St John's Blog

Preparing for Confirmation

2012-02-26T13:34:00.001-08:00

This evening at Mass the parish watched and thoroughly enjoyed the chance to see our full-to-the-brim class of Confirmation candidates take part in their formal enrollment. First Fr. Aaron asked them of their commitment, were they ready to take this next step, did they understand it and would they joyfully live and embrace it. (To which they all, of course, answered, "we do.") Then to the parents he reminded them of the commitment they had made to raise their children in the practice of the faith at their baptism, asking would they continue to support and encourage them along this new and exciting step (again a resounding, "we do"). And finally to the parish community he asked if we too would support and pray for each one of these candidates both now and in the future (a very hearty "we do" there too!)

Seeing the candidates taking on their faith, making it their own, wanting to have a deeper, more personal, more intimate relationship with Christ as they mature into adulthood was very moving (even if they were a little nervous standing on the Sanctuary with everyone a-watching) and a powerful reminder to the rest of us that our Catholic faith is not something we should take for granted. It is vibrant, it is always relevant, always personal and a constant journey in which we are called to give ourselves more and more to God. Very cool stuff, eh?

Please, please, please pray for the candidates, their families, their sponsors and catechists as they prepare for this wonderful sacrament in May.

A thought for Ash Wednesday

2012-02-21T23:11:00.000-08:00

Thought for Ash Wednesday in the Year of Our Lord 2012 fromthe Parish Priest

Today is aday -one of two for Catholics- of fasting and abstinence.

We fast andabstain and it all sounds like a grand gesture. It also sounds a bit quaint,and that’s partly becausewe don’t live in afast and feast sort of world. Fish is pricey and preferred, celebrity chefstell us to cook so-called cheap cuts, half the world has far too much to eatthe other half is starving.

So if wetry to make the grand gesture we risk it falling flat on its face. Moreover, ifwe try to tell our friends that we’refasting for spiritual rather than waistline motives, we risk being laughed allthe way home.

Today thenis not about a grand gesture but a deep seriousness, a seriousness about Godand the things of God.

Jesus, God’sson reminds us to pray.

Let us beattentive to God.

Let us turnto Him and recognise that we are dependent upon Him.

Let us prayand pray most of all in the heart of the Church before the Heart of the Lord,the living presence of Jesus in the tabernacle.

Jesus, God’sson reminds us to give.

Let us beattentive to others.

Let usreach out to others and recognise our power to do good.

Let us givemost of all for the relief of the poor and hungry.

Jesus, God’sson reminds us fast.

Let us beattentive to self.

Let usthank God for the wonder of our being.

Let us doall within our power to live a healthy, balanced life.

Let us fastmost of all for our own deep cleansing of those things which clog up our spiritualselves and weigh down the dignity which God desires for each of us.

No grandgestures then, just the beginning again in a very basic course of what it is tobe follower of Jesus Christ. Are you ready to begin again the course?

Ash Wednesday

2012-02-21T02:31:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow the season of Lent begins. (Seems like only yesterday that Christmas ended, doesn't it?) This is a simply wonderful chance for us to strip back on our little indulgences and give more and more of ourselves to the Lord. Through renewed prayer, fasting and abstinence we see ever more deeply the truth, beauty and power of Our Lord's love for us in his life, passion, death and resurrection. Tomorrow we receive the sign of the Cross in ash on our foreheads, a powerful sign of repentance and our 'putting-on' of this season, of our taking it seriously, making it personal. By now I'm sure we all know what it is we're going to 'give up' for the next 40 days but there is much more to Lent than simply not eating chocolate or drinking coffee. Yes these things are important but we need to think and pray on why we are doing them, what these outward signs point towards. What we seek over the next few weeks is to deepen our relationship with Christ, to draw nearer and nearer to Him, to have a more intimate communion with Him. One thing that we could all try as we take something out is to bring something else in; going to an extra Mass each week, spending extra time in prayer, giving some time to help friends or family members who need extra love and support as well as a whole host of other things. They help us to live our love of God and our love of neighbour in a new way and move us in ways we don't always expect.

We are very fortunate in Horsham to have no less than three opportunities to go to Mass tomorrow. For all you early birds there is one at 6:30am, the usual weekday service at 10am and last but by no means least 7:30pm and this evening Mass will be followed by an evening of recollection with a talk, adoration, benediction and confessions. We look forward to seeing you and wish you a happy and holy Lenten season!

Thank you!

2012-02-21T01:54:00.000-08:00

On Sunday the Pro-Life group hosted a cake stall in the hall after the 9am and 11am Masses with all of the money raised going to Aila's Fund. Well on behalf of the group I would like to say a huge THANK YOU! to everyone who baked cakes, quiches and made some wonderful jars of jam and maramalade and to all of you who came and bought them. We raised £510.00!! Aila and her family have been absolutely blown away by all of your generosity, support and fervent prayer. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It makes a huge difference. You're all wonderful!

Encouraging vocations

2012-02-21T01:34:00.000-08:00

In the last decade the number of seminarians in England and Wales has almost doubled; rising from 26 in 2001 to 51 last year. This, I'm sure you'll all agree, is extremely encouraging news as the Church cannot continue to joyfully and faithfully proclaim the Gospel for generations to come without good and holy priests to offer the Mass and adminster the sacraments each and every day.

Whilst we all rejoice in vocations to the priesthood, the religious life, the consecrated life, single life and marriage very rarely do they come to fruition all on their own. God speaks to each and every person, calls each and every person to Himself, asks each and every one of us to do some special work. No two vocations are exactly the same just as no two of us are totally alike. We have all been given different gifts and abilities and are called to use them in a wide range of ways.

Despite this call definitely being there for us it can be very hard, seemingly impossible at times, amidst the hustle and bustle and busy-ness and noise of our modern world to discern properly what this means. One thing which we can all try, especially with Lent starting tomorrow, is to make more time, more space in our day for prayer. It doesn't have to be lengthy, it doesn't even have to be complex it just has to be there. Giving God that little part of ourselves, the opportunity to work with and within us for a period of time each day may initially seem to make little impact but, believe me, it makes the world of difference.

Another thing to consider this Lent to help you or someone you know hear God's will for them in their life is to join one of the many discernment groups in our area. Our diocesan Vocation's Director runs several, including Alive in Christ - Women Discerning God's Call, which meets again next Tuesday (for more info click here) and the annual retreat for enquirers to the priesthood (click here for the details on that one). Go on, have a look. You never know where it might lead!

