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.

Grandparents and The Elderly

This Sunday is described as the World day for Grandparents and the elderly. It coincides with the Memorial of St Joachim and Anne ,the names given to the parents of Mary. With the school holidays commencing grandparents may be called upon for child minding and other duties. Pope Francis has suggested we take opportunities when possible to make contact with grandparents and the elderly to shoe our appreciation and of course to remember in prayer those we have loved and lost awhile. More about this topic can be found here.

Refugees and Migration

You will have heard about the eventual passing of a Bill called “ Illegal Migration Bill “ and the arrival of an accommodation barge in Portland harbour. This has caused a lot of debate and the Bishops ‘Conference of England and Wales has set out the principles governing our response. The Department for International Affairs has published a Document called “ Love the Stranger “- easy to read and helpful to inform you of the issues and our response. More can be found here.

The Diocesan Pilgrimage To Lourdes

This commences on Friday and lasts until the following Thursday. You can be part of it by following each day in the Lourdes Handbook 2023. You can read Bishop Richard’s Introduction along with the story of Bernadette and the way in which modern day Pilgrims live the days of Pilgrimage. You can follow this in the Handbook 2023 by going to Arundel and Brighton Pilgrimage to Lourdes and clicking Handbook (mistakenly labelled 2024 ) and turning the pages. The Pilgrims will be praying for us and we for them especially for the healing both spiritual and physical they seek.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am Intention for the people of the Parish and Grandparents & the Elderly
• Wednesday Sts. Joachim & Anne Mass 9.30am Int Grandparents
• Friday ( Memorial Mass for Fr Trevor Welland RIP St Edward’s Keymer )
• Saturday HMP Lewes Mass 8.30am
• Sunday 17^th of Ordinary Time

Contactless Payments

This method of making your Sunday Offering with your card is now working. Follow the simple instructions

Gas Servicing

The annual servicing of the two gas boilers and provision of the Gas Safety Certificate took place on Thursday.

Prayer Intention for July

Pope Francis invites us to see the celebration of the Eucharist as an encounter with the Risen Jesus, for the Eucharist is the presence of Jesus which is profoundly transforming.

For the fruits of his creation
Thanks be to God,
For his gifts to every nation
Thanks be to God,
For the ploughing, sowing reaping
Silent growth while we are sleeping,
Future needs in earth’s safe keeping
Thanks be to God.

After the celebration of our Patronal Feast last Sunday we celebrate Sea Sunday when we think of those who serve as sailors or fishers. Looking out to sea from one of the hillier parts of Brighton you can sometimes glimpse cargo vessels and even the occasional passenger ship and wonder where their next port of call will be. Even closer if you are on the coast road passing by the Port of Shoreham you are just a little closer to the sea and ships. Maybe we do not stop to think how important shipping is for our well-being. How did the bananas you bought come to your favourite shop ? This Sunday we remember all the people from many countries who work in shipping and we think of their personal and family needs. The pastoral care of Stella Maris the star of the sea or the Apostleship of the Sea is offered in Ports around our country and the world. I have happy memories of acting as a Chaplain on the Educational Cruise ships on occasion not only for the 700 plus young people but also the crews and experiencing something of their links with home.

Patronal Feast

Thank you for celebrating last Sunday and joining with fellow parishioners. A little late I realised that it was -to the date- the sixtieth anniversary of the opening of our church building -the Diamond Jubilee.

The End of The School Year

This Thursday (Friday for Cardinal Newman) we reach the end of the School Year – an opportunity to thank all the staff of the Schools for everything they have done and wish them a restful holiday. For Families a change of tempo. Keep well and safe.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 15 in Ordinary Time Sunday Mass 10am
• Tuesday 1.30pm Leavers Mass for St Bernadette’s in St Mary’s Church
• Wednesday Weekday Mass 9.30am Int. Theresa Dibley and Patrick Duncliffe RIP
• Friday Weekday Mass 9.30am
• Sunday 16^th in Ordinary Time 10.00am

Celebrating The Feast of St Joachim & St Anne – Grandparents’ Day

There will be Mass and Afternoon Tea at Arundel Cathedral, 22 July at 2.30pm. Pope Francis calls us to this annual celebration for Grandparents and the more senior members of our community. A time to savour the fruits of family life and the wisdom of experience. Click here to book your free place.

Art Exhibition – Arundel Cathedral

A fantastic new exhibition exploring the rich history of Arundel Cathedral opened last week at Arundel Museum. The exhibition explores the design, construction (and much more) of our diocesan mother church and runs until 11 August. The short film below provides a fascinating introduction to the design and construction of the Cathedral, highlighting the important legacy of the 15th Duke of Norfolk who commissioned it – and his connection to St John Henry Newman.

Pope Francis’ July Prayer Intention

In his Video the Pope says “ If you are the same at the end of Mass as you were at the beginning, something is wrong “. He invites us to see the Eucharist as an encounter with the presence of Jesus which is profoundly transforming. See and read about this here.

Contactless Donating

Good news. It is now up and running .Just follow the instructions with you card. Thank you for your giving.

The Seafarer’s 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