This Sunday is traditionally known as “Rejoice. Be joyful Sunday.” Marking the mid-point of the Lenten Journey. It is an uplifting journey of hope, a preparation time of reflection and renewal for the joy of Easter. We recall that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world, shown to us through what he suffers. When faced with the questions about suffering and the present state of the world, we have a guide in what Jesus went through for us.

Day of Prayer for the suffering people of the Holy Land

Around the worldwide Church there is a call to have a day of prayer for those suffering from the effects of war and destruction.

This coming Saturday 16th March we will have in the Morning the following activities

• 11am – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
• 11:15 – 12 Noon The Sacrament of Reconciliation
• 12.05 Benediction

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Please listen to this podcast

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 4 of Lent. Mass 10am
• Wednesday. Lent Weekday Mass 9.30am
• Friday. Lent Weekday Mass 9.30am
• Saturday, Adoration. Prayer for the suffering people of the Holy Land. The Sacrament of Reconciliation. 11am -12 Noon.

Diocesan Posts

Assistant Safeguarding Coordinator. For details click here

Deanery Clergy Conference

The Clergy will be meeting at St Thomas More’s for our monthly Conference this Tuesday, now that our hall is free on Tuesdays.

Praying for vocations

Do pick up a prayer card with a prayer for vocations to the Priesthood and Diaconate.

Remember Canon Michael Spelman who died in retirement in Knock.

Invited

The Third Episode of the Diocesan Mission is now available reflecting on Community. Watch below

Lenten Alms

Wall box in Entrance set aside for your Alms.

Mother’s Day

We take the opportunity to thank our Mothers who have given birth to us and for what they do for us.

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Mother of God’s living Word
Glorifying Christ your Lord,
Full of joy God’s people sing,
Grateful for your mothering.

Within a few days we will reach the mid-point of the Season of Lent. It is always a good time to check on our progress by remembering the description of what Lent means. “Lent is a time for turning again to the practice of the Faith – prayer, self-denial and practical generosity.” In our weekly news these elements appear. Let us not miss out. It is s spiritual Springtime, a joyful season when God wants to give us new grace and new life.

 

Prayer

Praying The Our Father. Please click here.

The Word of Life

 The leaflet for March is on the table in the Entrance .The purpose is for use during the days of March to focus prayer and reflection on the words of Scripture to give life to our Christian living.

Do Justice

A vision for spiritual and civic renewal produced by the Catholic Social Action Network. Please click here.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday March 3rd Mass 10am
• Wednesday March 6th Lent Weekday Mass 9.30am
• Friday March 8th Lent Weekday Mass 9.30am
• Sunday March 10th 4th of Lent Mass 10am

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation with individual confession. A list of opportunities is on the Noticeboard. These refer to Services where additional priest Confessors are available.

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Lord of life, you give us all our days: 
Let your life fill ours with hope and praise.
May our learning, seeking, yearning,
Lead us on to share your risen life.

Hymn 451

                              

On the Second Sunday of Lent the Gospel is always an account of the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. It is one of the events which we consider when we pray the Rosary and reflect on it in the Mysteries of Light or Luminous Mysteries, as it gives us further insight into the person of Jesus. “To know you more clearly , to love you more dearly” – part of our Lenten efforts.

Lenten Emphasis On Prayer

There are resources for us to discover as we examine our prayer habits. Pope Francis is encouraging us to take the opportunity to develop our exercise of prayer. How do we Pray ?. You can find some advice on the website CBCEW- the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales.- “Why the Lord’s prayer is so important to us “ and news of a forthcoming booklet -Teach us to pray. You could also try to use the daily suggestions towards the bottom of the list of “Useful Websites “. The app “Universalis” can be downloaded on your phones with the Morning and Evening Prayers of the Church and the Mass details of each day click here for iOS and here for android.

Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

You will have read how our Bishop has asked us to have time before the Blessed Sacrament to pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and Diaconate and for the Church of Arundel and Brighton as the Diocesan Plan is gradually implemented. This Sunday after the 10.00am Mass there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for an extended time of thanksgiving after our Communions until 11.30am. Fr John would like to hear of your suggestions about future times for periods of Adoration.

