Author: Jacky

30th March 2025

‘Another step in the right direction’

On behalf of Fr Kevin Dring, Jackie met with some of the parish secretaries on Monday at Our Lady of Ransom.   This first meeting was to establish what jobs are currently undertaken and to try and put a plan in place so that we can all work together as one, sharing and helping each other in various tasks.  The meeting went well and we will communicate any further information as and when it is available.

Alongside this, preparation for both our communities are progressing well.   St George’s community had an excellent meeting after mass on Sunday and plan to have four meetings each year, or what ever meets the good purpose.  Equally St Wilfrid’s had their meeting and plans in place to fulfil its purpose.

The reality is that the new dispensation is on its way and we can do our best to make the most of it.

Flame 2025

Flame 2025 Catholic Youth Congress did not disappoint! A huge thank you to the young people who joined us—you returned filled with HOPE and Unstoppable!  Make sure you tell your parents and friends all about it. 

Special thanks to Sophie, Angela, Agata, Mary and Sandra for leading and supporting our youth. More youth liturgy leaders are needed to provide our young people with faith led opportunities in our church—if you’re interested, speak to one of our current leaders to learn more. 

St Patrick’s Day Celebration

We had a fantastic time! A huge thanks to our wonderful helpers for the delicious food—hot jacket potatoes, Annette’s amazing St. Patrick’s cake, and tasty treats. The afternoon was filled with quizzes, Irish Bingo, and a good old sing-along with Gary O’Brien on guitar. Thanks to all who donated raffle prizes—winners can collect theirs from the porch. We raised £200 towards a new hall sound system! Due to its success, we’re planning a WWII 80th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, 4th May. Sign up in the porch for tickets.
 

Jubilee Year Pilgrimage

Jubilee Year Pilgrimage – Arundel Cathedral: Join us on Thursday, June 19th, for Corpus Christi at Arundel Cathedral! Visit the Carpet of Flowers, and take part in Mass, Eucharistic procession, and Benediction. Coach departs: 11:30am from St Wilfrid’s; 11:45am from  St George’s  and returns after 5:30pm Mass & Benediction.  Cost: £20 (coach travel only; cathedral entry free). Mass seating is first come, first served. Reserve your coach seat by emailing [email protected] or adding your name & contact details to the list at the back of the church. Payment due in April.  
 

23rd March 2025

“Rejoice and be glad”                       

Well it was not St Patrick’s Day, but it was St Patrick weekend; the celebrations after the 10.30am mass were well fit for purpose, truly enjoyable.  There is a human streak that would say, “but where was the bacon and cabbage”, which some of parishes will say “well we had it”.  The food was truly excellent, and again I have a most grateful heart for all the times our caterers come up trumps.  They are brilliant and we are so blessed to have such a parish group.  Gary O’Brien added the extra touch; providing his guitar and musical skills for the occasion.   Better than that he is at work providing a music ministry for the 10.30am mass.  Rehearsals have started on a Saturday morning, 10am to 11am in St Wilfrid’s Church Hall, and now provide a platform for some young people to join.  With flexibility and goodwill, this will be a great blessing and bonus for our liturgy.

All good news coming from St George’s church last Sunday.  They had their meeting after mass; it was a very fruitful setting in place,  plans and progress to be made.  Certainly all are prepared to do their very best, and we have to rely upon the leadership providers so that we can bear fruit, fruit that will last, by the fruit that shall know them, they are my disciples.

Pilgrims of Hope for CAFOD – Saturday, March 29th:

To mark this Jubilee Years theme of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ we invite you to join us for a day of prayer and walking on Saturday, March 29th.   The outline of the day is:

10.00am – St Wilfrid’s – Adoration and opportunities for Confession             12.30pm – St George’s – Soup Lunch     

11.00am – Big Lent Walk from St Wilfrid’s to St George’s                      

1.45pm – St George’s – Family Stations of the Cross

You are invited to join us for any part of the day you are able to. Please indicate on the sign up sheet if you would like to walk with us or join us for soup lunch.

So far, we only have a small team of walkers for the Big Lent Walk who will be helping us to achieve a collective target of 200km on the day. We need 40 people in total. Please join us!  For more information about sponsorship and how to join our walking team please  follow this link:

https://parishes.walk.cafod.org.uk/fundraising/st-wilfrid-and-st-george-big-lent-walk or collect a sponsor form.

If you can’t walk, your prayers and sponsorship are greatly appreciated. The team sponsor form is at the back of the church or you can scan this QR code to make your donation. Thank you for being a Pilgrim of Hope!