Church Papers Archive

A&B News History

Newspaper for the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton

Apr 2015 edition of the A & B News

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O n THE FirsT sundAy OF LEnT several hundred people gathered in Arun- del’,s beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady and st Philip Howard to participate in and witness a key stage of the rite of Christian initiation of Adults (rCiA). Watched by their godparents, sponsors, catechists, priests and families, the Candi- dates (who were baptized in other Christian denominations) and the Catechumens(who were never baptized) publicly attested to their desire to join the Catholic Church. This rCiA rite of Election and Enrolment of names was presided over by Archbishop Peter smith, Archbishop of southwark. A total of 125 individuals from A&,B diocese shared their intention to become Catholics, while, on the same day, it is estimated that more than 3,000 people na- tionally made the same declaration as part of their journey to joining the Catholic Church at Easter. in his homily the Archbishop spoke of this day as a special window of opportunity for the participants, a chance to allow Jesus to mould them in his likeness. The Holy spirit guides –, often in hidden ways –, and gives the gift of faith. He reminded them of Pope Francis’, request to shun indifference and deepen their personal encounters with Christ this Lent. in conclusion, he spoke of his desire that the day be one of great joy and strength for the candidates, while there will be challenges, he con- cluded by asking them to hold firm to the words of Jesus: ‘,Courage, do not be afraid for i am always with you until the end of time.’, Following the testimony of the godparents and sponsors that their catechumens and candidates were properly prepared, the Archbishop greeted each candidate per- sonally, together with their supporters. He invited everyone to attend the Festival 50 celebrations at the Amex stadium on 5 July, where they might even meet the new Bishop - should one be chosen by then. it was fitting that the rite of Election took place in Arundel Cathedral, which is dedicated to st Philip Howard and holds his relics. in his youth st Philip was a bit of a playboy and indifferent to religion until the prayers of his saintly wife and the preaching of st Edmund Campion converted him. some of the candidates shared their own journeys and stories of conversion, as the Archbishop observed, the Holy spirit guides, often in hidden ways. Catechumen Craig Passmore (st Joseph’,s, Guildford) had only a mild interest in re- ligion when he met girlfriend Marta, who arrived from Poland several years ago. However, the strength of her belief re-awoke his interest and they started attending Masses in Polish together. They plan to marry in June this year –, in a Catholic Church naturally. Petra sand (st Mary Magdalene, Bexhill), originally from the Czech republic, grew up under a Communist regime where discussion of religion was ac- tively discouraged. Moving to England in 1997 she married Adrian, a Catholic. Their daughter attended a church school and often came home asking ques- tions that Petra was ill-equipped to answer. Her husband’,s faith and her daughter’,s curiosity influenced her own journey to conversion. Helena Murphy (Parish of the Good shepherd, st Leonards-On-sea), grew up in south Africa and was a keen member of the dutch reform Church, however, in time she moved away from it. A seminal mo- ment occurred when, in rome to celebrate her wedding an- niversary, she attended a bless- ing given by Pope Benedict –, and suddenly realized that she wanted to be a Catholic. At- tending her local church, st Thomas of Canterbury, she im- mediately felt at home and wel- comed. Husband Ed, who had looked on fondly while his wife described her journey, said qui- etly ‘,i was away from theChurch for fifty years - my wife brought me back!’, Story and pictures: Harry Robertson Diocese of Arundel &, Brighton No 291 April 2015 THE CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER FOR SURREY &, SUSSEX FREE To read A&,B NEWS on line please visit www.dabnet.org A &, B NEWS 17 deligh

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2 A&,B NEWS April 2015 F r dAvid OsBOrnE, priest-in-charge of Cranleigh and Bramley parish ‘,jump started’, at the op- portunity to swap his petrol guzzler for an electric car as part of our Lent Appeal. Fr david cut out petrol and plugged in the nissan’,s LEAF Acenta 6kw electric car this month, to test whether he and the surrey roads are ready for the more eco-friendly way of serving his parish. As well as saving seven pence for every mile covered, he was able to plug in his car at home overnight, or at the local supermarket while shopping, taking away the dread of running out ofpower whilst visiting his parishioners in rural areas. Tips for reducing your carbon footprint Fr david said: ‘,The parish usually cuts out a meal or a treat for Lent and gives the money saved to CAFOd. We still did that this year and so far have raised about £,800, which of course will be dou- bled by the government. i also wanted to cut out something i and our society take for granted –, petrol. i still have questions around electric cars if they were to be our main form of transport –,but in general i’,ve loved the experience and believe an electric car future is very possible and the way we need to be heading. Having the car has certainly raised questions far and wide across the parish and created a great debate as to the future of driving. i believe everything we do here –, no matter how small –, has an impact on the rest of the world and it’,s vital we do all we can to limit the effects of climate change, which hits the poorest hardest. Cutting down on fossil fuels is key to this.’, Donate now to CAFOD’,s Lent Appeal and the UK government will match whatever you give £,1 for £,1. Going electric for Lent i T is A TOTALLy AMAzinG FACT that after over 2000 years of war, invasion and occupation by various foreign forces, localChristian families still work and worship and form local parishes around our Holy Places in the Middle East. sadly, these families are declining rapidly. Their ability to live ordi- nary lives in freedom and peace is becoming more impossible each day under the present phase of war, confiscation of land and occu- pation. Christian families, particularly in Bethle- hem the little town where Jesus was born,fear greatly that they will lose their homes and farms to further confiscation and expan- sion of settlements. They do not want to desert the Holy Land where there has been continuous living witnesses to our faith since the time that Jesus walked on that very soil. sadly circumstances are causing them to leave. Without the local indigenous worship- ping Christian presence, our Holy Places could be taken over and turned into muse- ums, tourist venues, or even appropriated for other uses. To help the continuity of the Christian presence much depends upon the preservation of nurseries, schools, clinics, out-reach programmesfor the poor and venues where the youth can feel safe to meet. sisters belonging to the Franciscan Missionaries of the divine Motherhood (FMdM) have worked in the Middle East for years.Those who are now home, continue to support the Holy LandMission, praying, fundraising and going out to give support and respite to the sisters and local women there when possible. st Joseph`s Centre is a gem. it is situated on the side of a steep hill directly in full view of the ex- panding Har Homa israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, and just a stone’,s throw from Bethlehem. The Centre is administered by sr Marlin, an extraordinary local Palestinian sister whose dedication and commitment is just amazing. The Centre comprises a nursery and school, an outreach programme for poor families and respite beds for needy children at weekends and during school holidays. Fr Liam O’,Connor and the people of English Martyrs Parish, Goring-by-sea have been very gen- erous in their help. A most enjoyable spanish night was held in the Barn next to the church to raise funds for this very worthy project. A delicious meal was provided by volunteers and a large sum was raised. ll at st Joseph`s Project were overjoyed at the parish’,s generosity. We are assured of prayers from Bethlehem! Story : Sr Bridget (Bee) Kennedy Picture: Eileen Godfrey Sr Bridget is pictured wearing a Spanish shawl for the event. When not visiting St Joseph’,s Centre in Bethlehem, she lives with her community in Ferring, which is part of the English Martyrs parish, Goring Help for Palestinian Children