But most importantly of all please join me in praying a decade of the rosary every day for vocations. These prayers are always heard and answered. Let's see if, through this gentle but powerful prayer, we can help to double the number of seminarians (and more) over the next ten years!

Aila's Fund

2012-02-13T08:23:00.000-08:00

The above photo is of a girl that many of you may recognise. Aila was born and raised in Horsham and she and her family have been active parishioners for many years. In many ways she is like your typical sixteen year-old; she likes clothes, shopping, Lady Gaga, she is funny, clever and creative. But, on a more sombre note, there is one thing that sets her apart from her peers. Aila has Friedreich's Ataxia, a neurological disorder, which affects her mobility, balance and speech.

Since this was diagnosed two years ago Aila has had to grow up very quickly and, along with her family, try to adapt to the ways this condition has so radically changed her life. It has been a long and arduous process, something that no girl of her age should have to go through, but she and her parents and brothers have supported each other with mind-blowing love and courage through it all.

And now they need our help. With Aila's balance and mobility worsening every day (she has to use someone's arm for support when walking and will soon be in a wheelchair full-time) she is finding having to go up and down the stairs in her house both difficult and dangerous. The plan is to build a ground floor extension with a bedroom and bathroom as well as making the doorways in the living room etc. wide enough to accommodate the wheelchair. The council are funding the bulk of the project but there is a shortfall of £16,000 which the family have to meet. Her parents have therefore started "Aila's Fund" to help raise the money needed so they can get the build underway.

Horsham has always been a warm, welcoming and generous parish and many have already approached her mum and dad promising to help in whatever way they can. This weekend the Pro-Life group are holding a cake stall with all funds going to Aila and on Saturday 24th March Bousfield:PHOTO will be hosting photo sessions by appointment again with all money raised going to Aila and a whole host of other events in the near future. Please support this cause with prayer and, if you are able, come to some of the events. Spread the word!

Helping the homeless in Horsham

2012-02-13T05:59:00.000-08:00

This weekend the SVP will be hosting an urgent appeal for supplies of food for ARK, the Horsham based charity which gives support to those whose lives are affected by homelessness, poverty, repeat offending and substance abuse.

This is a key part of our mission as Christians; to clothe the naked and feed the hungry, to give to anyone who asks with no thought of return. Sometimes it can be hard to see those truly in need in our own society, within our own community and even if we do it becomes even harder to offer assistance, although moved by the Spirit to do something, anything, we don't always know quite how to respond.

ARK, along with our very own SVP, do absolutely sterling work, they help the vulnerable in our society with dedication, gentleness and amazing charity and most of all they need our prayers to continue this long into the future. If you can please help them with the collection this weekend too, a few tins of this and that is all it takes and it makes such a very big difference.

Alpha at St. John's

2012-02-11T13:13:00.000-08:00

If you were able toget to Mass last weekend despite the snow, you will have heard Father Richardtell us that we shall be starting the first of a series of Alpha Courses afterEaster this year. Some of you may have fond memories of the ones run here atSt. John’s back in the late 90s. AsFather said in his homily, it is our responsibility to reach out to those onthe outer edges of our community, those who have important questions to askabout the existence of God and what it means to be a follower of Christ. Alphais a well proven tool for providing a welcoming non judgemental environment forpeople to do this. Indeed some of our own parishioners set out on their journeyof faith by taking part in Alpha and have subsequently been led by the HolySpirit to their home in the Catholic Church. Liz Duncan is leading our Alpha team and wrote an article abouther journey of faith in the Eaglet last year.

What is Alpha? It islow-pressure, fun and informative. It is a place for people to relax, sharetheir thoughts and explore the deeper meanings of life. The course isdesigned primarily for people who don't go to church, but are interested in theChristian faith. Each course runs for 10weeks and includes the sharing of a meal, a talk and a discussion with an extraintroductory evening and a celebratory supper at the end. There is absolutelyno commitment for anyone to attend all the sessions. People come along for the first time, noforms to fill in, and if they want to come again that’s great.

Canyou think of a family member, friend or neighbour who you would like to inviteto take part in the course?

Wouldyou like to join the Alpha team? We shall need people to provide a warm andfriendly welcome, cooks, helpers to set up and clear away, small group leadersand helpers and a supporting prayer group. If so please contact Liz Duncan on 07931545492 or Ann Hanley on 01403 210073

Working for peace in the Holy Land

2012-02-08T15:23:00.000-08:00

Tonight we were delighted to welcome Dr. Jordan Lancaster, a respected linguist who is also renowned for her charity work with children and families in the Holy Land.

She spoke powerfully on the difficulties faced by Christians living in Israel and Palestine and also of the things which unite the three monotheistic faiths as well as those that divide them. One of the themes she used was bread, how sharing it is common to Christians, Jews and Muslims, how the breaking of bread is a symbol that flows through the Old Testament and into the New.

She founded her charity, Terra Sancta, in 2007 (after visiting the Holy Land on a Holy Week pilgrimage to celebrate her birthday the year before) to provide educational support for Christian children in the Middle East. Most Christians attend Catholic schools and there are fees to be paid each term which, on a stretched budget, can be very hard to meet. Her organisation relies totally on fundraising and volunteers so they can ensure that all of their resources go into helping families meet these costs and all children can receive the very best education available.

I hope you will join me in praying for Jordan and her work in the Middle East.

Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christians,
How sweet it is to come to your feet,
to implore your help in all my necessities,
in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations!

I ask for your unceasing help for all who are now suffering for their faith:
Help them to stay close to Christ and to live the Gospel.

Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked you on earth,
we may love and eternally thank you in heaven.
Amen.

St. Blaise

2012-02-04T14:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we celebrated the feast day of St. Blaise, a bishop and martyr and a man who is most frequently remembered by Catholics because of the blessing of throats. To some this seems like a strange thing to do; bless the throat alone but, as Fr. Richard said in his homily, there is more to it than simply blessing the physical organ (although there is nothing small or insignificant with that in itself.) It has with it great spiritual implications. For instance we can benefit from this saint's intercession by considering what comes out of our throat; the things we say, the gossip we spread, the lies we tell, the nonsense we jabber about all of the time. It encourages us to pray for the gift of Prudence, to ask for the grace to know when to speak and when to keep silent and to speak of the things which are important, which we should not keep to ourselves, i.e. the Gospel. It is our duty, our vocation, as Christians to tell the Good News and this blessing and the prayers of this and all the saints are invaluable tools to us along the way.

Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you free from every disease of the throat, and from every other disease. In the name of the Father and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. R. Amen.

