Tag: faith

Holy Week

The forty days seem to have gone quickly and we may be saying what have they meant for us? The small efforts, the moments of prayer, the acts of reaching out, the returns or turn arounds, the moments of growth and so… you name them.

After the time of preparation of Lent we now come to the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem where he faces his destiny. In the last 3 days or Triduum we recall in slow motion what he says, what he does and what he goes through and it is up to each one to understand more fully why.

Our Holy Week Schedule

  • Sunday 29th March 10am Palm Sunday Of The Passion, The blessing of Palms, the procession and the Passion of Jesus from St Matthew’s Gospel
  • Tuesday 31st March 9:30am Mass
  • Wednesday 1st April 9:30am Mass
  • Wednesday 1st April 6pm The Chrism Mass in Arundel Cathedral. All welcome or you can livestream. The renewal of Priestly Promises and the blessing of the oils used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and for those seriously ill.
  • Thursday 2nd April 7pm Maundy Thursday, The Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the new Commandment
  • At the end of Mass the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the Chapel and there is “watching”, silent praying, – as did Jesus and Apostles in the Mount of Olives or Gethsemane until 9pm
  • Friday 3rd April Good Friday 10am Way of The Cross in church
  • Friday 3rd April Good Friday 10am – 11am Walk of Witness – from India Gate (Pavilion Gardens) to St Nicholas’ church by Christians of Brighton and Hove
  • Friday 3rd April Good Friday 3pm – The Passion Of The Lord and Veneration Of The Cross
  • Saturday 4th April Holy Saturday 7pm The Easter Vigil and Mass Of The Resurrection
  • Sunday 5th April 10am Easter Sunday Mass

Easter is celebrated as The Easter Octave

Practical Notes

The palms will first be blessed and then handed out.

Good Friday is a Day of Fasting & Abstinence

Do join in the crowd parts of the Passion Reading

A collecting Basket will be on a table for the Holy Places in the Holy Land under prevailing war conditions -AM & PM

Holy Saturday. Candles with drip trays to be picked up on arrival and for a light from the Paschal Candle to gradually be shared.

Three Films Explaining Holy Week

Do take time to watch three short videos by three of our priests describing the Three Days of Holy Week

The Fifth Week Of Lent

We move ever closer to Holy Week marked by the praying of the Preface of the Passion of the Lord -“For the days of his saving Passion and glorious Resurrection are approaching, by which the pride of the ancient foe is vanquished and the mystery of our redemption in Christ is celebrated”. As the last days of our Lenten journey unfold we renew the resolutions and consider the effects of our prayer, self-denial and generosity and enter into the days of remembrance and celebration of the significant events as Jesus completes his ministry.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 22nd March 10am 5th Sunday of Lent
  • Monday 23rd March 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 25th March The Annunciation of The Lord 9:30am
  • Friday 27th March 9:30am
  • Saturday 28th March 8:30am HMP Lewes
  • Sunday 29th March 10am Passion of The Lord

Clocks Go Forward One Hour

Next Sunday (29th March) the clocks will go forward one hour. So, remember British Summer Time will be in place.

Church Cleaning On Saturday

Next Saturday you are invited to help clean the Church between 10am and 12 noon. Be proud of St Thomas More’s !

The Sacrament of Reconciliation With Individual Confession

As part of our Lenten practice there will be the following:

  • Tuesday Evening in St Mary’s 7-8pm preceded by Adoration from 6pm
  • Friday St Joseph’s Elm Grove 6.45pm
  • At St Thomas More’s by arrangement

Holy Week

  • Sunday 29th March Palm Sunday 10am Blessing of the Palms, procession and Mass
  • Thursday 2nd April 7pm Maundy Thursday Mass of The Lord’s Supper
  • Friday 3rd April Good Friday 10am Way of The Cross
  • Friday 3rd April Good Friday 3pm Liturgy of The Lord’s Passion
  • Saturday 4th April Holy Saturday Easter Vigil 7pm
  • Sunday 5th April Easter Sunday 10am Mass

Walk of Witness

On Good Friday Morning there will be a walk of Christians from the Communities around the City from the Indian Gate via North Street to St Nicholas’ Church. See details on the poster.

