‍Bishop Richard Moth celebrated Mass for the inauguration of the new Parish of Weybridge at Christ the Prince of Peace Church, Weybridge, on 7 December, the Second Sunday of Advent. Bishop Richard issued a new Pastoral Plan for the Diocese The Word Who is Life: The Call to Mission in January 2024 and as part of that Plan, each of our 11 deanery communities is forming a new parish "community of communities". The new Parish of Weybridge is comprised of 15 communities in Weybridge, Addlestone, Chertsey, Englefield Green, Esher & Thames Ditton, Molesey & Hersham and Walton-on-Thames.‍

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Dear brothers and sisters,

On this second Sunday of Advent, we are, as it were, introduced to St John the Baptist. We have heard this Gospel before, of course. We may feel that we already know about this remarkable and rather extraordinary man. I invite you, however, to reflect on today’s Gospel – and the other readings also – as if you have heard them, this evening, for the first time. My reason for saying this is that John the Baptist has something very important to teach us about our mission as Church, as a diocese and as the new parish that is being inaugurated today.

John the Baptist’s message is very clear: “Repent. The Kingdom of God is at hand.” This is the task the Lord Himself has given to the Church. We are called to announce to the world that there is a new way to live, a new way to be. This new way – the way of Christ – calls for conversion – repentance – and a complete openness to the Christ, who is our King.

John’s call to the people of Israel was not about “end-of-the-world doom mongering” – no, it was a call to be ready for the One whose public ministry was about to begin – Jesus, the Christ, the One whom John would soon baptise, and on Whom the Spirit would descend, the One in Whom the Father is well pleased. Jesus is the One Who, through His Death and Resurrection, would bring about the new Kingdom – of which we are a part.

Surely, as followers of Christ, we must have something of the John the Baptist about us – perhaps not his dress sense or his diet – but we are called to be a prophetic people.

The inauguration of this new parish this evening is a moment for us all to reflect on the mission we have been given. It is a mission that relies on conversion. So, as individuals and as communities making up this new parish, let us put behind us anything that would keep us from Christ. This journey of conversion will open for us a renewed experience of prayer. It will bring about in us a renewed thirst for formation, a deeper understanding of the Gospel that the Lord calls us – each in our different ways – to proclaim. This conversion will ready us for a renewed mission that will carry greater impact as the communities of this new parish journey together, share gifts and strengths, proclaiming together the wonder of Christ’s Kingdom.

In this mission, we are guided by the Spirit – the Spirit Whom Isaiah tells us would be present in the Messiah, the Spirit Jesus sent to the Church at Pentecost. At our Confirmation we receive those gifts about which Isaiah speaks – wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord – so we need not fear in the mission that lies ahead. We carry out this mission in union with the whole Church, in communion with the successor of Peter and with our brothers and sisters across the world. This mission is the most wonderful adventure.

The vision of harmony that Isaiah proclaims is not some wishful thinking, even though our present world situation may suggest otherwise. Christ comes for all humanity, as St Paul tells the Romans in today’s second reading. With Paul, it is Christ’s Kingdom we proclaim.

Today’s inauguration of the new parish of Weybridge brings us closer together in our mission. May the unity and harmony that exists in our communities, growing ever more closely together in prayer, formation and, be an irresistible witness and invitation to a sharing in the wonder, the joy and the peace that is the Kingdom of Christ.