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The 21st Week of Ordinary Time

All too soon, August and holiday time are coming to an end. There is even a partial eclipse of the moon as the shadow of the Earth passes by. Watch the replay, because it occurs at 2:30am!

Schools will be back during the week—new beginnings, new classes, and new adventures.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday, 10am: Sunday Mass
  • Monday, 8:15am: Mass for St Aidan & the Saints of Lindisfarne (St Mary’s House)
  •  Wednesday, 9:30am: Mass for St Gregory the Great
  • Friday, 9:30am: Mass for St Cuthbert
  •  Saturday, 8:30am: Mass at HMP Lewes
  • Sunday, 10am 11th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

Hymn: No. 483

My God said to me, "Follow."
My God said to me, "Come."
My God called out my name.
Here I am, here I am to do your will.

The Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time

The Apostle Peter receives a new title—the Rock—the one who holds things together. In every Eucharistic Prayer, we refer to our being in communion with Leo, our Pope, and soon, our Bishop. At his Ordination, the Papal Nuncio will show us all the document telling us that Father Stephen has been chosen to be Bishop of the Church of Arundel and Brighton, and the Chancellor will read it out for all of us. There is a richness in understanding the nature of the Church and how it is formed. Two sources contain the information: the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium (1965) and the Code of Canon Law. Canon 368: “The Particular Churches, in which and from which the one and only Catholic Church exists, are principally dioceses.” Canon 369: “A Diocese is a portion of the people of God which is entrusted to a Bishop to be nurtured by him.”The Apostle Peter receives a new title—the Rock—the one who holds things together. In every Eucharistic Prayer, we refer to our being in communion with Leo, our Pope, and soon, our Bishop. At his Ordination, the Papal Nuncio will show us all the document telling us that Father Stephen has been chosen to be Bishop of the Church of Arundel and Brighton, and the Chancellor will read it out for all of us. There is a richness in understanding the nature of the Church and how it is formed. Two sources contain the information: the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium (1965) and the Code of Canon Law. Canon 368: “The Particular Churches, in which and from which the one and only Catholic Church exists, are principally dioceses.” Canon 369: “A Diocese is a portion of the people of God which is entrusted to a Bishop to be nurtured by him.”

We have a great opportunity to appreciate what it means to be a member of the Church.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday, 24 August, 10am – 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
  • Monday, 25 August – St Mary’s House (Feast of St Bartholomew)
  • Tuesday, 26 August, 2pm – Requiem Mass for the repose of the souls of Reynold and Loretta D’Souza
  • Wednesday, 27 August, 9.30am – Weekday Mass
  • Friday, 29 August, 9.30am – Weekday Mass
  • Sunday, 31 August, 10am – 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fire Extinguishers

The annual inspection has taken place. Three that were ten years old have been replaced.

Keep Up-to-Date

Try exploring our “Useful Websites” section on the website, e.g. visit the Lourdes site to pray at the Grotto or explore the Diocesan website.

Thy hand, O God, has guided

Thy flock from age to age;

The wondrous tale is written

Full clear on every page.

(Hymn No. 690)

The 20th Week in Ordinary Time

The Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven

In some European countries, 15 August is celebrated as a religious festival, and to the surprise of tourists, many outlets will be closed. This year, because it occurs on a Saturday, the holy day is transferred to Sunday. Its solemn proclamation as a dogma (a solemn teaching) happened in my lifetime, by Pope Pius XII in 1950, and was reflected in Vatican II: “When the course of her earthly life was over, she was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven” — words reflected in the Preface of the Mass. Our Lady Assumed into Heaven is one of the patrons of the diocese.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday, 16 August, 10am – Solemnity of the Assumption
  • Monday, 17 August, 8.15am – Weekday Mass at St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday, 19 August, 9.30am – Weekday Mass
  • Friday, 21 August, 9.30am – Weekday Mass
  • Sunday, 23 August, 10am – 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Bishop-Elect Stephen

He has a diary for the diocese, and various dates for the ordinations of deacons and other appointments are filling up. We are awaiting details of his ordination on 19 October and also of the Mass he will be celebrating at Worth Abbey on the following Saturday. Please keep him in your prayers.

