After Ash Wednesday the 40 days journey to Easter Commences with opportunities for prayer, generosity and self restraint. Finding a new way to make these practices relevant is part of our effort to engage with the purpose of Lent. We are so fortunate to have the experiences of Spring – warmth and light to stimulate our response.
Bishop Richard’s Weekly Message
Pope Francis Gives Us His Message
Dear brothers and sisters,
We begin our annual pilgrimage of Lent in faith and hope with the penitential rite of the imposition of ashes. The Church, our mother and teacher, invites us to open our hearts to God’s grace, so that we can celebrate with great joy the paschal victory of Christ the Lord over sin and death, which led Saint Paul to exclaim: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” ( 1 Cor 15:54-55). Indeed, Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is the heart of our faith and the pledge of our hope in the Father’s great promise, already fulfilled in his beloved Son: life eternal (cf. Jn 10:28; 17:3)… For the full message please click here
Prayer For The Pope
We do this daily and when praying the Eucharistic Prayer, we realise we he is always remembered.
Mass Schedule
Sunday 9th March 10am First Sunday in Lent
Monday 10th March 8:15am St Mary’s House
Wednesday 12th March 9:00am Lent Weekday Mass
Friday 14th March 9:30am Lent Weekday Mass
Sunday 16th March 2nd Sunday in Lent
CAFOD Fast Day
This coming Friday is a day for Fasting for the projects of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. What you might save by your self denial may be returned in the envelope or you may prefer to transfer your gift by card – please click here.
Lenten Reconciliation Service
Thursday 27th March 7-9pm in St Mary Magdalen Church. Upper North Street. Bishop Richard will be leading and there will be Priest Confessors around the Church. See the Poster.
The Vocation of The Permanent Diaconate
An Open Evening Session at St John the Evangelist, Horsham at Friday 14th March at 7pm. More information can be found here.
Soup and Sandwich Lunch
This Thursday 13th March at 12 noon. See the poster.
The Catholic Social Action Network Survey
A survey concerning the two-child benefit cap. If you wish to participate please visit this link.
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
A month with time to remember those we have loved and lost awhile along with those fallen in wars and the Faithful Departed. Remember our invocation for the deceased -Eternal Rest grant unto her/him/them. A time to visit graves, get the old photographs out, have a Mass offered and remember. St Augustine put it like this, “If we had no care for the dead, we would not be in the habit of praying for them.”
The Synod
Pope Francis surprised everyone by accepting the Final Report and no need to wait until 2025 for an Apostolic Exhortation. It will no doubt soon be available as a booklet.
May I suggest you read a review of the Synod by Bishop Nicholas Hudson who was a participating member. Please click here.
Opposing Proposed Legislation For Assisted Suicide
Inform yourself of the Catholic Teaching on Life issues including Statements by Bishops. Write to your MP even if their Party Manifesto included favoured Assisted Suicide.
New Sunday Missals
These contain the Readings for the Three Year Cycle.
November’s leaflet is now available to help with your prayer and reflection.
Mass Schedule
Sunday 3rd November 10am 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday 4th November 8:15am St Mary’s House
Wednesday 6th November 9:30am Weekday Mass
Friday 8th November 9:30am Weekday Mass
Saturday 9th November 8:30am HMP Lewes
Sunday 10th November 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Remembrance Sunday
Retired Priests’ Fund
The Second Collection next Sunday is for the Retired Priests’ Fund. The contactless machine will accept your donation and gift aid.
Blessing Of Graves
In each of the cemeteries of the City including Southwick and Rottingdean there will be the Blessing of Graves at 3pm. In the old Brighton and Preston entrance from Hartington Road meet at the Old Chapel form 2pm.
The New Lectionary
Wednesday 6th November Fr Paul Wilkinson n leads a Deanery Presentation at 7.45pm.This will be Zoomed. Please contact Fr Tony Milner at tony.milner@abdiocese.org.uk for the Zoom link. Details on Noticeboard.
Inconvenience
The Parish phone has been off since the 23rd October and my apologies for the inconvenience. A parishioner told me there is a message on it that says the voicemail box is full! My hope is that a line will be in action from Tuesday!
Covid
Vaccination on Thursday 11am
O Lord support us all the day long of this troublous life, Until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes And the busy world is hushed, And the fever of life is over and our work is done Then Lord in thy mercy Grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest And peace at the last. Amen.
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 evenings are drawing in rapidly and talk about putting on the heating at home is becoming more frequent. October is here and the change of season is more evident as we pray with the Rosary – the Gospel prayer as it is sometime called. Using the events in the life of Jesus in the four sets of Mysteries we pray with Mary and reflect on those events. It is recommended that we slow down to reflect on what happened and why and to be able to mean what we say.
