Trinity Sunday

TRINITY SUNDAY marks the beginning of a number of feasts or Solemnities, Corpus Christi or the Body & Blood of Christ, the Sacred Heart and Saints Peter and Paul, along with the Dedication of the Cathedral and our Patronal Feast of St Thomas More on Sunday July 5th.

Celebrating the unity and diversity of God as Trinity leads to many different images used to “explain” what is meant. Apart from the shamrock leaf, there is one I came across. It begins with the sun – “look down and see its reflection, feel the heat, and enjoy its shining” – threefold effects yet one.

When we pray, just think of the many ways in which we do so in a Trinitarian way.

Magnifica Humanitas

Pope Leo’s first Encyclical Letter ‘Magnifica Humanitas – On safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence’ was published on Monday. Did you notice in how many ways AI was the subject of the media this week, Question Time as an example? It is 53 pages long, so it will appear in a few weeks’ time.

More on Magnifica Humanitas can be found on our diocesan website here and on our national website here.

Mass Schedule

Sunday 31st May 10am Trinity Sunday
Monday 1st June 8.15am St Mary’s House, St Justin
Wednesday 3rd June 9.30am St Charles Lwanga & Companions, Ugandan Martyrs
Friday 5th June 9.30am St Boniface
Sunday 7th June 10am The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ

Corpus Christi In Arundel

On Wednesday & Thursday the Carpet of Flowers will be on view in preparation for the Mass and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Castle.

The Word Of Life For July

he leaflet for your prayerful use and reflection is now available. It has a commentary on a text from Matthew’s Gospel which should be used during the month of June. Keep it handy so that you can read a section of it, pray about it and put it into practice.

Praying For The Gift Of A Shepherd

Now that his Letter has been published, Pope Leo will be informing the Apostolic Nuncio to invite someone to be the Sixth Bishop of Arundel & Brighton.

Back To School

It was a sunny half-term. Raincoats on Monday.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
All thy works shall praise thy name
in earth, and sky and sea.
Holy, Holy, Holy, merciful and mighty,
God in Three persons, Blessed Trinity.

Pentecost

The fifty days of Easter conclude with the promise of Jesus to send the Holy Spirit, the Helper—advocate, consoler, and animator—expressed in the Creed as the Lord, the giver of life, proceeding from the Father and the Son. All the words we use are active, guiding and leading us. The Acts of the Apostles reveals an outpouring of energy, change, belonging, and unity. The Catechism describes the Holy Spirit as the life of the Church; that is why we celebrate the birthday of the Church and why our invitation is for the Holy Spirit to come anew.

Mass Schedule

Sunday 24th May 10am Pentecost
Monday 25th May 8:15am St Mary’s House Mary, Mother of The Church
Wednesday 27th May 9:30am (Intention Frank Power)
Thursday 28th May 12 Midday Arundel Cathedral Jubilarians’ Mass of Jesus Christ Eternal High Priest
Friday 29th May 9:30am for the gift of a Shepherd for the Church of Arundel and Brighton
Sunday 31st May 10am Trinity Sunday

Pope Leo XIV’s First Encyclical

On Monday morning, May 25, there will be a press conference introducing the Letter on the anniversary of the encyclical Rerum Novarum, a presentation of Catholic Social Teaching by Pope Leo XIII. The new Letter is entitled Magnifica Humanitas: “On Preserving the Human Person in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” We will be able to read the text on the Vatican News site or through our website.

Half-Term

Our schools will be closed this week. Have a happy and safe time!

Our Works of Art

Moving into the church, in the far corner, we have the statue of the Madonna—Mary holding the Child Jesus. It was created by Antonio Pacitti (1924–2009). He was born in Cassino, Italy. In 1928, his father, who was in the trade union movement, was given 24 hours to leave by the local fascist movement. The family then experienced severe poverty in Glasgow.

Antonio gained a place at the Glasgow School of Art. When war broke out, he joined the Highland Light Infantry. After the war, his family moved to London, and he gained a diploma at the Slade School of Fine Art. He later became a Head of Department in Adult Education and a part-time teacher at Wormwood Scrubs. In 1964, he won a commission for the sculpture in the newly built church in Patcham. When you venerate Mary and perhaps light a candle, please do remember the artist.