Invited

Details of this week’s session of the Diocesan Mission can be found on the Diocesan Website together with the times when the videos will be available.Please click here.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass (25th February)10AM Int. for the people of the Parish
• Wednesday (28th February) . Lent Weekday Mass 9.30amInt.Gilbert Losasso RIP
• Friday (1st March) . St David Patron Saint of Wales. Mass 9.30am
• Third Sunday of Lent (3rd March) Mass 10.00am.

Prayers

Prayers for Canon Colin Wolczak PP. The Sacred Heart.

The Taylor Family, Tom & Margaret Perrin, Patrick & his parents,

May Wynne RIP, Seamus O’Donnell RIP.

CAFOD

Thank you for your CAFOD Donations & for the Lourdes Fund.

Lenten Alms wall box for your self- denial.

 To pick up

The Spring edition of Mission Today and a Prayer Card for Ukraine.

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The Last Words Of Saint David

“Be joyful and keep your faith and your creed.
Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about.
I will walk in the path that our fathers have trod before us.”

The journey of Lent to Easter is an opportunity to review our spiritual lives as Christians and to begin to look into the future with the Pastoral Plan and the vision it has for the Catholics in the Diocese. Our reflection on the journey Christ takes as his destiny is revealed is reflected in the words of Scripture and of the Way of the Cross, together with the Lenten devotions and special resources. Do make the most of the time.

Prayer

One of the key features of Lent is the practice of Prayer. We have been invited by the Bishop to have time before the Blessed Sacrament and so next Sunday after the Mass there will be 30 minutes of Adoration concluding with Benediction. You could see this as an extended time of thanksgiving after Holy Communion. Available from the Bishops of England and Wales are weekly sessions exploring the Our Father. Session 1 can be found at (click to CBCEW)

Invited – The Diocesan Mission

Please follow this link for more information.

CAFOD Fast Day

 Next Friday is CAFOD Fast Day, when we reduce what we take and are generous in donating to the work of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. (The envelopes include – only if you wish – fund raising mechanisms. There is no obligation to commit to these.)

Ecology

Care for our Common Home and the Planet are the subject of a workshop with the title “Let us dream “which will be held in the hall at St George’s Church, Court Farm Road, Hangleton. BN3 7QR.  Saturday 2^nd March 10am – 1pm.

Mass Schedule

First Sunday of Lent Mass 10am

Wednesday Lent Mass 9.30am

Friday Short Stations & Mass 7pm

(10,30am Requiem for Bernard Regan RIP St Mary’s )

Second Sunday of Lent. Mass 10am – followed by 30 minutes Adoration.

Seamus O’Donnell RIP

A former parishioner and local dentist has died at St Mary’s House. May he rest in peace.

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He will not ask the fickle crowd’s acclaim,
Nor flaunt the Sonship, which is his by right,
Nor seem distrustful of the Father’s name,
Who bids us walk by faith and not by sight.
He seeks no kingdom but by cross and grave,
For love of sinners spurning Satan’s throne
His triumph seen in those he died to save,
Who to his glory, worship God alone.

The transition from Ordinary Time to Lent has come round very quickly and starts with “Mardi gras” and Shrove Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday. Lent precedes and prepares us for Easter by the ways of prayer, fasting and good works. It is a journey in which the Passion and Death of Our Lord along with other themes of the Christian Life, lead us to the glory of Easter. This is reflected in the life and death journey of the Baptised. For a number of people who have been enrolled in preparation as adults for the Sacrament of Baptism or Reception into full communion with the Church it marks the final stages of their progress with various Rites of welcome, the presentation of the Creed and the Our Father before the celebration at the Easter Vigil.

Bishop Richard’s Weekly Reflection

This reflection can be found here. There is no video this week.

Prayers for King Charles

Please click here for further information.

Requiem for Abbot Stephen Ortiger OSB

MThis coming Saturday 17^th February at 10.30am the Requiem will be live streamed from the Worth Abbey Website.

Reminder of the Practice of Fasting and Abstinence

• Fasting is a considerable reduction in food.
• Abstinence is from meat.
• Vegetarians from another food group
• Abstinence is for those age 14 and over.
• Fasting for those 18 years until reaching 60.