Pope Francis has asked us to pray especially on Monday for Peace in the Holy Land and what better way than to pray with your Rosary and even use the 10 fingers of your hand to help you!
On Wednesday 2 October, at the Mass to mark to the opening of the Synod, the Holy Father called for a renewed proclamation of the Gospel in the face of conflict:
“Brothers and sisters, we begin anew our synodal path with an eye toward the world, since the Christian community is always at the service of humanity in order to announce the joy of the Gospel. In such a dramatic time in our history, when the winds of war and the flames of violence continue to devastate entire peoples and nations, there is need for this message.
“In order to invoke the intercession of Mary Most Holy for the gift of peace, I will recite the holy rosary and make a heartfelt plea to the Virgin in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major this coming Sunday. If possible, I ask all members of the Synod to join me for this occasion.”
“The following day, 7 October, I ask everyone to participate in a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the world. Let us walk together. Let us listen to the Lord and allow him to guide us by the “breath” of the Spirit.
In response to this plea from Pope Francis, Bishop Richard has asked that intercessions, both for the work of the Synod and for peace, be included in the Prayers of the Faithful this Sunday. He has also invited members of clergy and lay people share the Holy Father’s call for prayer and fasting on Monday 7 October, the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary.
During the month of October, Bishop Richard asks that whenever the Rosary is prayed publicly, we “offer one decade for Peace and one decade for the work of the Synod”, and he encourages the same in private recitation of the Rosary.
Bishop Richard’s Weekly Reflection
Dear brothers and sisters,
The vocation of marriage is a most wonderful gift – for those who are called to it, for the Church and for the world. This Sunday’s readings enable us all to reflect on this gift. In the Gospel, Jesus, making reference to the Book of Genesis (from which we also hear this Sunday), highlights the permanence and fidelity that are intrinsic to marriage, for husband and wife are in a relationship with each other and with God our loving Father. It is this relationship, with and in God, that gives Christian marriage both its meaning and its fulfilment – for the love of wife for husband and husband for wife is an expression of the love of God Himself.
In this Sunday’s Second Reading, the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews speaks of Jesus’ total self-giving. This is an important reflection for the vocation of marriage, too – for in marriage husband and wife give to each other. It is giving, not taking. In this regard, marriage is an example for every Christian, for every one of us is called through baptism to the essential vocation to be a Christian – a follower of Christ, a person who serves, a person who gives rather than takes.
In a society where the spirit of taking – of acquisition, satisfaction of self, power – is so prevalent, the vocation of the Christian, the vocation of those called to marriage, is a powerful witness to another way – nothing less than the way of Christ Himself.
With every blessing,
+ Richard
The Second Session Of The Synod In Rome
The discussions have commenced. You can follow the daily events by going to Useful Websites and clicking on Vatican News.
Wednesday 9th October Mass 9:30am St John Henry Newman
Friday 11th October Mass 9:30am Pope Jon XXIII
Sunday 13th October Mass 10am 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Word Of Life
The October leaflet to assist with your reflection and prayer during the month are available for you.
CAFOD
Envelopes will be handed out after Mass for your kind donations to this charity. The simplest way to respond is with your debit/credit card online. Please click here.
School Admissions
It is the time for Open Days in both our Primary and our Secondary School to assist you in making decisions to apply for places. Information on the noticeboards.
100+ Club
Thank you to those who arranged the Draw and Refreshments last Sunday .John Mason’s contribution to this fundraiser was recognised by his daughter Julia and all present.The following were the lucky four.-no5 Julie Plumstead, no9 Val Lowry, ,no25 Kevin McCormick, no30 Regina Stripp.
New members always welcome.
Bishop Richard Visits Tower House
Bishop Richard joined Georgina, Duchess of Norfolk, at the St Vincent de Paul Centre in Brighton on 25 September, to visit the charity’s dedicated over-50s community hub. Known to locals as Tower House, the Grade II listed building offers a lifeline to people across the community, providing specialist services which include HERE’s Stroke & Musculoskeletal Disorders Peer Support Group, Age UK’s Dementia Daybreak service, an SVP Carer’s Support Group and an Art Therapy Group run by Starling Arts.
Speaking after the visit, Bishop Richard said: “The over 50s Community Hub at Tower House offers a vital service to people across the local community, particularly those who are isolated or wish to access extra support. The dedication and commitment of the Centre’s staff and volunteers is tangible, with the many support groups, activity sessions, and social events providing an important and enriching lifeline to people across the city.
