Ash Wednesday is on 22 February. It is traditional for the ashes used on that day to come from the palms that were blessed on Palm Sunday the previous year. So please bring your old palms and place them in the box at the back of the church. Thank you.
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St George’s Church
St George’s Church needs someone, either male or female to clean up the candle sticks each week, time to suit you. Please ring Cathy on 487688.
St George’s Church also needs a lady/man who would like to join our flower arranger team. Friday or Saturday morning, training will be given.
PS. My husband is a natural flower arranger. Please contact Cathy on 487688. Thank you.
Racial Justice Sunday 2023
Racial Justice Sunday 2023 – 5th February
Our theme “All are included in the mission of Christ and His Church. Let us walk together, pray together and work together” reflects on the role each of us must play in promoting the mission of Christ and His Church. This was inspired by conversations around last year’s Racial Justice Sunday and Pope Francis’ visit to Canada last year when he spoke about looking towards a future of ‘Justice, healing and reconciliation’.
To mark the day, three video reflections have been produced, highlighting the three sections; Walking together; Praying together; and Working together. This years’ resources can be found on the Bishops’ Conference website at: www.cbcew.org.uk/racial-justice-Sunday.
Fr Rory Writes
“So Important”
Grateful for the team for taking on great responsibility and progressing our response to the synod experience. It is now time to engage with our present situation and develop the parish council, the ministries needed, and a window to develop the liturgy and life of the church.
Those who are already committed are in danger of taking on too greater burden, tasks that are difficult and are put under too much pressure. The work that they do is so important we are truly grateful, and our gratitude is best expressed by working together to the best of our abilities.
I am trying to place myself on a learning curve; my role as parish priest is to keep our parish functioning….. paying our bills. But above all to focus upon the challenge for us to grow as communities of faith, to bear witness to the good news of God’s salvation in a world that is challenged by many dark forces.
The Rosary
Do you own a Rosary? We all know how important it is to us Catholics to say the rosary or even one decade now and then, especially for a certain intention. Our Blessed Lady appeared to several people and employed them to say the “Rosary”. Fr Rory joins us before Masses on Wed & Fri at St Wilfrid’s to say the rosary with us, it doesn’t take long! So if you would like to join us we would be happy to see you. If you have any spare rosaries, there is a box marked “Spare Rosaries” on the table in the church porch. If you would like one, please help yourself. Thank you.
St Wilfrid’s Sun 29th January
Don’t forget we are having a “Grand Raffle” to be drawn after Mass in the hall on the 29th. Tickets are available in our hall after Masses or tel: 07873390944, please don’t leave it to the last minute. Tickets are £1 per strip, pink for ladies and blue for men. There is a box in the church porch for your donations please. The money will go towards future activities in our hall which will benefit us all.
Southerden Books in the Link
Southerden Books in the Link in the Market Square, are presently holding a sale to clear their old stock of Christian books at half price together with Christmas Cards and other Christmas stock at substantially discounted prices.
St Wilfrid’s Grand Table Sale
Coming up, Sat 11th March, 10am-3pm in our hall, A Grand Table Top Sale & Dress Rail. Now is the chance to clear out any unwanted items. Please be generous and pop your donations in the box in the porch labelled “Gifts for table sale”. Thank you and don’t forget to browse/buy on the day.
Evenings of Reflection for Confirmation Candidates/Youth Groups
St Martha’s, Bexhill on Sea on Friday 3rd Feb from 7pm to 9pm. You can book your places here Evenings of Reflection (03-Feb-2023) · ChurchSuite Events
Fr Rory Writes
“precious, truly precious”
The light of Christ has come into our world. A great focus for us to grow in His light is:-
“God is love, God is life, God is nourishment”
Recently a challenge was offered; come and speak to children in our local schools. We are in the process of responding, though I am hesitant. With concerns over the relevance of the church, especially because of the war that is taking place in Europe at the moment. Other ministries have been welcomed and it is part of our time of prayer each month, and highlights our divisions, so we are all in a work in progress.
Our future is a great challenge. My core position is that the light of Christ has come into our dark world. This was the great gift I received from my home and family. I have struggled with how we have expressed this in the life of our parishes, but thanks be to God, I am greatly helped by the work that is taking place here. I was asked by a parishioner who was particularly impressed with Stephen’s input which was presented to us in our newsletter last week. It is so, so important. In fact it is brilliant.
Here is an extract from it, “The reports sent by Churches across the world give voice to the joys, hopes, sufferings and wounds of Christ’s disciples. They express the desire for a Church that walks with Christ under the guidance of the Spirit, so to fulfil its mission of evangelization”.