Category: Saint George’s latest news

Fundraiser for Pax Christi:
In the week from 15 to 21 May, Pax Christi, the Catholic Peace organisation, will be trying to raise funds to make up for lost income due to Covid19. Fausta is having a dance-a-thon, Bruce is delivering a peace message to foreign embassies in London, Matt is cycling 50 miles visiting peace sites, Pat is going on a walk from Victoria to the Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park, Rachel will be cycling for 75 miles, to celebrate Pax Christi’s 75th anniversary. More fundraisers are joining the fun.
Please go to their website www.paxchristi.org.uk/register-you-interest/  for details on how you can sponsor them.

Confirmation – Plans are currently underway to prepare Catechists to undertake Confirmation instruction for children, who will be in year 10 and above, and wish to take the Sacrament in 2022.  More details to follow once a programme has been fully planed by the Catechists and Children’s Liturgy team. 

St George’s First Holy Communion – We are delighted to confirm that on 27^th June three of our children will share Communion for the first time at St George’s Church.  We hope to be able to welcome as many parishioners as possible to attend this service, priority will be given to the families’ guests, but there will be space for others. If you wish to attend please contact Margaret Piegrome or Sandra King.  Please keep the children and their families in your prayers at this very special time in their Faith Journey.

St George’s Children’s Liturgy:  We are delighted that Children’s Liturgy has now returned bi-weekly in St George’s Hall.  The dates we will be in session are as follows: 9^th May, when we will discuss the day’s Gospel with the children, when we hope to make a crown of flowers and Crown Our Lady’s Statue in the memorial garden; other dates  –  23^rd May, 6^th June, and 20^th June.  We may return to weekly from July but will be guided by the Covid-19 changes.   All children are welcome to the sessions but you must book in advance by contacting Sandra by email at [email protected] or phone 07791 627368. 

Introduction: Today in America they thank their mothers, pray for them, and honour them by celebrating Mother’s Day offering our mothers on the altar of God.

Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948) first suggested the national observance of an annual day honouring all mothers because she had loved her own mother so dearly. At a memorial service for her mother on May 10, 1908, Miss Jarvis gave a carnation (her mother’s favourite flower), to each person who attended. Within the next few years, the idea of a day to honour mothers gained popularity, and Mother’s Day was observed in a number of large cities in the U.S. On May 9, 1914, by an act of Congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. He established the day as a time for “public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” By then it had become customary to wear white carnations to honour departed mothers and red to honour the living, a custom that continues to this day. Proverbs 31:10-31 offers us God’s description and estimation of what a godly wife and mother looks like.

This is a day to admit gratefully the fact that none of us is able to return, in the same measure, all the love that our mothers have given us. Their influence on their children is so great that it affects the children throughout their lives. Our mothers not only gave us birth but nursed us, nurtured us, trained us in their religious beliefs and practices, taught us good manners and ideal behaviour, disciplined us as best as they could, and made us good citizens of our country, our Church, and our society. There is a beautiful Spanish proverb: “An ounce of mother is better than a pound of clergy.” Hence, it is highly proper for us to express our love and gratitude to our mothers by our presence (if possible), gifts, and prayers on Mother’s Day. We offer this Eucharistic celebration on Mother’s Day for all the mothers in our congregation, whether they are alive here or have gone for their eternal reward.   The word “Mom” is synonymous with sacrificial, agápelove in its purest form, as commanded by Jesus in his farewell speech:   “Love one another as I have loved you.” Hence, let us lavish our love on our mothers and express our gratitude for them in the form of fervent prayers offered for them before God.

Remember that a Christian has two mothers: On Mother’s Day, let us acknowledge the truth that we have two mothers: our earthly mother and our Heavenly Mother, the Mother of Jesus. The Catholic Church proclaims the great nobility of the Mother of Jesus, Mary most holy, and presents her as the supreme model for all mothers. On this Mother’s Day, presenting all mothers on the altar, let us sing the beautiful song we sing on the Feast of the Presentation, “Gentle woman, peaceful dove, teach us wisdom, teach us love.” Let us show our love and appreciation for both of our mothers and let us ask our Heavenly Mother to take care of our earthly mothers. We need to be persons for others, sacrificing out time, talents, and lives for them as our mothers are now or have been.

Ascension Day Mass:  Thursday, 13th May – at St George’s & St Wilfrid’s, The Ascension of our Lord both at 10.00am.  Booking is still essential, so please contact Margaret on 870990, [email protected]. to book for St George’s.  For St Wilfrid’s please either book online through our website or contact Jackie on 841504.  Thank you.  We look forward to worshipping  with you on this important day in the church’s calendar – remember to spread the good news to all our parishioners.

