Fifth Week of Easter

The Season is rushing by, and Thursday week (May 9^th) will be Ascension Thursday, a Holyday of Obligation. We have another image used by Jesus, one understood by the Chosen People, and one we can easily grasp. It reminds us to find strength by adhering to Jesus, like a branch attached to its stem. Every now and then it is good to ask ourselves how we are developing our understanding of the Faith and what it means for our sense of membership. There is a regular reminder as we pray the Eucharistic Prayer with parts such as “that we may become on body one spirit in Christ”, in union of mind and heart with Pope Francis and our shepherd, Bishop Richard.

‘Intricately Woven By The Lord’ – from the Bishops of England & Wales

A Pastoral reflection on gender by the Bishops. With all the media comments and hype, a calm informative document to inform the discussions in which we may be involved, to read please click here.

Mass Schedule

Sunday 28th April 10am 5th Sunday of Easter
Monday 29th April, St Mary’s House St Catherine of Siena (Patron of Europe)
Wednesday 9:30am St Joseph The Worker
Friday 3rd May 9:30am St Philip & St James (Apostles)
Sunday 5th May 10am 6th Sunday of Easter

Praying For Vocations

We continue praying for responses to vocations to Priesthood. Praying for the families from which will come future candidates.

Do you ever talk about his at home? Do you ever pray about it ?

Please equip yourself with a prayer card and a leaflet.

Read what Pope Francis says to us here.

SVP & CAFOD

In preparation for a General Election, the SVP and CAFOD are to equip Catholics to question candidates about tackling issues of poverty and injustice.

CAFOD’S SUDAN CRISIS APPEAL

You can read more about this appeal and donate here. You can also donate cash to the wall box in the entrance.

Catch Up

Peter Cropp has received the Benemerenti Medal for his long commitment to the SVP, including managing of gift aid in the Parish. Well done! There was a tribute to Hilda Searle’s involvement in the Parish, her charitable activities with the SVP and her fidelity to the Mass. Thank you to those able to attend her Requiem.

Memorial Bench

The Family of Rita and Melville Smith RIP have kindly donated a bench for the courtyard in their memory. It is awaiting a plaque to dedicate it.

Polling Station

On Thursday it is the election for the Police & Crime Commissioner. Remember to bring Photo ID when you come to vote.

Saints of the Week

St Catherine of Siena who was influential in bringing the Pope back from Avignon to Rome
St Joseph the Worker, the carpenter who reminds us of the value of work
SS Philip and James – Apostles

New Lectionary to be introduced from Advent 2024

From 1st December this year a new lectionary will be introduced in England and Wales. More information about this can be found here

St George Patron of England

St George appeared to have received very little publicity this week.

Leader, now on earth no longer
Soldier of the eternal King
Victor in the fight for heaven
We thy loving praise sing

Great Saint George our patron
Help us, in the conflict be thou nigh,
Help us in that daily battle,
Where each one must live or die.

No. 414

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Due to some technical issues, this week’s newsletter is very much reduced. We hope to resume normal service as soon as possible.

Mass Schedule

Sunday 21st April 10am 4th Sunday of Easter
Tuesday 23rd April St George, Patron of England 9:30am Mass and 2pm Funeral Mass for Hilda Searle (RIP)
Wednesday 24th April Feast of St Mark 9:30am
Friday 26th April Eastertide Mass 9:30am
Sunday 28th April 10am 5th Sunday of Easter

Lord Jesus,
Grant to our Diocese
the gift of priests
filled with zeal for your Word,
and with dedication
in the service of your people,
that your church may be nourished
through the Sacraments
and strengthened for the Mission
to which you have called us.
For you are Lord
for ever and ever.
Amen

The Third Sunday of Easter

Following the Emmaus Story and the Thomas incident this week we have another post resurrection moment when the disciples like ourselves are called to be witnesses to the Risen Christ. It is an encouragement for us to reflect on the description of a Parish on the first pages of the Pastoral Plan documents.

Human Dignity

You may have heard the Thought for the Day on Friday by a Catholic Catherine Pepinster. It can be found here. It focussed on a recent Declaration from the Congregation for the Faith . You can read Bishop Richard’s brief summary here and read the full Declaration here.

Vocations Day of Prayer

Next Sunday is Vocations Sunday, a Day of Prayer for Vocations. This is not an easy subject because of the mentality of the time. There is also the annual collection for the six year’s training for future priests.

The Word of Life Leaflet for April

Copies of the leaflet are in the entrance for you to keep handy for reflection on the scripture text with prayer and effort to make it part of your spiritual life and attitude.

