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Dad was born on July 17, 1947, in Calcutta, India. He was the youngest of three children, born to Hilda and John and a beloved brother to his sister Betty, who is sadly no longer with us, and to his brother Johnny. Continue reading “Tribute to Errol Vertanness”

Canon Edward, our parish priest, agreed with The Archdiocese to transfer The Feast of St Stephen from December 26^th to July 13^th. His objective was to open up the Feast Day to a larger section of St. Stephen’s congregations. Mass on Sunday 13^th was celebrated at 10:30 only. Over 200 members of the 9:30 and 11:30 congregations took the opportunity to praise God as a unified congregation. Continue reading “St Stephen’s Patronal Festival 2025”

About three years ago I spotted a leaflet left on the pew in front of me at church entitled “Chaplaincy volunteers – is this for you?” Canon Edward often encourages us to find a way to share our faith, rather like the 72 “other” disciples when they were sent out by Jesus. In our day to day lives it’s not easy to find the right moment or the right words, but it occurred to me that it might be easier in a hospital setting. Continue reading “Hospital Chaplaincy Volunteering”

Ronald James Smith was born in Kennington, south London, and lived in that area for much of his early life.  He was one of seven children.

Growing up in the war years and just after is very different from today.  Dad left school at 14.  Over the years he has dropped a few things into conversation.  He was made head boy.  It was suggested he should consider further education. It makes you think his life could have been very different if he had had the same opportunities as today.

Continue reading “Tribute to Ron Smith”

On 1st February I was given the worrying news that I probably had prostate cancer, and I needed an MRI scan to confirm this. However, because I have a pacemaker, I was kept waiting 3½ months before I had the scan done safely and then it took a further two weeks for me to know the results. This was an anxious time, and my wife Gwen and I were praying for a good outcome. Continue reading “Southwark Jubilee Pilgrimage: My Personal Experience”