Prisoners’ Sunday

PACT is the national Catholic prison charity.

It is an opportunity to direct  our thoughts and prayers to those affected by imprisonment and consider how we support them. In our Diocese there are 2 prisons in Lewes and Ford and another 4 in Surrey. Since March 2019 Prisoners have been in their cells 23 hours and subject to strict isolation on different landings. It meant the Mass could not be celebrated and instead in turn priest had to provide Comments on the Sunday Gospel for distribution among the Catholic Prisoners. Thankfully, a fortnight ago, the regime has been slightly relaxed enabling Priests once again to take turns in Celebrating Mass with a still limited number present. The Chaplaincy teams consists of lay volunteers and employed Chaplains. Prison Chaplaincy is one expression of Catholic Social Action. We are invited to donate to a collection to support the work of PACT especially with Families. There are over 78000 Women and Men in prison, some victims of domestic abuse or violence themselves. There are opportunities for volunteering. To find out more have a look at the information leaflet.

October – The Month of The Holy Rosary

A reminder of the sets of Mysteries/ Events in the life of Jesus as we reflect on as we pray with Mary.

• Sunday – Glorious
• Monday.-Joyful
• Tuesday – Sorrowful
• Wednesday – Glorious
• Thursday – Mysteries of Light
• Friday – Sorrowful
• Saturday -Joyful

In Memory of Mrs Jacqui Lance

On Wednesday 20^th October there will be a Community Memorial Liturgy in St Mary’s Catholic Church for present and past pupils and parents at 4.30pm . RSVP essential to mail@stberns.brighton–hove.sch.uk or call 01273 553813

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 10th October Mass 10am
• Wednesday St Edward the Confessor Mass 10am
• Friday St Teresa of Avila Mass 7.30pm
• Sunday 17th October Mass 10am

Deanery Meeting

The first live meeting for a while. Tuesday – The Sacred Heart Room

Pontifical Mass for St Philip Howard at Arundel Cathedral, Sunday 17 October at 3pm

People across our community are invited to Arundel Cathedral for the Pontifical Mass for St Philip Howard, followed by tea in the Cathedral Centre. To register your place please Email: arundel@abdiocese.org.uk

Contactless Giving

Please read this article from the Diocesan Newsletter.

Praise to the Holiest in the height

and in the depth be praise

In all his words most wonderful

most sure in all his ways

St John Henry Newman

The Season of Creation

This season officially ends on Monday – the Feast Of St Francis of Assisi  – and the subject will be before us in the run-up to COP 26.

In Caring for our Common Home remember the 3 key challenges –

REDUCE – REUSE – RECYCLE (plus Rewild!)

Please visit this link for further details

Clergy Retreat

The Clergy Retreat was led by Sr Mary Atkins and was a prayerful time with sung Office and Mass with plenty of Silence.

Booster Vaccination

I have now had 2 offers -Churchill Square on Wednesday or the Race Course.

Cardinal Newman School – 50th Anniversary

50^th Anniversary of the Cardinal Newman Catholic School Friday at 1.30pm – close to the date of the first Feast Day of St John Henry Newman.

CAFOD Fast Day

This Fast Say is for the Climate Crisis Appeal. Please give to help those who are protecting God’s Creation. You may return your envelope next Sunday or make your gift online here.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 3rd October – Mass 10am
• Monday 4^th Mass 7.30pm – St Francis of Assisi
• Wednesday 6^th Mass 10am – St Bruno Int Chantelle Witchalls RIP (Mother of Fr Bruno )
• Friday 8^th Mass 7.30pm – St John Henry Newman
• Sunday 10^th October – Mass 10am

Lead Kindly Light

Lead kindly light
Amid the encircling gloom
Lead thou me on:
The night is dark
And I am far from home
Lead thou me on.
Keep thou my feet
I do not ask to see
The distant scene
One step enough for me

The Assisted Dying Bill

Please see Bishop Richard’s Pastoral letter concerning this important matter. Please also visit the Bishops’ Conference website for further details.

The World Day of Migrants and Refugees

This Sunday marks the 107^th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The number gives an indication of how many years the Church has been expressing the need for a Christian response. Pope Francis in a long message has once again spoken of his concern.” Once this health crisis passes , our worst response would be to plunge even more deeply into feverish consumerism and new forms of egoistic self -preservation. God willing, after al this , we will think no longer in terms of ‘ them and  ‘ those ‘, but only ‘ us ‘ He reminds us as members of the Catholic Church to be more ‘catholic’. The word originally meaning universal. He concludes the message with a prayer – “Bless each act of welcome and outreach that draws those in exile into the togetherness of  community and of the Church so that our earth may truly become what you yourself created it to be : the common home of all our brothers and sisters. Amen. The message may be read at CBCEW along with other resources.

