Are you able to spare an hour once or twice a month to help with the floral decorations at St Wilfrid’s? Please speak to Agata Wiktor or Jean Barham if you are able to volunteer to become part of our valuable team.
Latest News
Fr Rory Writes
A focus for our prayer.
Back on the road again to give our attention to this special and important time of our year.
The Ascension of Our Divine Lord into Heaven, and the out pouring of the Holy Spirit at the Great Feast of Pentecost, provides us with the power of the Holy Spirit to help us to bear true witness to our faith.
Almighty and ever living God, you raised up your son, Jesus Christ, when we afflicted Him with all our sins so having Him crucified. Now that you have raised Him to life, and life of the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon us, so that we may receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self control. Help us to become more responsible as the people of God, growing in the ministries of the church at this time. Through your Holy Spirit we may become communities of faith, growing in the ministries. At the present time we are especially focused upon the ministry of welcome, and ministries of the eucharist, equally aware of ministry of the word, ministry of music; of formation, of social care and action.
A new Christian University in the UK
Great News!
Selden College, a new Christian university, is soon to open in the UK. The dean, Timothy Edwards, will be in Eastbourne, to talk about “Building a culture of Christian education” and “How to think as Christians about higher education”. Selden College will offer a degree in Liberal Arts, in Oxford. The College will aim to provide a thoroughly Christian education that graduates faithful Christian men and women who are prepared to act justly, skillfully and magnanimously in each and every office, private and public, in peace and war. There is much to unpack in such a statement and Timothy Edwards, will talk to all of us at a regional meeting for the South East, on Friday 10th May, from 10:30am to 2:30pm at The Victoria Baptist Church, 7 Eldon Road, Eastbourne BN21 1UE.
This event will run in two sessions.
Session 1(10:30am -12:00pm) “Building a Culture of Christian Education”, with a focus on school-age Christian education. Talk, followed by Q&A.
Lunch break (12:00 pm – 1:00 pm)
Session 2 (1:00 pm -2:30 pm) “How to Think as Christians about Higher Education”, providing specific details about Selden College. Talk, followed by Q&A.
Tim is looking forward to talking to Colleges, parents and Christian institutions in the South East, willing to support and promote a culture of Christian education in the UK. Please, contact us to confirm your attendance and support Timothy Edwards with this much needed establishment.
In Christ we trust, Mercè +44 (0)7855 452741
Urgent – St Wilfrid’s
We urgently need more volunteers to help with keeping our beautiful church spick and span. We are looking for 2 hours of your time once a month. Even whole families could take this on as there are plenty of tasks children can be involved in.
Please see Maria Hills at the back of the church on Sunday or ring on 07873759962. Thank you.
Child Protection & Vulnerable Adults Training
Child Protection & Vulnerable Adults Training (face to face): Thursday 23rd May at Our Lady of Ransom Parish Hall, Grange Rd, Eastbourne, 1.30pm – 3.30pm (This training is also available on-line). This training is a Diocesan requirement for those working with children/vulnerable adults. Please contact Maria on 07873759962 if you would like to attend or need further information.
A Year of Encounter
With a UK general election due sometime this year, politicians will be looking for our votes. We have a responsibility as Catholics to make sure that parties commit to tackling issues such as poverty and injustice. Raising our voices and contacting parliamentary candidates as a parish community will send a strong signal to those standing for election in our local constituencies. A Year of Encounter is a joint initiative between CAFOD and St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), equipping Catholics to ask key questions of local candidates at the key moments. Please see cafod.org.uk/encounter for more information, including online sessions on Saturday 4th May to learn more.
Parish Over 50’s Club
Our next afternoon tea will be Thursday 30th May at 2pm.
Table Sale at St George’s:
We urgently need quality items for our table sale, new and nearly new. This table sale raises significant amounts to our monthly charity and also to assist in Youth Activities throughout the year. Please leave bags marked table sale at the back of St George’s church.
Walk for young people
Walk for young people (Age 16+), Saturday 25th May, 9.30am to 4.30pm, commencing from St Wilfrid’s Church, Hailsham. Can anyone who is able to help with this walk please get in touch; email [email protected], Tel: 07707513847.
Fr Rory Writes
Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
The Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday evening went very well; please God, it is preparing us as well as possible for our future. At the heart of this is the need to become communities of faith. In order to do this the ministries of the church are most important. We will establish a structure to develop these ministries. Clearly this calls for a syllabus and a time frame to be established, so that all can play a full part in the life and liturgy of the church.
I just received a letter from Bishop Richard confirming that Fr Kevin Dring has been appointed as Moderator of the Moderated Parish for the communities currently making up the Eastbourne and St Leonards Deanery. I know you will join with him in continuing to develop the Pastoral Plan across the communities involved.