Tag: christianity

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.

The Third Week Of Advent

“In the pink” A possibility where there is a chasuble in that colour or nearby rose. The sign that the third Sunday of Advent also known as Rejoice Sunday marks the fact that our joyful expectation moves us ever closer to the Nativity. John the Baptist who last week was reminding us to review our lives (repent is the way he put it) this week checks out the identity of the one who reveals the work of the Messiah. On Wednesday December 17th we begin the countdown of “Greater Advent “. In the Mass and the Office, we begin using a form of invitation when we recall the titles of the expected one. These are also contained in the Advent Hymn – “O come, O come and Rejoice”. Make the most of the remaining days of Advent with a sense of patient waiting.

Bishop Richard’s Weekly Reflection

Dear brothers and sisters,

This Sunday finds us celebrating Gaudete Sunday – Rejoicing Sunday – taking its name from the first word of the Entrance Antiphon at Mass: Rejoice. The vestment colour changes to Rose, a sign that we are at a mid-point in the Season of Advent. We rejoice that the coming of the Lord is near.
 
The readings speak of waiting in patience. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of John the Baptist as the greatest person born of woman. Yet He compares John to the least in the Kingdom of heaven – we wait in patience for the coming of the Kingdom. Isaiah speaks of the promise of God’s coming and the need for us to be ready – but patience is needed, for the Lord has not yet come.
 
James, in his letter, calls plainly for patience. His words reflect Isaiah – we must be ready for the coming of the Lord and be patient until He comes again.
 
We live in a world where so many expect instantaneous results. The world seems, perhaps, to move faster – and there are many in our communities, our homes, who feel the pain of isolation. Like those to whom James writes, we need to learn the patience of the farmer, who must wait for the rain, the sun and the results of the crop. 
 
As Jesus’ followers, we have an opportunity for a particular witness to the world – a certain slowing of pace that is the witness of patient and joyful waiting. Spending time in prayer, living the rhythm of the seasons of the Church’s year, reflecting on the Scriptures and giving time to our brothers and sisters. Such life prepares us for the coming of the Kingdom of God and will enable us to truly celebrate the feast of the Lord’s birth.
 
With every blessing,

+ Richard

Carol Service

Come along on Sunday Evening (14th December) to St Mary’s at 7pm. Enjoy, listen and sing. Refreshments in the Hall. Donations for the roof fund.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 14th December 10am 3rd Sunday of Advent
  • Monday 15th December 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 17th December 9:30am
  • Wednesday 17th December 12pm Requiem Mass for John Glasheen RIP
  • Friday 19th December 9:30am
  • Sunday 21st December 10am 4th Sunday of Advent

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

  • St Thomas More Saturday 12 noon
  • St Mary’s Saturday 5:15pm – 5:45pm
  • St Joseph’s Saturday 11am to 11:45am
  • Sacred Heart Saturday 5:15pm – 5:45pm
  • Sacred Heart Sunday 21st December 3pm – four priests will be available to hear confession

The Assisted Suicide Bill

This is with the House of Lords. Have your say. 

Unlike MPs, Members of the House of Lords do not have constituents, meaning there is not a Peer whose job it is to represent you based on the area of the country in which you live.

For this reason you should take some time to think about which Peer you will write to and why – such as whether you have a personal or professional connection with them, or you have professional expertise in medicine or healthcare. If you know a former MP for your constituency has been elevated to the House of Lords they may be interested in hearing from you. Click here to continue.

Herald of the joyful tidings
Stand upon the mountain high
Lift your voice, O be not frightened
Bravely raise the Gospel cry.
God himself will come to save us
From our grave iniquities
Soon our longing eyes will see him
Jesus, Saviour Prince of peace.

The Second Week of Advent

The progression of Advent moves on and in this second week, John the Baptist comes on the scene. He has a definite call about a change of direction, an assessment of how we reflect Christ’s ways and will. We do that by taking time to review our consciences – the capacity we have to judge right or wrong. Described like Lent as a penitential season, it provides an opportunity for us to see whether our values are in tune with the kingship of God.