Mass Schedule

Sunday 14th April Mass 10am
Monday 15th April St Mary’s Convent 8.15am
Wednesday 17th April Eastertide Mass 9.30am
Friday 19th April Eastertide Mass 9.30am
Saturday 20th April HMP Lewes Mass 8.30am
4th Sunday of Easter (21st April) Mass 10am

Requiem Mass

A Requiem Mass for Hilda Searle (RIP) will be celebrated at 2pm on Tuesday 23rd April.

External Information

May 2^nd Polling Day. Remember to bring photo ID when you come to vote.

B&H advice on avoiding falls and information on activities to strengthen mobility – leaflets are available in the porch.

Paschal Prayer To Our Lady

Queen of heaven, rejoice alleluia.
For he whom you were worthy to bear alleluia,
Has risen as he said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia,
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
For the Lord has risen indeed, alleluia!
 
Let us pray.
O God, who through the resurrection of your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ, did vouchsafe to give joy to the world :
Grant, we beseech you, that through His Mother, the Virgin Mary, we may obtain
the joys of everlasting life, 
Through the same Christ Our Lord.
Amen

Eastertide

After Easter Week, the Season continues to Pentecost – the 50 Days when we rejoice in the Risen Lord and read the Acts of the Apostles and the development of Christian Communities, living and celebrating Christ’s Ways.

Thank you to those able to participate in Holy Week and the Liturgies and for your generosity with the Lenten Alms Box, the Good Friday Offerings for the Church in the Holy Land and the Easter Offering. Holy Saturday, when we joined the Easter Vigil with St Mary’s, was a joyful celebration. Earlier that morning it had been my turn to celebrate Easter Mass at HMP Lewes and, thanks to the Ministry of Justice, we ended up with a bag each of mini chocolate eggs.

Bishop Richard’s Weekly Message

This can be found by following this link. There is no video podcast this week.

The Chrism Mass

Photos from the Chrism Mass during Holy Week at Arundel Cathedral can be found here.

Pope Francis appeals for peace

Pope Francis has called for a ceasefire in Gaza. More details can be found here.

The Word of Life leaflet for April

To assist with your prayer life during the Month. The scripture text and commentary are to be kept to assist you during the month to reflect on the Word and by reflection to let it nourish your spiritual life.

The Annunciation of The Lord

This Solemnity usually celebrated on March 25^th – nine months before Christmas – is transferred (because of Holy Week) to this Monday (8th April) at 9.30am. It is of course recalled every time Gabriel’s Salutation is made (Hail Mary full of grace…) and the event is meditated on in the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.

Mass Schedule

The Second Sunday of Easter Mass (7th April) 10 am.
Monday (8th April) The Annunciation of the Lord Mass 9.30am
Wednesday (10th April) Eastertide Mass 9.30am
Friday (12th April) Eastertide Mass 9.30am
The Third Sunday of Easter (14th April) Mass 10am

Once you showed to Thomas wounded
Hands and side
Here I kneel adoring,
Faith alone my guide
Help me grow in faith,
Lord, grow in hope and love,
Living by your spirit
Gift of God above.

Hymn 396

Easter 2024

The great Feast of Easter is with us and as so many are saying it has come quickly. We can make the most of the 50 Days as we renew the promise of our lives in the different conditions we find are ours. In a spirit of faith, we deepen the commitment of the Sacrament of Baptism which may have happened long ago and are inspired by those adults who are baptised at the Easter Vigil along with those being received into full communion in Christ’s Church. Along with these features of Easter life comes a fresh joy in our hearts –singing a new song.

It is also a time to thank parishioners for their generous support in giving but also in the time and effort of ministries – of reading preparations for the liturgies, maintenance, music, finance and so many ways needed to support the parish community.

The Chrism Mass

Some of you did join the live streaming of this significant Mass. You can read more here.

Easter Week Mass Schedule

Easter Sunday Mass (March 31st) 10am Int. for the People of the Parish
Easter Monday Mass (April 1st) 9.30am Int. Arline Bowman RIP Anniversary
Easter Tuesday Mass (April 2nd) 9.30am Int. Anne Carroll RIP
Easter Wednesday Mass (April 3rd) 9.30am Int. Hilda Searle RIP ( F. Parsons)
Easter Friday Mass 9.30am (April 5th) Int. Halina Salvage RIP
Second Sunday of Easter Mass (April 7th) 10am

Hilda Searle RIP

Please pray for the soul of Hilda Searle who has died in the Royal Sussex County Hospital. For so many years a faithful Mass goer, sacristan, and member of the SVP. Her parked car was always guarded by one of her Yorkies.

School Holidays

Our schools broke up on Thursday and will enjoy a two week break.

Awaking Time

In many meanings! Did you wake up an hour earlier as Summertime commenced?

Now the green blade riseth
From the buried grain
Wheat that in the dark earth
Many days has lain,
Love lives again,
That with the dead has been,
Love is come again,
Like wheat that springeth green.

