Category: Latest News

Over 50’s Activities – St Wilfrid’s Church Hall:

Our next Afternoon Tea will be Thursday 28th April, 2pm to 4pm in the church hall.  Everyone is welcome to this friendly social event.

We are a small group in Polegate praying for our children and all children. We are opening up the group  to include those who feel they would like to join us. We meet on Wednesday mornings and are part of a much bigger worldwide group, over a hundred countries are all praying for our children and grandchildren. It is truly a wonderful achievement, after all meeting together, to have prayed for them. Ring me on Polegate 487688 for more information Cathy.

Join our community of young adults on 7 May for a day in East Preston with Fr Stephen Ortiger. We will start with Mass, followed by a walk on the beach then share lunch at a wonderful beachside café. A great opportunity to get to know other Catholics your age. Contact E: [email protected] for more info.

We have received several applications from Pilgrims who will require assistance to join this year’s Lourdes Pilgrimage, but at this point we are short of Helpers.   After two ‘grace years’ dictated by the pandemic we are conscious of people’s wellbeing, and we are having to look for more helpers than usual who are fit and well to support others. Subsidies are available for helpers to go towards them meeting the costs of the pilgrimage.   As we currently stand, we will have to turn down some pilgrims who require assistance, if we do not get a significant number of fit helpers applying in the next few weeks, so please do apply if you can spare the time to help those in need.  The Pilgrimage Office is happy to answer any questions anyone has prior to applying 01403 740110, [email protected]   Helpers Apply now lourdes.abdiocese.org.uk

will take place after Mass this Sunday (24th April) in St Wilfrid’s Church Hall.  All welcome.

David & Anne Hoad celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday 1st May.  We would like to send them both good wishes and congratulations from all the parish community.

Joke of the Week

The reason for these jokes according to an ancient Russian Orthodox tradition, is that  the day before Easter was devoted to telling jokes. The reason was to reflect the joke God pulled on the devil in the Resurrection. Satan thought he had won on Friday, but God had the last laugh on Easter Sunday.

“TA-DA!”A Sunday school teacher had just finished telling her third graders about how Jesus was crucified and placed in a tomb with a great stone sealing the opening. Then, wanting to share the excitement of the Resurrection, she asked: “And what do you think were Jesus’ first words when He came bursting out of that tomb alive?” A hand shot up into the air from the rear of the classroom. Attached to it was the arm of a little girl. Leaping out of her chair she shouted out excitedly “I know, I know!” “Good” said the teacher, “Tell us, what were Jesus first words?” And extending her arms high into the air she said: “TA-DA!” Another little boy offered, “Please stop staring and pass me the fish sandwiches —  it’s been three days and I’m starving!” The teacher asked a second question: “Why did Jesus appear to women first after the Resurrection?” A girl answered, “He wanted to be sure the news spread quickly!”

With gratitude, real gratitude.

The Easter celebrations were a great blessing.  The meaning, the hopes they bring in marked contrast with the normal news we hear.  Receiving the Holy water, the Easter cards, the messages; so many.  “Let us greet the Risen Lord with thankfulness and joy”.  A good foundation upon which to place our hopes and expectations.

On the horizon is the Feast of the Ascension, but above all, Pentecost our firm foundation upon which to build.  The preliminary work that went into our response, the call for a Synod to help renew the life of the church.  I am really grateful for the work that has gone into this, and now the intention to develop our response.  Part of that response is to be ready for new offers of help and effectively use the help we can get.

We are inviting all our parishioners to benefit from the Easter holy water by taking a bottle home with them. They will be available after our Easter Masses.    Due to costs associated with the purchase of the Glass bottles we do ask for a small  donation.

 £1 for small (15ml) and £2 for large (50-100ml). There are small plastic spray bottles which can be taken if preferred. 

When we carried out the recent SYNOD consultation with parishioners, some people expressed an interest in learning more about our Faith or attending a Mission. Well, the Diocese is arranging something online for everyone, called INVITED.
The website says “Last year’s Mission was hugely successful, bringing people across our community of faith together. Our Formation Team can’t wait to welcome both new, and returning members of our Invited family, and are really looking forward to the launch of Episode 1 on Monday 18 April”

For further details please see the website: https://www.abdiocese.org.uk/invited