry ahead of its presentation. It is a Private Member’s Bill. The Bill itself is long and complex and was published just days before MPs voted on it, giving them inadequate time to consult or reflect upon it. The time for debate was minimal. The Committee examining the Bill took only three days of evidence: not all voices were heard, and it comprises an undue number of supporters of the Bill. In short, this is no way to legislate on such an important and morally complex issue.
 
One consequence of this flawed process is that many vital questions remain unanswered. Can MPs guarantee that the scope of the Bill will not be extended? In almost every country where assisted suicide has been introduced the current scope is wider than was originally intended. What role, if any, will the judiciary have in the process? We were told that judicial oversight was a necessary and vital part of the process; now we are told it isn’t needed at all. What will protect the vulnerable from coercion, or from feeling a burden on family? Can the National Health Service cope with assisted suicide or will it, as the Health Secretary has warned, cause cuts elsewhere in the NHS? Can MPs guarantee that no medical practitioner or care worker would be compelled to take part in assisted suicide? Would this mean the establishment of a ‘national death service’?
 
In contrast to the provisions of this Bill, what is needed is first-class, compassionate palliative care at the end of our lives. This is already provided to many in our society but, tragically, is in short supply and underfunded. No-one should be dispatched as a burden to others. Instead, a good society would prioritise care for the elderly, the vulnerable, and the weak. The lives of our families are richer for cherishing their presence.
 
It is sad reflection on Parliament’s priorities that the House of Commons spent far more time debating the ban on fox hunting than it is spending debating bringing in assisted suicide.
 
I am sure that you will share these concerns. Despite recent events, this measure is still being rushed without proper scrutiny and without fundamental questions surrounding safeguards being answered. This is a deeply flawed Bill with untold unintended consequences.
 
Every MP, and Government, has a solemn duty to prevent such legislation reaching the statute book. This, tragically, is what may happen. So, I appeal to you: even if you have written before, please make contact now with your MP and ask them to vote against this Bill not only on grounds of principle but because of the failure of Parliament to approach this issue in an adequate and responsible manner.
 
In his Letter to the Philippians, from which we heard in the Second Reading, St Paul reflects on the difficulties and responsibilities of life. He speaks of ‘pressing on’ and ‘striving’ for the fulness of life promised in Christ Jesus. Yet he is totally confident in his struggles because, as he says, ‘Christ Jesus has made me his own’.
 
We too have many struggles. We too know that Christ Jesus has made us his own. So, we too press on with this struggle, so important in our times.
 
With an assurance of my continued prayers and blessing.
 
Yours devotedly in Christ,
 
+John Wilson
Metropolitan Archbishop of Southwark

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<![CDATA[2025 Jubilee Mission Memories]]>Wed, 26 Mar 2025 19:50:53 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/2025-jubilee-mission-memories
Click / tap on the image for more pics.....
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<![CDATA[Shroud of Turin Exhibition at St. Georges Cathedral]]>Tue, 18 Mar 2025 22:41:52 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/shroud-of-turin-exhibition-at-st-georges-cathedral
Free entry during the Cathedral's opening hours.

To find out more click / tap here.
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<![CDATA[Job vacancy: RC Archdiocese of Southwark]]>Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:26:01 GMThttp://stbartsnorbury.co.uk/latest-news/job-vacancy-rc-archdiocese-of-southwark
Videographer and Social Media Specialist

To find out more click / tap here. Applications close Thursday 27 March 2025.
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