Author: Jacky

St Wilfrid’s First Holy Communion Breakfast

St Wilfrid’s First Holy Communion Breakfast:  was such a happy occasion, so many of our community attending.  The table was a “picture” to behold, dominated by the huge cake with all the emblems for our children, including their names in icing. Thank you to Annette, Sophie and Teresa for preparing the wonderful banquet and decorating the table and the hall.  Fr Chris joined us all at the communion table which was enjoyed by us all.  Photos of the First Holy Communion are now on the website so do take a look.

Deacon John Writes Again

Deacon John Writes Again:

I came across this little story recently and liked it, so I share it with you this weekend: There was a man who was always looking for a special sign from God to tell him what he should do. He ended up working in the missions in South America. A friend asked him why he chose South America. He replied that when he was trying to decide what God wanted him to do, and where God wanted him to go, he was eating a chocolate bar with Brazil nuts in it. So he thought – Brazil is in South America, God must want me to go there. His friend said “Thank God you weren’t eating a Mars bar!” With my love and prayers.  

Fr Rory Writes

Fr Rory Writes: 

Greetings from the Island of Alderney where I have been filling in for a friend of mine.  It has a Franciscan Convent of four Sisters and a hermit, so it has been a very good spiritual experience.  I am truly grateful when I hear all the events in the parish are continuing so well.  “A body made up of many parts”, working together is key to the future of any parish with the number of Priests in such decline.

Looking forward to meeting you all, and ever so grateful for all the concern and support.

Canon Michael has now returned and it is a real tonic, we are having a good time catching up on so many years of friendship.

Deacon John Writes

Deacon John Writes:

Recently I spoke about ‘Love’ in a homily as it has been the subject of several of the readings at Mass during Eastertide. Love is Christ’s great message to his followers – “As the Father loves me, so I also love you.” Jesus followed that statement with a challenge to all of us: “Love one another, as I have loved you.” In other words: We are to love one another as deeply as God loves His son, and as powerfully as Jesus then loves us. That is how we are to love one another. Christ is asking us to do nothing less than to love the world the way that God does. It is a love that says to each of us: “Whatever happens, I will be there.”

We should always remember this statement of Jesus: “Love one another, as I have loved you.” Despite your differences, love one another. Despite the hurt someone has caused you, love one another. Despite the angers you are nursing or the grudge you can’t let go of…love one another. That is what Christian love is all about – literally loving like Christ.

So – there we have our challenge: – look at the world around us, the people around us — all those we like and those we don’t – those we care for and those we don’t – those we respect and those we don’t — and love them as Jesus said: “Love one another as I have loved you.” This is what we have to do. It is Christ’s great commandment.

Joan Chittister wrote this: “God sends angels into every life to help us understand the present, and to enable us to bear the future. We are one another’s lifeline to God. We are here to hold one another up, and to help one another see the presence of God”.

I leave you with this question to think about: Are we courageous enough – generous enough, selfless enough, sacrificial enough — to not only keep that commandment, but to actually live it?

With my love for you all. 

St Wilfrid’s First Holy Communion Day

St Wilfrid’s First Holy Communion Day:  Our church certainly had “the wow” factor as we entered.  All the balloons, streamers etc., so tastefully arranged by Annette, Sophie and Teresa (our teachers and instructors for the First Holy Communion Children).  Flowers were beautifully arranged on the special pedestals, under the Altar and on the window sills by Maeve, Loretta and Leslie.  All paid for from the donations from our table sales over a period of weeks.  Our four candidates, William, Freddie, Kiera and Carlos enjoyed their special ceremony with the help of Fr Kieran and their instructors.

This Sunday after Mass is their Communion Breakfast in the Hall.  We are all invited to celebrate with them, so do please come and enjoy the food and company. In true St Wilfrid’s custom we have three Birthdays to celebrate on the same day.  One 70 year old, one 13 year old and a popular older gentleman!  Plenty of cakes etc.

Pentecost Vigil Mass with New Catholics

Pentecost Vigil Mass with New Catholics:  Bishop Richard     invites you to join him in celebrating the Pentecost Vigil Mass with new Catholics – adults recently baptised or received into the Church – on Saturday 8th June at 5pm in Arundel Cathedral.   ALL are  welcome – families, friends, Godparents, sponsors, catechists and parishioners. New Catholics are also invited to an afternoon of  prayer and reflection with Bishop Richard preceding the Mass. If you have not yet received your invitation please contact [email protected] or telephone (01293) 651164.