The Season of Creation

 It rapidly approaches its conclusion as we give thanks for the Harvest gathered in. In the media and in other places we are being reminded of where we are in the stewardship of our world. There are so many little ways in which we can contribute to sustainability e.g. by careful use of energy, water, the land , and by recycling . Why not include it in your examination of conscience?

CAFOD

Please watch the video below concerning the Family Fast Day for Friday October 1st.

Clergy Retreat

This week Clergy will be on Retreat, a time of spiritual renewal –“going aside as the Lord told his disciples“. Retreats for lay Faithful are advertise on websites e.g. Worth Abbey and online.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am
• Saturday HMP Lewes 8.30am
• Sunday 3^rd October Mass 10am 27^th in Ordinary Time

Saints of the Week

• St Wenceslaus
• Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael ,Archangels
• St Jerome
• St Therese of the Child Jesus
• The Holy Guardian Angels
• See referencing Diocesan ebulletin

Sunday Offerings

Remember the basket for your regular Sunday Offerings

Or follow the instructions given here.

The Month of October

Friday marks the beginning of a new month when we are encouraged to pray the Rosary – i.e. 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys and 1 Glory be to the Father, as we reflect on one of the events in the life of Jesus in company with Mary.

From the Litany of Our Lady of Walsingham

Mary of Bethlehem – pray for al mothers

Mary at Cana – pray for all married couples

Woman at Nazareth – pray for all families

Woman of faith – keep us in mind

Woman of hope keep us in mind

Woman who listened – remember us to God

Woman who followed him – remember us to God

Mother who loved to the end- we thank God for you

Click to access pastoral-letter-for-25th-sunday-of-the-year-1-1.pdf

St Bernadette’s School

There will be a governors’ meeting on Monday. Some new Governors to be introduced

Thursday Assemblies for the beginning of the new school year , handing on the Mission Statement and a cross for each year.

Mass Count

There will be a Mass count over the next four Sundays.

Next Sunday

Next Sunday will be The Day of Migrants and Refugees

Mass Schedule

• SUNDAY MASS 10AM INT. FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE Parish
• Wednesday St Matthew Mass 10am Int. The Collins Family
• Friday Our Lady of Walsingham Mass 7.30pm Int For Ann Carroll (SVP INT)
• SUNDAY 26^TH IN ORDINARY TIME MASS 10AM  INT. For Migrants and Refugees

Flu Injection

Fr John Had his on 18^th September 3.30pm

Our Lady of Walsingham, Norfolk

Called England’s Nazareth where since the Middle ages Mary has been venerated at home with the family. You can visit the Shrine on line  There is a statue associated with pilgrimage of Mary seated with Jesus at her side.

“Heavenly Father,

Who from the very birth of the Church in our land

Did make us the dowry of Mary

And loyal subjects of the prince of the Apostles :

Grant us your grace

To continue steadfast in the Catholic faith

Ever devoted to the Virgin Mary as our Mother

And ever faithful

In our allegiance to the See of Peter

Amen.“

Education Sunday

We celebrate the work of Catholic education in order to enable it to continue to flourish with the support of the whole Catholic community. Sacrifices have been made and continue to be made to establish and maintain our catholic schools. You may not realise that the governors and others have to provide 10% towards the continuing development and care of the schools. This is so that young people may receive religious education and Catholic culture at primary and secondary levels.  We thank teachers, support staff,  governors,  diocesan education officers and advisers who have found their vocation in Catholic education. it is necessary to promote our schools by active participation, responding to consultations, letting elected representatives know your views and encouraging young persons to teach in Catholic school

The theme of this sunday is “ form and flourish “ – a reminder to all of us of the importance of education  in the mission of catholics in the mission of the church.

Rather than taking our schools for granted,  it would be lovely if on such a Sunday, the 100 pupils or so,  could be present with their families,  in school uniforms. Then we could have a real insight into what commitment we have. You can find out more about Education Sunday by visiting here.

The Season of Creation

Sustainability is a keyword appearing in the Media, in publications and in the build up to COP26. There is material about being Guardians of Creation here and news from The Environment Group in our Diocese here.

A joint message “FOR THE PROTECTION OF CREATION “ from Pope Francis, the Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew and Justin Welby can be read in full here.

