Category: Latest News

Lourdes Pilgrimage 24th to 30th July 2020

The pilgrimage helps contribute towards the cost of any sick or disabled pilgrim, and those helpers who care for them, who lack the necessary funds to go to Lourdes.  A small amount of the funds donated are also used to nurture our young leaders, so that they develop and are able to take on more responsibility.

Your donations not only helps those who go on the pilgrimage but also helps the carers, parents and family who have a rest at home whilst their family member enjoys the week in Lourdes.  For some, this is the only break they get throughout the year, so your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated.

We give you our heartfelt thanks in advance, on behalf of those we help financially, for responding to this appeal.  If you would like to go on the Lourdes Pilgrimage as a helper, please see our website www.ablourdes.org Thank you again for your generosity and support., and please be assured of our prayers at the Grotto for you and your family this July.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  Fr Rory has decided that as a precaution there will be no handshake or communion from the chalice until further notice.

Deacon John Writes:

“You are my sunshine”: a story of salt and sunshine.

Like all good parents, when Karen and her husband found that another baby was on the way, they did what they could to help their three-year old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. When they found the baby was going to be a girl, they would gather Michael in their arms and he would sing to his sister in Mummy’s tummy the only song he knows, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.” The pregnancy progresses normally, then the labour pains, but complications arise during delivery. Finally, Michael’s sister is born but she is in a serious condition. The days inch by but the little girl gets worse. The paediatric specialist tells the parents, “There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst.” Michael keeps begging to see his sister. “I want to sing to her,” he pleads. But children are not allowed in the ICU. Finally, Karen decides she will take Michael to the hospital whether they like it or not, figuring that if he doesn’t see his sister now, he may never see her alive. She dresses him and marched him to the ICU, but the head nurse bellows, “Get that kid out of here now!” Karen glares into the nurse’s face, her lips a firm line, “He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!” Michael gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live, and begins to sing in the pure-hearted voice of a three-year-old: “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy, when skies are grey…” Instantly, the baby responds. Her pulse rate becomes calm and steady. Keep on singing Michael! “You never know dear how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.” The baby’s ragged, strained breathing becomes as smooth as a kitten’s purr. Michael’s little sister relaxes at rest, .healing rest seems to sweep over her. Keep on singing Michael! Tears conquer the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glows. Funeral plans are scrapped. The next day -the very next day- the little girl is well enough to go home! – Karen called it a miracle of God’s love. The medical staff simply called it a miracle. We call it the Lazarus story all over again. Love is stronger than death. 

St Wilfrid’s Afternoon Tea & Chat for the over 50’s:  Thursday 30th January 2-4pm.  Well what with an atrocious day weather wise and so many bugs going around, we launched our venture.  20 brave souls turned up, we had a feast of lovely dainty food, better than the Grand Hotel!  New friends were made, 12 of us joined in a game of Bird Bingo.  Our next date is Thursday 27th February, 2-4pm, why not come and join us, you will be most welcome, and be sure to enjoy an afternoon among friends.

Lost Property at St Wilfrid’s:

A Sunday Missal has been left in our Church last weekend.  If you find you have mislaid yours, please speak to one of the welcomers in church and hopefully you will be re-united with it.

Tuesday 11th February:  will be Lulu’s 70th Birthday.  I am sure we all know how hard working she is attending to our garden of flower pots etc. and helping with the Tea/coffee after Masses on Sunday and Wednesday in the Hall.  We are giving her a little party on Sunday 9th February after Mass in the Hall.  You are all welcome to join us including our friends at St George’s.  We are also taking her to lunch at the Treacle Mine on Tuesday 11th February at 12noon.  Please contact Joan if you would like to join us.  I have plenty of 40% off coupons, so it won’t be expensive, must know numbers when booking, please Tel: 849732.

St George’s Film club – Change of Dates:

St George’s Film club next films will be:  1st March (2010) Japanese animation about a family of tiny creatures. 15th March (2009) A famous pop star finds a new meaning of life in a rural setting.  All films start at 3 pm.

Thank You:  Anne Bowe wishes to thank everyone for their kind support in thoughts, words and prayers, as this has meant so much to her and will since David died.

St George’s Organists – Since John moved to live with his family last year, I have been actively searching for an organist to play at our Mass – not an easy task.  I have been so fortunate in finding three new organists who will provide the musical accompaniment and so enhance our Sunday worship. This weekend we welcome to our St George’s family Mary Cockshoot, who will play for us on the second Sunday of each month.  Mary is a very accomplished organist and pianist, a piano teacher and an excellent singer who is very much in demand, so we are truly blessed.  We will also be joined in March by Kirsty, a young mother with a family of four. She will play on the fourth Sunday of the month. Our third organist, Richard Karn, will play occasionally and will join us for our Good Friday service.  We have been lucky to have Nellie, the sister in law of a parishioner, also play for us whenever she visits Polegate.  She will be welcome to continue to support our music.  I am so grateful that these talented people have agreed to join us and know that they will be welcomed and appreciated by everyone.

Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team

We give thanks that we have experienced many wonderful encouragements throughout the last months and years and we know this is because God worked and people prayed.  There are many things on our hearts as individuals and as a team we have faith in the Lord and never doubt in the power of prayer.

Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’, and it would obey you”.

We have no doubt that prayer is the answer to changing the desperate situation at Beachy Head we know that prayer can change any situation, it will bring breakthrough and it will make things happen.  We believe that Prayer is the difference between the best we/you can do and the best God can do!