Advent Calendar

Just a week late ! Here is a link to an Advent Calendar with a religious character. It is called a Wave of Hope, picking up on the Jubilee of Hope.Our Bishop provides one item for December 3rd. You can find 25 contributions here.

The Immaculate Conception of Mary

On Monday 8th December we celebrate Mary’s being chosen from her conception to become the mother of the long-awaited Saviour. For those who love the Pilgrimage to Lourdes and St Bernadette, this is a special day to pray the rosary, or to come to the 9.30 Mass and even to visit the Grotto of Lourdes by going to this link.

Bishop Richard’s Weekly Message

Dear brothers and sisters,

The Prophet Isaiah, writing some 800 years before the birth of Jesus, looks forward to a time when there will be peace and justice. His prophecy, which we hear in today’s first reading, speaks of openness to those gifts that we now recognise as the gifts of the Spirit, of mercy and justice for those who are oppressed, of total harmony for all of creation. 

In the Gospel this weekend, we find the last of all the prophets – John the Baptist – speaking out against the oppressors of his day and warning them of the coming of the Messiah, the Christ, whose message St Paul preaches to the Romans in a way that reflects the prophecy of Isaiah – for Christ has come that all may live in harmony.

At a time in our own history when we see so clearly that this message of peace and justice, of harmony between peoples and across the whole of creation – itself, God’s gift to us – is in peril, let us pray fervently for a renewed openness to the gift of peace. Let us pray for the recognition of the dignity of every person, especially on the part of all those in positions of power. May the world hear the warnings of John the Baptist and be open to the gifts of the Spirit and the peace that is Jesus’ gift to us.


With every blessing,

+ Richard

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 7th December 10am
  • Monday 8th December (The Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary) 8:15am St Mary’s House, 9:30am (STM)
  • Wednesday 10th December 9:30am
  • Friday 12th December 9:30am
  • Sunday 14th December (3rd Sunday of Advent) 10am

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

  • Wednesday 10th December 10:50am St Bernadette’s School (Years 4-6)
  • Friday 12th December 12:30pm – 1:30pm Cardinal Newman Catholic School
  • Saturday 13th December 12 noon to 12:30pm St Thomas More’s Church (Other times by arrangement)

Carol Service Sunday 14th December 7pm, St Mary’s Church

 Donations welcomed for St Mary’s Church roof fund. Refreshments in the Hall.

Sunday Missals

Do have a word if you wish to purchase either a Missal of Years A, B, and C or just a copy for Year A.

Requiem Mass

For Susan Cook RIP on Friday December 19th in St Mary’s 1.30pm

Prepare the way for the Lord
Make a straight path for God
Prepare the way for the lord
Wait for the Lord whose day is near.
Wait for the Lord; keep watch take heart.

The First Sunday Of Advent

The countdown to the Solemnity ahead has a last commenced- four weeks which follow a pattern.

The first is about the final coming of Christ, the second prepares a community of repentance, the third is the task of John the Baptist to point out Jesus as the Messiah and on the fourth we have Mary preparing for the birth of her Son.

In the Lectionary we move to Year A when the evangelist is Matthew who has his own way of recording the events of the life of Jesus.

Advent is a time of preparing for the birth of Jesus and that will be our focus. Like Lent, Advent is a time when it appropriate to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with individual confession. There will be a number of celebrations which will be planned in the next few weeks with a choice of confessors.

Bishop Richard’s Weekly Reflection

Dear brothers and sisters,

This Sunday sees the Church begin a new Liturgical Year. The First Sunday of Advent heralds a time of preparation for our celebration of the Lord’s birth. It is, also, a “season of two parts.” We begin with a focus on the coming Kingdom of God. The second part, beginning on 17th December, provides a more intense preparation for Christmas.

