James Leslie Westcar 18th Anniversary RIP on 13th Dec 2025.
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Christmas Collection
As I am sure many of you are aware, Catholic Priests do not receive a salary and rely on your generosity at Christmas and Easter as a thank you for all they do for us. It is also possible to claim gift aid on your donation if you are a UK taxpayer and that extra 25% will go directly to Father Rory. If you aren’t part of a planned giving scheme then please use the “one off” gift aid envelopes located in the porch. You can also contribute via the digital collection plate at St Wilfrid’s or via the QR code or donations website link
(https://donate.mydona.com/st-wilfrids-churchhailsham) using the “Christmas Collections” tab.
14th December 2025
The colour of the Advent candle we light this Sunday is rose – not pink. Rose signifies rejoicing, and signals a spirit of joyful hope during Lent and Advent. It breaks the more sombre tone of these penitential times of the year. This comes from Brother Hyacinth Cordell, a Dominican, who wrote about all this online several years ago. Br. Cordell noted that nature’s cycle is comprised of two things: life and light. The seasons revolve around that—the rejuvenation of spring and summer, the desolation of fall and winter. Our liturgical seasons follow a similar pattern. “The dark colour of violet in Advent,” he wrote, “harmonises well with the diminishing sunlight late in the year.” It also points to royalty, and Christ as our King. “Rose,” he wrote, “is a softening of violet. It is violet approaching white. In this sense, it anticipates the pure white of the Birth and Resurrection of Christ.”
St George’s Quarterly Community Meeting:
We will not have this in Dec, as there is a lot going on already. Also, to help align the meetings to allow feedback from the monthly Parish Hub Meetings we have decided to hold them on the second Sunday of the month instead of the first. 2026 meetings will therefore be after mass on Sunday: January 11th; April 12th; July 12th; and October 11th.
Bambinelli Sunday:
Bambinelli Sunday – 14th 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.
Rorate Caeli Mass:
Rorate Caeli Mass, celebrated by only candlelight every Friday in Advent at 6.30am at Our Lady of Ransom. This peaceful, beautiful tradition in honour of Our Lady is followed by breakfast in the hall. All are welcome. Families and schoolchildren are warmly encouraged to come – many attend in school uniform before heading on to school or work, with local journeys and trains still perfectly manageable. More details can be found here: Rorate Caeli Mass Information
Christmas Tree Elves needed urgently:
We are looking for 6–8 volunteers to help set up and decorate the Christmas trees in the church and hall at St Wilfrid’s after Mass today. The task should take no more than an hour if we have enough helpers!
December Edition of the Eastbourne St Leonards Parish Monthly Newsletter:
The December edition of the Eastbourne St Leonards Parish Monthly Newsletter is now available. Please pick up a copy from the porch if you haven’t already done so. It can also be accessed online through the new parish website;
Mill Hill Red Boxes:
Mill Hill Red Boxes to be brought to church and handed in to be counted. Make sure your name is on the box label or we will be unable to give you a receipt, which is important. The next counting will be June 2026.
St Wilfrid’s Christmas Lunch:
This very popular lunch will take place on Wed 17th Dec, 1pm at the Kings Head – Horsebridge. £25 pp, which will include everything. To book a place, see Sally or Judy after Sunday or weekday masses. Please pay by cash, and collect a menu to pick your requirements..