Renew your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost.
Grant to your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary,
and following the lead of Peter,
she may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour:
The reign of truth and justice,
The reign of love and peace.

— Pope St. John XXIII

The Seventh Week of Easter

Invitation time

As we approach the Feast of Pentecost it is a time of promise and invitation as we await a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Before his departure into glory the risen and ascended Lord foretold the gift of the Spirit to be our Helper and Advocate along side us as the Spirit of Truth and Understanding. The days before next Sunday prepare us by prayer and waiting with the call ‘Come Holy Spirit!’ We will recall with all the active words the action of this great gift.

World Communication Sunday

Pope Leo in his message calls us to preserve human faces and voices in the way we use means of communication. “We must value artificial intelligence, in as far as it can be of benefit – but be careful not to lose our sense of our own personality and humanity.”

Bishop John Arnold, Bishop of Salford and Lead Bishop for Communications for the Bishops’ Conference, has spoken ahead of the 60th World Day of Social Communication about the opportunities and pitfalls of AI. You can hear what he has to say by playing the audio file below.

There is a second collection to support the work of communications in the Church in this country.

Mass Schedule

Sunday 17th May 10am 7th of Easter
Monday 18th May 8:15am St Mary’s House
Wednesday 20th May 9:30am St Dunstan – Julie Hilton RIP
Friday 22nd May 9:30am
Saturday 23rd May 8:30am HMP Lewes
Sunday 24th May 10am Pentecost Day

This Week

Monday. Clergy Welfare visit
Tuesday Brighton & Hove Clergy Team Meeting
Wednesday Annual Lightning Conductor inspection
Thursday City Pre- Pentecost Day of prayer for Christians
Friday Tribunal Judgement

Prayer for Vocations

In this 7^th Week we pray for more priests who will celebrate the sacraments of healing with the living and the dying.

Our Works of Art

With the Brighton Festival week underway it seemed an appropriate time to remember for history the works of Art , Fr Edward Fooks the builder of St Thomas More’s Church opened in 1963, commissioned. On entering the church there is the carved wooden statue of our Patron, St Thomas More,

Lord Chancellor and Martyr -Statesman , Scholar and Saint. On the base you will see the signature of Arthur J. J. Ayres. He was born in 1902 and died in 1985. Sculptor and teacher, noted as a distinguished carver. Studied at the Royal Academy Schools and the British School in Rome. Some of his works are held in the Bolton Art Gallery and others exist in the Tyburn Shrine to the Martyrs – a carved wooden crucifix, a statue of St Aidan of Lindisfarne in East Acton, stone works on Westminster Abbey – where his memorial service took place and the Adelphi building. An artist to research further. His wood carving was mainly in lime wood.

Come Holy Spirit, dance

Within our hearts today

Our earthbound spirits to entrance

Our mortal fears allay

And teach us to desire

All other things above

That self-consuming holy fire

The perfect gift of love.

Sixth Week of Easter

Thursday of this week marks the Ascension of the Lord. In the Nicene creed it is described as “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father” It marks the end of Jesus’ historical physical life and the beginning of a far-reaching, all pervasive presence unlimited by time or location. We who believe are given the promise that we shall one day share his glory”. There are now nine days of preparation for Pentecost.

Mass Schedule

Sunday 10th May 10am Sixth Sunday of Easter
Monday 11th May 8:15am St Mary’s House
Tuesday 12th May 9:30am Carthusian Martyrs’ Mass
Thursday 14th May 9:30am and 7pm Ascension Day – Holy Day of Obligation
Friday 15th May 9:30am
Sunday 17th May 10am Seventh Sunday of Easter

Pope LeoXIV’s First Anniversary

Please read this message from Archbishop Richard Moth

The Carthusian Martyrs

At Mass on Tuesday we will remember the courage of the monks from the London Charthouse taken to the gallows at Tyburn. It is said St Thomas More saw them being taken from the Tower to their martyrdom under Henry the eighth.