Welcomed in the name of Christ

2012-01-29T13:29:00.000-08:00

Today the Church joyfully welcomed four wonderful people who, moved by the love of the Holy Spirit, expressed their heartfelt desire to become a part of the Roman Catholic Church, part of the Body of Christ. Alison, who is not baptised, celebrated her Rite of Acceptance and Stuart, Judy and Matt their Rite of Welcome. At each Mass the Church rejoiced in God having lead them here, His taking them by the hand and bringing them into the oneness of faith and, in prayer, welcomed them in the name of Christ.

They were each signed with the cross on their forehead by the priest and then their sponsors signed each of their senses. For the first time they all put on Christ as it were and opened themselves, every part of themselves, to God's word, to His will. It was powerful and beautiful to watch.

Receive the sign of the cross on your forehead. It is Christ himself who now strengthens youwith this sign of his love.

Receive the sign of the cross on your ears, that you may hear thevoice of the Lord.

Receive the sign of the cross on youreyes, that you may see the glory of God.

Receive the sign of the cross on yourlips, that you may respond to the word of God.

Receive thesign of the cross over your heart, that Christ may dwell there by faith.

Receive thesign of the cross on your shoulders, that you may bear the gentle yoke ofChrist.

Receive thesign of the cross on your hands, that Christ may be known in the work which youdo.

Receive the signof the cross on your feet, that you may walk in the way of Christ.

From left to right; Fr. Richard, Robin (Stuart's sponsor), Stuart,
Alison, Margaret (Alison's sponsor) and Fr. Aaron

From left to right; Judy, her sponsor, Fr. Aaron, Deacon Tom,
Matt's sponsor and Matt

Please pray for Alison (a catechumen), Stuart, Judy and Matt (all candidates) as they take this next exciting and life changing step into the Church...and pray that many, many more will follow them!

Letter to Francis Maude

2012-01-27T23:48:00.000-08:00

For those of you who haven't seen it yet this is the letter we will be asking everyone in the parish to sign and send to our local MP, Francis Maude. Copy and paste it into Word and print from there.

Rt. Hon. Francis Maude MP

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

[29^thJanuary 2012]

Dear Mr Maude

I am writing to you on behalf of the Pro-Life Group at StJohn the Evangelist RC Church, Horsham regarding the Falconer report and therecent campaigns for euthanasia and/or assisted suicide to be legalised in theUK. We believe the Falconer report gives great cause for concernand should the question of the legalisation of ‘assisted dying’ be raised onceagain in the Commons, we would urge that you please vote against it.

Bias in the report

The Commission which produced the report was heavilybiased from the outset having been funded by Terry Pratchett, a known supporterof euthanasia and the patron of Dignityin Dying, and with nine of the eleven members of the panel being stronglyin favour of the legalisation of assisted suicide. The deal to run the Commissionwas negotiated by Demoswith the think tank run by Kitty Usher, a former colleagueof Patricia Hewitt who, along with Lord Falconer, tried unsuccessfully tochange the law in 2009. The Commission was founded with the clear intention tobring about a conclusion in their favour, as its stated aims betray: to ‘…investigatethe circumstances under which it should be possible for people to be assistedto die; recommend what system, if any, should exist to allow people to beassisted to die; identify who should be entitled to be assisted to die andrecommend what changes in the law, if any, should be introduced’. In light of all the above over 40 organisations(including the British Medical Association), as well as many high profileindividuals, boycotted the Commission.

Our major concerns

· The report readily uses the term ‘assisteddying’ when referring to both euthanasia and assisted suicide, thus cloudingthe distinction between them. This fudging of terms could potentially leadto 13,000 deaths a year in Britain should ‘assisted dying’ ever be made legal(as outlined in the 2005 House of Lords report).

· The report over-emphasises the need forassisted dying without suggesting that any extra effort or investment be placedin improving our current long-term and palliative care systems. Sadly PCT-runpalliative care facilities and hospitals vary vastly in terms of care dependingon one’s postcode. Hospices, especially the local St. Catherine’s Hospice,deliver excellent care and devotion to their patients but are usually over-subscribed.This situation leaves the terminally ill and elderly in a very vulnerableposition.

· Given the circumstances mentioned above,depression would undoubtedly play a huge role in affecting the patient’sjudgement; yet the Commission did not make sufficient allowance for thepossibility that some people would be pressured into choosing assisted dying ata time when both their physical and psychological health are at their mostfragile.

· We are concerned that the report will encouragepro-euthanasia campaigners to renew their efforts to have assisted dying madelegal in Britain. These efforts willtend by their very existence to promote a subtext which runs as follows: whensomeone can no longer support themselves due to illness or old age theyconstitute a ‘burden’ to family and friends or a drain upon State resources; asthey are no longer economically productive there is no basis for them to enjoya sense of self-worth; it is therefore a kindness to allow them to choose to endtheir lives with ‘dignity’ before their condition worsens.

Unless we work to change the way illness,disability and age are perceived by our society, there will be no incentive forus to concentrate effort and finance on developing pain management, aids tohelp patients keep their independence as long as possible and compassionatenursing care. Legalisedeuthanasia will be seen as the logical and easy option for those faced with theprospect of a long, painful illness. As a result many will miss out on monthsor years of worthwhile life and our society will be impoverished by the lack ofindividuals who, by their very vulnerability, can foster the best in humannature in others.

· We fully appreciate the apprehensions ofterminally ill patients who are facing the prospect of a long, painful illness,perhaps with the loss of faculties. However we feel that the report fails to givedue consideration to the difference in quality of life that can be made throughpalliative care as mentioned above. The support of other human beings can initself make life worth living even when it involves suffering.

· Should it become relatively commonplace forpeople to kill themselves when they are at their most vulnerable this wouldaffect the human value of each and every ill, disabled or aged person. Ineffect we would have defined them either as non-productive ‘second-classcitizens’ or hopeless victims of irredeemable suffering.

· In reply to those who argue that not everyonewould choose to die we would draw attention to the words of Els Borst, theformer Health Minister for the Netherlands, who pushed for euthanasia to belegalised in her country. She has since said that the Dutch governmentresponded too quickly to demands for euthanasia to be legalised without correct attention being given to support for the dying. She admitted that this was ‘not in theproper order’ and that, ultimately, many have suffered and chosen to die becauseof this upside-down, hasty decision. This is a truly tragic set ofcircumstances, one we must not allow to be repeated here in Britain.

