Prisoners Sunday
It is just about 10 minutes away on a Saturday morning if the A27 is running clear. Every week, one of three priests celebrates Mass for some of the Catholic prisoners in HMP Lewes. There is one of a number of lay people who comes to play the keyboard or play the guitar to accompany the music. There will also be 4 or 5 volunteers who come in to help. The number of attendees varies from about 30 to 50. Their ages vary from 20 to 50. Prison life is regulated with various activities. For example, Catholics can sign up for a Wednesday meeting to explore the Faith.
On the occasion of visits by family members, PACT members arrange games for the children and welcome the visitors. In the A&B Diocese, there are six prisons in Surrey and Sussex.
PACT is the national Catholic prison charity — Prison Advice and Care Trust. It brings hope, dignity, and a fresh start to prisoners and their families.
Our former Bishop is the Lead Bishop for Prisons. He writes: “We will remember prisoners and their families at Mass this weekend. Prisons are in crisis, and life for prisoners and their families is challenging. Do support the work of PACT through your kind donations. Please take an envelope.”
Mass Schedule
- Sunday, 11 October, 10am – Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Prisoners Sunday
- Monday, 12 October, 8.15am – St Wilfrid, Apostle of Sussex (at St Mary’s House)
- Wednesday, 14 October, 9.30am – St Edward the Confessor
- Friday, 16 October, 9.30am – St Teresa of Ávila
- Saturday, 17 October, 8.30am – HMP Lewes
- Sunday, 18 October, 10am – World Mission Sunday
Baptisms
We welcome Isla Coulter and Edward Clark as they are baptised as members of the family of the Church.
Julian Taylor RIP
Julian died on Monday evening. We pray for the repose of his soul and for Wendy, his wife, and their family. His father, Sam, was one of the stalwart Catholics involved in the construction of our church. Julian will be remembered for many things, especially his public service as a JP and his involvement as a Governor in Catholic education in local Catholic schools: St Mary Magdalene’s, St Joseph’s, St Bernadette’s, and Newman. He was a member of the Catenians and a supporter of Sussex Cricket.
His Requiem Mass will be on Friday, 30 October. Time to be announced.
Mission Sunday
Next Sunday will be observed as World Mission Sunday.
Eucharistic Congress: Adoremus 2026
Yesterday in London, in the Cathedrals of Westminster and Southwark, there were meetings and celebrations focusing on the Eucharist. Do watch the film on devotion to the Blessed Sacrament – click here.
Episcopal Ordination
In just over a week, Fr Stephen will be ordained a Bishop. Last week, we read of the items which will be presented to him. In the third degree of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the Bishops present will lay their hands on his head as a sign of the Holy Spirit. This will be preceded by the Litany of the Saints and followed by the Prayer of Ordination, during which two Deacons will hold the Book of the Gospels over his head. Please continue your prayers for him.
Send forth, send forth your Spirit, O Lord,
To renew, renew the face of the earth.