The Diocesan Pilgrimage To Lourdes

You will see the appeals on the Noticeboard for some of the helpers needed to support assisted Pilgrims on this Year’s Pilgrimage. There are also envelopes for you donation to the Fund which is used to part fund assisted Pilgrims. Please take an envelope and return it next Sunday.

Marriage Week

A reminder to pray for married couples and those preparing for Marriage, concluding on February 14^th.

Invited

The next part of the Diocesan Mission covers Lent. Here are the details.

The Year of Prayer

Please click here for more information.

Mass Rota

• Sixth Sunday (11th February) in Ordinary Time. Mass 10am
• ASH WEDNESDAY (14th February) Masses at 9.30am & 7pm.Day of Fasting & Abstinence.
• Friday (16th February) Lent Mass 9.30am
• First Sunday of Lent (18th February) Mass 10am

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Lay your hands gently upon us,
Let their touch render your peace.
Let them bring your forgiveness and healing,
Lay your hands, gently lay your hands.

Forty Days since Christmas, so went the Introduction to the lovely Feast of the Presentation of the Lord or Candlemas we celebrated on Friday, being reminded of the revelation of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Carrying a lit candle in procession reminded us of the Candle presented to us when were Baptised – “Receive the Light of Christ, keep true to your Baptism throughout a blameless life.” Just as Jesus was welcomed by Simeon as a light to enlighten the Gentiles, so we are called to shine for him –“This little light of mine I’m going to let it shine”.

Advance Notice

Ash Wednesday (14th February) marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. There will be the blessing and placing of ashes at Masses at 9.30am & 7.00pm. Next Sunday do bring last year’s palm crosses so that they can be burnt to produce the ashes. A box will be in the Entrance.

Our Prayers at Their Passing

Abbot Emeritus Stephen Ortiger OSB. For the Monks in the City, the Worth Community, the Benedictine Sisters, former pupils and many friends. His Funeral Mass is at Worth Abbey on Saturday 17^th February at 10.30am. Details for attendance on the noticeboard. It will also be live streamed.

Rita Smith who reached 100 years on January 10^th and for her large family.

Bernard Regan , Father of Lucy Regan our SENCO at St Bernadette’s and a long lived parishioner of St Mary’s.

The mother of Joe Wynne.

May they rest in peace.

A Year of Prayer

In preparation for next year’s Jubilee, Pope Francis has asked us to deepen our prayer life during 2024. See here for further details. There will be help to pray during the year.

The February copies of the Word of Life leaflet are on the table in the Entrance. It is to help you absorb and live by the verse of scripture keep it handy during the month and reflect on it.

Our Lady of Lourdes

February 11^th ,the date of the first apparition is her Feast day. Being a Sunday we have to follow the Sunday Liturgy. You can identify with the Grotto and the Pilgrimage activities with these steps – on our website go to heading USEFUL WEBSITES and then scroll down to SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY and you will find the GROTTO or other activities. You can visit there any time day or night.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am
• Wednesday Mass 9.30am Int. Rita Smith RIP
• Friday Mass 9.30am Int For parishioners who are unwell
• Sixth Sunday Mass 10am

Fr Foley is kindly celebrating the 10am Mass in STM this Sunday while I am filling in a gap in another church this Sunday. Our thanks to him, sing up, make him welcome and if anyone would care to drive him back to Woodingdean he would be grateful.

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Healer of our every ill
light of each tomorrow
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.

The last Sunday of January! After last Sunday – the Word of God Sunday – this one is Racial Justice Sunday with its own theme and relevance for the present day, following on yesterday’s Holocaust Memorial Day and the news that enfolds us. Amidst these issues, external Charities are gearing up for their fundraising for the weeks ahead. Remember first things first. You will find in our website information for reading and reflection.

Racial Justice Sunday

Seeing one another in the life of the Church

Read more here.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Praying for Peace

We pray for the Peacemakers and the efforts to bring in medical supplies and food supplies for those suffering from the continuing bombing of Gaza. Read more here.