· We are writing as a Christian group and assuch have a strong belief in the sanctity of human life and the innate dignityof each and every human person, each one of whom is not only made in the imageof God but is also a unique individual loved beyond measure by his/herCreator. Whilst weappreciate that not everyone will share our belief in God, we strongly feelthat the Christian voice has a right to be heard along with all others in ourdemocratic society, particularly as Christian values have been foundational tothe shaping of our country’s laws and governance, a fact the Prime MinisterDavid Cameron reminded us only recently. We also believe that the Christianperspective on the value of each human person in his/her own right, independentof their economic productivity or physical ‘perfection’, is equally validacross all spectrums of belief and philosophy and has an important contributionto make to this particular debate.

Our personal experience

One of our group members has a teenagedaughter who is suffering from a degenerative disabling disease. Her hope is that her daughter will beencouraged to look forward to the future with a positive ‘can do’ attitude anda real sense of self-worth, but she is witnessing first-hand, in her daughter’spsychological struggles, that it is not always easy for the disabled to hold onto their sense of dignity. Making euthanasiaan easily available and widely acceptable option will not help this mindset.

We hope that you will consider ourstatement along with those published by organisations such as Care Not Killing, LIFE and dozens of others along with the countlessindividuals who view human life as inherently dignified and valuable beyondeconomic price.

Yours sincerely

I know that many people become disillusioned with politics (and politicians) and believe that things like this make little to no impact on our country and society at all but if we don't try, if we don't speak out against threats to life such as this then we have no hope.

St. John's Pro Life group

2012-01-25T14:44:00.000-08:00

This weekend our Church is hosting the White Flower Appeal to raise awareness and money for the work of SPUC in the UK. The Pro-Life group will be helping to co-ordinate this and will be available after all Masses this weekend to answer any questions you may have.

Some of you may have seen or heard of Lord Falconer's Commission on Assisted Suicide. The report issued by the commission argues that the current laws on assisted suicide need to be changed (in this country it is still illegal). The report makes very disturbing reading and threatens to undermine the value of the lives of each terminally ill person in this country as well as the excellent work carried out by doctors, nurses and carers in hospitals, hospices and other care facilities. In conjunction with the White Flower Appeal the Pro-Life group will be asking each member of the parish to sign a letter (prepared by themselves) to our local MP, Francis Maude, asking him to vote against any renewed campaigns from pro-assisted suicide groups. You can read more about it on my personal blog here.

The group also have a brand new blog (under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe) which will keep us all up to date with events and general news on Pro-life matters. You can visit it here and join our Facebook group here.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

Plainchant

2012-01-25T14:18:00.000-08:00

Who's up for a sing-song with a difference? Tomorrow night at 7:30pm the new Plainchant group (under the excellent direction of Claire Bowskill whose blog can be found here) meet in the church to explore this rich and beautiful expression of the Church's worship of God. No previous experience required (you don't even need to be able to read music), just the desire to sing!

Click on the clip to give you a flavour for plainchant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5p_U8J0iRQ

As promised...

2012-01-25T13:20:00.000-08:00

Fr. Richard's homily from Sunday's prayer service for Christian Unity.

PrayerService for Christian Unity 2012 at St. Mary’s, the Causeway, Horsham

In July 1995 I was ordained adeacon in the Arundel & Brighton parish of Christ the Prince of Peace inWeybridge. It was an ecumenical occasion in that there were many visitors fromother churches, not only because I had been baptised and brought up in the Churchof England, but because Weybridge seemed to a very ecumenical place. Mgr BennyO’Shea, the parish priest at the time, had a theory for this. The churches inWeybridge get on so well together because all their members play golf and voteConservative.

Things in common seem to be avery important part of our journey to Christian unity. Shared culture, sharedconcerns, shared contributions to society and community: these are surelysignificant. But sometimes we can be sidetracked by those shared things (which areimportant but superficial) so that we cease to engage in the dialogue which ismore demanding and even painful and which will ultimately bear more fruit.Indeed, the rich diversity of difference in a community like St John’s would beconsidered as one of our greatest strengths.

Two months before my ordinationBlessed Pope John Paul II had issued his Encyclical Ut unim sint, May they all be one. The encyclical is the highestand most weighty form of personal papal written teaching. John Paul had set thebusiness of Christian unity as one of his priorities of the pontificate in theearly 1980s. Now his thoughts were chrystalised in that authoritative documentwhich set the course afresh for Christian unity as a priority for the CatholicChurch. This demand springs from the pope’s own commitment to that dialoguebetween people of good will which, if neglected, becomes more of a battle forideas. In his experience this had been a real battle, fort out, not in the lecturetheatre but on the streets of his occupied city of Krakow; the regimes offascism and atheistic communism had sort either to replace God or build asociety without God. The consequences were desperate, the cost was horrific,the legacy is lasting.

The moving sight of John Paul IIarriving at the church of the Gesu inRome to sing Te Deum in thanksgivingfor the old year 1992 was my first meeting with the pope we now call Blessed.My last sight of him was on looking up at the window of the apostolic palace onEaster Wednesday 2005, three days before his death. He struggled desperately tospeak to us and bless us. My 1992 had led to tough decisions about my onjourney of faith, and the shadow of Peter in affecting strength and unaffectedsimplicity falling on me had, I believe, helped me to make those decisions. But the experience of the Churchpreparing to bid farewell to Il Papa, thePolish Pope had demonstrated again to the world that the desperate weaknessof old men who have lived with the weakness and suffering, the doubts and thefears of so many for so long becomes the bright light of a better future.

PopeBenedict spoke at his audience on Wednesday about Christian unity.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity whichbegins today invites all the Lord’s followers to implore the gift of unity.This year’s theme – We Will All Be Changed By The Victory Of Our Lord JesusChrist – was chosen by representatives of the Catholic Church and thePolish Ecumenical Council. Poland’s experience of oppression and persecutionprompts a deeper reflection on the meaning of Christ’s victory over sin anddeath, a victory in which we share through faith. By his teaching, his exampleand his paschal mystery, the Lord has shown us the way to a victory obtainednot by power, but by love and concern for those in need. Faith in Christ andinterior conversion, both individual and communal, must constantly accompanyour prayer for Christian unity. During this Week of Prayer, let us ask the Lordin a particular way to strengthen the faith of all Christians, to change ourhearts and to enable us to bear united witness to the Gospel. In this way wewill contribute to the new evangelization and respond ever more fully to thespiritual hunger of the men and women of our time.

All new, all colour parish mag!

