A new Season commences as we come to the end of the Season of Creation on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. It has been one when the issues affecting our world have been very much in the news – EVs, carbon footprints, floods, heat, climate, endangered species, the green agenda. You must have noticed! It is also the right time to review and update the Letter of Pope Francis “LaudatoSi” and in the next few days this will be published. Will the media report it?

CAFOD

The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, mindful of the floods in Pakistan invites us to practise self-denial this Friday, by Fasting and by donating what we save either by filling an envelope or making a card donation online. Envelopes may be returned next week.

Harvest Sunday Thanksgiving

Thank you for the gifts of food you kindly offered last Sunday. They have been passed to the Food Bank. Thank you for your generosity.

The Synod Commences In Rome

The first Session commences this week and can be followed on YouTube. “For a synodal Church -Communion, Participation, Mission”We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit

Mass Schedule

• 27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday Mass 10am
• 26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday Mass 10am

Weekday Masses at St Mary’s, Surrenden Road at 10am. Tel 01273 563017

Clergy Retreat

Clergy will be attending Monday – Friday this week at Douai Abbey. Please keep them in your prayers.

The Month of The Rosary

October is an opportunity for us to pray with the Rosary reflecting on the events in Christ’s Life. Take it slowly so you reflect on each event doing so in the company of Mary. “…and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus – who was at the wedding in Cana: who carried the cross to Calvary, who was transfigured on the mountain. A Decade is I Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory Be. There is no need to rattle through 5 Decades- by the 49^th Hail Mary you may have lost it. The Mysteries come from the Joyful, Light filled, Sorrowful and Glorious Events in the Gospels.

The Permanent Diaconate

Do not forget the Information Evening for prospective candidates- 7pm Friday 6th October, St Michael’s Church, Hayling Rise, Worthing.

Primary and Secondary School Places for September 2024

Open days or Visits for St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School and Cardinal Newman Catholic School & College are now advertised on our Noticeboards. Do take the opportunity to visit and discover what is on offer and do not hesitate to have a talk with Fr John.

Foundation Governors

Our Catholic Schools have a majority of in touch Catholics with an interest in ensuring our Schools are part of the Church’s Mission in Education. Do find out more by talking to existing Governors.

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,

To me as it pleases God she said

My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name,

Most highly favoured lady, Gloria      

Harvest Sunday

The last Sunday of September marks the time for Thanksgiving for the produce of the land. This was expressed in a wheelbarrow filled with lettuces, carrots, gourds and rhubarb grown by the residents of the local prison. We have the opportunity this Sunday to offer, if we can, some food stuff at the preparation of gifts part of the Mass accompanied by the prayers as we bless the Lord for the gifts of creation. In turn these will be passed to a Food Bank. If you forget there are boxes as you leave the Supermarkets.

World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Pope Francis has also sent a Message for this Sunday and in his visit to Marseille he spoke of Fraternity rather than Indifference. Being such a present issue, we can find a way through all the emotions as we are influenced by the media. This can be found in “Love the Stranger” which sets out 24 Principles for our guidance. They can be found here.

The Synod

This event in Rome commences on 4^th October. You may find it informative to read more from one of the participants taking part with representation from England. Read more here.

Bishop Richard’s Video Podcast

St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School

Grandparents and Parents please be aware that there are new arrangements to attend an “Open Day” visit by arrangement most days. This would be for children due to commence School in September 2024. See the Poster for details. Catholic Parents are encouraged to continue the progression of their children in the ways of Faith in Home, School and Parish.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am Intention for the people of the Parish
• (Monday St Mary’s House 8.15am)
• Wednesday St Vincent de Paul Mass 9.30am
• Friday The Archangels, Michael ,Gabriel and Raphael Mass 9.30am Int, for Angela Beal (E Higgins)
• Twenty Sixth Sunday. Mass 10am

‘Confessions’

The Sacrament of Reconciliation – Next Saturday 30th September at 11am – 12 noon. You can always make an appointment at other times.

Saturday Sanctuary

Join the monks for a morning of fellowship, input, prayer and silence. Saturday 30^th September. 10.15 -12.15pm. Fitzherbert community hub (next to St John the Baptist

St Vincent de Paul Society

Peter Cropp would be pleased to meet anyone who would be interested in learning about membership – A “voluntary network dedicated to tackling poverty all its form by providing practical assistance to people in need.”

Come ye thankful people come,
Raise the song of harvest- home.
All is safely gathered in,
Ere the winter storms begin
God our maker doth provide,
For our wants to be supplied
Come to God’s own temple come.
Raise the song of harvest-home.

