Thank you to Fr Rory, Deacon John and all of our parish community for all the help and support through this difficult time. Gerrard. Christina will be deeply missed and very much remembered for her kindness and her enjoyment that she received from our community. People very much enjoyed her company.
Category:
Comedy & Carols:
Our comedy night with writer and comedian Paul Kerensa was a great success. 60 guests attended this evening of laughter and festive song. A traditional afternoon of readings, carols, mince pies, mulled wine, and cultural Christmas traditions brought further warmth to the season. A great time was had by all.
Lourdes Pilgrimage:
Our pilgrimage to Lourdes is one of the most significant pastoral events in our annual diocesan calendar, with hundreds of members of our community of faith visiting the Grotto together each year. Sandra and a few youths will be attending, lets give this our maximum support, so if you would like to join them, please apply or speak to Sandra for more information. Applications for the 2026 Pilgrimage will open in early 2026. The Pilgrimage will take place from 24-30 July.
Spitfire Girl Talk:
Spitfire Girl Talk – 21st February 2026 – 7.30pm St Wilfrid’s Church Hall: On Saturday February 21st at 7.30pm there will be a talk on Spitfire Girl, Mary Ellis, given by Author Melody Foreman. Mary was a member of the Air Transport Auxiliary and flew many different types of aircraft including bombers single handedly during the war. Tickets £15. available from civilaviationtrust.org for more information contact Gary O’Brien. Thank you.
Room to Rent:
A lady is looking for a single room to rent in Hailsham. If anyone knows of someone who may be able to help please email [email protected] Thank you.
Parish Over 50’s Afternoon Tea & Games:
We will not be meeting in January. Our next meet will be on Thurs 26th Feb, 2-4pm, theme is Winder Wonderland. Anyone over 50 is welcome to join our merry group, just turn up on the day. All welcome.
11th January 2026
Saint John Neumann’s Story- feast day – Monday Jan 5th
Perhaps because the United States got a later start in the history of the world, it has relatively few canonised saints, but their number is increasing. Saint John Neumann was born in what is now the Czech Republic. After studying in Prague, he came to New York at 25 and was ordained a priest. He did missionary work in New York until he was 29, when he joined the Redemptorists and became its first member to profess vows in the United States. He continued missionary work in Maryland, Virginia and Ohio, where he became popular with the Germans. At 41, as bishop of Philadelphia, he organised the parochial school system into a diocesan one, increasing the number of pupils almost twentyfold within a short time. Gifted with outstanding organising ability, he drew into the city many teaching communities of sisters and the Christian Brothers. During his brief assignment as vice provincial for the Redemptorists, he placed them in the forefront of the parochial movement. Well-known for his holiness and learning, spiritual writing and preaching, on October 13, 1963, Saint John Neumann became the first American bishop to be beatified. Canonised in 1977, he is buried in St. Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia.
Neumann took seriously our Lord’s words, “Go and teach all nations.” From Christ he received his instructions and the power to carry them out. For Christ does not give a mission without supplying the means to accomplish it. The Father’s gift in Christ to John Neumann was his exceptional organizing ability, which he used to spread the Good News. Today the Church is in dire need of men and women to continue in our times the teaching of the Good News. The obstacles and inconveniences are real and costly. Yet when Christians approach Christ, he supplies the necessary talents to answer today’s needs. The Spirit of Christ continues his work through the instrumentality of generous Christians.
Exploring the vocation to teaching in our diocesan schools:
Exploring the vocation to teaching in our diocesan schools – online event -Tuesday 13 January – 5.30pm to 6.30pm
If you are interested in hearing more about the vocation to teaching and what teaching in a Catholic school involves, Dave Legrand, Diocesan Secondary RE Advisor, will be running this online information event. This event would be suitable for anyone considering a career change or simply interested in finding out more about the role of teachers in our Catholic schools for any age group or for any subject specialism. To book a place, please use the link: abdiocese.churchsuite.com/events/vqrcnwzj
Community Charity Breakfast:
Our next Charity Breakfast will be Sunday 25th January after mass at St George’s when we will be supporting “Warming Up the Homeless”. We hope you, your family and friends can support this.
Mary’s Meals:
Mary’s Meals is looking for volunteers. Could you spare a few hours during the year to help? We are looking for parish reps, volunteer speakers (training and support provided!) and volunteers who can help at events. We are very much a volunteer-led movement, so any little you can offer will make a huge difference to the children we serve in some of the world’s poorest communities. Please contact Roy Peachey ([email protected] or 07593 447297) if you can help. To find out more about Mary’s Meals, please visit marysmeals.org.uk. Thank you for your support!