Category: Saint George’s latest news

CAFOD

CAFOD:  This year, the UK will host the ‘COP26’ climate talks in Glasgow in November.  Many of the world’s poorest countries are struggling to cope with the effects of climate change such as increased droughts, floods and cyclones.  We need world leaders to put the poorest people at the heart of their talks and the UK has a critical role to play as host.  Please sign our petition to the Prime Minister at cafod.org.uk/reclaim.  Groups from parishes across our diocese are also meeting their MPs locally, to let them know how strongly we feel as Catholics about protecting our earth and helping our sisters and brothers around the world. Further details can be found here:  Parliament in your Parish | CAFOD. Please consider holding a meeting with your MP too.

St Wilfrid’s & St George’s

We are organising a friendly lunch time meal with members of St Wilfrid’s and St George’s community.  Fr Rory will join us.  The venue is The Treacle Mine, midday Thursday 24th June.  If you are interested please contact Joan on 07873390944 asap please.

The last time we were able to meet together for a meal was St Patrick’s Day, 17th March 2020.  Lockdown happened very soon after.  It would be great if we could start back socialising with our friends in both parishes.  All the necessary precautions are in place of course.  Please God, we will be able to meet on that day.

Deacon John Writes

Have you ever had the thought that you don’t like your credit card? Does it make you think that you have more money than you actually do have? Does it make you feel powerful or reckless? Well if you do you will not be alone! I am sure that many have that feeling from time to time but the vast majority do not let the feeling last for more than a fleeting moment when common sense steps in, aided probably by the Holy Spirit and guides you into more appropriate avenues of action and thought. Moments like those are moments of darkness and light quickly shines through. Always remember that God said “Let light shine out of darkness”. We must let God’s light shine on everything we do, not what we do tomorrow, but on everything we do TODAY. Tomorrow will not do because as we all know – tomorrow never comes. Everything is today and it is today that really matters!  

We will do this if we remember that we are all part of the new covenant that we are called to be part of. This covenant calls us all into partnership with God. This partnership is one of love between God and ourselves. God loves each and every one of us with no conditions attached so we should all return this love today and every day. God is faithful in all and to all – so, if it is necessary, pull your socks up and get on with doing good to those around you. If you don’t wear socks then use your imagination and just do whatever is needed to go forward in a manner that is truly life-giving to yourself and to others.

Friday, June 11th, is the Feast of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and is an opportunity to remind ourselves about our duty to make it obvious that we love one another, to refrain from quarrels and bitterness, stubbornness and being stuck in a rut. We do not, of course, have to go to Mass to do this – this is important, particularly in the current pandemic, when it is not easy to bring ourselves to attend Mass. The time is coming, quite soon, I hope, when it will be possible to freely attend Mass again without any fear, but until that time comes for you, and for me, let us not forget to help anyone in need, and remember that God loves us all – there really are no exceptions!

Fr Rory Writes

Last week I posed the question, “how did I end up the week before?”.  It was to begin again with the idea “how do we best work together?”.  Firstly, to have the sense that anytime we gather, we strengthen our bonds and our commitment to be a parish community.  We have a sense of what it is to be a good parish, but this must be very much updated and a return to the foundations as Jesus laid them out.  “You are my witness” and this is above all to the forgiveness of sin, and restoring a life of grace “by this shall all men know that you are my disciples, your love for one another”.

At this time one of the strongest affirmations of faith that I have received has been the celebration of funerals.  It brings home to my heart the central focus of our lives which is to be at home with God.  Thanks be to God that I have experienced some special moments, because over all we have been through a very difficult time.  I am most grateful for all the help and support that I have received.  It is as I listen to the concern and indeed echoes of distress that many are still experiencing; so it is most important that we are ready to resume our lives for the good of others to the best of our ability.

I acknowledge that this is helped most by having a good parish priest.  I always recognised that I have lacked some important characteristics to be a “good shepherd”, and sometimes I feel I am more cut out for a monastic type of life.  But key elements for all of us “is live and learn” and so with this foremost in our minds, let us look forward and be ready for the opportunities that will come our way.  We will have celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation and we will be getting prepared for the mass celebrated by the bereavement team.  

The parish community mass celebrations will be in July, with other various occasions when we will meet in different groups to catch up and to look forward together.  Please God, let us look forward to our future with hope and confidence.

Mary (Maura) Marshall

Mary Frances Marshall Hogan Maura, passed away peacefully after a long illness on 7th May 2021, aged 91 years.  Widow of Ronald Marshall.  She will be greatly missed by her daughter Jane, son John and all the grandchildren and great grandchildren.  A private family committal will be held at Hailsham Cemetery.