The Joy of the Gospel Sunday brings into focus the call to have a missionary mind and to recognise that each one of us has a share in the handing on our faith in Jesus Christ. It also marks the process for us leading up to 2025 which will be a Jubilee with all the members being Pilgrims of Hope. There is plenty of information from the Bishops of England and Wales which you can find here.

The Message For This Sunday

Harvest Sunday

At the Preparation of Gifts at Mass next Sunday you are invited, if possible, to bring some item of food in thanksgiving which will be shared with a food bank.

Vatican Museum Art and Prayer Reflection

A collaboration between the Vatican Museums and Vatican News is underway, with Vatican News presenting various masterpieces from the Pontifical collection on their website accompanied by words from one of the Popes. The most recent image, painted by Pinturicchio ‘Descent of the Holy Spirit’ 1492-94 (above), has been paired with words from Pope Francis:

“It is the Spirit who allows us to experience full joy. As He enters into us, the Holy Spirit defeats barrenness, opens our hearts to hope, and deepens maturity in our relationships with God and neighbour. According to St. Paul, ‘the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.’ The Spirit affects all of these wonders in us. That is why today we celebrate this richness that the Father gives us.”

More details can be found here.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am Int. For the people of Libya and Morocco and the Parish
• (Monday St Mary’s House 8.15am)
• Wednesday St Theodore. Abp. of Canterbury Mass 9.15am
• Friday St Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist Mass 9.30am
• (Saturday HMP Lewes Mass 8.30am)
• Sunday Mass 10am Harvest Sunday. Catenian Association Province 18. Mass 3pm

God’s Spirit is in my heart,

He has called me and set me apart,

This is what I have to do.

What I have to do

Go tell everyone the news,

That the kingdom of God has come

and go tell everyone the news,

that God’s kingdom has come.

An opportunity to celebrate our Schools and give thanks for our inheritance. At the beginning of the new Academic Year we pray for God’s Blessing and reaffirm the link between home, school and parish. This day of Prayer was established by the Bishops in 1848. In the 175 years since then the Catholic Church has become the provider of Primary and Secondary Schools and we give thanks for the thousands of teachers, support staff, governors and many more who have given themselves in service.

The Season of Creation

Concern for our World and its climate is very much in our minds, There is a Statement by the Bishops which you may find instructive please click here. There is also a webinar on Tuesday at 7pm. Please register here.

Contactless Giving

Please follow the guide by the machine. Thank you.

Harvest Sunday

You are invited to bring a gift of food which will be donated to the Food Bank. It is an expression of your gratitude for the produce of the earth.

Mass Schedule

• 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Sunday Mass 10am Int. For the people of the Parish
• Wednesday Mass 9.30am St John Chrysostom Int. Ena Cripps.(Foundation Mass )
• Friday Mass 9.30am Our Lady of Sorrows
• 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Harvest Sunday Mass 10am Int. For Eanna Phelan RIP. & the People of the Parish

At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.
Make me feel as thou hast felt,
Make my soul to glow and melt,
With the love of Christ my Lord

From the Stabat Mater

A new Month and a new beginning as holidays are more or less over. Welcome back. This is called the Season of Creation until ^4th October – the feast of St Francis of Assisi – when we reflect on the earth we share – our common home. There have been many moments during August when the effects of climate change have been evident. You can find out more by reading what is in the website of the Bishops’ of England and Wales click here for further information.

Return to school

The new Term commences this week, so all good wishes to Teachers, Children and Parents.

Information evening for possible permanent deacons

You can find details on the noticeboard and in a leaflet in the Entrance. If interested, I can give you directions to the meeting place. Friday 6^th October, 7pm St Michael’s, High Salvington, Worthing.

September Word of Life

The leaflet for the month is on the table in the Entrance. How to use it in your prayer: Have it handy, read the verse from the Bible and the commentary.Then, let it stay with you for a few days, then read the verse again with another piece of the commentary and let it follow on through the month. Gradually, its meaning becomes part of your life. This month the verse is from Psalm 145.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am Int. For the people of the Parish
• Wednesday Weekday Mass 9.30amInt. Judy’s
• Friday The Birthday of Mary Mass 9.30am Int Alistair McCulloch
• Twenty Third Sunday Mass 10am Education Sunday

“For you laid the foundations of the world and have arranged the changing of times and seasons: You formed man in your own image and set humanity over the whole world in all its wonder, to rule in your name over all you have made and for ever praise you in your mighty works”
From Preface V - Creation 

