Fr. Graham Writes: 13th June 2021
Webmaster • June 12, 2021
I hope that the filming of the 9am Mass last week and the various interviews with Alex and parishioners shows the beauty of faith in Jesus Christ. There were lots of special moments and also times when the filming had to be repeated to get a better angle or because it was missed the first time. Our life is not normally lived out in front of cameras and neither is it a dress rehearsal. Blessed Carlo Acutis often said that we are all called to be originals but so often we are photocopies. Our life is unique. There are hidden and public moments. Jesus speaks often about the hidden nature of the Kingdom of God and of the things of the spirit which we are usually unable to see. He speaks of the Spirit that goes where it will, of the mustard seed that is small and hidden and of the growth of seeds into a harvest. Somehow, the seeds grow day and night even when we are unaware of it. Even if we do nothing! This is how the Kingdom of God grows - hidden, day and night and not in our control. The prophet Ezekiel tells us that God can take the smallest shoot from the most obscure place and plant it in a most inhospitable place and it will grow into a noble tree. This is how God's Kingdom grows, "I will do it!" says the Lord. Our part is to not get in the way but to work with Him, it is God's work. Too often we do get in the way and either destroy God's work, plan or noble tree.
It is a good thing to want to improve life but a life that excludes God is not real life at all. The scriptures are full of examples of what happens when people try to push God out. It becomes my kingdom and God is made in our image. We can even see this in the daily things of our life and decisions. Our minds are not "planted" in the ways of the Lord but in what we think best with no prayer or reference to God. There are no re-runs. Our hidden life is just as public to God and His Kingdom is growing all around us. Be planted and rooted in it.
God bless you. With my prayer for you daily.
Fr Graham
"Lent is the perfect time to work on our prayer lives!" Not my words but an invitation from another. Perfectly true though. The words are echoed by Pope Leo XIV in his Lenten Message for this year. Pope Leo goes on to reflect on the power of the words we speak, that can bring peace or harm: “I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour.” It is always tempting to retaliate when someone hurts us or provokes us. We know where the temptations come from! Jesus shows us how to respond. Not only by His answers to the devil in the wilderness but also by the way He accepts His passion and cross. Sometimes words, sometimes silence, never harmful. Jesus trusts in His Heavenly Father, the authority of the Word of God and primacy of the worship of God. Jesus knows that everything has been put into His hands. That He will undo the disobedience of Adam by His obedience to God's will. He knows that through His death and resurrection grace will always outdo sin and death. When we are tempted to say a word that might harm or hurt, remember the words that were thrown at Jesus as He carried His cross and the silence that absorbed them. Abstinence is about the love of God and His authority over our bodies and souls. It draws our attention away from self and to a deeper and real relationship with God and our neighbour - be them friend or stranger. With my daily prayer for you this Lent. May God bless you. Fr Graham
We have spoken about preparing for Lent. We will be reminded about prayer, fasting and alms giving on Ash Wednesday by Jesus in the Gospel for the day. Alms giving is often misunderstood. It is not just about giving to charity but about justice. To give to those in need is to give them their right to live, to eat, to drink, to have somewhere to sleep, to be without fear. It is also for ourselves. As we grow in spiritual discipline we know we need forgiveness from God and others. The practise of alms giving is an act of love and love cancels many a sin. Our Lenten Alms collections and donations will be distributed equally between our local SVP project at St Charles Borromeo and also Let the Children Live, a priest helping Columbian street children, see here . Collections throughout Lent.
The singer is a local man who has visited St Peter’s before as Elvis. He is exceptional and we can promise you a great evening. Refreshments will be available to purchase at the event. It will be a great night and if you like Elvis’ music you really will not be disappointed. Tickets are £12.00 each. If you are interested, please email Liz Matthews at the school – office@stpetersshoreham.co.uk and advise how many tickets you would like.
