Father Graham writes: 6th December 2020
Webmaster • December 5, 2020
Where do we get our self-worth from? Some might have a lack of self-worth and seek assurance or solace in other things. Some might have a different persona that hides their insecurity. I am sure we can associate ourselves somewhere between the two. If we truly knew God and trusted Him, then there would be no need for solace or insecurity. Our selfworth comes from God who made us in His image and likeness. What else is needed? Well, quite a lot really as we have fallen and we all sin. We do it in different ways and we try to cover it up or excuse ourselves, but it has the same source (original sin). We have damaged the image and with it the insecurity comes - does God still love me? Can God love me? Jesus restores the image and gives us even more, not just to be made in the divine image but to share in the Divinity. This was God's plan from the beginning of time and amongst prophets the way was prepared by St John the Baptist pointing to the fulfilment of the prophesies and the Saviour (Jesus) being born of a Virgin (Mary). John is not the Saviour. He does not have a false sense of self. He is a realist, and he knows that he is not "fit to kneel down and undo the strap of (Jesus') sandals". He knows his place and this truth sets him free. No
pretending. Not even worthy or "competent" to be a servant, but he is happy to be so. We will all stand before Jesus one day. Our presence at Mass is one such occasion and it is a preparation for the "Day of the Lord" when we stand before Him and behold His power and judgement. He will gather us in His arms, and we will experience His Mercy and Justice in equal measure. I too am not worthy. He is worthy.
With my prayer for you each day.
God bless you.
Fr Graham
O God, eternal and loving Shepherd, we bless and thank you for the appointment of your servant, Stephen, to our Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. May your Holy Spirit grace him with a spirit of counsel and fortitude, a spirit of knowledge and piety, so that he may gently and courageously sanctify, teach and govern the Church of Arundel and Brighton as we work together to build up the kingdom of heaven. May he be a shepherd after your own heart, who, with compassion and wise discernment, will care for and lead your people with the joy of the Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen Fr Stephen Wang will be installed as the sixth Bishop of Arundel & Brighton on Monday 19 October at 12 noon. The Mass of Episcopal Ordination, which takes place on the Feast of St Philip Howard, will include invited representatives from across our community of faith and will be livestreamed from Arundel Cathedral. Bishop Stephen will celebrate a special Mass of Welcome for people across our Diocese at Worth Abbey near Crawley on Saturday 24 October at 11.30am. Further details will be announced in due course.
It is difficult being a "watchman" or sentry. It is isolating being in a position where it is better to see at a distance. It comes with dangers and the need for vigilance means that the darkest moments of the night are the most important to be alert. Being "faithful to Christ" is like being a sentry, having the long term view of eternal life and seeing the dangers that might threaten it. The whole Church, every disciple, is called to live in such a way - in the world but not of the world. The revived assisted suicide bill (Lauren Edwards), brought back to Parliament for a second reading on 11 September (even though it failed in the last session), is such a danger. It has consequences for the here and now and for the future. The prophet Ezekiel describes the responsibility and consequences for speaking the truth to others concerning following a false way. The psalmist pleads that we do not harden our hearts. Jesus insists that it is the responsibility of the whole church, not just the clergy or religious, to give "evidence" of the truth. The consequences are not just about loss and gain of life but of souls for eternal life. Some might protest that to do the kind thing is to do the loving thing. But, "love does no wrong to a neighbour." It is a misconception to think that love allows anything to happen. Saint Augustine's "Love and do what you will" demands to understand what true love is. God is love. It is in Christ that we have true freedom. With my prayer for every one of you. God bless you. Fr Graham
On Monday (bank holiday), please note mass at The Towers is at 10.00am
Next Saturday ( 5th September ), Adur Valley Catenians will be serving Pimms and Canapes after the 5.30pm mass at The Towers. All are welcome.
Next Friday ( 4th September ) the mass at 9.30am will be offered for Parish Prayer Intentions. Please continue to place any prayer intentions in the boxes at St Peter's (in the Divine Mercy Chapel) and CTK (in the porch). This is followed by Adoration and Confessions, and at the same time, our Mothers Prayers group will meet in the Parish Room (10-11am). Finally, at 4pm, there are prayers for peace in the Divine Mercy chapel.
We will be welcoming Fr John Boles to our parish this weekend. He is the Regional Director of Columban Missionaries Britain, chosen as this year's Diocesan annual Mission appeal. There will be a second collection for their work. To read more, see their website: www.columbans.co.uk
We welcome Fr John Boles, Regional Director of Columban Missionaries Britain, chosen as this year’s Diocesan annual Mission Appeal. There will be a second collection for their work. To read more, see their website: www.columbans.co.uk .
In a week when we remember the anniversary of the Shoreham air crash we are confronted with the tragic deaths of three members of one family in the sea off Shoreham Fort: Hassan, Zeina and Sara. Life is fragile and a gift to be treasured. Every moment is precious. It can all change so quickly. God is the giver of the gift. It is to Him that we look for strength, mercy, help and love. The life of faith is no less vulnerable and fragile. One moment Saint Peter gets it right and then he gets it wrong. In the gospel for this week Peter speaks with insight and with a revelation of knowledge from the Father that Jesus "is the Christ, the Son of the living God". The following verses (next week), with Peter basking in the elation of this spiritual gift, he plunders from the height of presumption after accusing Jesus that God has got it wrong! Jesus gives Peter and us the reason for his downfall: setting his mind of the "things of man" not of God. Jesus does not avoid suffering as He knows we cannot avoid it. In fact, Jesus uses suffering as a means to save us. He is not a remote or impervious God. He shares the fullness of our humanity that we might share in His divinity and have a life beyond death. We are not untouched by another's pain either. So we do more than remember or say empty phrases - we pray. We pray for all who suffer and have died. That is what God would have us do. With my prayer for you all. God bless you. Fr Graham
Do you have an old mobile phone surplus to your needs? If so, please consider donating it to a parish in Ghana. My close friend Fr. Gregory from Ghana is in the UK supplying holiday cover. He re-purposes mobile phones, giving them to people in remote parts of Ghana so they can make contact in an emergency, (spiritual or physical). Battery condition does not matter but they should have the sim card removed and be reset to factory default which wipes them clean, (I can help with this). I can collect them from St. Peters Shoreham, Christ the King Steyning or The Towers between now and August 30th (please note change of date). Many thanks Deacon Simon
26 September, 10am-6.30pm, St Wilfrid’s Church, Burgess Hill, RH15 9EN (Cost: £20). Young Adults (18-35) are invited to a jam-packed day of prayer, formation, friendship, and fun - praying to discover true peace within ourselves, to become peacemakers in the world around us, and to be renewed with an apostolic fire burning brightly within our hearts. Young Adults' Retreat Day (26-Sep-2026) · ChurchSuite Events