Category: Fr Rory Writes

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.

“Gaudete Sunday; Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice”

Often much easier said than done, so we constantly return to the First Advent Candle; the Candle of Hope, it gives great purpose to our Sunday liturgy.  Now the work that is being put into our communities is beginning to bear fruit, so the more we rejoice is essential.  This world will constantly bombard us with evidence that there is a Kingdom of darkness, so it is so important to give expression to the Kingdom of Light.

As you would expect in the natural order, we find greatest expression of this.  Evidence and examples of this great importance; the Aurora Borealis gives great expression of this.  We are provided with great evidence from their           experience, because there is so much evidence recorded.  Now in the light of God’s Holy Spirit at work in us, when from our parishes a joint meeting took place at OLR for a meeting with people in different ministries, sharing their experience and trying to establish a plan and a pattern for us to work together.  In my heart I could only say this is what we should have been doing 30 year ago.

“Lighting the First Candle of the New Week

The Candle of Hope; hope springs eternally”.

Please God, hope is one of the realities that endures all the trials and tribulations that life brings.  Sometimes it is the only thing that stands out as a beacon of light.  On Saturday last, the workshop prepared and lead by our children’s liturgy groups was simply outstanding – a true godsend, but also reality.  We are so dependant upon a small overworked group crying out for help.

As part of their liturgical commitments, they had prepared a prop reminding us of the homeless sleeping rough.  When I was in the church saying a quiet prayer of my own, I was so, so moved, the figure in the tent appeared to be breathing.

This is where I appear to never learn, because they had put so much work into it, I took it for granted that they would leave it there for Sunday morning.  Their understanding “the sanctuary”,  the sanctuary would be too full, cluttered up.   But what a powerful statement; what a powerful reminder, putting the homeless, the deprived at the centre of our concerns …… the heart of Christmas.

We are blessed  to have this team.

“Christmas is coming”

A very fading memory from Christmas in my “childhood”. 

Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the old man’s hat.  If you haven’t a penny half penny will do, and if you haven’t half a penny, well God bless you.  When I was a child there were people who didn’t have a penny and the poem applied to them.  The focus was upon the crib in the stable; very sincere and very much the heart of Christmas.  Since last Christmas the focus on Palestine and the people of Palestine highlights the message of the children who lost their lives during the time of the flight of the Holy family into Egypt.  This was brought about by the forces of Herod.   The truth is the same today as the forces of evil always seek the opportunity to inflict death and destruction upon the innocent.  Our constant need remains for God’s salvation, otherwise the constant power of evil continues to prevail. 

In our preparation for Christmas, so we are presented with the challenge that is bringing upheaval to our parishes.    Bishop Richard has been preparing a plan for our Diocese, which is a work in progress.  A lot of progress has been made and now it is our time to respond to this situation.  We need to adapt.  Our present situation has been impacted by the limited number of priests.  This is not likely to change, so the priests will cover the different church communities.  Each community will have much more responsibility to develop and grow. 

For ourselves I think we are as prepared and ready, so it is time to implement this.  The challenge presented to us is that we are expected to provide the results of an audit this coming Friday, so priority must be given to this.  Jackie is ready to work to provide this audit, but we need to have names and contact details (email & phone number).