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.

Prepare a way for the Lord! Time passes rapidly. We celebrated the preparation for Mary to become eventually the Mother of our Saviour. This week John the Baptist utters the invitation to prepare given to us to be ready to receive the Lord when he comes.

Invited – Episode 3

This week’s video will be available from Monday and can be seen on youtube.

Meeting of Clergy With Bishop Richard

On Monday the Bishop will be meeting the clergy from Sussex to introduce the Third Edition of the Pastoral Plan which will be publishes on January 2^nd..We have to assemble at the Amex. Surrey Clergy will be gathering later in the week. We have to prepare for the future disposition of the Church of Arundel and Brighton. Keep us in your prayers.

Mass Schedule

• Second Sunday of Advent. Sunday Mass 10am
• Wednesday St Lucy. Mass 9.30am Int. Kitty Tucker RIP
• Friday Advent Mass 9.30am Holy Souls (wall box)
• Saturday HMP Lewes. Mass 8.30am
• Third Sunday of Advent Sunday Mass 10am

Hear The Angels Cry

Bethlehem will be quieter this Year due to the war affecting Gaza and the West Bank. As part of your praying for peace you may wish to view Pope Francis’s comments and accompanying video.

Carol Service

Next Sunday at 6pm there will be a Carol Service In St Mary’s Church ,led by singers from St Thomas More’s and St Mary’s, followed by seasonal refreshment in the Hall. All are welcome

More Carols

On Friday, Key Stage 2 Children from St Bernadette’s will have a Carol Service in St Mary’s with Parents. The School is then on holiday until January 3^rd 2024

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Come prepare the way of the Lord
Open wide the gates of your heart
For the Saviour comes
And all will see the salvation of God.

Advent will seem very short this Year because Christmas Day falls on a Monday.

It is a time then, to prepare spiritually with some prayer, reflection and participating in the INVITED MISSION.

There will be opportunities to avail yourself of the Sacrament of God’s Love and Forgiveness with an Advent Confession. Remember one of the features is to help us develop our Christian Commitment.

Bishop Richard reminds us how when we pray, we express of longing and waiting for Christ- “as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ” followed by our Acclamation “For the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory are yours…” Recall that how we pray is a statement of our belief.

 

INVITED THE DIOCESAN MISSION FOR ADVENT

Episode One -The Incarnation is available now with its accompanying video. Episode 2 is now with us.

You can watch the videos on YouTube and on Vimeo.

 

USEFUL WEBINARS You will also find 3 videos about Finances, Health and Safety and Gift Aid – from meetings with Parish responsibles.

The annual inspection of the Lightning Conductor has just taken place -£280.

Mass Schedule

• First Sunday of Advent Mass 10am
• Wednesday Advent Mass 9,30am Int .for the Higgins Family
• Friday December 8^th The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mass 9.30am
• Second Sunday of Advent Mass 10.00am

The Sacrament of Reconciliation with individual confession

Saturday 11am

Carol Service in St Mary’s

Sunday 17^th December 6pm.

Pope Francis

Because of a Lung Infection he was unable to travel to Dubai for COP 28. We pray for his recovery and in thanksgiving for his teaching on Care for our Common Home. He urges us to pray for peace in the Holy Land and especially for the population suffering hardship.

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We shall stay awake,
And pray at all times.
Ready to welcome Christ,
The Prince of Justice
We shall set aside,
All fears and worries
Ready to welcome Christ,
The Prince of Peace.

 

This Sunday is the last in the Church’s Year and ends with the reading of St Matthew’s Gospel which portrays the way to enter the Kingdom. We have a picture of the Last Judgement and our preparedness to be admitted. Jesus has to present to his Father ” a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace “

Pastoral Letter

Invited – The Diocesan Mission

Do sign up for the resources which can be found here.

Mass Schedule

• Christ the King .Sunday Mass 10am Intention for the people of the Parish
• Wednesday Weekday Mass 9.30am-34^th Week in OT. Int. November Holy Souls (wall box)
• Friday. Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart 9.30am Int. Alicia Cavallo (E.Higgins)
• Sunday 3^rd December FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Mass 10am

Advent Wreath

Any Volunteers to add evergreen/holly/ivy to the Advent Candle stand. Saturday 11am ?

Thank You

To Mike Mason and Jim Pal for tidying up the Courtyard

Front Doors

The usual left side door is closed after one of the doors was forced. Please use the right hand side set and push the marked door.

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From heaven you came, helpless babe
entered our world, your glory veiled,
not to be served but to serve
and give your life that we might live.
This is our God the Servant King
he calls us all to follow him
to bring our lives as a daily offering
of worship to the Servant King.

Hymn no. 267