Category: Saint George’s latest news

Recently, I have been reading various books about Lent and I thought you might like a selection from these readings from a little booklet by Fr.Thomas J Connery which starts with “Father, another Lent begins. I don’t want to waste it. Help me to put it to good use.”

1. If you want to know how strong your faith is, determine how generous you are. This can be used as a barometer to gauge your faith. Stretch yourself this Lent, make the barometer rise as your generosity grows. Give a little more than you think you can.

2. There is a man in the States who set out to mow a lawn for someone in need in each of the U.S states. He succeeded in2017 and 2018. He did this for the elderly, disabled, single mothers and veterans. You may say “so what that is not a big deal’, but it is for those who receive this favour. He sought out someone in need. We too, are called to help others wherever we can and in whatever way we can- serve others, no matter how simple the service may be.

3. There is the story of a woman who claimed that God was talking to her. She said this to a priest who was visiting her, who said “I want to find out if what you hear God say to you is only in your imagination. To prove it want you to ask God to name the three of the sins I confessed to the Bishop this morning. If you can name those sins I will believe that you really are in conversation with God.” The woman sat there quietly for a while, praying. Then she looked up and said “I asked God to name your three sins, but God said, “I forgot.” There is the good news – God forgets. Not only that he also forgives.” So! Go on. Laugh and pray your Lent.

The Great Season of Lent

Hopefully we have got off to a good start to our Lenten Season this year.  One event in particular, which happened at St George’s Church on Sunday afternoon, was the opening meeting of our young persons preparation for their confirmation, this was very good “tus maith leath na hoibre” a good start is half the work.  It was a very good opportunity to share some food, to share their faith, to experience our faith, and to have it strengthened, nourished and nurtured.  There was a very good presentation upon the life of faith and in keeping with the Synod.  Jesus was not a religious figure like a Priest, a Pharisee, or a Sadducees.  He was a human person, but also the Son of God, and as such he had great power and authority.  People were drawn to him, particularly for forgiveness and healing. The phrase “He worked many miracles”.  We in our time want to get to know more about Him who loves us.

The tragedy that is Ukraine, and sadly one that is not going to disappear,  really calls for oceans of prayer, because it is indeed Putin’s war.  So it is also tragedy for the Russian people.  Pope Francis clearly called for fasting and prayer.  As Alan Jozwik expressed it in the announcement last Sunday “well we just eat less food”.  If we can establish and clarify that intent and purpose it will be a real help to achieve fasting.  In the age that we live in, food is so readily available; so different from the time when I was growing up when an ice cream was more of a yearly event than a weekly one, but then I lived out in the country.

There are many requests to ask what are we doing in response to the events in the Ukraine.  There are many engaged in responding to this and I believe there is a lorry going from Eastbourne, but because of the situation it is very difficult to get materials to the right place, and so I believe to collect money for the cause would be most helpful.  Anyone wishing to help to co-ordinate donations please get in touch.

Bereavement Group:  will be meeting up again on Friday 25th March at 11am in St Wilfrid’s Church Hall.  All welcome.

Hailsham Foodbank are currently running low on longlife dairy milk, tinned sweetcorn/carrots/peas, tinned tomatoes, tomato based pasta sauce and tinned meat (such as hot dogs, chicken in white sauce, chilli, stew etc.).  They would very much appreciate you including one of these items in your shopping if you donate at local supermarkets.  Another fantastic way of helping them, which they set up during lockdown, is by donating to a platform called Bankuet.  When they have enough funds on that platform they are able to order food in bulk directly and this has been invaluable to them.  Details are on their website www.hailsham.foodbank.org.uk  Thank you.

A “webinar” with Bishop Richard, Wednesday 9 March at 7.30pm.

      The Diocese will be hosting a live webinar, where Bishop Richard will present the document about Pope Francis’s consultation.  This will be recorded for those unable to see it on a computer, and, afterwards, the Parish will arrange to show it locally.  Details later.

If you would like to watch the live webinar then you should register your interest by visiting the Diocesan website https://www.abdiocese.org.uk/synod and click on the words indicated.

Every child should grow big and strong.  Family Fast Day is Friday 11th March, a day when we eat simply and give generously to support mums around the world, like Amie in Sierra Leone, with expert training in growing and making healthy food.

Your small act of love this Lent will make a big difference to many communities affected by extreme hunger and children suffering from malnutrition.  You can donate in church using a CAFOD envelope or by visiting the CAFOD website (cafod.org.uk/lent).

“For the Love of God”

For the love of God.  These five words provide a great focus for this moment.  At this time the word “dreadful” so often fits the scene; people battling with bad health, loss of loved ones, the constant crisis that has been the coronavirus, and now the crisis in the Ukraine.

Last week’s focus was on six words.  Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  The life of God in heaven and the light of God’s family life on earth, the family home in Nazareth.  It is only light that can dispel darkness, and because there is no magic in God, one of the most frequent signs that I turn to is the crucifixion ……. and to be honest, still remains for me a great mystery… hope remains in the words “no cross, no crown”.

Rightly there is a great outpouring of sympathy for the victims with a constant cry for help for the people from Ukraine.  Pope Francis leads the appeal from our church with requests for novenas, fasting and prayer.  Please God, we will make a good response.

Following up on last weeks expression “Lent means Spring”, at the core of our parish there is a great need for our response for Spring.  As the contingences that were put in place for the pandemic are being lifted, a return to life is now very possible ….. but it is a very different situation.  Age has certainly taken its toll, so unless we have a new generation, there is no magic, we will be at a great loss.  I return to something important that I will continue to say.  The only thing that we can rely upon for the future from the fruits of the harvest, is the seeds that we sow.  A great thanks to those who are sowing new seeds.  I am truly grateful, particularly those at work with our children’s liturgy. 

Also a great significance is the work that is being done for the Synod, and the hope that new core groups will begin to take shape.  To develop and grow must become a real desire.  The great emphasis on convenience and being able to go to mass has had its day.  The realization that all the seminaries were closing , the amount of Catholic teachers that are available from our Catholic schools are very few, with the amount of children making First Holy Communion, but it is also their last time.  We have a great ray of sunshine from St George’s church with a very good programme of preparation for confirmation getting underway, a ray of hope, with the return of our communities to our Sunday Mass.

Together with Dr Larch Maxey, a prominent climate speaker and activists Rev Sue Parfitt and Rev Mark Coleman, we are hosting a zoom meeting on Sunday 27th February 3pm-4.30pm.  This will give Christians who are aware of the awful reality of the climate crisis and care about everything on God’s earth, the opportunity to learn and ask questions about the forthcoming ‘Just Stop Oil’ campaign.  Register using this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/our-responsibilities-as-christians-at-this-time-online-tickets-268091507917

Polegate Town Council are using our hall at St George’s on Saturday 5th March from 2-4 pm to talk about land they have bought in Polegate and wish to turn into a wildlife haven. It is a fantastic community project which will benefit schools, wellbeing and mental health. PTC are open to ideas and offers of support so if you love wildlife, nature and being outdoors this will be of interest to you.

On Saturday 12th March at 11am a family friendly Stations of the Cross will take place in St George’s Church.  All parishioners are encouraged to join us, and especially our younger ones (any age).  Following the Stations we will enjoy a Lent soup lunch in the hall.  There will be three soup options to choose from and plenty of bread and butter.  The lunch will be to help the children raise money for Tiny Tickers, our chosen Lent charity.  To help with catering please can you message Sandra on 07791627368 confirming your name and both adult and child numbers attending or email [email protected],  We very much look forward to this event.  All Welcome.