Life, Loss and Coffee

Please read the poster in the entrance about a B&H Parish initiative for those struggling with loss.

Church Gas Boiler Service and Gas Safety Certificate

Last Tuesday, the annual service took place. The external temperature was so hot that one of the controls had to be overridden to operate the system. All is ready for the cold, frosty days ahead.

Did You Observe the Partial Eclipse of the Sun?

It made some people marvel at creation and, for a time, reflect on our wonderful world.

Till Death Do Us Part

Our prayers go to the D’Souza family, as Loretta died on Thursday in the RSCH. This means that the Requiem Mass on Tuesday, 25 August will be for both husband and wife. We offer our condolences to their son, daughter, and family members.

Into heaven is Mary received,

The angels with praises rejoice and bless the Lord.

Let us all rejoice and with a righteous heart be glad,

For today the Virgin Mary reigns with Christ.

The Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Calming the waters is something we have to do now and then. If we think of the many situations facing the world, we can appreciate how sometimes the problems rumble on or there is no resolution. The Gospel theme, accompanied by Elijah’s encounter, is reassuring.

Mass Schedule

  • Monday, 10 August, 8.15am – St Lawrence, Martyr (St Mary’s House)
  • Wednesday, 12 August, 9.30am – St Jane Frances de Chantal
  • Saturday, 15 August, 8.30am – Mass at HMP Lewes
  • Sunday, 16 August, 10am – The Assumption of Our Lady (this holy day is transferred to Sunday 16 August from Saturday 15 August)

My gratitude to those who ministered and for the kindnesses during my absence. The eyebrow pencil offers will not be required, thanks to the NHS.

The Word of Life

The August leaflet is in the entrance on the trolley. The theme is Mary’s Magnificat.

Requiem Mass

Tuesday, 25 August, 2pm – Requiem Mass for Rey D’Souza RIP. Please remember his wife Loretta, who is in hospital and their family at this time.

Bishop-Elect Stephen

His Ordination as a Bishop will take place on Monday, 19 October, the Feast of St Philip Howard. It will be livestreamed from Arundel Cathedral.

Lost property

A very thoughtful parishioner handed in a small pearl that was found in the church last Sunday (2nd August) Is it yours? Please make contact using the email on the right hand side of the web page if it is.

Eclipse of the Sun

On Wednesday, from 6.17pm, the Moon’s shadow will pass across the setting Sun until 8pm. Please follow this advice from the UK Health Agency before trying to view the sun.

Yes, be praised in all your creatures,

Brother Sun and Sister Moon,

In the stars and in the wind,

Air, fire, and living water.

Laudato si’! (N 412)

The Eighteenth Week Of Ordinary Time

Thank you, Fr. Carl!

Many thanks to Fr Carl Davies for celebrating Mass with us this Sunday (2nd August). Fr John will be celebrating Sunday Mass on 9th August.

Assisted Dying (Assisted Suicide) Bill

People across our family of faith have welcomed comments made by the Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham, on the Terminally Ill Adults End of Life Bill. The Bill – which was re-introduced to Parliament by Lauren Edwards MP in June – is due to be voted on in the House of Commons on Friday 11 September despite strong opposition from Christian, Muslim and Jewish groups, and significant ethical and medical concerns raised by organisations including the British Geriatrics Society, The Association of Palliative Medicine, Disability Rights UK and The Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Speaking yesterday, the Prime Minister affirmed his view that the funding of palliative and social care should be “fixed” before a change in the law to allow Assisted Dying (also referred to as Assisted Suicide) is considered, highlighting his belief that: “it is very challenging to introduce [the] wider debate in a context of people not receiving that care and having peace of mind about that care.”

