Author: Jacky

“Please God, Spring is started and new life is beginning”

Thanks be to God, we have signs of renewal.  Now the most important aspect is to avail of the opportunity.  We started on Saturday morning to make some fresh steps.  At St Wilfrid’s alongside the sacrament of reconciliation we had veneration of the blessed sacrament and the divine office.  At St George’s from 11.30am we had the service of   reconciliation, all a very good start in the right direction.  Speaking to my Sister Mary, in Ireland, due to age profile of the priests and shortage, there is now a greater urgency among the people to strengthen and nourish their faith.  Life in the spirit seminars, veneration of the blessed sacrament and liturgies of the word and holy communion are a     growing part of their response.  Some years ago there was a great response to services of reconciliation and at times churches were packed for them. 

Now please God, one day and one step at a time, we will develop and grow the ministries, with other devotions as important windows.  These take time and years to develop and grow.  The RCIA provide a great structure for           guidance, but must become and will help us to sustain structures throughout the year, the year of life which our faith my provide.

Saturday 2nd March, St George’s:  Please can all our parishioners in both churches take time to support the Reconciliation Service at St George’s next         Saturday at 11.30am – especially our younger parishioners and families. 

Our Lenten sessions started last Wednesday after the 10am Mass at St Wilfrid’s.  Even if you missed this one it is not to late to join us next Wednesday and you will be most welcome.  These sessions are also available on line, please see the “Invited” section on the Diocesan website.

Our next date will be Today Sunday 25th February after St George’s 9am mass – fundraising for our young parishioners who sign up for the Lourdes Pilgrimage.  All Welcome invite friends and family, they are welcome just to attend breakfast or join for mass  also.

Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks, come back to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: Let your hearts be broken, and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for he is all          tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness and ready to relent. [Joel 2:12-13]

Psalm 23

“The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want, though I walk through the valley of darkness”

At this time we are surrounded by darkness, especially as we listen to the experience of the people in Palestine and also great suffering in the Ukraine.  There was a  vigil for Ukraine at St Mary’s Church, a good response with solidarity that is needed.   The great act of bravery given by Alexei Navalny was just outstanding.  All through the ages martyrdom has been highlighted and the title of Saint added to his martyrdom.  There is a greater call on everyone to respond to the threat that is endangering our world.

AS WE BEGIN THIS SEASON OF LENT THERE ARE SIGNS OF OUR RESPONSE, beginning with buds and signs of new life which needs to be developed and grow.  Like any new life it needs to be propagated and encouraged.  Something that shocked me….. I was seated in the car sending a text message, when just outside the window a squirrel appeared on a branch of a tree and proceeded to devour all the beautiful buds that were beginning to emerge….. A lesson from life, and so we always need some extra power from above.

In keeping with this we had an excellent insertion in last weeks newsletter, Lent and Easter Programme 2024,  Ash Wednesday 14th February to Easter Sunday 31st March.  A special moment is the stations of the cross at St George’s and next Saturday there will be exposition of the blessed sacrament at St Wilfrid’s at 10am, in support of the time for confessions and reconciliation.  Please support the Reconciliation Service at St George’s, Sat 2nd March at 11.30am

Holy Father’s Prayer intention for February:

Throughout February, Pope Francis has asked us to remember the terminally ill and their family and friends. Please pray for them to find the consoling peace of our Lord.

If you are finding the journey through bereavement or challenging or overwhelming and would like to speak with someone, the Ministry of Consolation team across the Diocese are hear to journey with you. Please ask your Parish Priest for more details or email                               [email protected]

Are you interested or involved in Baptism preparation in the parish? Do you have a desire to support young families grow the faith in their home?   

Please join us for a formation day with Bishop Richard and Katherine Bergin exploring a new approach to welcoming families to the community of the Church through baptismal preparation.

Saturday 2^nd March 9.30-1.30 at the St Philip Howard Centre Crawley.

Please do sign up here:     

Baptism Catechists’ Day (02-Mar-2024) · ChurchSuite Events

Our next date will be Sunday 25th February after St George’s 9am mass – fundraising for our young parishioners who sign up for the Lourdes    Pilgrimage.  All Welcome invite friends and family, they are welcome just to attend breakfast or join for mass  also.

The Deaf Service supports Deaf and hard of hearing adults and children providing catechism so that they can access the sacraments of baptism, reconciliation, First Holy Communion, confirmation, and marriage. The service aims to: Create    awareness in the Church of the needs of Deaf and hard of   hearing people Celebrate Mass in Sign Language once a month Provide support in the Catholic faith Members of the Deaf     Service visit the sick at home or in hospital and provide support with the preparation of funerals to help meet communication needs. You can contact the A&B Deaf Service by email;               E: [email protected] Or text message only (no telephone calls) M: 07970 428601 and there is a brand new web page https://www.abdiocese.org.uk/diocese/deaf-community