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The Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time


Following Tuesday’s meeting of the deanery clergy, a step forward was taken to the introduction of a new way of being the Church in the Brighton and Hove and Hove area so that a focus on Mission may have a significant identity. In the meantime there will be a gradual introduction of fresh ways of describing who and what we are. The present parishes will together be formed into one parish with all the separate parts relating closely to each other. As now, the worshipping communities will gather with a synodal approach – details of which are to be worked out until the Bishop comes to inaugurate the Parish of Brighton and Hove. In the meantime there is much to be prepared. In addition to a forthcoming meeting of the clergy, Bishop Richard will be coming to meet the clergy and headteachers. Everyone will be involved in the process and encouraged to seek information, to read the Diocesan Plan again.

Communique from Clergy MeetingDownload

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 16th February 10am Sixth Sunday (People of the parish)
  • Monday 17th February 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 19th February 9:30am
  • Friday 21st February 12 noon REQUIEM MASS FOR WENDY WOODLAND RIP
  • Sunday 23rd February 10am Seventh Sunday

Racial Justice Sunday

The theme for Racial Justice Sunday is: “Pilgrims of Hope: Our Journey Together Towards Racial Justice”.

The theme invites Catholics across England and Wales to reflect on the collective journey towards racial justice in our schools, parishes and wider society.

Bishop Paul McAleenan said: “2025 is a very special year. It marks both a Year of Jubilee and the 30th anniversary of Racial Justice Sunday.

“This year, we invite the Catholic community to reflect on the journey towards racial justice – past, present and future – by asking: ‘How far have we come, where are we now and what remains to be achieved?’

“Just as pilgrims must prepare for their journey and be properly equipped, we, too, need all that is necessary to propel us towards racial justice – the mind of Christ; examination of our progress and of the challenges that remain; a willingness to learn from one another together; and prayers for and on the journey.

“It is my hope that our Racial Justice Sunday 2025 resources will not only assist but inspire the People of God to continue walking and praying together on the path to racial justice.”

More details can be found by following this link.

The Diocesan Pilgrimage To Lourdes

Thank you for your donations to the Lourdes Fund. Bookings for the Pilgrimage are now open. Could you be one of the Helpers?

Building The Civilisation of Love

Are you interested in Catholic Social Teaching? An Introduction will take place on Sunday 9th March at St John the Baptist Hall 12.45 – 4.15pm.  See the details on the noticeboard.

The Jubilee Year

This week we pray for artists.

The Jubilee Hymn

Like a flame my hope is burning
May my song arise to you
Source of life that has no ending
On life's path I trust in you.

Fifth Week In Ordinary Time

Pilgrims of Hope

During this jubilee Year there will be many opportunities to move forward with joyful hope. This week is just a beginning. We celebrate the World Day for the Sick, remembering those who are unwell and those who care for them, there is an appeal for the Lourdes Pilgrimage to Lourdes, the details of a young persons Pilgrimage to Rome , one to Walsingham and a Deanery Meeting to introduce the future shape of the Catholic Church in Brighton and Hove. In St Bernadette’s School a special Assembly and remembrance of the Lourdes Convent which was run by the Sisters of Nevers.

Pope Francis and his message for the World Day of The Sick

Please click on the following link

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 9th February 10am Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
  • Monday 10th February 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Tuesday 11th February 9:30am Our Lady of Lourdes
  • Wednesday 12th February 9:30am
  • Friday 13th February 10am
  • Saturday 14th February HMP Lewes 8:15am
  • Sunday 15th February Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Word Of Life Leaflet

February’s leaflet is available to help the word of scripture.

Soup and Sandwich Lunch

This Thursday (13th February) at 12 noon. Do come along to our hall.

The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Details can be found on the diocesan website. Please click here.

Rest In Peace

Frances Austin died Saturday February 9th in Maycroft Care Home.

She received the Sacrament of Anointing  and prayed the Hail Mary on Friday “pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen”

100+ Winners

James Pal, Julia Hoy, Julian and Wendy Taylor, and Paula O’Sullivan 

Immaculate Mary
Our hearts are on fire,
That title so wondrous 
Fills all our desire.
Ave,ave,ave, Maria!

The Presentation Of The Lord

Forty Days after Christmas we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple by Mary and Joseph – part of a Jewish ritual in thanksgiving for the birth of a child. It was the occasion of the family meeting Simeon and Anna and the utterance “a light to enlighten the Gentiles”. Jesus is the light for the world. This is recognised with the blessing of candles and a procession entering the Temple.

For Missal users the Mass texts may be found with the feasts of the Lord in the pages towards the back.