Responding to the news on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of England & Wales, Archbishop John Sherrington said: “It is highly significant that the Prime Minister has confirmed his position about the need for proper palliative and social care ahead of the Second Reading of this fundamentally flawed [Bill].

Pilgrims Return

We give thanks for the safe return of all our pilgrims from the annual diocesan pilgrimage who kept us all in prayer while they were there.

Mass Rota

  • Sunday, 2 August, 10am – 18 OT (Celebrant Fr. Carl Davies)
  • Thursday, 6 August, 11am – The Transfiguration Of The Lord (Celebrant Fr. John)
  • Sunday, 9 August, 10am – 19 OT (Celebrant Fr. John)

Enjoy and Keep Safe!

Enjoy the weeks of summer but please do follow health guidance about coping with the hot weather!

The Seventeenth Week of Ordinary Time

The Diocesan Pilgrimage is now in Lourdes and we can join the 750 pilgrims with our prayers as they will be praying for us. You can follow the pilgrimage using the prayer book as directed below. The focus this year is on the Annunciation to Mary and her “yes” to God’s will.

2026 Lourdes Pilgrimage Handbook

Whether you are travelling to Lourdes this year, or making your Pilgrimage at home, you can read the Pilgrimage Handbook, to follow the Pilgrimage’s prayers, Masses and events, above, or download a copy by clicking the button below. You can also download a novena, to pray for the Pilgrimage.

Please follow this link.

This Sunday

With priests in Lourdes, on holiday, or filling in, it has not been possible to obtain a supply priest. For this Sunday only, we will gather for worship as usual. The Liturgy of the Word will take place as usual with the Bidding Prayers. Then, after the preparation and the Our Father, Holy Communion with previously consecrated hosts will be distributed before the final prayer of thanksgiving. Next Sunday’s Mass will be at 10am.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday, 26 July, 10am — Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Good News

There is now a date for the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop-Elect Stephen. It will be in Arundel Cathedral on Monday, 19 October at 12 noon. It is the Solemnity of St Philip Howard, Patron of the Diocese.

Grandparents

This Sunday we remember grandparents for what they have handed on to us and for helping us know what really counts in life.

Assisted Dying Bill

Do let your MP know your objections to this proposed legislation.

Here are the Members of Parliament (MPs) representing the three local constituencies, along with their official contact email addresses:

Brighton Pavilion

  • MP: Siân Berry (Green Party)
  • Email: sian.berry.mp@parliament.uk

Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven

  • MP: Chris Ward (Labour Party)
  • Email: chris.ward.mp@parliament.uk

Hove and Portslade

  • MP: Peter Kyle (Labour Party)
  • Email: hove.portslade@parliament.uk

Note: When emailing your MP, please include your full name and full home address (including postcode) so they can verify you are a constituent. You can check which constituency you are in by pasting your postcode here.

Holiday Time

If you are having a break, do enjoy yourselves. If you are visiting, know you are most welcome in our community.

Patcham Community Centre

Remember the invitation to the showing of the film about the environment. 29th July 6:30pm Patcham Community Centre. See the noticeboard.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

St Bernadette, pray for us.

(Fr John will not be available this week. For personal emergencies, please try St Mary’s (07895 825296) or Rottingdean (07895 825296)

16th Week in Ordinary Time

It is holiday time now that schools have broken up and many people are travelling to different parts of the country or the world. Others will be relaxing and simply enjoying a change of routine. Whatever you do, may it be a time of renewal and refreshment, and do make sure it is something different. Around 750 people from the Diocese will be on pilgrimage in Lourdes and will be praying for you all.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday, 19 July, 10am – Sunday Mass
  • Monday, 20 July, 8.15am – Mass at St Mary’s House
  • Tuesday, 21 July, 11am – Requiem Mass
  • Wednesday, 22 July, 9.30am – Feast of St Mary Magdalene
  • Friday, 24 July, 9.30am – Feast of St Sharbel Makhlouf
  • Saturday, 25 July, 8.30am – Mass at HMP Lewes
  • Sunday, 26 July, 10am – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass

The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

You can follow the pilgrimage by visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes website via our “Useful Websites” page. There, you can follow the daily events using the online prayer book. Please pray for the pilgrims, who carry so much with them.

