The word “ORDINARY” confuses people because of its normal meaning in English describing what us usual , unexceptional or regular. In Latin – Ordinarius – it means order or regular or what follows . The Liturgical Year is the structure within which we celebrate the events in the life and mission of Christ – the Nativity to Pentecost and, “as we wait in joyful hope for the Lord’s coming“. In the setting of our reading this year from St Luke’s Gospel we are reading from Chapter 14 which is part of the Journey to Jerusalem with two Parables – do not give yourselves airs. What do these Parables mean for us ?

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 28 August Mass 10am
• Wednesday 31 August Mass 9.30am St Aidan & the Saints of Lindisfarne. Int Mary Costello RIP Foundation Mass
• Friday 2 September Mass 9.30am. St Gregory the Great. Int. Ena Cripps RIP Foundation Mass
• Sunday 4 September Mass 23^rd Sunday
• Monday 11.30am Funeral Mass of Chris Hyttner RIP

Schools Return

Commencing on Friday the process of School Returns begins for Reception Children and Year 7s. Wishing the teachers and children a happy new term!

St Bernadette’s Relics

A Trailer to introduce the Visit is now available to bring the purpose home for us.

St Gregory the Great

Described as the Apostle of the English. First a monk and then elected Pope. Having been impressed by some Anglo Saxon Slave on sale in a market in Rome he desired to go as a missionary to bring the Gospel to England. He achieved this by sending Augustine and fellow monks , advising them and sending reinforcements to Kent. The biography of Gregory was written by the Venerable Bede. All this History comes to life when you visit Canterbury.

Not to be missed

On Wednesday there is a Performance at the BBC Prom of The Dream Of Gerontius. This is the Poem of St John Henry Newman set by Edward Elgar. It will be broadcast at 7,30pm on Radio3. It is a very moving Choral work exploring a person preparing to meet God . Praise to the Holiest!

“Will you come and follow me

If I but call your name

Will you go where you don’t know

And never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown

Will you let my name be known

Will you let my love be grown

In you and you in me “

Front doors are very much part of our homes. They are opened to visitors, deliveries, and other callers. It is at the doors of the church that new members are welcomed for baptism, we remind ourselves that we are baptised and the deceased are greeted. The new security door bells are a hit so that callers can be vetted. It is amazing how many doors have their own ways of needing to be opened in special ways and the door bells that need new batteries to work. Recently in his Gospel St Luke has mentioned doors and this week is no exception.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 21st Mass 10am Int. For the people of the parish
• Tuesday 23rd Mass 9.30am The Queenship of Mary
• Wednesday 24th Funeral Mass for Margaret Smart, St Mary’s Church 11am
• Friday 26th Mass 9.30am Blessed Dominic of The Mother of God
• Sunday 28th Mass 10am 22nd Ordinary Time

The Body of Christ

Now that face coverings are not mandatory we are reminded that as the Host is presented to us we respond with an “AMEN” – a recognition and acknowledgment of who it is we are welcoming.

The 100+ Draw

The draw and gathering took place last Sunday. Here are the winners 33 Norman Bowman 10 Cora Kiernan 21 Pauline Mason 40 Wendy & Julian Taylor. Thank you to John Mason and helpers. New subscribers welcome £30 per year.

Blessed Dominic Barberi

A Passionist Priest who was called the Shepherd of the Second Spring when Newman became a Catholic. The latter hesitating because he was unable to discern the mark of holiness , discovered it in Dominic who received him . Now that John Henry Newman has been canonised as a Saint we pray that Dominic may follow.

Exploring Useful Websites

This week why not view the Website of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Bishops of England and Wales CBCEW. You will read there of the forthcoming visit of the Relic of St Bernadette to our country.

St John Henry Newman’s Hymn

Firmly I believe and truly
God is three and God is one
And next I acknowledge duly
Manhood taken by the Son

Simply to His grace and wholly
Light and life and strength belong
And I love supremely, solely,
Him the Holy, Him the strong.

You may have witnessed the beautiful rose coloured moon this last week. In the poetic and symbolic readings of today’s Solemnity we have the use of Scripture to describe Mary in her heavenly life of glory. Holiday makers abroad may discover how this feast is celebrated with with joy and time off. It gives us an opportunity to recognise as the Preface puts it: ”…a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people “. Why not pray today the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary?

