The Diocesan Vocations page on the website has some information on ordained ministry in Southwark, along with contact information for those seeking more information. One of our recently ordained priests, Father Francis Murphy, has written a short reflection on his journey to priesthood: Click here to read more. The Diocese has several students in formation for the priesthood. Four of these students have written about their response to God's call. Click here to read more. The Diocesan Seminary, St. John's Seminary in Wonersh, annually produces a Seminary magazine. The 2019 edition has been made available to the Diocese. It can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking here (205Mb file).  Homily for the Funeral of Archbishop Peter Smith St George’s Cathedral, Southwark 30 March 2020
Today, we offer to his family and friends – especially to Jim, his brother, and Linda, his sister in law, and his nephews, Richard and Alex - our deepest sympathy and condolences. Peter’s death took us all by surprise, coming just weeks after he first became unwell. Having retired last July, he was so looking forward to spring and to nurturing his new garden. It might seem to us that the Book of Wisdom has been proved true: the virtuous man, though he die before his time, has found rest. It is to another garden that we entrust our beloved brother, the garden of paradise, that ancient Persian word that speaks of a walled garden tendered by a king. Our faith-filled hope is that Christ, the King of Glory, will welcome Peter to His heavenly garden, and, by His resurrection, raise him up to eternal life.
So many people, both from within and beyond the Archdiocese of Southwark, desperately wanted to be here today to pray for Archbishop Peter. In normal circumstances, this Cathedral would have been full to overflowing with those who found in him a friend and a guide, a companion and a pastor. In their name we give thanks to Almighty God for the blessings we received though Archbishop Peter’s dedicated service. We few who gather now represent the countless individuals touched by his ministry spanning almost fifty years. With many of them, we will gather again, as soon as possible, for a memorial Mass to honour our much loved Emeritus Archbishop. In recent weeks, there have been many fitting tributes and obituaries sketching Archbishop Peter’s outstanding contribution to the Catholic Church in England and Wales. His impressive media presence and compassionate articulation of the Church’s teaching communicated the inherent dignity of human life and the human person to a broad audience. His legal training, both civil and canonical, brought perceptive insight, with a no nonsense presentation of what was at stake. Without ever being condescending or dismissive, he inspired confidence in the truths of Catholic faith. As a smoker throughout his adult life, the meetings he chaired had a certain pace, always keeping the need for a ‘fresh air’ break firmly in view. Born in Battersea, south west London, in 1943, Archbishop Peter was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Southwark on 5 July 1972. After parish ministry and further studies, he became a lecturer and then Rector at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, where he spent over twenty years of his life. There, in the Seminary chapel where he prayed, high above the tabernacle, is a Latin quotation which translates ‘you have not chosen me, no I have chosen you.’ These words of the Lord Jesus would resonate time and again as he began and continued his episcopal ministry. Archbishop Peter served as the Bishop of East Anglia, then the Archbishop of Cardiff, and, finally, as the Archbishop of Southwark, his home Diocese, which included a brief stint as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. All these appointments speak, not only of his personal gifts and skills, but the esteem in which he was held by the Holy See and the Church in England and Wales. Despite having been consistently thwarted in his desire to be a parish priest. Archbishop Peter’s priestly heart shone through his episcopal ministry. Always with Christ as his model, Archbishop Peter was trusted and competent, combining duty with service. Without ever seeking any of the assignments he was given, he sought to do the will of the one who had called him. When, as Bishop of East Anglia, he received a telephone call from the Apostolic Nuncio, the Nuncio asked ‘Where are you?’ ‘In Walsingham, ‘Archbishop Peter replied. ‘Good,’ said the Nuncio, ‘because Our Lady said yes!’ This was the preamble to his appointment as Archbishop of Cardiff. As Archbishop Peter’s successor, two things in particular have struck me very powerfully in these weeks since his death. The first is the genuine simplicity with which he lived his priestly and episcopal ministry. There was nothing lavish about his lifestyle. He liked good, honest food, not too fancy, and a well-made gin and tonic. There was nothing of the ‘prince bishop’ about him, but everything of the servant shepherd. Archbishop Peter recalled all his appointments with immense gratitude and the people he had met and served with great fondness. The ordinary warmth of his faithful discipleship dovetailed with the ability to put people at their ease. While he took his love for Christ and for the Church with the utmost significance, his personal lightness of outlook was joyous and engaging. When I went to see him at home in Whitstable, just before he was transferred to hospital, I asked ‘Is there anything you need.’ ‘Yes,’ he said, with that characteristic twinkle in his eyes, ‘a coffin!’ The second thing that has struck me has been the number of people who have been in touch to share with me their memory of Archbishop Peter. Some were impressed by an aspect of his leadership, or by how he dealt with a particular situation, or by his wise counsel. But most moving has been to hear from those for whom he made a crucial difference in ways that perhaps hardly anyone else ever knew. A family to whom he took hampers of food, the counselling for someone which he paid from his own pocket, the supportive ‘phone calls and personal charitable donations. If a person’s life is a mosaic of memories, then Archbishop Peter will be remembered, above all, for his instinctive kindness, flowing, as it did, from his love for Christ. In the last days of his life, Archbishop Peter was looked after wonderfully at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea. With his appetite waning, his last meal was the unlikely combination of ice cream and Peroni beer. Visited by his family and friends, it is difficult to express adequately the devotion shown to him by his former Private Secretary, Fr Philip Glandfield, and the Director of the Archdiocese of Southwark Youth Service, Mr John Toryusen. Both of them stayed with him during his time in hospital, including through the night, praying, caring and keeping watch. Towards the end of his life, Archbishop Peter drifted in and out of consciousness until he finally came to rest. When I imparted the Apostolic Pardon, and anointed him with the Oil of the Sick, his eyes remained closed with no external response. But taking his hand, he squeezed my fingers with such a firm grip. It told me that even then, towards his final hours, as it had been throughout life, faith in Christ was alive at the very core of his being. ‘Whoever comes to me,’ said the Lord Jesus, ‘I shall not turn him away.’ Peter, our brother, uncle, friend, priest, bishop and fellow disciple, believed, taught, and lived this truth to the end of his life. It is with sincere love, and profound thankfulness, that we return him to the Lord in the certain hope that He will raise him up on the last day. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen ✠ John Wilson Archbishop of Southwark
The video below, from the National Shrine at Walsingham, is a wonderful introduction to the rededication that takes place there on Sunday 29 March. The prayers and events associated with the Rededication may be found on Walsingham's Website.
During the day, events may be followed on Walsingham's Live Stream.
Please be aware that both the First Holy Communion Programme and Father Tomasz's Bible Study sessions are now suspended until further notice
For those who may be unable to attend Mass over coming weeks, there are several parishes that live-stream their Masses. These include:
Beckenham - St. Edmund of Canterbury Camberwell - Sacred Heart Carshalton - Holy Cross Dartford - St. Anselm’s Eltham - Christ Church Morden - St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Petts Wood - St. James the Great Pollards Hill - St. Michael’s Sidcup - St. Lawrence’s West Croydon - St. Mary’s Westerham - St. John the Baptist Wimbledon - Sacred Heart Woolwich - St. Peter the Apostle The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has updated its advice to Dioceses and Parishes regarding the necessary measures to be taken to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. Version 4, dated 12 March, is to be found here.
For current parish practicalities always read the latest Newsletter for information. We remain at Stage 2 of the advice. Please be aware that the retreat planned for Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion planned for 14 March at Sacred Heart Catholic School, Camberwell has been cancelled.
