Category: Saint George’s latest news

I recently read the story in the film Amazing Grace which came out in 2006. It was the story of William Wilberforce, who is credited with being primarily responsible for the 23 February 1807 vote in England to abolish the slave trade. The vote was 283-16. But that vote doesn’t tell the story. Wilberforce spent 20 years pushing abolition. Few people in history were as stubborn as Wilberforce, and few people in history were as criticised as Wilberforce. In the 1790s he was slandered in the press, physically assaulted, subjected to numerous death threats and once challenged to a duel. During certain periods he had to travel with a bodyguard. His spirit was almost broken many times. He suffered a nervous breakdown. But in spite of all the dirt thrown at Wilberforce, he kept stomping and moving. He handled criticism, not by turning back and engaging his critics, but by kicking down the dirt and moving on toward his goal. He set his face toward the abolition of slavery, and he didn’t look back. Wilberforce feared God more than he feared his critics. It kept him committed to his goal of banishing slavery and liberating slaves in England. — In last Sunday’s Gospel Jesus wants such commitment from his disciples – US.

Everyone is invited to this meeting in St George’s Hall after the 9.00 Mass on Sunday 3 July. We will be discussing the suggestions for the development of the parish which were made by parishioners during the listening process leading to the SYNOD in 2023.

Our next meeting will be held on Sunday 10th July after Mass in St Wilfrid’s Church Hall.  All welcome.

We were overwhelmed by the reception we were given in St George’s and St Wilfrid’s Churches. Special thanks go to Fr Rory and all the parishioners for the very warm welcome. The amount raised to date is £647.48 with Gift Aid. We are also grateful for the interest shown in child sponsorships. The money will go directly towards our projects in Uganda and will make a real difference to the education and lives of the children. Be assured of the children’s prayers. God bless. Phil and Gordon on behalf of EVC Uganda.

3 thoughts for the week

The Pharisees are in for a bit of stick in all three thoughts!

1. Almsgiving.  We give alms to others in order to bring glory to God. We should naturally and generously help the poor as an expression of our sharing love and in thanksgiving for the blessings we ourselves have received from God.  The Pharisees showed us how not to do it. Namely not to show our generosity to others in order to get popularity.

2) Fasting becomes pleasing to God when we do it: a) to experience what the real hunger of the poor is, b) to help the poor by giving the price of what we do not eat to feed them, c) to discipline ourselves in eating and d) to appreciate better God’s blessings of good health, and generous provision of food. Fasting solely for show, as the Pharisees did, is wrong and sinful.

3) Prayer: Prayer is opening our connection to God by talking to Him and listening to Him, convinced of His holy presence within us and around us. a) By prayer we acknowledge our dependence on God, drawing from Him our daily spiritual strength, and recharge our

spiritual batteries from God’s power. Long, noisy, repetitious prayer performed in public solely for show as the Pharisees did, is not prayer at all.

On a lighter note to end: There was to be a Baptismal party for the new baby of a soldier and his wife at their home on an Army base. Before the ceremony the chaplain took the new father aside. “Are you prepared for this solemn event?” he asked. “I guess so,” replied the soldier. “I’ve got two hams, pickles, bread, cake, cookies……” “No, no!” interrupted the chaplain. “I mean spiritually prepared!” “Well, I don’t know,” said the soldier thoughtfully. “Do you think two cases of whiskey are enough?” 

We are hoping to form a choir to support the congregation at the 11am Mass on the 13th August.    We shall be singing hymns and parts of the New Celtic Mass.  There will be two evening rehearsals on August 3rd and 10th to prepare for this.  You do not have to be able to read music, just love to sing.  Please contact Pat Gaglione or David Hoad at St Wilfrid’s and Shirley at St George’s for more information and any queries you may have.  We welcome your support.

Dawn Mass, Friday 24th June, Seaford Head Car Park 4.50am:  To Offer Mass for an End of War and a New Dawn of Salvation for the Church and World. 

Feast of the Birth of John the Baptist, The Dawn of Salvation.  Followed by shared breakfast (Please bring something to share).

If there are any parishioners at St. George’s, who would like to help with the counting on Sunday Morning after Mass, at St. George’s,  would they please contact Anne Bowe on 07808175455 or [email protected].  This will be done in pairs, as before, with the collections put into the St. George’s Account, the next day.  Thank you.

Unfortunately we have had to cancel our next afternoon tea on Thursday 30th June 2022, but look forward to seeing you all again at the end of July.

The World Meeting of Families – 22-26 June 2022  Pope Francis said “there is no such thing as a perfect family, there are always buts”. In his prayer intention for June, Pope Francis focused on the upcoming World Meeting of Families. He said “The family is the place where we learn to live with one another, to live with young people and with those who are older. And by being united in our differences—young people, the elderly, adults, children—we evangelize with our example of life.” He reminded us that God is always with us  “He remains with us at all times in the swaying of the boat tossed by the sea: when we argue, when we suffer, when we’re joyful, the Lord is there and accompanies us, helps us, and corrects us.” As we draw closer to the celebrations on the 10^th World Meeting of families let us recall our inner sense of holiness.” Let us pray for Christian families around the world. May each and every family embody and experience unconditional love and advance in holiness in their daily lives.”  To find out more about the World meeting of families go to W: World Meeting of Families 2022 Rome – #WMOF22 (romefamily2022.com)