Fr. Graham Writes: 13th July 2025

Webmaster • July 11, 2025

It is said that it is hard being a Christian. We certainly seem to make hard work of it. But it could be said that we are created to follow God's laws and desires because we are made in the "image and likeness of God". But since the first temptation and Fall we have been pulled away and led to follow our own desires. Baptism puts this right and resets us or re-orientates us towards God.


But we live in a world of conflicting goals. Our internal world is still tainted with the old way of thinking and the external world is groaning with the ache of a world that is dying and being restored to the Kingdom of God.


This is played out in our everyday decisions and world view.


The "good" Samaritan was made of the same stuff as the Priest and the Levite, except he saw things differently. He didn't see a problem or inconvenience, he saw a person lying in the gutter. Both the Priest and Levite "saw him" but only the Samaritan engaged with what he saw and allowed the man to move him with compassion. Perhaps he knew what it was like to be forgotten, avoided or judged? He allowed the man into his life and in so doing invited Christ into his heart.


It is not difficult, it is easy. "The word is very near to you". We can do it. We do not need to justify ourselves or prove ourselves. Jesus has done exactly this for us. He has picked us up, bandaged our wounds and brought us safely home. All we need to do is "go and do likewise."


With my prayer for you everyday.


God bless you

Fr Graham

Parish Prayer Intentions: please bring them to church

By Webmaster • May 30, 2026
Throughout Lent, please bring your personal prayer intentions to our Prayer Boxes (both at St Peter’s and CTK). At St Peter’s, we already have the Prayer Tree, located in the Divine Mercy Chapel, which is regularly used by parishioners and visitors throughout the day. We have added a Prayer Box here, and one at CTK (in the entrance porch). You are warmly invited to write your personal prayer intentions on a small card and place them in the Prayer Box. If you are unable to get to church, you can email them to the office for inclusion, or via the contact form on our website. The names and intentions placed in the Prayer Boxes and on the Prayer Tree will usually be offered at the First Friday Mass, united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. After this Mass, the Prayer Box will be refreshed for the following month. Please note: the prayer intentions will remain private. They will not be read aloud.  The aim is to ensure that our intentions remain current and meaningful

Pilgrimage of Reparation & Consecration

By Webmaster • May 30, 2026
Saturday 18 July 12 noon – 4.15pm ,  Church of Our Lady of Consolation & St Francis, West Grinstead, RH13 8LT. A pilgrimage for people across our diocese - the day includes Holy Mass, a personal Consecration to Our Lady, the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, Exposition, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Adoration and Benediction. There is no need to book, to find out more contact Linda C-Dominguez T:01273463463 or M:07944377252. Please bring a packed lunch.

‘Day for Life’: Sunday 21 June

By Webmaster • May 30, 2026
The Bishops’ Conference invites us to join in the Novena in preparation for the forthcoming Day for Life. The Novena will run from Saturday 23 May to the Feast of the Visitation (Sunday 31 May). This is the third year in which the Dioceses of England and Wales will join with those of Scotland and Ireland to pray this Novena. The Novena is found here: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/ novena-for-life/ .

Prayer at the Memorial to Children Lost Before Birth: Sunday 21st June, 4pm

By Webmaster • May 30, 2026
On the Bishops' Conference Day for Life there will be a short service of prayer at the Memorial at Arundel Catholic Cemetery, 6 London Road Arundel BN18 9AT to pray for all those affected by the loss of a child at or before birth and for the promotion of a culture of life. The theme this year is The Wonder of the Child in the Womb. See: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/day-for-life/ All welcome, refreshments afterwards in the hall.

News from Adur Valley Catenians

By Webmaster • May 30, 2026
Adur Valley Catenians are pleased to announce we have elected Adrian Gilbert as Circle President for the year 2026-27. Last year, we raised over £2000 for our nominated charity, Safe-In-Sussex. This year, we shall be supporting JustLife, a local charity supporting homeless people. We will be attending the 9.00am mass this Sunday, 31st May, and will be pleased to provide more information about our Association afterwards over coffee.

OLQP Bible Film Group

By Webmaster • May 30, 2026
Come along on Saturday 6th June to watch a short film with a friendly group of fellow parishioners. We meet in the Parish Room at St Peters after Saturday mass and rosary. All are welcome.

Ann Olliver’s Requiem Mass: Friday 5th June, 11.00am

By Webmaster • May 30, 2026
Ann’s husband, Paul, has asked that people wear bright colours to Ann’s mass on Friday (no black). We are expecting a large turnout, so please note that the car park will be reserved for family only. Please allow extra time and park elsewhere on that day, thank you. All are welcome for refreshments in the Parish Room after the mass. There will be a collection for the SVP in Ann’s memory. If you cannot attend on the day, you can donate online at https://annolliver.muchloved.com/ or by scanning this QR code:

Mother’s Prayers: Friday 5th June, 9.30am

By Webmaster • May 30, 2026
‘United in prayer we save our children’ ‘Mothers Prayers’ was launched in England in 1995. At that time, two grandmothers felt led by the Lord to pray in a special way for their children. The movement has spread throughout the world and is now in over 100 countries. Our parish group meets on the first Friday of the month, in the Parish Room at St Peter’s. Please note that on Friday 5th June , we will meet at the slightly earlier time of 9.30am . Open to all mothers, including spiritual mothers, godmothers and grandmothers. “As mothers learn to trust each other, through their prayers and sharing together, their burdens become lighter”.

First Holy Communion

By Webmaster • May 30, 2026
OLQP First Holy Communion: 7th June 2026 Please pray for Antonia, Daniel, Nuala, Orlagh and Samuel, who are receiving their First Holy Communion next Sunday at St Peter’s. Please pray for their families and the catechists.

Fr. Graham Writes: 31st May 2026

By Webmaster • May 29, 2026
The Holy Trinity is less of a doctrine and more of a reality. We have the formal declarations and statements of Church councils, we have the Nicaean creed which we profess each Sunday, we have the writings of theologians and their correspondence with heretics through the ages. But as much as we seek to define this mystery it is a revelation from God who is Trinity, not a way for us to describe God. In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17.28). Our mind may struggle to perceive but our heart enters in. Without God, without the reality of God who is Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), there is no salvation. "For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son.... that the world might be saved though Him".  The Father sends the Son, to be made flesh through the Virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit. Salvation is Trinitarian. To be saved is to receive Christ and have Him dwelling in our souls. To have Jesus living within us is to have the Trinity, for they are One. This gift is given at baptism through faith. Do you know you have God living with you? Pure and perfect Love at the centre of your soul. Through prayer, the sacraments and obeying that voice of Love He manifests and grows more and more within us, until "It is not I who lives but Christ living in me" (Gal 2.20). This is the life of faith, hope and love that overflows into our hearts. There can be no greater aspiration. With my prayer for you on His Visitation to John the Baptist. God bless you. Fr Graham