Is there a Parishioner who could advise on the decarbonisation of the church,  the hall, and priest’s house? There is a booklet on the subject prepared for Dioceses.

Have you filled up with E5 yet? Another step forward?O

Opposing the Assisted Dying Bill 2021

This Bill comes to the House of Lords in October,  we are asked to express our opposition to the Bill. To assist in understanding what is being advocated do read the letter of Bishop John Sherrington here.

Pope Francis’ Pastoral Visit

Pope Francis goes to Budapest this Sunday at the conclusion of a Eucharistic Congress – 1000 Children will be receiving Holy Communion at the Mass for the first time. You can watch on the Vatican website.

He then visits Slovakia for a number of days. Again you can follow him.

Mass Schedule

Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

• Sunday Mass 10 am Int. For the People of the Parish
• Tuesday. The Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Mass 10am Int Fr Mario Sanderson RIP
• Wednesday. Our Lady of Sorrows. Mass 10am Int. The Holy Souls
• (Friday Mass to mark the lifelong involvement of Bernadette Connor in Catholic Education ) Worth Abbey
• Sunday Mass 10am Int. For the people of the Parish.

Our Lady of Sorrows

The Stabat Mater has been set to music by many Composers and performed by various choirs – “ The sorrowful Mother was standing in tears by the Cross “.

The Exaltation of The Cross

The sign of the Cross is the sign of our Salvation. At the veneration on Good Friday we are reminded what was achieved.

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,

Till all the world adore his sacred Name.

 
Led on their way by this triumphant sign,

The hosts of God in conquering ranks combine

The Season of Creation

The Season of Creation is a global ecumenical celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home, starting each year on 1 September and finishing on the feast of St Francis, 4 October. Read more here.

Our Schools

Wishing all those involved a happy and healthy new term!

Diocesan INVITE

The reflection for September is now available – please click here.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 5th September Mass 10am INT – People of the parish
• Wednesday 8th September Mass 10am The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary INT Ena Cripps RIP (Foundation Mass)
• Friday 10th September Weekday Mass 7:30pm INT – Deacon Ivor Pelling RIP (SVP intention)

Education Sunday 2021 – 12th September

This takes place next Sunday the twenty fourth in Ordinary Time – the Mass intention will be for the people of the parish and our schools.

SVP Awareness Month

The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is seeking a million gestures of kindness to address the trail of poverty and loneliness left in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more here.

The Birthday of Mary

The one who gives birth in time to Jesus, the Saviour of the World. Anna and Joachim rejoice and so do we!

Radiant Dawn of our salvation

Hope of life for all the world

Now we sing God’s new creation

On this day of such a birth.

Virgin thou art filled with beauty

Spot and stain are not in thee.

God has made thee perfect duly

For thy Son’s divinity.

The Season of Creation

This commences on 1^st September and runs through until 4^th October , the feast of St Francis of Assissi

This Wednesday is to be a day of prayer for the care of creation and a Prayer is included.

Further information is available here.

The major Conference COP26 to be held in Glasgow will provide a lot of soul searching about personal responsibility at a time of Climate Change.

September – Back to Schools!

Parents will be advised about return to School procedures through their usual channels.

Preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion

It is hoped that Parents and candidate children will once again attend our main act of Worship Sunday Mass , remembering when they brought their children for Baptism –“ In Holy Communion they will share the banquet of Christ’s sacrifice ,calling God their Father in the midst of the Church “ -from the Rite of Baptism.

The Word of Life leaflet

The September edition is now available for your prayerful reflection.

Parish Finances

Please consider making your offering by card a link can be found here.Enter Brighton St Thomas More on scroll down.

A basket for cash offerings is positioned on a table within the Church .

100 Plus Draw

This took place last Sunday and the following numbers were drawn-

13 -Liz King, 1 – Janine &Joe Wynne, 15 – Pauline Mason, 33 – Paul Lowery, 29 – FrJohn.

New subscribers welcome.

Mass Intentions

Having a Mass offered for your intentions e.g. anniversaries, health , deceased friends , another’s needs etc. is a kind deed and a good Catholic Practice.