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A&,B NEWS April 2015 3 FAncy coMing To sEE ThE PoPE along with millions of others? Then sign up for World youth Day 2016. O nE MOrninG in JuLy 2013, three million teens and young adults gathered at the famous Copacabana beach in rio de Janeiro. it`s an iconic location that`s played host to a lot over the years: in 2006, the rolling stones drew a million people. in 2009, a hundred thousand packed in to hear rio announced as the location for the 2016 Olympics, and each year as many as two million turn out for the fireworks display to see in the new year. This particular morning in July beat all of those numbers by a long way. The headline act that day was Pope Francis, the event was a Mass and the occasion was the 2013 World youth day. Though impressive, rio`s numbers aren`t unique. World youth days usually draw large crowds. The last one in Europe (Madrid 2011) drew two and a half million, and the 1995 event in Manilla drew over five million, making it largest Christian gathering ever! A record it held until Pope Francis went to the Philippines late last year and drew even more! For those who don`t know, i should explain that Wyd is celebrated locally every year. Every two or three years it`s celebrated with a huge international festival. The next one is in Krakow, Poland, an d thediocese will be sending a group! The Church chose Krakow because of the links with Pope saint John Paul ii, who started the World youth days in 1984. it`s a vibrant, modern city with a lot to offer. World youth day is, confusingly, actually a week! We will arrive on Monday and stay until the fol- lowing Monday. Between times, we will immerse ourselves in a huge international festival alongside young Catholics from across the globe. Each morning in Madrid, we packed in to a stadium to hear live music, talks from Cardinals and input from other speakers, actors, and professional athletes, and then a huge Mass. And that`s just the morning. in the afternoons at Wyd, pilgrims are free to ex- plore the variety of festival events on offer: music concerts, interactive prayer events, talks, shows, and much more besides. There is also a chance to go to confession each day and to interact with thousands of different Catholic organisations, finding out about what they`ve got to offer. The week begins with a huge welcome Mass, and draws to a close with the massive events that make Wyd famous. First, the stations of the Cross, often led by the Pope and acted out in a fasci- nating way, and then the saturday vigil and the sunday Mass. The night between those two, by the way, is usually spent camping out with a few million others. An experience you`ll remember for years to come. The A&,B party will be travelling out by coach, and the coach will be available to us all week. We leave the uK on sunday July 24 (2016) and return on Tuesday August 2. during the week, we`ll be staying in a great hotel on the outskirts of the city, just a short coach ride from all the action. We`re determined that this won`t just be `a trip` but rather something that actually has an effect on the faith of those who go. For that reason, we`ll prepare thoroughly –, both in local groups and as a diocesan group –, and we`ll think throughout the process about how we will continue the experience in our parishes and schools once we return to the uK. There will also be fundraising events to help with the costs. if you want more information, give me a call (01293 651158) or send me an Email (Jack.regan@dabnet.org). There`s no application deadline because spaces are limited. Once we`re full, that`s it! you can register online or by using the form in the application pack. you can find links to both on the youth service website www.yaab.co.uk. Make sure you download an application pack even if you apply on line. it`s full of information, including a timetable for the preparation and a breakdown of the payment schedule. Story by Jack Regan Horsham Child Contact Centre Page 8 carries a story of a meetingof Grandparents at Horsham whre they learned of the work of Contact Centres and particularly their local Centre. Our picture (taken by david White) shows dee Floodgate, the co-ordinator of the Centre with her display Join with churches across the UK on Sunday 14th June 2015 Hold your own Society Sunday service, a special service of celebration for the work of Faith in society. Place your church at the heart of the community Find out more and sign up your church at premier.org.uk/societysunday t of the community hear Place your chur t of the community ch at the Place your chur t of the community ch at the on Sunday 14th June 2015 Join with chur on Sunday 14th June 2015 oss the UK ches acr Join with chur on Sunday 14th June 2015 oss the UK of celebration for the work of Faith in society Hold your own Society Sunday service, a special service .or premier Find out mor of celebration for the work of Faith in society Hold your own Society Sunday service, a special service g.uk/societysunday .or e and sign up your chur Find out mor . of celebration for the work of Faith in society Hold your own Society Sunday service, a special service g.uk/societysunday ch at e and sign up your chur

