Fr. Graham Writes: 16th February 2025

Webmaster • February 17, 2025

In preparation for the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter (22 Feb), from a sermon of Saint Leo the Great:


'Peter says: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replies: “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona, for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” You are blessed, he means, because my Father has taught you. You have not been deceived by earthly opinion but have been enlightened by inspiration from heaven. It was not flesh and blood that pointed me out to you, but the one whose only-begotten Son I am.....


"And upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." On this strong foundation, he says, I will build an everlasting temple. The great height of my Church, which is to penetrate the heavens, shall rise on the firm foundation of this faith.


The gates of hell shall not silence this confession of faith; the chains of death shall not bind it. Its words are the words of life. As they lift up to heaven those who profess them, so they send down to hell those who contradict them.


Blessed Peter is therefore told: "To you I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth is also bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven."... (I)t is not without good reason that what is bestowed on all (apostles) is entrusted to one. For Peter received it separately in trust because he is the prototype set before all the rulers of the Church.'


With my prayer for you every day.


God bless you all,

Fr Graham

By 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
By Webmaster July 5, 2025
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By Webmaster July 5, 2025
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By Webmaster July 5, 2025
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus sends out the seventy-two and gives them a word for those they visit. This word, this message, is the message of peace – and peace is the first gift of the Risen Christ to the Apostles, spoken as He appears to them in the Upper Room. In the 4th Century, as monasticism began to develop in Egypt, Syria and the Holy Land, monks would go to their spiritual fathers and ask for a word by which they might be saved. The word that was given to them, although expressed in different terms, was often about living in peace, in harmony, and in the silence that opens our hearts to the promptings of the Spirit. Just as the seventy-two offered a "word", given them by the Lord, so these monks of earlier times did the same – and this practice continues in the spiritual accompaniment sought by so many in our own times. Openness to the word demands a spirit of listening, and we might reflect that the first word of St Benedict’s Rule is “Listen.” When the seventy-two went on their journey, Jesus told them that if the word of peace was not received, it would come back to them. Listening is just as important as speaking, for the word that is spoken must find a home to be effective. This message of peace is so necessary in our present world, and the need for the spirit of listening is equally necessary. May our word to the world be that of the seventy-two, for it is the gift of the Risen Lord: “Peace be with you.” May this message find a home in the hearts of all. Peace is the gift of the Risen Lord to those gathered in the Upper Room on the first Easter Day. It is in Him that true, lasting, peace is to be found, for the Risen Lord has won the victory over sin and death. He offers us the gift of His peace – it is something real and it is a reality to be accepted.  In a world where, in so many places, peace is not a reality, it is our task, always and everywhere, to offer that greeting of the seventy-two disciples and the joy that is the gift of the Risen Christ. With every blessing + Richard
By Webmaster July 5, 2025
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By Webmaster July 5, 2025
Our SVP members have been working closely with their counterparts in Worthing for some time now, leading by example as to how things will work when the new larger parish is formed, in line with Bishop Richard’s Pastoral Plan (copies available in the church porch).  A major project (based in East Worthing) involves collecting, sorting, storing and then distributing furniture, clothing and other essentials to refugee families across the whole of our deanery. If you are interested in learning more, speak to any of the SVP members, or email the Parish office. Current need: Beds, preferably doubles, in good condition. They can collect. Speak to Ann Olliver if you can help.
By Webmaster July 5, 2025
Many people have commented on the homily of last week where we were reminded that St Peter was a "fisher of souls". Our "pond" in which we fish might not be as large as Ss Peter & Paul but each one of us has been given a place to fish and souls to attract for the Kingdom of Heaven. As if to underline this point, in today's Gospel, Jesus sends 72 disciples (not apostles) out into "every town and place" where He was to visit. Jesus has sent you into your home to do exactly what He asked the 72 to do - to pray, be vigilant, travel light, trust in Him, be single minded and let peace be your quest and aim. If we do this the results will surprise us. We will encounter indifference, antagonism but also the joy of seeing prayers answered and the reality of the spiritual battle. How appropriate that this week we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Peace and also Saint Benedict (patron saint of Exorcists). Mary shows us that there is power and strength in the authority of the crucified and risen Jesus, where the river of peace flows from within His pierced heart.  Jesus gives this same authority to us, as He gave to the 72, to Saint Benedict, Blessed Peter Vigne and Saint Peter. He asks us to work together and He doesn't leave us alone. He also gives us His mother, as our mother, to accompany us. Our sphere of influence may be small but we can only catch one fish at a time! With my prayer for you all. God bless you, Fr Graham
By Webmaster July 5, 2025
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By Webmaster July 5, 2025
Please view the PDF copy of the letter (below) from our Parish Finance Chair, Patrick O’Donoghue. We are appealing to people to review their offertory giving and consider one of these ways of helping the Parish: • Firstly, would your family be able to raise your offertory contribution by 10% or above? We understand that this may not be possible for everyone, and we are conscious that we are bombarded by price increases in many aspects of daily life. • Secondly, do you give via the collection plate or via the dona machine? These are excellent ways of giving. Another way of giving is by standing order. This is particularly helpful because it saves you having to remember your cash or your card, and it helps our parish with budgeting. • Thirdly, if you are a UK taxpayer, please gift aid your donations. By doing this, we can claw back funds for the benefit of the parish. If you have any questions please email the office. Thank you for your support To all OLQP parishioners, from the OLQP Finance Chair, Patrick O’Donoghue ... Read the document here Here is the video version of the message from our Finance Chair, Patrick O’Donoghue https://share.synthesia.io/8015d7a5-372d-48bc-8d3d-9afef4ea685c
By Webmaster July 5, 2025
Our friendly group usually come together on Saturday mornings, after mass at St Peter’s. We meet in the Parish Room and after a cup of tea/coffee, we watch a video, usually lasting around 50 minutes. There are two more sessions this summer (5th & 19th July), in which we will be starting the Book of Revelations, watching a series of films from renowned Bible Scholar and broadcaster, Jeff Cavins, a member of the Ascension Press team: Here he explains his ‘Great Adventure Bible Timeline’. Why not come along and give it a try? All are welcome. For more information email patsydaniels@gmail.com