The Parish of Brighton and Hove Meeting

Last Thursday’s meeting brought together members of the Communities which constitute the new Parish. There was discussion about how there might be a renewal of our communities , “ to form a parish where every baptised person knows their unique vocation and participates fully and joyfully in Christ’s mission There was a sharing of experiences which are helping to develop a more lively sense of discipleship and belonging. After Easter it is hoped to have more frequent gatherings after Mass with coffees, teas and home made cake! The ideas and comment sheets will be displayed after Easter

Reclaiming Humanity

This Sunday afternoon at St John the Baptist’s. Exploring Catholic Social Teaching with Fr Toby Lees OP. See Noticeboard.

Clergy Team Meeting

Tuesday 3pm

Bless the Lord my soul
And bless God’s holy name
Bless the Lord my soul
And lead me into life.

The Fourth Week Of Lent

This commences with Sunday called “Rejoicing Sunday” – is it because we have reached the half way point of Lent? Realistically, it is about being people of the light, perceiving Christ as the light, the guide -“light from light ” – The Nicene Creed. Our days are being filled with light with longer hours as we head towards Summer Time and to the experience of Easter.

This Sunday is one when mothers will be foremost in our minds, as with grandmothers they are thanked. There is another feature of calling it, in olden times as “mothering Sunday”, originally when servants were enabled to attend church – returning to “Mother Church”.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 15th March 10am 4th Sunday of Lent
  • Monday 16th March 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Tuesday 17th March 9:30am St Patrick’s Day
  • Wednesday 18th March 9:30am
  • Thursday 19th March 9:30am St Joseph’s Day
  • Friday 20th March 7pm
  • Sunday 22nd March 10am 5th Sunday of Lent

This Week’s Feasts

The Lenten pattern is broken with the feasts of St Patrick, patron of Ireland and St Joseph, husband of Mary. The Gloria will be prayed on those days.

Mission Council Meeting

Thursday evening at 7:15pm there will be a meeting of the communities of the Parish of B&H to explore the idea of Mission and Discipleship in the light of the Mission Statement. It will be in St Bernadette’s Hall with parking at the back. If you are free and interested have a word with Fr John.

Reconciliation Services

Friday 27th March in St Joseph’s 6:45pm with a number of priest confessors

Thursday St Bernadette’s School 1:20pm Years 4-6.

CAFOD

Thank you for your donations. The wall box in the entrance may be used for your Lenten almsgiving.

Prayer For Peace

Do watch the video of Pope Leo praying for peace.

Christ be in me, Christ be beneath me, Christ be above me,
Christ be on my left, Christ be on my right, Christ be in the heart of everyone
Who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.

From St. Patrick's Breastplate

The Second Week Of Lent

Encouraging transformation

Always on the Second Sunday of Lent there is a Gospel account of the Transfiguration of Jesus. It is a moment before what would seem to be devastating that Jesus anticipates the Resurrection by letting his glory be seen. It shows the disciples that what he had told them about his forthcoming Passion would lead to his victory. ‘Be prepared!’ is his advice to them – as it is for us.

Our Diocesan Administrator

Canon Jonathan Martin has been elected as Diocesan Administrator while the process of appointing a Bishop for the Diocese gets underway. He has explained this in a short video. Please remember him in prayer.

The Lent Fast

The Catholic Agency for Overseas’ Development, CAFOD invite us to fast this Friday and make a donation to support their work. There are some fundraising envelopes for your giving – do not be put off by the insert –

It may be easier to make a donation with your card or pop it in the wall box in the entrance. This is one way to practise almsgiving.

Lent and Ramadan

Bishop Patrick McKinney, the Lead Bishop for Interreligious Dialogue for the Bishops’ Conference, has welcomed a Vatican message to Muslims on the occasion of the month of Ramadan and for the feast of Id al-Fitr.

