Fr Graham Writes: 02nd August 2020
Fr Graham • August 1, 2020
When Jesus hears of the sad news of John the Baptist’s death, he “withdrew by boat to a lonely place” where He could be alone with His apostles and disciples. When we receive bad news maybe we withdraw into ourselves or find some comfort in something that might not do us any good. It might distract us for a while or even seem to alleviate the pain temporarily, but it doesn’t help us face the truth. There are different types of “being alone”: destructive and strengthening. Jesus doesn’t withdraw into self-pity; He wants to be alone to pray and get true perspective of what has happened and what it means. Jesus isn’t just upset; He is aware that now John has died the next stage of His Mission is about to start which will lead to His own death and His resurrection. No one else sees it the same way. The crowds still follow Him and do not respect His grief. The disciples try to protect Jesus, but they want Him for themselves, “send the people away”. Jesus’ response is both instructive and generous. He teaches His disciples and He begins this new phase of ministry - parables to more plain speaking. This “being alone” brings Jesus even closer to more people (5000+) and He fully satisfies their need, hunger and desire for truth. Jesus is looking towards the night when He will break bread for them again in the Kingdom of the Father. When we receive sad news how do we respond? Let us try to go to Jesus in that quiet place and be alone with Him to pray and discover how to respond in Christ. Jesus wants us to come to Him with our true selves. To be broken open and then He can perform miracles with us.
With my prayers for you each day.
A Blessed Sunday. God bless you.
Fr Graham
“My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I ask pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not
To tie in with our hosting of the Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition of Saint Carlo Acutis in the Parish Room at St Peter’s this autumn, we are planning a special day on Saturday 17th October, centred around Saint Carlo Acutis, with a FirstClass Relic. We are fortunate to have speaker Anna Johnstone, Guardian of the Relic and former Governess to the Acutis Family visiting our parish. Since 2017 Anna has given presentations on the life and spirituality of Saint Carlo Acutis, facilitated missions, and helped new Saint Carlo apostolates, across the UK. Anna is a British Catholic convert who read Theology at Cambridge. The day will include mass, prayer, veneration of the relic, adoration, exhibition and talks. You are welcome to all or part of the day. Tea/coffee available; please bring a packed lunch. Exhibition Dates: 17 October – 1 November 2026 You can read more here: Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition
As many of you know about two years ago, I suffered a DVT in my right upper arm. After many tests, the cause was diagnosed as a thoracic outlet problem. This means that a vein and artery in my arm is restricted and, at some angles, the blood supply is cut-off completely. This, I am told, is not good and so I have been on blood thinners for some time and now I am to have surgery to remove the restriction. To make space, some of my rib might have to be removed. I will be out of action for a couple of weeks and return to public celebration of Mass, all being well, at the beginning of October. I am very grateful to Fr Tony, Fr Dominic, Deacon Simon and Antonia. Fr Tony will anoint me after Mass on Monday. I know you have and will continue to keep me and my family in your prayers. Thank you for all your help, understanding and support. God bless you. Fr Graham
Jesus wants us to work for Him. Or better still to live for Him. In the Sunday gospels Jesus uses parables to call us to work in His vineyard. This does not mean He wants us to be in Church all day, but He does want us to be with Him and doing His will all day. We do not have the excuse of being "idle" and saying that "no one has hired us". Jesus not only calls everyone into His kingdom, but He also calls everyone to bring as many people with them as possible. We shouldn’t leave it for others to do. Jesus very clearly treats everyone the same - the reward is heaven. Saint Carlo Acutis, whose relics and Eucharistic Miracles exhibition we are privileged to be hosting soon, had his mind clearly focussed on heaven. It surpasses anything we could desire. Neither should we be under the impression that it is too late or we are not good enough. We may have chosen other priorities in the past, but we can change our mind and choose God now, today. It is never too late to do the will of God. The Church is for forgiven sinners who try to do the will of God and keep choosing Him because He has already chosen us. We cannot do any of this without God's grace and help. The Mass is the source and summit for us - our strength and goal. Only Jesus can save us, hire us, lead us and show us the way. We want to be in and working in His vineyard, His Kingdom, His Church. Live for Him always, Be with Him always. With my prayer for you always. 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 .