England’s remaining Charterhouse, St Hugh’s, is just up the road from Henfield to Cowfold.

The Life of Christ

Discover the wonder of Jesus’ life with an unforgettable event for all the family. The Life of Christ is a play like no other, placing you in the middle of an immersive theatre experience. Join over a hundred actors in the stunning grounds of Wintershall Estate as this magnificent story is movingly recreated with authentic detail in an epic open-air production. Watch the Wedding in Cana, the Feeding of the 5000 and the Last Supper unfold before your eyes. It’s the perfect day out for families, faith groups, theatre lovers and schools.

Tickets can be booked at https://www.wintershall.org.uk/event/life-of-christ/

World Communications Day

Next Sunday with retiring collection/ Dona card machine.

Message From The Diocesan Administrator

My dear brothers and sisters,

It’s become a regular Sunday evening ‘thing’ for me to flick through parish websites and social media platforms to get a glimpse of the life of our communities of faith. How blessed we are to be in such good company with one another in our discipleship of Jesus and in our service of the Gospel. I recently spent a week in Rome with the Bishops of England and Wales, amongst whom there was much talk of, and encouraging interest in our Diocesan Pastoral Plan. I know that, across the Diocese, you are working closely with your priests and deacons to help realise the beautiful vision Bishop (Archbishop) Richard set out for us in ’The Word Who is Life’.

I pray for you all daily. I’m especially mindful of the people of the parishes in which I have been privileged to serve; of the specific needs, sorrows, and joys marking the life of our parish communities in any given week; and of those whose names appear in your newsletters by reason of receiving the Sacraments, or in sickness or bereavement, and the souls of those of our number who have died. All of these prayers I gather together in the Mass I am asked to offer each Sunday ‘for all the people of the Diocese’. Please pray for me; and keep praying, each day, for the election of a new Bishop for our Diocese.

God bless you all.

Father Jonathan Martin

Diocesan Administrator

Prayer For Vocations

During the Month of May keep up our prayers for vocations to Priesthood.

His glory still praising

On thrice holy ground

The apostles still gazing

His mother around

With hearts that beat faster

With eyes full of love

they watched while their

Master ascended above.

No. 493 Venerable Bede

The Fifth Week Of Lent

We move ever closer to Holy Week marked by the praying of the Preface of the Passion of the Lord -“For the days of his saving Passion and glorious Resurrection are approaching, by which the pride of the ancient foe is vanquished and the mystery of our redemption in Christ is celebrated”. As the last days of our Lenten journey unfold we renew the resolutions and consider the effects of our prayer, self-denial and generosity and enter into the days of remembrance and celebration of the significant events as Jesus completes his ministry.

Mass Schedule

Sunday 22nd March 10am 5th Sunday of Lent
Monday 23rd March 8:15am St Mary’s House
Wednesday 25th March The Annunciation of The Lord 9:30am
Friday 27th March 9:30am
Saturday 28th March 8:30am HMP Lewes
Sunday 29th March 10am Passion of The Lord

Clocks Go Forward One Hour

Next Sunday (29th March) the clocks will go forward one hour. So, remember British Summer Time will be in place.

Church Cleaning On Saturday

Next Saturday you are invited to help clean the Church between 10am and 12 noon. Be proud of St Thomas More’s !

The Sacrament of Reconciliation With Individual Confession

As part of our Lenten practice there will be the following:

Tuesday Evening in St Mary’s 7-8pm preceded by Adoration from 6pm
Friday St Joseph’s Elm Grove 6.45pm
At St Thomas More’s by arrangement

Holy Week

Sunday 29th March Palm Sunday 10am Blessing of the Palms, procession and Mass
Thursday 2nd April 7pm Maundy Thursday Mass of The Lord’s Supper
Friday 3rd April Good Friday 10am Way of The Cross
Friday 3rd April Good Friday 3pm Liturgy of The Lord’s Passion
Saturday 4th April Holy Saturday Easter Vigil 7pm
Sunday 5th April Easter Sunday 10am Mass

Walk of Witness

On Good Friday Morning there will be a walk of Christians from the Communities around the City from the Indian Gate via North Street to St Nicholas’ Church. See details on the poster.

