Author: Jacky

CAFOD Family Fast Day – Friday March 14th

By praying, eating simply and giving to CAFOD we will be helping to support CAFOD in their vital work helping local experts to provide simple, effective solutions to the toughest problems facing many of the poorest peoples around the world.  This year’s focus is on helping to train communities in creating drought resistant vegetable gardens in East Africa following the devastating effects of drought.  Envelopes are available at the back of church. Please return them with your donations on March 16th. If you are able to Gift Aid your donation, please sign the back of your donation envelope. The government will add an additional 25%. Thank you.
 

9th March 2025

Parish Pastoral Plan Update

The Parish Pastoral Plan was launched over a year ago, with plans for our new parish, “Eastbourne and St Leonards,” set to begin in November 2024, led by our parish Moderator, Father Kevin Dring from OLR.

In January, Father Kevin introduced a Parish Development Plan outlining the goals for the next six months. A Parish Leadership Group, including clergy and lay members, was formed and began meeting in February. For administrative     purposes, the new parish will be split into two leadership hubs: Eastbourne (seven churches, including St George & St Wilfrid’s) and St Leonards (eight churches from Battle to Rye). At this level we looked at developing the goals up to June.

This is a long-term process, and all parishioners are encouraged to contribute. Father Kevin opened last week’s PLG meeting with a reading from Ephesians: “Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your  hidden self to grow strong.” Let’s all grow strong together to make this plan a success.

Youth Fundraising for Flame Pilgrimage Travel

Our thanks to all who have supported our Youth Led fundraising, we hope to update you on funds raised so far from the parish quiz and the OLR breakfast next week.  The CTK bingo has been put on hold until after Lent.  Overall we hope to raise £2000+ across the parishes in our Deanery. If anyone would like to donate towards the fundraising for the Youth travel but can’t attend the fundraising events, please do pop a donation in an envelope marked Youth Fundraising and hand it in via the collection or parish office.
 

Arundel Cathedral – Feast of Corpus Christi, Thursday 19th June 2025

We hope to arrange for a parish pilgrimage to Arundel Cathedral by coach, using Lynns Travel, for this year’s Feast of Corpus Christi on Thursday 19th June – returning after the 5.30pm mass, procession and benediction.  The coach cost is expected to be £21 per person.  If you, your friends or family are interested in this please give your name, number of seats required, contact phone and email to Jean at St Wilfrid’s or Sandra at St George’s.  This is to initially find out if there is enough interest and we will return with exact details of the trip once we have them.
 

Resources for Lent and the Jubilee Year

To help with your Lenten preparations we have obtained copies of the booklet,  Walk With Me, A Journey of Prayer for Lent 2025. These are available in the porch, and we ask that you take one per family. There are also booklets and a Lent Calendar for every child. There isn’t a charge for these resources, but we suggest a donation of £1 for the adult copies of the Walk With Me booklets.

A free copy of The Jubilee Companion Booklet is also now available to assist you on your journey through this Holy Year. Please take one copy per family. To find out more about Jubilee Year,  please join us at our Reflection Gatherings and     discover more about what it means to be a true  ‘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 soup lunch to raise funds for CAFOD. Sign-up sheets are available at the back of the church. 

2nd March 2025

From having heard the greetings from the Kelly’s; our communities response:-

Good to hear from the Kelly’s and the greetings.

Community is going to be more important as we move forward and we all need to support one another in this time of change.   The activities in the life of our parish are very important to us and what is best for our future.  In a time of change and so much that is not known what the future will being, activities keep us together as a parish and make us stronger in our faith. 

Nourishment is always important, and a special opportunity comes with Lent and the Jubilee Companion Booklet is a good start.