There will be an Epiphany Party at St Wilfrid’s at 3pm on 4th January followed by a vigil mass at 5pm. Tickets are now available at the back of church. They are free but we ask you to only take one if are definitely able to attend as numbers are limited in the hall. Thank you.
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15th December 2024
“Gaudete Sunday; Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice”
Often much easier said than done, so we constantly return to the First Advent Candle; the Candle of Hope, it gives great purpose to our Sunday liturgy. Now the work that is being put into our communities is beginning to bear fruit, so the more we rejoice is essential. This world will constantly bombard us with evidence that there is a Kingdom of darkness, so it is so important to give expression to the Kingdom of Light.
As you would expect in the natural order, we find greatest expression of this. Evidence and examples of this great importance; the Aurora Borealis gives great expression of this. We are provided with great evidence from their experience, because there is so much evidence recorded. Now in the light of God’s Holy Spirit at work in us, when from our parishes a joint meeting took place at OLR for a meeting with people in different ministries, sharing their experience and trying to establish a plan and a pattern for us to work together. In my heart I could only say this is what we should have been doing 30 year ago.
Parishioners at St Wilfrid’s
Parishioners at St Wilfrid’s have decided not to send each other Christmas cards this year but instead will donate the money to a local charity, “Warming Up The Homeless”. There will be a collection of these donations on Sunday 15th December toward their Golden Ticket Christmas Appeal, which asks for donations of £10 to take a child living in temporary accommodation to a pantomime and to give them some festive treats. With winter upon us they are also asking for items such as Tents, Metal Thermos Flasks, Men’s socks and underpants, Sleeping Bags, Roll Mats, Wet wipes, Roll on deodorant, Shower gel/shampoo/conditioner. We are also collecting good quality second hand toys and clothes for their charity shop. If you are able to donate any of these items then please bring them to St Wilfrid’s next Sunday and we will pass them on to the charity.
A Big Thank You
A Big Thank You to everyone who contributed in anyway to make this annual event so successful. Our hall was buzzing with activities and people from both parishes making items for Christmas. Then into our church for a “Children’s Mime” to prepare us for the “coming of our Saviour” this Christmas. Whilst we were there a team were working very hard to prepare a “banquet” for us jacket potato with all the trimmings and delicious puddings. Pots were available to collect offerings towards the charity “Warming Up the Homeless” a very good and worthwhile charity.
Tuesday 17th December
Tuesday 17th Dec in the Parish Hall at Our Lady of Ransom, Eastbourne: An invitation to all parishioners to join us in a talk given recently by Fr Tony Milner on the New Lectionary, followed by sharing and discussions. 6.30-7.30pm (Refreshments from 6.15pm). All will be most welcome as we start to forge new relationships within our new Parish.
James Leslie Westcar
James Leslie Westcar RIP: 17th Anniversary on Fri 13th Dec.
St Wilfrid’s Christmas Carol Service
Sunday 15th December 2024 at 3pm. You are all invited to our Service. Refreshments will be serviced in the Church Hall afterwards. Donations of mince pies gratefully received – please bring to the Hall this week or the 15th. Many thanks.
Bambinelli Sunday
Bambinelli Sunday – 15th Dec – St G’s 9am & St W’s 10.30am:
Everyone invited, especially children, to bring their baby Jesus crib figure to either of our parish masses on the Third Sunday of Advent. A traditional blessing of the Bambinelli (baby Jesus) will be given. Then they go home to be wrapped up and placed under the tree. The blessed Bambinelli are then unwrapped by you as the first present on Christmas morning.
Important Information
Please could I ask that all future correspondence be sent through to our new diocesan email address as follows:- [email protected] Thank you.
8th December 2024
“Lighting the First Candle of the New Week
The Candle of Hope; hope springs eternally”.
Please God, hope is one of the realities that endures all the trials and tribulations that life brings. Sometimes it is the only thing that stands out as a beacon of light. On Saturday last, the workshop prepared and lead by our children’s liturgy groups was simply outstanding – a true godsend, but also reality. We are so dependant upon a small overworked group crying out for help.
As part of their liturgical commitments, they had prepared a prop reminding us of the homeless sleeping rough. When I was in the church saying a quiet prayer of my own, I was so, so moved, the figure in the tent appeared to be breathing.
This is where I appear to never learn, because they had put so much work into it, I took it for granted that they would leave it there for Sunday morning. Their understanding “the sanctuary”, the sanctuary would be too full, cluttered up. But what a powerful statement; what a powerful reminder, putting the homeless, the deprived at the centre of our concerns …… the heart of Christmas.
We are blessed to have this team.