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am The Assumption of Our Lady – Int. – the people of the parish
• Wednesday 17th 9.30am Weekday Mass
• Friday 19th 9.30am Weekday Mass
• Sunday 21st 10am 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Christine Hyttner RIP

Please pray for the soul of Christine and for her bereaved parents, her husband and three daughters.

Word of Life

Copies of the August edition are available in the church entrance

The Magnificat

My soul glorifies the Lord!
My Spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
He looks on His servant in her lowliness,
Henceforth all ages will call me blessed!

August is proving to be warm and sunny for taking life at a gentle pace and allowing some catching up time. Relish every day. We only have to look around to see the effects of no rain and to appreciate water.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 7th August Mass 10am
• Wednesday 10th August Mass (St Dominic) 9:30am
• Friday 12th August Mass (St Clare of Assisi) 9:30am
• Sunday 14th August Mass (The Assumption of Our Lady – transferred from 15th August) 10am

Useful Websites

Do dip into this section of our website to read ‘Bishop prays for Archie Battersbee’ and some of the issues raised about the case – please click here. You can also visit (virtually) the Grotto of Lourdes by looking at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Margaret Smart RIP

Margaret Smart OBE DSG has died – a parishioner of St Mary’s and one time Chair of Governors of St Bernadette’s School and much involved in Catholic Education at National and Diocesan level. May she rest in peace.

Arrivederci!

We bid farewell to Marco and family as they move to a new role In Loughborough where they will be at the Physics Department in the Univeersity following their research at Sussex. We thank him for his ministry supporting with the organ our singing in the Liturgy.

100 + Draw Next Sunday

Please note that after the 10am draw next Sunday (14th August) there will be a draw for the 100 + club in the church hall with refreshments – all are most welcome!

You, Creator God, have written
your great name on humankind;
for our growing in your likeness
bring the life of Christ to mind, 
that by our response and service
earth its destiny may find.

How to be part of the pilgrimage

There will be a Podcast each Day from Lourdes and each day you can follow the events taking place. The easiest way is to look at the Pilgrimage Handbook. The website is www.abdiocese.org/lourdes/home where you will find all the information you need.

The Relic of St Bernadette

The Relic of St Bernadette will be visiting the Diocese at the end of October and you may wish to register a place at the Cathedral or Worth Abbey. Please click here for further details.

Deacon Ivor Pelling RIP

Tuesday marks the First Anniversary of his death and the Mass will be offered for the repose of his soul

Marriage Anniverseries

Those celebrating special Anniversaries this Year are invited to Arundel Cathedral by Bishop Richard on Saturday 8^th October. Please click here for further details.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am Int, Teresa Parle RIP

• Tuesday First Anniversary Mass for the repose of the Soul of Deacon Ivor Pelling RIP. 9.30am

• Wednesday Weekday Mass 9.30am Int. Terence Sweeney RIP -Foundation Mass

• Friday Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major. Mass 9.30am Dennis Tree RIP -Foundation Mass

• Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass 10am

The Lourdes Hymn

For the poor, sick afflicted,
Thy Mercy we crave,
And comfort the dying,
Thou light of the grave.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria!

Do enjoy the Summer, take care of our world wherever you may be and keep well and safe. Remember we open for Mass as announced and a number of baptisms have been arranged for the weeks ahead. Remember to inform Fr John if you  know of any parishioners who are unwell.

The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

The Pilgrims make their way to Lourdes this Friday for a week. You can join in via the Lourdes section of the Diocesan Website – find out more here.

Anniversaries

Friday 29^th July is the First Anniversary of the death of Jacqueline Lance, former Headteacher of St Bernadette’s School. The Mass at 9.30am will be offered for the repose of her soul.

Tuesday 2^nd August is the First Anniversary of the death of Deacon Ivor Pelling. The Mass at 9.30am will be offered for the repose of his soul.

Mass Schedule

• SUNDAY 24^TH July SUNDAY MASS 10AM
• WEDNESDAY MASS 9.30AM SAINTS JOACHIM & ANNE
• FRIDAY MASS 9.30AM SAINTS MARY, MARTHA AND LAZARUS. Intention -Jacqueline Lance RIP
• SATURDAY HMP LEWES MASS 8.30 AM
• SUNDAY 31^ST JULY MASS 10AM

“Lift your hands in praise

Let your spirits soar

Let the heavens declare

Let the mountains sing

Let the oceans roar.”

