JUBILEE MASS - 22 January 2012
 

Our Church enjoyed a weekend of celebrations in January.  On 22^nd we officially acknowledged our Golden Jubilee and recent renovations to mark this occasion.  Bishop Kieran celebrated a special Mass, which was followed by a lunchtime gathering in the parish rooms, where everyone bought snacks to share.  This weekend also coincided with Fr Benny’s return after his hip operation and Fr Seamus Hester’s farewell, who stood in for him in his absence.  During the Mass, 17 personalised framed pictures of the Church were presented to our parishioners who were part of the Church when it was founded in 1961. The Bishop cut a huge cake with parishioners of all ages.  He pointed out to the younger of his helpers that in 50 years time they too may be celebrating a 100 years of the Church of the Holy Name Esher!

 

PARISH MISSION 7-20 May 2011
We were very fortunate to have Fr Tim Buckley with us for two weeks in May to lead the Parish in a Mission.  He held a series of talks, with different focuses.  The first week focused on the Bible and the second week on our faith and our Sacraments - A time for Everything.  Included in this week was a pizza evening for the young people preparing for their Confirmation followed by a service for reconciliation.  We had a service which was called a "Time for Healing" and also a special morning Mass that day for the sick. 


The two weeks closed with a party when parishioners bought food and we said a fond farewell to Fr Tim.  Below are a few comments from parishioners about what the Mission meant to them:

 

“I was fortunate enough to be able to attend every day . Each meeting made me think on a lot deeper level than I had done before. I found Father Tim to be a very open and warm person who managed, with his stories, to appeal to all generations.  I enjoyed the 2 weeks immensely and think that if this or, something similar, could be done in the future it would be a great asset to our Parish”

“It was very inspirational and gripping the way Fr. Tim talked about the old and new Testament and the various ways of how to believe and practice our religion. It was a great joy to listen to him and it opened my Heart and Mind even more ! .....so a big thanks from me...”  

"For me there were two moments I'd like to remember: - 1) when Fr. Tim asked "If you are going to start a story of your life where would you begin?" In my case that was an introduction to God's love and forgiveness; and -  2) when he has described Fr. Pierre's "recipe" for life "wonder and astonishment over the simple things, when you are falling in love with life and simple things in life, praising His work, all the time".  Faith, God and our experience of life can be that simple... 

 

 

RACE NIGHT - 14th May 2011
Thanks to all who supported another successful Race Night, put on by Fr Benny and the Social Committee.  We raised just over £950 which will go towards the renovation work being done in the church later this year.  See some photos below:

EASTER 2011
Our church had a busy schedule over Lent and Easter.  We had discussion groups on the Triduum, Local Churches Together weekly prayer groups and Lenten Soup lunches each Friday.  Thank you to our fabulous choir who were present all Masses from Holy Thursday (where some of our Confirmation group came to have their feet washed), Good Friday for The Passion and both the Easter Vigil on Saturday and the Family Mass on Easter Sunday morning (followed by an Egg Hunt in the Parish Gardens!) The Blessing of the Easter baskets is an East European tradition which many of our parishioners and their friends could come along and celebrate.  Two of our parishioners – Anne Lawrence and Sarah Ross – were received in the Church Easter Vigil.     Thank you to all volunteers in the church who helped to make Easter special for all our parishioners to enjoy – sacristans, flowers, altar servers, readers, welcomers, cleaners …

ST PATRICK'S DAY LUNCH - 17th March 2011
Another great lunch was delivered by our team of "Lunch Club Ladies" pictured below in the parish rooms kitchen, who served a wonderful bacon & cabbage lunch for over 50 people.  Thank you also to Iwona for providing the musical entertainment and to our after-lunch speaker, Penny Rainbow, author of "The Tower of Esher" who gave a fascinating talk about the history of Wayneflete Tower.  A great occasion which always attracts the Irish and lepricorns (also pictured below) of our Parish community!!

 

PARISH QUIZ NIGHT - 9th October
60 parishioners joined teams in a rather competitive, but always successful, Quiz Night.  We are lucky to have chefs and quiz masters among our congregation.   

PARISH GOLF DAY - 4th October
Father Benny, the Princess Alice Hospice and Surbiton Golf Club put their skills together to organised the first ever Parish Golf Day at the Church of the Holy Name.  Some 128 parishioners and friends came along for a round of golf and luxury buffet to support the Hospice in celebration of their 25th anniversary.  The entry fees, raffle and sponsorship raised a fantastic £7,000 for the Princess Alice Hospice.


PAPAL VISIT - 18th & 19th September
When Pope Benedict XVI visited the UK in September, 56 of our parishioners visited Hyde Park and 13 travelled overnight to Birmingham to witness the Beatification of John Henry Newman. The visit as a whole was deemed a great success.  All who attended both events, from all over the diocese had a fantastic, very uplifting experience.  Here are some photos of our group leaving from Claygate Station.
 

 

 

SILLY HAT WINE TASTING EVENING - 17th September
Our Justice and Peace Committee held a very successful wine tasting evening in support of the Mother of Peace Orphanage  in South Africa on Friday 17th September.  Guests were asked to wear silly hats in addition to playing "guess the wine" tests laid on by the organisers!   The evening raised £500 for the "Work of the Sisters of Mercy in Mukuru" in Kenya.  Here are some photos:

 

 

 

PARISH PICNIC - Sunday 25th July 2010
Some photos of our parish picnic.

 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - Sunday 13th June 2010

We enjoyed a wonderful First Holy Communion service on Sunday 13th June.  Our thanks to all those who made it so special - Nicola Williams who ran the programme so efficiently, and her catechists Nina Brenninkmeijer, Caroline Andrews and Aileen Madden.  Also thanks to the choir, the sacristans, the ushers, the welcomers, flower ladies, car park attendants and all other parent volunteers from this year and last year.  All 22 children returned the following week in their beautiful attire to receive candles and enjoy a celebratory cake.

ST PATRICK'S DAY LUNCH - 17th March 2010

Some photos from our recent St Patrick's Day Lunch.  Much of our Irish contingent attended this special lunch.  The menu of Irish Stew and other delights were well received - thank you once again to Sue Lown and her team.  Thank you also to Iwona for leading the singsong of many of the Irish songs!

 

 

 

 

 

CHOIR CURRY NIGHT - 26th February 2010
 

The Church choir recently got together for an evening of song and oriental flavour in the Parish Rooms.  Our choir, which sings at the 9.30am Sunday Mass is now exceeding 50 in members and we are so lucky to worship with them on a Sunday morning.  Iwona, its leader is pictured with them above leading a chorus of "Halleluia"!

PANCAKE DAY  - 16th February 2010

Shrove Tuesday was conveniently during half term this year so parishioners of all ages gathered after Mass to enjoy pancakes cooked by Jan Woolhead (pictured below) to celebrate the end of "Carnivales". Jan did a great job tossing the pancakes - apart from the one which landed on the handle!