Holy Innocents'
Roman Catholic Church, Orpington

Archived news and comment from the Parish:

Holy Innocents' 60s/70s Disco/Dinner 26th June 2010

Many parishioners attended a fund-raising Disco held in the Holy Innocents' school hall.
A very enjoyable evening, with the true feeling of community,camaraderie and a sumptuous meal provided by several very talented cooks. Father Victor, Charlon and Canon John McNamara also attended.

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On Wednesday 23 June the Luncheon Club celebrated its 46th Anniversary. 
Continuing to provide lunch and companionship for the over 60s is of great service to the community. The parish is indeed thankful for this long-standing service and congratulates past and present volunteers.
There are 18 volunteers who work on a rota system.


Members and volunteers enjoy a celebratory lunch with a glass of wine!
Wednesday's 6 volunteers were Christine, Catheriine, Lena, Liz, Angela and Terri.

See Parish group Over 60s for more details and a link to the group's history.

Just to prove they tidy up...see Cinders...alias Catherine Callaghan>>

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Plant Sale run by the Catholic Womens' League (CWL)
Gerry Fane and other members of the CWL held a plant sale after all Masses on 29th/30th May. A festival of flora and fauna, much of which was donated by parishioners, was sold to raise funds.

Committee members and Parishioners view the delectable delights

" A very very big thank you to all parishioners for the tremendous way in which you  supported the plant sale . Thanks to your overwhelming generosity we made £ 460.00, which will be devided between the church fund and one of our CWL charities. The plants that were left over we took to the Holy Ghost Fathers in Bickley who had their  garden fete on Bank Holiday Monday.
A very special mention must go to Pam Spence and Steve Westgar for  erecting the Gazebo and protecting us against the weather. To John Bush and John Welton for their invaluable help and knowledge at all the Masses. They also helped us clear up. A big thank you also to  the ladies of Cwl who manned the stall at each Mass. Well done and thank you , thank you. This was a test for us without Margaret . I am sure she was looking down on us and helping..

God Bless you all Gerry Fane( Chairman CWL)."

Daniel Weatherley, a student at St. John’s Seminary, Wonersh,

Daniel has now completed his stay at Holy Innocents' and we thank him for what he has brought to the Parish. Daniel was a professional violinist for ten years. From violin strings to heart strings, Daniel is now following his vocation to be a Priest. We wish him success in his sturies and vocation

Daniel Weatherley
Danielhas now returned to the Seminary and we thank him for what he has brought to the parish. We wish him every success in his vocation
Please see the link to his letter of farewell. Farewell from Daniel

Marian Celebration Sunday 8th May
A service of this kind had not taken place in the parish for possibly 20 years, so it was a special occasion to see the crowning of Our Lady, Queen of the May.

Many schools have this service for the children within their grounds, so our Blessed Lady is honoured as the Mother of our Lord and our Mother.

"O Mary we crown you with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May."

Charlon took these photos:

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18-30s Group ... David Payne's Faith Cafe.... Report from group member.
On Tuesday 30th March, the Holy Innocents 18 to 30s Group held its first event, and welcomed guest speaker, David Payne, who founded and directs the Catholic Evangelisation Service. Joseph’s Hall was transformed into a café style environment to create a relaxed and welcoming environment that would encourage those who attended to learn, share their thoughts and pray together.

The talk, entitled “Life to the Full” was both thought provoking and inspiring, as David used his own personal journey in faith to illustrate how he began to develop his own relationship with God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  David divided his talk into three sections dealing with each of these relationships in turn, using a mixture of his own story, passages from the scripture and video excerpts from his Catholic Faith Exploration programme.  After each section, the group was asked a question designed to encourage us to consider our faith. The session was concluded with a moment for prayer and reflection.

It was a great start to the group’s journey in developing our understanding of our Catholic faith.

