Fifth Week Of Lent

As we commence the final days of Lent we are encouraged to intensify our spiritual practices – prayer, almsgiving and fasting.

The last two sound unusual. What can they mean ? Almsgiving is described as generosity -for example, if we are able, giving a gift, some time or a kind response to another. We could think how we give of ourselves may be to appeals such as the Disaster appeal following the earthquakes or the refugee fund or the foodbank bin in your Superstore. Then there is fasting which is when we make a conscious decision to take less, to reduce or to withhold what we may eat or drink, Self denial or saying no to oneself.

In appreciating what we are remembering the Scriptures tell us of the growing opposition to Jesus and his realisation of what is to happen.

The Pastoral Message From The Bishops of England and Wales

The Terminally ill adults end of life Bill will come up for a vote towards the end of April. You can pick up from the media the ways in which this is being promoted , by articles, stories, comparisons with other countries, Provision for Palliative Care and the Hospices does not receive the same support. Those of you who have already written to our local MPs now know their attitudes.

The Bishops’ Message concludes “We too press on with this struggle important in our times.”

The Not Dead Yet group have mad available cards to be sent with a stamp to our MPs.

The Jubilee For People Who Are Unwell, People Who Experience Disability, And People With Caring Responsibilities

Through this Jubilee Year each month there is a particular group celebrating different categories. This afternoon there will be a special Mass with the Sacrament of the Anointing  at 3pm In St Mary’s. Some of our housebound will be there.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 6th April 10am 5th of Lent
  • Sunday 6th April 3pm St Mary’s Church Mass with Sacrament of the Sick
  • Monday 7th April 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 9th April 9:30am
  • Friday 11th April 9:30am
  • Sunday 13th April 10am Palm Sunday, blessing of palms, and procession

The Contactless Machine

This is now working for your offertory donation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

A timely reminder of Christ’s constant offer to seek forgiveness and the joy of hearing words of pardon and peace.

Sunday 2pm St Mary’s.

At times by arrangement

Saturday 11am

Holy Week

  • Sunday 13th April 10am Palm Sunday of the Passion
  • Monday 14th April 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Tuesday 15th April 9:30am
  • Wednesday 16th April 9:30am
  • Wednesday 16th April The Chrism Mass, Arundel Cathedral
  • Thursday 17th April 7pm The Mass of The Lord’s Supper
  • Friday 18th April 10am Way of The Cross
  • Friday 18th April 3pm Celebration Of The Passion Of The Lord
  • Saturday 19th April 8pm The Easter Vigil St Mary’s Church
  • Sunday 20th April 10am Easter Sunday Mass

My song is love unknown
My Saviour's love to me
Love to the loveless shown
That they might lovely be
O who am I, that for my sake
My Lord should take frail flesh and die

Fifth Week of Easter

The Season is rushing by, and Thursday week (May 9th) will be Ascension Thursday, a Holyday of Obligation. We have another image used by Jesus, one understood by the Chosen People, and one we can easily grasp. It reminds us to find strength by adhering to Jesus, like a branch attached to its stem. Every now and then it is good to ask ourselves how we are developing our understanding of the Faith and what it means for our sense of membership. There is a regular reminder as we pray the Eucharistic Prayer with parts  such as “that we may become on body one spirit in Christ”, in union of mind and heart with Pope Francis and our shepherd, Bishop Richard.

‘Intricately Woven By The Lord’ – from the Bishops of England & Wales

A Pastoral reflection on gender by the Bishops. With all the media comments and hype, a calm informative document to inform the discussions in which we may be involved, to read please click here.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 28th April 10am 5th Sunday of Easter
  • Monday 29th April, St Mary’s House St Catherine of Siena (Patron of Europe)
  • Wednesday 9:30am St Joseph The Worker
  • Friday 3rd May 9:30am St Philip & St James (Apostles)
  • Sunday 5th May 10am 6th Sunday of Easter

Praying For Vocations

We continue praying for responses to vocations to Priesthood. Praying for the families from which will come future candidates.

Do you ever talk about his at home? Do you ever pray about it ?

Please equip yourself with a prayer card and a leaflet.

Read what Pope Francis says to us here.

SVP & CAFOD

In preparation for a General Election, the SVP and CAFOD are to equip Catholics to question candidates about tackling issues of poverty and injustice.

CAFOD’S SUDAN CRISIS APPEAL

You can read more about this appeal and donate here. You can also donate cash to the wall box in the entrance.

Catch Up

Peter Cropp has received the Benemerenti Medal for his long commitment to the SVP, including managing of gift aid in the Parish. Well done! There was a tribute to Hilda Searle’s involvement in the Parish, her charitable activities with the SVP and her fidelity to the Mass. Thank you to those able to attend her Requiem.

Memorial Bench

The Family of Rita and Melville Smith RIP have kindly donated a bench for the courtyard in their memory. It is awaiting a plaque to dedicate it.

Polling Station

On Thursday it is the election for the Police & Crime Commissioner. Remember to bring Photo ID when you come to vote.

Saints of the Week

  • St Catherine of Siena who was influential in bringing the Pope back from Avignon to Rome
  • St Joseph the Worker, the carpenter who reminds us of the value of work
  • SS Philip and James – Apostles

New Lectionary to be introduced from Advent 2024

From 1st December this year a new lectionary will be introduced in England and Wales. More information about this can be found here


St George Patron of England

St George appeared to have received very little publicity this week.

Leader, now on earth no longer
Soldier of the eternal King
Victor in the fight for heaven
We thy loving praise sing

Great Saint George our patron
Help us, in the conflict be thou nigh,
Help us in that daily battle,
Where each one must live or die.

No. 414

The Third Sunday of Easter

Following the Emmaus Story and the Thomas incident this week we have another post resurrection moment when the disciples like ourselves are called to be witnesses to the Risen Christ. It is an encouragement for us to reflect on the description of a Parish on the first pages of the Pastoral Plan documents.

Human Dignity

You may have heard the Thought for the Day on Friday by a Catholic Catherine Pepinster. It can be found here. It focussed on a recent Declaration from the Congregation for the Faith . You can read Bishop Richard’s brief summary here and read the full Declaration here.

Vocations Day of Prayer

Next Sunday is Vocations Sunday, a Day of Prayer for Vocations. This is not an easy subject because of the mentality of the time. There is also the annual collection for the six year’s training for future priests.

The Word of Life Leaflet for April

Copies of the leaflet are in the entrance for you to keep handy for reflection on the scripture text with prayer and effort to make it part of your spiritual life and attitude.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 14th April Mass 10am
  • Monday 15th April St Mary’s Convent 8.15am
  • Wednesday 17th April Eastertide Mass 9.30am
  • Friday 19th April Eastertide Mass 9.30am
  • Saturday 20th April HMP Lewes Mass 8.30am
  • 4th Sunday of Easter (21st April) Mass 10am

Requiem Mass

A Requiem Mass for Hilda Searle (RIP) will be celebrated at 2pm on Tuesday 23rd April.

External Information

May 2nd Polling Day. Remember to bring photo ID when you come to vote.

B&H advice on avoiding falls and information on activities to strengthen mobility – leaflets are available in the porch.


Paschal Prayer To Our Lady

Queen of heaven, rejoice alleluia.
For he whom you were worthy to bear alleluia,
Has risen as he said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia,
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
For the Lord has risen indeed, alleluia!

Let us pray.
O God, who through the resurrection of your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ, did vouchsafe to give joy to the world :
Grant, we beseech you, that through His Mother, the Virgin Mary, we may obtain
the joys of everlasting life,
Through the same Christ Our Lord.
Amen