Stella Maris is the maritime agency of the Catholic Church, nationally and worldwide. Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all our lives – when we shop, go the fish ‘n’ chip shop or look out to see as the container ships sail by. There are two ports near to us, at Shoreham and Newhaven to remind us, of course, of the stocks of grain which need to be shipped from Ukraine. We offer our prayers for those who go to work at sea and for their families.

In our second collection we support with our generosity the practical and pastoral care of the chaplains and volunteers.

School Summer Holidays

Our Schools will breakup this week for a well-deserved rest. We thank the Teachers and Staff for their untiring work with the children so they have the best possible experience of School life.

A fond Farewell to Mrs Helen Costello, the voice of St Bernadette’s School for many years, taking calls, welcoming visitors, caring for the children and the staff, making cups of tea and finding the chocolate biscuits and being “there“. On Friday the School Family said “Thank you“, and so say all of us.

New Communicating Members

We welcome the Children from Years 5, 4, and 3 who have received Holy Communion for the First time and can now participate In Mass fully by coming to Holy Communion. Thank you the parents and others who helped in the preparation of their Children and to the parents who prepared the gatherings after Mass and the Liturgy and parking.

Grandparents and The Elderly

July 24^th is to be a day for Grandparents and the Elderly as requested by Pope Francis – do read his comments which can be found in full here.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 16^th in Ordinary Time. Sunday Mass 10am INT. For Seafarers
• Monday  St Bernadette’s School . School Leavers Mass
• Wednesday Mass 9.30am JNT, For Adam Stims and Family (Higgins)
• Friday Mass 9.30am St Mary Magdalene. INT. Magdalene Sanger RIP Foundation Mass
• Sunday 17^th in Ordinary Time Mass 10am

The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

This takes place July 29^th – 4^th August.

Over 500 will be going as Pilgrims and Helpers. Anyone from our Parish this year ? Some details of A&B will be on the Diocesan Website

The Relics of St Bernadette to visit

Arundel Cathedral Saturday 22^nd October – Sunday 23^rd October

Worth Abbey         Monday 24^th October

Make a note in your Diaries/Calendars. More details can be found here.

The Seafarers’ Hymn

Eternal Father, strong to save

Whose arm doth bind the restless wave

Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep

O hear us when we cry to thee

For those in peril on the sea

William Whiting

We welcome children and parents who have been preparing over the months for the moment this Sunday when the children will be able from now on to participate fully in the celebration of Mass by receiving Holy Communion. Growing up Catholic is the parent based programme now used to help the children with the guidance of family members to prepare, as St John Henry Newman put it , to be links in a chain, handing on faith to the next generation as they grow to adulthood. It is a blessed opportunity for us all to deepen our understanding of the great gift of the Eucharist.

Synthesis on the National Response to Synodality

 Well worth a read as it moves on to the response of other countries in Europe. The document can be read in full here.

Patronal Feast Sunday

Thank you to John Mason and family and others who arranged the refreshments to celebrate our Feast and reflect on some aspects of St Thomas More especially his advice on preparing to receive Christ in the Eucharist. A carer from Ukraine remarked in the Hall that back home she had read ‘Utopia’.

Sea Sunday 10th July 2022

The second collection will be for Stella Maris. If you are unable to donate at church for whatever reason you can donate online here.

Youth Club

Youth Club for St Mary’s & St Thomas More’s is being revived. On Wednesday there will be a meeting at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Hall for potential Volunteers willing to help.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am Int. for the Children ,Parents and Parishioners.
• Wednesday Mass 9.30am Int. For Chloe Stims RIP E.Higgins
• Thursday Mass at St Bernadette’s
• Friday Mass in thanksgiving for Marie Ryan, Director of the Catholic Schools Service. Arundel Cathedral 12 Noon
• Saturday Mass at HMP Lewes 8.30am
• Saturday Vigil Mass St Mary’s 7pm
• Sunday Mass at 10am  16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thanksgiving After Holy Communion

O Jesus I believe that I have received you, because you said it would be true, and your word is true.

All that I have and all that I am are your gift and now you have given me yourself.