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4 A&,B NEWS April 2015 A&,B NEWS The official monthly paper of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton JUST A THOUGHT Editor: Pauline Groves Deputy Editor: David White Editorial Assistants: Harry Robertson, Tony Northeast, Frances Rourke special correspondent: Peter Burholt Administrative Assistant: Ruth Gerun Editorial office: DABCEC, 4 Southgate Drive, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 6RP. Telephone: 01293 513052 Email: abnews@dabnet.org Website: www.dabnet.org Distribution enquiries: Ruth Gerun, Editorial Office Publication date: Last Sunday of the month for the following month. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Dioc ese. The Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Trust is a regis, tered charity: No. 252878. FoR cAThcoM Advertising: Alice, Tel: 01440 730399 E xCiTMEnT is BuiLdinG uP across the diocese. Firstly, of course, we will be cele- brating Easter in communion with the Churchthroughout the world and with all other Chris- tians. some of us or a relative or friend will be being received into the Church. An extra cause for celebration. Another reason for excitment this year is the celebration of the 50th anniversary of our dio-cese. it is a special birthday for us all. Like all special days we may have a Mass of thanksgiv- ing and a party. We will be having both of these for this important occasion. On a much more sombre note, it is good that young people are still able to learn about thehorrors of the Holocaust. soon there will be no survivors to tell the tale. But there will be de- scendants whose lives were profoundly effected by their history. The nazis were able to do the terrible things they did because many the people were tooafraid to speak out and mass hysteria blighted their consciences. This is what happened to Pontius Pilate Today it is more subtle. We suffer from the slow erosion of all standards except selfishness.Where will it end? Do we have the courage to speak out? Can the light of the risen Christ inspire to do so? dear Brothers and sisters, The recent and on-going crisis of the Ebola virus in Africa, the scourge of Aids and to a lesser extent the fear of bird flu a few years ago, perhaps can give us some insight into the plight of the person with leprosy, men- tioned in today’,s readings from the Book of Leviticus and in the Gospel of Mark. in Old Testament times leprosy inspired fear and dread, and those suffering from it were isolated and cut off from their communities. Per- haps that’,s why, over the centuries, leprosy was used as a metaphor for sin. Pope Francis uses a different image which he calls ‘,spiritual destitu- tion’,. ‘,if we think we don’,t need God who reaches out to us through Christ, because we believe we can make it on our own, we are headed for a fall.’, And that way of putting it perhaps reminds us of the ‘,fall’, of Adam and Eve which disrupted the harmonious relationship between God and humankind. it was then that God took the initiative, because only God could restore that relationship, because God alone can truly save us and free us from sin. And that he did when in due time, he sent his only-begot- ten son, to become one like us in everything but sin. He came to heal a broken and fragile humanity, and he continues to do so through the gift of the Holy spirit and the sacraments of the Church. The season of Lent Those readings and metaphors are a fruitful basis for our thinking and reflection as we approach the season of Lent, which begins next Wednes- day. We cannot transform and change our lives for the better without God’,s help, and if we think we can, then we are deluding ourselves. And we also need good friends to accompany us on our journey of faith, and encourage us to seek God’,s help. We are all in some way or other subject to incapacity, whether through sin and selfishness, or simply human weak- ness and fragility. if our lives are to be transformed and renewed, then we need the grace of the Holy spirit and the support and encouragement of each other. Lent offers us once again an opportunity to reflect upon the very heart of Christian life: God loves you and me with a steadfast and unconditional love, and he asks us to love him and our neighbour in return. Lent is a favourable time to renew our journey of faith, both as individuals and as a community, with the help of the word of God and the sacraments, and es- pecially during this season the sacrament of reconciliation. it is a journey marked by prayer, fasting and almsgiving, three of the principal ways that help us grow in our love for God and for our brothers and sisters, espe- cially the poor and the isolated. This special time is given to us by the Church to help us in preparing to celebrate the Paschal Mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ - the great feast of Easter - in just over six weeks’, time. during this time the Church exhorts us to get to know God better, and to get to know ourselves better too! He wants us to ‘,incarnate’,, to embody, that love and compassion in our relationships with one another and to express it in a practical way, particularly to those who are in any kind of need. He com- mands us to use generously the gifts and talents we have received from the Holy spirit for the building up of the community of his Church, to help build that communion of love, compassion and mercy, which reflects the very life of the Trinity. PAsToRAL LETTER of ARchBishoP PETER sMiTh read in the churches of the diocese on the sixth sunday of Ordinary Time Behold i stand at the door and knock My experience over the years is that in order to do as the Lordasks of me, my heart must be united with his heart, i must come to know him more deeply, and abide with him day by day with ever greater commitment. Lent is that ‘,favourable time’, for me to ask myself some searching ques- tions about where i stand with God, and how i am responding to the commission he has given to all of us who are baptised. i cannot do that fruitfully unless i become more attentive to the word of God in the scriptures and through spending time each day in prayer. i cannot, from my own resources, produce the fruit that will last, un- less i allow the living Word of God to nurture my faith and trust in Him who loves me uncondi- tionally with a steadfast love, who looks on me in my weakness with great mercy and compassion. That living word of God is life-giving. it not only informs my mind and heart, so that i come to know him better, but also transforms my life so that i can indeed become ‘,the light of the world’,, ‘,the salt of the earth.’, i know too that i will never be perfect in this life, but i am often comforted by the words of Blessed Teresa of Cal- cutta: ‘,God doesn’,t ask us to be successful - he asks us to be faithful.’, ‘,Behold i stand at the door and knock’,. This Lent, i shall be asking my- self the question,‘,Am i open to hear that knock at the door of my heart each day, and am i going to open that door and welcome him in, whatever the cost to myself?’, if i’,m realistic, i know i have so lit- tle to give him, yet in my heart of hearts, i also know and believe that the little i have, he can, and will, multiply in abundance. With an assurance of my prayers and blessing for you all this Lent, Picture: The Light of the World , William Holman Hunt Courtesy: Wikipedia T HErE is A LOnG AssOCiATiOn between st Mary’,s Anglican Church, the local Catholic community, and st Joseph’,s in redhill, now part of our Parish of the nativity of the Lord. in fact the glass screen separating the tower from the nave in st Mary’,s is largely composed of a screen from the old st Joseph’,s church in the centre of redhill. The main service of the Week of Prayer for Christian unity was con- ducted by John Buck, reader in the united Benefices of Bletchingley andst Peter and Paul in nutfield. People involved in reading were drawn from the Methodist Church too. John Buck is the husband of Marian who at- tends st Teresa’,s in Merstham, part of our parish of The nativity of the Lord. The preacher was deacon Tim Murrill from our parish of The nativity of the Lord. The theme of Jesus, and the samaritan Woman at the well, and water and included a liturgy of water. unity in diversity were evident not only in the jugs used, being pottery, metal and glass with their own histo- ries, the water poured into the bowl on the altar included some from Lour- des. The aisle was transformed in a pathway of light with lights beside The weather was kind and we were able to enjoy the lovely grounds at Coolham. Many thanks to Fr Alistair for giving up his saturday and all the hours of preparation that went into the day. The picture shows our little group of thespians rehearsing their lines. Story and picture: Gill Sajnog The Rumour of The Resurrection An empty tomb in a garden,a great sepulchral question-mark, meaning what precisely? That hate`s triumph might be deluded, at the least hope`s not excluded, that the beautiful flower of faith crushed so comprehensively by an army boot last Friday sets seed again this sunday. Our world is not what it seemed back then - cold, brutal, deadly, cruel - but is invaded by a rumour of love. And when the dawn-light greets the woman and the woman meets the gardener and the gardener calls her name then the rumour is confirmed: it is the Lord. Poem from the new Second Collection of Se, lected Poems Renew Refresh Rejoice by Fr Rob Esdaile obtainable from the DABCEC Bookshop 01293 651165 bookshop@dabnet.org or from Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Thames Ditton 02083 986127 office@olchurch.org.uk T HE THEME of our recent retreat was based on the story of Lot and more importantly Lot’,s wife. We were asked to think about obedience and consequences to our actions. We reflected on why Lot’,s wife looked back despite God warning her not to, and asked ourselves: ·, Am i reconciled to the past? ·, Am i fearful of the future? ·, do i live fully in the present? After lunch we explored the notion of hospitality and welcoming strangers into our communities. The thespians amongst us read a short play, Philemon and Baucis: The Goose Who Was nearly Cooked by ur- sula dubosarsky, adapted from a Greek/roman myth in Ovid’,s Metamor- phoses, which was great entertainment for all! deacon richard was a splendid goose! it was a lovely occasion for our three Mass communities (st Theresa’,s, southwick, The Mass Centre, Portslade and st Georges, Hangleton) to come together. Southwick Retreat at Coolham Ecumenism at Bletchingley each bench (electric ones for safety!). deacon Tim pointed out the signifi- cance of the non-existent bucket. We have in our minds the image of a well with a bucket ready for use. Here providing your own individual one was the norm. it was not a well for travellers who would not be carrying one around with them. it was an exclusive well. By contrast the living water of baptism, symbolised by the bowl on the altar is inclusive. The water from Lourdes had a special significance. For many years the Jumbulance stopped in Bletchingley where is was met by a doctor and a nurse who travelled with it to dover, and sometimes beyond. Jean Os- bourne, a parishioner of st. Mary’,s Anglican Church goes to Lourdes each autumn. Two charities, Wellcare and Crawley Open House, benefitted from the collection and gifts were placed in boxes by the sanctuary. As it is no longer possible to provide regular Masses at Bletchingley, it is always an especial pleasure to gather once again whenever an opportunity arises. Story: Ann Lardeur Let’,s celebrate

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A&,B NEWS April 2015 5 T HE OFFiCiAL OPEninG of newman College, the new sixth form centre of Cardinal newman Catholic school, was conducted by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’,Connor recently. it was a lovely ceremony attended by many friends of the school both past and present. special thanks was given to the Architect and Building teams for creating the new sixth Form Centre. some current stu- dents of newman College also talked about what the new building meant to them and how it had im- proved their learning environment. The new centre has state-of-the-art facilities and cost £,4 million to build. it was a very ambitious project and took just 10 months to complete. The new centre comprises of classrooms, a lecture the- atre, a library, common room and offices. The school has been preparing the plans for the past three years and it involved input from the school’,s students who will be able to use the facilities as they move up through the school. The additional space means that the school’,s sixth form can now expand to offer further education to 500 students where as the previous sixth form could only provide space for 300 students. it is one of the most popular and successful sixth forms in the city so this new centre offers much-needed space for more students. Headteacher, dr James Kilmartin said: “,`it was a great honour for us that Cardinal Cormac agreed to bless and open our new building. As a former Bishop of Arundel and Brighton he has had a long and close association with the school. Our new building will help to inspire both students and staff to be the best they can be and ensure that our sixth Form truly is a ",springboard to success.", newman College welcomes applications from any students, aged 16-18, who want to succeed and be part of a caring community. The sixth Form Centre welcomes all faiths –, students join from a range of schools, both in and out of Brighton and Hove. if you are considering joining our sixth Form, please contact Mrs Jones on 01273 234332 or email newmancollege@cncs.co.uk. Further de- tails on what we can offer are also available on cncs.co.uk Story and picture by Corinne Allen Cardinal Murphy,O’,Connor with head teacher Dr. James Kilmartin CAFOD’,s work in Myanmar P ArisHiOnErs OF EFFinGHAM And FETCHAM invited a team from CAFOd, led by Janet symes, to tell us about its work in Myanmar. Paula nyunt, a native of Myanmar, described the conditions in the country. Although they only have one person based in Myanmar, CAFOd works closely with Fr Pius’,s diocese as well as with local organisations. These are best placed to give the local people what they want. A major problem is climate change. since the disastrous nargis cyclone in 2008, flooding has been a major problem with heavy and unpredictable rainfall leading to unseasonably hot weather hampering crop growth. We heard harrowing tales from survivors of the 2008 disaster. in one case a pregnant woman saved herself by clinging to a tree, all the while praying for herself and her fam- ily. A disaster risk reduction programme has been designed: stronger structures, barriers to protect farmland, emergency drill training and building strong rice banks to store food but also provide protection when the cyclones come. Money is crucial and Chris speirs, our Charities coordinator, led an appeal to support the work of CAFOd in Myanmar. Our money will be matched by government funding up to £,5 million during Lent. An even greater incentive to be generous. ( picture: L,R Janet Symes and Paula Nyunt both from CAFOD, with parishioner Penny Osbourne) Story and picture byChris Tailby The Nomntu Project in South Africa Jane with the children T HE nOMnTu PrOJECT is a charity founded by Chris devereaux, a Guildford Catenian brother, and his wife Jane. registered in 2007 nomntu works in the Eastern Cape, the poorest region of south Africa. it aims to support marginalised women and girls in gaining con- tinued access to education thereby helping communities to become self - sus- taining both economi- cally and socially and to take charge of their own development. The nomntu Project originates from Jane devereux’,s experi- ences in 2005. As a teacher educator at The Open university, she worked alongside staff at The univer- sity of Fort Hare and saw at first hand the meaning and implica- tions of poverty and hunger. Jane felt she could not walk away and do nothing and before returning to the uK, she was given the name ‘,nomntu’, by the local people which means ‘,one who cares for and serves others’,. The nomntu Project has helped build centres as a focus for healing sufferers of poverty, abuse, Hiv and Aids. These centres also develop health education and agricultural initiatives. Chris and Jane return to south Africa every 9 to 12 months to work alongside those involved in the different projects. Long may they continue with their vital work. ( pictures: above left , getting an education, above right , Chris gets down to work) Story and pictures: Mark Wilson Prayer for a new bishop Heavenly Father, Look with mercy on your people, and grant us a new shepherd. Help those who choose our bishop to listen to the voice and guidance of your Holy Spirit and to act for the good of your Holy Church. Father, we ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. Our Lady assumed into heaven, pray for us. St Philip Howard, pray for us. Newman College officially opens TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE A &, B NEWS TELEPHONE ALICE ON 01440 730399

