Category: Latest News

INVITED:

Our Lenten sessions started last Wednesday after the 10am Mass at St Wilfrid’s.  Even if you missed this one it is not to late to join us next Wednesday and you will be most welcome.  These sessions are also available on line, please see the “Invited” section on the Diocesan website.

Parish Charity Breakfast:

Our next date will be Today Sunday 25th February after St George’s 9am mass – fundraising for our young parishioners who sign up for the Lourdes Pilgrimage.  All Welcome invite friends and family, they are welcome just to attend breakfast or join for mass  also.

Scripture Reading for Lent

Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks, come back to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: Let your hearts be broken, and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for he is all          tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness and ready to relent. [Joel 2:12-13]

Fr Rory Writes:

Psalm 23

“The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want, though I walk through the valley of darkness”

At this time we are surrounded by darkness, especially as we listen to the experience of the people in Palestine and also great suffering in the Ukraine.  There was a  vigil for Ukraine at St Mary’s Church, a good response with solidarity that is needed.   The great act of bravery given by Alexei Navalny was just outstanding.  All through the ages martyrdom has been highlighted and the title of Saint added to his martyrdom.  There is a greater call on everyone to respond to the threat that is endangering our world.

AS WE BEGIN THIS SEASON OF LENT THERE ARE SIGNS OF OUR RESPONSE, beginning with buds and signs of new life which needs to be developed and grow.  Like any new life it needs to be propagated and encouraged.  Something that shocked me….. I was seated in the car sending a text message, when just outside the window a squirrel appeared on a branch of a tree and proceeded to devour all the beautiful buds that were beginning to emerge….. A lesson from life, and so we always need some extra power from above.

In keeping with this we had an excellent insertion in last weeks newsletter, Lent and Easter Programme 2024,  Ash Wednesday 14th February to Easter Sunday 31st March.  A special moment is the stations of the cross at St George’s and next Saturday there will be exposition of the blessed sacrament at St Wilfrid’s at 10am, in support of the time for confessions and reconciliation.  Please support the Reconciliation Service at St George’s, Sat 2nd March at 11.30am

Holy Father’s Prayer

Holy Father’s Prayer intention for February:

Throughout February, Pope Francis has asked us to remember the terminally ill and their family and friends. Please pray for them to find the consoling peace of our Lord.

If you are finding the journey through bereavement or challenging or overwhelming and would like to speak with someone, the Ministry of Consolation team across the Diocese are hear to journey with you. Please ask your Parish Priest for more details or email                               [email protected]

Baptism Preparation

Are you interested or involved in Baptism preparation in the parish? Do you have a desire to support young families grow the faith in their home?   

Please join us for a formation day with Bishop Richard and Katherine Bergin exploring a new approach to welcoming families to the community of the Church through baptismal preparation.

Saturday 2nd March 9.30-1.30 at the St Philip Howard Centre Crawley.

Please do sign up here:     

Baptism Catechists’ Day (02-Mar-2024) · ChurchSuite Events

The Deaf Service

The Deaf Service supports Deaf and hard of hearing adults and children providing catechism so that they can access the sacraments of baptism, reconciliation, First Holy Communion, confirmation, and marriage. The service aims to: Create    awareness in the Church of the needs of Deaf and hard of   hearing people Celebrate Mass in Sign Language once a month Provide support in the Catholic faith Members of the Deaf     Service visit the sick at home or in hospital and provide support with the preparation of funerals to help meet communication needs. You can contact the A&B Deaf Service by email;               E: [email protected] Or text message only (no telephone calls) M: 07970 428601 and there is a brand new web page https://www.abdiocese.org.uk/diocese/deaf-community

Let Us Dream

In response to the cries of the earth and the cries of the poor, The Catholic Deanery of Eastbourne invites you to: ‘Let Us Dream’.  Saturday 16th March 2024, 11am to 1pm at Our Lady of Ransom, 2-4 Grange Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4EU.

About the event:

How can building caring communities help in our fight against injustices and crises, such as climate change, poverty, life       issues, and the destruction of nature?

In tackling these issues, what would you like your parish, school or community to look like if we had done all we could to make it a reality in the years leading up to 2030?

The workshop will include a short talk by John Paul de Quay of The Ecological Conversion Group and The Journey to 2030 to set the scene, followed by a creative activity and discussion and network building.

The Journey to 2030 ‘Building a caring community’ activity packs will be provided to motivate your own parishes/schools and communities.

This event is hosted by Our Lady of Ransom, Eastbourne, and is part of a series of events with The Journey to 2030 in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Arundel & Brighton.

If you wish to sign up for this event, please phone Deacon John on Tel: 486280.  Thank you.