In this first part of Advent, we reflect on our hope in the coming Kingdom. This carries a particular resonance this year, perhaps, as we enter the final month of the Jubilee Year of Hope. 

Advent calls us to be open to the gift of hope. Hope is a virtue. Hope is a gift. It is a mark of the Christian, for our lives are a preparation for the coming of the Lord. We proclaim, every time we profess our faith in the Creed: “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” The Christian life looks forward all the time – in hope – to the wonder of the experience of total love in the Kingdom of the Father. This hope must inform our actions, our encounters with others, our words, our prayer. It is this hope that enables us to live our Christian life, sometimes in the face of opposition and not without suffering and difficulty, here and now – to be Christ’s people each and every day, as we await His coming.

May this season be a time of renewed hope for us all, bringing us to be ever more effective in the work of mission that the Lord has given to us as beacons of hope, witnesses to the coming Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

With every blessing,

+ Richard

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 30th November 10am Advent 1
  • Monday 1st December 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 3rd December 9:30am St Francis Xavier
  • Friday 5th December 9:30am
  • Saturday 6th December 8:30am HMP Lewes
  • Sunday 7th December 10am Advent 2

The Word Of Life

The word of the Scriptures are valuable during the season for reflection.

The December Word of Life leaflet is available on the table in the porch for you.

Pope Leo’s Visit To Turkey To Meet The Orthodox Patriarch

Before setting out he published a letter celebrating the 1700 anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. You can read more about this by following this link.

Bishop Richard’s Comment On The Lifting Of The Two Child Benefits Cap

Bishop Richard Moth, Chair of the Department for Social Justice for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has welcomed the government’s decision to scrap the two-child cap on Universal Credit payments. Bishop Richard Moth, Chair of the Department for Social Justice for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has welcomed the government’s decision to scrap the two-child cap on Universal Credit payments.

More can be found .

Last Sunday’s Gathering

Thank you for meeting up and especially to James who introduced the Vision & Mission Statement and to those who looked after the refreshments and provided goodies.

Seeking God in prayer – Growing together in faith – Reaching out in love

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.

Thirty-fourth Week In Ordinary Time. The Solemnity Of Christ The King

The liturgical year concludes with the solemnity of Christ the King. A title which reminds us of our allegiance to him as believers. It was in our mother’s arms that the moment of our being anointed with Chrism that the words “as Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet and King , so may you live always as a member of his body” were spoken. You will, of course, recall the positioning of screens for the anointing with oil of King Charles. This was followed by Prince William promising to be his liege servant. Reflect on the relationship we have as baptised and anointed members.

Bishop Richard’s Weekly Reflection

Dear brothers and sisters,

The feast we celebrate this Sunday was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 – the 16th Centenary of the Council of Nicaea when the definition of Christ being consubstantial with the Father was made – an anniversary that the Church has been keeping again this year. 

Jesus is our King – the word Christ means ‘the anointed one’ – and we are all called to share in His Kingship. Indeed, we are reminded of this at our baptism when we are anointed with Chrism in a prayer that speaks of our sharing in His Kingship. 

In an age when there are so many challenges to the Christian Way, challenges to the Kingship of Christ, it is good for us to be able to celebrate this feast, for it reminds us of who we are, and it speaks of our destiny as the children of God. 

Jesus, sprung from the race of David – who had been anointed by Samuel for his role as king – fulfils the Father’s plan. We read of this in today’s second reading. All is brought to fulfilment in the One who died on the Cross and rose from the dead; Christ who is the Word of God, Who existed before all things and in Whom all is created. We are His body; He is the head. He is King. 

The Gospel this Sunday speaks of that destiny in a most powerful way. Jesus tells the thief who recognises the Lord’s goodness: “today, you will be with me in paradise.” These are words we must all wish to hear, for when we do we have confirmation of our destiny, we know we shall share in the life of the Anointed One, Christ our King – that we shall live the fullness of what it means to be His. 