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Walk of Witness Good Friday 22nd April 2011. 
Churches Together Orpington members and others attend this walk of Witness and the service in the Walnuts afterwards. Each year a different church takes on the organising and provision of a service lasiting about 45 minutes. There have been some very illuminating ideas in recent years.If youhave any flashes of inspiration do please let Father Victor know.
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As a Churches Together initiative, A Foodbank is being set up in Tillingbourne Green. in association with the Trussell Trust.   The aim is to provide 3 days worth of food for those in crisis need.  Eg; benefit not yet received on time.  Food will be issued only to voucher holders.  These vouchers would be available from the partnership agencies with which Foodbank is co-operating.  If anyone came to the shop then they would be referred to a place where they could get the vouchers EG local care professionals..  When applying for the food, they would receive a drink of tea or coffee and a listening ear and signposting to other professionals who can help them out of their crisis. 
The shop has been given rent-free to the project for 3 years.  There is a website Foodbank Orpington and it is hoped that the Foodbank could eventually be under one banner of the Churches in Orpington.
Other Churches in Orpington are asked to become involved by joining the network and having boxes in which to collect suitable food, not perishables, and with a reasonably long sell-by date.   The shop has not yet opened as stock is needed.  It was suggested parishioners be asked to purchase another tin of something when they do their own shop and pop it into the box. 
When full the box could be dropped off at the shop or collected by the Foodbank team.
The Foodbank allows the general public to contribute to, and support local well-being in a simple practical way.
Foodbank need a Solicitor and are asking if there is anyone in the congregation of one of the Churches who would be willing to act for them.
Tel 01689 834030 for more details or email  info@orpingtonfoodbank.co.uk

Catholic Women's League (CWL) Coffee morning Friday 16th April. A group of parishioners enjoyed a cup of coffee after morning Mass and welcomed Charlon Muscat to the parish. The event was to raise money for the CWL Charities. A delicious looking cake was raffled.

 

 

 

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St Vincent de Paul Coffee morning on St George's Day Friday 23rd April raised £80, proceeds to be given 50/50 to the SVP Youth and the Church Restoration Fund. Thanks to all who came and donated.

Maundy Thursday
Taken from Father Victor’s opening remarks at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Christ gave Himself in the Gift of the Eucharist.  The oils to be used were blessed in St George’s Cathedral on Wednesday morning and their significance being that they express unity in fellowship with the Bishop and the rest of the Diocese.   In the Mass we are in union with the living and the dead and we remember and pray for those who have died and their families, including Margaret Standen who would have been very involved with preparations for Easter, and Zoe Hogan who was to have been received into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Vigil Mass this Easter.
                                                                                    Good Friday
Many Christians of all denominations attended the Walk of Witness from the Methodist Church to the market place in the Walnuts, where a service conducted by the Methodist church members, took place.
Holy Innocents’ was well represented including families and babes in prams.

Report from Branwen Jones

Walk of Witness – Friday April 2nd 2010
The good Lord certainly smiled upon this year’s CTO Walk of Witness as the predicted heavy rain did not arrive until well after the service in the Walnuts had concluded.

At 11am the crowd, including Father Victor and a good number of Holy Innocents’ parishioners, set off from the Methodist Church in Sevenoaks Road, heads high and banners aloft. On this occasion the procession was diverted along Gravel Pit Way as access to the High Street is currently hampered by road works.

The service in the Walnuts was led by Orpington Methodist Church and consisted of hymns interspersed with readings and prayers. The majority of the readings were reflections on different aspects of the cross and all it symbolises. The cross can be the junction where Heaven and Earth meet, it can be the mark we make on our ballot paper, but perhaps most significantly it is the sign of love, a kiss when we put an X on a card or letter.

However we view the cross, to all Christians it is the source of salvation. BAJ

At 3pm the Solemn afternoon Liturgy took place at Holy Innocents’, which was so well attended there was standing room only.

At 7pm Deacon Austin, took readings from St John Chrysostom and others and in between played the most beautiful music and singing...The Stabat Mater. Mesmerised for an hour, for those present it was a wonderful opportunity for meditation and prayer.

Easter Vigil Mass

A précis of Father Victor’s Homily

Ezekiel Chapter 36 encapsulates the whole theology of this prophet. 

The granting of Grace, is a gift neither earned nor deserved.

Living in a very turbulent time of the Israeli people, Ezekiel’s message still has a bearing on our lives in the present day.   In Chapter 36 Ezekiel tells of God promising deliverance and salvation.
There is a history of salvation, promised and accomplished.
God promised the prophet his people would return to their land.

The most important part of this promise is that God says :-

“I shall give you a new heart, and put a new Spirit in you;
I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies
and give you a heart of flesh instead.
I shall put My Spirit in you, and make you keep My Laws
and sincerely respect My Observances.”

We must look at things in the perspective of God.  The wind/breath/Spirit will give us strength.

This God is doing not for our sake, but for His,
and not because we have merit, as we have not merited this.

This Gift of Salvation is given... we are saved by Faith.
(St Paul was influenced by Ezekiel.)

“You shall be My people and I shall be your God.”

