Support groups

  • Parish Surgeries
  • Bereavement
  • Crises
  • Marriage, Relationships and Homelife
  • Pregnancy

Parish surgeries

If you require any help or assistance from our priests, Fr Peter or Fr Matthew, you can make an appointment either by calling 020 8402 0459 or emailing petermurphy@rcaos.org.uk or matthewkwaghtaver@rcaos.org.uk

You can meet the priests at a surgery without an appointment at the Presbytery:
1 Orchard Road, Bromley BR1 2PR – Mondays, 5-7pm (Fr Peter), Wednesdays, 5-7pm
(Fr Matthew).

For elderly parishioners, we have the Autumn of Life group, who meet regularly for lunch. Call Gina on 020 8464 3742 or see the weekly newsletter for details.

The Town Centre Chaplain is Russell Chadwick, If you work in Bromley town centre, you may well come into contact with Russell. He needs volunteers to work with him. If you can offer any time at all, he would be pleased to hear from you.
Contact: Call Russell on 07868 716036 or e-mail russandus@gmail.com

Bereavement

Beginning Experience

This is a ministry for those who know the pain and loneliness of losing a loved one through separation, divorce or death. The work is carried out by a trained team of volunteers at special weekend gatherings that encourage participants to share their need, and deal with the natural process of grief and loneliness.
More information: www.beginningexperience.org

Consolation Group

When we experience a loss, especially when it is of someone we love, we may find it difficult to cope. Our parish Consolation Group offers you friendship, and support to those who have lost family or friends. We also offer a safe, confidential space to talk about your loss. It may be some years after bereavement before you feel the need to share the experience. Do not let this prevent you from joining us. You will receive a warm welcome. Please join us in the Sanctuary of the Upper Room in the Parish Centre we meet on the last Thursday of the month (4.00pm–5.00pm).

Or Contact the Parish Office bromley@rcaos.org.uk or Tel: 020 8402 0459 and a member of our group will return your call.

We will continue to pray for our deceased and bereaved parishioners during this difficult time.

Cruse Bereavement Care

This is a national organisation offering help to all bereaved people. The West Kent Branch at Tonbridge offers one-to-one counselling, and trained counsellors visit people in their own homes. A Bereavement Support Group meets in Tunbridge Wells. No charge is made, though donations are welcome. The office opens on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10.30–1.00.
Contact: 01732 353575.

Crises

The Samaritans

There is always someone to talk to, no matter how difficult your situation is. Talk confidentially to a volunteer by e-mail, over the phone, face-to-face or by letter.
More information: www.samaritans.org.uk, e-mail: jo@samaritans.org, call 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours a day, seven days a week) or textphone 08457 90 91 92.

Marriage, relationships and homelife

Association of Separated and Divorced Catholics

This association is committed to cooperation with the Church, and aims to give spiritual and practical support to separated and divorced Catholics, helping members to come to terms with being on their own and to gain confidence to face the world again.
More information: www.asdcengland.org.uk

Care for the Family

Care for the Family is an interdenominational organisation that runs talks, courses and weekends away for parents with children and fight for justice and Christian rights in Parliament.
Their evenings are full of humour as they share their own experiences with their own teenagers.
More information: www.careforthefamily.org.uk

Careplus

This is a united churches group supporting the vulnerable, for example through shopping support and visits to the elderly.
Contact: To find out how you can help, or to ask for help, please call Miranda Suit on 07930 955398

Domestic violence

The Church believes violence within the home to be an inexcusable evil. If you are experiencing issues of violence at home, call the Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (24-hour service; run in partnership with Women’s Aid and Refuge). Men suffering from domestic abuse can call the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0327.
More information: www.womensaid.org.uk or www.mensadviceline.org.uk. Never hesitate to contact one of the parish team.

EnCourage

EnCourage is a spiritual support group for homosexual Catholics wishing to live according to the teaching of the Catholic Church. It meets regularly for confidential group meetings and personal support. Write to PO Box 3745, London N2 8LW or check the website:
More information: http://couragerc.org

Marriage Care

Formerly the Catholic Marriage Advisory Service, Marriage Care is a professional, confidential counselling service for individuals and couples.
More information: To find out more, or to make an appointment, contact Medway Marriage Care, The White House, Riverside, Chatham, Kent ME4 4SL. Tel: 01634 828839. Website:www.marriagecare.org.uk

Retrouvaille

Retrouvaille  is a French word meaning to find each other again, to find oneself again, to find one’s way again. It is also an organisation that helps couples repair their marriage relationships. Visit Retrouvaille’s website for England and Wales here. You can read Love is a decision, a feature on Retrouvaille.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter

This is a movement within the Catholic Church that began in the 1960s to give married couples and others the opportunity to take responsibility for what is happening in their lives. Marriage Encounter Weekends offer couples an opportunity to grow closer, helping them to refocus on the values that are really important to them and to live more joyful and purposeful lives. It is not aimed at marriages in difficulty, but rather enriching and strengthening marriages.
More information: www.wwme.org.uk

Pregnancy

LIFE

LIFE is the largest pro-life enterprise in the UK and probably the most comprehensive and ambitious in the world because it combines advocacy and education work with a nationwide care service. It is a pro-life charity that supports anyone facing a crisis pregnancy, pregnancy loss or after an abortion, and strives to engage, inspire and inform the next generation.
More information: lifecharity.org.uk. Tel: 01926 312272. Email: sam@lifecharity.org.uk