St George’s and St Wilfrid’ Churches –  two communities, one parish. As we move out of lockdown and look towards the future, we can anticipate sharing events and news once more. This has not been possible for many months, because of staying at home, social distancing  – designed to beat the virus that has ravaged the world.  Father Rory has worked unstintingly to maintain the status quo in both churches and now there is a chance for us to thank him, by re-forging the links that tie us.  There is talk of post-lockdown           gatherings, to remember those who sadly have died, to praise the Lord for the miracle of vaccination, whilst enjoying food and drink   together. Let us unite in prayer and praise as one parish in appreciation of our Readers, Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, Stewards and all have who have worked through the pandemic, with the constant support of Father Rory.

Continued…..               

The Seventh Station: Jesus gives the apostles the power to forgive sins.

It is after the resurrection and the apostles are together, the doors are locked for fear.  As the coronavirus has brought home to us, the implications and indeed the power of fear; that is why a good inquiry would be very rewarding and help to bear good fruit for our future.  The greeting of Jesus when He enters the room that is locked,  “Peace be with you” this is at the heart of God’s mission in Christ Jesus.  The ministry of reconciliation could be a great gift to the church in our future.

“We love you Lord Jesus and we trust in you for we know you are risen from the dead and live in us”. 

Peace be with you, is at the heart of confession, and when I was first ordained I spent hours in the confessional.  A great source of grace, but even there, the enemy evil can penetrate.  One of its fruits is scrupulosity, creating a disturbing barrier to God’s grace.  Another one which I experienced is the fear of having made a  bad confession which confused my early life.  I am not the only one.  The grace is to be reconciled to God, becoming more aware that His power lives in us.

Alleluia, Alleluia.  Give thanks to the risen Lord.  Give praise to his name

The Eighth Station: “My Lord and my God”.  Thomas professes his faith in Jesus.

Thomas was not with them when Jesus came.  What a loss, and yet what compensation for all of us.  It remains a comfort for us “doubting Thomas’s”.  In fact the words of Jesus “Happy are those who have not seen and believe” is a good emphasis.

“We love you Lord Jesus and we trust in you for we know you are risen from the dead and live in us”. 

We are all a work in progress and where we are on this journey of life is always part of God’s plan of salvation.  The people we live among are always a part of God’s providence.  Salvation begins when we place all our hope and trust in Him.  Then His power begins “to take root in our lives” so the reality is, these are the trials through which we triumph  by the power of Him who loves us.  This truth is our road through life, which often can have real difficulties and hardship – but again the words of Jesus “pray constantly and never lose heart”.  God’s salvation will be great far and wide and a spirit of judgement and condemnation will be lifted off our shoulders.

Alleluia, Alleluia.  Give thanks to the risen Lord.  Give praise to his name

The Ninth Station: The Risen Lord Jesus meets His disciples on the shore of Tiberias. 

And again they do not recognise Him.  “Have you caught anything friends?” he asks.  And what is our answer?  “We are on planet earth and work is in progress”.  A need for great patience, each life has a particular good purpose, all part of God’s plan – the great mystery that is life.  An aspect of this mystery from me is to be born as Siamese Twins, to blame someone, is a constant feature of life.  Who’s to blame?.  So best to turn to prayer.

“We love you Lord Jesus and we trust in you for we know you are risen from the dead and live in us”. 

Jesus continues to be there, waiting whenever our lives seem to be so unproductive; the place where I find myself so often.  So the last word will be Stations from St Thomas More, Seaford – Stations of the Resurrection.

Once more Jesus is not recognised by the apostles, for they are out fishing.  However he performs a last miracle for them by filling their nets with fish.  Let us remember that although we cannot see Him, Jesus is always there to help, whenever our efforts seem unproductive.

Dear Jesus help us to call on you, and to put our trust in you, whenever we have difficulties or disappointments.

Thursday, 13th May – at St George’s Church we will be celebrating the Ascension of our Lord at 10.00 a.m.  Booking is still essential, so please contact Margaret on 870990, [email protected]. to book. 

Thursday, 13th May – at St Wilfrid’s Church we will be celebrating the Ascension of our Lord at 10.00 a.m.  Booking is still essential, so please either book online through our website or contact Jackie on 841504.  Thank you.

We look forward to worshipping  with you on this important day in the church’s calendar – remember to spread the good news to all our parishioners.

On behalf of us all, I would like to say a huge thank you to all the faithful souls who make it possible for us to safely attend Mass during this epidemic. The stewards, cleaners, recorders of our Masses, so that everyone can attend Mass in their own homes. They all know who they are and we really appreciate what they do, so that we can take part in our Masses whether at Church or at home. Of course the person who stands out is our very own Father Rory, without him none of this would be possible. He is our Holy Ordained Priest  given to us by God. He is always here for us and helping us through troubled times. He has faults like us all, and humbly admits to them, but they fade into insignificance when he so ably does the job he was ordained to do and more. Thank you Father from the bottom of our hearts. One other person who must be mentioned is Jackie our secretary who has helped us in many things, she more than fulfils her job.  Fr Rory would agree, along with the rest of us that she is a Godsend. No fuss, just gets on with any job in hand very efficiently with a smile. What a treasure she is for us.