All too soon August draws to a conclusion with us hearing of the growing impact of climate change , be it wildfires , heat or floods, From Friday l’t September we commence the Season of Creation – a month to reflect on care for our Common Home.
Pope Francis is preparing to add to teaching in his Letter – “Laudato Si”

“Speaking off-the-cuff to a delegation of lawyers from member countries of the Council of Europe on Monday, Pope Francis said he was writing a second part of his Laudato si’ encyclical to update it to “current issues…”

Read more by clicking here.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am
• Wednesday Ss Margaret Clitheroe, Anne Line, Margaret Ward. Mass 9.30am Int Julia
• Pilgrim RIP Friday St Aidan & the Saints of Lindisfarne Mass 9.30am Int. Stephen Mapelay.
• 22* Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass 10am

100+

At last Sunday’s get together the following winners were drawn -41 Errol Lord 4 Loretta D’Souza 36 Christine Addelsee 26 Brenda Monckton. Thank you to those who have joined and a warm welcome to those who will.

This Sunday for II am onwards. The local Community

Patcham Duck Fayre

This Sunday for I I am onwards. The local Community Fayre on the School’s playing fields.

Marriage Anniversaries Mass

Saturday 30″ September at Our Lady Of Ransom Eastbourne. More details here.

Deaf and hard of hearing

Mass & AGM St John’s, Horsham

Yes, be praised in all your creatures Brother sun and sister moon, ln the stars and in the wind Air and fire and flowing water

The last week has seemed to be short ,following Our Lady’s Feast, the Assumption, “a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people”, Holy Communion to the Housebound, call to Maycroft, signing two UK passports and an Irish identification, enquiries about Mass times in various Parishes,update on works at St Bernadette’s, placing an order for the replacement of the Hall roof, three scam phone calls, doing my shopping, various meetings, weeding around the edge of the Church car park- ( any willing help to deal with left hand side?), clearing rubbish from the steps and car park – bottles, vodka -smashed – used vapes, the remains of spliffs etc. There were of course the angels, the lovely flowers for Mary our Mother and two suppers. Not forgetting contact with Police following anti-social behaviour of kicking in the door to the Transformers necessitating UK Energy to make safe from children entering. Above all being able to celebrate Mass for and with Parishioners. So to Week 20.

100 + Summer Draw

After Mass do come into the Hall for some refreshments and above all to meet up with each other over a cup and a nibble.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass (20th August) 10am
• Wednesday 23rd August St Rose of Lima Mass 9.30am
• Friday 25th August Weekday Mass 9.30am
• 21^st Sunday Mass (27th August) 10am

Card Payment for Offerings

The machine now seems to be working and you may find it helpful. Put in your own offering figure and ignore the £100 setting!

Patcham Duck Fayre

Next Sunday a Community event on Patcham High and Junior School Fields 11 am – 4.30am. Don’t miss the dog shows Ring A 12.30 The waggiest tails

The Stations Of The Cross

During the week there has been correspondence with an Art dealer about Guy Roddon , commissioned by Fr Fooks to produce the Stations of the Cross. I will tell you more about this in the future. Fr Fooks certainly wanted the Church to have a number of works of art – St Thomas More, the Statue of Our Lady, the Crucifix and the Stations.

Bishop stands in solidarity with Pakistani Christians targeted by violent extremists

Christian homes and church buildings in the Punjab region of northern Pakistan have been targeted by extremists after a Christian cleaner was accused of desecrating the Qur’an and insulting the Prophet of Islam.

More details can be found here.

For the healing of the nations
Lord, we pray with one accord
for a just and equal sharing of the things that earth affords
to a life of love in action help us rise and pledge our word.

World Youth Day

You may not have heard of what happened in Portugal last week ?Possibly there was more about a Scout Jamboree in America which had to close early.Pope Francis travelled to Lisbon and joined over a Million Young People from around the world for 6 days. YouTube published details of each day including the meetings with different groups. As I mentioned last week 40 young people from A&B were there and Bishop Richard went from Lourdes to Lisbon to join them.

Sunday’s Gospel

The image of the boat tossed about in a rough sea fits various situations and personal crises .One is to think of the Church as a boat and Peter as the Captain. Even St Theresa of Lisieux used it of herself going through a rough patch in her spiritual life. An experience some Catholics are in and not finding in prayer and belonging a way out. “Do not be afraid“ – reassuring words to live by

The Assumption of Mary

The Blessedness of Mary stems from God’s activity. Openness to see the Lord, though hidden and hearing and keeping the word of God. “A sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people” Focus on the ever so familiar words of the Hail Mary “Blessed art thou among women.” . An image of the Church’s coming to perfection and our eventual destiny.