This is God’s Covenant with us.

We are Christians...why have we been called to be Christians
By the Grace of the Lord....not by our merit

The most important gift is Baptism.
We are Children of God...not an honorific title but a Fact.

We are called....God has chosen US and given us a covenant, but we do not deserve it.

The Spirit gives us the strength to accomplish this mission.

Welcome to Claire Teresa Josephine de Palma, Baptised and Confirmed at the Vigil....and

Melanie Elizabeth Nicholson, who was Confirmed. Both now received into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Please remember them in your prayers.
.....Claire...and.... Melanie ................... .. Claire with Fr Victor & Melanie ......

.. ..Melanie with sponsor Janet Welch

 

 

 

 

 

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God mother Lisa with Claire *******************************************************************************************

2. Rev Father, Abbott Laurence O'Keefe OSB: Meditation on Luke's Gospel 22: 14-23:56
Palm Sunday Reading.
On the evening of Friday 26th March Holy Innocents’ welcomed the Rt Rev Laurence O'Keefe OSB, Abbott.
For the next hour and a half the many parishioners present were spellbound by his explanation of this Gospel of Luke, which begins with the last Supper, tells of the events up to and including the death of Jesus on the cross and ends on the Sabbath day when the women rested after preparing the spices and ointments.
A Parishioner first read out passages and then Fr Laurence compared Luke's account with that of the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark. (These are known as the Synoptic Gospels because they include many of the same stories, often in the same sequence, and sometimes the exact same wording.)

Rev Laurence said Luke often referred to Jesus choosing mealtimes to perform miracles and talk in parables. As Luke was a doctor, references to sickness and healing were often present but not in the other synoptic Gospels. As each passage was read and then commented on, Fr Laurence enthused all present with his knowledge of the customs of the time, which led to an illuminating interpretation of this Gospel, which clearly emphasised love and forgiveness.
For example:-
Jesus, when foretelling of Peter’s betrayal had said, “Once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers”.    Jesus was present when Peter denied knowing Him for the third time and Jesus looked at Peter in forgiveness. 
There was so much to be learnt from Fr Laurence, that these few lines cannot do him justice. Cjs.

Wayne Du Preez's Mind map (in PDF) of the meditation containing notes on Fr. Laurence's explanations.

I am delighted to report that Father Victor has arranged for Fr Laurence to return in Advent to give us the benefit of his great knowledge and oratory. Cecilia Skudder. (Cjs)***********************************************
Jean Treloar receives the Bene Merenti Medal for 50yrs of service to the Church

On Sunday 7th March 2010
Jean Treloar was presented with the Bene Merenti medal by Bishop Paul Hendricks at Holy Innocents' Church on Sunday, 7th March 2010.

Her service to the Church in Orpington and Farnborough has spanned many decades - she qualified as a catechist over fifty years ago and is still involved in co-ordinating the RCIA programme. She is the parish organist and has conducted the choir since 1975. She is also much involved in ecumenism.

Fr Paul Fennessy, parish priest of St Michael and All Angels, Farnborough, was also present to give Jean his congratulations and gratitude.

Music Adores & Praises, Music Inspires, Music gives Thanks and Music Celebrates.

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Churches Together Orpington (CTO):- Service for Week of Christian Unity held at Green Street Green Baptist Church Sunday 24th January

Report by: Cecilia Skudder, Holy Innocent's CTO committee member and just appointed parish representative on the Southwark Diocesan Ecumenical Committee.
Editor of Parish web-site

Parishioners from many churches attended this very charismatic service.
Rousing hymns and sincere prayers for all the projects mentioned were a part of the evening.
It was a joy to be part of this gathering, which acknowledged our unified commitment to Christianity.

Ray Bell from Street Pastors spoke about the work of patrolling the streets of Orpington on Friday nights reaching out in Jesus' name to the homeless and underprivileged, drug addicts and alcohol abusers and other needy on the streets.
Not an enviable task!
Three more people have joined their ranks and these were commissioned, with each giving witness as to how they came to the decision to become street pastors.
Each a gave a wonderful inspiring testimony.
Ray Bell is to be invited to speak at Holy Innocents' about this ministry.

Peter Honour gave a powerpoint presentation about Healing Our Land.
The erosion of so many Christian values needs to be addressed, and the people of our land learn that Jesus Christ is their Saviour.
Follow the link to learn more. Heal Our Land

Andrea Minichiello Williams, a barrister from Christian Concern for Our nation (CCFON) Christian Concern for Our Nation ....follow link for more information.