Coffee After 10am Mass

There will be coffee after the 10am Mass tomorrow (Sunday 2nd February)in the church hall. Please do come along.

North Brighton Parishes Meeting

Thank you to St Thomas More’s Parishioners who were there and participated with ideas. A report of the meeting is on the noticeboard for you to read

There will be more to report after a meeting of the clergy on February 11th.

Diocesan Pilgrimage To Lourdes

Booking is now open and details will become available on the noticeboard. Please click here for more information.

The Jubilee Year

Please click here to find out more details.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 2nd February 10am Feast of Presentation
  • Monday 3rd February 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 5th February 9:30am St Agatha
  • Friday 7th February 9:30am
  • Sunday 9th February 10am 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Word Who Is Life

The February leaflet to help with your prayer reflection during the month is now in the entrance for you to collect.

For Sale

  • New Sunday Missals £19:95
  • The Diocesan Directory 2025 £5

Soup and Sandwich Lunch

The next on will be on Thursday 13th February at 12 noon. Do come along!

Requiem Mass

For Wendy Woodland RIP. Friday 21st February at 12 noon.

At The Temple

There filled with holy joy
Simeon in his hands
Takes up the promised child
The glory of all lands

O light of all the world
We light our lives with thee
The chains of darkness gone
All sons of God are free.

Sunday of The Word of God

The third Sunday in Ordinary time is denoted as the Word of God Sunday to remind us of our use of Scripture deepening our prayer life. The prayerful reading and reflection -Lectio Divina – as it is called is recommended. There is  a new resource to help with praying the Psalms (Click here) Our Readings this Sunday are appropriate and we do begin the reading of St Luke’s Gospel -the Evangelist for 2025.

This Week

This Sunday afternoon we are invited to a gathering in St Mary’s Hall at 5pm about the future shape of Brighton and Hove as a united Parish. This is part of the journey envisaged in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan as it unfolds. Do come along to participate.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Monday is the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Continuing last week’s theme of Peace we pray for the building of peace and respect for each person.

Next Sunday

February 2nd is the day we celebrate the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and is Candlemas Day. At our Sunday Mass we will have the blessing of candles, a simple procession and Mass. It takes precedence over the texts of the 4th Sunday.

100+ Draw

After Mass, next Sunday (2nd February) coffee will be available in the Hall and a Draw will take place. Do come in to meet and socialise.

The Jubilee

As Pilgrims of hope we will hear of various opportunities. Bishop Richard is leading one to Lourdes – please click here.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 26th January 10am 3rd Sunday Ordinary Time
  • Monday 27th January 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 29th January 9:30am St Thomas Aquinas
  • Friday 31st January 9:30am St John Bosco
  • Sunday 2nd February 10am The Presentation of The Lord

Jubilee

The Jubilee was launched in our Schools last week. See the notice board.

The Diocesan Bulletin

Sign up to see what events are happening.

How I long to see you
Jesus face to face
How the heart is thirsting
Living spring of grace
Show me soon your glory
Be my great reward
Be my joy for ever
Jesus, gracious Lord.

St Thomas Aquinas no 396

Peace Sunday

The World Day of Peace is observed in England and Wales on the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Message of Pope Francis in this Jubilee develops the concepts of hope and forgiveness from which a genuine conversion of hearts at a personal, local, and international level will peace flourish.

This Sunday our hope is that a ceasefire in the Holy Land will be a step in the cessation of the destruction and violence and the restoration of peace for the people.

World Day of Peace MessageDownload

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 19th January 10am
  • Monday 20th January 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 22nd January 9:30am (St Vincent, Deacon)
  • Friday 24th January 9:30am (St Francis de Sales)
  • Saturday 25th January 8:30am HMP Lewes
  • Sunday 26th January 10am (3rd in Ordinary Time)

This Week

  • Wednesday 22nd January Dentist
  • Thursday 23rd January 12pm Soup and Sandwich Lunch (Church Hall) – An invitation to everyone to come into our hall for lunch and meet up
  • Sunday 26th January 5pm St Mary’s Church Hall. Gathering of North Brighton parishes to begin to look to the future. Do not miss this!

The Week of Prayer For Christian Unity (18th – 25th January)

Remember to pray for Unity among all Christians our fellow Christians of All Saints, The Ascension, Westdene, The Methodists and the Elim Fountains Centre, and not forgetting spouses and neighbours. More information can be found here.

Monks in the City invite you to join them at St John the Baptist Church at 4pm on Sunday – especially this year when we celebrate 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea. During the Vespers service of hymns, psalms, readings and prayers, we will reaffirm the Nicene Creed and Bishop Lindsay Urwin will preach. Followed by light refreshments.

Pax Christi

The International Movement for Peace, based on the Gospel and inspired by faith. Our vision is of a world where people can live in peace, without fear of violence in all its forms. Our Friday self denial wall box in the Entrance will be ready to receive your gifts to assist the work of promoting Peace during 2025.

Looking Ahead

This Year The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus, Candlemas Day. February 2nd  is on a Sunday. It commences with the blessing of candles and a procession into Mass.

Thank You

To the willing hands who put away the Christmas crib and decorations.

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.

The Baptism Of The Lord

This feast marks the end of the Christmas Season with its feasts helping us appreciate the meaning of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem.

I hope you have been aware of Christ’s presence for us. Our families and friends, neighbours and those we have met remind us of being part of God’s family.

May I thank you for you kind greetings, gifts and the Christmas Offering – much appreciated as the sixtieth year as a priest moves into its second part.

2025 is a Holy Year in which the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ will be celebrated with pilgrimages of all kinds – Rome, Walsingham, Lourdes, Arundel, events and reflection on the virtue of Hope.

We will also be remembering the Church of Arundel and Brighton’s 60 years of existence. And the gradual implementation of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.

Bishop Richard’s Pastoral Letter

6780ddfb88f4ba76938fa89b_Pastoral Letter – 12th January 2025 – Feast of the Baptism of the LordDownload

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 12th January 10am The Baptism Of The Lord
  • Monday 13th January 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 15th January 9:30am (Int. Theresa and Patrick)
  • Friday 17th January 9:30am St Anthony (Abbot) (int. Gordon Cropp)
  • Sunday 19th January 10am

Invitation

Soup and sandwich lunch onThursday 23rd January at 12pm. Do come along to our church hall.

North Brighton Parishes General Meeting

Sunday 26th January at St Mary’s Hall at 5pm. Discover our future together in faith. All are welcome to attend.

Ordinary Time

After this Sunday we advance to Ordinary Time. Week one. Sunday Lectionary Year C.

See Christ who on the river's shore
With John the Baptist stood
His secret in the name he bore
The Holy Lamb of God

Happy New Year!

This week’s edition just contains Mass times for the week ahead and a link to the Holy Father’s Urbi et Orbi message.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 5th January 10am The Epiphany of The Lord (for the people of the parish)
  • Monday 6th January 8:15am Epiphanytide Mass at St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 8th January 9:30am Epiphanytide Mass (Dannie Cannulon RIP)
  • Friday 10th January 9:30am Epiphanytide Mass (John Mason RIP)
  • Saturday 11th January 9:30am Epiphanytide Mass HMP Lewes
  • Sunday 12th January 10am The Baptism of The Lord

A detailed written summary of the message can be found here.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Are we there yet ? Not quite -but nearly. Two expectant Mothers meet and share their joy at what is soon to happen. One of the unborn is kicking in the womb waiting to come into the light. Elizabeth’s words of greeting  are repeated every time we address Mary -Blessed art  thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Say those words with meaning.

The Advent Carol Service

This Sunday in St Mary’s Church 6pm with singers from the two parishes, readers and your presence.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 22nd December 10am Fourth Sunday of Advent
  • Monday 23rd December 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Tuesday 24th December 9:30am Christmas Eve Mass
  • The Nativity Of The Lord
  • Tuesday 24th December 6pm First Mass of Christmas
  • Wednesday 25th December 10am Christmas Day Mass
  • Thursday 26th December 10am St Stephen’s Day
  • Friday 27th December 10am St John the Apostle and Evangelist
  • Saturday 28th December 10am Holy Innocents
  • Sunday 29th December 10am Holy Family
  • Monday 30th December 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Tuesday 31st December 10am Sixth Day of Christmas
  • The Year of Our Lord 2025 The Jubilee Year
  • Wednesday 1st January 11am Mary, Mother of God
  • Friday 3rd January 10am The Most Holy Name of Jesus
  • Sunday 5th January 10am The Epiphany of The Lord

The Christmas Crib

During the Days and Feast of Christmas the cribs in the church remind us of the scene in Bethlehem with the birth of the child who is to become the Saviour. Take time to reflect on who was there, who came to visit and the promises which had been kept.

The Catholic Children’s Society

By tradition your gifts at the crib are for the Crisis Fund for A&B which the Society has for families in difficulty.

The Diocesan Directory 2025

Copies are available at £5 each.

Jubilee Year – Pilgrims of Hope

Pope Francis has decided that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee – something which happens every 25 years – with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”. The Jubilee will offer people across our global family of faith an important opportunity to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. In order for everyone to share in the celebration of the Holy Year, the following diocesan churches have been designated as special places of pilgrimage, where Holy Year Indulgences may be gained: Read more here.