2012-01-23T13:06:00.000-08:00

The new edition of The Eaglet is out and is, as always, well worth a read. As you can see from the stunning cover it is now in full colour and we would ask, if you are able, to donate 50p to help cover costs. Come and get yours from the back of the church today!

Horsham Churches praying together

2012-01-23T12:36:00.000-08:00

Last night's prayer service for Christian Unity at St. Mary's in the Causeway was excellent. If you weren't there you really did miss out. It was truly wonderful to see all these people who can seem so divided come together to worship and adore almighty God. We had readings in english and polish (this year's theme for the week of prayer came from an ecumenical council in Poland), lots of well sung hymns, even more prayers and Fr. Richard preached an excellent homily (sorry for the slightly grainy picture). He referred to Pope Benedict's audience at his Angelus at the start of the week for prayer. Here is part of his message which makes marvellous food for thought.

"The theme of the Week this year -- as we heard -- is taken from the First Letter to the Corinthians: “We Will All Be Changed By the Victory of Our Lord Jesus Christ” -- His victory will transform us. And this theme was suggested by the large ecumenical Polish group I just mentioned, which -- in reflecting on their own experience as a nation -- wanted to underscore how strong a support the Christian faith is in the midst of trial and upheaval, like those that have characterized Poland’s history. After ample discussion, a theme was chosen that focuses on the transforming power of faith in Christ, particularly in light of the importance it has for our prayer for the visible unity of Christ’s Body, the Church. This reflection was inspired by the words of St. Paul who, addressing himself to the Church of Corinth, speaks about the perishable nature of what belongs to our present life -- which is also marked by the experience of the “defeat” that comes from sin and death -- compared to what brings us Christ’s victory over sin and death in His paschal mystery.

The particular history of the Polish nation, which knew times of democratic coexistence and of religious liberty -- as in the 16th century -- has been marked in recent centuries by invasions and defeat, but also by the constant struggle against oppression and by the thirst for freedom. All of this led the ecumenical group to reflect more deeply on the true meaning of "victory" -- what victory is -- and "defeat." Compared with "victory" understood in triumphalistic terms, Christ suggests to us a very different path that does not pass by way of force and power. In fact, He affirms: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). Christ speaks of a victory through suffering love, through mutual service, help, new hope and concrete comfort given to the least, to the forgotten, to those who are rejected. For all Christians, the highest expression of this humble service is Jesus Christ Himself -- the total gift He makes of Himself, the victory of His love over death on the Cross, which shines resplendent in the light of Easter morning.

We can take part in this transforming “victory” if we allow ourselves to be transformed by God -- but only if we work for the conversion of our lives, and if this transformation leads to conversion. This is the reason why the Polish ecumenical group considered particularly fitting for their own reflection the words of St. Paul: “We will all be changed by the victory of Christ, Our Lord” (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:51-58).

The full and visible unity of Christians for which we long demands that we allow ourselves to be ever more perfectly transformed and conformed to the image of Christ. The unity for which we pray requires interior conversion, both communal and personal. It is not simply a matter of kindness and cooperation; above all, we must strengthen our faith in God, in the God of Jesus Christ, who has spoken to us and who made Himself one of us; we must enter into new life in Christ, which is our true and definitive victory; we must open ourselves to one another, cultivating all the elements of that unity that God has preserved for us and gives to us ever anew; we must feel the urgency of bearing witness before the men of our times to the living God, who made Himself known in Christ."

Worshipping God as one family

2012-01-21T12:14:00.000-08:00

We all know how vitally important it is to pray for the unity of all Christians all over the world. Christ established one Church, one Body here on earth and is truly sad, heart breaking even, to think of this Body as being fractured, divided and separated. In the Roman Catholic Church we are especially blessed to know such an intimate closeness to Christ, a profound spiritual and physical communion that even our minds cannot even dream of fully comprehending. It is only natural, only right and proper, that we should hope and pray that one day (hopefully one day in the not too distant future) all Christians might be reconciled to one another, brought together and united into a fullness of faith. Tomorrow at 6:30pm Horsham Churches Together conclude their annual week of fervent prayer for Christian Unity. This year is all the more exciting as we are leading the service at St. Mary's C of E Church in the Causeway. Please come along and join us if you can. You won't regret it!

Confirmation

2012-01-20T11:04:00.000-08:00

This Sunday the new parish Confirmation program begins. We are very excited this year to have 38 (yes, 38) candidates all keen to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and enter into their lives as adult Christians called to live and breathe the Gospel. Please keep them all in your prayers as they begin this exciting journey.

Theology of the Body

2011-12-13T00:58:00.000-08:00

Anneli spoke about The Theology of the Body at last Wednesday's Real Presence talk. These talks help to deepen the formation in the faith of adults in our parish. The theology of the body, developed by the teachings of Blessed John Paul II and based firmly in Catholic tradition, gives us that insight into the nature of the human person, inseparably a bodily and a spiritual being. How often we seek divorcee this nature; in doing so we undermine our dignity, we become half a person.

Anneli spoke about our true nature and value, the family and society and the priority of love.

I'm sure I speak for us all when I say that those of us who attended were immensely grateful to Anneli for her insights and hard work.

Advent Hope

2011-12-01T04:44:00.000-08:00

The Holy Father spoke these words at St Peter’s to mark the season of Advent

In this Advent Season we shall be granted once again to experience the closeness of the One who created the world, who guides history and who cared for us to the point of deigning to become a man.

This great and fascinating mystery of the God-with-us, indeed, of the God who becomes one of us, is what we shall celebrate in the coming weeks journeying towards holy Christmas. During the Season of Advent we shall feel the Church which takes us by the hand and — in the image of Mary Most Holy, expresses her motherhood, enabling us to experience the joyful expectation of the coming of the Lord, who embraces us all in his love that saves and consoles.

While our hearts look forward to the annual celebration of Christ’s Birth, the Church’s Liturgy directs our gaze to the final goal: our encounter with the Lord who will come in the splendour of glory. For this reason in every Eucharist we “announce his death, proclaim his Resurrection until he comes again”, we watch in prayer.

The Liturgy does not cease to encourage and support us, putting on our lips, in the days of Advent, the cry with which the whole of Sacred Scripture ends, on the last page of the Revelation to St John: “Come, Lord Jesus” (22:20).