Have You Had Your Flu Vaccination Yet?
Fr John had his on Saturday at 11:24am
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.
With the end of the School Year, holiday time is here and a time for a break and change of routine, hopefully without a repeat of the chaos with the outages. For Teachers and Staff of our Schools a thank you for all your commitment to the young.
The Diocesan Pilgrimage To Lourdes
Over 700 Pilgrims from the Diocese begin journeying to Lourdes on Thursday and Friday – 17 year olds from the Secondary Schools, nurses, disabled and sick people and lots of helpers. You may catch sight of them by visiting “The Sanctuary of Lourdes” via our website or the Diocesan Website. It will be the 50th Anniversary of A&B’s Pilgrimage.
Mass Schedule
Sunday 21st July 10am 16th Sunday Ordinary Time
Monday 22nd July 8:15am St Mary’s Convent
Wednesday 24th July 11am Requiem Mass for Adela Page RIP St Mary’s Church
Friday 26th July 9:30am Ss Joachim and Anne (parents of Our Lady)
Sunday 28th July 10am 17th Sunday Ordinary Time. Day for the elderly and grandparents
Our Lady of Walsingham
Her memorial on September 24th has now been decreed to be a liturgical Feast.
St Mary Magdalene
Monday is now her Feast Day. She is described as ‘The Apostle To The Apostles’. From the Preface:
He appeared in the garden and revealed Himself to Mary Magdalene, who had loved him in life, witnessed him dying on the Cross, sought him as he lay in the tomb, and was the first to adore him, newly risen from the dead.
Every Year around the Anniversary of St Thomas More’s Church and Parish we celebrate with a Mass of thanksgiving, remembering the Founder Priest and members who built the Church in 1963 and the comings and goings since then. We think of the benefactors who raised the funds and those who generously continue to support the Parish.
Why was it named after the Martyr, St Thomas More? Fr Edward Fooks and his brother, also a priest were sons of Arnold Fooks of the legal firm Arnold, Fooks and Chadwick who were the lawyers for the Catholic Diocese of Southwark which then covered the territory of South London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent. When the Canonisation of Thomas More and John Fisher was to take place in 1935, Mr Fooks sought permission to take his sons to Rome – they were both students for the priesthood at the time – and Bishop Amigo agreed. When Fr Fooks was Parish Priest at St Mary’s and recognised the need to build a Church for the growing areas of Patcham, Hollingbury and Westdene he requested that the new church would have the title of St Thomas More.
When Bishop Murphy O’Connor consecrated the Church on 10th July 1983, anointing the altar with Chrism – that is why the Celebrant kisses it – Fr Fooks was present and anointed the 12-consecration points around the church. Under the Table of the Altar the Bishop inserted a relic of the Martyr St Philip Howard.
Remembrance
We remember Fr Gerry Vann RIP and Fr Peter Rogers RIP who have served this Parish and Fr John who recently passed another anniversary of priesthood on 24th May, having been ordained in St Dominics, Waddon, Croydon, 1964.
Mass Schedule
Sunday 7 July 10am Patronal Dedication and Feast Day
Monday 8 July 8:15am St Mary’s Convent
Wednesday 10 July 9:30am Weekday Mass
Friday 12 July 9:30am Weekday Mass
Saturday 13 July 8:30am HMP Lewes
The Word of Life
The leaflet for July takes for the scripture a line from Psalm 23.
The New Lectionary
From Advent, the Scripture will be taken out of the translation known as the ESV CE -The English Standard Version, Catholic Edition. It contains those Readings omitted from some Bibles.
Thank You
To the trio, Mike Mason, John Mason and Jim Pal who weeded the courtyard and gave a ‘short back and sides’ to the driveway. Thank you!
100+ Fundraiser
The Summer Draw will take place after Mass this Sunday. Annual Subscription £30.
Sea Sunday
Next Sunday the annual appeal for Stella Maris – The Apostleship of the Sea – will have a retiring collection.
Contactless Giving
A technical problem with the Card Machine should now have been corrected. In these days when cash is not normally used it should be easier to make your offerings. Follow the instructions on the table.
Give me Thy grace to long for Thy holy Sacraments and especially to rejoice in the Presence of Thy very blessed Body, sweet Saviour Christ, in the holy sacrament of the altar and duly to thank Thee for Thy gracious visitation in it.
- From St Thomas More's 'Treatise on The Blessed Body of The Lord'
St Thomas More Church, Patcham, Brighton 
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