Category: Saint George’s latest news

St George’s

St George’s – new and nearly new items needed for St George’s table sale in the hall. Please leave donations clearly marked ‘Table Sale’ at the back of church. Money raised is being used for social events and charity fundraising in our parish.

Synod 2023 – Speaking Out, Mission

This week we focus on Speaking Out, Mission for our Parish discussions surrounding the important worldwide focus on Synod 2023.  Our third of four questionnaires is being given out at Mass this Sunday and we are inviting everyone to respond either individually, as a group or during the whole parish group sessions, detailed below.

If you missed either or both of the first two weeks’ questionnaires, there are spare copies at the back of Church. You can also request a copy by calling Jackie on 01323 841504 or email [email protected].

To recap:

The Synod, initiated by Pope Francis, is a process in which the Church encourages its people (you) to listen and learn and a vessel by which we can communicate to the Pope what WE believe is needed for OUR future Church.  This is an extremely important step and you, the parishioners of St Wilfrid and St George, are invited to take time to be part of it.

First we concentrated on: Companions on the journey; Communion.  Last week we discussed and responded to the focus on: Listening; Participation.  We are grateful to all who have taken part in these discussions and taken time to respond directly and/or on the Diocese website.  All these responses will be passed to the Bishop.  They will also be used to help us, as a Parish, consider what is needed for us to unite further on our journey in faith.

Week 3 – Our Mission

Once again, as well as providing Private Individual or Group responses to this week’s questionnaire, Week 3 – Speaking out, Mission, you are also invited and very welcome to attend either or both of the following group sessions being held for the Parish.

Thursday 3rd February after 10am Mass – St Wilfrid’s Church

Saturday 5th February 10am – St George’s Hall

Zoom – for those unable to attend our discussion groups weekly, we could organise a Zoom group. Please contact Bob Waters on [email protected] if you would be interested and like to take part in this, day/time to be confirmed.

Further information:

www.abdiocese/org.uk/synod – this includes the Diocese document and an online easy to use survey.  Even if you undertake this survey though, which we wholly encourage, please also take time to respond to the Parish survey.

https://www.synod.va/en/documents/english-version-of-the-preparatory-document.html

Deacon John Writes

The central theme of the readings this weekend is that we should have, and show in our communities, the courage of our Christian convictions in our Faith and in its practice. 

The first reading tells us how God called Jeremiah as His prophet and gave him the material to face opposition and rejection. In doing this he encountered both rejection and persecution. The Psalm provides us with a prayer to help us in times of persecution together with a knowledge of our trust in God. In the second reading, we hear Paul speaking with the courage of his Christian convictions in correcting the Corinthian Christian community where the exercise of God’s gifts was causing competition, jealousy, and divisiveness. He presents them with a scheme which surpasses all others, namely, the way of love, and tells them that they must exercise their gifts with love.

Today’s Gospel shows us how Jesus faced doubts and criticism with the courage of the prophets. Jeremiah said:(1:4-5): “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; … I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” He went on to say:(1:17-19) “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them.” Like Jeremiah, Paul, and Jesus believed that they were commissioned by God to proclaim a prophetic message which in those days was disturbing to those who heard it. It is important to note that no matter how strong the opposition, they had the conviction that God was with them and we too must have the strength and courage that those three prophets had.

Over 50’s Activities

I expect you read in your newsletter last week that we have cancelled our monthly lunch at the Kings Head on Thursday 13th January.  Although the Kings Head love to have us and are very aware of what the COVID rules are, many of us are not ready to eat out at a restaurant just yet.  We are hoping, please God, we can all meet up on Thursday 10th February, 12noon at the Kings Head, Horsebridge, more details nearer the time.

Our Party on Thursday 27th January, 2pm in our Hall has had to be cancelled until further notice.  Please inform any of our friends who do not receive our newsletter.  Thank you.

Linking Lives Eastbourne

Linking Lives Eastbourne provides a befriending service for lonely and isolated people, who would benefit from a home visit by a trained volunteer.

It is a registered charity with local trustees.  If you would like to offer your time as a volunteer, please contact Marylou Cockshoot at [email protected] or phone 01323 406242. Also, feel free to speak to Anne Bowe on 07808 175455 or email [email protected] to have a chat about volunteering for this vital organisation.  Thank you.

SYNOD 2023 – Listening and Participating

After the successful launch of our Parishes focus on Synod 2023 we are now delighted to start work on hand out two, which you will receive this morning.

To recap, The Synod, initiated by Pope Francis, is a process in which the Church encourages its people (you) to listen and learn and a vessel by which we can communicate to the Pope what WE believe is needed for OUR future Church.  This is an extremely important step and you, the parishioners of St Wilfrid and St George, are invited to take time to be part of it.

Last week we worked on answering questions relating to Our Companions on the journey. Communion.  Some of you hopefully undertook this as individuals, families, or smaller groups.  We are also delighted that many of you chose to be part of it in one or both of our meetings that we held on Wednesday and Saturday.  All these responses will be passed to the Bishop.  They will also be used to help us as a Parish consider what is needed for us to unite further on our journey in faith.

Week 2 – YOU are invited to Speak Out Some more…

This week, as requested by Our Pope, we are invited to reflect on the following issue, and let him know our thoughts:-

Week 2 – Listening – Participation, handout available today at mass.

Private, Individual or Group responses can be handed in via the box at the back of Church – marked Synod.  You are also encouraged and very welcome to attend either or both of the following meetings being held for the Parish:-

Wednesday 26th January after 10am Mass – St Wilfrid’s Hall

Saturday 29th January 10am – St George’s Hall

Next week  – Week 3 – Speaking out, Mission, handout available from Sunday 30th January

Further information:

www.abdiocese/org.uk/synod – this includes the Diocese document and an online easy to use survey.  Even if you undertake this survey though, which we wholly encourage, please also take time to respond to the Parish survey.

https://www.synod.va/en/documents/english-version-of-the-preparatory-document.html