The latest Biggerstaff

2011-12-01T04:40:00.000-08:00

My brother and sister in law look forward to the birth of their next child in March, please keep them in your prayers. They gave a lovely birthday party for me last Friday. Yesterday evening we had the planning meeting for the Parish Pro-Life Group. There will be a newsletter from the group on 17th December. We'll also have the White Flower Appal for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children towards the end of January. Meanwhile this beautiful image is surely life, the same as yours and mine. Patrick and Loretta's baby is pictured here at 3 months.

Kenny Gordon

2011-11-21T15:14:00.000-08:00

On the evening of the Feast of Christ the King Kenny Gordon was received into the Church confirmed and then received his first Holy Communion. These beautiful moments of God's grace remind us all of that pearl of great price, the faith of the Catholic Church. God bless you Kenny. Kenny's wife Chris shared in the joy of the occasion and Damien stood as sponsor.

Father Hyacinth Ibau

2011-11-15T10:03:00.000-08:00

Pictures taken with Father Hyacinth.

L to R Fr Richard, Tony Nwachukwu, Fr Aaron, Fr Hyacinth, Deacon Tom, Anna Nwachukwu

It was a great pleasure to have welcomed Fr Hyacinth to our parish this weekend.

Sharing the Body and Blood of the Lord

2011-11-12T14:49:00.000-08:00

St John’s Horsham

Sharing the Body and Blood of Christ

New Guidelines for Commissioned Ministers of Holy Communion

PREPARATION

As with all ministries in the Church, it is important to prepare carefully by prayer. This is the way we respond to the call of the Lord. Preparing with prayer helps others to pray. We assemble in the sacristy to pray 10 minutes before Mass.

THE ROTA

If you are unable to take your turn, please ensure that a replacement is found in good time. This must be a fellow Minister whose name also appears on the rota.

MIND YOUR LANGUAGE

We always talk about the Body of Christ, the Host, the ciborium, the Precious Blood, the Blood of Christ, the chalice.

ARRIVE IN GOOD TIME

Allow yourself time to compose your thoughts before Mass and to be available in case there are any necessary alterations you should know about

DURING THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

In the Liturgy of the word we listen attentively to the voice of the Lord as heard in the scriptures.

APPROACHING THE ALTAR

Ministers should approach the altar as the priest receives from the chalice.
Come quickly and reverently genuflecting individually.
Please stand above the first step on the carpeted below the altar step on the lectern side and the organ side of the sanctuary. This will be close to the place where you will administer Holy Communion.
Having received Holy Communion simply turn to take up your precise position to administer Holy Communion.
The minister who will distribute the host receives from the chalice given to the minister standing by their side. Generally we will not go to the tabernacle. If this is necessary the priest or deacon will go.

DISTRIBUTING HOLY COMMUNION

The words The Body of Christ or The Blood of Christ are the only words used.

The clergy will answer any questions or concerns. Please do not hesitate to share any concerns with them.

FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION

The prayer at this point is not strictly speaking a blessing, therefore a commissioned minister of Holy Communion can say: “The Lord Jesus bless you and keep you”.

AFTER THE DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

The Minister distributing the Body of the Lord returns any remaining Hosts to the altar, genuflects and leaves the sanctuary immediately.
The deacon or priest returns any unconsumed hosts to the tabernacle.
If a deacon is not present, the minister distributing the blood of Christ from the principal (larger and more ornate) chalice also consumes the any of the Precious Blood remaining (if possible) and takes that chalice straight to the centre of the altar, (genuflects if any of the Blessed Sacrament remains upon the altar) and also leaves immediately.
This means that the deacon or priest will purify the principal chalice and the ciboria at the altar with the assistance of the server.
A longer, larger credence table is in place. The other three ministers distributing the chalice go immediately to the credence table. They consume the Precious Blood, add water to their chalice, drink the water and then dry the chalice with a purificator, this is then placed firmly inside the chalices.
They arrange the chalices in a straight line to the back and in the middle of the credence table.
Be conscious of the fact that this is a silent time for the congregation.
Return to your places in the church when you are ready. Make your reverence individually.

Please note that the vessels are washed again once they are returned to the sacristy after Mass.

Would the minister of the ciborium continue to do this.

TAKING HOLY COMMUNION TO THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND

Please place your pyx on the credence table before Mass begins with the right number card beside it.
Please come to the altar step after the Prayer after Communion.
The deacon or priest will return the pyx containing the Body of the Lord to you with a prayer.
Go at this point through the side door of the church and make your way immediately to your sick communicant..
Please do not make any other reverence and do not take holy water when you are carrying the Body of the Lord.
Remember to cleanse the pyx with water (which is then consumed) once you have finished giving Holy Communion to the housebound.

Rev Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica 2011

Fr Peter Andrews Birthday Boy

2011-11-11T09:34:00.000-08:00

Fr Peter ceebrated his 63rd birthday on Sunday. Many happy returns!

Don't you just love this picture?

Fr Gerard Hatton's Homily for Life

2011-11-08T09:46:00.000-08:00

By popular request, the text of Fr Gerard Hatton's Friday homily

The Sacred Heart is an image that quite blatantly tells people that a household is Catholic. My grandparents would face their enthroned image to pray every day; the whole family consecrated and their names added. There were so many that they had to write at the back of the picture! Just a few a weeks ago I had the honour of doing the same for my mum and dad and brothers. The Sacred Heart is also an image with which we are so familiar: we stop to see beneath the Catholic kitsch.

What lies beneath? It is the Heart of Jesus. In his humanity he shows that flesh and blood are worthy of bearing God, so much so that His Body and Blood becomes the means of our salvation, the means of our communion with God. The divine praises remind us, ‘Blessed Jesus Christ true God and true Man’. This union has a knock on effect for our humanity; we are chosen and called, anointed and united to him at our baptism. This means that all life is sacred and all life is a gift given to us by God, our Father and Creator.

The Heart of Jesus reminds us of the need to uphold the beauty and dignity of life. I have been struck by the 40 days of life movement, where people pray outside abortion clinics, they steadfastly pray and diligently witness. This does not highlight their madness as some would see it, but rather that their hearts -focused in witness to the simple fact that God is love- love as an extension of God’s will for people who find themselves at the doors of these places. This protest has changed many lives, saved many beautiful babies and even closed clinics.

Our presence in matters of morality and injustice are a crucial part of who we are as Catholics. I do wonder what it might have been like if protest had found itself outside the Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood Westminster. I could only help think that there would be dialogue, that they would have been given soup and that the doors of the cathedral would be open. Open wide to sanctify and bring people into the presence of God and consecrate our problems and nation to His Sacred Heart and an outpouring of his Precious Blood.

