Fr. Graham Writes: 18h January 2025
Webmaster • January 16, 2026
What does it take to really know a person? We might have something in common, shared experiences or met many years ago. But we may still not know them. A person can be a mystery to us unless there is some deeper sharing, honesty and vulnerability. This "knowledge" of the other person is not merely intellectual. But at a deeper level, where the truth and the soul are exposed.
John the Baptist makes it clear (twice) that as Jesus approached him for baptism he "did not know Him". John had heard about Jesus, they had even met in the womb. But he had not seen Him until now. But John's use of the word "know" is not limited to not having met Jesus. Now he sees Jesus and he knows Him.
John experiences Jesus first as the "Lamb of God" and then as the "Anointed One" (Dove).
This is our quest and life's work: to know God in Jesus as the one who takes away our sins and the one who breathes the new life of God in us. In this order. Jesus is the lamb who is sacrificed as our Passover as we are set free from sin. Through His resurrection we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. In every cross in our life we experience the death of Christ and we come to know Him more as well as ourselves. As we are raised from the depths we experience the resurrection and the gentle infusion of the Holy Spirit leading us into the truth of ourselves and of God. It is only through these paschal experiences that we know ourselves, the sacraments, the scriptures and the God they reveal. We cannot know God or ourselves without knowing Jesus in His cross and resurrection.
Mass of Thanksgiving for Bishop Richard’s Ministry in Arundel & Brighton: 30 January, 6.30pm, Arundel Cathedral. People across our diocesan family are invited to join a special cathedral Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Richard, followed by a reception in the Baron’s Hall, Arundel Castle, by kind permission of His Grace, the Duke of Norfolk. All are welcome.
Adur Valley Catenians are trying to raise money for 'Safe in Sussex', a women's refuge from domestic abuse. Saturday 28th February , 6.30 for 7.00pm, at The Towers Convent, Henfield Road, Upper Beeding BN44 3TF 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, or speak to any of the Catenians after mass.
Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us build a more fraternal and missionary church. Please also join the Cycle of Prayer for Ordinary Time: Winter Peace on Earth especially on the Day of Prayer for Peace (2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time) and Racial Justice Day (3 Sundays before the 1st Sunday of Lent) Christian Unity especially during the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity (18–25 January) Victims of Human Trafficking especially on St Josephine Bakhita (8 February) The Sick and those who care for them especially on World Day for the Sick (11 February) The Unemployed especially on the Day of Prayer for the Unemployed (1 Sunday before the 1st Sunday of Lent)
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) takes place each year from 18 to 25 January, providing an opportunity to focus our prayers on Christian unity and join with our sisters and brothers in Christ. WPCU takes Ephesians 4:1-13 as its central text this year, which includes the words “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” (Ephesians 4:4). Prayers and reflections for WPCU 2026 have been prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) Church this year, along with their brothers and sisters of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches. These resources draw upon centuries-old traditions of prayer used by the Armenian people, with hymns that originated in the ancient monasteries and churches of Armenia - some of which date as far back as the fourth century. Click here to find out more.
People have a Mass said for someone as a powerful form of prayer, offering the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for a specific intention, whether for the deceased (for their soul's purification in purgatory), the living (for healing, birthdays, anniversaries, or general well-being), or in thanksgiving, serving as a deep spiritual gift and expression of love for both the living and departed. What is the significance? Most Perfect Prayer: The Catholic Church considers the Mass the highest and most powerful form of prayer, uniting believers with Christ’s sacrifice. Act of Love: Requesting a Mass is seen as a profound gift, offering spiritual benefits beyond measure. Universal Application: Masses can be offered for anyone, living or dead, Catholic or non-Catholic, and for any worthy cause. Speak to Fr Graham or Antonia in the office if you would like to have a mass said. You can also read more here: The Greatest Gift.
Working together with CAFOD and Live Simply we are using the latest Live Simply PowerPoint, also presentations from SVP (St Charles project), a project management tool as an aide memoire, a recent A&B Live simply parish assessment, and other parish ideas and literature. The aim of the event is to provide help and support starting up projects, promote existing community involvements and make available current resources. See poster in church porch or contact Ashley Ralston ( ajralston37@gmail.com ) for more information
The Bible Group meet on Saturday mornings at St Peter’s (on weeks when there is a 10.00am mass). We are currently watching a new set of programmes set in the Holy Land with a new positive take on Christology. This will take us through Lent onto Easter and the last film called the Resurrection. All are welcome, whether you have been before or not.
Peace Sunday will be held on Sunday 18th January . The Bishops’ Conference encourage us all the use the day to reflect on the Pope’s message for the World Day of Peace on the 1st January. Pope Leo has said that the theme for his message which will be 'Peace be with you all: towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace'. We will have a second collection this weekend to support Pax Christi’s work which includes promoting nonviolence as a way of resolving conflict, advocacy and campaigning for peace and peace education in schools. If you are unable to give on the day then you can also donate via their website www.paxchristi.org.uk/product-category/peace-sunday-appeal/
Archbishop-Elect Richard will celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving for his ministry amongst us at 6.30pm on Friday 30 January in Arundel Cathedral. The Mass will be followed by a reception in the Baron’s Hall in Arundel Castle, by kind permission of His Grace, the Duke of Norfolk. If you are interested in attending the mass, please contact Antonia in the Parish Office: adurvalley@abdiocese.org.uk , so we can get an idea of numbers. There will be more details available soon.
What has been the highlight of Christmas for you so far? