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 29^th 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

Remembrance

Following All Souls Day, the month of November continues with Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day with Assemblies in Schools.

Parades in towns at war memorials, Blessing of graves, Masses for the Dead and other opportunities to call to mind those who have died.

In every Eucharistic Prayer there is always an intercession for the Dead…

Blessing of Graves

In the Cemeteries of Brighton and Hove 3pm and Brighton & Preston, Hartington Road, 2pm.

Bishop Richard’s Request

Holy Hour for the Dignity of the Human Person

Next week, the Bishops of England & Wales gather in Leeds for the Autumn Plenary Meeting. On Wednesday 13th, at 5.30pm, they will gather for a Holy Hour for prayer to promote the dignity of the human person and the culture of life in our countries in the face of the assisted suicide legislation before the UK Parliament.

I do encourage you to arrange Holy Hours on the same day – where possible at the same time – in our parishes, thereby facilitating a powerful moment of prayer in our lands promoting the intrinsic dignity of every person.

With every Blessing,

+ Richard

Holy Hour

This will be on WEDNESDAY of this week -13th November 5.30 -6.30pm

Please try to come in even for part of the time. It has the theme of praying for the dignity of Human Life.

Mass Schedule

32nd Sunday Mass 10am
Monday St Mary’s House. St Martin of Tours Mass 8.15am
Wednesday Weekday Mass 9.30am
Friday St Albert the Great Mass 9.30am
33rd Sunday Mass 10am World Day of the Poor

The New Lectionary

Not long to go before its introduction.

Orders for the 3 Year Sunday Missals may be given using the sign up sheet in the Entrance – either the CTS edition or the Redemptorist publication £ 19.95 each.

To learn more about the Lectionary read from the following link.

Cardinal Newman Catholic School – Outstanding

Read the Principal’s letter

Annual Retired Priests’ Fund

This can be gift Aided, Contactless available.

Of your charity…

Pray for the soul of Dick Lock, husband of late Mary Lock. His coffin is to be draped in the Sussex Police flag.

North Brighton Parishes’ Newsletter

This is now available in the entrance

May the choirs of angels lead you into paradise
And my the martyrs come to welcome you
To bring you home into the holy city
So you may dwell in new Jerusalem

Thirtieth Sunday In Ordinary Time

Another ending and a beginning. October draws to a close – the Rosary month for reflective prayer – and the Synod in Rome. The delegates have been exploring the insights on Communion (not Holy Communion but fellowship and unity) Participation and Mission. Themes which are described as synodality or walking together. It will not be until 2025 that Pope Francis will publish how this may be achieved as we look to the future.

Action On Assisted Suicide

Information and how to make your views known is available here.

The Lectionary

Our readers met to be introduced to the new lectionary. There are four volumes which will be in use from Advent. They are beautifully presented and have cost £600. (Four bookplates accompanied them just in case anyone might wish to sponsor one in memory)

Sunday Missals

The CTS and Redemptorists are publishing Sunday Missals with the 3 Year Cycle of Readings. There are Order Sheets if you wish to purchase a copy. They cost £19.95 each. The CTS Sunday Missal can be bought here and the Redemptorist Sunday Missal can be bought here.

Further Information

There will be two sessions in November given by priests of the Deanery. See the poster and note you can receive them by Zoom.

Mass Schedule

Sunday 27th October 10am
Monday 28th October 8:15am St Mary’s Convent
Wednesday 30th October 9:30am (Intention Fr Gerry Vann RIP)
Friday 1st November 9:30am All Saints’ Day (Holy Day of Obligation)
Saturday 2nd November 8:30am HMP Lewes All Souls’ Day
Saturday 2nd November 11am For the Faithful Departed
Sunday 3rd November 10am (31st in Ordinary Time)

The New Encyclical Dilexit Nos

“Dilexit nos” Pope Francis’ fourth Encyclical, retraces the tradition and relevance of thought on “the human and divine love of the heart of Jesus Christ,” calling for a renewal of authentic devotion to avoid forgetting the tenderness of faith, the joy of serving, and the fervour of mission. More can be read here.

O Sacred Heart,
Our trust is all in thee
For though earth's night be dark and drear
Thou breathest rest where thou art near
O Sacred Heart

The Nineteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time

The breathless post-event interviews have been fascinating as the athlete expresses their joy, their thankfulness, their gratitude to family, coaches and supporting crowds at the Olympics. No doubt it will be the same in a fortnight when the Paralympics commence. What a contrast to the rest of the news, not only about prejudice but also those who have shown true respect by gathering to support and protect. Nor should we forget those who have faced aggression in all its forms, fulfilling their duty to server the community.

Our penitential rite and prayer will reflect our attitudes.

Statements Of Faith Leaders And Ecumenical Leaders

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference. has joined the Chief Rabbi, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Chief Imam and the Chairman of the Imams National Advisory Board, to speak out against the violence and rioting that has been taking place across the UK.

Please click here for further details.

Bishop Richard’s Statement

Bishop Richard’s Calls For Renewed Openness Download

Ecumenical Leaders’ Statement On Violent Protests

Please click here.

Mass Schedule

Sunday 11th August 10am – 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday 12th August 8:15am St Mary’s Convent
Wednesday 14th August 9:30am – St Maximilian Kolbe
Thursday 15th August 9:30am and 7:30pm HOLYDAY – The Assumption Of Our Lady
Friday 16th August 9:30am St Stephen Of Hungary
Sunday 18th August 10am – 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 18th August 3pm – Mass with Sacrament of Anointing – St Mary’s Church

The Word Of Life

September leaflet to help with your prayer. “Lord it is good for us to be here.” cf. The Transfiguration.

The Sacrament Of Anointing

Next Sunday with St Mary’s we will be celebrating a Mass with the Sacrament of Anointing at 3pm followed by tea. During the Lourdes pilgrimage those with health conditions, disabilities and acute illnesses are anointed as Christ is present as physician and in Holy Communion. The oil for the sacrament is one of the three blessed by the bishop at the Chrism Mass and received at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. The oil is put on the forehead and palms of the hands. Those accompanying pray with faith for those being anointed and those persons may receive the sacrament more than once. Remember that over fifty years ago at the Second Vatican Council the name of the sacrament was changed from “Unctio In Extremis”. If uncertain, have a word with Fr John.

The Assumption Of Our Lady

August 15^th is a holiday in many European Countries as holidaymakers will experience. It is an Holyday of Obligation. The Obligation is to assist at Mass and if possible, from work, We have two Masses on Thursday 9:30am and 7:30pm.

Guide me O thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land,
I am weak but thou art mighty,
Hold me with thy powerful hand,
Bread of heaven, Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more,
Feed me till want no more.

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.