Tag: catholic-church

The Baptism Of The Lord

One of the places Pilgrims visit in the Holy Land is the site where John the Baptist conducted the ritual  “dunking“ in the River Jordan with his call to repent and follow faithfully the Covenant. This is recalled in the action of Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus wants to identify with those coming to John for this ritual washing as he sets himself alongside the followers. The Gospel goes on to record Jesus being anointed by the Holy Spirit for his mission to bring the Good News.

By the Sacrament of Baptism we begin to belong the Body of Christ, the Church, becoming God’s children and we are anointed with Holy Oil to be worshipping believers sharing Christ’s life with others. Remember our identity as baptised members. An opportunity to recall where we were baptised, our God parents, the family photographs, and your baptismal candle. Do remember you are baptised and dip your hand into the Holy Water stoup on entering a Church building.

The Gift Of A Shepherd

We are now in the time where we give thanks for the Ministry oof Bishop Richard over the last 10 years. In Arundel Cathedral on Friday 30th January there will be a Mass of thanksgiving at 6.30pm followed by a reception in Arundel Castle. Note the date. Guidance on how we pray for the gift of a new Shepherd for the Diocese is now available to read

The Gift of a ShepherdDownload

Pope Leo appointed Bishop Richard as Archbishop of Westminster on Thursday 19 December. The Archbishop-elect will become the 12th Archbishop of Westminster, succeeding Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who has served in the role since 2009. On hearing of his appointment, +Richard said: 

“I am moved greatly by the trust that Pope Leo has placed in me, in appointing me to the Diocese of Westminster… Serving the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton has given me the wonderful opportunity of sharing the Church’s mission with lay faithful and clergy, and I give thanks for the many blessings of these last ten years.”

Speaking shortly after the announcement, the diocesan Chancellor, Canon Jonathan Martin said: “This is, without a doubt, a cause of great rejoicing for the Church in England and Wales, even if tinged with the sadness of loss for us in Arundel & Brighton. Bishop Richard took possession of our Diocese on the day of our fiftieth ‘birthday’ and has been our much-loved Shepherd for just over a decade.

“He has served us with unstinting generosity and good humour, brought great dignity and devotion to the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, and fostered, through his own evident love of the Sacred Scriptures, the practice of Lectio Divina that is now well-established in so many of our parishes. The greatest legacy that Bishop Richard leaves behind is the diocesan Pastoral Plan…

“It is for us to realise this beautiful vision that Bishop Richard set before us and to continue to build upon the firm foundations he established with the courage and vision [that] he will now undoubtedly take to Westminster.”

There will be a Mass of Thanksgiving for Bishop Richard’s Ministry in Arundel & Brighton at Arundel Cathedral on Friday 30 January at 6.30pm. The Mass, which will be celebrated by Archbishop-Elect Richard, will be followed by a reception in the Baron’s Hall at Arundel Castle, by kind permission of His Grace, the Duke of Norfolk. There is no need to register to attend the Mass, all are very welcome

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 11th January 10am The Baptism Of The Lord
  • Monday 12th January 8:15am St Mary’s House St Aelred of Rievaulx
  • Wednesday 14th January 9:30am
  • Friday 16th January 9:30am
  • Saturday 17th January 8:30am HMP Lewes
  • Sunday 18th January 10am Second Sunday Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time

Sunday Cycle – Year A (St Matthew’s Gospel)

Weekday Lectionary – Year 2 (because 2026 is an even year)

Praying With The Pope

Pope Leo is encouraging us to pray with Scriptures.

Do watch the short video and explanation of the Monthly intention.

Please follow this link.

The Word Of Life

The leaflet for January is now available for you to use during the days ahead. Take the Scripture Text, keep it by your side and little by little pray with it so it begins to be you.

Brighton and Hove Clergy Team Meeting

Tuesday afternoon

The End Of The Jubilee

On the feast of the Epiphany Pope Leo conclude the Jubilee Year with the closing of the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica. The theme that we are Pilgrims of hope continues in our daily practice.

Thank You

May I thank you for the Christmas offering, your personal gifts, greetings and support in so many ways. With hope for the New Year of our Lord 2026.

Fr John

O living water, refresh my soul
O living water refresh my soul
Spirit of joy, Lord of creation
Spirit of hope, Spirit of peace.

Saints Peter and Paul

These two have been in the news recently because of the happenings in Rome. The shrine of St Peter is in the Basilica of the Vatican where Pope Leo went to pray before his inauguration as the successor of St Peter. As Bishop of Rome he visited the Basilica of St Paul outside the walls. Both were martyred as witnesses to Christ.

We honour them as Founders of the Church, and they will be celebrated by the many Pilgrims of Hope during this Jubilee Year.

Bishop Richard’s Weekly Reflection

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we celebrate the solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul, I invite you all to join me in prayer for Pope Leo, that he continues to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit in his task as shepherd of the flock entrusted to him. As our Holy Father, he brings particular gifts to the Church through his experience in Peru, where he served with some of the priests of our own Diocese; his times of leadership of the Augustinian Friars, and his service in the Dicastery for Bishops.

He comes to the Petrine Office at a difficult time for the world. Let us join him in fervent prayer for peace – for which he has called so many times in these first weeks of his papacy. With him, and in the spirit of his predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, let us continue to strive for justice and promote the dignity of every person at every moment of life.  

St Peter, our first Pope, could not have imagined the steps he would be called to take in the service of the Lord. This is true of Pope Leo and, indeed, of every one of us. The life that is given to us in baptism – life lived in the love of the Holy Trinity – calls us to follow the Lord Himself, wherever he may lead us. As His disciples, we are called to learn from Him, to grow ever closer to Him, to be always faithful in our witness to Him. This is what it means to be a Pilgrim of Hope, for we journey towards the One who died and rose from the dead that we might have life – and whose first gift after the Resurrection was the gift of peace.  

As Pilgrims of Hope, may we – with Pope Leo – strive to share that gift with the world.

With every blessing,

+ Richard

Clergy In-Service

This week we have two days away together to focus on “How do we live our vocation in the parishes of the future.” Say a prayer for us.

The Pastoral Plan

At the forthcoming Council of Priests the Bishop will hear from each of the existing Deaneries with the Moderators elect of the proposed New Parishes, made up of the parish communities, before he decrees their election.

The Vision Meeting

Thank you for those who have offered to participate in the Vision making process on 10th July.

Your Questions

  1. What do you consider the mission of the one Parish will be ?
  2. What mission objectives do you consider important ?
  3.  What are your expectations for the new Parish?

Have a think and put pen to paper and return your response to the box in the Entrance.

Our Patronal Feast

Next Sunday we will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of our Church , its consecration and St Thomas More. After Mass we will have a social gathering and celebratory drink.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 29th June 10am Solemnity SS Peter and Paul
  • Monday 30th June 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Tuesday 1st July 9:30am Anniversary of Arundel Cathedral
  • Friday 4th July 9:30am St Thomas Apostle
  • Sunday 6th July 10am Patronal Feast Mass
Peter, blessed shepherd to you was entrusted the power of opening the gate of heaven,
Paul, teacher without equal, fashion our live aright and carry off our hearts with yours till faith is sole master of our hearts.