Category: Saint Wilfrid’s Latest News

For myself and I am sure I speak for my fellow parishioners in St George’s and St Wilfrid’s, I want to express heartfelt thanks and our deepest gratitude to our very own Fr Rory.   Also, many congratulations upon achieving 50 years of   devoted service.

For over 18 years, Fr Rory has given an unwavering dedication to our community and continues to be a shining        example of faith.  His guidance and support have touched the lives of countless individuals.  We are truly blessed to have him as a spiritual leader.  Fr Rory’s compassion, wisdom and selfless service have made a profound impact upon our parish and we are forever grateful for his presence in our lives. Thankyou Fr Rory for your steadfast commitment to spreading love, hope and grace to all of those around you.  You are truly a man of faith and we are honoured to have you as our Catholic priest.  You have been a guiding light in our spiritual journey. You have left a lasting impact upon our spiritual journey together.

We should all strive to serve each other by recalling Our Lord’s example.  John described this when he wrote in his  gospel, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them”. (John 13:14-17).

Finally, on behalf of all those whom have known Fr Rory over his 50 years since he became a priest in 1974, a message from me:

Mile buiochas Rory as gach a dheanann tu duinn. Go mbeannaitear thu le blianta fada eile na dea-shlainte. Bain sult as do jubilee.

Go mbeannai Dia. 

The last Sunday parish breakfast in May raised over £150 for the RNLI, thank you to all who supported. Our June Charity Breakfast will be on the Sunday 30th in St George’s Hall after mass and is in aid of the Foodbank.  Please join us and bring friends and family – All are welcome.

We warmly welcome the following children into the family of God and the community of St Wilfrid’s, who were baptised during the last month.

Please pray for them and their families: Oliver Bogacki and Alexander Jedrzejewski

Thank you to everyone who took part in the womble day at both our churches, we achieved lots, not everything and more help would have been good, but a work in progress!   We intend to have two of these Big Help days a year; the next will be in September/October.  As parishioners we hope that you consider our churches and the gardens as an extension to your own home, so if you ever see anything    needing doing, especially something simple like a little weeding or gardening or dusting/de-cobwebbing etc. please do take any time you like to do it.  Thank you to everyone for all the help given both on Womble Day and any other time.

Fr Rory and Deacon John also wish to pass on their thanks, your work was noticed on Sunday and much appreciated. Thank you.

Please pray for all our parish children due to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time this month:  Phoebe Munro – Bishop and Lillian Codling who will be making their First Holy Communion on Sun, 9th June at 9.00am at St G’s.  Juan Escaner, Jack Mullan, Rosemary Selby and Taira Shinto who will be making their First Holy Communion on Sun, 16th June at St W’s 10.30 mass.  Once all of the children have received their first communion, they will all come together on Sun, June 23rd at St Wilfrid’s 10.30 mass to celebrate their ‘Going Forth’ mass and to share a communion breakfast.  

After mass today new invites will be issued with the adjusted timings for the afternoon.  This has been needed due to the postponement of sponsored walk that day as the Cuckoo Trail will be closed. The walk will happen in September instead, we hope.
All parishioners, adults and children at St George’s and St Wilfrid’s are welcome to all or part of the day’s events. We
really do encourage as many of you as possible to join Father in celebrating his Golden Jubilee of his ordination, a
most special occasion for him and us. Please give numbers for attendance via the list at the back of church or email to

the parish office ([email protected]). Deadline for RSVPs Sunday 30th June.

Last week I wrote about the Holy Spirit and how we should make the ‘Word go forth” as President Kennedy spoke about in his speech to the nation in 1961. It is a daunting prospect. But there are many ways, large and small, that we can keep the flames of that first Pentecost burning. These include the following:

Start with Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman’s favourite prayer: “Come Holy Spirit Make our ears to hear, Make our eyes to see, Make our mouths to speak, Make our hearts to seek, Make our hands to reach out and touch the world with your love.  AMEN.” 

We do it every time we whisper a prayer for peace.

We do it when we volunteer at a food kitchen, or give to a charity, or donate to missionaries overseas.

We do it when we support the work being done closer to home, in this parish, such as the food bank.

We do it every time we choose to spend our Sunday mornings praising God, instead of finishing the sports pages or the crossword.

We do it when we hold the hand of a friend who is hurting, or bring a smile to someone who is lonely.

We do it when we strive to love, to give, and to hope.

Pentecost marks the coming of the Spirit to empower the church to carry out the Great Commission. As a result, every Christian today is baptised with the Holy Spirit when they are baptised. Every day we need to pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. “Come Holy Spirit Make our ears to hear, Make our eyes to see, Make our mouths to speak, Make our hearts to seek, Make our hands to reach out and touch the world with your love.  AMEN.” 

20 Prideaux Road BN21 2NB, Saturday 8 June 2.00pm – 5.00pm.  Come along and explore this lovely garden with far reaching views.  Donations to support the work of Linking Lives Eastbourne.

Refreshments available!  Raffle with top prize of Tea for Two at the Hydro!

The Southfield Trust consists of four  special schools in Eastbourne. The Trust are currently recruiting Teaching Assistants for our schools. This includes Summerdown, our  newest and rapidly expanding school, which will be growing further this September.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, and no prior   experience is necessary. Our comprehensive developmental program will provide all the training and support you need to succeed in this rewarding role.

Please visit https://www.thesouthfieldtrust.com/ to look though our vacancies page

Due to the cuckoo trail closure in June/July it will not be possible to have a sponsored walk on Father’s Jubilee Celebration date 14th July. We have therefore adjusted the timings of the afternoon celebration slightly. A new invite will be issued with the full programme next week but for now be aware that masses will remain the same 9am St Georges and 11.30am St Wilfrid followed by light refreshments for all and a storyteller for the children. Then Rosary and Benediction will start at 2pm in St George’s Church (Magician in the hall during this time). We will then be treated to performances of Irish dancing and Indian dancing from 3-4 and afternoon tea at 4pm followed by live Irish music by Flash Company Band from Worthing. 

We hope to welcome as many parishioners as possible on the day to celebrate with Father Rory. Please complete the RSVP sheets at the back of church to confirm attendance of you and your family members. Thank you.