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The Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Prisoners Sunday

It is just about 10 minutes away on a Saturday morning if the A27 is running clear. Every week, one of three priests celebrates Mass for some of the Catholic prisoners in HMP Lewes. There is one of a number of lay people who comes to play the keyboard or play the guitar to accompany the music. There will also be 4 or 5 volunteers who come in to help. The number of attendees varies from about 30 to 50. Their ages vary from 20 to 50. Prison life is regulated with various activities. For example, Catholics can sign up for a Wednesday meeting to explore the Faith.

On the occasion of visits by family members, PACT members arrange games for the children and welcome the visitors. In the A&B Diocese, there are six prisons in Surrey and Sussex.

PACT is the national Catholic prison charity — Prison Advice and Care Trust. It brings hope, dignity, and a fresh start to prisoners and their families.

Our former Bishop is the Lead Bishop for Prisons. He writes: “We will remember prisoners and their families at Mass this weekend. Prisons are in crisis, and life for prisoners and their families is challenging. Do support the work of PACT through your kind donations. Please take an envelope.”

Mass Schedule

  •  Sunday, 11 October, 10am – Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Prisoners Sunday
  •  Monday, 12 October, 8.15am – St Wilfrid, Apostle of Sussex (at St Mary’s House)
  •  Wednesday, 14 October, 9.30am – St Edward the Confessor
  •  Friday, 16 October, 9.30am – St Teresa of Ávila
  •  Saturday, 17 October, 8.30am – HMP Lewes
  •  Sunday, 18 October, 10am – World Mission Sunday

Baptisms

We welcome Isla Coulter and Edward Clark as they are baptised as members of the family of the Church.

Julian Taylor RIP

Julian died on Monday evening. We pray for the repose of his soul and for Wendy, his wife, and their family. His father, Sam, was one of the stalwart Catholics involved in the construction of our church. Julian will be remembered for many things, especially his public service as a JP and his involvement as a Governor in Catholic education in local Catholic schools: St Mary Magdalene’s, St Joseph’s, St Bernadette’s, and Newman. He was a member of the Catenians and a supporter of Sussex Cricket.

His Requiem Mass will be on Friday, 30 October. Time to be announced.

Mission Sunday

Next Sunday will be observed as World Mission Sunday.

Eucharistic Congress: Adoremus 2026

Yesterday in London, in the Cathedrals of Westminster and Southwark, there were meetings and celebrations focusing on the Eucharist. Do watch the film on devotion to the Blessed Sacrament – click here.

Episcopal Ordination

In just over a week, Fr Stephen will be ordained a Bishop. Last week, we read of the items which will be presented to him. In the third degree of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the Bishops present will lay their hands on his head as a sign of the Holy Spirit. This will be preceded by the Litany of the Saints and followed by the Prayer of Ordination, during which two Deacons will hold the Book of the Gospels over his head. Please continue your prayers for him.

Send forth, send forth your Spirit, O Lord,
To renew, renew the face of the earth.

Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Countdown Time

Just over two weeks to the Episcopal Ordination of our new Bishop on Monday 19th October. Bishop-elect Stephen has now made his pre-Ordination retreat and immediate preparations are being made. A few Sundays ago we thought about the role of the Bishop of the Local or Particular Church of Arundel and Brighton within the Universal Church and his being a member of the College of Bishops. The word Diocese is mainly used and is described in this way: “The Diocese is in the Southwark Province. It was formed on 28 May 1965 by the division of the Diocese of Southwark into the Archdiocese of Southwark and the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. It consists of the Counties of West and East Sussex, Surrey outside the Greater London boundary south of the River Thames, and the City of Brighton and Hove.”

When we are watching the Ordination in the Mass at Arundel Cathedral, there will be moments when certain objects will be given to the Ordinand:

  • The Ring, like a wedding ring, a sign of a bond;
  • The Pectoral Cross, worn close to his heart;
  • The Mitre, the tall hat worn on liturgical occasions; and
  • The Crozier, shaped like a shepherd’s staff.

All these point to the role the Bishop will have for all of us.