The Presentation of The Lord

February 2^nd is also called Candlemas recalling Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to the Temple in thanksgiving for his birth. The procession marks the journey to the Temple, the light of the candles the sense of revelation of Jesus, and at the Gospel his coming in his Words and in the Eucharistic Prayer is coming for us in Holy Communion. St Bernadette’s School has an Assembly to celebrate the Feast at 9.15am. Our Celebration will be at 10.30am and I hope you may be able to be present.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am
• (Monday St Mary’s House 8.15am)
• Wednesday St John Bosco Mass 9.30am
• Friday THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION. MASS 10.30AM
• Saturday. HMP Lewes Mass 8.30am
• 5th Sunday in OT Mass 10am

Diocesan Directory 2024

Copies available £5. From Fr John

Invited

The Diocesan Mission resumes in Lent. Consider participating at home with your Catholic friends.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Bookings are underway. Please see the diocesan website for more details.

Missio Red Boxes

Will you take one home for your coppers to assist the Missionary Endeavour?

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At last, all-powerful Master
You give leave to your servant to go in peace,
According to your promise.
For my eyes have seen your salvation
Which you have prepared for all nations,
The light to enlighten the Gentiles.
And give glory to Israel, your people.

The Nunc Dimitis of Simeon 

The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is set aside to focus on the place of the Scriptures in the Bible and in our personal spirituality. Now that you have read the Pastoral Plan you can see what place they have for all of us, not only in the Mass but also in our daily prayers – a great treasure for our nourishment and growth. Resources can be found here.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

We are halfway through – ending on the feast of the Conversion of St Paul. Two things to do: This Sunday (21st) at St John the Baptist Church, Kemp Town, Ecumenical Vespers with the monks at 4pm including a guest preacher. The second is to greet neighbours and contacts who are members of the Christian Communities of All Saints Patcham, The Ascension, Westdene ,The Methodists in Ladies Mile Road, and members of the Elim Pentecostals, pray together for the grace to live out our Christian Faith.

Discussing Assisted Suicide

In your daily contacts, workplaces and with friends, publicity pushing for legalisation is now rampant. As Catholics we have respect for life at all its stages. To inform yourselves of our position do read the submission of the Bishops of England and Wales. More information can be found here.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am
• (Monday St Mary’s House Mass 8.15am)
• Wednesday Mass 9.30am St Frances de Sales
• Friday Mass 9.30am St Timothy & St Titus.
• Saturday Mass 8.30am HMP Lewes

The Pastoral Plan

This now on the Diocesan Website. The Brighton parishes will be meeting to discuss the next steps. The Hove parishes will continue to meet. Any comments do pass them on.

100+ Winners

• No. 25 Jean Loughlin
• No. 23 Emma Sweeney
• No. 45 Frances Parsons
• No. 32 Juliet Taylor
• No. 7 Helen Costello

Congratulations to all our winners!

Safeguarding

Do read the information posters on the noticeboard near the statue of our patron.

St. Bernadette’s Mission Statement

On the same noticeboard.

The Diocesan Pilgrimage To Lourdes

Booking is now open. Read details here.

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Lord thy word abideth
And our footsteps guideth
Who in truth believeth
Light and joy receiveth.

This webinar was broadcast on Wednesday night. Bishop Richard also answered some questions submitted by viewers towards the end of the webinar. There will be copies of the Pastoral Plan together with a Prayer for the Diocese and these are on our website as well as the Diocesan Website, On Tuesday there is a meeting of the Parish Priests of the Deanery to begin to work out the practical steps that may be involved.

• Prayer – at the Eucharist; monthly Eucharistic Adoration
• Formation – Lifelong growth and development
• Mission – for every baptised person – in the family, in our schools

Each deanery to become a community of communities with a sharing of gifts and skills together in a synodal model. We are encouraged to be open to the Holy Spirit and to new ways.

Peace Sunday

Pope Francis reflects on the conflicts and divisions ravaging the world and highlights the responsibility of individuals and nations to foster peace. More can be read here.

For his theme for the World Day of Peace in 2024, Pope Francis has chosen ‘Artificial Intelligence and Peace’. Whilst this might seem a strangely technical theme, we do need to think about the consequences of the advances in AI for peace and justice. More information can be found here.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am
• Wednesday St Anthony. Abbot. Mass 9.30am
• Friday St Wulstan. Mass 9.30am
• 3^rd Sunday in Ordinary time.