Sometimes these actions, which are simple and from the heart, are missed. Words can only be effective if we pray. Charity can only work if it is founded in truth, our Home is with God in his Holy Church.

This month of the Holy Souls helps us to ponder deeply, not only our way on the journey and decisions we need to make in order to see heaven a reality, but it also reminds us of our Christian duty to pray for those in purgatory. For people whose sins have been forgiven need to work out the effect of their sin: those in this beautiful state need our prayers, and amongst them those who had been involved in the culture of death, those who procured an abortion or helped someone to die. Our prayers are surely effective.

True devotion to the Sacred Heart is a devotion to Jesus Christ. His Heart reminds us of the need for God to become man and his pitching his tent among us, his body, his flesh and heart is present to us through this sacrifice of Mass tonight and time we will spend with him adoration!

Jesus is calling us to come to him.

Before the Lord of Life and Love

2011-11-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

After Holy Mass tonight we keep vigil before the Lord of Life and Love.

That the dignity of human life at all its stages will be upheld.

That abortion will end

and frail and vulnerable life will be especially cherished.

All Hallows

2011-11-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

Our All saints celebrations began on Sunday. Whilst many in Horsham were dressing as spooks and witches, the children of St John's took the opportunity to dress as saints, the hallowed ones. We had George and Bernadette, Dorothy and Philomena, Christopher and John the Baptist and many more besides. The parachute game was a big hit! Fr Peter returned to lead it and it was great to see him. Fr Aaron compared the procession of saints with consummate professionalism and I used the excuse to wear my biretta (I need no excuse) and came as St Philip Neri. I am edified that 3 year olds in my parish not only know what a biretta is, they can also spell it!
Thanks to Celia and her team for the fun and food and to Peter for the photos.
As we keep our novena for life culminating in the all night vigil before the Blessed Sacrament this Friday, so we are so grateful for the young lives -saints in the making- the All Hallows of St John's.

St Philip did odd things with his beard to disarm the pompous!

Life is for Living

2011-10-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

The Pro-Life Vigil began tonight and culminates next Friday with 7pm Mass and all night exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Between now and then there is prayer in the church every evening. Tonight the Youth Cafe joined us and read superbly. We used this prayer to Our Lady of Pope Blessed John Paul II

Oh Mary, bright dawn of the new world, to you do we entrust the cause of life. Look down, O Mother, upon the vast number of babies not allowed to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy. Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim the Gospel of Life with honesty and love to the people of our time. Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives, and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life.

A feed of beans

2011-10-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

Our childhood neighbour Arthur has died and today we celebrated his funeral. Arthur's church was the United Reformed Church in St Mary Cray known as the Temple.

As a boy I remember Arthur and the neighbours of his generation competing to produce the first feed of beans. He was a professional and a passionate gardener.

He also belonged to another age! A world of set in stone mealtimes, of thrift and homemade marmalade and endless talk about weather and cricket.

Arthur and his late wife Peggy (we always called Peggy Mrs Wise!) lived lives of simple decency and order. I felt that today we celebrated the passing of a generation. It was for that reason so very poignant.

Our nostalgia isn’t about wishing a past world back, but rather looking forward in hope.

In these moments we offer the all of us to God and we offer us all to God, especially our loved ones who have died.

Arthur had the best of laughs. Loud and confident and long. As a boy in the saddest of his family's circumstances I saw him cry and I have never forgotten it because it was, I think, my first experience of seeing a man cry.

In our tears and laughter we remembered a rounded man, a man of the seasons, and we looked forward to the timelessness of heaven where everything is made good, where goodness is rewarded and death is crowned with eternal life.

May he rest in peace.

Therese

2011-10-26T15:53:00.000-07:00

JB Morton's St Therese of Lisieux has been a beautiful read. For our recollection this evening we focused on Therese. The Mass was a votive of Therese and the talk....largely given by JBM. What a find!

'Men and women of all nations have realised, after reading the story of of St Therese, that her teaching, because it is the teaching of the Gospels, is more consonant with man as he is made than the newest of the philosophies. Her business is with our souls. We can read her words and ignore her advice. But we cannot deny that it is we who have abandoned religion.'

Last Night in RCIA

2011-10-26T01:37:00.000-07:00

The New Testament

Those who take us to the Person of Jesus Christ

What’s in a name? When we think about the New Testament we want to know who did the writing and who were the witnesses. We think of those who accompanied Jesus and, amongst his disciples, the apostles and evangelists. Very often authorship is about a tradition of writing rather than simply one author. We often hear St John referred to as the disciple Jesus loved, the beloved disciple.

But Mathew, Mark, Luke and...... There are many so-called gospels. We hear about this all the time, especially when our faith is being undermined. The scriptures of the Old and New Testament form the canon of scripture, the list of books which make up the Bible. It is the Church which establishes this canon of scripture. Inspiration is about both the authorship and also the list!

In my earlier work Theophilus.... The Acts of the Apostles give us an account of the lives of the followers of Jesus after the Resurrection and Ascension. The narrative begins with the birth of the Church at Pentecost.

Saul, Saul, Why do you persecute me? Saul becomes Paul and is transformed as the outstanding teacher and preacher to the Gentiles. His conversion is detailed in Acts. The spread of the gospel and the important questions, especially between Jewish and Pagan followers of the Way, are resolved. The Acts of the Apostles tells us when followers of Jesus were first called Christians and prepares us for the supreme act of witness to Jesus, the martyrdom of Peter and Paul in Rome.

Peter & Mark in Rome? ‘My son Mark sends you greetings...’ writes St Peter in his first letter. St Mark’s gospel -the oldest- concludes with the Lord sending the apostles, ‘Go out to the whole world, proclaim the Good News to all creation.’ The words of the scriptures are not just the devotional reading of Christians but the proclamation of Christ, the key to human history and the answer to the existence of all things.

Blessed John Paul reminds us:

'The whole of Christ’s life was a continual teaching.......'

Altar of St Wenceslaus

2011-10-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

I celebrated Holy Mass in St Peter's Basilca last Tuesday for the intentions of all Horsham parishioners. My father and Fr Jonathan Martin were present. The altar was that of St Wenceslaus, the good king (or duke), who looked out on the feast of Stephen. On Monday afternoon, after a robust walk to the Quirinale and then St Mary Major, my father bought the parish four new palls for use with the chalices at Mass in Horsham. More about Rome anon, especially after I learn to download my photos from my very sophisiticated phone/camera!