The Parish of Brighton and Hove Meeting

Last Thursday’s meeting brought together members of the Communities which constitute the new Parish. There was discussion about how there might be a renewal of our communities , “ to form a parish where every baptised person knows their unique vocation and participates fully and joyfully in Christ’s mission There was a sharing of experiences which are helping to develop a more lively sense of discipleship and belonging. After Easter it is hoped to have more frequent gatherings after Mass with coffees, teas and home made cake! The ideas and comment sheets will be displayed after Easter

Reclaiming Humanity

This Sunday afternoon at St John the Baptist’s. Exploring Catholic Social Teaching with Fr Toby Lees OP. See Noticeboard.

Clergy Team Meeting

Tuesday 3pm

Bless the Lord my soul
And bless God’s holy name
Bless the Lord my soul
And lead me into life.

The Fourth Week Of Lent

This commences with Sunday called “Rejoicing Sunday” – is it because we have reached the half way point of Lent? Realistically, it is about being people of the light, perceiving Christ as the light, the guide -“light from light ” – The Nicene Creed. Our days are being filled with light with longer hours as we head towards Summer Time and to the experience of Easter.

This Sunday is one when mothers will be foremost in our minds, as with grandmothers they are thanked. There is another feature of calling it, in olden times as “mothering Sunday”, originally when servants were enabled to attend church – returning to “Mother Church”.

Mass Schedule

Sunday 15th March 10am 4th Sunday of Lent
Monday 16th March 8:15am St Mary’s House
Tuesday 17th March 9:30am St Patrick’s Day
Wednesday 18th March 9:30am
Thursday 19th March 9:30am St Joseph’s Day
Friday 20th March 7pm
Sunday 22nd March 10am 5th Sunday of Lent

This Week’s Feasts

The Lenten pattern is broken with the feasts of St Patrick, patron of Ireland and St Joseph, husband of Mary. The Gloria will be prayed on those days.

Mission Council Meeting

Thursday evening at 7:15pm there will be a meeting of the communities of the Parish of B&H to explore the idea of Mission and Discipleship in the light of the Mission Statement. It will be in St Bernadette’s Hall with parking at the back. If you are free and interested have a word with Fr John.

Reconciliation Services

Friday 27th March in St Joseph’s 6:45pm with a number of priest confessors

Thursday St Bernadette’s School 1:20pm Years 4-6.

CAFOD

Thank you for your donations. The wall box in the entrance may be used for your Lenten almsgiving.

Prayer For Peace

Do watch the video of Pope Leo praying for peace.

Christ be in me, Christ be beneath me, Christ be above me,
Christ be on my left, Christ be on my right, Christ be in the heart of everyone
Who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.

From St. Patrick's Breastplate

The Second Week Of Lent

Encouraging transformation

Always on the Second Sunday of Lent there is a Gospel account of the Transfiguration of Jesus. It is a moment before what would seem to be devastating that Jesus anticipates the Resurrection by letting his glory be seen. It shows the disciples that what he had told them about his forthcoming Passion would lead to his victory. ‘Be prepared!’ is his advice to them – as it is for us.

Our Diocesan Administrator

Canon Jonathan Martin has been elected as Diocesan Administrator while the process of appointing a Bishop for the Diocese gets underway. He has explained this in a short video. Please remember him in prayer.

The Lent Fast

The Catholic Agency for Overseas’ Development, CAFOD invite us to fast this Friday and make a donation to support their work. There are some fundraising envelopes for your giving – do not be put off by the insert –

It may be easier to make a donation with your card or pop it in the wall box in the entrance. This is one way to practise almsgiving.

Lent and Ramadan

Bishop Patrick McKinney, the Lead Bishop for Interreligious Dialogue for the Bishops’ Conference, has welcomed a Vatican message to Muslims on the occasion of the month of Ramadan and for the feast of Id al-Fitr.

