Author: Jacky

2025 Jubilee Year Reflection Gatherings with CAFOD

Are you wondering what the 2025 Jubilee Year is all about? Join us as we reflect on the meaning of the Jubilee Year and what it means to be a ‘Pilgrim of Hope’.  We’ll be meeting at St Wilfrid’s Church on March 26th after the 10.00am mass for the first of four gatherings. This will be followed by a simple soup lunch to raise funds for CAFOD. Sign up sheets to register interest will be available at the back of church next week.

You can also join CAFOD’s ‘Make a Jubilee pledge’, to make a monthly donation to share hope with communities around the world in this Year of Jubilee and you’ll receive their weekly gospel reflections by email. These reflections include ways in which you and the wider CAFOD family can give, act and pray during this Holy Year.  Visit them on: www.cafod.org.uk/pray/jubilee-2025

16th February 2025

Deacon John Writes:

National Marriage Week began last Friday and ran until St Valentine’s Day on 14th February. Marriage Week is an annual celebration, and offers an important opportunity for us to support and promote the vocation of marriage and family life. We have all been encouraged to say daily a simple prayer of thanksgiving for the vocation to marriage: I realise that this week of prayer will be over by the time you read this but I encourage us all in the coming week to support the work done in National Marriage Week by saying daily this week the following prayer in thanksgiving for the vocation to marriage: 

“Lord, we pray in thanksgiving for the vocation to marriage and for each couple that you join together to make a family. We ask that every marriage brings each couple closer to you and to holiness. We pray for those who are struggling in their marriage, that they can make it through this tough time and find hope and consolation in You. We pray that this Jubilee year can be a year of hope for marriages, with your gentle guiding hand through each action, decision, discussion and event. We make this prayer through Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

With my love and prayers for you all. Deacon John.

Parish Over 50’s Club

Lasts weeks afternoon tea and games; we usually have 24 attending, but due to the cold/flu virus we were down to 10!  Such a shame as the theme was all things Scottish   win a “wee dram”!  Thurs 27th Feb is our next afternoon tea,  2-4pm.  Theme will be “Wales and all things Welsh”, as it will be St David’s Feast Day a couple of days later, so plenty of daffodils and leeks on the table of prizes?  We are all given a free raffle ticket when we pay and everyone gets a prize, plus extra prizes for the bingo and quiz.  The afternoon is full of fun and laughter, home baked scones, sausage rolls, quiches and cakes. All welcome, you don’t have to be catholic to join in the fun.  It is always the last Thursday of the month, 2-4pm, a £10 charge covers everything. Hope to see you there.
 

Lourdes Pilgrimage

Every year, the Arundel & Brighton Lourdes Pilgrimage takes more than 700 pilgrims from our parishes to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.  Our group includes those who are sick, disabled, frail or elderly and need our help to make the journey.  They are cared for during the Pilgrimage week by our volunteer helpers; together we live the Pilgrimage motto of ‘Love in Action’ as we serve each other and follow the call of Our Lady to serve her Son, Jesus Christ.
 

9th February 2025

Deacon John Writes:

“I am Lord, send me”. Do you think you are up to the following passage in the light of this weeks readings? “God has a different call for each of us. Because each of us is unique, each of us has a mission which no one else can fulfil.  God will use all of us, and particularly what is unique in us, to bring this mission to fulfilment.  Our response must be like that of Isaiah: “Here I am, Lord…send me.” —   “I’ll do it.  I’ll play my part.  I’ll speak to that neighbour,  that coworker, that friend, that relative.  I’ll talk to my daughter about the way she is rearing her children. I’ll keep my mouth shut and refuse to gossip or criticise my colleagues on or my bosses. I’ll pray every day. I’ll learn to listen patiently to those in need.  With Your help, I’ll do it.” ‘’ The following item tells of how one man thinks he is doing it!

A man had spent fruitless day fishing. He didn’t want to go home empty-handed. He decided to stop at a local fish market. “I’d like three good sized fish,” he said to the clerk. “But before you wrap them, toss them to me, one by one.” The clerk looked puzzled at his request, “Sir? That’s a strange thing to ask.” Smiling the man said, “This way I’ll be able to tell my wife truthfully that I caught them!” 

Community Charity Breakfast:

Thank you to everyone who supported the Linking Lives breakfast last        weekend, £200 was raised and the charity is very   grateful. Our next breakfast at St George’s is 23rd    February after mass – this month our charity is Care International, a disaster emergency charity, we hope you, your family and friends can support this breakfast and vital Care Packages the charity brings to war torn communities worldwide. All are welcome.
 

Young Led Fundraiser for Flame 2025:

Youth led Fundraiser for Flame 2025:  We are delighted that over 80 of our Catholic youth and their leaders from our Deanery will be attending FLAME
2025, the Catholic youth Congress in Wembley, during Lent. The £29 ticket price has been paid by the attendees, however they are looking to raise the    money to fund the coaches to travel there, over £2000 needed.
Fundraising events include:
St George’s – Souper quiz night – Friday 28th Feb,
6pm doors open and quiz starts at 6.30pm. Soup and
sweet treats will be served between rounds. Tickets
£7 adults, under 14s £3 on sale after mass or available to reserve via parish office [email protected]
Team size max 8 and can be formed in advance or on the night.
Our Lady of Ransom Eastbourne Pancakes
and Bacon/sausage Bap breakfast – after 10.15am mass on Sunday March 2nd. 

Christ the King – Bingo date and time TBC.  Please    support us if you can.  Donations of raffle prizes are also welcomed (mark “youth fundraiser” and leave with welcomers to pass on).  Thank you.