With every blessing,

+ Richard

Community Gathering

After Mass this Sunday an opportunity to meet up and hear about the Vision for the Parish of Brighton and Hove and our place in it.

Participation

There are some information videos from the Central Diocesan Offices about Finance and Health and Safety you may find informative.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 23rd November 10am Christ the King
  • Monday 24th November 8:15am St Mary’s House The Martyrs of Vietnam
  • Wednesday 26th November 9:30am Susan Cook RIP
  • Friday 28th November 9:30am The Holy Souls
  • Saturday 29th November 8:15am HMP Lewes
  • Sunday 30th November 10am 1st Sunday of Advent

School Admissions

A reminder of the necessity to do two things – 1 complete B&H council form 2 Complete the School SIF with Certificate of Baptism.

Advent Retreat Day

Saturday 6th December based at St John the Baptist, Kemp Town. Book with monksinthecity@worth.org.uk See poster.

Inauguration Of Two Surrey Areas

In the next few days the Bishop will inaugurate the Parish of Guildford and the Parish of Weybridge, just like B&H, gatherings of the existing parish communities.

Advent Sacrament Of Reconciliation

Like Lent this is a season when we should avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation with individual confession: STM Saturday 11.30-12noon. St Mary’s Sats 5.15-5.45pm. As always by arrangement 01273 563017.

Christ is King, Let joy and gladness
Greet him let his courts resound
With the praise of faithful subjects
To his love in honour bound.

The Dedication Of The Lateran Basilica

Of the four basilicas in Rome this is the most important, being the Pope’s cathedral as Bishop of Rome. The name originates form the  Lateran family which owned the land and that the Emperor Constantine bought from them. On the front of the present building there are fifteen colossal statues of Christ, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist and twelve Doctors of the Church. It is said that its title has changed during the centuries from St Saviour’s to St John and they could not decide which John so they included the two.

Its dedication is celebrated as a feast because it is regarded as the mother of all churches, the parish church of all Catholics.

Bishop Richard’s Weekly Message

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

For many of us, when we think of Rome, we think of St Peter’s Basilica. In a Jubilee Year such as this, the entry through the Holy Door of St Peter’s is a high point of any pilgrimage. It is from the Apostolic Palace, next to St Peter’s, that the Holy Father makes his Angelus addresses and it is there that the public audiences take place, as well as significant celebrations in the life of the Church: canonisations, the inaugurations of new popes and the requiem Masses for deceased popes.

Yet it is the Lateran Basilica, built originally by the Emperor Constantine, that is described as “the mother and head of all the churches of the City and the World.” It is the Cathedral Church of Rome, and popes lived in the Lateran Palace for hundreds of years. It is the Pope’s Cathedral, for he is the Bishop of Rome.

It is for this reason that the whole Church celebrates this feast. It is a celebration of our unity with the Holy Father, the successor of St Peter. 

This Sunday’s first reading, the vision of Ezekiel of the Temple in Jerusalem, speaks of the water that flows from the Temple bringing life to the desert. So it is for the Church. The waters of baptism – in which, as St Paul tells us, we die and rise with the new life of Christ – bring us to live our lives in the love that exists in the Trinity, as members of Christ’s Church.

The celebration of the dedication of any Church is a reminder, as St Paul tells us in this Sunday’s second reading, that the Church is made of the living stones of the baptised. We are the Church, called to reflect the wonder of the Gospel to the world around us. This is the mission that we have been given through our baptism – the mission that calls others to share in the wonder of the Church’s life, the life of Christ.

The Lateran Basilica, the “mother of all the churches” stands as a witness to the world and a reminder to us, who are the living stones, of the mission to which we are called, in union with Pope Leo, the successor of Peter.