Roman Holiday

2011-10-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

I'm off to Rome on Sunday evening. I return on Thursday. Holy Mass will be offered for the intentions of all Horsham parishioners in St Peter's on Tuesday morning at 7am.

I will go unto the altar of God

2011-10-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

Some of our splendid altar servers with MCs Chris, Brian and Graham at Arundel Cathedral with Bishop Kieran and Fr Aaron. Thank you to all our servers for their service at the altar. May God bless you and St Stephen pray for you.

Pieta

2011-10-14T16:49:00.000-07:00

At Youth Cafe this evening we focused on the Pieta. This is the Michelangelo Pieta in St Peter's, Rome. Our St John's Pieta is quite beautiful and we are currently thinking of a worthy and permanant place for it. The Youth Cafe spent some time thinking about the sorrowful mysteries of the most holy rosary. Last time we met we concentrated on the glorious mysteries; we used our fingers to pray the rosary. The rosary is an easy prayer (we can pray it with our fingers) but it is also a prayer which reflects all the complexities of life.
Jack Regan, lay chaplain at St Wilfrid's School, joined us and led the ice breakers. Great! Meat free pizza was the food.
At the Pieta we reflected that the Church's encouragement to abstain from meat is primarily devotional. We abstain from flesh and reflect on the Incarnation. Christ took our flesh (became Incarnate), He shared our humanity and our inevitable death. In a spirit of prayer, as we come to the Lord who shared our humanity that we might share His divinity, we find the grace to express our Friday abstinence in charity.

1066 and all that....

2011-10-13T11:55:00.000-07:00

Fr Gerard Hatton offered Mass last Saturday in honour of St Edward the Confessor at the Confessor's Shrine in the Collegiate and Abbey Church of St Peter at Westminster. As a Catholic priest he was delighted to be welcomed so warmly by the Abbey's staff and to be able to offer Holy Mass. I hope HM the Queen knew!
Today is St Edward's feast, remembered (to paraphrase Mgr Knox) because he gave a poor man his dinner. As we lead up to the Thirteenth Anniversary of the signing of a Covenant with the Poor in this parish, so we take inspiration from St Edward. May we use our power and privilege -however small- for the good of others.

St Wilfrid

2011-10-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

Wilfrid of York and Apostle of Sussex too! We marked the feast with Mass at 10am and 7.30pm. Our lovely carved wood image of Wilfrid was placed upon the sanctuary. I let the Venerable Bede preach the homily this evening. Wilfrid met the hungry of Sussex with practical help and taught them how to fish. Its a challenge! Jesus speaks in the gospel to the pharisees. He is hard hitting! The implication is that we take the burdens of people seriously and do what we can to lift them.
Our day finished with an excellent presentation on the vocation of a Catholic teacher given by our own Chris Franke. Chris is assistant head and head of RE at the splendid and impressive ST WILFIRD'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL CRAWLEY.

We adore you O Christ and we bless you.

2011-10-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

This is the sacristy press. The vestments are stored in the large horizontal drawers. The upright feature was removed when the Martyrs altar was relocated in the Martyrs chapel. It was then restored and now houses a crucifix and some relics. The crucifix is French, of carved wood. I used some of my leaving gift from Lewes to buy it. The relics are of St Emilie de Rodat and St Robert Southwell. As the priest vests for Mass it is traditional that he say vesting prayers of preparation. These prayers are in Ditchling script on the left. This feature is a focus for us in those few minutes before Mass. This prayer is often said quietly by the priest during this time.

My purpose is to celebrate Mass 
and to make present the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ 
according to the rite of the holy Roman Church, 
to the praise of almighty God 
and of the whole Church triumphant in heaven, 
for my own welfare and that of the whole Church militant on earth, 
for all who in general and in particular 
have commended themselves to my prayers, 
and for the well-being of the holy Roman Church.

Amen.

May joy and peace, 
amendment of life, 
room for true penitence, 
the grace and comfort of the Holy Ghost, 
and steadfastness in good works be granted us 
by the almighty and merciful Lord.

Amen.

The Parish Council

2011-10-11T00:15:00.000-07:00

The Parish Council meet tonight. The existing Parish council, but with the new priests.

Say a prayer for us.

At daily Mass we are listening to St Paul writing to the Romans.

'I am not ashamed of the Good News; it is the power of God saving all who have faith.....

The upright man finds life through faith.'

Tonight we shall reflect a little on these words as we begin our discussions.

St Paulinus

2011-10-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

Today is the commemoration of St Paulinus. I was baptised in a church dedicted to Paulinus and my first school was St Paulinus. As a boy I had visions of St Paulinus, bishop of Rochester, sailing up the river Cray to evangelise Orpington. Not vision visions, just nice thoughts and ideas. Where should we be sailing to speak the words of Jesus in the gospel?

Leaving Dos

2011-10-08T11:38:00.000-07:00

This was mine last Sunday. We had Rosary & Benediction and a tea party.

Fr Aaron is in Guildford for his own leaving do this weekend.

The support we receive from our parishioners, past and present is vital.

Thank you again for your warm welcome to both of us.

That recipe for the sea bass

2011-10-08T02:29:00.000-07:00

1. Acquire your sea bass fillets with skin! Fennel, onions, garlic and canned chopped tomatoes.
2. Chop the fennel bulb and gently fry in olive oil until soft and set aside.

3. Fry the chopped onion (gently does it) and a little garlic and add the chopped tomatoes and their juice; let them cook and let those flavours get acquainted.
4. Bake the seasoned sea bass fillets in a hot oven for about 10 minutes, skin side up.

Serve the fillet on the fennel and pour a little of the tomato sauce on top.

If you're hungry then mash up some potatoes.

Why not try it for Friday Fayre.

Crawley Circle Catenians

2011-10-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to the catenians of the Crawley Circle for their hospitality at Ghyll Manor, Rusper this evening. We dined on excellent soup and sea bass. Mike Newman, the circle president and a Horsham parishioner welcomed the clergy and sisters. I was privileged to reply on behalf of the guests. We spent some time thinking about vocations. Happy priests inspire vocations to the priesthood and the happiness of priests is in no small part due to the care and concern and love of our parishioners. I think we were all inspired to pray hard for vocations. Mike gave Fr Terry Martin, vocations director for our diocese, a cheque to help towards his work. We were told that the dinner was a thank you to the clergy and sisters for their work. Since Fr Aaron and I have only just arrived we felt rather spoilt so early in our tenure.

New parish priest and the newest parishioner

2011-09-29T04:28:00.000-07:00

Fr Richard pictured here with Beatrice Franke