Author: Jacky

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.

Altar Servers & Young Readers at St Wilfrid’s:

How very fortunate we are to have many good and sincere Altar Servers trained by David Hoad.  We do appreciate you helping Fr Rory at Mass on a Sunday.  Young Readers, we are very blessed with many who do the readings loud and clear, especially at the family mass on the last Sunday in the month.  Thank you once again to Teresa and Annette for helping our children at the liturgy.  They are stretched as they live full lives already.  Please would some of you volunteer to lend them a hand occasionally if our children are to benefit from religious teaching to the standard they enjoy now.  Many hands make light work!
 

Can you Help?

Can you Help? – as we move towards a Single Parish of many communities, good communication to all our parishioners is an essential element. A deanery newsletter was initiated last Lent and is set to help with this. It does need a team of people to prepare it in a timely way with the right mix of information within it.  Please consider can you offer a few hours of your time to every season?  To find out more please contact Sandra on 07791627368 or email             [email protected].  A small team working together from all parishes will make a big difference!