I received a very generous M & S gift voucher for my recent birthday, but the donor did not sign it. If anyone can tell me who the donor is, please phone 01323 483504. Many thanks from Margaret (N).
Author: Jacky
Sea Sunday 2024
Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they often work in difficult, hazardous conditions. Sea Sunday is Sunday 14th July. It is when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea. Your support will make a big difference to seafarers and fishers in need. You can donate in church, by visiting www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate, or by texting ‘SEA’ to 70460 to donate £5. This collection is vital to enable Stella Maris to continue its important work, so please give generously. Thank you.
Fr Rory Writes
“On the horizon a Golden Jubilee”
When God’s glory is revealed, then our joy will be full.
On my journey of life this has always had a fixed and most important focus for my faith. A focus when many times the hard reality of trials and tribulations left be living with all my weaknesses, faults and failures as a parish priest. Triumph by the power of Him who loves us.
For many, this is much more embodied in the words “pie in the sky when we die”. When I reflect upon this response I can understand those who would more honestly continue to reflect this as being more authentic. It is not what they find in the world of religion we bring to them. It is a real challenge. Our call to be disciples was fundamental to the message we received from Fr Seamus Ryan, with other very important contributions from professors while we were at the seminary. Leaving us with an anchor that is important. Confronted with the present situation, so far from our hopes and aspirations the challenge remains. This has received powerful expressions for me in the music and verse:-
“We come to share our story,
We come to break the bread, The divine bread that has come down from heaven.
We came to know our rising from the dead”.
Truthfully and sincerely this is what I find in our parish community. I am privileged to be here and look forward to working together. Let us continue.
Margaret Nevill
Margaret Nevill would like to thank the parishioners of St George for their lovely card, kind Birthday wishes and very cute present. Margaret and family are looking forward to a lovely weekend with their Hungarian relatives.
St Wilfrid’s
We urgently need more volunteers to help with keeping our beautiful church spick and span. We are looking for 2 hours of your time once a month. Even whole families could take this on as there are plenty of tasks children can be involved in. Please see Maria Hills at the back of the church on Sunday or ring on 07873759962. Thank you.
Deacon John Writes
Recently I have written about the Holy Spirit. There are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit so over the next few weeks by way of relaxation, I will present some jokes which are based on these gifts:
B. The Gift of Understanding:
1) A Primary school teacher was observing the children in her classroom while they drew pictures. She would occasionally walk around to see each child’s artwork. As she came to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, “I’m drawing God.” The teacher paused and said, “But no one knows what God looks like.” — Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing the girl replied, “They will in a minute.”
2) “If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the Church, would that get me into Heaven?” I asked the children in my Sunday School class. “NO!” the children all answered. “If I cleaned the Church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would that get me into Heaven?” Again, the answer was, “NO!” “Well, then, if I were kind to animals and gave sweets to all the children, and loved my wife, would that get me into Heaven?” I asked them again. Again, they all answered, “NO!” “Well,” I continued, “then how can I get into Heaven?” A five-year-old boy shouted out, “YOU GOTTA BE DEAD!”
Please pray
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Ellen Bonner, Margaret Boots and Colin Bullock. Eternal rest give them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team
Do you have compassion for the lost and broken? Would you be able to give 5 hours a week? Get involved as a Volunteer Chaplain. Find out more about the work of Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team at www.bhct.org.uk or contact [email protected] for more information.
First Communion
Now all of the children have received their first communion, they will all come together today Sunday, June 23rd at St Wilfrid’s 10.30 mass to celebrate their ‘Going Forth’ mass and to share a communion breakfast.
Deacon John Writes
Recently I have written about the Holy Spirit. There are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit so over the next few weeks by way of relaxation, I will present some jokes which are based on these gifts:
A. The Gift of Wisdom
1) Four-year-old Amanda was taken to the doctor’s office with a fever. The doctor looked in her ears and asked, “Who’s in there? Donald Duck?” she said, “No.” He looked in her open mouth, “Who’s in there? Mickey Mouse?” Again, she said, “No.” He put his stethoscope on her heart and asked, “Who’s in there? Barney?” — Amanda replied, “No, Jesus is in my heart. Barney is in the pocket of my underwear.”
2) “Where there’s smoke…” There is an old joke about a man who asked his priest whether it was okay to smoke while he prayed. His priest said, “Absolutely not! When you pray, you should be completely devoted to prayer!” So the man went to another priest, but he changed his question, “Would it be okay to pray while I smoke?” “Yes, of course” was the answer.
3) Qualifications? Several years ago in Germany, a Bishop was questioning the children who were about to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation: “Who can administer the sacrament of confirmation?” he asked. A young girl answered: “Any bishop, once he’s attained the age of reason!”