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We are Chris and Mary Farrall and we live in Chandler`s Ford and worship at St Edward the Confessor church. We would like to introduce you to Worldwide Marriage Encounter, an organisation in the Catholic Church which promotes marriage, primarily through providing enrichment weekends for married couples and weekends devoted to engaged couples preparing for marriage. C An WE AsK yOu TWO quEsTiOns? is your Marriage important to you? Would you like more romance, joy and growth in your Marriage? if the answer to either or both of these is yEs, you could gain a lot from going on a weekend. We cer- tainly did and want to share some of our experience. When we first heard about these weekends about 25 years ago our first reaction was to be a little suspicious. We saw our mar- riage as a private matter between the two of us and we were un- sure how attending an event with other couples present would be anything other than a social experience. However the message we heard was that ordinary mar- riages like ours could be made better, so we became curious enough to book onto a weekend, which took place at Park Place Pastoral Centre in 1988. Over the span of our marriage, like most couples we have had our ups and downs. We have had happy and memorable times like the births of our three children and when we have celebrated special anniversaries and family occasions. We have had our successes and failures, happy times and problem spells. There have been the inevitable hurts and misunderstandings in our relation- ship, but we always thought that we coped fairly well and reckoned we had a reasonable marriage and were getting along quite well. if you are hearing about these weekends for the first time, you will no doubt be asking how the process works. Well, the weekend is presented by two married couples and a priest, who give a series of presentations on various aspects of marriage and relationship. The couples attending are given time, privately, to reflect on each presentation. Weekends are designed to counteract the pressure that couples experience in today`s world, where life can be dominated by work or the lack of it, household tasks or raising a family. All of these pressures can leave couples tired and with little quality time for each other, so the excite- ment and romance of early marriage begins to fade. Marriage Encounter weekends are held roughly seven times a year at various locations throughout the country. They last from Friday evening through to late sunday afternoon. during this time you are encouraged, as a couple, to direct your attention towards each other, privately and without any distractions. There are no discussion groups. The next weekend will be held at Park Place, near Fareham from 19-21 June. Further details on our website. If we have aroused your curiosity sufficiently to want further information, please visit our website at http://wwme.org.uk 6 A&,B NEWS April 2015 The Diocese of Arundel and Brighton Pastoral Team Serving the communities of our Diocese Cycling Cycling Pilgrimage Pilgrimage Pilgrimage to Paris h r t Fo Climat n o to Paris e h nce re e f n o st C 1 2 e Climat is ar P s rtie Pa e th f o nce is 5 1 0 2 e c a Pe nd a e cits u J re u a e h n t o n oit uc red rbon a f c o o t ris Pa o t el yc c o n t a pl liss f fo o e s u e ta gi fl pro Pha Lon se 1 Phase 2 Diepp ng itin re u h t wi ps u ro g f o a ns aits ri h C il C s ri Pa N U e h t t a ns oiss mi e rbon fo t por up s f o s eilla n r i tra ke p at o .le fu on d Lon - aven wh Ne e Diepp -Paris f o nd a d kg c a b nd a s h ti fa t ren fe fi 5. r 201 e mb e c e n D ks i la t e t ma o T h t o t e e m o t nd a e cits ju e t ma il r c fo 29 Aug aven - 31 1 st December n ek i we s und ro kg rn e t n in a e e s o t nt a w o h w o e nc at por m i e ug h e h t t h gilh gih o s o t tn a w o wh h ti f fa o elp o r pe e h e 31 st 5 1 0 2 December 5 1 0 2 tn me e re g a l na oita rn ks la t e s e h t f we e e a ur n o i e ng a h c Phase 2 Diepp em e Diepp -Paris How em l ai one of sses e dr ad G ONDON L ive u 1 December n ek i we to How olved: nv t i ge sses w, belo he subj h t wit me RIDE E L CYC PARIS ONDON na ll fu our s y u a nd December 5 1 0 2 olved: ng eadi h t ec he subj : ay RIDE s : G ive u

