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.

Word Of God Sunday

It was Pope Francis who introduced the theme for the 3^rd 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 29^th January In St Bernadette’s Hall 7.15 to consider the mission. STM will have a table.

The Diocesan Pilgrimage To Lourdes

24^TH – 30^TH 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 8^th 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)

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 16^th 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 6^th 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.

Holiday time for many, catching up with family and friends, journeys far and wide and pilgrimages. In particular there is the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes this year with the theme -With Mary, Pilgrims of Hope. We may not be there in person but we can be there virtually.

To visit the Grotto using your Tablet, PC or smart phone by clicking here. You will then be at the Lourdes website to find the Grotto and also the Processions of the Blessed Sacrament, the Torchlight Procession and Masses. Remember France is one hour ahead of the UK – so the Blessed Sacrament and Blessing of the Sick commences BST 4pm.

Another way to participate is to find the Pilgrimage Prayer Book with lots of information and the daily programme by visiting this link. There is the link to the Prayer Book at the bottom of the page and you can turn the pages.

Bishop Richard Moth will be posting on social media during the pilgrimage. The diocesan X account can be followed here.

From The Diocesan Website

Our annual pilgrimage

Our pilgrimage to Lourdes is one of the most significant pastoral events in our annual diocesan calendar, with hundreds of members of our community of faith visiting the Grotto together each year.

Read more by following this link.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 27th July 10am Ordinary Time (17)
• Monday 28th July 8:15am St Mary’s House
• Wednesday 30th July 9:30am St Peter Chrysologus – int. Therese Lelliott RIP
• Friday 1st August 9:30am St Alphonsus Liguori – int. Terrence Sweeney RIP (Foundation Mass)
• Sunday 3rd August 10am Ordinary Time (18)

First Holy Communions

Please keep in your prayers the six children who received Holy Communion for the first time last Sunday and their parents and family members.

For the poor, sick, afflicted
Thy mercy we crave
And comfort the dying
Thou light of the grave.
Ave! Ave! Ave, Maria!

Following Bishop Richard In Lourdes this week…

Here is a link to the official diocesan Instagram account – click here.

The 50 Days are now finished and our Easter  hope is established. In so many different ways the Paschal Mystery has been a reality with life, suffering, and death – and life, change, and growth happening. We just need to recall the events in our own lives and in the world around us.

Now as the ascended Christ promised, we are not abandoned but recipients of the Holy Sprit who comes as gifts with their effects. It is in the sacraments that we receive the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Statement On The Assisted Dying Bill

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which seeks to legalise assisted suicide, is fast approaching its decisive vote in the House of Commons which will likely take place on either the 13 or 20 of June. Please click here to read more.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday 8th June 10am Pentecost
• Monday 9th June 8:15am St Mary’s House
• Wednesday 11th June 9:30am St Barnabas, Apostle
• Thursday 12th June 12pm Arundel Cathedral – Jubilarians’ Mass
• Friday 13th June 9:30am St Anthony of Padua
• Sunday 15th June 10am Trinity Sunday

The Word Of Life

The June copies are now available for you to pick up and use during the month to shape your prayer.

Thursday 12th June – Soup And Sandwich

Come along to meet and enjoy – 12 noon.

Margaret Perrin RIP

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Margaret and for her bereaved family members.

Pilgrimage To Walsingham

Remember the people from the Diocese on pilgrimage there this weekend.

Day For Life

Next Sunday – retiring collection. Please follow this link for more information.

Events Posters

Do take a look at the Noticeboards so as not to miss anything.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of thy love.
Send forth thy Spirit and they will be a new creation and you will renew the face of the earth.