Mass intention Envelopes are in the Entrance.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am Int. For the People of the Parish
• Wednesday Mass 10am .Day of Prayer for the care of Creation
• Friday Mass 7.30 pm -St Gregory the Great
• Sunday 5^th September 23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time -Int For the People of the Parish

Saints of the week

• St Margaret Clitherow – became a Catholic in York , instructed children in the Faith, harboured priests ,martyred by crushing
• St Margaret Ward –tried at the Old Bailey for rescuing a priest form the Bridewell -hanged at Tyburn
• St Anne Line – became a priests’ housekeeperThe priest -hunters arrested here as Catholics arrived for Candlemas 1601
• St Aidan and the Saints of Lindisfarne –a monk from Iona he went in Lent to the Farne Islands founding monasteries in the region.
• St Gregory the Great – famed for sending missionaries to England
• St Cuthbert – monk of Lindisfarne. Durham Cathedral built to contain his relics

Prayer for the care of creation

Father, Lord of all creation,
we praise you with all your creatures
and the whole universe that comes forth from the work of Your hands.
We acknowledge the privilege and responsibility
that You give us as stewards of Your creation.
In our ignorance we have done damage to our common home
and our brothers and sisters are suffering.Through faithfully following your Son
guide and direct us to prepare for a better future.
Teach us to contemplate You in the beauty of the universe,
for all things speak of You.
Give us the grace to recognise, respect and protect all You have created,
using wisely all that you have entrusted to us.Holy Spirit,
who first hovered over the dawn of creation and drew order out of the chaos
help us to build your kingdom of justice, love, peace and beauty where the poor of the earth are crying out.You, who live and reign, world without end, Amen.

Pope Francis invites us to pray for the people of Afghanistan

Pope Francis prays for dialogue and peace in Afghanistan – read more here.

100 Plus Draw

This Sunday in our hall .Please enter via front Entrance sanitising your hands before you leave the Church

New subscribers are invited to join.

The Synodal Process

A two-year ‘synodal’ process is taking place in the Catholic Church from October 2021 that culminates in the final Synod Gathering of Bishops in Rome in October 2023. The overall theme is “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission” – Find out more here.

On Your Behalf

Our thanks to last Sunday’s Furniture Removers and to Rob and Guilie who spent an afternoon cleaning the Church.

Thank You

Thank you to those who were able to participate in the funeral Masses of Deacon Ivor Pelling and Mrs Jacqueline Lance RIP

Our Oldest Parishioner

Our oldest parishioner, resident in Maycroft Manor for the last six years, Mavis Nairns (104) has gone home to the Lord. May she rest in peace.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am
• Wednesday Mass 10am- Blessed Dominic Barberi – The Passionist Priest who received John Henry Newman into the Church
• Friday Mass 7.30pm St Monica -Mother of Augustine
• Sunday Mass 10am 22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Patcham Duck Fayre – Sunday 29th August

11am – 4:30pm Patcham High School Fields. Lots happening including Fun Dog Show 

Covid-19

Please continue to be circumspect – rates are high in Brighton and Hove currently.

Baptisms

Baptisms resume after a long time when not allowed. Do make contact if you wish to prepare.

Summer Holidays

Do enjoy the final days of the school summer holidays.

A Holyday of the Church which this year falls on a Sunday. In many countries the day is observed as a mid- Summer Holiday. The ‘core’ of the Preface to the Eucharistic Prayer gives us a clear description of why we too celebrate –

“The Virgin Mother of God was assumed into heaven as the beginning and image of your Church’s coming to perfection and a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people.”

Why not pay a virtual visit to the grotto by clicking here and praying a decade of the Rosary thinking about the Preface?

Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention For August

In his video message for his prayer intention for August, Pope Francis reminds the faithful that “the vocation of the Church is evangelization,” and even more, “the Church’s identity is evangelization.”

In this month, the Holy Father reflects on the situation of the Church, its vocation and its identity, and calls us to renew it “by discerning God’s will in our daily life,” and “embarking on a transformation guided by the Holy Spirit.” Please follow this link to read the full article.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday August 15th Mass 10am
• Tuesday August 17th – Funeral Mass of Deacon Ivor Pelling RIP – 11am
• Friday August 20th – Funeral Mass of Mrs Jacqueline Lance RIP – 2pm
• Sunday August 22nd – 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time – 10am

Invited – Monthly Reflection for August

Part of our diocesan mission. You can see a sample here

The Art of Dying Well

A Catholic website with useful information about all aspects of accompanying a dying person ,available Sacraments , bereavement ,prayers and other topics – visit here.

Laudato Si

At last the urgency of Care for our Common Home hits the media. Listen to or read the news about temperatures of 40 plus degrees in Europe (see here for example).

100 Plus

Next Sunday there will be a draw after Mass in our hall. Hopefully a replacement water boiler will be in place (£750 plus VAT!) for coffees and teas.

"Mother of God's living word,
Glorifying Christ Your Lord,
Full of joy, God's people sing,
Grateful for your mothering."