Holy Angels

Introduction

Holy Angels church in Ash was originally dedicated in 1934 as St Michael's and all Angels. The church was blessed and opened on 2nd December 1934 by Bishop Amigo of Southwark. The church is built of stone in the shape of a Latin cross. The church was consecrated on 8th July 1959, being free from debt.

History

In 1927 Father Dudley of the Southwark Catholic Mission established a Mission at Normandy with five Sunday Masses in the first year. In 1931 a building fund was launched at the instigation of Canon O'Farrell of Aldershot. The two separate Missions of Normandy and Ash were formally established as one parish in 1934 when the new church at Ash was opened. The church was transferred to the new diocese of Arundel and Brighton on 28th May 1965.

The church underwent a major renovation in 2007 when St Mary's Hall was built as an extension to the church. In 2007 the funds raised from the sale of the church site were re-invested in the pastoral care of local parishioners with the building of Saint Mary’s Hall at Holy Angels, Ash.

Architecture and furnishings

The statue of Our Lady in the North transept was made at a convent in France. The mediaeval font was carved in stone in 1898 for St Dunstan's Church, Woking and rehoused in the church at Ash. The 14 small sculptures around the Church represent The Way of the Cross. The Statue of Jesus on the right-hand side of the Altar is known as the Sacred or compassionate Heart of Jesus. The Statue of Mary the Mother of Jesus came from France and replaced an older one.

Music and liturgy

Children gather at the altar during the first hymn and receive the priest's blessing before processing to the St Mary's room. The youth group sang unaccompanied at a Songs of Praise event in Farnham on 26th January 2014, having learnt the song only two weeks previously.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish runs baptism evenings every few weeks to explain the sacrament and its obligations. Children aged 7 or older are treated as young adults and prepared for baptism through a First Holy Communion or Confirmation course. Adults seeking baptism are directed to speak to the parish priest about RCIA.

The parish asks couples to book their wedding at least a year in advance. A Catholic living in the parish of Holy Angels or Holy Family who is free to marry may marry at Holy Angels.

Sunday Masses at Holy Angels are live-streamed on the parish YouTube channel for housebound parishioners. Non-Catholics can register as a 'friend of the Church' and join in the spiritual and social life of the parish, but cannot receive Holy Communion. The parish newsletter is published on the website on a Friday in time for the Sunday Mass.

Visiting

The parish runs a Parish 100 Club. The gift shop at Holy Angels is always open, with payment left in a money box. Visitors are welcome to light a candle as a symbol of prayer for themselves or someone they care about.