Followers of both religions find themselves fasting and praying at this time:

Follow this link to read more…

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 1st March 10am 2nd of Lent
  • Monday 2nd March 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 4th March 9:00am – N.B. change of time
  • Friday 6th March 7pm N.B. change of time
  • Saturday 7th March 8:30am HMP Lewes
  • Sunday 8th March 10am 3rd of Lent

The Word Of Life

Follow up on the call to prayer by using the leaflet to reflect on the verse of Scripture and to live it out. You may also like to use one of the daily readings available if you scroll down useful websites.

The Way Of The Cross

You may wish to walk the Way, stopping in front of the stations to reflect on what it says to you. There are fourteen and the fifteenth  is in the Blessed Sacrament chapel.

St David Patron Of Wales

The Prince & Princess of Wales as we saw on the news visited the country wearing Daffodils on their coats – 2 days early. Because of the Lenten Sunday his Feast day is not being observed on March 1st this year.

"Be joyful and keep your faith!' 
St David

The First Week Of Lent

The Forty Days

One description of Lent along with the forty fast days. It is the journey to Easter when the three practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving are encouraged to help us through the days ahead. Pope Leo in his message to us writes of Lent as a time of conversion, a time to find renewal in our faith and placing God back in our lives. He emphasises listening as making room for the word to enter into a relationship with God. Then he opens up the meaning of fasting in five ways which may surprise us and make us think.

When we hear the word ‘fasting’ we think firstly of limiting what we eat, measuring out how much on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, but he goes further and says this act of penance is to cause hunger when spiritually our souls reach out to others. He then reflects on words reminding us to refrain from unkind words, slander, not repeating gossip, rather words of hope and peace. Then screens which withdraw attention on those around, withdrawing us from being present to others, absorbing attention – be it phones, tablets, or TV

Then refraining from complaints, negativity, rehearsing grievances and murmuring. Fifthly, he focuses on indifference , not listening to the challenges, looking away, and maybe unheeding to the call for generosity where possible for Lenten alms and charitable causes.

Pope Leo does make us think.

Lent Weekday Masses

You may not have time for a 9.30am Mass so on Fridays let’s try a 7pm Evening Mass to give more of you the chance to make it as part of your prayer during Lent. A reminder too that every Friday is a day of abstinence or refraining.

The Diocesan Administrator

Canon Jonathan Martin has been elected Diocesan Administrator. You can read more about this appointment here.

Archbishop Richard Moth

Some of you watched the Installation from Westminster Cathedral and the Service is available on Youtube channels.

An account can be seen here

Do look at the photographs (124 of them) and see if you can recognise anyone from the are – Canon David our Moderator, Fr Benny and so on.

One notable moment was when the Archbishop was going around the Cathedral and he stopped to pray at the tomb of Cardinal Cormac.

The Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 22nd February 10am 1st Sunday of Lent
  • Monday 23rd February 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 25th February 9:30am
  • Friday 27th February 7pm NB change of time
  • Sunday 1st March 10am 2nd of Lent

Day of Recollection

  • Clergy Day of Recollection Worth Abbey Tuesday
  • B&H Clergy Tean meeting Tuesday

Monks In The City

Do have a look at the Posters on the noticeboard.

The Lourdes Pilgrimage

Booking now underway. Have a word for information.

A Bidding Prayer From The Installation

“We pray for the priests and people of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton that they will soon be given a new Bishop and that the work initiated by Archbishop Richard will continue to bear a rich harvest.”

Fifth Week In Ordinary Time

A varied week ahead , commencing with the day on human trafficking, then (for school governors) a zoom session on Prevent. Wednesday takes us to Lourdes with the promise of a summer pilgrimage and then to Westminster for Friday pre-installation Vespers and to the Mass of Installation of Bishop Richard as the Archbishop of Westminster – and Lent begins next Wednesday (18th February).

Sunday 8th February – Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking.

Sr Josephine Bakhita is named as the Saint for the victims , having been trafficked herself. Cardinal Vincent heads up the St Martha’s group bringing the issue to international attention. More details can be found here.