Holy Week

An opportunity to discover the destiny of Jesus as we discover more about who he means for us. We will travel with him from the moment he enters Jerusalem, the growing rejection of him, the gift of himself in service, his patience in suffering, his betrayal, and his sacrifice on the cross. We accompany him along with Mary and his close friends, sensing their reactions and emotions. All the features of our lives are reflected in the Passion accounts of Mark and John as we try to find answers to the questions we ask. The Liturgies of the three days guide us on the way.

The Chrism Mass

In Arundel Cathedral our Bishop gathers the Priests for this Celebration. We renew our Priestly Promises and then the Oils are blessed for use in the celebration of the Sacraments – the Oil for the Baptism of young and old, the Oil of Chrism for the anointings at Confirmation, Baptisms, the Ordination of Priests, the Consecration of chalices, patens, altars and buildings and the Oil for the Anointing of the Sick.

You can witness this by going to the Arundel Cathedral website at 6pm on Wednesday. The Deanery Oil Stocks are filled after the Mass and parish stocks are filled on Thursday morning.

Palm Sunday of The Passion

At 10am we gather in our Hall for the blessing and distribution of Palms followed by a Procession into the Church. The Passion of St Mark is proclaimed. Do join in the Crowd sections marked © in your missals.

The Three Days – The Paschal Triduum

Holy Thursday, Maundy Thursday

7pm The Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The Holy Oils are received in the Church and the Gift of the Eucharist is celebrated

Good Friday

A day of fasting and abstinence

10am The Way of the Cross

3pm The Liturgy of the Passion

Holy Saturday

7pm The Easter Vigil. This year we will join the congregation of St Mary’s Church, Surrenden Road.

Easter Sunday Mass

Mass at 10am – celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Stations of The Cross with Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Invited – Episode 5 Season IV

And finally…don’t forget!

The clocks go forward very early in the morning on Sunday 31st March – Easter Sunday! Please don’t be late for Mass.

The Fifth Week of Lent

Passiontide

The name given to the last weeks of the season of Lent. The focus of our journey turns to the events leading us to the Three Days of Holy Week. As is the custom, the statues of Mary and Thomas More are covered up, as too is the crucifix. Our Lenten observances prepare us for the momentous events recorded in the Gospels, along with the growing opposition of the crowds towards Jesus. The way of the cross we walk with Him reflects back to us what happened and what happens in daily living.

Reconciliation

Details of the opportunities for Individual Confession as part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation are posted on the noticeboard in the entrance. These give people a choice of priests to minister the Sacrament. In this Parish the Sacrament can be requested by arrangement.

Invited

The fourth session of the Mission is all about Reconciliation and if you have difficulties with understanding what it is about, you will find clear instruction.

Tower House Community Centre

A cafe now runs each day from 11am – 2pm. Click here for further details.

New Life In The City

A weekend Retreat in Brighton for 18 -35-year-olds. April 26th -28th. See poster for more details.

Mass Schedule

Fifth Sunday of Lent Mass 10am Int. May Wynne RIP
Tuesday 19th March St Joseph Mass 9.30am
Wednesday 20th March Lent Weekday Mass 9.30am
Friday 22nd March Lent Weekday Mass 9.30am
Palm Sunday 24th March Mass 10am

Brighton Clergy Meet 3pm Tuesday

Meeting of Clergy in the Brighton Parishes about the Pastoral Plan.

St Joseph

Good and faithful servant God was pleased to place His own family in your care.

Joseph – the Just man. The one who listened, the man of trust , the loving father.

Patron of a Happy Death, dying in the presence of his loved ones. Pray for us.

Palm Sunday of the Passion of The Lord

Next Sunday we gather in the hall for the Blessing of the Palms and the process through the gates, symbolising the Entry into Jerusalem, followed by the reading of the Passion according to St Mark at 10am. Do join in the C parts of the response of the crowd.

Holy Week 2024

Details of the Three Days are on the Noticeboard.

Advance Notice

Clocks go forward one hour on Easter Sunday morning. We have to be up one hour earlier. Do not miss your Easter Mass!

Joseph, be our guide and pattern.
Faithful to your sacred trust
Strong protector of the Virgin
And the infant Jesus Christ
Joseph firm and faithful guide us
Joseph walk the way with us.

The Fourth Week of Lent

This Sunday is traditionally known as “Rejoice. Be joyful Sunday.” Marking the mid-point of the Lenten Journey. It is an uplifting journey of hope, a preparation time of reflection and renewal for the joy of Easter. We recall that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world, shown to us through what he suffers. When faced with the questions about suffering and the present state of the world, we have a guide in what Jesus went through for us.

Day of Prayer for the suffering people of the Holy Land

Around the worldwide Church there is a call to have a day of prayer for those suffering from the effects of war and destruction.

