The Deaf Service supports Deaf and hard of hearing adults and children providing catechism so that they can access the sacraments of baptism, reconciliation, First Holy Communion, confirmation, and marriage. The service aims to: Create awareness in the Church of the needs of Deaf and hard of hearing people Celebrate Mass in Sign Language once a month Provide support in the Catholic faith Members of the Deaf Service visit the sick at home or in hospital and provide support with the preparation of funerals to help meet communication needs. You can contact the A&B Deaf Service by email; E: [email protected] Or text message only (no telephone calls) M: 07970 428601 and there is a brand new web page https://www.abdiocese.org.uk/diocese/deaf-community
Latest News
Let Us Dream
In response to the cries of the earth and the cries of the poor, The Catholic Deanery of Eastbourne invites you to: ‘Let Us Dream’. Saturday 16th March 2024, 11am to 1pm at Our Lady of Ransom, 2-4 Grange Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4EU.
About the event:
How can building caring communities help in our fight against injustices and crises, such as climate change, poverty, life issues, and the destruction of nature?
In tackling these issues, what would you like your parish, school or community to look like if we had done all we could to make it a reality in the years leading up to 2030?
The workshop will include a short talk by John Paul de Quay of The Ecological Conversion Group and The Journey to 2030 to set the scene, followed by a creative activity and discussion and network building.
The Journey to 2030 ‘Building a caring community’ activity packs will be provided to motivate your own parishes/schools and communities.
This event is hosted by Our Lady of Ransom, Eastbourne, and is part of a series of events with The Journey to 2030 in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Arundel & Brighton.
If you wish to sign up for this event, please phone Deacon John on Tel: 486280. Thank you.
Scripture Reading for Lent
Whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God. Give no offence to anyone, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:31-11.1)
Diocesan Walking Pilgrimage
The Diocesan walking pilgrimage will be going from Worcester to Peterborough from 10th to 25th August. Cost £350 the whole way or £33 per night, 25% discount for under 21’s. For more details to go www.thepilgrims/2024.org.uk
Candlelit Vigil
On 24th February there will be a candlelit vigil at the Hailsham town centre memorial to mark the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This event starts at 6pm and Father Rory will be leading the prayers at the service. All parishioners are welcome as our community comes together to show support for the people of Ukraine. More details and timings about the event can be found in the leaflet in the church porch.
CAFOD Family Fast Day
CAFOD Family Fast Day – Lent Appeal and Soup Lunch
This Lent, your donations to CAFOD’s Family Fast Day appeal will help hardworking people like James the fisherman in Liberia with resources, tools and training to safely feed their families for good. Please join us for a simple lunch of soup and bread at St Wilfrid’s Hall after mass on Sun Feb 25th to support this Appeal. It is a fun event for all ages with Lenten themed activities and fellowship. If you could spare a little time to make soup or help at this event, please sign up on the sheet at the back of church. Alternatively, you can make donations using the envelope or online at cafod.org.uk
Fr Rory Writes
We have just celebrated a great event “Ash Wednesday”, the beginning of Lent.
With a powerful sign of ashes and the traditional words that accompany it. “Remember man thou art, but dust and unto dust thou shall return”. Remember man thou art, …. This powerful moment remains deeply embedded in my being from my first experience almost seventy years ago, in fact sixty nine. I was in High Infants in Fantane N. S. (because my mum loved me I was a bit later starting school).
The Head Master was Mr Boyle and on that Ash Wednesday he went to the morning mass in Borisleigh before coming to school. This is an early symbol of delegation when he was appointed by the parish priest to minister the ashes to the school community. Beginning with the youngest, we were in Mrs Ryan’s Class, and each and every child as the ashes were placed upon the forehead, the constant refrain “Remember man thou art, but dust and unto dust thou shall return” placed on every head. “The date of my birth was the reason for the year I started school”.
Tosnu maith se laith an oibre, a good start is half the work and that good start was extended into the liturgy of life “Repent and belief, the good news “God’s salvation has remained the bedrock, the foundation for my life and I am eternally grateful for this.
INVITED
Everyone is invited to be part of our Lenten Programme. Whether you take part in our five “Invited” mission sessions that will take place after the 10am Mass on Wednesdays at St Wilfrid’s or online as part of the diocesan group, everyone watches the same episodes and explores the same material each week. The material explores “Discipleship” as we continue to conform our lives to The Lord. If anyone would like to join an evening session, we could hold these on either a Monday or Friday evening if enough people are interested. Please talk to David Hoad or Maria Hills if you would like to explore this further.
The five parish sessions will be held on Wednesday 21st and 28th February and 6th, 13th and 20th March. For online sessions please see the “Invited” section on the Diocesan website.
St Patrick’s Feast Day
March 17th, St Patrick’s Feast Day this year is on a Sunday. The 10.30am Mass at St Wilfrid’s will be a celebration of this feast day, followed by a light lunch of sandwiches and cake in the hall after, along with Irish music etc. There will be a nominal charge to cover the food costs of £2 per adult.
Ash Wednesday
Please return last years psalms by Today so that they may be prepared for Ash Wednesdays’ Mass on the 14th February, the beginning of the Lenten Season. Please return your psalms to the sacristy. Many thanks.