We are hosting this year’s service at St Peter’s, which has been prepared by the women of Nigeria and the theme is " I will give you rest, come..." The service will be followed by light refreshments in the Parish Room afterwards. All are welcome.
We are honoured to be the first parish in 2026 to host a visit of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, along with the Relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco. This is a wonderful opportunity to have an insight into Fatima. There will be mass, rosary, meditation, confessions, divine mercy, films and items to buy. 9.45am until 4.45pm (please bring a packed lunch; tea & coffee will be available). To learn more, email: patsydaniels@gmail.com , or see poster/flyers in the porch. If you are able to help on the day please speak to Fr Graham or email the office.
Adur Valley Catenians Quiz Night in aid of 'Safe in Sussex', a women's refuge from domestic abuse Saturday 28th February, 6.30 for 7.00pm , at The Towers Buffet Supper / Licenced Bar / Raffle / Prizes for the winners / Teams of 4-6 people / £12.50 per person / £8.50 under 18s. Tickets from: info@adurvalleycatenians.co.uk . Or call Adrian on 07976-913774.
Tuesday 19th to Thursday 21st May 2026 . Full cost including meals and transport by coach will be £300. 25 rooms have been booked with a few spare ones to go. Friends from local parishes will be most welcome to join us. However, we must have definite names by Thursday 19th February at the latest. Please contact parish office for more information. 01903 785901.
• Mondays online: 7.30pm Rosary • Tuesdays at CTK: 9.30am Stations of the Cross, 10.00am Mass, 10.30am Adoration & Confessions • Wednesdays at SP: 10.00am ‘The Way of the Cross’ with Deacon Simon & Cecilia. Follow the Way of the Cross in prayer, reflection & song. Different images and prayers will be used each week. • Thursdays at SP: 7.30pm Adoration, Divine Mercy Chaplet & Confessions • Fridays at SP: 9.00am Stations of the Cross, 9.30am Mass, 10.00-11.00am Holy Hour of Adoration, with Confessions • Fridays online: 3.00pm Divine Mercy Chaplet and Stations of the Cross • Fridays at The Towers: 6.00pm Stations of the Cross followed by evening prayer Lent Printed Resources Please come and take a Lent prayer diary. We also have daily reflections booklets, and some calendars and activity books for children. There are also some new ‘library’ books on various topics, all available for parishioners to borrow and share. See back of the church.
Much of the spiritual life, and therefore real life, is to do with right desire. We can be dictated to by our desire, which may lead us away from God and into conflict with others, or we can (as our first reading at Mass declares) make a right choice by having a right desire. In our freedom we can exercise choice, to do the right thing or the wrong thing. Our freedom may be impaired or restricted by any number of things - addiction, habit, ignorance, coercion or force to name a few. To have true freedom and right desire is our life's work and so that we might keep the commandments of God. The same commandments can either be a springboard into freedom or the limits of wrongdoing. Jesus, who is the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets, comes not to set us free from the commandments but to liberate us from the consequences of breaking them. He enables us to keep them and more. Not to be limited by them but to keep them and go beyond them - in spirit. Jesus makes us truly free so that we may want the right desire, which is to be like Him and with Him. This journey of self-discovery is part of our Lenten journey that brings us to deeper knowledge of God by knowing Jesus and spending more time with Him, that He might minister to us more deeply and heal us from old wounds. Our healing gives us freedom from where we can make a choice, a desire to love Him more. With my prayer for you for a blessed Lent. May God bless you. Fr Graham
When we celebrate Mass, we are united with the worship of Heaven. We join the angels and saints around the altar of the "Lamb of God." We end the Preface (the first part of the Eucharistic Prayer) with the Sanctus: "Holy, Holy, Holy" - the hymn of the angels. We include the names of our parish patron saints (St Peter, Saint Cuthman and Blessed Peter Vigne) or the saint of the day in the prayers after the Consecration as they join us in adoring Jesus present on the altar.