Category: Latest News

Retrouvaille

“Retrouvaille” is a programme for healing marriages, even when couples are separated, going through divorce, or are divorced. It is never too late when both are willing to try.  Couples work together to learn a better way to relate and live. The virtual programme commences on 13 – 16 October 2022.  Call or text + 44 788 7296983/+44 797 3380443 – email [email protected] or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk

Whole Parish Harvest Celebration & CAFOD Fast Day 7th October

Last Sunday’s Harvest Masses were extremely successful, donations to the foodbank were generous Eastbourne

confirmed 62.9kilos being received and Hailsham a good haul so far that will be collected w/c10th Oct. 

Please Note: St George’s has a basket for ongoing weekly donations and St Wilfrid’s will continue to collect up to 9th October.  The demands on this local charity to feed those in need are at there highest.

Our Cafod fundraising so far has raised over £320.  St George parishioners’ charity breakfast was delicious and donations were generous.  St Wilfrid’s sale of fresh produce was also extremely fruitful with promises of more payments this week.  Our thanks to all those who gave their time to plan these fundraisers and helped with  baking, donating fresh foods,  serving and selling on the day.  And of course those who attended and bought.

We still have more opportunities to maximise the Parish Harvest support to CAFOD with Next Friday’s Harvest Fast Day (7th October) there  will be a retiring collection next Sunday after mass.  Please collect an envelope.

Deacon John Writes

All three readings for this Sunday speak a lot about “Faith” and how it works in our lives. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote: “To one who has Faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without Faith, no explanation is possible.” It is this Faith that is the basis of the readings today. They give us three concepts of Faith. The theological virtue of Faith enables us to believe something to be true and therefore worthy of trust simply because it has been revealed to us by God. In his instructions to Timothy, Paul shows Faith operating as a believing, trusting, loving relationship with Christ. The third concept of Christian Faith is that trusting Faith is God in action, shown by steadfast loyalty, fidelity and total            commitment to Him. This results in our offering ourselves to Him in those we encounter, through our humble, loving service. 

This ought to lead us to three things we should do this week and every week. First, we need to thank God, giving Him the credit for our well- being.  It is easy to forget God’s providence when our earthly affairs are going well.  We often pray to Him only when trouble strikes – that is too late!  In His Infinite Goodness however, God often answers such prayers. A stronger Faith will help us to accept the adversities and the trials of life when we ask God to “Increase our Faith, Lord!” at all times.

Secondly we can increase our Faith ourselves by becoming active servants of God.   We grow in Faith as we act in Faith. Surely we can find many ways to help to make Christ known to a neighbour – a quiet word, a charitable gesture, an unselfish interest in a neighbour’s troubles can do more good than a multitude of sermons given by some well known theologian.

Thirdly, we need to grow in Faith by using the means Christ has given us in his Church – through prayer, Bible study, participation in the Mass and leading a determined spiritual life.                      With my love and prayers for you all. DJ

Invitation to webinar

Thank you for your recent generous support for seafarers and fishers on Sea Sunday. The Catholic charity Stella Maris (formerly Apostleship of the Sea) invites you to join a webinar on Tuesday 27th September 7.30 to 9pm  to learn more about the issue of seafarer abandonment, and how donations like yours on Sea Sunday are supporting those in crisis. If you would like to attend, please register in advance at www.stellamaris.org.uk/abandonment

Youth Opportunity for school years 10 or 11

You are invited to the ‘mini-Lourdes’ experience at Worth Abbey Sunday 23rd October 2.30pm-8.30pm.  You will join other young Catholics across the diocese in having fun together and being inspired in your faith, taking part in a candlelight procession and visit the relics of St Bernadette while they Tour the UK.  For more information email [email protected]. 

Side note — don’t forget our Parish Youth Group Launch for all our 11-19 year olds and their friends  Sun 9th October.4pm

October – The month of the Holy Rosary

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary, it is a good time to pray the Rosary more frequently.  The Holy Rosary is one of the best known Catholic devotions. We can pray the Rosary anywhere, alone, with our family/friends, or as a parish group .  In our Parish there are opportunities to pray the Rosary together, all are welcome to join them. 

Our Parish Rosary Group, takes place at St George’s  Church.  It started in 2009 and some of us are still going strong! We have met every Monday afternoon at 2.30pm , except on Bank Holidays and, of course, during the pandemic. We have a core group but are frequently joined  by others praying for a special intention , we pray for any intention that is passed to us. After our prayers we enjoy tea and cake and always have a lot to say to each other. Visitors and new regular members are always more than welcome. For more information or to request an intention please speak to Jean Hines or make the request via the parish office FAO Parish Rosary Group.

The Rosary is also prayed before weekday masses  at St Wilfrid’s on Wednesday and Friday. 

Whole Parish Harvest Celebration

TODAY (Sunday 25th) after MASS — Cafod Fundraising:

Whole Parish Harvest Celebration

This Sunday we celebrate the Harvest and we are grateful for all the donations already given to support our local foodbanks and also for our CAFOD fundraising as detailed below.

St Wilfrid’s:  Please join us in the hall after mass for tea/coffee and also to purchase fresh produce.

St George’s:  A parish breakfast of pastries, scones and cakes will be served after mass.  Everyone is welcome. 

All money raised during our hall refreshments, breakfasts and produce sales will be donated to the CAFOD

Thank you for your generosity in helping our Parish support both these worthy causes