With every blessing,

+Richard

Remembrance Sunday

Having celebrated the 80th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War earlier in the year, memories have been refreshed. In the nation there are occasions of remembrance, in moments of silence, parades, assemblies and in prayer for those who have died in wars and armed conflict – it is an opportunity too to be as the Beatitudes reminded us – Peacemakers. At this moment there are parts of the world where violence and destruction continue. Pope Leo reminds us to pray for peace.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 9th November 10am Dedication of St John Lateran and Remembrance Sunday
  • Monday 10th November 8:15am St Leo the Great St Mary’s House
  • Tuesday 11th November 11am Requiem Mass for deceased clergy who have served the churches of Brighton and Hove
  • Wednesday 12th November 9:30am St Josaphat
  • Friday 14th November 9:30am
  • Saturday 15th November 8:30am HMP Lewes
  • Sunday 16th November 10am

Blessing of Graves

Sunday afternoon from 2:30pm – prayers of Remembrance. Pause at the military graves.

Barbara Hatton RIP

The Funeral Service will be at Woodvale North Chapel at 2pm this Friday the 14th November. Remember David in your prayers.

Get Together. Catch Up. Information

Do gather in our hall on Sunday 23rd. Christ the King Sunday. Offers of help and nibbles welcomed, teas and coffees.

So long thy power
Hath  blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen
O'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn
Those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, 
and lost awhile.

St John Henry Newman


The Thirty First Week In Ordinary Time

Another unusual peculiarity of the 2025 Calendar. The solemnity of All Saints is a Holyday of Obligation but like other such Days in England if it falls on a Saturday or Monday it is transferred to Sunday – which is always a Holy Day of Obligation. So we will celebrate All Saints on Sunday and as a result All Souls (The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed) is moved to Monday.

Bishop Richard’s Weekly Reflection

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

This Sunday we celebrate the beautiful feast of All Saints. This day reflects the full wonder of the family of the Church. Throughout the year, we celebrate the feasts of those who, through canonization, are set before us as examples, teachers and guides – those who through their martyrdom, their teaching, the witness of their lives inspire us on our pilgrim journey. We seek their intercession in our need. 

Today we remember the countless numbers of people – “a huge number, impossible to count, from every nation, race tribe and language” as St John described them in today’s first reading, who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. They are our family members, our friends, fellow parishioners, people we have known and loved, people we have never known. They too, like the canonized saints, pray for us. They have attained the destiny that the Lord won for us through His passion, death and resurrection – that live in the love of God in its completeness for all eternity.

In the second reading, the same John who wrote the Apocalypse – this time in his first letter – offers us this wonderful hope: “What we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is that when it is revealed we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he really is.” To know God in his fullness, to be LIKE Him – this is the hope of a love beyond anything we could possibly know in this life, for it is completeness, wholeness, peace and utter joy.

St John also reminds us in the letter that we must, in this life, prepare ourselves for this destiny-beyond-description. The beatitudes of today’s Gospel provide a sure guide for our pilgrim journey. Reflect on these words of Jesus: poverty of spirit, gentleness, acceptance of sadness, desire for all that is right, mercy, purity, striving for peace, acceptance of persecution and difficulty on account of our following of Him. This the way we are called to follow.

Let us rejoice, then, in all those who share the wonder of heaven and, enriched by the gift of hope, follow the way that leads to life. Let us become a community of saints.  

With every blessing,

+Richard

The Month of November

By custom during this month we remember our deceased Family members and Friends in a number of ways –

Recalling what they meant for us and how we grieved their loss, visiting their graves if possible, having a Mass offered for them, attending the blessing of graves on Sunday 9th November in the cemeteries of Brighton and Hove at 2.30pm.

Envelopes for Mass Intentions are on the table in the Entrance.

If you can listen to Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius , Faure’s’ Requiem or other composers’ settings of the Requiem.

The November Word of Life

The monthly leaflet to accompany you in your prayer is now in the Entrance for you to pick up.

The Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 2nd November 10am The Solemnity of All Saints
  • Monday 3rd November The Solemnity of All Souls 8:15am St Mary’s House, 9:30am Saint Thomas More
  • Wednesday 5th November 9:30am
  • Friday 7th November 9:30am
  • Saturday 8th November 8:30am HMP Lewes
  • Sunday 9th November The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (St John’s)

This Week

  • Monday 3rd November Diocesan health and safety visit
  • Tuesday 4th November Brighton and Hove clergy meeting
  • Thursday 6th November Clergy safeguarding training at AMEX stadium 9am to 4pm
  • Friday 7th November (PM) St Bernadette’s planning

Next Week Brighton and Hove Parish

  • Requiem for deceased clergy who have served the area
  • Tuesday 11th November Mass at 10:55am to include the National Minute’s Silence at St Thomas More’s Church. All welcome

Noticeboard

Do check this for details of forthcoming events

St John Henry Newman, Doctor of The Church

Pope Leo declared St John Henry Newman the 38th Doctor of the Church on Saturday 1st November. It coincides with the Jubilee Celebration of Catholic Education and the publication of the Pope’s second Letter for the occasion.

You can read more about this here. 

Lead kindly light amid  the 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.

Parish Weekly

  • Seeking God in prayer
  • Growing together in faith
  • Reaching out in love

Calendars

Now is the time to find your 2026 diary or calendar so you know what date it is and what to plan. This comes to mind in that I have two hospital appointments – one in March and the other in August ! It may feel rather like the irritation some of you may have felt in that suddenly last Sunday was not the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time but the Solemnity of St Philip Howard. Similar moments are ahead. So a little explanation. There is a) The General Calendar of the Church b) The national calendar for England and Wales and c) The Diocesan Calendar for A&B – sometimes called the Propers. They regulate which feasts are to be observed, which ones take precedence or are transferred. This is where the annual Diocesan Directory provides guidance in the section Ordo for Liturgical Celebrations. Do ask if you want further information.

Bishop Richard’s Message

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Jesus’ parable that forms this Sunday’s Gospel reading teaches us on a number of levels. The first is that of prayer. The prayer of the tax collector has become what is often referred to as the “Jesus Prayer”, it is a text used especially, but not exclusively, in the Orthodox Church and, in its simplicity, enables us to place ourselves before the Lord as we truly are – sinners in need of mercy, conscious that the love of the Lord means He wants nothing more than for us to be totally His.  

The way in which the Pharisee presents himself is, in fact, not faithful to reality. He looks at himself in a way that is full of pride and compares himself to others, rather than being open to the relationship with God that is the focus for true prayer.

Prayer must always be honest. There is no need to be anything but honest, because God knows us better than we know ourselves. Why try to be someone else?  

Truthfulness and humility are deeply related. Michael Casey, the Australian Cistercian Monk and writer of a number of books, describes humility as “Truthful Living.” This is, surely, a very helpful reflection. In the parable, the tax collector is truthful about himself, honest before God. Our prayer – our lives – must be the same. Indeed, “Truthful Living” is a mark of the Christian, for real humility enables us to rely not on ourselves, but on Christ. This is the path to life, and to effective witness to the Gospel, for all around us.

With every blessing,

+Richard

Missio Annual Collection

You can still return your envelope next Sunday. Thank you for your card donations direct to HQ please use this link.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 26th October 10am 30th in Ordinary Time
  • Monday 27th October 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Tuesday 28th October 11am St Mary’s Church Requiem Mass for Maureen Fleet RIP
  • Wednesday 29th October 9:30am Int Fr Gerry Vann RIP anniversary
  • Friday 31st October 9:30am Carole Hastie RIP
  • Saturday 1st November 11am Requiem Mass for Dom Kevin Taggart OSB
  • Sunday 2nd November 10am All Saints’ Mass
  • Monday 3rd November 9:30am All Souls’ Mass

King Charles visits Pope Leo at The Vatican

Enjoy the coverage and pray for unity. Visit useful websites and search  Vatican News and the Conference of Bishops of England & Wales for reports.

