Please find below a parish paper on ideas and feedback from these meetings specifically from the meeting of Representatives on 19th January and the meeting of the Steering Group on 27th January where our hopes for 2026 were discussed. The discussion was facilitated by Anna Truscott-Smith both times, and in the Steering Group the clergy were able to participate. We also picked up on the feedback which came through the Open Meetings in November. 

As ever, we are always keen to here feedback on how we can do more.

On 19th January the Representative Group of the newly formed Parish of Weybridge met for the third time, and Vini Menezes and John Joyce were there from St Erconwald's

The Representatives reviewed a summary document of the open meetings which took place in November 2025 (in Englefield Green, Weybridge and Walton-on-Thames). We attach this document below for all parishioners to read. It shows overall enthusiasm for the new structure and the opportunity for mission and renewal, with some concerns expressed about stability of priests, the identity of parish communities and finances.
 
At the meeting of 19th January, the representatives were asked two questions. The first was – “What would be your hope for where we will be as a parish by the end of 2026?”
 
The responses highlighted the importance of making the new parish a reality for all parishioners. Ideas centred around a) communication, for example the creation of a parish newsletter b) events bringing people together c) going on pilgrimage together eg Fr Chris is leading a pilgrimage to Medjugorje d) a new parish website.
 
Great support was expressed for the recruitment of a Youth Ministry coordinator. There is also the need for an Estates Officer who can assist parish communities very practically in managing their different church buildings and annexes.
 
The representatives would like to see better representation of young families in the new parish, and for it to reflect the diversity of different groups that make up the parish.
 
Concern was expressed by the parish community of Esher/Thames Ditton with the absence of Fr Sebastian who is not well. Their hope in 2026 is for more stability in the provision of masses, as currently this is challenging. Please keep Fr Sebastian in your prayers.
 
The second question was about how representatives can assure communication with their parish communities. Representatives understand that they are the key channel of communication with their pastoral teams and clergy. One of the key messages is that we are all responsible for ensuring that we grow together, that we respond together, that we become that unified parish.
 
One of our younger representatives talked about the power of social media and Catholic podcasts to share a better understanding of what it means to be a Catholic today.
 
We end this update with a message from Canon Chris Spain, the Moderator of the new parish:
Even though the Holy Year is over, I hope we continue to journey forward as “Pilgrims of hope”. We never know what is around the next corner but continue as “earthen vessels” to serve God in humility and aware of the rich treasure we carry. We are so blessed in our new parish with energy and enthusiasm, and I am sure that great things will happen. We need patience and perseverance “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. God bless and thank you.”
 
The Parish Steering Group and Clergy are very grateful to the Representatives for their enthusiasm in coming to the meeting, sharing their hopes and thoughts and giving their time in this way.
 
The next Representatives meeting will be in April, the date is still to be fixed.

Please find below the minutes from the open meetings held in December.

​On 7th December 2025 Bishop Richard Moth formally enlarged the Weybridge Parish bringing our parishes together as one.

Bishop Richard published a new Pastoral Plan for the Diocese, The Word Who is Life: The Call to Mission, in January 2024.The Plan marks an important new stage in the development of diocesan parish structures, with the 11 former deaneries of the Diocese becoming 11 new parishes.

The document below has been prepared in order to provide information about the move to the new Parish of Weybridge. It is especially for those who have not been able to attend the Open Meetings which have taken place on 20 November in the church of the Assumption, Englefield Green, Christ the Prince of Peace, Weybridge on 24 November, and St Erconwald’s, Walton-on-Thames on 27 November.

​We invite you to join in our prayer for the new Parish and to continue praying that the Holy Spirit will bless our plans. We also invite you to join Bishop Richard and the clergy as the new Parish is launched on 7 December at Mass at 6pm in Christ the Prince of Peace, Weybridge, followed by refreshments. All are very welcome to this celebration.

Last year, Bishop Richard Moth published a Diocesan Pastoral Plan: ‘The Word Who is Life: The Call to Mission’, in which he outlined his vision for the new parishes:
“I invite everyone - lay faithful, religious, deacons and priests - to join with me in forging our parishes into communities of saints and strong, lively, and welcoming schools of discipleship.
May they be communities where the Lord is known and loved; where the liturgy is experienced as an encounter with the wonder of heaven; where daily prayer is a natural part of life and where all are welcomed and their dignity as children of God always recognised.”
The Pastoral Plan creates exciting opportunities for all clergy and parishioners to work together in our new parish. To enable this to happen, we will need some new structures, advisory teams, and communication channels. This leaflet explains why all of the changes are taking place, what has already happened and what we can expect from the local implementation of the Pastoral Plan.