Most people I have met and mentioned the patron saint of our parish, St. Elphege, almost always say they have never heard of him. I personally never heard of him until I came to serve in a nearby parish, St Margaret of Scotland Parish, Carshalton Beeches, in 2016. I have decided to write a brief note on WHO WAS ST. ELPHEGE so that we, and those visiting our website can get to know about our Patron Saint.
Elphege was born in the year 954, of a noble Saxon family in Weston, Somerset. He became a Benedictine monk at Deerhurst Monastery in Gloucestershire, England at a young age. After few years there, he left to become a hermit at Bath where he later became the Abbot. He was reputed for his piety and sanctity of life. As an abbot, he enforced strict rule to enhance deep spiritual growth and fraternal life. He was appointed Bishop of Winchester in 984 at the age of 30. As a bishop he was noted for his love of the poor for whom he devoted his time and services in extraordinary ways.
In 1006, he was elevated to the rank of archbishop and served as the Archbishop of Canterbury. He furthered the cult of Dunstan and encouraged learning. In September 1011, during the siege of Canterbury by the Vikings, Elphege was captured. On April 11 the following year, his captors, in a drunken spree, and in anger that their ransom
had not been paid, pelted him with oxen bones and killed him with an axe.
His body was kept at St. Paul’s Church in London for 11 years. It was later transferred at the order of King Canute to Canterbury Cathedral, his final resting place. Elphege was canonised as a saint in 1078 by Pope Gregory VII. He is a Martyr, whose feast day is celebrated on April 11. In art, St. Elphege is often represented with an axe, a reminder of the instrument with which he was struck dead. He is the patron of kidnapped victims, Greenwich, and Solihull.
May we be challenged by the courage of St. Elphege to live out our calling fearlessly. May we be richly blessed by his intercession. St. Elphege, pray for us.
FR. PATRICK UDOTAI
Parochial Administrator
With acknowledgement: (https://catholicexchange.com/st-elphege-martyr; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86lfheah_of_Canterbury)
A SHORT HISTORY OF OUR PARISH 1908-2020
In 1908, fewer than a hundred parishioners lived in Wallington and Stafford Road was surrounded by lavender fields. The building of the first church, now the Parish Centre, was funded by Miss Florence Ellis, a wealthy heiress who paid for many churches in South London.
Why St Elphege? The martyred Archbishop of Canterbury had been Bishop of Winchester and St Mary’s church Beddington was in his diocese so he probably visited our area over a thousand years ago.
The parish grew and a school was opened in 1928 in Castlemead, a large house next to the church. Later, the school was moved to Ross Road but closed in 1954. The fifties was a time of change and growth. Fr Charles Ward arrived in 1950 and enlarged the church, encouraged the growth of parish organisations and social life. A flourishing scout group, youth club, UCM and SVP met in Castlemead which became the parish centre.
It was during Fr John Mulholland’s time that major building work was completed. A new school was built in 1969 in Mollison Drive; it now has a thriving three form entry with outstanding inspections. The present church and presbytery were built in the 70s and the old church was converted into a parish centre. Fr Mulholland encouraged parish life by establishing a pastoral council, family study groups, and welcome evenings for new parishioners. There were now about a thousand parishioners.
Fr Paul Hough came as a curate in the 60s and returned as parish priest in the 80s remaining until 2020. He welcomed visiting priests especially from Poland and Fr Stephen Danso from Ghana who remained for many years as an assistant priest. During these years, the parish became a remarkably diverse congregation with parishioners from all over the world. The school reflected this and we have heard different languages used in the bidding prayers in special Masses. Over the last few years, four parishioners have been ordained as secular priests serving in the diocese, and a fifth member is soon to be ordained. Parishioners have taken part in ecumenical activities such as the yearly prayer week for Christian unity and the Good Friday walk. The Sutton Deanery has welcomed a Syrian family in response to Pope Francis call and our parish has been in the forefront. Fr Hough retired in January 2020 and we welcomed Fr Patrick Udotai.