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A&,B NEWS April 2015 7 Testing Materials For a life in Fashion A love of History For a life in Futures www.stgeorgesweybridge.com A Registered Educational Charity No.1017853 Leading independent coeducational Roman Catholic d ay schools in Surrey oering a valuesled education for all. u F ni roF r ry ots Hi f e o v o ov A l y s e ur ure tu fe li a r a eta M n sti e T Te r i al fe li a r r a oF g al s i n F a s h ion w w rru in S ne p e ep d g in in ing in daeL A . ge dir b y e w s ge r o ge ts . w w. w n f oi at cu d d e el s e es ul a g a v g a va in ing a v r e e y o y o e ey o r re at n C a m o l R anoi at cu deo t c ned n 5 8 7 1 0 1. No y it ar h C la n oita duc E ed retsi eg R A m o c .ll r a o n f n fo s l ls oohc y s a ay s c d iloh at 3 5 Holocaust Survivor shares his incredible story A s THis sPrinG marks the 70th anniversary of the libera- tion of the concentration camps by the Allies, st Leonards- Mayfield school has chosen to commemorate this event in a way that our students will remember and reflect on in later life. With the co-operation of several departments, the religious studies department arranged for an appropriate speaker to address the girls of year 11 and some sixth Formers and staff. This is the sec- ond such visitor to Mayfield and follows the successful talk by rudi Oppenheimer to the girls of year 8 last summer Term. Professor Ladislaus Lö,b was born in 1933 in Transylvania and was only a small boy when his thought provoking testimony trulybegan. interspersed with humour and pathos, Ladislaus told the girls and staff present his story. How, following the Hungarian occupation of Transylvania, he was accused of attacking the Hun- garian nation by trying to catch a fluttering Hungarian flag, and how his mother died in 1942 before the Hungarian holocaust began. in 1944 Ladislaus (pictured above at that time) and his father were deported to a ghetto before es- caping and moving to Budapest. They were selected to join a transport of 1700 Jews on the Kastner Train, which involved a Hungarian Jewish Lawyer named rudolf Kastner arranging for the purchase of 1700 Jews from one of the greatest architects of the sho’,ah, Adolf Eichmann. Ladislaus then recounted that, despite the purchase being made, the group were routed to Bergen- Belsen and remained there for five months before being transported to switzerland. in his hour longaddress he described the appalling conditions in Belsen before the liberation and also told the tragic story of Kastner’,s trial in israel for alleged collaboration for buying the freedom of Jews from the nazis, his assassination by fellow Jews, and his posthumous acquittal. The girls and staff were then able to ask Professor Lö,b questions and these covered many topics: - how he felt about Germans and Hungarians, - whether he had to have a tattoo in Belsen, - and what advice he could give the girls for their future. This lecture, while relevant to the girls’, GCsE studies in religious studies, also has much wider applications, both to their academic and also ethi- cal and moral education. Following his address he posed for a photo with each Tutor Group, and was thanked repeatedly by staff and students alike. The visit was a great success and was well received by his listeners. We are currently planning for other visits so that as many girls as possible will have the great opportunity to meet with such wit-nesses while they are still able to share their stories. Ladislaus is pictured below with the girls of Year 11 Story and picture: Katie Chamberlain Catholic independent schools’, Mass s t Joseph’,s specialist school and College in Cran- leigh were delighted and honoured to join with students from notre dame school and st George’,s Junior school and College to lead the Catholic inde- pendent schools Mass held at the 25th annual confer- ence which took place at Oatlands Park Hotel, Weybridge. Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’,Connor (pictured on the right) greeted everyone warmly, saying what a pleas- ure it was to see everyone and to be invited to cele-brate the Mass. st Joseph’,s specialist school &, College led the Bid- ding Prayers (pictured below). A daunting prospect, but one the Learners coped with brilliantly, working hard preparing and practising in advance so that on the day the Bidding Prayers were spoken and signed clearly and with confidence. Everyone at the Mass congratulated the Learners for their courage and deter- mination. The Mass is attended by head teachers from all local Catholic independent schools. John Wright, Chaplain, Karen May, Head of Therapies and other Teaching Assistants accompanied the four Learn- ers from st Joseph’,s. readings were read and acted out by students from notre dame school, and the music was provided by st George’,s Junior school and College. Following the Mass we joined with the other schools in eating our packed lunches. Gifts were given to all the young people as a thank you for leading the Mass, with a big cake to share, a lovely surprise. Chaplain, John Wright spoke for us all saying ‘,it was a very enjoyable day and gave us an opportunity to boost our confidence, meet new people and spend time together with other Catholic schools praying and worshipping God’,. Story and pictures: Hilary Clark New Head at St Philip’,s in Uckfield J OAnnA sAnCHEz HAs BEEn induCTEd as new head teacher at st Philip’,s Catholic Pri- mary school in uckfield. Formerly deputy head at st Bernadette’,s Primary school in Brighton, this is Joanna’,s first headship. she was inducted in front of a packed church with a congregation made up of staff, pupils and gov- ernors from the school as well as parishioners and other well-wishers. The celebrant was Fr stephen Hardaker, parish priest and dean of Mayfield deanery and the introduction was given by Marie ryan, director of our diocesan Catholic schools service. Joanna accepted her role as head teacher saying ‘,it is a privilege to have been given the opportunity to lead st Philip`s. Everyone has been very wel- coming and i am looking forward to moving forward together’,. Melanie Gaughan, chair of governors at st. Philip’,s was delighted at the support shown by the congregation ‘,This has been a wonderful service ofcelebration with all parts of the community: school, parish and diocese join- ing together to formally induct and welcome Joanna our new head teacher. We wish her every success for the future’,. Story and picture: Angela Wilding Has St Mary’,s Catholic Primary School in Bognor Regis found a future mayor? W HEn THE MAyOr of Bognor regis, Councillor Tony Gardener and the Mayoress visited st Mary’,s the school council took the opportunity to experience wearing the mayoral chains! The children, elected by their peers and aged 5-11, asked questions about what mayor’,s do and found out how, by taking on the role, improve things for Bognor residents. After asking their questions, many were still keen to have a go when they were older. during the visit the Mayor and his wife visited all the classes and saw the new extension build recently. They also attended an assembly where the new school mission statement was launched. it was drawn up after governors, parents, children and staff worked for over a term together to make a clear statement all the children could understand and has been set to music in a song written by Mrs Morreale, a member of the teaching team. The songs chorus is ‘,We will journey and grow together in the footsteps of Christ’,. The song was sung by the school community of 300 at the assembly and more re- cently on Education sunday at the main parish mass at Our Lady of sorrows church in Bognor regis. The mission statement song includes the line ‘,We will serve one another with love and respect’,. Story and picture: Katherine Amaladoss