Harvest Thanksgiving

We give thanks for all that we receive from the earth and sea. Thank you for last Sunday’s gifts destined for one of the city’s food banks.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday, 4 October, 10am: Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass
  • Monday, 5 October, 8.15am: St Faustina Mass (St Mary’s House)
  • Wednesday, 7 October, 9.30am: Our Lady of the Rosary Mass
  • Friday, 9 October, 9.30am: St John Henry Newman Mass
  • Sunday, 11 October, 10am: Twenty-Eighth Sunday Mass

The Word of Life

The October leaflet is now with us to help in our prayerful reflection with a verse of Scripture.

CAFOD

Envelopes for the development work of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development are available. You may prefer to make your donation by card online at cafod.org.uk.

The Month of October

During the month we are encouraged to pray the Rosary. If you have rosary beads, they help us to concentrate with 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, and 1 Glory Be. Failing that, use your fingers! More important is to think about the events from the Gospel on which to reflect.

BHCT

The Priests meet on Tuesday.

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

Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Paris Alive

Pope Leo has been in Paris these last few days and has been very busy with Vespers in the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral and an amazing Vigil with young people in the Stade de France, better known for its football. There are so many smiling faces. This Sunday he is in Lourdes at the shrine of Our Lady. Do discover the different events on your YouTube channels.

Harvest Sunday

The last Sunday in September is Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday. This year the farmers were busy harvesting in July because of the climate and, as we have heard, the yields have been smaller. We express our gratitude with a gift of some food, which will be destined for one of the food banks here in Brighton. Thank you for your generosity. When we commence the Preparation of Gifts or the Offertory, do bring your gift to the altar: “Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands…”

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday, 27 September, 10.00am: Sunday Mass (Intention: For migrants and refugees)
  • Monday, 28 September, 8.15am: Mass at St Mary’s House (St Lawrence Ruiz and Companions)
  • Wednesday, 30 September, 9.30am: Mass (St Jerome)
  • Friday, 2 October, 9.30am: Mass (The Holy Guardian Angels)
  • Sunday, 4 October, 10.00am: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass

Advisory

Clocks go back one hour on the night of Saturday, 24 October.

Looking Ahead

The Catholic Children’s Society has made available its order form for Christmas cards with religious themes.

Friday Self-Denial Wall Box

Donations are for the Refugee Fund.

Liturgical Rules

Two saints’ days have been superseded this year because the Lord’s Day rule for Sunday takes precedence: 27 September (St Vincent de Paul) and 4 October (St Francis of Assisi). Pray for us.

Bishop-Elect Stephen

Please pray for him as he makes his pre-Ordination Retreat.

Meet the Bishop

His Ordination and Installation will be on Monday, 19 October and will be live-streamed from Arundel Cathedral. Do a test run to the Cathedral website.

Mass of Welcome

At Worth Abbey on Saturday, 24 October: A Mass of welcome for our new Bishop. Each deanery or parish group has a coach funded by the Diocese to travel. Brighton & Hove Parish has a coach, and each community has been allocated six places. The coach will pick up at Hove Town Hall (travel there by the 5B or 5 bus). Please have a word if you wish to go (note: no independent travel to the Abbey).

Come, ye thankful people, come,

Raise the song of harvest home;

All is safely gathered in,

Ere the winter storms begin;

God, our Maker, doth provide

For our wants to be supplied;

Come to God’s own temple, come,

Raise the song of harvest home.

The Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Walsingham is once again a place of pilgrimage. It is situated in North Norfolk and is quite a journey from Sussex. Its origin is back in history with a replica of the Nazareth home of the Holy Family. There is a link on our website to the present-day shrine, which has information and history. As the English pilgrimage site to honour Our Lady, her feast is celebrated on 24th September. Our Mass will be on Friday at 9.30am. In your prayers on Friday, do remember to honour Mary.

“Evangelii Gaudium”

By tradition, the Latin words at the beginning of teaching documents from the Pope introduce the content. It was Pope Francis who, at the start of his appointment, wrote of the Joy of the Gospel, reminding us of our duty to live the life of disciples of Our Lord. Do read more at CBCEW (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales) about how, as Catholics, we share in the “Home Mission” responsibility to share our faith with others. There is also an opportunity to support the national department, which helps in this endeavour, through a gift towards the work.

