St. Theresa of Avila

Introduction

The Church of St Teresa of Avila, in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, was opened in Woodside Road, Chiddingfold on 15th October 1959. Before the church was built, Mass was celebrated in the Girl Guides hut in Chiddingfold by Josephite priests from Barrow Hills at Witley.

Music and liturgy

Welcomers distribute hymn and prayer booklets and manage collection baskets at Mass. Readers proclaim the word of God at all masses, with training provided and a three-month rota. Altar servers assist the priest during Mass, and adults and children who have made their First Holy Communion may serve.

Children of school age may take part in their own liturgy during Sunday Mass at each of the three parish churches. During school term time, children aged 4 to 8 leave Mass to explore the readings of the day in a small group session. At Christmas, children at all three churches take part in short Nativity celebrations before the Christmas masses. Preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion takes place over nine months through a combination of desk-based learning, activities and services. First Communion masses take place at all three churches of the Parish in early May.

Parish life

The Ecumenical Group leads the Parish in sharing Christian life with other Christians in the community, acknowledging each tradition and rejoicing in common faith. Parishioners participate in traditional ecumenical events including Walks of Witness on Good Friday, Lent Lunches, Stations of the Cross and services in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. An annual Taizé Service is held 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 the mass locations in the parish after Sunday Mass, providing an informal setting for people to meet. 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 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, co-ordinated through a rota.

The parish holds an annual Anointing of the Sick Mass. The Parish provides bereavement support by trained individuals.

The parish holds an annual children's Christmas party. The All Parish Quiz Night is typically held once a year.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Baptism preparation is delivered in small sessions, typically one Saturday afternoon and one Thursday evening, held several times a year. Baptisms are celebrated on Sundays at Our Lady of Lourdes, St Anselm, or St Teresa's church, and occasionally during Mass.

The Diocese requires couples to contact the parish 12 months before a wedding to begin preparation and complete paperwork. Couples meet the Parish Priest to discuss the service, preparation course, paperwork, fees, and date, with further meetings to agree readings and hymns.

RCIA is a learning and teaching programme for those thinking about becoming a Catholic. The parish arranges visits and support, including bringing Holy Communion to those unable to attend Mass.