Followers of both religions find themselves fasting and praying at this time:

Follow this link to read more…

Mass Schedule

Sunday 1st March 10am 2nd of Lent
Monday 2nd March 8:15am St Mary’s House
Wednesday 4th March 9:00am – N.B. change of time
Friday 6th March 7pm N.B. change of time
Saturday 7th March 8:30am HMP Lewes
Sunday 8th March 10am 3rd of Lent

The Word Of Life

Follow up on the call to prayer by using the leaflet to reflect on the verse of Scripture and to live it out. You may also like to use one of the daily readings available if you scroll down useful websites.

The Way Of The Cross

You may wish to walk the Way, stopping in front of the stations to reflect on what it says to you. There are fourteen and the fifteenth is in the Blessed Sacrament chapel.

St David Patron Of Wales

The Prince & Princess of Wales as we saw on the news visited the country wearing Daffodils on their coats – 2 days early. Because of the Lenten Sunday his Feast day is not being observed on March 1^st this year.

"Be joyful and keep your faith!' 
St David

The First Week Of Lent

The Forty Days

One description of Lent along with the forty fast days. It is the journey to Easter when the three practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving are encouraged to help us through the days ahead. Pope Leo in his message to us writes of Lent as a time of conversion, a time to find renewal in our faith and placing God back in our lives. He emphasises listening as making room for the word to enter into a relationship with God. Then he opens up the meaning of fasting in five ways which may surprise us and make us think.

When we hear the word ‘fasting’ we think firstly of limiting what we eat, measuring out how much on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, but he goes further and says this act of penance is to cause hunger when spiritually our souls reach out to others. He then reflects on words reminding us to refrain from unkind words, slander, not repeating gossip, rather words of hope and peace. Then screens which withdraw attention on those around, withdrawing us from being present to others, absorbing attention – be it phones, tablets, or TV

Then refraining from complaints, negativity, rehearsing grievances and murmuring. Fifthly, he focuses on indifference , not listening to the challenges, looking away, and maybe unheeding to the call for generosity where possible for Lenten alms and charitable causes.

Pope Leo does make us think.

Lent Weekday Masses

You may not have time for a 9.30am Mass so on Fridays let’s try a 7pm Evening Mass to give more of you the chance to make it as part of your prayer during Lent. A reminder too that every Friday is a day of abstinence or refraining.

The Diocesan Administrator

Canon Jonathan Martin has been elected Diocesan Administrator. You can read more about this appointment here.

Archbishop Richard Moth

Some of you watched the Installation from Westminster Cathedral and the Service is available on Youtube channels.

An account can be seen here

Do look at the photographs (124 of them) and see if you can recognise anyone from the are – Canon David our Moderator, Fr Benny and so on.

One notable moment was when the Archbishop was going around the Cathedral and he stopped to pray at the tomb of Cardinal Cormac.

The Mass Schedule

Sunday 22nd February 10am 1st Sunday of Lent
Monday 23rd February 8:15am St Mary’s House
Wednesday 25th February 9:30am
Friday 27th February 7pm NB change of time
Sunday 1st March 10am 2nd of Lent

Day of Recollection

Clergy Day of Recollection Worth Abbey Tuesday
B&H Clergy Tean meeting Tuesday

Monks In The City

Do have a look at the Posters on the noticeboard.

The Lourdes Pilgrimage

Booking now underway. Have a word for information.

A Bidding Prayer From The Installation

“We pray for the priests and people of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton that they will soon be given a new Bishop and that the work initiated by Archbishop Richard will continue to bear a rich harvest.”

Fifth Week In Ordinary Time

A varied week ahead , commencing with the day on human trafficking, then (for school governors) a zoom session on Prevent. Wednesday takes us to Lourdes with the promise of a summer pilgrimage and then to Westminster for Friday pre-installation Vespers and to the Mass of Installation of Bishop Richard as the Archbishop of Westminster – and Lent begins next Wednesday (18th February).

Sunday 8th February – Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking.

Sr Josephine Bakhita is named as the Saint for the victims , having been trafficked herself. Cardinal Vincent heads up the St Martha’s group bringing the issue to international attention. More details can be found here.