To All Parishioners,

May I wish you joy at the birth of Jesus and peace for you and yours.

Fr John

Rejoice in the Lord always!

This Sunday takes its name “Gaudete Sunday” from those words – REJOICE! Joy comes from the virtue of Hope and from a deep trust in the promises and presence of God. At this stage of Advent we have the opportunity to relish, appreciate and enjoy how God speaks to us through the words of scripture and his Word who is Life. In less than ten days our Advent waiting and preparation will come to an end with the Feast ahead. “Joy is not selfish – it flows outward through generosity and kindness to others.”

Greater Advent

A description of the last days of Advent on which in the Prayer of the Church there is an invitation to God with a sense of longing.

December 17th – 24th. The titles of the coming God are proclaimed

O Wisdom, O Adonai & Ruler, O Root of Jesse, O Key of David, O Emmanuel. The second Preface of Advent is prayed during this last week and expresses the feelings of the time “the Virgin Mother longed for him with love beyond all telling”.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 15th December 10am 3rd Sunday in Advent
  • Monday 16th December 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 18th December 9:30am Advent Weekday Mass
  • Friday 20th December 9:30am Advent Weekday Mass
  • Saturday 21st December 8:30am HMP Lewes
  • Sunday 22nd December 10am 4th Sunday in Advent

Christmas Masses

  • Tuesday 24th December 6pm The First Mass of Christmas
  • Wednesday 25th December 10am Christmas Mass

Thank You!

To the team who worked so hard to prepare our church for our Christmastide celebrations. Not a cobweb, sweet paper or leaf in sight. Well done!

Carol Services

  • Thursday 19th December 1:45pm St Bernadette’s (Years 3 – 6 and parents) at St Mary’s Church
  • Sunday 22nd December 6pm St Mary’s Church – with singers from both parishes. Retiring collection for St Mary’s Meals and Martlets Hospice. Come along and sing!

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

After Mass this Sunday and at other times by arrangement. Please call 01273 563017.

Ah! Lord how shall I meet thee
How welcome thee aright?
All nations long to greet thee
My hope, my sole delight.

The Second Week Of Advent

Prepare The Way Of The Lord

A timely message as we move into the second week of Advent. An encouragement to put in the effort to take stock of our relationship with Jesus Christ and the ways we mark it – by prayer, by the Sacrament of reconciliation with an examination of our conscience, by reflecting on the words of Scripture, and by making sure our hearts are ready. Yes this is what the Season of Advent is about!

The Immaculate Conception Of Mary

This year December 8th falls on an Advent Sunday and so the Solemnity moves to Monday. We will be celebrating this with Mass at 10am. It is a reminder of how Mary was chosen to be the Mother of the Saviour. The Preface of the Mass sums up how she was prepared as a “model of holiness”. Remember how we address Mary as “full of grace”.

Notre Dame

Paris has been celebrating the reopening of the Cathedral damaged by fire five years ago. Many celebrities will be present at the opening and the Catholics of the Archdiocese will rejoice that they can participate in worship there once again in the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Paris. How many observers and future tourists I wonder will realise that the oft repeated title means that it is dedicated to OUR LADY?

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 8th December 10am 2nd Sunday of Advent
  • Monday 9th December 10am The Immaculate Conception of Mary
  • Wednesday 11th December 9:30am Advent Mass
  • Friday 13th December 9:30am Advent Mass
  • Sunday 15th December 10am 3rd Sunday of Advent

The Word Who Is Life

Another step forward for the Parishes of Brighton and Hove took place on November 29th .  The Paper presented by Canon David Parmiter has been on the Noticeboard and is now available to read below:

role of the Moderator – Handout Nov 2024Download

What Was In The Box?

Readers of the Vatican News will have read of a Ceremony in preparation for the Jubilee Year. It centered on the Door of St Peter’s which was sealed up 25 years ago at the end of the last Jubilee Year. It began with breaking out the sealing and the retrieval of a box embedded in the back of the door. Inside the box are the keys to the Holy Door which will be opened by Pope Francis to inaugurate the Jubilee Year  of 2025.

Advent Carol Service

In St Mary’s on Sunday  December 22nd at 6pm.

In Memory of John Mason RIP the retiring collection will be shared by Mary’s Meals and the Martlets Hospice. See the poster for details

St Lucy

A Martyr, one of the fifteen mentioned in Eucharistic Prayer 1. Revered in Sweden as an image of light and celebrated by a procession of of young women with circlets of candles on their heads (not to be imitated H&S)

Remember

We are now Reading Cycle C of the Sunday Lectionary.

On Jordan's Bank, the Baptist's cry
Announces that the lord is nigh
Awake and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of kings.