The Knights of St. Columba will meet in St Wilfrid’s Parish Centre on Tuesday 14 June at 3pm. All catholic men are invited to come and see how together we can support the Church. More details from Bob on 01323 847014.
Author: Jacky
Jubilee Fair
JUBILEE FAIR at St. Mary’s Church, Willingdon on Saturday 18 June from 11am – 2.30pm with Dog Show-Stall-Refreshments-Games-Archive Display – Grand Opening by STEVE HEWLETT – From Britain’s Got Talent and Live Music from Eastbourne Silver Band.
Our United Nations Jubilee Lunch
Our United Nations Jubilee Lunch was a roaring success. The Church Committee would like to express sincere thanks to all who supported the occasion. Many thanks to all our parishioners who contributed to the wonderful array of food and those who helped, organised and set up the church hall etc. for this celebration. Also, thanks to all who helped with the washup and cleaning after the event.
A Very Big Thank You
A VERY BIG THANK YOU to the bakers, flower arrangers, decorators, helpers and all St George’s Parishioners, for making our Jubilee Celebration such a happy and memorable one! The social part of our parish is very important to us, and if there are any parishioners, who would like to volunteer to help organise events with us, they would be welcomed with open arms! The more we have on board, the greater the events!
Fr Rory Writes
We have celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Now let us continue to prepare for the celebration Mass here in Hailsham for our Centenary of celebrating.
God is love, let us love one another.
So often we can see the faults and failures of religion. The war in the Ukraine exposes the dreadful position of the Orthodox Church in Russia. The paedophile scandal exposes all religious bodies. When I was younger I had a special attachment to Taizé and the focolare, with them and a lot of bodies in the Evangelical churches, all have had their difficulties. In the end it is the reality of life. There is a Kingdom of darkness of evil, and so there is a constant battle and without the light of Christ, and his constant source of grace, life would be a very dark place indeed.
With the celebration of the first mass on August 12th 1922, a source of Devine grace was established. Now in different circumstances we have the responsibility of ensuring that it continues, and that we as the catholic community will play their full part in continuing to be faithful.
I would emphasis the word faithful. The opportunity of the Synod has provided an appropriate platform on which to build a structure to continue to develop and grow our parish community. The liturgy of the church presents us with this instrument to grow, develop, and nourish our lives as faithful Christians. We are beginning to see a way forward, and part of our responsibility as we prepare for the visit of our Bishop Richard, is to outline plans and a strategy for our future. The age profile of our priests gives emphasis to this.
Fr Rory Writes
“Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love”.
How often and how constantly we make this prayer. As we return once again to the great Feast of Pentecost, it is a time to refocus. The Synod invites us to make a fresh start, guided by the ministry and life of Jesus. “By their fruits you shall know them, good trees bear good fruit”.
From time to time I have heard stories of priests making predictions years ago, that the number of priests would decline. By the beginning of the new millennium there would be many less priests. I would have to say I could see all the signs that this would take place. When I first entered the seminary, over fifty years ago, this was a time of great inspiration. The Second Vatican Council had just taken place. Pope John XXIII made the statement “that it is time for the church to open its windows, and let in the light”.
Pope Francis frequently returns to this. I began writing this before this evenings very important meeting that will please God, prepare our way for a journey together with good purpose. The opening prayers had been prepared laying the foundations in place.
Thanks be to God for our meeting and for all who attended. There was a lot for our attention, and one contribution was an outline of what had been proposed by Our Lady of Ransom. I look forward to the presentation of the minutes from our meeting. The opening prayer was an indication that we can grow and develop our life of prayer and service. There was a lot of material presented and questions raised during this meeting; a sign that we are a work in progress.
The centre and the heart of our lives is Sunday Mass. This provides the central structure and nourishment for our faith. The preparation and the presentation of the liturgy will be crucial to our development or not. Having just to turn up to Mass, will continue to bring about our decline. There is no quick fix solution, but working together has the potential to be effective, creative and inspiring.
Just a moment to focus our attention to the essential ingredients:
a) Gossip from our parish, with all its potential for good news,
b) Prayer, nourishment, caring for the needs of our parishioners, growth in faith and renewal of life.
Links of Online Streaming
LINK for Online Masses & Recordings: https://saintsgeorgeandwilfrid.co.uk/online-masses-and-recordings/
LINK for Funerals & Baptisms: https://saintsgeorgeandwilfrid.co.uk/other-services/
LINK Facebook https://m.facebook.com/gary.westcar#_=_
BeCome: Diocesan Young Adults Group (18-35)
We are coming to the end of our online study of the Sycamore series but will be starting a new process of studying and praying with scriptures very soon. If you are interested in joining our community and diving deeper into the bible whilst forming new friendships, contact E: [email protected]
Refugee Crisis Coffee Morning with Bishop Richard
Refugee Crisis Coffee Morning with Bishop Richard, Saturday 25 June at 11.30am.
Bishop Richard will be hosting an informal coffee morning to discuss our response to the refugee crisis, at St Gabriel’s Hall, Billingshurst, RH14 9QH. Everyone is very welcome, to reserve your free place please sign up here: https://abdiocese.churchsuite.com/events/an04uoxn
The paradox of abundance
Over 800 million people go hungry each day. Yet the world produces over 4 billion tonnes of food, and we only need 3.7 billion tonnes to feed everyone. From all this food produced, a third is wasted. St John Paul II called this ‘the paradox of abundance.’ Clearly the current global food system is not working. But as Pope Francis said, “Each of us has a role to play in transforming food systems for the benefit of people and the planet.” Let’s respond to his call! CAFOD’s new campaign is called Fix the Food System. See www.cafod.org.uk/food for more information, including an invitation for parish groups to learn about the impact of our food with our Fix the Food System: a 7-station journey resource.