Pilgrimage

I did not know that Thomas Cromwell banned Pilgrimages. The value of walking with a purpose is once again gaining in popularity. There is an article to read at – click to CBCEW. Have you been on a pilgrimage ?

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am
• Tuesday. THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY. Holy Day of Obligation Masses 9.30am and 7.30pm
• Wednesday St Stephen of Hungary Mass 9.30am
• Friday Weekday Mass 9.30am
• Sunday 20^th in Ordinary Time Sunday Mass 10am

The Word of Life

The leaflet to help you prayerfully reflect on a verse from Scripture and live with it is now available free on the table in the Entrance.

Mass Intentions

Thank you for offering Mass Intentions. A new supply of envelopes is on the table in the Entrance.

Do not be afraid for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name.
You are mine
When you walk through the waters
I’ll be with you.
You will never sink beneath the waves.
No240

A feast of the Lord which takes precedence over the 18^th Sunday in ordinary time, it is always the Gospel of the second Sunday of Lent but this feast is the opportunity to appreciate the event after the completion of Christ’s life on earth. Jesus is seen as the Glorious One and like the moment of his baptism the Father recognises Him as the Son. Moses represents the one who brings the commandments down from the mountain – the law and Elijah is the example of the prophets whose task was to remind the people to keep their promises.

The Pilgrimage To Lourdes

The Diocesan Pilgrims have returned home safely, and we can experience something of the days by viewing Bishop Richard’s daily talk. The first episode is available below. Follow links for others.

The link below is the live feed to the Grotto at Lourdes

The World Youth Gathering

40 young People from the Diocese have been in Lisbon and been joined by Pope Francis and thousands of other from many countries. It concludes with a commissioning Mass this Sunday. There are many videos available to follow the event. Here is the coverage of the Mass on Day One from Vatican News.

A New Lectionary

Confirmation has now been given to new Lectionaries from Advent 2024. The 3 Volumes will use the ESV – the English Revised Standard Version ,the Catholic Edition. Do inform yourself of this information by following this link.

Mass Schedule

• The Transfiguration of the Lord
• Sunday Mass 10am
• Wednesday St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein )
• Mass 9.30am
• Friday St Dominic Mass 9,30am
• Saturday HMP Lewes Mass 8.30am
• Sunday 19^th in Ordinary Time
• Tuesday 15^th August The Assumption of our Blessed Lady. Holyday of obligation Masses at 9.30am & 7.30pm

The Word of Life

The August Leaflet to assist with prayerful reflection during the month is now available.

Edith Stein 1891 – 1942

Born into a Jewish family , in her teens became an atheist, As a brilliant student in philosophy she became a Catholic in 1922, later becoming a Carmelite nun. Following Nazi persecution of people of Jewish origin she transferred to a convent in the Netherlands but was rounded up and sent to a concentration where she died .She was canonised as a martyr in 1998 and declared one of the Patrons of Europe.

Be still for the presence of the Lord.
The Holy One is here.
Come bow before him now.
With reverence and fear
In him no sin is found
We stand on holy ground.
Be still for the presence of the Lord.
Is shining all around.

With the Month of August about to commence it is a time when many are away from home in many parts of the country or the world ! Some are on Pilgrimage to Lourdes and 50 young people are preparing to head for Lisbon for the World Youth Gathering with Pope Francis and many others from different Nations. For those at home it is a moment for some down time and a change of pace.

The Diocesan Pilgrimage To Lourdes

The Pilgrims are now in Lourdes. You can follow the events and prayers of each day on the Lourdes Handbook. On Wednesday Morning the Mass from Lourdes will be televised .This can be watched by clicking on Useful Websites -The Sanctuary of Lourdes. It will be at 8.30am BST.

World Youth Day Lisbon

World Youth Day (WYD) is the gathering of young people from all over the world with the Pope. It is also a pilgrimage, a celebration of youth, an expression of the universal Church and an intense moment of evangelisation for the youth world. Although its Catholic identity is clearly evident, WYD opens its doors to everyone, no matter how close to or distant from the Church they are. This year, WYD will take place on 1-6 August in Lisbon, Portugal. Read more here.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am
• Monday Mass 9.30am In Latin. Booklets with responses in Latin
• Wednesday Mass 9.30am Int. Christopher Hall RIP
• Friday St John Mary Vianney -the Cure D’Ars . Int. for deceased Priests
• Sunday The Feast of the Transfiguration Mass10am

In you my God
May my soul find rest,
You are the meaning,
The purpose of life
Drawing me near
To the fire of your love
Safe in your presence
my yearning will cease.