February 11th The Feast Of Our Lady Of Lourdes

Celebrating the first vision Bernadette had of Mary and the response to the call to come on pilgrimage. Please take an envelope if you can make a gift to assist the unwell and frail. A special day at St Bernadette’s because of our connection with Sisters of Nevers who ran the Lourdes Convent on the site.
It is also the Day for the Sick and Pope Leo has sent us a letter.

Visit Lourdes day or night by clicking here.

Bishop Richard’s Thanksgiving Mass Arundel Cathedral

Whether you were part of the overflowing congregation or a virtual participant last Friday it was a grand celebration of thanksgiving for his eleven years as our Bishop. You can read what he said here and also a tribute on behalf of the Diocese by the Chancellor, Canon Jonathan Martin.

Celebrations In Westminster

We can join in two parts – Friday – Solemn Vespers and Saturday the Installation of the Archbishop of Westminster 12 noon. Details of how to follow these events can be found here.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 8th February 10am 5th Sunday Ordinary Time
  • Monday 9th February 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Wednesday 11th February 9:30am Our Lady of Lourdes Day of The Sick
  • Friday 13th February 9:30am
  • Saturday 14th February 9:30am HMP Lewes
  • Sunday 15th February 10am 6th Sunday Ordinary Time

Ash Wednesday Masses

  • Wednesday 18th February 9:30am
  • Wednesday 18th February 7pm

Electrical Inspections and PAT Testing

Five Year test. Church, Hall, Priest’s House. Part of the Diocesan Health & Safety requirement.

“Oh, yes my Jesus. From now on, be my all and my life. I shall follow you wherever you go…
Come my soul,  courage. One more day to follow Jesus and Mary and climb to Calvary….
And then with Jesus and Mary, happiness, joy, eternity. “
St Bernadette.

The Fourth Week In Ordinary Time

Have the snowdrops appeared in your garden yet? On cue there are some in the Presbytery garden – the first sign of approaching Spring. Sometimes associated with February 2nd,the Presentation of the Lord, Candlemas day. It will be 40 days since Christmas and the final day for removing cribs and a sign of the approaching season of Lent.

After the Mass of thanksgiving for the Ministry of Bishop Richard, in two weeks he will be installed as Archbishop of Westminster. Then it will be “sede vacante” and time for a lot of prayer.

Racial Justice Sunday

The media reports daily on issues of racism and there are worrying scenes of citizens marching.

Bishop Paul McAleenan, the Lead Bishop for Racial Justice, speaks on the issue.

The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Details of how to apply are now available. Visit the Diocesan Website for various ways of travel, costs and dates. Please click here for further details.

Lourdes Fund Appeal

Next Sunday there will be a second collection for the Fund which is for assisted pilgrims and helpers. There are some envelopes and parish purple envelopes may be used. The card machine can also be used.

Brighton & Hove Parish Meeting

About 70 people joined the gathering from the various communities to discuss Discipleship – what it means, how it develops and how it becomes a personal relationship. Being baptised is not the end but the beginning of the journey in faith. Lots to reflect on.

The February Word of Life Leaflet

This is now available to have to hand for your reflection.

The Order of Mass Cards

A supply has been ordered to assist you in responding at Mass

The Diocesan Directory 2026

There are some copies for purchase £5. Information for the Liturgy, Catholic societies, Clergy addresses and much more.

Old Palm Branches

Remember to bring your old palm crosses along next Sunday. They will be used to create the ashes for Ash Wednesday.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 1st February 1st 10am
  • Monday 2nd February 8:15am St Mary’s House
  • Monday 2nd February 9:30am The Presentation of The Lord (Candlemas)
  • Wednesday 4th February 9:30am (In thanksgiving Bishop Richard)
  • Friday 6th February 9:30am St Paul Miki & Companions (Intention Holy Souls)
  • Saturday 7th February 8:30am HMP Lewes
  • Sunday 8th February 10am Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
At last, all -powerful Master
You give leave to your servant to go in peace,
According to your promise.
For my eyes have seen your salvation
Which you have prepared for all nations
The light to enlighten the Gentiles 
And give glory to Israel, your people.

