Category: Saint George’s latest news

“Gone before us, marked with the sign of faith”

The time gives way from October the month of the Rosary; to November when we remember the Holy Souls. Each year this has been a source of graces strengthening our faith.  It offers a fresh source from which we can renew and strengthen our faith.  My dad who suffered a great amount of constant pain, had great devotion to the Stations of the Cross.  Always for Lent and Easter, but also through the year, especially during the month of November when devotions allied to indulgencies are great incentives to the admonition “pray constantly and never loose heart”.

The temptation to loose heart at this time is very real.  I have been greatly helped by the endeavours of our two communities to try to renew and build up our parish after the pandemic.  Those who have gone before us still play a real part.  We have two funerals at this time for those who have died, Margaret and Sue have really strengthened and enriched my faith and they have left a tangible legacy.  When caring for them I felt a sense of real tragedy of death  giving way to the bright promise of eternal life.  The gift of life is now real to them and they were well prepared for eternal life, yes we walk through this valley of darkness and at this time it is very real.  With so many persons like Margaret and Sue gone before us, let us lift up our hearts and continue on our journey with great hope.

ST THOMAS A BECKET CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL is hosting its annual family friendly fireworks event on Friday 4th November from 5.15pm. Tickets are available from www.ptaevents.co.uk/stab

Pact (Prison Advice & Care Trust) invites you to join them at a JustPeople Workshop taking place at St. Pancras Catholic Church, Lewes, on Saturday 12^th November, 11am – 5pm.  Free to attend, it offers an opportunity to reflect upon Scripture, Church Teaching and Catholic Social Teaching through the lens of people affected by imprisonment.  Register here: JustPeople Workshop | Prison Advice and Care Trust  For more information, contact Marie on            [email protected] or call 07581 194907

Joan hopes you appreciated her “speel” sitting on her walker as she cannot get up to the lectern these days.  You must have listened to her plea to take the newsletters home to read, as there are many interesting articles ahead, they had all been taken.  Keep up the good work.

start by-weekly for year 10 and above this Sunday 23rd 4-6pm at St George’s Hall. Contact Sandra on 07791 627368 if you have not signed your child up but want to. 

Las Posadas – A Journey towards Christmas:  Mary, Joseph and the donkey are desperately looking for overnight lodgings in the Hailsham and Polegate  areas throughout Advent. Can you offer them a room for the night? For more details please take a leaflet from the church porch and fill in your details on the sign up sheet. 

Did you miss the launch earlier this month? It’s not too late to join. The group is for all our parish youth and their friends aged 11-19 (family and younger siblings will also be welcome at some of the events we organise). The group will run approximately once termly with activities enabling our youth to spend valuable quality and fun time    together. We already have ambitious and exciting plans based on our initial members’ suggestions including a competitive ‘Great Parish Junior Bake Off’ in January/February, Lenten Sponsored walk/family picnic, and possibly even a family   camping trip in the summer (don’t panic, if you are not keen on camping you could join us daytime only). Members can choose the events they want to be part of, there will be    something for everyone. Don’t miss out Email [email protected] for more details or to register interest with members name and age and contact   details and if under 16, parents name and contact details. 

Day was celebrated in a lovely happy way, first with the Rosary and Mass followed by tea and cake in the hall.  A raffle took place and raised £40.  Look forward to celebrating the next Feast Day.

This month we will hold our newly introduced last Sunday charity breakfast on 30th October after mass. It is open to all parishioners and their friends/family/neighbours. Those joining don’t have to have been at mass it’s open to all from 10am.  This month the    nominated charity is Royal British Legion and we will be     cooking up Sausage and Bacon Baps and lighter snacks for those less hungry.  (Helpers needed please volunteer if you can for this or a future breakfast). 

“and after this our exile, show unto us

the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus”.

On the horizon is what I believe will be the greatest Feast of all “The Feast of Christ the King”.  We were especially blessed when at our seminary by one of our professors, Fr Seamus Ryan.  He presented us with a great vision of faith.  Some few years later as a priest, this vision took shape for me on my journey back to my parish while returning from holidays, mostly from home in Ireland, and by car.  For the first part of the journey all the thoughts were from home.  After a while this was overruled by the requirement to make the journey….  and then the focus upon the end of the journey, and what is in store for when we reach our destination. 

So the Feast of Christ the King is our destination.  Christ will come in all His glory.  When Cormac Murphy O’Connor  was our Bishop, it was designated “Youth Sunday” and celebrated as such.  Please God, this year will have a very special celebration through the baptism of a young person, Harvey, who has joined our parish community this year.  He is part of our new generation, the fruits of our children’s liturgy that has quietly developed over the past years.  Please God, first fruits.  We must hope, work and pray in the days, weeks and please God, years to come.  We live in a time of great threat.  Very difficult times to come.  For the love of God, pray and pray earnestly, pray constantly and never loose heart.