February 11th The Feast Of Our Lady Of Lourdes

Celebrating the first vision Bernadette had of Mary and the response to the call to come on pilgrimage. Please take an envelope if you can make a gift to assist the unwell and frail. A special day at St Bernadette’s because of our connection with Sisters of Nevers who ran the Lourdes Convent on the site.
It is also the Day for the Sick and Pope Leo has sent us a letter.

Visit Lourdes day or night by clicking here.

Bishop Richard’s Thanksgiving Mass Arundel Cathedral

Whether you were part of the overflowing congregation or a virtual participant last Friday it was a grand celebration of thanksgiving for his eleven years as our Bishop. You can read what he said here and also a tribute on behalf of the Diocese by the Chancellor, Canon Jonathan Martin.

Celebrations In Westminster

We can join in two parts – Friday – Solemn Vespers and Saturday the Installation of the Archbishop of Westminster 12 noon. Details of how to follow these events can be found here.

Mass Schedule

Sunday 8th February 10am 5th Sunday Ordinary Time
Monday 9th February 8:15am St Mary’s House
Wednesday 11th February 9:30am Our Lady of Lourdes Day of The Sick
Friday 13th February 9:30am
Saturday 14th February 9:30am HMP Lewes
Sunday 15th February 10am 6th Sunday Ordinary Time

Ash Wednesday Masses

Wednesday 18th February 9:30am
Wednesday 18th February 7pm

Electrical Inspections and PAT Testing

Five Year test. Church, Hall, Priest’s House. Part of the Diocesan Health & Safety requirement.

“Oh, yes my Jesus. From now on, be my all and my life. I shall follow you wherever you go…
Come my soul,  courage. One more day to follow Jesus and Mary and climb to Calvary….
And then with Jesus and Mary, happiness, joy, eternity. “
St Bernadette.

The Third Week In Ordinary Time

Word Of God Sunday

It was Pope Francis who introduced the theme for the 3^rd Sunday in Ordinary time, as a reminder to celebrate and appreciate the Word of God in scripture. This year we are reminded that “the word of Christ dwells among us” and can take up residence in our thoughts, attitudes, and guiding principles. Our monthly leaflet the Word of Life is one way for this to happen by giving a simple commentary on a text of scripture for us to mull over and let it sink in. For example, has this month’s text helped us with the desire to pray and work for unity? Some of our Readers or Proclaimers of the Word have been able to attend a Saturday with Bishop Richard reflecting on the spirituality of the Word in Scripture.

As an exercise in some education about the Scriptures here is a link to the teaching of Vatican 2.

In Thanksgiving For The Ministry Of Bishop Richard

On this Friday (30th January) evening in Arundel Cathedral there will be a Thanksgiving Mass with Bishop Richard at 6.30pm to which everyone is invited. If you cannot travel, you can participate on your phone, tablet or other device by live streaming remembering his teaching and pastoral planning. We will recall his frequent encouragement to practise Lectio Divina – the prayerful reading and reflection on Scripture.

Mass Schedule

Sunday 25th January 10am (3rd Sunday OT)
Monday 26th January 8:15am St Mary’s House (Ss Timothy and Titus)
Wednesday 28th January 9:30am (St Thomas Aquinas)
Friday 30th January 9:30am
Sunday 1st February 10am (4th Sunday OT)

The Parish Of Brighton and Hove

Meeting Thursday 29^th January In St Bernadette’s Hall 7.15 to consider the mission. STM will have a table.

The Diocesan Pilgrimage To Lourdes

24^TH – 30^TH JULY. Applications are now open. For further information and prices visit www.abdiocese.org.uk/lourdes To support frail, sick or disabled Pilgrims applications are invited from nurses, doctors, and health professionals. Helpers and Young People are essential.

On Sunday February 8^th there will be a Second Collection. Purple envelopes may be used along with Pilgrimage envelopes.

Do also read Bishop Richard’s letter.

Come, adore this wondrous presence,
bow to Christ, the source of grace
here is kept the ancient promise
of God’s earthly dwelling place
sight is blind before God’s presence,
faith alone may see his face.
            
St Thomas Aquinas (Tantum ergo)