Category: Fr Rory Writes

Fr Rory Writes:        

To the parishioners of St Wilfrid’s and St George’s

Nice to hear from family, sometimes especially nice.  They ask to extend their thanks to the parish.

We the Kelly family would like to acknowledge with thanks the love, time and energy you all give Fr Rory in his ministry.  Thank you for the hours you spend assisting him and for being his friend.  It is such a blessing to know he can rely on you for help in assisting him in his ministry.

On Rory’s 50th Anniversary you all excelled in delivering a most memorable day for friends and family.  Words cannot express how much it means to us, Fr Rory’s family in Tipperary.  We will be eternally grateful.          The Kelly Family.

Deacon John Writes:

National Marriage Week began last Friday and ran until St Valentine’s Day on 14th February. Marriage Week is an annual celebration, and offers an important opportunity for us to support and promote the vocation of marriage and family life. We have all been encouraged to say daily a simple prayer of thanksgiving for the vocation to marriage: I realise that this week of prayer will be over by the time you read this but I encourage us all in the coming week to support the work done in National Marriage Week by saying daily this week the following prayer in thanksgiving for the vocation to marriage: 

“Lord, we pray in thanksgiving for the vocation to marriage and for each couple that you join together to make a family. We ask that every marriage brings each couple closer to you and to holiness. We pray for those who are struggling in their marriage, that they can make it through this tough time and find hope and consolation in You. We pray that this Jubilee year can be a year of hope for marriages, with your gentle guiding hand through each action, decision, discussion and event. We make this prayer through Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

With my love and prayers for you all. Deacon John.

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!” 

The Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land, the local Church Leaders write: “We sincerely hope that this ceasefire marks the beginning of a new path towards reconciliation, justice and sustainable peace. May this be the first step on a path that  promotes healing and unity among all the people of the Holy Land.

We eagerly await the return of pilgrims to the Holy Places in the Holy Land. The Holy Places are meant to be places of  prayer and peace, and we long for the day when pilgrims can visit them again in safety and spiritual joy.

Despite the pain we have suffered, we continue to look to the future with unwavering hope. May this ceasefire inspire new efforts for dialog, mutual understanding and lasting peace for all. At the beginning of the Jubilee Year dedicated to hope that does not disappoint, we read in this event a sign that reminds us of God’s faithfulness.

Finally, we call on political leaders and the international community to develop a clear and just political vision for the post-war period. A future built on dignity, security and freedom for all peoples is a prerequisite for true and lasting peace. We urge all parties to implement the immediate steps and negotiate the future steps of the agreement in good faith.

May the Lord bless this land with peace and lead us all on the path of reconciliation and healing.”

Deacon John Writes: Today we are encouraged to embrace God’s call and love others deeply. It also reminds us that faith can be challenging but is worth the effort. We are called to live out our faith with courage and love, even in difficult times.  Remember that the Holy Spirit is always with us to help and guide us in our efforts to follow God’s call. Last week we were told what we are to do and the readings today encourage us in our efforts.

“Up, Up and away, but not my best decision”

I will be away for my after Christmas break, which is an important decision.  In our new position, when I fear it will be much more difficult to get a supply priest, this influenced my decision.  The fact that Lent and Easter is much later this year could have allowed me to delay going until the longer evenings arrive.

In future much of the responsibility for these decisions will be with Fr Kevin, which is indication of the great amount of work and responsibility that has landed on his desk; highlights how important the challenge we all now face.  This is the work that we are now engaged with.  There are early signs that we are off to a good start, but it is always the outcome that is most important.

Looking forward to this challenge when I return.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Jesus, Mary and Joseph life of God

Though He was in the form of God, Jesus did not cling to this equality, but emptied Himself and became like us in all things but sin, even unto accepting death upon the cross.  But God raised Him on a high and gave Him a name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend and every tongue acclaim Jesus is Lord to the Glory of God our Father.

The deanery meeting of the priests and deacons took place on Tuesday, and so the next step is underway.  We are on the way to implementing the new structure and forum of parish life.  Fr Kevin is tasked with being the parish priest and he has presented us with our guide lines to facilitate this taking place.

“Fr Kevin Dring Writes”

Becoming a Single Parish – How will it affect YOU?

As Dean of Eastbourne & St Leonard’s Deanery, as we presently are, Bishop Richard has asked me to take on role of Moderator of the new Single Parish.  Last November we formally began to come together from what were currently 8 individual parishes, from Eastbourne to Rye, into a SINGLE PARISH.  This will be a BIG Parish and a BIG challenge for all of us, clergy and laity together.

Firstly, this is about all of us together discerning what we need to do to make this work well.  We won’t be looking at making any unnecessary changes (“change for change’s sake”) but instead, only what looks to be genuinely good and helpful for everybody in the parish.  We won’t be about “closing down” but building up what we already have, sharing all our good resources, especially our many good and gifted people.  We’ll do this by listening to people’s views and   concerns and then discerning the steps forward we need to take.

“Most important, God’s Salvation”

As we continue our journey of life there is so much conflict and anxieties, real reasons for apprehension, the outcome of our Christmas celebrations are of the utmost importance.  The Son of God, Jesus, has come down from heaven with the assurance of bringing to us God’s salvation.  His words are “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  I will be with you always”.   From the beginning after his birth in Bethlehem, the Holy Family had to take flight down into Egypt as the force of darkness, then under the threat of Herod, brings about the massacre of the Holy Innocent.  Here we are over 2000 years later confronted with the massacre of children in the place of Jesus’s birth.  At times it is heart breaking to listen to it.  This is amplified by many things including global warming, and the constant threat of war.

It is at this time our faith takes hold of His promise “I am with you always”.  He is our rock, our strength and gives solid direction to our lives.  Our Christmas celebrations were very helpful, life giving and a solid foundation to build upon.  This weekend it the Epiphany Party which helps us to begin the new year with a good sense of purpose, and to prepare us for what the new year brings.  Which will be different, and we must be ready to take one step at a time and continue to build our communities of faith.  So we simply have to rely upon God’s providence to make the most positive, energetic effort to build up our lives through the strength of our faith.  Our churches, our halls and whatever else may be required to strengthen our lives of faith.        

With the help of God we will be capable of doing this.

Wishing you all a very

Happy New Year

The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  The love of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit be with you throughout our New Year.

Deacon John and Tessa would like to wish everyone in the parish a very Happy New Year.

To all our Ministries and all who have responsibilities for the organisation,

support and wellbeing of our Parish. All our love and blessings

at the joyful season of Christmas.

Many thanks for all your kindness and generosity over the year.  This especially includes your Christmas offerings, gifts and cards.  I am most grateful, but my biggest thanks is for all that is done to celebrate and enhance the life of our    community.  This is the best expression of our hope, trust and confidence in God.