Pentecost

The fifty days of Easter conclude with the promise of Jesus to send the Holy Spirit, the Helper—advocate, consoler, and animator—expressed in the Creed as the Lord, the giver of life, proceeding from the Father and the Son. All the words we use are active, guiding and leading us. The Acts of the Apostles reveals an outpouring of energy, change, belonging, and unity. The Catechism describes the Holy Spirit as the life of the Church; that is why we celebrate the birthday of the Church and why our invitation is for the Holy Spirit to come anew.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 24th May 10am Pentecost
• Monday 25th May 8:15am St Mary’s House Mary, Mother of The Church
• Wednesday 27th May 9:30am (Intention Frank Power)
• Thursday 28th May 12 Midday Arundel Cathedral Jubilarians’ Mass of Jesus Christ Eternal High Priest
• Friday 29th May 9:30am for the gift of a Shepherd for the Church of Arundel and Brighton
• Sunday 31st May 10am Trinity Sunday

Pope Leo XIV’s First Encyclical

On Monday morning, May 25, there will be a press conference introducing the Letter on the anniversary of the encyclical Rerum Novarum, a presentation of Catholic Social Teaching by Pope Leo XIII. The new Letter is entitled Magnifica Humanitas: “On Preserving the Human Person in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” We will be able to read the text on the Vatican News site or through our website.

Half-Term

Our schools will be closed this week. Have a happy and safe time!

Our Works of Art

Moving into the church, in the far corner, we have the statue of the Madonna—Mary holding the Child Jesus. It was created by Antonio Pacitti (1924–2009). He was born in Cassino, Italy. In 1928, his father, who was in the trade union movement, was given 24 hours to leave by the local fascist movement. The family then experienced severe poverty in Glasgow.

Antonio gained a place at the Glasgow School of Art. When war broke out, he joined the Highland Light Infantry. After the war, his family moved to London, and he gained a diploma at the Slade School of Fine Art. He later became a Head of Department in Adult Education and a part-time teacher at Wormwood Scrubs. In 1964, he won a commission for the sculpture in the newly built church in Patcham. When you venerate Mary and perhaps light a candle, please do remember the artist.

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Renew your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost.
Grant to your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary,
and following the lead of Peter,
she may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour:
The reign of truth and justice,
The reign of love and peace.

— Pope St. John XXIII