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8 A&,B NEWS April 2015 365 x 2 to fill C HRISTENING &, C OMMUNION W EAR A sumptuous range of gowns and accessories to suit evey budget and grace all occasions Specialists in gifts with a Christian theme, Christening, Dedication, Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Ordination &, Christmas. Whatever the occasion, you’,ll find the perfect gift: Bibles, missals, prayer books, plaques, icons, statues, photo,frames, fountains, fonts, crosses, crucifixes, rosaries, candles, incense, oil burn, ers, mini cards to inspire, occasion cards to celebrate, and all at competitive prices! G IFTS FOR ALL OCCASSIONS MAIL ORDER phone/fax 0116 2513477 COME AND VIEW OUR EXTENSIVE RANGES Open Wed , Sat 10am , 5pm Opposite the New Highcross, Leicester M I Trust, 35,37, New Bond Street, Leicester LE1 4RD. Tel/Fax 0116 2513477 Website: www.mitrust.co.uk of Fidelity The church needs religious sisters URGENTLY to bring Christ to others by a life of prayer and service lived in the community of Ignation spirituality. Daliy Mass is the centre of community life. By wearing the religious habit we are witnesses to the consecrated way of life. If you are willing to risk a little love and would like to find out how, contact Sister Bernadette. Late vocations up to the age of 46 wel, comed. COVENT ,OF ,OUR LADY OF FIDELITY Central Hill, Upper Norwood, LONDON SE19 1RS Telephone: 07973 6002563 or Fax: 0208 766 6579 Mobile: 07760 297001 Ministers of Religion NOTICE BOARD CAFOd A&,B tel:01483 898866, email arundelandbrighton@cafod.org.uk Together we can tackle climate change. G Od HAs GivEn us an abundant world to tend and share. yet all over the world we can see how we have failed to protect our planet. in communities where CAFOd works, many are suffering from more frequent and extreme floods, storms, or droughts, pushing the most vulnerable people further into poverty. And farming families are struggling with more unpredictable seasons, meaning crops fail and livestock die because of a lack of food and water. Out of love for our sisters and brothers worldwide, we are called to respond. What we’,re calling for: Our campaign One Climate, One World is calling for politicians to work together to: •,prevent climate change pushing people deeper into poverty •,support the transition from polluting fossil fuels to sustainable energy for all. now is a great opportunity to act: uK political parties are gearing up for the May 2015 general election. We want to see party leaders, MPs and candidates commit to playing their part to tackle climate change. Join our campaign, it is part of our faith. ‘,Let us be protectors of creation, protectors of God’,s plan inscribed in nature, pro- tectors of one another and of the environment.’, Pope Francis. Find out more: cafod.org.uk/campaign Deirdre McMahon CAFOd A&,B 01483 898866 Email: arundelandbrighton@cafod.org.uk Blog: http://cafodarundelbrighton.word- press.com/ T HE PArisH OF sT PHiLiP nEri and Our Lady immaculate in uckfield has been celebrating the birth- day of its oldest parishioner, Mrs Mary Grace, who has just turned 100. Mary Josephine Genevieve was named after st Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, whose feast day coin- cided with her birthday. she was born in 1915 into a French cabinet-making family in the former wood-working area of north London, now occupied by the Post Office Tower. French was spoken in the family home above the workshop which was established by her father and grand- father who came to England from Paris before World War i. Mary and her sister knew very little English until they attended the convent school in Hampstead, where the nuns were delighted with the ‘,little French girls’,. Leaving school at 14, Mary worked first at sainsbury`s and later for McAlpine &, sons where she was responsiblefor buying supplies for the construction of the Mulberry Harbours used for the d-day landings. she had no prior knowledge of the landings but said she was aware that ‘,something big’, was about to happen! The family maintained their continental links, returning to Paris every summer for holidays. Mary and her fatherwere fortunate enough to be on the last passenger ship leaving Hamburg on the day before the second World War was declared. Living dangerously, they had been burying her maternal grandfather in Germany in June 1939 and had stayed for ‘,a little holiday’,! during the war, Mary married a welsh man, romuald, whom she met in the church choir and thereafter continuedto work in London with wide interests in music, gardening and walking. she maintained these later in sussex and after her husband’,s death did voluntary work in Lewes Prison, the south Heighton searchlight Home and for the Wrvs, in addition to joining the Wi and latterly the uckfield Lux- ford Club, Holy Cross Friendship Group &, sphere Ladies Circle who celebrated her centenary with a photographic record of all their events since its founding. Mary continues to live independently with the help of her family and the support of a wonderful circle of friends,neighbours and parishioners. Angela Wilding 100 years young! MAss FoR ThE DEAF First saturday of each month –, 1pm 4 April Easter vigil at The immaculate Conception of Our Lady, Edith Avenue, Peacehaven Bn10 8Hx 2 May normal Mass at st John the Evangelist, springfield road, Horsham rH12 2PJ T HE GrOuP’,s MOnTHLy MEETinG in February welcomed dee Floodgate, the Co-ordinator of Horsham Child Contact Cen- tre, an affiliate of Horsham Churches Together ( see picture Page 8 ). dee explained the background of their Horsham Centre whichopened in May 2008 and that they are an accredited member of the national Association of Child Contact Centres www.naccc.org.uk . T he National Association of Child Contact Centres holds the follow, ing values: ensuring safety, child,centred within the family, promot, ing equality, celebrating diversity, independent and impartial, respecting individuals, preserving confidentiality, valuing and sup, porting voluntary service, and sharing skills and expertise to achieve better outcomes for children and their families. NACCC`s member Child Contact Centres have an endorsed accreditation process which sEARching FoR AWARD- Winning yoUng PEoPLE in ThE DiocEsE oF ARUnDEL AnD BRighTon A new series of awards has been launched aimed at honouring the everyday so- cial action of young people in the uK. The Celebrating Young People Awards is open to all young people aged 11-25 and honours all types of social action. young people across the uK are being sought for the inaugural awards, organ- ised by Catholic youth charity Million Minutes. The six categories are inspired by Catholic social teaching, and will have four winners each. danny Curtin, Million Minutes Chief Executive, said, ‘,young people all too often get a bad name. But they are amazing. Million Minutes is all about givinga voice to the young people that get overlooked - we’,re delighted to launch these awards to celebrate all that young people are and all that they give to our world.’,i’,m urging anyone who knows a young person who deserves some recognition to nominate them –, don’,t’,assume someone else will.”, Awardees will be honoured at a special reception in the House of Lords be- fore a glittering ceremony in London’,s Leicester square. supporting the Awards, Margaret Mizen of the Jimmy Mizen Foundation said, “,We are so happy that Jimmy’,s name will be used for one of these awards, inspiring peace in the lives of young people.”, The Foundation is supporting the Jimmy Mizen Award for promoting solidarity and peace. The closing date for nominations is 24 April, and nominations can be made easily online athttp://www.millionminutes.org/awards/ For more information, please contact daniel Hale, danielh@millionminutes.org shows that all NACCC Child Contact Centres work to agreed and ap, proved national standards, which ensure that families using the Child Contact Centres are safe and well cared for. in our diocese there are 14 Centres. The Horsham Centre contact is www.horshamccc.org or 075 9459 8243 and their sessions are usually on the 1st and 3rd saturdays of every month. it is a safe, friendly and neutral place where the children of separated families are able to spend time with one or both parents, and increasingly with their grandparents and other family members in a child focussed environment where the needs of the children are always put first. dee commented that 42% of grandparents are not in contact with their grandchildren and that there is now a process whereby grandparents, in addition to parents, may be able to contact their grandchildren. David White horsham grandparents group

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TRAVEL INSURANCE arranged for readers of A &, B News ANNUAL TRAVEL INSURANCE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE UP TO 85 YEARS OF AGE. MOST PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS ACCEPTED TOP QUALITY COVER With a 24 hour helpline and an air ambulance get-you-home service. Mention this advert to get a Special A &, B News discount. Don’,t forget we can also sell SINGLE-TRIP COVER, with any dura tion up to one year, with no maximum age limit and up to £,20,000 cancellation cover per couple. CALL ,FOR ,DETAILS AND PRICES 0116 272 0500 Real people , not machines! FT Travel Insurance Car Hire Authorised and regulated by the FSA Number 44 Yvonne Fitzpatrick BA (Hons) Dip MBACP Counsellor Psychotherapist Weybridge, Surrey 07747 084762 yvonnefortyfour@gmail.com ‘,A place where I can change myself... not everyone else’, A&,B NEWS April 2015 9 Church Pews Uncomfortable? Why not try Top quality upholstered foam pew cushions? Safefoam, Green Lane, Riley Green, Hoghton, Preston PR5 0SN www.safefoam.co.uk Freephone 0800 015 44 33 Free Sample Pack of foam &, fabrics sent by first class mail When phoning please quote ABN101 St Martha’,s St Martha’,s Convent Convent House of Welcome and Peace in the charming historic village of Rottingdean by the Sea for holidays, quiet breaks, private retreats. En,suite rooms, home cooking, private chapel, 5 minutes from church. Minimum stay 2 nights. S.A.E. for brochure to St Martha’,s Convent, Rottingdean, East Sussex BN2 7HA Tel: 01273 302354 Beautiful flowers All flower arrangers from our diocesan parishes areinvited to help to fill lots of space with beautiful colour and design for our diocesan festival. All colour, shapes and sizes are welcome. The arrangements will be fnanced by each parish - perhaps some sponsorship might be possible from your local florist? saturday 4 July is set up day. We will gather at The Amex to arrange flowers. For further information contact the Festival 50 Office:email: Festival50@dabnet.org Te: 01293 651190 www.dabnet.org/Festival50 How will you contribute to this great day? Does your parish have a history? i intend to mount an exhibition of Parish Historiesproduced since the foundation of the diocese. i know that a number of parishes have not sent a copy to the Archives. If you wish your history to be included please forward a copy or if possible two copies to:, Mrs Hazel State, Diocesan Archives Bishops House The Upper Drive Hove BN3 6NB Special things to help parents Children’,s Activities Welcoming our younger people from across the dio- cese is a very important part of our Festival pro- gramme. Activities for primary school age children (5 to 11 years of age) will run continuously from 10.00am to 2.00pm in the East stand (First Floor) and there are many other things for children to enjoy Parents / Carers and school choirs can register to leave their children for a one hour session, which will include liturgical art, craft and drama activities. All activities will be run by trained adults from our diocesan schools with an emphasis on fun, friendship and fellowship. youth Vigil On the saturday night before the Festival there will be a vigil for young people. This will involve a pro- gramme of activities including live music, adoration, inspiring talks and more. Music will be led by ‘,One Hope.’, it’,s a great chance for young Catholics to get together, to pray, to have some fun, to learn more about their faith, and to meet other young Catholics. The vigil is open to young people between the ages of 14 and 35. Participants will be able to sleep over in the stadium, ready to take part in the main Festival on the sunday. remember to bring a sleeping bag! The vigil will be held in the presentation lounge on the Third Floor of the West stand. The overnight ac- commodation will be in another part of the stadium. Groups will be under the supervision of adult youth leaders. A programme of activities will run from 7pm to 10pm on saturday 4 July. A few ideas for young people youth stream young people are an important part of the today’,s Church, and they will be an even more important part of tomorrow’,s Church. For that reason, we want to provide a welcoming, enjoyable and challenging op- portunity for young Catholics at Festival 50. There will be talks, music, and a chance to meet other young Catholics and also interact with some of the people in- volved in youth ministry projects around the diocese and beyond. The youth stream will be held in the Presentation Lounge, situated on the Third Floor, West stand. The programme will start at 10am and finish at 12 noon. This will allow participants to visit other as- pects of the Festival TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE A &, B NEWS TELEPHONE ALICE ON 01440 730399