This weekend we celebrate our parish feast day in our worship and gathering

When our newly built Church was opened in July 1963 Fr Edward Fooks PP of St Mary’s requested it be given the Dedication of St Thomas More. Martyr and Lord Chancellor of England . who was executed on Tower Hill in 1535 on July 6^th. Annually we are ordered to celebrate on a Sunday Mass near to that date.His exceptional witness to the Catholic Faith as a member of the Lay Faithful and his devotion to the Eucharist inspires us in our belonging and membership of Christ’s Church.

We offer our prayer for those who have gone before us enabling us to worship here in our church. The 12 Consecration stones anointed with Chrism and the Altar consecrated by Bishop Cormac remind us that the physical buildings reflect the spiritual reality of the People of the Parish , Baptised and Confirmed and daily witnessing to our Faith.

Our scripture reminds us that we are living stones making up the Body of Christ

Bishop Richard

We pray for him on the 3rd July as he celebrates his ruby jubilee of his priestly ordination.

Growing Up Catholic

Children from Years 3 & 4 will be at Mass next Sunday to receive Jesus in Holy Communion as they participate for the first time in Mass in the fullest way. Let us all remember our joyful response to the great Gift for our spiritual nourishment and deepening of our relationship with Our Lord.

Ordination to the Priesthood

We rejoice with Deacon Nick Harden and Family as he is Ordained in Arundel Cathedral by Bishop Richard for service in the Diocese.

Pope Francis July Prayer Intention for the Elderly

As the Church gears up to celebrate the 2nd World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on 24 July, Pope Francis is calling on Catholics to pray throughout the month for the elderly.

His July prayer request comes on the heels of last month’s intention for families, and was accompanied by The Pope Video.

“We cannot speak about family without talking about the importance of the elderly among us,” said the Pope in the video, tying the two prayer intentions together.

He noted that never before in human history have there been so many elderly people, saying “we don’t quite know how to live this new stage of life: there are many plans for assistance for the old age, but few projects for existence.” Read more here

The Synod – The National Synthesis Document

This is now available to read reflecting views from around the Diocese. It runs to 27 pages.

The Relics of Saint Bernadette

These will be visiting our diocese in mid-October.

Cardinal Newman Catholic School – Newman Festival

This is taking place next Saturday 9th July from 12 Noon until 4pm. See poster in church for further details.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 3 July 10am Patronal Feast Mass (People of the parish)
• Wednesday 6 July 9:30am St Maria Goretti
• Friday 8 July 9:30am Weekday Mass
• Sunday 10 July 10am 15th in Ordinary Time

A Prayer of St Thomas More

“Give me good Lord, a humble, lowly, quiet, peaceable, patient, charitable, kind, tender mind, with all my words and all my thoughts, to have a taste of Thy Holy, Blessed Spirit.”

Patronal Feast

Next Sunday we will be celebrating the Anniversary of the Dedication and Consecration of St Thomas More’s Church and Parish. After Mass you are invited to come into the Hall for a drink and an opportunity to meet up.

Celebrating Mass with Holy Communion for the first time

Sunday 10^th July at the 10am Mass

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 26th June 10am – 13th Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
• Tuesday 28th June 9.30am St Irenaeus
• Wednesday 29th June St Peter and St Paul (Holyday) Masses at 10am and 7.30pm
• Friday 1st July 9.30am Anniversary of the cathedral church
• Sunday 3rd July Patronal Feast day Mass 10am

Saint Peter and St Paul

Please note this is a holyday when Catholics are expected to attend Mass. The morning Mass will be at 10am and the evening Mass at 7.30pm

World Meeting of Families

This meeting continues this week. For more information click here.

The Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS)

A new Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS) course starts soon. The qualification is ideally suited to catechists, teachers, readers, extra-ordinary ministers of the Eucharist, governors, parents and grandparents, in fact, anyone and everyone interested in sharing or discovering more about their faith. The next intake will begin studying this Autumn. For more information, please contact our Formation Adviser, Jon Harman;
E: jon.harman@abdiocese.org.uk

Life and Death Issues

Following the day for life here are two items of concern: Update from the Bishops’ Conference – please click here. Assisted Suicide – actions of pressure groups. Please click here for further details.

Contactless Giving

The Pad is now set up to receive donations for Second Collections. This week is when throughout the Universal Church there is the Peters Pence collection. For further information on 30th June at 12 noon there is a Zoom Instruction from Dona about its use. Please click here.

For by your providence the blessed Apostles ,Peter and Paul ,bring us joy,
Peter foremost in confessing the faith
Paul, its outstanding preacher.
                                                 
From the Preface