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.

---

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

---

 
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.

---

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.

---

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

This Sunday is described as the World Day of the Poor with a message from Pope Francis based on the theme “Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor” – from the Book of Tobit, chapter 4; verse 7. He writes “a great river of poverty is traversing our cities and swelling to the point of overflowing; it seems to overwhelm us, so great are the needs of our brothers and sisters who plead for our help, support and solidarity.” You can read more the Message and other material here.

Bishop Richard

Along with other Bishops of England and Wales he has been attending the Autumn Conference in Leeds. They have agreed a number of Resolutions relating to present wars and the ongoing Synod on synodality. To keep up to date read the report here.

Invited – The Diocesan Mission

Commencing soon. You can join by going here.

Mass Schedule

• 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday Mass 10am
• Wednesday St. Cecilia. Mass .9.30am Int. Robert Esser Rip (J.C.)
• Friday The Martyrs of Vietnam. Mass 9.30am Int. for Millie Stoner
• Christ the King. Sunday Mass 10am

Arundel Cathedral

The annual retiring collection for the maintenance of the Mother Church of the Diocese will be held this Sunday. If you have never been there do explore it virtually here.

Fr. Gerald Vann RIP

The Funeral Mass for Fr Gerry Vann takes place this Thursday at St John the Evangelist Church, Horsham at 1pm. He served as Assistant Priest at St Mary’s from 1966 and according to the Registers conducted Baptisms and Weddings until 1971 in St Thomas More’s.

Rest In Peace

Lord be good to them and show them all your love.
Lord be kind to them and grant the peace above,
Lord be gracious to them for the good that they have done,
Lord, may we meet again at last when heaven’s crown’s been won.

In different ways but always with emotion we remember those who died in World Wars and subsequent conflicts. War medals are worn with great pride and Commonwealth graves -such as those in Bear Road Cemetery and Northern France and Belgium are visited and tended with respect. This Year our minds are filled with the urgency of peace in the light of conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine. As we commenced November, we began with our prayers for family members and friends who have died and at the insistence of Pope Francis let us pray for peace each day.

Invited Mission

The Advent Session of the Diocesan Mission approaches. Do read how each one can be involved and sign up for the 4 accompanying films. Please visit the diocesan website for further details here.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 12th Nov 10 am – for those who have died in war
• Wednesday 15th Nov 8 am – St Albert the Great
• Friday 17th Nov 9:30 am – St Edmund of Abingdon
• Sunday 19th Nov 10 am – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

November Mass for Deceased Clergy of the Deanery

The November Mass for the deceased Priests and Deacons who have served in the Parishes of the Brighton and Hove Deanery will be celebrated on Thursday evening at 6pm in St John the Baptist Church, Kemp Town. We will remember Fr Peter Rogers. Fr Gerry Vann and Deacon Ivor Pelling among others.

Clergy Deanery Meeting

The monthly Deanery Meeting is on Tuesday discussing the future of Brighton and Hove Parishes.

Diocesan Vacancies

• Education Officer (Part Time) for admissions and place planning
• Communications Professional (Part Time)

Please click here for more details

Abide with me,

Fast falls the eventide,

The darkness deepens,

Lord with me abide.

When other helpers fail,

and comforts flee,

help of the helpless

O abide with me!

Now we are in November and have celebrated All Saints Day and also the following Day the commemoration of all the Faithful Departed there is the distinct feeling that we are coming towards the culmination of the Church’s Year. The month of November is marked by remembrance of those who have died. We offer a Mass for our deceased Family members ,we mark Remembrance Sunday, and Catholic Organisations have a Requiem Mass for deceased members, there is a Deanery Mass on Thursday 18^th at 6pm in St john the Baptist Church for deceased Priests and Deacons who have served the local Parishes including Fr Gerald Vann who has Just died. He served our Parish in early days, Fr Peter Rogers, first PP, Fr Edward Fooks who built our Church and Deacon Ivor Pelling, along with others from neighbouring Parishes. We pray for those parishioners who have died since last November. May they rise in glory.

Invited

As a response to All Saints Day when we reflected on our efforts to live lives of holiness , the next phase of the Diocesan Mission is nearly with us. Please read the following item from the diocesan newsletter:

Have you signed up to our Invited Mission beginning Monday 27 November? The first of our Invited films launches later this month, accompanied by a range of spiritually enriching, thought-provoking resources. To find out how your parish can get involved click here. To sign up to receive Invited films emailed directly to your inbox click here. To join an online diocesan Invited group click here. Our Formation Team can’t wait to welcome new and existing Invited family members to this year’s Invited programme!

The Synod on Synodality

There is a summary of the first part of the Synod which can be read here. There is also a Report of the Proposals coming fro the participants which runs to 40 pages. You may wish to read it over an extended period of time.

Blessing of Graves

Today (Sunday 5th November) There will be priests on hand to bless the graves of family members

Hove/Portslade/Southwick Cemeteries 2pm

Lawn Memorial 3pm

Bear Road 3pm Middle to Top

Brighton and Preston 2:20pm Hartington Road – by Old Chapel

Mass Schedule

• 31^st Sunday in Ordinary Time. Sunday Mass 10am
• Monday St Mary’s House Mass 8.15am
• Wednesday St Willibrord Mass 9.30am Int .Tom Perrin’s
• Friday St Leo the Great Mass 9.30am Int .For Hilda Searle’s deceased Family members
• 32^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Retired Priests’ Fund

This Sunday there is a Second Collection to assist with the accommodation, welfare and support of diocesan priests in retirement. The Card Machine is set up for this collection as well.