This coming Saturday 16th March we will have in the Morning the following activities

11am – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
11:15 – 12 Noon The Sacrament of Reconciliation
12.05 Benediction

Please listen to this podcast

Mass Schedule

Sunday 4 of Lent. Mass 10am
Wednesday. Lent Weekday Mass 9.30am
Friday. Lent Weekday Mass 9.30am
Saturday, Adoration. Prayer for the suffering people of the Holy Land. The Sacrament of Reconciliation. 11am -12 Noon.

Diocesan Posts

Assistant Safeguarding Coordinator. For details click here

Deanery Clergy Conference

The Clergy will be meeting at St Thomas More’s for our monthly Conference this Tuesday, now that our hall is free on Tuesdays.

Praying for vocations

Do pick up a prayer card with a prayer for vocations to the Priesthood and Diaconate.

Remember Canon Michael Spelman who died in retirement in Knock.

Invited

The Third Episode of the Diocesan Mission is now available reflecting on Community. Watch below

Lenten Alms

Wall box in Entrance set aside for your Alms.

Mother’s Day

We take the opportunity to thank our Mothers who have given birth to us and for what they do for us.

Mother of God’s living Word
Glorifying Christ your Lord,
Full of joy God’s people sing,
Grateful for your mothering.

The Third Week of Lent

Within a few days we will reach the mid-point of the Season of Lent. It is always a good time to check on our progress by remembering the description of what Lent means. “Lent is a time for turning again to the practice of the Faith – prayer, self-denial and practical generosity.” In our weekly news these elements appear. Let us not miss out. It is s spiritual Springtime, a joyful season when God wants to give us new grace and new life.

Prayer

Praying The Our Father. Please click here.

The Word of Life

The leaflet for March is on the table in the Entrance .The purpose is for use during the days of March to focus prayer and reflection on the words of Scripture to give life to our Christian living.

Do Justice

A vision for spiritual and civic renewal produced by the Catholic Social Action Network. Please click here.

Mass Schedule

Sunday March 3rd Mass 10am
Wednesday March 6th Lent Weekday Mass 9.30am
Friday March 8th Lent Weekday Mass 9.30am
Sunday March 10th 4th of Lent Mass 10am

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation with individual confession. A list of opportunities is on the Noticeboard. These refer to Services where additional priest Confessors are available.

Lord of life, you give us all our days: 
Let your life fill ours with hope and praise.
May our learning, seeking, yearning,
Lead us on to share your risen life.

Hymn 451

The Second Week of Lent

On the Second Sunday of Lent the Gospel is always an account of the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. It is one of the events which we consider when we pray the Rosary and reflect on it in the Mysteries of Light or Luminous Mysteries, as it gives us further insight into the person of Jesus. “To know you more clearly , to love you more dearly” – part of our Lenten efforts.

Lenten Emphasis On Prayer

There are resources for us to discover as we examine our prayer habits. Pope Francis is encouraging us to take the opportunity to develop our exercise of prayer. How do we Pray ?. You can find some advice on the website CBCEW- the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales.- “Why the Lord’s prayer is so important to us “ and news of a forthcoming booklet -Teach us to pray. You could also try to use the daily suggestions towards the bottom of the list of “Useful Websites “. The app “Universalis” can be downloaded on your phones with the Morning and Evening Prayers of the Church and the Mass details of each day click here for iOS and here for android.

Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

You will have read how our Bishop has asked us to have time before the Blessed Sacrament to pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and Diaconate and for the Church of Arundel and Brighton as the Diocesan Plan is gradually implemented. This Sunday after the 10.00am Mass there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for an extended time of thanksgiving after our Communions until 11.30am. Fr John would like to hear of your suggestions about future times for periods of Adoration.

Invited

Details of this week’s session of the Diocesan Mission can be found on the Diocesan Website together with the times when the videos will be available.Please click here.

Mass Schedule

Sunday Mass (25th February)10AM Int. for the people of the Parish
Wednesday (28th February) . Lent Weekday Mass 9.30amInt.Gilbert Losasso RIP
Friday (1st March) . St David Patron Saint of Wales. Mass 9.30am
Third Sunday of Lent (3rd March) Mass 10.00am.

Prayers

Prayers for Canon Colin Wolczak PP. The Sacred Heart.

The Taylor Family, Tom & Margaret Perrin, Patrick & his parents,

May Wynne RIP, Seamus O’Donnell RIP.

CAFOD

Thank you for your CAFOD Donations & for the Lourdes Fund.

Lenten Alms wall box for your self- denial.

To pick up

The Spring edition of Mission Today and a Prayer Card for Ukraine.

The Last Words Of Saint David

“Be joyful and keep your faith and your creed.
Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about.
I will walk in the path that our fathers have trod before us.”