Category: Latest News

Holy Week at St George’s

A most beautiful start to Holy Week with the Mass of the Last Supper at St George’s. Our EM’s from both communities renewing their commitment to this vital role. Good Friday poignant and respectful. Easter Sunday renewing our baptismal vows together. Thank you to everyone who put time and effort into supporting Fr Rory and producing meaningful, prayerful and well attended services.

Race Night – 26th April

Race Night, 26th April at 7pm:  The race night leaflets already bought will be accepted as your entry on the night.  More are on sale now and on the door on the night. You will need to bring your own alcoholic drinks and nibbles. Tea ,Coffee & soft drinks will be available. The tote will be at £1 a ticket. This is a fun night for all, hope to see you on the night. 

St Wilfrid’s Palm Sunday

Began in our hall where Fr Rory blessed our palms, then we proceeded back to our church for Mass.  After mass we celebrated two birthdays, Maeve and little Rosemary, who gave up chocolate for Lent, but informed us that you are   allowed to eat it on Sundays, so two very chocolatey cakes were devoured! It was great to see so many people joining in and talking to other parishioners. Great celebrations this week, Easter Sunday.  Easter egg hunt after mass for the children, whilst they are hunting we will be having the “bag sale” in the hall whilst we celebrate in our usual way!  Happy Easter to everyone and a big thank you to all who helped make all the celebrations very special, including Fr Rory.  More volunteers are always welcome.

The Gift

An Eastertide series of 6 inspiring sessions on the role and gifts of the Holy Spirit. A great way to prepare together for all the important changes as the Deanery becomes a single new Parish in the coming months. Rooted in Scripture, Church Teaching and reflections from Pope Francis. Weekly on Thursdays from 11 April – 16 May, in Our Lady of Ransom Parish Hall (Eastbourne) from 11.45am – 1.15 pm, with refreshments, after the 11.00 am Mass. Everyone is welcome, bring a friend!

Fr Rory Writes:

Holy Week, when we journey through the sacred events:

The Son of God Jesus laid down His life to establish God’s salvation, and restore His Kingdom here on earth.  After over two thousand years it is very apparent that it is not a work of magic, but is completely reliant upon our response.    Being open to His grace and mercy and dependant upon the Holy Spirit to guide our responses and support our actions; the corner stone of this is to become communities of faith.   It presents us with an overwhelming challenge as we focus upon the future guidelines that were provided by the diocese with the expression, “we have a plan”.  We will keep this before us as we build upon the good work that is taking place at this time in our parish.

I am confident that great efforts have been made, and please God, then greater support will be provided during the coming weeks, months, and because time passes so quickly, years.  The parish council, particularly the children’s     liturgy and the growing number of activities that with the help of God, lead us faithfully through the coming years.  Alongside this; bodies like the bereavement support group, also focused upon the ministries of the church and the ongoing worship of Him who loves us will bear fruit …… fruit that will last.  Most of all, and this could not possibly have a more appropriate time than now, when we focus upon the Resurrection and Ascension of our Divine Lord into    heaven (our destination).  Above all, we prepare for Pentecost so that we may become more and more open to the Holy Spirit, God’s greatest gift to us while on earth.

St Patrick’s Day Celebrations at St Wilfrid’s:

Fr Rory started us off with a special mass, mind you all Fr Rory’s Masses are special.  Teresa gave us a shortened version of St Patrick’s life, the children did their bit as it was their turn to do the readings, we have some very good readers in the making, then it was over to the hall for a buffet picnic, beautiful cake, homemade by Lesley, Irish music was played, and we all joined in singing.   Not many of us can get up to dance a jig now! But our legs and feet were doing so sitting down.

Next week will be Easter Sunday, so this week is the last date for bringing in empty or filled bags, box is in the porch to receive them please.  After last years very successful table full of surprise bags, lets make this years even better!  These will be on sale after Easter Sunday Mass in the hall, adult £2 & children £1, prize everytime.  There will also be refreshments, a time to mingle and get to know your fellow parishioners and celebrate as Lent will be over.

Easter Collection:

Easter Collection: As I am sure many of you are aware, Catholic Priests do not receive a salary and rely on your generosity at Christmas and Easter as a thank you for all they do for us. It is also possible to claim gift aid on your donation if you are a UK taxpayer and that extra 25% will go directly to Father Rory. If you aren’t part of a planned giving scheme then please use the “one off” gift aid envelopes     located in the porch. You can also contribute via the digital collection plate at St Wilfrid’s, QR Code or via the donations website link (https:/donate.mydona.com/st-wilfrids-church-hailsham )  using the “Easter Collections” tab.