Author: Jacky

Fr Rory Writes

And now for something different.  Recently I had a “God sent” outing with a group of parishioners from the children’s liturgy at St George’s church.  The walk had been planned some time ago.  First and foremost it was a challenge, with the walk and views refreshing.  The weather was not ideal for picnics or sitting around.  It was in neighbouring Kent, noticeably different.  On our farm when I was growing up as a child we had some sheep, and that breed was called Sussex.  The sheep in neighbouring Kent, noticeably different.

The walk was quite long, allowing for a more prolonged quality time being spent together.  Continuing with my hobby horse: life having two characteristics a) journey and b) story telling.  So like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, there are always issues in the background.  In a way the issue in the background is the effects of the pandemic, and the drastic effects it has upon life.  The stresses and strains breaking through; and what will be the outcome, especially for our churches.

On Sunday we had our celebration of First Holy Communion at St George’s.  This celebration of the sacrament can be a powerful window into our life of faith.  Again, two things – belief and prayer.  At baptism the parents and godparents are given a baptism candle with the words “this light has been entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly”.  Through baptism your child has been enlightened by Christ.  Now as part of our first communion celebration the parents present their child with their baptismal candle which they have just lit.. The children take the candle, quench it in order to place their candle on the altar as part of the offertory of the Mass.  The parents place their children’s preparation book, the work that has taken place, at the foot of the altar. 

Because of the covid virus we recently had a very rare celebration of confirmation at St Wilfrid’s without it being the Bishop who was the celebrant.  At that service, we had the candidates lighting the candle themselves from the pascal candle, as a sign that they had taken upon themselves the light of Christ that had been entrusted to their parents and godparents.  Please God, they will continue to be active witnesses to their faith, as it now influences their lives.  A particularly memorable moment during a preparation class when asked what do we need to help us grow? – the response 1) food would you believe, and after some discussion 2) exercise.

Dawn Mass

Dawn Mass:  Thursday 24th June, Seaford Head Car Park at 4.50am.  To offer Mass for an End to the Pandemic and a New Dawn of Salvation for the Church and World.   

Feast of the Birth of John the Baptist.  The Dawn of Salvation.  Followed by shared BBQ breakfast (Please bring something to share).

Bereavement Mass

Bereavement Mass:  A decision has been made to change the date of our Bereavement Mass from Sunday 4th July, a new date will be established and we will let you know as soon as possible.   We are looking forward to this taking place as it will be so helpful because for many there has been much sadness and indeed loss, so it is important to pray for one another and when we can to support each other.

Update – St Wilfrid’s & St George’s

Update: St Wilfrid’s and St George’s – Friendly lunchtime meal at the Treacle Mine, Midday Thursday 24th June.  I have been in touch with the Treacle Mine in view of the latest lockdown rules extended to 19th July. If the weather is good, then no problem we can eat outside under the awnings. If the weather is not good then it will be eating inside with up to 6 people per table (no flitting from table to table or changing seats) – that I will find difficult! Nevertheless, we will overcome these problems and have a lovely “Get Together”. We must start socialising again and meeting up with friends, something Fr Rory is very keen to do. I must have definite numbers of people going ASAP before Tuesday 22nd June. Please get in touch with Joan on 07873390944. Look forward to meeting up with you all again. I shall have my famous bell with me!

Deacon John Writes

Many of us will have been on a boat during a storm. It is often not a comfortable experience! The gospel this Sunday is the familiar one where Jesus actually sleeps while the storm is raging around their boat. The apostles get rather panicky and wake Jesus who in effect says ‘what is the problem you men of little faith’ and promptly gets the waves and wind to calm down. In times of trouble and distress we should always remember that Jesus is in the boat with us and that, with faith, all will be well eventually.

Last Thursday the gospel of Matthew introduced the Lord’s Prayer – the Prayer for ‘forgiveness’. He includes an instruction about ‘babbling’ on with lots of words. The. Instruction is saying ‘don’t do it! Use only necessary words = be short and concise. True forgiveness makes a huge difference to us and if there was more of it the world would surely be a better place!

On Saturday Matthew wrote about anxiety and worry – “why are you anxious about clothes?” Has any one of us never had thoughts which worry us? Worry about the time, have we got enough bread in, enough milk and others, many more serious to us. Whatever the problem, “trust in God” is the answer. Accept  that God loves us and he will take care of our worries – so let us all accept God’s love – he will care for us and is the perfect antidote for any worry or anxiety that is holding us back from leading a full life – He will change  everything.

There is a story told about a visitor to the Vatican who was quite impressed with the beauty and power of the place. He asked Pope John XXIII this question: “How many people do you have working here?” With a twinkle in his eye, the pope replied, “About half of them.” Humour is one antidote for worry – it really can make you forget about your worries. 

A small farming village was threatened with drought because the rains had failed to arrive. On a hot and dry Sunday, the priest told his congregation, “There isn’t anything that will save us except to pray for rain. Go home, pray, believe, and come back next Sunday ready to thank God for sending rain.” The people returned to church the following Sunday. As they sat down the Pastor gently rebuked them. “We can’t worship today because you do not yet believe,” he said. “But we prayed” they protested, “and we do believe.” “Believe?” he responded. “Then where are your umbrellas?”

Fr Rory Writes

I have just noticed the beautiful flowers while sitting in the church saying my prayers.  All of a sudden it  came to my attention how lovely the flowers are, and then I remembered that I was told that they were all from our garden.  Thank you Lulu.  I have often noticed the flowers with St George’s Church, where over the years they have done a wonderful job on the flowers.   Unfortunately the sadness is that the church has to be locked because it is so isolated and as such a vulnerable place.

I went to sit in the church to reflect upon our situation in light of the government statements this evening on the current situation concerning the virus.  Our hopes of returning to normal life are as important as ever and coming to terms with the effect that lockdown had on us and also on me as parish priest has been severe.  The implications of visiting someone with such age and health issues is always on my mind.   Christmas time was particularly difficult, especially in the end when it was not possible to celebrate our Masses.  Please God, we can eventually put all this to rest.

Now we need to restore and please God, develop the life of our parish for our future.  We will have a parish finance meeting this Wednesday, just for an initial reflection and establishing priorities and preparing ourselves ready to be fit for purpose for our future.  We will be able to address this in the weeks to come.

Our celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation last Saturday was a big step in the right direction.  I was especially pleased because of the parents that joined their children to receive the sacrament.  It became noticeable years ago to me that most parents sent their children to confession, but did not give the example of doing so themselves.  Then it was equally clear that parents were beginning to want to have their  children baptised in order to get into our Catholic schools, but seldom or ever would go themselves to church.  As the years have rolled on the gap between our catholic schools and their parish gets wider, and catholic teachers have become extremely scarce.

CAFOD

CAFOD:  This year, the UK will host the ‘COP26’ climate talks in Glasgow in November.  Many of the world’s poorest countries are struggling to cope with the effects of climate change such as increased droughts, floods and cyclones.  We need world leaders to put the poorest people at the heart of their talks and the UK has a critical role to play as host.  Please sign our petition to the Prime Minister at cafod.org.uk/reclaim.  Groups from parishes across our diocese are also meeting their MPs locally, to let them know how strongly we feel as Catholics about protecting our earth and helping our sisters and brothers around the world. Further details can be found here:  Parliament in your Parish | CAFOD. Please consider holding a meeting with your MP too.