The Mass Schedule

  • Sunday, 21 September, 10am – 25th Sunday Mass
  • Monday, 22 September, 8.15am – St Matthew Mass (St Mary’s House)
  • Wednesday, 24 September, 9.30am – St Padre Pio Mass (For James Fergus)
  • Friday, 26 September, 9.30am – Our Lady of Walsingham Mass (For the Patcham SVP)
  • Saturday, 27 September, 8.30am – Mass (HMP Lewes)
  • Sunday, 28 September, 10am – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Harvest Thanksgiving Mass

Harvest Sunday

We show our gratitude for the work of the farmers and producers for the food we have. At the time of the Preparation of the Gifts, we are invited to make an offering of foodstuffs to support a local food bank.

Praying

Our Bishop-Elect, Fr Stephen, speaks of prayer in a CTS publication – see below.

Brighton & Hove Clergy

There will be a meeting this Tuesday at 3pm.

Pope Leo’s Pastoral Visit to France

Pope Leo will be in Paris and then in Lourdes. His visit begins on Friday 25th September and ends on Monday 28th September. You can follow him via our links to Vatican News and the Shrine of Lourdes.

For now a blessed mother thou shalt be

All generations laud and honour thee

Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold

Most highly favoured Lady. Gloria.

Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.

Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Catholic Education Sunday

Since 1848, this Sunday has been marked to celebrate our Catholic schools — primary, secondary, and four universities for teacher training. There are now two Academy Trusts for our schools: Xavier for Surrey schools and Bosco for Sussex schools.

They are very much part of the Church’s mission to educate young people and to provide Catholic religious education. In England and Wales, there are teachers, governors, support staff, and Diocesan Schools Service members and advisers.

Over the years, members of the Church have supported the funding of these schools — technically described as Voluntary Aided, as a certain percentage of building and maintenance costs must be found by parishioners for the right to have them.

Do read the Lead Bishop’s Message for this Sunday.

The Assisted Suicide Bill

The Lead Bishop for Life Issues, Archbishop John Sherrington, has issued a statement following the vote last Friday:

“We remain convinced that the most effective way to address suffering at the end of life is through greater access to excellent palliative and end-of-life care. Ensuring such care for all who need it can help people experience comfort, dignity, and support in their final days. We will continue to promote these as priorities and to stand alongside those who devote themselves to caring for the dying in hospices, hospitals, care homes, and communities.”

The Mass Schedule

  • Sunday, 13 September, 10am – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
  • Monday, 14 September , 8.15am – The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (at St Mary’s House)
  • Wednesday, 16 September, 9.30am – Our Lady of Sorrows
  • Friday, 18 September, 9.30am – St Theodore of Tarsus
  • Sunday, 20 September, 10am – 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Stabat Mater

At the cross her station keeping,

Stood the mournful mother weeping,

Close to Jesus to the last.

The New Season

The French have a telling exclamation to describe September. It is — in English — one word: RETURN. It expresses the beginning of a new season as the memories of July and August begin to fade and we start back to realities.

We begin with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which ushers in the time up to October 4th, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. None of us could have missed the remarkable times with the climate and what is to come with El Niño.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday, 7 September, 10am – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass
  • Monday, 8 September, 8.15am – St Mary’s House Weekday Mass
  • Wednesday, 10 September, 9.30am – The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mass
  • Friday, 12 September, 9.30am – Weekday Mass
  • Sunday, 14 September, 10am – Education Sunday Mass

This Week

  • Tuesday – Opening Liturgy at St Bernadette’s
  • Brighton & Hove Clergy Team meeting

Please note: The Assisted Dying Bill will be in the House of Commons on Friday 11th.

The September Leaflet

To help with your prayerful reflection on a word of Scripture, do pick up a copy to keep with you.

WhatsApp Channel

A new Diocesan Channel now exists. Please click here for joining instructions.

Next Sunday is Education Sunday

For the harvest of His Spirit

Thanks be to God

For the good we all inherit

Thanks be to God

For the wonders that surround us

For the truths that still confound us

Most of all that love has found us

Thanks be to God.

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)