Thank You

Thank you to Mike and Jim for packing away the Crib and decorations and to those who have served the parish by reading and leading the singing, maintaining the altar linens, taking care of the finances and gift aid, tidying the hall and cloakrooms and many acts of personal service and generosity.

The Year of Prayer

Pope Francis has askes that 2024 be a Year of Prayer prior to 2025 which will be a Jubilee Year for the whole Church. More details can be found be found here.

The Red Boxes

Now that coppers have all but disappeared the red boxes do not seem so popular. Some of you do support Mission with your cards. Should you find it helpful do take home a Red Box to support Missio and each quarter there will be an offer to empty them. Thank you.

Diocesan Directory 2024

Have a word with Fr John if you wish to purchase a copy – £5.

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Listen let your heart keep seeking,
Listen to his constant speaking,
Listen to the Spirit calling you,
Listen to his inspiration,
Listen to his invitation,
Listen to the Spirit calling you.

The twelve days of the Christmas Season come to an end with the Solemnity of the Epiphany. It is said the Twelfth Night after which Decorations are taken down was a Victorian saying which meant it was back to work after all the feasting! Our celebration marks the newborn Jesus being the focus of the visit by the Wise Men from the East. During the Christmas Days we have remembered the Holy Family seeking refuge in Egypt to escape Herod’s act of jealously in his massacre of the boys of two and under; the circumcision according to Jewish Custom: His Presentation in the Temple; and in the days ahead He is revealed in His Baptism in the Jordan and in his first miracle in Cana at the wedding feast. Time for us to give praise and thanksgiving for the greatest gift of all – Jesus the one who saves.

A personal thank you for the Christmas Offering together with your greetings and gifts and the acts of service during Advent and the 12 Days,

Fr John

The Interim Bulletin

Thank you to our webmaster for the New Year edition which you can read below.

The Word Who Is Life – The Call To Mission

The Pastoral Plan is now published in two formats; a full edition and an abridged edition.

Bishop Richard writes:

“I invite everyone – lay faithful, religious, deacons and priests – to join with me in forging our parishes into communities of saints and strong, lively, and welcoming schools of discipleship. May they be communities where the Lord is known and loved; where the liturgy is experienced as an encounter with the wonder of heaven; where daily prayer is a natural part of life and where all are welcomed and their dignity as children of God always recognised.”

Mass Schedule

• Epiphany Sunday Mass 10am
• Monday (St Mary’s House Mass) 8.15am
• Wednesday Weekday Mass 9.30am .  Intention for Rita Smith
• Friday St Aelred of Rievaulx Mass 9.30am
• Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass 10am

Prayers

• Susan Beglan RIP, wife of David Beglan former Parishioners.
• For Tom & Margaret Perrin.
• For Rita Smith celebrating her100th Birthday on Wednesday (Card from the King & Blessing from Pope Francis)
• For Ann Long of Maycroft Manor

Epiphany Gathering

After Mass this Sunday. Celebratory Drink with 100+ draw. Catch up. Meet up. Do join in.

Lourdes Pilgrimage

Bookings are now open for the Summer Diocesan Pilgrimage. Helpers ,Nurses, Assistants and Pilgrims requiring assistance. Please click here for further details.

Liturgy

Ordinary Time commences on Tuesday.

Sundays follow the Lectionary Year B (mainly St Mark’s Gospel)

The Weekday Lectionary follows the Second Section (for even years)

Safeguarding

The Audit for Safeguarding – DBS, training etc. takes place on Thursday Our Safeguarding rep, Helen Costello and myself meet with the Inspector on Thursday.

Permanent Display of Safeguarding Information on the noticeboard. Details of how to share concerns published on noticeboard.

Schools Admissions

The closing date for September 2024 Admissions is nearing. Do make contact if you have any queries.

IMPORTANT

Bishop Richard speaks to us on Wednesday evening at 7:30pm about the pastoral plan. This is called a webinar. To join before 7:30pm put the following link on your iPhone, iPad, smartphone or tablet or PC. You can also click on this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86457734895

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As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold,
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord may we,
Evermore be led to thee.