Category: Saint George’s latest news

John & Margaret’s Diamond Wedding Anniversary

John & Margaret’s Diamond Wedding Anniversary:  A really big thank you from us and the Macmillan Cancer Support for donating £140.00 which was raised from celebrating our ‘Diamond Anniversary’.   Macmillan understand that cancer can impact people’s whole life – health, money, families, work; everything.  They provide support that’s about all these things, helping people live their life with cancer.  They advise on work and benefits, and are always there for emotional support when things get tough.  They give people the support, energy and inspiration to feel more like themselves.  Thank you.

St George’s

At St George’s we need someone to train up as a Sacristan, either gender.  As you know we have three Masses a week. Sunday at nine o`clock and Tuesday and Thursday at ten o`clock. It is such a rewarding and uplifting task, preparing for Mass . If you feel you could do it, please ask Fr. Rory, Angela or myself Cathy or ring me 01323 487688 for more information.  Thank you.

Deacon John Writes

I found this account concerning this Sunday’s special significance for us on the Internet:

Mothering Sunday is the fourth Sunday Of Lent. Although it’s often called Mothers’ Day it has no connection with the American festival of that name. Traditionally, it was a day when children, mainly daughters, who had gone to work as domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother and family. Today it is a day when children give presents, flowers, and home-made cards to their mothers. Most Sundays in the year churchgoers in England worship at their nearest parish or ‘daughter church’.

Centuries ago it was considered important for people to return to their home or ‘mother’ church once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their ‘mother’ church – the main church or cathedral of the area.

Inevitably the return to the ‘mother’ church became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home. Most historians think that it was the return to the ‘Mother’ church which led to the tradition of children, particularly those working as domestic servants, or as apprentices, being given the day off to visit their mother and family. As they walked along the country lanes, children would pick wild flowers or violets to take to church or give to their mother as a small gift.

Another thought is that the name comes from one of the Bible readings for that day, which refers to motherhood in a different way. In Galatians 4:26 we read: “But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all”. 

The writer of the text wanted to explain to the Galatian community what their relationship as Christians was to the Jewish Law.

Mothering Sunday was also known as Refreshment Sunday because the fasting rules for Lent were relaxed that day.

Originally, both Old and New Testament lessons on mid-lent Sunday made a point of food. The Gospel reading from the New Testament told the story of how Jesus fed five thousand people with only five small barley loaves and two small fish. The food item specially associated with Mothering Sunday is the Simnel cake. This is a fruit cake with two layers of almond paste, one on top and one in the middle. It has 11 balls of marzipan icing on top representing the 11 disciples. (Judas is not included.) Traditionally, sugar violets would also be added. The name Simnel probably comes from the Latin word simila which means a fine wheat flour usually used for baking a cake.

There’s a legend that a man called Simon and his wife Nell argued over whether the cake for Mothering Sunday should be baked or boiled. In the end they did both, so the cake was named after both of them: SIM-NELL. 

CAFOD

Thank you for giving to CAFOD’s Lent Appeal.  Your generous gifts will ensure that CAFOD’s local experts, like Sister Anthonia in Sierra Leone, can support families with training in growing and making healthy food so that children can grow up big and strong.  You can still donate on the CAFOD website (cafod.org.uk/lent) or join CAFOD’s Walk Against Hunger to raise vital funds to tackle extreme hunger and its causes.

Deacon John Writes

The first reading this weekend  tells us how God shows His mercy to His chosen people. How did he do this?  He gave them Moses as their leader and liberator. Then God reveals His name as Yahweh (“I AM Who I AM”) and renews His promise to the to give them a “land flowing with milk and honey.” The Psalm reminds us of God’s unfailing mercy: “The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy.” The second reading warns us that our merciful God is also a disciplining God. Paul reminds the Christians of Corinth that they must learn from the sad experience of the Israelites who were punished for their sins by a merciful God, one who is also a just God, so we must be careful and not fall into sin. The Gospel invites us to repent of our sins, to renew our lives, and to produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The parable of the poor fig tree, warns us that the merciful God will not put up with us indefinitely. Yes, God is patient and waits for sinners to repent, assisting them with his grace to do this, but, He will not wait forever. We must always remember that our time on earth may run out and we really should realise that repentance is necessary before this happens! 

Have you ever wondered why we say “God Bless You” when someone sneezes? Jewish sages tell us that it has to do with an ancient belief that the Lord just blessed that person with another day here on His earth. Another day in which we can repent of our sins – a day of grace!

Children’s Liturgy Fundraising during Lent 2022

Join us to support Tiny Tickers 

For more information on the work Tiny Tickers does visit www.tinytickers.org Registered Charity No: 1078114

During Lent we are asking our children and families to raise money for Tiny Tickers.  1 in 125 babies is born with a serious heart condition. Tiny Tickers helps to fund pulse oximetry monitors in maternity wards and for use at home births.  Early detection of Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) is key to saving lives.  Our local NHS Trust has committed to having these monitors and all funds raised by our children will go to help make this happen.  Please support our children in their efforts through taking part in the below activities, if you can, and with your prayers and generosity.

The Great Bake & Raffle –  Sunday 20th March after 9am Mass

Please join us in the St George’s church hall at 9.45am (therefore before or after mass depending on Church attended) for tea and coffee with home baked treats and take part in our raffle.

(NEEDED – Suitable Raffle items, new gifts or bottles/boxes of chocolates – please pass to Children’s Liturgy team or leave at back of church marked Raffle – thank you)

Sponsored – Walk, Talk & Picnic – Jevington to Alfriston

Sunday 3rd April 12noon (picnic approx. 1.30pm)

Our parish Children, their families and children’s liturgy leaders are planning a sponsored walk from Jevington to Alfriston, 3+miles (and some will also walk back).  Everyone is welcome to join us on this lovely South Downs walk, however we realise the terrain is not ideal for all. For those who can’t manage the walk you are invited to join us for our picnic at Alfriston, in the Church grounds.  Even if you are not able to join us, you can help us by sponsoring the children, forms are now available at the back of church. If you can gift aid please do.  Reserve date April 10th – contact Sandra on 07791 627368 or email [email protected] for further information.

Thank You

Margaret and John Forde wish to say a sincere thank you to all who attended their Diamond Wedding Celebration Mass on 24th February.  A big thanks to all who helped in the planning of our lovely Mass celebrated by Fr Rory.  Thank you Father, and thank you to Jean for the flowers, Gary for the music and streaming, Bob for reading, Loretta in preparation of the Altar and Lesley & Ephram who got us to church and later to the reception in Eastbourne.