Join us for a family-friendly Stations of the Cross at St Wilfrid’s on Good Friday at 10:00am. After the service, enjoy hot cross buns and refreshments in the hall. Donations of buns are welcome—please bring them after Mass on April 16th or on the day itself.
Author: Jacky
Easter Flowers
There will be a collection for Easter Flowers at St George’s and St Wilfrid’s this Sunday.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Music Practice at St Wilfrid’s
The next practice for our music group will be on Saturday 26th April from 10am to 11am in St Wilfrid’s Church Hall. We are looking for more instrumentalists and singers, only enthusiasm needed. All ages welcome.
Arundel & Brighton Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimage:
Booking is now open, for more information go to thepilgrims.org.uk. The pilgrimage is going all around the diocese and is from 9th – 24th August 2025.
Easter Collection:
As I am sure many of you are aware, Catholic Priests do not receive a salary and rely on your generosity at Christmas and Easter as a thank you for all they do for us. It is also possible to claim gift aid on your donation if you are a UK taxpayer and that extra 25% will go directly to Father Rory. If you aren’t part of a planned giving scheme then please use the “one off” gift aid envelopes located in the porch. You can also contribute via the digital collection plate at St Wilfrid’s or via the donations website link (https://donate.mydona.com/st-wilfrids-church-hailsham ) using the “Easter Collections” tab.
13th April 2025
Parish Leadership Group Update
Last week, Gerry Palmer and I attended the latest Parish Leadership Group meeting with Father Kevin and other representatives of our new parish. Significant progress has been made since our first meeting in January.
Over the next few weeks, we will complete an audit of all church organisational structures, which will enable us to assess consistency of approach and reduce duplication of effort. We also hope to launch a new parish website by the end of spring, which will help us communicate more effectively across all our communities.
Plans are also underway to centralise financial arrangements and meetings with all current parish treasurers will be taking place shortly.
The major focus for April, however, is the development of a new Liturgical Strategy. The current situation is not sustainable, given the limited number of priests available to carry out liturgical duties such as saying Mass and holding Adoration and Reconciliation services. The challenge lies in reimagining our provision of services based on the geographical boundaries of our new parish, rather than the existing church catchment areas.
Currently, there are four priests serving the Eastbourne hub, which covers seven churches. However, we must plan on the basis of having only three priests to ensure a sustainable workload, allow for rest days, holidays, and potential illness, and to reduce the risk of burnout.
According to Canon Law, one priest may celebrate no more than three Masses across Saturday evening and Sunday. This means our maximum capacity for weekend Masses across the hub is nine. An audit will therefore be carried out across the seven churches to determine how best to reduce the number of Masses accordingly.
Importantly, this assessment will also consider factors beyond just attendance—such as the spiritual and community significance of individual Masses.
The next step is to prepare a draft proposal, which will then be shared for consultation. This process will allow all congregations to provide input before any final decisions are made.
Easter Cards
Easter Cards are on sale at the back of St George’s Church .
Womble Day at St George’s
Sat 12th April 10am-12noon.
If you would like to help with weeding the car park, clearing away leaves and generally tidying the borders, do come and join us for a couple of hours.
If possible bring your own tools or borrow some on the day! Thank you!
Womble Day at St Wilfrid’s
Sat 12th April 10am-2pm.
Please do come and help to garden, clean, tidy etc. There will be enough jobs for us all to have something to volunteer for on the day. Many hands make light work – don’t assume others will do it.
Prayer Around the Cross
A service of Taize Music and Prayer for Good Friday. 18th April, 8pm at the Church of St Thomas of Canterbury & English Martyrs Magdalen Rd, St Leonards.