Parish News

Our Holy Family Church Fantasy Premier League (FPL) mini-league is now open for the new season! How to join 1 . Go to the Fantasy Premier League website or download the FPL app. 2 . Register using your email address and create an account. 3. Log in and create your Fantasy Premier League team by following the instructions. 4 . Once your team is set up, go to “Leagues & Cups”. 5. Select “Join a League” and then “Join a Private League”. 6 . Enter our league code: 8dljjf 7 . That’s it! You’ll be added to the Holy Family Church mini-league. Entry fee: minimum £2. The entry fee will go towards helping the hungry in Sudan. Need a hand? If you’re not sure how to set up your team, don’t worry! Nik and Amit will be available to help you after Mass in the café. Come along and they will help you get your team set up and join the league. Everyone is welcome — all ages can take part!  It’s just a bit of fun and a great way to stay connected throughout the football season.

How do we pray? How do we build a better, more fulfilling relationship with God? You are warmly invited to join an experiential programme called Teach Us to Pray facilitated by Southwark Diocesan Spirituality Commission. The programme will be online on Tuesdays, starting 6th October from 7pm to 8.15pm. Following 4 online sessions, there is an invitation to conclude the programme with an in-person Reflection Day in a Diocesan Retreat Centre on 5th or 12th December. There is no commitment to attend all sessions – join us whenever you can. For details/ to sign up see https://aecsouthwark.churchsuite.com/events/tnpn4hqd or email for further information spirituality@rcaos.org.uk

On Sunday 7th February 2027, Bishop Gerard will be joining us for our 10.30am holy Mass. During that holy Mass, Bishop Gerard will celebrate the great Sacrament of Confirmation for us. Please would anyone who has not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation in her or his life, speak with me. This is a great opportunity to receive the gifts of God’s Holy Spirit in this Sacrament. The Holy Spirit comes upon us to give us gifts, like Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Self-Control, Perseverance, Wisdom, Generosity, Humility and Courage and many more. These are the gifts that we all need to live real, adult, mature lives of Faith in this world. We will shortly begin a series of meetings to help those who will be preparing to receive this Sacrament. Please let know in the next few weeks if you would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday 7th February next year, when Bishop Gerard visits us.

We will soon be using the Olde Forge cottage for Retreats. People who wish to spend a few days in quiet and stillness, to understand themselves better and to deepen their relationship with God, will live in the cottage. The cottage is self-contained. Each day, I will meet with the person ‘on retreat’ for counselling and direction. You might well see somebody new at holy Mass on weekdays. Please don’t try to engage with them in conversation. An extended experience of silence is a part of the ‘Retreat.’

Wed: Jim Thu: David  Fri: Collette

Please renew or sign up for Gift Aid. Thank you to everyone who has already done so. Please use the QR you will find on this Newsletter. Any difficulties, please let me know. Gift Aid enables us to claim an extra 2 5p for every £1 you give, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your generosity in support of your parish. 

SEPTEMBER 5/6: 5pm David; 10.30am Gerry 12/13: 5pm Maggie; 10.30am Mutsa 19/20: 5pm Paul; 10.30am Lisa 26/27: 5pm Phil; 10.30am Mutsa

Lisa, for the gift of a Cross  Mike, for personal kindness

AUGUST  29/30: 5pm Simone; 10.30am Lesley, Jim, Lisa(H) SEPTEMBER 5/6: 5pm Paul Donovan; 10.30am Gaberielle, Regina, Giannina(H) 12/13: 5pm Patrick; 10.30am Paul Mould, Lizzie, Lorenza(H) 19/20: 5pm Patricia; 10.30am Ross, David, Maggie(H) 26/27: 5pm Marian; 10.30am Jim, Angela, Lesley(H) Thank you to our wonderful Ministers of the Eucharist who have accepted the Lord’s invitation to this awesome, sacred ministry, by their willingness to give up their own plans and convenience in order to do God’s will rather than their own. Let us pray for them because they too fight the same personal weaknesses we all have to fight against and they too have to fight the same temptations we all have to fight. God be with them.

I would like to make you aware of a new type of scam that is now targeting individuals within our parish communities through WhatsApp. Cyber criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing videos, voice messages and written communications while impersonating members of the clergy. Their aim is to deceive unsuspecting individuals into believing they are communicating with a priest, bishop, or other Parish representative before requesting money or donations. • Never assume that a WhatsApp message or video is genuine simply because it appears to come from a member of the clergy. • Never send money, gift cards or bank details in response to unsolicited requests received via WhatsApp or other messaging platforms. • Always verify the identity of the sender by contacting the priest or parish directly using a known telephone number or official email address before responding to any request. • Report any suspicious messages and the phone numbers to Action Fraud https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/.

All our wonderful Hosts and Baker/Providers for all their great efforts to promote our Evangelisation Cafe, ‘The Olde Forge’ Cafe.  Please read the Newsletter and check when is your turn to host or to bake or provide cakes. If you are a parishioner but are not yet practically involved in the Evangelisation Cafe, please speak with me.