Tag: bible

Sunday of The Word of God

The third Sunday in Ordinary time is denoted as the Word of God Sunday to remind us of our use of Scripture deepening our prayer life. The prayerful reading and reflection -Lectio Divina – as it is called is recommended. There is  a new resource to help with praying the Psalms (Click here) Our Readings this Sunday are appropriate and we do begin the reading of St Luke’s Gospel -the Evangelist for 2025.

This Week

This Sunday afternoon we are invited to a gathering in St Mary’s Hall at 5pm about the future shape of Brighton and Hove as a united Parish. This is part of the journey envisaged in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan as it unfolds. Do come along to participate.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Monday is the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Continuing last week’s theme of Peace we pray for the building of peace and respect for each person.

Next Sunday

February 2nd is the day we celebrate the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and is Candlemas Day. At our Sunday Mass we will have the blessing of candles, a simple procession and Mass. It takes precedence over the texts of the 4th Sunday.

100+ Draw

After Mass, next Sunday (2nd February) coffee will be available in the Hall and a Draw will take place. Do come in to meet and socialise.

The Jubilee

As Pilgrims of hope we will hear of various opportunities. Bishop Richard is leading one to Lourdes – please click here.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 26th January 10am 3rd Sunday Ordinary Time
  • Monday 27th January 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 29th January 9:30am St Thomas Aquinas
  • Friday 31st January 9:30am St John Bosco
  • Sunday 2nd February 10am The Presentation of The Lord

Jubilee

The Jubilee was launched in our Schools last week. See the notice board.

The Diocesan Bulletin

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How I long to see you
Jesus face to face
How the heart is thirsting
Living spring of grace
Show me soon your glory
Be my great reward
Be my joy for ever
Jesus, gracious Lord.

St Thomas Aquinas no 396

Christ The King

Thy Kingdom Come

Our daily prayer reminds us of the Kingship of Christ, his kingdom which is constantly being established and the place given in our hearts to him. Christ has to present to the Father “a Kingdom of truth and life. A kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace.”

This Sunday marks the end of the Liturgical Year B, when on most Sundays we have listened to the Gospel of St. Mark. Next Sunday we commence the celebration of Advent in Year C , when the Gospel of St Luke will mainly be read.

Bishop Richard’s Weekly Message

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is fitting that, on this last Sunday in the Church’s year, we look to the Kingdom, to our destiny as children of the God who is all love. Jesus’ kingship is not of an earthly nature – He makes this very clear in His response to Pontius Pilate, that we hear proclaimed in this Sunday’s Gospel.  

Jesus exercises power that is so completely different to that exercised by Pilate. We must reflect that we, in our following of Jesus, must live in His way, not that of a world consumed by wealth, power over others, and political gain. We see power being abused so often in the world at the expense of the vulnerable. We see that which is deemed expedient, placed above the dignity that belongs to every person as a wonder of God’s creation. 

Our baptism brings with it the responsibility to live every moment of life in preparation for the wonder of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is this Kingdom – that is of a different kind – in which we are called to live, and that we are called to proclaim, bringing others to the hope that points our way to the Kingdom.

We rejoice in His Kingship and we rejoice in His death and resurrection; the victory that He has won for us – for with Him, as St Paul reminds us – we are co-heirs to the Kingdom of God.

Our world needs this message in every place and in every aspect of the human condition – most especially, at a time when so many parts of our world are torn apart by war and conflict, when the dignity of every human being is threatened, and when so many live without the hope that leads to the fullness of life. Let us proclaim this message with every greater urgency and joy.  

With every blessing,


+Richard

Opposing The Second Reading Of The Assisted Dying Bill

The cards to send off to your MP are on the table in the entrance.

Informing yourself of the issues is important. Last week we had our Bishop’s Pastoral Message and the Statement form the Bishops of the UK.

We have all been asked to make special prayer on Friday 29th November for the voting down of this Bill.

Our Friday Mass 9.30 am will have a period of adoration added until 10.30 for those able to give half an hour.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 24th November Christ the King Sunday Mass 10am
  • Monday 25th November St Mary’s House Mass 8.15am
  • Wednesday 27th November Mass 9.30am
  • Saturday 30th November HMP Lewes Mass 8.30am
  • December 1st The First Sunday of Advent Mass 10am.

The bi-weekly Newsletter of St Mary’s and St Thomas More’s is available after Mass.

Soup and Sandwich Lunch This Thursday In Our Hall 12 Noon

An opportunity to meet up. See the poster.

The Lectionary

The four volumes will be blessed next Sunday. They have distinctive covers. As liturgical books for worship they are to be treated with care and respect.


Hail Redeemer, King divine
Priest and Lamb, the throne is thine
King whose reign shall never cease
Prince of everlasting peace.

Angels, saints and nations sing
Praised be Jesus Christ our King
Lord of life, earth sky and sea
King of love on calvary

The Seventh Week Of Easter

Following the celebration of the Ascension we enter a time of inviting the Holy Spirit to come to renew us and fill us with spiritual energy to be the followers of Jesus and to understand more clearly His message – what He has done and is doing for us. The Novena days ahead encourage us to invite the Holy Spirit to remind us of His presence first gifted at Baptism, then at Confirmation and subsequently in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Anointing and the Eucharist. Just focus on the times the Holy Spirit is invoked during Mass.

Bishop Richard’s Weekly Reflection

There is no video this week but Bishop Richard’s reflection can be found here.

World Communications Day

The Sunday after the Ascension is observed as a day with communications at its heart. Pope Francis has written a letter about one aspect of social communication – “Artificial Intelligence and the wisdom of the heart. Towards a fully human Communication”. You can read the Pope’s Letter here. You can watch the video below.

There is a second collection to support the Catholic media office which provides material for the Media in this country.

Impact Of The Criminal Justice Bill

Amendments attempting to decriminalise aspects of present legislation relating to abortion will be debated further endangering life of the unborn. Do read the response of the Bishops which can be found here.

The Word Of Life Leaflet For May

This leaflet is now available to use in your prayerful reflection during the month of May. The way to use it is to reflect daily on the scripture text, to read the commentary and to make it part of your Christian attitudes and action.

Praying For Vocations To The Priesthood

During the Seventh week of Easter we remember how the Holy Spirit “has been sent for the forgiveness of sins” words of absolution and we pray for more priests who will celebrate the sacraments of healing with the living and the dying.

2025 The Year Of The Jubilee

Pope Francis has addressed the Universal Church with a Letter introducing the 2025 Jubilee, described as Bull which describes the lead seal authenticating it a document from the Pope. You can read it here. There are also photographs of him at one of the doors of St Peter’s through which pilgrims will enter the Basilica.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday May 12th Mass 10am
  • Monday May 13th St Erconwald, Abbot of Chertsey, Diocesan Proper. Mass 8.15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday May 15th St Matthias Apostle Mass 9.30am
  • Friday May 17th Ascensiontide Mass 9.30am
  • Pentecost Sunday May 19th Mass 10am

Novena To The Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful
And kindle in them the fire of your love
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be recreated
And you will renew the face of the earth.