The Assisted Dying Bill

Once again, we have been asked to contact our local MPs to voice our objections. You can read more and find guidance on how to do this by clicking here.

A Local Invitation

The Patcham Gardening Network will be showing a screening of a short film, The People’s Emergency Briefing dealing with the Climate and Nature crisis we face both nationally and globally, at our next meeting. This takes place on Wednesday the 29th of July, 6:30 to 9:00 pm,  at the Patcham Community centre, Ladies’ Mile Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 8TA (This is the community centre attached to Patcham Library, adjacent to Patcham High School). 

Screenings of this powerful, timely film are being shown across the country, largely in community centres, church halls and small venues where people are invited not just to watch, but to reflect and discuss the issues that have been presented. 

We are reminded that as Christians our concern is underpinned not just by the threat to our own interests but by core Christian principles of caring for God’s creation, Jesus’ command to love one another and responding to human need. The film’s message and screenings are supported by a wide range of national and international Christian organisations, including the Laudato Si’ Movement and CAFOD, and has been endorsed by the lead Bishop for Environment for the Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.  

Members of the Saint Thomas More congregation are warmly invited to attend. 

Please note there is a small charge – £5 – for non-Gardening Network members. 

Saint Sharbel Makhlouf

Born in Lebanon, Saint Sharbel entered monastic life and later lived in the hermitage of St Peter and St Paul. Revered as a saint of the Eastern Church, he died in 1898. Please keep the people of Lebanon in your prayers.

The seed is Christ’s

From birth to age, from age to death

Enfold us, Christ, within your arms.

Until the end, the great rebirth,

Christ be our joy in paradise.

– Hymn No. 670

The Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Sea Sunday Seeing pictures of ships trapped in the Straits of Hormuz has reminded us of the crews who have been unable to go ashore and have been in fear of violence. We have experienced a rise in the cost of fuel and increases in the cost of other goods. How easy it is to forget the human cost to the seafarers away from the relief of being in a port even for a short time. This Sunday we pray for them and their families, and support the pastoral ministry of Stella Maris – the Apostleship of the Sea – in a retiring collection.

Our Bishop-Elect Fr Stephen has been interviewed on his appointment in a number of places – Alison Ferns on BBC Radio Sussex, in The Tablet, and on YouTube. He has a lovely smile and speaks of looking forward to meeting us and visiting the schools. We pray for him as he prepares for his future ministry and ordination.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday, 12 July, 10am – 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass
  • Monday, 13 July, 8.15am – St Mary’s House Mass
  • Tuesday, 14 July, 1.30pm – St Bernadette’s School Leavers Mass
  • Wednesday, 15 July, 9.30am – St Bonaventure Mass
  • Friday, 17 July, 9.30am – Weekday Mass
  • Sunday, 19 July, 10am – 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass

Patronal Feast Thank you to all who prepared and enjoyed the refreshments. It was also good to see and hear our future Bishop and to view the photographs of the opening by the Bishop of Southwark.

The July Word of Life This month’s leaflet helps our continuing prayerful reflection on today’s Gospel.

Rey D’ Souza RIP Please pray for the repose of the soul of Rey, who died on Friday, and keep his wife, son, daughter and other family members in your prayers. Only recently, he received an honour for his long-time membership of the Knights of St Columba.

To Christ the seed, to Christ the harvest
Into the barns of Christ, may we be brought.

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Gift of a Shepherd

Our prayers have been answered. Pope Leo has appointed Fr Stephen Wang as the Sixth Bishop of Arundel and Brighton. He is currently the Rector of the Venerable English College in Rome and a priest of the Diocese of Westminster. When you read his CV, you can see he will bring much to the Diocese and lead us into the future.

He is now described as Bishop-Elect and will be ordained Bishop and take possession of the Diocese sometime in the autumn. We have to wait until then to include him in the Eucharistic Prayers, but we will be praying for him from now on.

He has spoken to us on video and has been welcomed by Archbishop Richard and Archbishop John Wilson of the Southwark Province.

For more details of Fr Stephen Wang’s appointment, please click here.

The Patronal Feast

9 July 1963 was the date the Bishop of Southwark blessed and opened the church of St Thomas More, serving the areas of Patcham, Westdene, and Hollingbury. It was the Parish Priest of St Mary’s, Fr Edward Fooks, who initiated its building for the growing area. Subsequently, it was erected as a parish with Fr Peter Rogers as its first Parish Priest.

St Thomas More—scholar, statesman, and saint—was executed on Tower Hill on 6 July.

The Mass of the Dedication of the Church can be found in the back part of your Sunday Missals. We will be celebrating with a celebratory drink after Mass.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday, 5 July, 10am – Patronal & Dedication Feast Mass
  • Monday, 6 July, 8.15am – St Maria Goretti Mass (at St Mary’s House)
  • Wednesday, 8 July, 9.30am – Weekday Mass
  • Friday, 10 July, 9.30am – Weekday Mass
  • Sunday, 12 July, 10am – 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sea Sunday Mass)

The Word of Life

Copies for the month of July’s prayerful reflection are now available.

The Pallium

St Bernadette’s Governors

The governors will meet this Thursday afternoon.

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Psalm 122

Saints Peter & Paul

This Holy Day falls this year on a Sunday and gives us the opportunity to celebrate these two foundational members of the Church.

Their names bind them together and feature in a nursery rhyme you may remember:

Two little dicky birds sitting on a wall, One named Peter, one named Paul. Fly away Peter, fly away Paul. Come back Peter, come back Paul.

Don’t forget to do the hand gestures!

Then there is the saying “to rob Peter to pay Paul” — said to originate from the 13th century when money from the Abbey of St Peter (known now as Westminster Abbey) was used to pay for repairs of St Paul’s Cathedral.

The lives and martyrdom of the two will be recalled in our Sunday Liturgy.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday, 28 June, 10am – The Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul (Sunday Mass)
  • Monday, 29 June, 8.15am – Weekday Mass at St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday, 1 July, 9.30am – Mass for The Dedication of Arundel Cathedral
  • Friday, 3 July, 9.30am – Mass for St Thomas the Apostle
  • Sunday, 5 July, 10am – Patronal & Dedication Feast (Intention: For members of the community)

Peter’s Pence

The traditional gift all churches make to assist the Pope with his charitable responses. The card machine is set up to receive your gift.

The Pallium

Archbishop Richard Moth, now of Westminster, will be in Rome to receive from the Pope the Pallium given to Metropolitan Archbishops and worn over vestments within his jurisdiction.

The white woollen band is woven from the wool of lambs, blessed on the feast of St Agnes, 21 January each year. The bands are adorned with six black crosses and are traditionally kept at the tomb of St Peter in Rome. It symbolises the role of the Archbishop as shepherd of his flock and his unity and communion with the Pope. The ceremony will be on YouTube.

(His Suffragan Sees are Brentwood, East Anglia, Northampton, and Nottingham.)

St Thomas More’s Community, Patronal & Dedication Feast

Next Sunday at the 10am Mass with refreshments afterwards. Do join us.

Cardinal Newman Summer Festival

Friday, 3 July, 4pm–7pm. See poster for details.

St Peter holds the highest place, Yet Paul is not the least by grace. An equal faith was given to Paul, The chosen vessel of God’s call.

On such foundations Rome may claim The highest service of God’s name; His noble blood has dignified The city where this prophet died.