After a peaceful and prayerful time on Retreat at Douai Abbey near Reading with other Priests and Deacons from the Diocese it is back to Parish life. It begins with prayers to St John Henry Newman for the Students & Staff along with the parents of the Cardinal Newman Catholic School, On Tuesday we have a Meeting of the Deanery as we consider the Church of the future, Wednesday sees me in St Bernadette’s for a meeting and then on Thursday the Clergy from Sussex have a Training Day on Safeguarding at the Amex Focus Rooms. On that day there is the Funeral and Burial of Rosaria. This week also marks the time when Parents consider applying for places in our Primary and Secondary Schools and finding Baptismal Certificates of the occasion when they came forward promising to do their best in in bringing up their children as Catholics. On Saturday I am back at HMP Lewes as the Priest whose turn it is, is bringing the Parish area of Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill and Keymer into one new Parish. It is Prisons Week so please remember to pray for those who are in prison, their families and the staff. At Mass this morning, David who is having major surgery in the RSCH this week, received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Please pray for him.
The Synod in Rome
Walking together and listening to Pope Francis’ address opening the first General Congregation of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Wednesday in the Paul VI Audience Hall was followed by the interventions of the Synod’s General Secretary Cardinal Mario Grech; and the Relator General, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, who recapitulated the goals, spirit, and method of the three-year synodal process launched by the Pope in 2021. Please click here for more detail.
Climate Change
The other major item is Pope Francis’ further statement about Climate Change and the prospect for the future. As Bishop Richard reminds us, we can have a part to play in looking after our Common Home. More information can be found here.
Mass Schedule
Monday St John Henry Newman Mass 9.30am
Wednesday Pope St John Paul xxiii Mass 9.30am
Friday St Edward the Confessor Mass 9.30am
Saturday HMP Lewes 9.30am
Sunday 28th In Ordinary Time Mass 10am
In addition to the Saints above, Thursday is the Feast of St Wilfrid, Apostle of Sussex and Secondary Patron of the Diocese. St Peter’s Hove is the venue for a Mass to honour Blessed Carlos Acutis on Thursday at 7pm at which Bishop Richard will preside. There is refreshment in the hall afterwards. All welcome.
CAFOD
You may place your saving from last Friday’s Fast Day in the marked basket or transfer them directly by card.
The Word of Life
The October leaflet to help with your prayer is now on the table in the Entrance.
Slavery on Our Doorstep
Wednesday 18th October 6.30 – 9.00pm in the Fitzherbert Community Hub – next to St John the Baptist Church. Come and find out how modern slavery is very much here in our local area. See the poster
October – The month of The Rosary
The gladness of thy motherhood
The anguish of thy suffering
The glory now that crowns thy brow,
O virgin mother we would sing
Hail Blessed Mother full of joy.
In thy consent, thy visit too:
Joy in the birth of Christ on earth
Joy in him lost and found anew.
St Thomas More Church, Patcham, Brighton 