"The United kingdom has traditionally been seen as a Christian nation. but the traditions, freedoms and respect for the Christian faith is being eroded from our land at a speed never seen before.
Christian Concern For Our Nation is empowering Christians and Churches to speak out in the public arena.

Andrea, wife, mother of four, a cancer survivor, and a barrister working for CCFON had the congregation enthralled with her rhetoric, which was both unnerving and stimluating. Since the abortion act in 1967 the deterioration in the sanctity of life has led to further legislation which is destroying so many Christian values.

Andrea spoke of the practice creeping in of 'screening' out babies with the breast cancer gene and said she herself could have been "screened out!"
The road to euthanasia was being urged by many factions.

The Christian Legal Centre supports, advises and, where necessary, takes legal action in order to defend the right to speak biblical truth in the public arena.
Christian Legal Centre Follow link for more.

"It is becoming increasingly difficult for Christians to stand for truth when laws and policies are introduced which are incompatible with biblical teaching.

The Christian Legal Centre has been formed in order to focus on areas where the freedom to speak and live in accordance with truth is being challenged. The Centre will enable Christians to defend their freedom to uphold and promote biblical standards.

Andrea Williams directs the Christian Legal Centre. Andrea has been closely involved with a number of cases where Christians have defended their right to speak biblical truth. The Centre will refer cases to Christian lawyers who will support individuals throughout each stage of the legal process.

The Christian Legal Centre is also an information portal which will provide up to date information on cases and details of how new laws will affect Christians.

So far we have supported many Christians including a Christian minister attacked by Muslims on his way to broadcast a radio Gospel show, a Christian nurse facing the sack for offering to pray for a patient and a Christian employee who was suspended for answering questions about his faith at work. We have successfully challenged local councils trying to force Christian foster carers to promote a homosexual lifestyle to the children in their care."

Clients are not charged for legal representation so please consider donating.

Andrea can be contacted on:07712591164

Andrea's teenage daughter was shown on screen accompanying herself on piano singing a song she had composed and written.
It was a plea from an unborn baby being aborted.
It was moving, tragic, yet beautiful.

Roger Fane celebrates 25 years as an Altar Server at Holy Innocents'......

...scroll down for more.....

Friday 6th November saw Roger Fane celebrate his Siver Jubilee as an Altar server.


Canon John Macnamara and Father Barry Angus returned to Holy Innocents' to concelebrate Mass.

 

A group of parishioners enjoyed a convivial evening after Mass with refreshments provided.
Congratulations to Roger.
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Fr John Biju hailed from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.  He had spent a year at Holy Innocents’ Church as a curate and cared for the parish alone for a short while when the Parish Priest moved on, until Fr Victor came to the parish in September 2008.  Fr John was moved to St George’s Cathedral, Southwark during the summer of 2009.    Fr John returned to the parish once more on 10th October to receive the gift from Holy Innocents’ parishioners of a little over £2,100.  This gift was in appreciation of the pastoral care and friendship Fr. John had so freely given to all.
 Well attended, the evening was most enjoyable and parishioners had the opportunity to thank Father and to say goodbye.  He is wished well in his new parish.
Thank you to Parishioners who provided refreshments
Farewell Fr Biju and thank you

Bud Colburn 1917 - 2004

A beautiful sunny evening on Saturday September 4th saw a 5pm Thanksgiving Mass to celebrate the life of the late Bud Colburn at St. Katherine's Church, Knockholt. Bud had been responsible with the Vicar of St.Katherine's for the introduction of Catholic Masses in the Anglican parish church and Canon John Watts commented aptly on Bud's involvement to a packed congregation. Many Holy Innocents' parishioners attended, as well as Bud's friends and relatives from many miles around. He will be missed by many of us. (AJ)

Priests at Holy Innocents since 1893

Read the informative Origin of Our Parish. You may well be surprised by the Canadian connection. Or look at the names of those priests that have served the parish of Holy Innocents since 1893 - and let the names bring back those memories! If you have information or photos on Holy Innocents' priests please contact the Editor.

Photo Appeal

Photos of Priests: Please can you help? We are planning to publish a feature detailing all the priests who have served at Holy Innocents. Do you have any photos of them which we can borrow for a few days? Please contact the Editor.

Photos of the Sick: Do you have photos of anyone named on the Parish sicklist? We would like to help parishioners identify those for whom we pray. Please contact the Editor.