Following the death of our beloved Archbishop Emeritus Peter Smith, funeral arrangements have been organised as follows:
The Reception of the Body and Requiem Mass will both take place at St. George's Cathedral, Southwark. Sunday 29 March: 18:00 Reception into St. George's Cathedral followed by Cathedral Mass: Archbishop John Wilson to preside 20:00 Vigil Service, after which the Cathedral will close Monday 30 March: 07:00 Cathedral opens 07:30 Cathedral Mass 12:30 Funeral Mass: Archbishop John Wilson to preside. Burial in the Cathedral Crypt at the end of the Mass All are welcome to join us in order to pray for the repose of the soul of Archbishop Peter Smith and to pray for his family. May he rest in peace. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has today updated its advice to Dioceses and Parishes regarding the necessary measures to be taken to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. We are now at Stage 2 of the advice to be found here. The Decree below is mandatory within the Archdiocese.   Archbishop John writes:
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Archbishop Peter Smith, our beloved Archbishop Emeritus, died peacefully just before midnight yesterday, Friday 6 March 2020, at the Royal Marsden Hospital, Chelsea. Archbishop Peter had received the sacraments and prayers of the Church, and his former secretary, Fr Philip Glandfield, was with him when he died. I was able to visit him earlier that evening, together with the Vicar General, Mgr Matthew Dickens, and the Hospital Chaplain, Fr Joseph McCullough. Mr John Toryusen, the Director of the Archdiocese of Southwark Youth Service, accompanied Archbishop Peter during his illness and his time in hospital. Archbishop Peter was visited in hospital by family and friends, and by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster. Archbishop Peter’s illness progressed very quickly following his diagnosis of cancer just a few weeks ago. He was a much loved brother, uncle, and friend; a priest of the Archdiocese of Southwark, Rector of St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, Bishop of East Anglia, Archbishop of Cardiff and Archbishop of Southwark until his retirement in July 2019. While Archbishop of Southwark, he also served from 2014-2015 as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. So many good wishes have been passed to him in the past few weeks, and prayers and Masses offered. Thank you for all of these. Our gift to Archbishop Peter now is to pray for the repose of his soul, and to remember prayerfully his family, friends and loved ones at their time of loss. Please pray for Archbishop Peter in your parish intercessions at the Masses this weekend and also offer Mass for him as soon as possible. I would be grateful if you could let any religious in your parish know of Archbishop Peter’s death, and also ask the prayers of your parish and school communities. In a ministry that spanned almost fifty years, Archbishop Peter made an outstanding contribution to the Catholic Church across three dioceses, and nationally through his service on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Most importantly, he was a disciple who witnessed to Christ with straightforward, splendid faith and radiant joy. Together with the other dioceses in which Archbishop Peter served, we mourn him with enormous affection and deep gratitude for all he gave so willingly and selflessly to so many people. We are grateful for the care Archbishop Peter received from the staff at the Royal Marsden Hospital. We now entrust our friend and brother to the Lord whom he served with such faithfulness, generosity and gentleness. May Archbishop Peter rest in peace and rise in glory. More information about the funeral arrangements for Archbishop Peter will be forthcoming, along with more comprehensive appreciations of Archbishop Peter’s life of service. May the saints and angels welcome him to paradise. Yours devotedly in Christ + John Most Rev John Wilson Archbishop of Southwark
If you are suffering from any symptoms, please stay at home and seek medical advice. You can call NHS by dialling 111 from any phone.
Please click here for information from the Archdiocese. An event for Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Following the very successful retreat for Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion held last November, Bishop Pat has arranged for Father Victor Darlington to host a similar day at Sacred Heart Catholic School, Camberwell New Road, London SE5 0RP on Saturday 14 March 2020. Father Victor is a renowned scripture professor and teaches at St. John’s Seminary in Wonersh. His area of expertise is the writings of St. John. In the first presentation he will speak about “The Journey Towards Faith in the Gospel of John”, reflecting especially on the Gospels for the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent. In the afternoon session he will speak on the theme “Called to be a Community of Life” drawing especially from the 7 “I am” statements in John’s Gospels, which are used in the readings on the Sundays and weekdays of Easter. All Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are welcome to attend. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to go along.  Click here for a printable version of the above Programme.
 As close to St Patrick’s Day as we could get! There will be a traditional Bacon & Cabbage dinner. We shall be having a licensed bar. Irish Coffees will be available at the bar. Music will be provided by Trixon Sound, and there will be dancing too!
A few people have been working very hard in the background to make this event happen. Please do give the occasion your support. Doors at St. Bart's will be open from 19:00 with dinner at 19:30. Entry will be by ticket only at just £20.00, with tickets now available from the Parish Office. Peace service to be led by Archbishop John Wilson in Streatham
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