Nunc Dimittis - The Canticle of Simeon

The Third Week In Ordinary Time

Word Of God Sunday

It was Pope Francis who introduced the theme for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary time, as a reminder to celebrate and appreciate the Word of God in scripture. This year we are reminded that “the word of Christ dwells among us” and can take up residence in our thoughts, attitudes, and guiding principles. Our monthly leaflet the Word of Life is one way for this to happen by giving a simple commentary on a text of scripture for us to mull over and let it sink in. For example, has this month’s text helped us with the desire to pray and work for unity? Some of our Readers or Proclaimers of the Word have been able to attend a Saturday with Bishop Richard reflecting on the spirituality of the Word in Scripture.

As an exercise in some education about the Scriptures here is a link to the teaching of Vatican 2.

In Thanksgiving For The Ministry Of Bishop Richard

On this Friday (30th January) evening in Arundel Cathedral there will be a Thanksgiving Mass with Bishop Richard at 6.30pm to which everyone is invited. If you cannot travel, you can participate on your phone, tablet or other device by live streaming remembering his teaching and pastoral planning. We will recall his frequent encouragement to practise Lectio Divina – the prayerful reading and reflection on Scripture.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 25th January 10am (3rd Sunday OT)
  • Monday 26th January 8:15am St Mary’s House (Ss Timothy and Titus)
  • Wednesday 28th January 9:30am (St Thomas Aquinas)
  • Friday 30th January 9:30am
  • Sunday 1st February 10am (4th Sunday OT)

The Parish Of Brighton and Hove

Meeting Thursday 29th January In St Bernadette’s Hall 7.15 to consider the mission. STM will have a table.

The Diocesan Pilgrimage To Lourdes

24TH – 30TH JULY. Applications are now open. For further information and prices visit www.abdiocese.org.uk/lourdes To support frail, sick or disabled Pilgrims applications are invited from nurses, doctors, and health professionals. Helpers and Young People are essential.

On Sunday February 8th there will be a Second Collection. Purple envelopes may be used along with Pilgrimage envelopes.

Do also read Bishop Richard’s letter.

Come, adore this wondrous presence,
bow to Christ, the source of grace
here is kept the ancient promise
of God’s earthly dwelling place
sight is blind before God’s presence,
faith alone may see his face.
            
St Thomas Aquinas (Tantum ergo)

Peace and Unity

These two themes are for focus this week. In England, Peace Sunday is observed on the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time whereas in Rome the Pope issues a letter about peace along with his frequent calls for  the resolution of conflicts (for example in Syria and Iran – click here) “Peace be with you all: towards an unarmed and disarming peace“ Pax Christi is a Catholic organisation which campaigns, promotes, upholds and challenges for peace. If you are able to support Pax Christi please follow this link.

We also enter the week of prayer for Christian unity, concluding next Sunday with Ecumenical Vespers with monks at St John the Baptist at 4pm next Sunday.

Pray with the Pope

The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer), the largest prayer-group in the Catholic church, exists to encourage prayer and action for the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church, expressed in the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions. This month, the Pope’s intention is that Christians should pray with the Word of God.

It’s a “Way of the Heart”, a mission of compassion for the world that anyone can join. There is nothing to sign up for, no fees to pay and no forms to fill in. You become an Apostle of Prayer by praying each day with the Pope for the concerns in his heart, together with millions all around the world. It’s the Pope’s personal prayer-group!

More details can be found by following this link.

Mass Schedule

  • Sunday 18th January 10am 2nd Sunday in OT (int for the people)
  • Monday 19th January 8:15am St Mary’s House – St Wulfstan
  • Wednesday 21st January 9:30am St Agnes, Martyr
  • Friday 23rd January 9:30 (int for Christian Unity)
  • Sunday 25th January 10am 3rd Sunday in OT Sunday of the Word of God
May we see your face in glory
Christ our loving God
With the blessed saints of heaven
Give us lasting Joy
We will then possess true happiness
And love for all eternity..

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.