Category: Saint George’s latest news

Are you a Confirmation Catechist?

Are you a Confirmation Catechist?

Would you like to talk to other Catechists and the Diocesan Youth Ministry Adviser about all things Confirmation?

If so, please sign up to join your Deanery Confirmation Network.  These networks were launched towards the end of last year and the conversations were really helpful, particularly in this time of change and adaptation. If you have not already joined your network please contact [email protected] who will make sure that you are involved with the next round of conversations that she is holding at the end of January.

Deacon John Writes

Many of you, like Tessa and myself, are unable to attend Mass during the present circumstances and receive Holy Communion. For some time now we have been using Live Streaming as a way of attending mass. This usually includes an Act of Spiritual Communion which is a source of grace. It is a real personal desire to receive Him in sacramental Communion when we cannot attend Mass. This prayer is of the form: 

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come spiritually into my heart so that I may unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you.  Amen.

Our Parish Internet site includes addresses where you can follow mass online, including our own site on Sunday. Some sites, such as Hove Sacred Heart Church, have this available daily(8am Monday to Friday with Mgr. Michael Jackson who supplied here for over a year before Fr.Rory came.)

The following Prayer, found on the Internet, was offered by Pope Francis to our Holy Mother for protection during this pandemic:

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need, as you did at Cana of Galilee, We are certain that you will provide, so that, joy and feasting might return after this time of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

With my love and prayers.

Fr Rory Writes

The response to the psalm this weekend is “Lord show me your way”.  At this time to give His word time and attention is about the only thing we can do, and obviously the best also.

Last week in our very difficult circumstances, inspiration and encouragement came to me from our local paper at home.  Following all the scandals with the clergy, another shocking revelation has its focus upon mothers and their babies.  This has to be acknowledged as a great darkness for our nation of Ireland.  I was very much in need of the very welcome surprise when the local newspaper highlighted this message “Pope Francis, a new year message of Hope”, and what a message.

So please God, it will carry me along for the next couple of weeks:-

“You can have flaws, be anxious, and even be angry, but do not forget that your life is the greatest enterprise in the world.  Only you can stop it from going bust.

Many appreciate you, admire you and love you.  Remember that to be happy is not to have a sky without a storm, a road without accidents, work without fatigue, relationships without disappointments.  To be happy is to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in the stage of fear, love in discord.

It is not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness.  It is not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures.  It is not only to feel happy with the applause, but to be happy in anonymity”.

To be continued ………….

Foodbanks

You are still able to donate non-perishable food and money to the foodbanks over the coming months.  There are opportunities to donate online, or our website to make this easier for people.  Immediate food needs will probably change week to week.  For more updates visit www.hailsham.foodbank.org.uk or www.eastbourne.foodbank.org.uk.  Thank you.

Deacon John Writes

In last Sunday’s gospel about the Baptism of Jesus, we hear that a voice from heaven says ‘You are my son, the Beloved”. These words should remind us of one of the most important truths in the whole of the Christian message. In the words of Saint Augustine: “God loves each and every one of us”. 

William Barclay summed this up when he wrote: “The gospels tell us of the width of the love of God. It was the world that God so loved. It was not a nation, it was not the good people, it was not only the people who loved him, it was the world. The unlovable and the unlovely, the lonely who have no one else to love them, the person who loves God, and the person who never thinks of God, the person who rests in the love of God, and the person who spurns it, all are included in the vast inclusive love of God.”

Tessa and I wish to say a sincere thank you for the cards and gifts received this Christmas and New Year. We wish you all a Happy 2021. May you keep safe and you and your family keep well.. We are sure that we all hope that it will be a better year than 2020. God bless you all. 

With our love and prayers. DJ & T

Fr Rory Writes

“Every day as long as this today lasts, keep encouraging one another” Heb 3.13 from the divine office.

Last Sunday was the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus who was baptised in the river Jordan, by John the Baptist.  This highlights an idea, “that actions speak louder than words”.  But words are so important, as they give meaning to the events.  In this case, no sooner has Jesus come up out of the water, then He saw the heavens torn apart, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on Him, and a voice came from heaven “you are my son, the beloved, my favour rests on you”.  This gives us a clear picture of the Life in the Holy Trinity of God, which is at the heart of our faith.

Largely, because of the coronavirus, I have spent a lot of hours here in the church.  At the moment, when life is dark and difficult for all of us, for me it is one of the silver linings in the dark clouds of the moment.   Here in the church the sanctuary lamp stands out in the coming darkness.  It is there as a powerful expression of what we hold to be true.  The living presence of Jesus is the Holy Eucharist through His promise “The bread that I shall give you is my flesh for the life of the world”.  The sanctuary lamp and the stations of the cross have a very special memory for me.  Brian Winter was so involved with the decision to bring them forward from the old church, they contribute to the beautiful atmosphere that is in the new church.  A Sister who comes to holiday with us for a week each year, mentioned so firmly that she could spend the rest of her life here in this church.  We are truly blest with it.  So a thank you to Brian, Billy O’Rourke and the team that was with them – a lovely legacy.

A Christmas card made a strong memorable and lasting impression on me this year.  It was a picture of Mary with her child sitting on an ass when Joseph as the scripture tells us “to escape, Herod had to take them down to Egypt”.  This grounds us in real life when there are so many refugees having to leave their homes.  The idea that life is a journey of faith for everybody helps us with our present circumstances.  When we were in the seminary, we were full of hope after the Second Vatican Council that a great  opportunity was in store for us.  Now I draw a lot of consolation from that Christmas card, and the nature of journeys.   They tend to be down to earth.  But inspiration and consolations are important, and highlights again and again that primarily we are a community of faith, and like Joseph and Mary, willing witnesses to our faith in the Christ child.

Mass at St George’s Church

Mass at St George’s church.  It is our hope to re-open for Mass on Sunday, the 17th January at the  normal time of 9.00 am.  To do this we need more help from people under the age of 70 years  to be our stewards.  Several wonderful people have already come     forward to undertake this important task, but we do need more help. Please contact Margaret Piegrome 01323870990, email  –       [email protected] if you can help us celebrate Mass together again.