Lead kindly light,
Amid th’encircling gloom
Lead thou me on
The night is dark,
and I am far from home,
lead thou me on.
Keep thou my feet;
I do not ask to see,
The distant scene
One step enough for me.

St John Henry Newman

With the changing of the clocks there is a sense of conclusion and the commencement of new seasons. The first part of the Synod in Rome draws to a conclusion and Bishop Richard is now moving to the Diocesan Plan and its implementation. Liturgically, we celebrate All Saints and then the Faithful Departed – All Souls, and begin to draw Year A with the Gospel of St Luke to a conclusion prior to Advent. Not forgetting Flu Injection and Covid Boosters!

All Saints’ Day

Wednesday 1^st November. A Holy Day when we rejoice with those who have reached Heaven and have lived lives faithfully following the ways of the Lord. Mass is at 9.30am.

All Souls’ Day

Thursday 2^nd November when we offer Mass for those who have died that they may rest in peace. There are some envelopes for your November Masses you wish to be offered for your deceased family members and friends.

Blessing of Graves

Next Sunday 5^th November. Clergy from the Deanery will be at the Cemeteries of the City -Brighton 2.30pm, Hove 2pm.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am
• November 1^st All Saints. Mass 9.30am
• November 2^nd All Souls. Mass 9.30am
• Friday Weekday Mass 9.30am
• Saturday HMP Lewes Mass 8.30am

The Word of Life

The November leaflet is now available for you reflection and prayer during the month.

The Synod – The Final Week

Please click here for further details

Invited

Please click here to find our diocesan mission for the season of Advent.

Praise to God for saints and martyrs

Inspiration to us all

In the presence of our Saviour

Their example we recall,

Lives of holy contemplation

sacrifice or simple love

witnesses to truth and justice

honoured here and crowned above.

Hymn 580

“Hearts on fire. Feet on the move”. With these words Pope Francis gives the lead for World Mission Sunday. In every part of the Universal Church today is celebrated as we are reminded of solidarity with missionaries in the younger Churches developing with Schools, Clinics and Parish centres.The lived experience of the Gospel of Jesus Christ comes about through example and commitment and with persevering effort. The realisation that our own personal involvement is called for dawns gradually and Mission becomes central to who we are and what we are about. Do take time to explore the information and resources available. As someone has written, every penny, pound and prayer will help.

St Therese of Lisieux, known as a patron of the Missions, is honoured in a Letter from Pope Francis. You can read the full document here and a summary here. She is described as a Doctor of the Church – a spiritual guide with her Little Way.

Mass Schedule

• Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday Mass 10am
• Wednesday St Chad & Sr Cedd Mass 9.30am
• Friday Saints Simon & Jude Mass 9.30am
• Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass 10am

Friday Day of Prayer and Fasting For Peace In The Middle East

Pope Francis has asked us to observe Friday 27^th October as a Day of Prayer & Fasting for the Middle East at this time of tension and conflict.

Saint Vincent de Paul Society – A Request for Volunteers

Please read the message below. There will be a meeting in the hall on Wednesday for anyone interested.

Happy Half Term!

To all children, students, staff and parents!

Important and Timely Reminder

Please remember that the clocks go back one hour at 2am next Sunday the 29th October.

“Those sacred saints remain in perfect peace,
Which Christ confessed and walked in his ways,
They shine in bliss, which now shall never cease,
And to his name do sing eternal praise
Before his throne in white they ever stand
And carry palms of triumph in their hand.”

St Philip Howard in the Tower of London

The hostilities in the Holy Land have preoccupied the news each day this week and polarised opinions. Some information has reminded us of the History of the creation of Israel and the warring that has occurred as well as peace processes which have been attempted. Voices for prayer for peaceful resolutions have been raised and you can read what has been said by the Pope and Bishops here in England – above all for prayer peace and for the victims of violence.

The Synod on Synodality

The Synod enters its second week after hearing a contribution by an English Theologian, Anne Rowlands. She spoke to those present on the theme of COMMUNION . Not to be confused with Sacramental Holy Communion , but rather of unity in diversity. Please click here for more information.

Prisons Sunday

Our Bishop is the lead Bishop for Prisons and has spoken out on behalf of Catholics about the latest idea to rent out space in prisons abroad because UK Prisons are overcrowded. This last week we have been praying for the Prison Service, the men and women who staff the prisons, the families affected, the victims of crime and the prisoners,male and female. We think too of those Catholics who are volunteering and visiting prisons. The Catholic Charity called PACT, Prison Advice and Care Trust supports families and children. The Retiring Collection is for this Charity or you may wish to make a donation with your card.

Mission Sunday

Next Sunday is Mission Sunday with an opportunity to donate for the support of the Young Churches which are developing, Do read about them in the Magazine and in the envelopes which will be handed out.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Mass 10am Int for the people of the Parish
• Wednesday St Luke the Evangelist Mass 9.30am
• Friday St Philip Howard Mass 9.30am
• 29^th Sunday of Ordinary Time Mass 9.30am

St Philip Howard Pilgrimage

Arundel Cathedral Sunday 22^nd October.Pontifical Mass 3pm. See Poster

Parish Insurance

2023-24 £1752.28 Thank you for your regular offerings

No eye has seen what joys the Saints obtain,
No ear hath seen what comforts are possessed,
No heart can think in what delight they reign,
Nor pen express their happy port of rest,
Where pleasure flows and grief is never seen,
Where good abounds and ill is banished clean.

St Philip Howard (composed after imprisonment in the Tower)