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10 A&,B NEWS April 2015 FROM THE PARISHES ADUR VALLEY Fr GrAHAM riCKETTs has said how im- pressed he was with our young adults all night vigil just before Christmas when, along with some the other parishioners, they slept in the hall as well as spending time in adoration in the church. Our conﬁ,rmation candidates spent a weekend on retreat at Minster Abbey. Thanks to everyone’,s generosity and time we have sent just over £,1,000 to various charities including CAFOd, WCHP, Pax Christi, 4sight and the Fair necessities appeal. Alex starley has received his silver Medal from the Guild of st stephen, a fantasticachievement for him. The new head of st Peter’,s school, Mrs Kate Crees enjoyed a lovely induction Mass with theparticipation of the children and the music group. On the Feast of st Cuthman parishioners at Christ the King enjoyed drinks and nibbles afterMass and on the Feast of the Chair of st Peter there was a party and magic show at st Peter’,s. A 1940s dance was held at sPs (see separate ar- ticle on page 11). The Lent Groups and stations of the Cross in both shoreham and steyning have started and the Lent Lunches at steyning. We are busy prac- tising the Jubilee Mass in readiness for 5 July. Penny Richardson CATERHAM A Busy TiME in the Church calendar leading up to Easter, and the Lenten groups have already started, with some of them joined with other local churches for an ecumenical ﬂ,avour, always a valuable exercise. On Friday, 27 February we had a light lunch in the Centenary Hall, a Lent Fast day in aid ofCAFOd. Our former church in Whyteleafe, st Thomas, is due for demolition, and since many parish-ioners have fond memories of baptisms and weddings, and more somberly of funerals in that church, Fr sean Finnegan has asked for sugges- tions as to how the church could be remembered in the sacred Heart church. Peter Patterson CRAWLEY Christ the Lord (LEP) Broadﬁ,eld &, Bewbush FOrTy OnE PArisHiOnErs recently had a wonderful time in Lourdes, on a ‘,mini- pilgrim- age‘, with Fr Gerard Hatton and Fr Chris dob- son. Three people went along from Christ the Lord congregation, Marie-Lourdes, Angelina and Agnella. Mgr Tony Barry celebrated our Mass on st david’,s day, and our truly talented Blue sash choir led our singing. Barbara Winstanley CRAWLEY St Francis, St Anthony and St Bernadette THE FriAry CELEBrATEd st valentine`s day with a special Mass for married couples. The Mass was an important element in a presen- tation given by members of the Teams of Our Lady from reigate. This is an international Catholic movement helping married couples deepen their love of Christ and each other. The movement started in Paris in 1939 as Equipes notre dame and has ﬂ,ourished to 9,000 teams worldwide. Parishioners were invited to meet the Team in the hall before Mass. The talk ex- plained how the movement offers an opportu- nity to share food, support and pray, through monthly house meetings. After Mass Fr Chris dobson invited us back to the hall for a glass of sparkling wine, to celebrate. Consequently, the hall was packed! Busy Fr Chris celebrated the 12.15pm Mass for Ash Wednesday, his ash-emblazoned fore- head visible from a previous Mass. There was a phenomenal Friary attendance, unseen in previ- ous years, with every inch of pew, isle, side chapel, porch and outside into the car park, ﬁ,lled. The ministers of ashes were going for a record, marking us with perfect crosses of the thickest layering of black ash ever, to bear wit- ness! not surprising then that Crawley towns- folk played ‘,spot the Catholic’, all afternoon!! Sue Fellows EAST GRINSTEAD and LINGFIELD A CHAriTy FundrAisinG meal was held at the roochi restaurant in Forest row in aid of Bevern view, a Christian care home in Bar- combe for young people with profound and complex needs. The evening raised £,700, which the home will use to purchase sensory equip - ment. Parishioners attended the Churches Together in East Grinstead service at st John’,s Church of England church, Felbridge, on 17 February. As the event was held on shrove Tuesday, pancakes were served before the following talk and AGM. The ecumenical Lenten groups are now meet- ing, their theme this year being walking and praying with Christians in the Middle East whoare facing violence and persecution. in February, we welcomed in Baptism Joanna Hyde. Clive Carpenter HASLEMERE THE PArisH LunCH to celebrate Burns night attracted a large number to sample the tradi - tional fare of haggis, neeps and tatties, served with tots of whisky as ‘,gravy’,. raymond Breen addressed the haggis in scottish tones with ap- propriate actions. After expenses, £,280 will go towards a new cooker for the kitchen adjoiningthe parish hall. Our Lady of Lourdes has been saddened by the death of two parishioners –, Bill Eales who had been an active church member for many years and choir member, Teresa Marsh, whose dignity during her ﬁ,ght with motor neurone dis- ease had inspired everyone. The church was packed for both funerals with refreshments af- terwards in the parish hall. Having hosted ecumenical Taizé, services in the past, parishioners attended another at st Christopher’,s Anglican church just before Lent began. it was a prayerful occasion with readings and chants, and coffee and refreshments were served at the end. several discussion groups are also meeting in Lent in different venues within the parish. Fay Foster POLEGATE and HAILSHAM THE nEW CHurCH of st Wilfrid is beginning to take shape - a good break in the wet weather has moved things along. The steel girders are in place and you can see the beginnings of the ‘,ark’, shape rising above a sea of mud. The portacabin is in place, and is being used while the hall isout of commission. during the week of prayer for Christian unity, members of local churches attended a service at st George`s. Everyone joined in the ‘,knots’, prayer - ‘,dear God, please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life’,. There were also readings by members of the different Churches, including a litany of praise and inter- cession, and a prayer asking the Holy spirit to come into our lives by listening to what He issaying. during Lent stations of the Cross took place every sunday afternoon at st George`s. At Hail- sham there were stations before Mass on Tues - day and Friday. Ruth Ayres RUSTINGTON WE PrEPArEd for Lent in traditional fashion by having a parish pancake supper.This was the ﬁ,rst event to use our newly refurbished kitchen and our little hall was ﬁ,lled with parishioners ofall ages, who enjoyed sweet and savoury pan- cakes. no charge was made, but donations to the nick Webber Trust for Malawi amounted to over £,150. Thanks to a donation in memory of a former parishioner, we are now using two ﬁ,ne new sil - ver chalices for Communion under both kinds at sunday Mass. As well as being easier to han- dle, they also look better than the unmatched pair previously used. They were purchased after a discussion in our parish open meeting, which provides a regular forum where all parishioners can contribute their views to the running and development of the parish. Michael Mitchell RYE AFTEr A vEry AnxiOus but mercifully short-lived state of uncertainty about the fu- ture of our parish, i am now able to write and assure our readers that the difﬁ,culties have been resolved and that the Conventual Fran- ciscans mean to remain in rye and look after the parish of st Anthony’,s as they have done for well over 100 years. One of the Conventual Franciscans will be with us from Palm sunday until June when we look forward to the arrival of an American friar as our new parish priest. We are very grateful indeed to the good priests who are coming to rye from near and far each sunday during Lent to say Mass for us. i would also like to pay tribute to the mem- bers of our close-knit parish who haveworked so hard and with such success to keep the life of st Anthony’,s going during a difﬁ,- cult period. The energy and commitment shown by so many augur well for the future life of theparish and surely provide evidence of the Holy spirit’,s guidance. Jocelyn Rowe WADHURST sACrEd HEArT PArisH, as a preparation for Lent seems to have settled into a combi- nation of pancakes and a consciousness-rais- ing dvd. This shrove Tuesday was ‘,a night of the Tonys’,. Our own Toni Buckley organ- ised both the technical side and the pancakes, generously produced by the lady`s of the parish. The other Tony, Tony neeve, an An- glican parishioner of st Peter and Paul, at Fr Martin O’,Connor`s invitation showed us a ﬁ,lm, he had made with his son, based on isa- iah 58 covering the subject of world poverty. it was not only highly professional but deeply moving. At considerable risk to themselves they ﬁ,lmed the terrible conditions that some families have to endure. i don`t think any of us will ever forget the tragic indian family, husband, wife and young son trapped in con- ditions of near slavery because of a small To ALL oUR coRREsPonDEnTs iTEMs for the May 2015 issue must reach the Editorial Ofﬁ,ce at Crawley by 10am on Monday 30 March ,2015 and for the June 2015 issue by Monday 4 May 2015. Contributions may be sent by e- mail to abnews@dabnet.org and if so please include a contact telephone number. It is helpful to us if Correspondents can type their contributions, keep them to no more than 200 words and include a word count. Original good quality digital pictures (which must be at least 300dpi) are very welcome. They should be sent as e, mail attachments. We regret we are unable to use photocopies or copies printed direct, ly from computers. Please tell us that you have permissions for children’,s photos to be published. debt to a quarry owner. When the father discov- ered that he was being cheated he ran away to another quarry. Tony told us after the ﬁ,lm that the quarry owner followed him and murdered him. There seems to be no retribution or justice. it was a truly thought provoking evening. Peggy Purslow WALTON-on-THAMES durinG Fr JOHn PEArsOn’,s recent trip to uganda we had great pleasure in welcoming Fr Aloysius Beebwa, a White Father who attended to our weekend needs. supported by Josephites and Kiltegan Brothers during the week, the time has passed very quickly. Each of these priests brought fresh spiritual support for which the parish is grateful. We have recently changed the format of our newsletter and it seems to have met with generalapproval. it is also available on email which may prove to be a boon to the housebound. Walton Churches Together are planning a number of Ecumenical Lenten Groups under theheading of walking and praying with Christians in the Middle East. it is hoped parishioners will give good support. Mary Hales WORTHING St Mary of the Angels On 2 FEBruAry the Candlemass Mass started with the blessing of the candles in our so- cial area and on the feast of st Blaise on 3 Feb- ruary there was the blessing of throats. On st valentine`s day there was a special blessing for couples. Lent commenced with the distribution of ashes at both Masses, Our Malayalam community helda retreat in the Church on the weekend of 21 and 22 February. We were very sad to hear of the death of Pam Callaghan on 22 February. Pam was a reader and Exgtraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, may she rest in peace. Our new parish project is the Mutemwa leper colony and care centre in zimbawe about 50km from the Mozambique border. The colony cares for 65 patients and has 19 staff members. There is a six bed clinic for serious patients, four clinic hostels for those unable to care for themselves and other houses caring for 44 patients and their families. There is an orphanage about 4km away that originally cared for Hiv positive children but has now moved away from that specialisa- tion. Astrid Gibson ‘, Sounds of Salvation’, will be playing at the Festival Picture Rachel Andrew