The Catholic Children’s Society

See publicity from the society at the entrance. You can also follow this link.

Vaccinations

Flu in the left and Covid in the right arm. Have you had yours ?

The more affliction for Christ in this world, the more glory with Christ in the next.


St Philip Howard in The Tower of London 1587

World Mission Sunday

‘Missionaries of Hope among all peoples’ – this is the theme chosen by Pope Leo when pastoral communities around the world support the Pope’s Charity -MISSIO  – which is used for missionaries around the world in establishing clinics, schools, churches and pastoral projects. Remember he was a missionary in Peru and experienced the financial and moral support of MISSIO.

The envelopes handed out last week may be returned and you may have already contacted Missio.

Do take a copy of Mission Today

If you can, do take home a Red Box for any cash which may be spare.

St Philip Howard October 19th

Falling this year on a Sunday, we celebrate the Patron of the Diocese as a Solemnity His life story will be recalled. In Arundel Cathedral. The Bishop will be celebrating a Pilgrimage Mass with prayers at the Shrine 3pm .The Friends of Arundel Cathedral will be meeting after the Tea in the Cathedral Centre.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 19th October 10am Mission Sunday
  • Monday 20th October 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 22nd October 9:30am St John Paul II
  • Friday 24th October 9:30am St Anthony Mary Claret
  • Saturday 25th October 8:30am HMP Lewes
  • Sunday 26th October 10:30am (30th in O.T.)

In Memoriam

  • Dom Kevin Taggart OSB (Worth Abbey)
  • Fr John Horn (Retired)

Maureen Fleet RIP

The Requiem Mass will be on Tuesday 28th October at 11am in St Mary’s Church

October – The Month of The Rosary

The Mysteries of Light – Thursday

  • The Baptism of Jesus
  • The Wedding Feast at Cana
  • The Transfiguration
  • The Proclamation of The Kingdom
  • The Institution of The Kingdom

Clocks Go Back Next Week

They ‘fall’ back one hour at 2am on Sunday morning

St Philip and Prayer

“Unable to hear Mass or to receive to receive the other Sacraments for Years he took up the Rosary, a contemplative prayer; it was his sacrament an outward sign of the inward grace of peace and love, a veritable symbol of Catholic fortitude in his times.”

The Twenty-Fifth Week In Ordinary Time

The third Sunday of September, formerly known as Home Mission Sunday, now has the title of Evangelii Gaudium Sunday – the Joy of living the Gospel. This was the first of the messages of Pope Francis. The Bishop has sent us a Pastoral Letter for this Sunday and we are invited to donate to the support of the national body of the Bishops promoting the living of the Gospel.

The Inauguration Of The Parish Of Brighton And Hove

Last Sunday in St John the Baptist Church Bishop Richard in augurated the first of the new Parish arrangement by which the pastoral communities of the former Deanery will collaborate in fulfilling the mission of the Church. You can read about it here -Click to dioc.ebulletin.

The clergy meet for the biweekly meeting on Tuesday commencing with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Jubilee Of Justice

Bishop Richard introduces this week’s Theme in the Jubilee Year reflecting on the groups which work for justice Read more here.

The Season For The Care For Creation

Next Sunday is Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday and there will be the opportunity to bring to our Mass goods and produce which in turn will be passed to a local Food Bank.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 21st September 10am
  • Monday 22nd September 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 24th September 9:30am The Feast Of Our Lady Of Walsingham
  • Friday 26th September 11am Requiem Mass for Beryl Cheeseman RIP
  • Sunday 28th September 10am Harvest Thanksgiving Mass
To Our Lady Of Walsingham

Here journeyed on the Pilgrims' Way,
With Christendom in youth and flower
The faithful of a happier day
When all the land was Mary's dower
And after many a faithless year
Since not in vain the martyrs sowed
We, as God wills, to worship here.
Return along the ancient road.