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Guildford Deanery’s 15 churches and Mass centres were inaugurated as Guildford Catholic Parish on Saturday 29 November, with Mass at St Joseph’s, Guildford, celebrated by Bishop Richard Moth and priests, deacons and people from across the new parish.

Bishop Richard published a new Pastoral Plan for the Diocese, The Word Who is Life in January 2024. The Plan marks an important new stage in the development of mission, with the 11 deaneries of the Diocese becoming 11 new parishes. Guildford is the first deanery in Surrey to become a single parish in the joint care of a group of priests. Speaking during the homily, Bishop Richard highlighted the importance of bringing the “joy of the Kingdom”to a divided world. Reflecting on the growth of the local Church and the significance of the new parish, he said:

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“We see many fresh shoots of faith across the diocese; our schools carry out a wonderful mission with our young people, enabling them to take their place in the world as disciples. Our communities are seeing new growth as more people are finding their way to the welcome of Christ’s love in His Church.

“Today’s coming together of the new Parish of Guildford brings us closer together in the wonderful adventure of the Gospel. May this parish truly be a welcoming Catholic community of prayer, formation and mission, where Jesus Christ, the Word Who is Life, is encountered, where all can grow in holiness and bear witness in their lives – calling all to conversion, to the joy and life of the Kingdom.”

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Fr Jonathan How thanked the Benedictine and Franciscan religious congregations living in Chilworth and Godalming, for their prayers, and highlighted the vital role of Catholic primary and secondary schools in the rich life of faith across the parish. Reflecting on new opportunities for faith formation and mission across the community of communities, he said:

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“The Holy Spirit seems to be guiding us into something quite prophetic - a more profound listening to one another and a deeper communion of life and mission with Jesus Christ, the Word Who is Life, at its heart.”

“Moving from a deanery community to a new parish will create a renewed focus on prayer, formation and mission, with opportunities for the churches of Ash & Heath End, Cranleigh & Bramley, Farnham, Godalming, Guildford, Haslemere, Hindhead & Chiddingfold to work together, to further the life and mission of the Church in Surrey.”

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Weybridge Deanery will form a new parish on Sunday 7 December, with the remaining deaneries in the Diocese becoming parishes in due course.

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Many thanks to Harry Robertson for taking photographs of the Mass, you can view the album here.

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