Written by Jackie McLoughlin MBE
OUR PARISH pRIESTS
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PARISH PRIEST
Rev. Fr. Patrick Dominic Udotai, born 30th March, 1966; ordained a priest of the Diocese of Uyo – Nigeria, on May 29th, 1993; been a parish priest in many parishes in his home diocese; served as a fidei donum priest in two dioceses in Nigeria – Ibadan and Ogoja; has Bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Theology from Ss. Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija – Ibadan; and a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan – Nigeria; has Certificates in Conflict Transformation across Cultures from School of International Studies (CONTACT), Brattleboro – USA; in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) from Indiana University Health, Indianapolis – USA; and in Catholic Social Teaching from Catholic University of America, Washington DC.
Fr. Patrick also served as the Bishop’s Secretary, Diocesan Chancellor and a member of Catholic Think –Tank Committee on Conflict Resolution for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.
Fr. Patrick is currently on pastoral mission in the Archdiocese of Southwark, where he has served as an assistant priest in St. Justus Parish, Paddock Wood (June 2015 – April 2016), Parochial Administrator of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Carshalton Beeches (April 2016 – January 2020); and currently the Parochial Administrator of St. Elphege’s Catholic Church, Wallington.
My prayer is: Almighty Father, I only wish to be known and called a priest. Therefore, make me nothing but a fragrance of Christ, Your Son, so that everyone who encounters me may perceive and be touched by the scent of Your Son’s love (cf. 2 Corinthians 2: 15).
Assistant Priest
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ASSISTANT PARISH PRIEST
I am Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Wilfred Odo from the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka Nigeria. I was ordained priest on 8th August 1992 (today is my 32nd priestly anniversary). I studied Canon Law at Gregorian University Rome. And in my Diocese of Nsukka Nigeria, I have served for many years as Parish Priest, Judicial Vicar, Tribunal Chairman and Judge and Lecturer of Canon Law in the Spiritan International School of Theology Attakwu Enugu Nigeria.”
meet the parish groups
Legion of Mary
Leaders:
Amanda Hill and Terence Pereira
Everyone is welcome to join the bible reading team especially the young adults who have been confirmed.
Alter-Servers
Leaders:
Benedict Uzor and Terrence Davy
The key role of an altar server is to assist the Priest on the sanctuary and help the Mass run smoothly. As a requirement, to join the team one must make his/her First Holy Communion.
Please download, complete the enclosed form and return or email it to the parish office.
Legion of Mary
President:
Dr. Stacy John-Legere
What is the Legion of Mary?
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries.
The Seniors: Our Lady Queen of Apostle
Meetings on Tuesdays at 1:30 pm promptly in the Parish Hall.
The Juniors: Our Lady of Fatima
Tuesday’s at 3:30pm promptly in the Parish Hall (Rosary at 4:10 pm).
PLEASE VISIT THE LEGION OF MARY WEBSITE for more information.
The Union of catholic mothers
Leader:
Ann Farrelly
In the history of the Catholic Church, women have played a variety of roles and these benefits have affected societal attitudes to women worldwide in significant ways. Catholic Mothers exist to assist to assist women in bringing up their families in the Catholic faith and supporting the idea of marriage and family life.
Meetings are held on the first & third Mondays of the Month at 1.30 pm in the Wardroom. You are warmly welcomed to join.
Eucharistic Ministers
The Office of the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EME) or Eucharistic Ministers (EM) exists in the Church by the fact of these Canons:
Can. 230 §3. When the need of the Church warrants it and ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply certain of their duties, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside over liturgical prayers, to confer baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion, according to the prescripts of the law.
Can. 910 §1. The ordinary minister of holy communion is a bishop, presbyter, or deacon.
2. The extraordinary minister of holy communion is an acolyte or another member of the Christian faithful designated according to the norm of can. 230, §3.
From the above norms, the Office of the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EME) or Eucharistic Ministers (EM) in the Church, out of necessity, assist the priest in taking Holy Communion to the sick in the parish. The parish has dedicated number of EME/EM who visit the sick and home bound parishioners every Friday or as arranged between the sick/family and the Parish Office.
The activities of the EME/EM are coordinated from the Parish office. Members are recruited via request by the Parish Priest and undergo a course/training before commissioning by the Bishop of the Archdiocese in the Cathedral or any other suitable venue. They also assist the priest at the distribution of Holy Communion during Mass, especially at the weekends.
Parishioners who may have the need for the services of the EME/EM should contact the Parish Office for arrangements.