Saint Anselm

Music and liturgy

The priest's house at Saint Anselm's was built in 1955. Readers proclaim the word of God at all masses, with training provided and a three-month rota. Altar servers assist the priest during mass; adults and children who have made their First Holy Communion are welcome.

In each of the three parish churches, children of school age may take part in their own liturgy; during term time children aged 4 to 8 leave Mass to explore the readings in small groups. First Communion masses take place at all three churches of the parish in early May. At Christmas, children at all three churches take part in short Nativity celebrations before the Christmas masses.

Parish life

The Ecumenical Group leads the parish in sharing Christian life with other Christians in the community. Parishioners take part in Walks of Witness on Good Friday, Lent Lunches, Stations of the Cross and services in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The parish holds an annual Taizé Service in Haslemere. The parish holds an annual Lent lunch and other activities as part of Chiddingfold's 'Joint Churches' initiative.

Coffee is served at all mass locations in the parish after Sunday Mass. Parish lunches take place in the parish hall on a Sunday approximately every two months. The Senior's tea party takes place once a month, open to all but especially appreciated by senior parishioners. The All Parish Quiz Night is typically held once a year.

The parish holds an annual children's Christmas party. The parish holds an annual Anointing of the Sick Mass.

The parish provides bereavement support by trained individuals. The parish arranges for Holy Communion to be brought regularly to those no longer able to get to Mass.

The parish holds curry nights to raise money for a parish in need in India. The churches are kept clean by a dedicated team of volunteer cleaners on a rota basis. A team of flower arrangers across the parish creates and maintains church flower arrangements, coordinated through a rota. A year after the priest's house was built, Michael Lindsey-Clark designed and carved the statue of Our Lady and the Holy Child.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Preparation for baptism takes place in small sessions, usually one Saturday afternoon and one Thursday evening, run a few times a year. Baptisms are celebrated on a Sunday at St Anselm's church, occasionally during Mass.

Preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion takes place over nine months with sessions for parents. The Diocese requires couples to contact the parish 12 months before a wedding to begin preparation and complete paperwork.

Wedding preparation includes meetings with the Parish Priest to discuss the service, preparation course, paperwork, fees and date, and to agree readings and hymns. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick can be arranged by appointment with the parish priest.