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.

This will be celebrated on Sunday 7^th Januarythis Year with Mass at 10pm. We will be following this with a gathering for a celebratory glass, an introduction to the Pastoral Plan, the Bishop’s address to the Diocese, and the Draw for the 100 + and toasting 2024.

Prayers

Susan Beglan RIP. Wife of former Parishioner David.

For Tom & Margaret Perrin who are unwell at this time.

For other Parishioners who are unwell.

This Weekend…

Normal service will be resumed. A normal newsletter will be published

Bishop Richard’s Pastoral Plan

Bishop Richard has written a new Pastoral Plan for the Diocese ‘The Word Who is Life: The Call to Mission’. As society becomes more secular our parishes must be ever-clearer beacons of light guiding people to Christ. The new Plan highlights how our community of faith can embrace this important time of renewal, forging diocesan parishes into communities of saints and strong, lively, and welcoming schools of discipleship. 

The Pastoral Plan is available to read in two formats below: the full version [18 pages] and an abridged version [10 pages], with hard copies available to read in each parish. 

Bishop Richard met with members of clergy in December and will be hosting a Pastoral Plan Webinar for people across our diocesan community on Wednesday 10 January at 7.30pm. 

There is no need to register for this event, please use the following the link to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86457734895. All are very welcome to attend.

After the wait and preparation of Advent the Feasts are now commencing. The focus on the stable in Bethlehem is sadly restricted because of war for the Christians of the area. We are fortunate in being able to be there is spirit as we look on the figures in our cribs at home and in the Church to wonder at God’s coming to live as a human in our world, reminding us that he has come as our Saviour.

May he live in our minds and hearts in the days of Christmas and in the hopes and joys of a new year.

Peace and joy to you,

Fr John

The Diocesan Plan

This will become available on the 2^nd of January and the Bishop will be communicating to us on your i.pads, phones, and PCs on Wednesday 10^th January at 7.30pm. The link will be published in the next News.

Mass Schedule

• December 24^th 4^th Sunday of Advent Sunday Mass 10am
• Christmas Mass & Blessing of the Crib. 6pm
• December 25^th Christmas Day Mass 10am
• December 26^th St Stephen’s Day Mass 10am
• December 27^th St John’s Day Mass 10am
• December 28^th The Holy Innocents Mass 10am
• December 29^th St Thomas Becket Mass 10am
• December 30^th Sixth day in the Christmas Octave Mass 10am
• New Year’s Day 1st January 2024 Mary Mother Of God Mass 11am
• January 3^rd Wednesday The Holy Name of Jesus. Mass 9.30am
• January 5^th Friday Christmastide Mass 9.30am
• Sunday January 7th The Epiphany of The Lord Mass 10AM
• Monday January 8th The Baptism Of The Lord Mass 9.30am

The Crib Collection

A box is placed near the crib for your gifts for the Catholic Children’s Society Crisis Fund.

The Diocesan Directory 2024

Full of Information with a Liturgical Calendar. Price £5. Please order a copy from Fr John.

The Word of Life

Copies of the leaflet to assist your prayer through January are now in The Entrance.

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Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice!
O lift your voice and sing
And open your heart to welcome him.
Rejoice ! Rejoice ! Rejoice ! Rejoice !
And welcome now your king
For Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem.

Please follow this link to find out more about the Sussex Catenians. This link takes you to a contact page in order to make enquiries.

We are nearly there! This unique Advent concludes with the Fourth Sunday of Advent next Sunday. We then commence the Christmas Season with its Feasts. May we all be ready to let Christ into our lives, coming to know him, love him and serve him. Against the odds, keep CHRIST in Christ -mass. Above all, let the spirit of Joy flow from your Hope.

Pastoral Plan

Bishop Richard has written a new Pastoral Plan for the Diocese which will be released in the New Year called ‘The Word Who is Life: The Call to Mission’. As society becomes more secular our parishes must be ever-clearer beacons of light guiding people to Christ. The new Plan highlights how our community of faith can embrace this important time of renewal, forging diocesan parishes into communities of saints and strong, lively, and welcoming schools of discipleship. The new Pastoral Plan will be released on the diocesan website on Tuesday 2 January: www.abdiocese.org.uk/diocese/pastoral-plan with hard copies available to read in each parish.

Bishop Richard met with members of clergy earlier this week and will be hosting a Pastoral Plan Webinar for people across our diocesan community on Wednesday 10 January at 7.30pm. There is no need to register for this event, please use the following the link to join the presentation:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86457734895

Our Christmas Masses

• Sunday 24^th December. The 10am Mass will be that of the 4^th Sunday of Advent. We the commence the Christmas Season with the First Mass (at night) with the blessing of the Crib at 6pm. Om Monday 25^th December our Christmas Day Mass will be at 10am.
• The following Days of Christmas with the special feasts have a Mass each Day at 10am culminating on Sunday 31^st December with Feast of the Holy Family. Monday – New Year’s Day – will be celebrated with a Mass at 11am.
• Looking ahead to the 6^th January 2024 the Epiphany of the Lord after the 10am Mass will be having a Party with a festive drink.

Invited – The Diocesan Mission – Episode 3 – Joy

The inspiring film which can be found below introduces the Third Week of Advent.

Mass Rota

• Sunday Advent 3 Sunday Mass 10am
• Wednesday Advent Weekday Mass 9.30am
• Friday Advent Weekday Mass 9.30am
• Sunday Advent 4 Sunday Mass 10am
• SEE OUR CHRISTMAS MASSES ABOVE.

Carol Service

This Sunday at 6pm in St Mary’s Church. Singers and Readers from the two Parishes. Come along and catch the real Joy of the News we share. Festive drinks in the Hall afterwards.

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From The Second Preface of Advent

The Virgin Mother longed for him,
With love beyond all telling,
John the Baptist sang of his coming,
And proclaimed his presence when he came.