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A&,B NEWS April 2015 11 pearce marketing 1/2 page O n sATurdAy 31 January a 1940s dance was held at st Peter’,s Hall, shoreham-by-sea. Around 50 parishioners and friends came along some of whom dressed the part digging out old uniforms and i suspect a few visits to vintage and charity shops! People danced the night away to songs by the Andrews sisters, such as Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, in the Mood ,Apple Blossom Time and many more sung by the vocal trio, Three Penny Piece which comprises Hilary Andrews, Hannah summers and Antonia Hyatt. it is An- tonia who runs our secret singers Group every Monday along with playing the organ at Christ the King in steyning. The trio perform at events all over sussex from tea dances and private parties to evening swing dance events. Comments included ‘,it brought back memories of going to dances at the church hall’,. There were several encores. The hall was decorated with bunting, flags and pictures of memorabilia from the 1940s. Story by Penny Richardson, Adur Valley goes back to the 40s i n 2002 durinG THE BOsniAn COnFLiCT two brothers, Magnus and Fergus MacFarlane-Barrow, re- sponded to an appeal for food and blankets. They quickly gathered a jeepload, joined a convoy and deliv- ered the aid to Medjugorje. They re- turned home to Argyll in scotland expecting to resume their work as fish farmers but public donations continued to flood in. scottish international re- lief (sir) was set up and the work ex- panded into romania, Liberia, Croatia and Bosnia. Today they feed over 989,000 children in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and south America. in 2012, sir changed its name to Mary’,s Meals, named after Mary the mother of Jesus, who lived in poverty. robert Burns was born in Ayr, scot- land on 25 January, 1759 and to cele- brate on saturday 31 January 90 people gathered in st John’,s Hall, Hor- sham for an evening of poetry and music with a Burns supper. Fr Kieran Gardiner carried the Hag- gis behind piper robin Landell (pic- tured) and Bill Wickham gave the address. After expenses, £,500 re- mained for this year’,s charity, Mary’,s Meals, who for £,12.20 provides one meal every day of the school year for a child in education. The maize, soya and sugar are grown by local farmers, the meals prepared by parent volunteers and only vitamin fortification is imported. For more information go to www.marysmeals.org.uk Story: Tricia Fitzsimmons Picture: David White Mary’,s Meals and Horsham Burns Night Lourdes Engagement C AnOn sé,AMus HEsTEr blessing the ring for a couple who became engaged in Lourdes in July last year. it was a wonderful blessing and the couple were delighted that Fr seamus agreed to do this special blessing. The girl who was engaged was Amy who has been going as a helper on the diocesan pilgrim- age for the last seven years. Story:Mary Staffiere Picture: Suzanne Jenkins (a nurse at Lourdes for the last 8 years) T HE COnFirMATiOn GrOuP of south- wick with Portslade and Hangleton with West Blatchington enjoyed a varied evening of ‘,Fun and Fasting’, on Ash Wednesday. The evening commenced with the group burning palms from last year to make ashes. We then all attended the Ash Wednesday Mass to- gether followed by refreshments of bread and water in the parish room. After a little scrip- tural input and discussion around Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, we concluded the evening with some Ash Wednesday themed quizzes and games. Ash Wednesday marks half way on the Confirmaion journey for our young people. We still have more events to come for exam- ple stations of the Cross and rconciliation. Our picture shows some of our Confirmation group after the Mass. Story and picture: Gill Sajnog Ash Wednesday with a Confirmation group

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ARE YOU A TEACHER ? with some spare time and a spare room? We are looking for teachers who are able to teach English to our International students who are looking for intensive immersion in the comfortable homes of their teachers sharing their lives and enjoying a real English experience. Students usually want one to one tuition, full board accommodation, some outings and activities locally and lots of conversation at meal times and when not studying. This year we are paying around £,450 per week to include fifteen hours lessons, accommodation and the activities. Most of our students are delightful French youngsters from ‘,professional’, families who arrive during the school holidays –, we are busiest June , July and August but can get students at half term and other school holidays. If you are interested and would like to know more please do get in touch. Michael Boyle. 01424221875 michael@englishvillage.org.uk or Michael.m.boyle@btinternet.com English Village Ltd. Bexhill on Sea. TN40 2RS R YDES H ILL Preparatory School and Nursery Highest rating in every category in latest Inspection An exceponal Independent Catholic School where children ﬂ,ourish and thrive. Girls 3 to 11 and boys 3 to 7 years. www.rydeshill.com Outstanding Nurturing Happy THE SCHOOLS LISTED ON THIS PAGE ARE PLEASED TO SUPPORT THE A &, B NEWS 12 A&,B NEWS April 2015 P lease rem ember m y in tent ion/ s in p rayer .

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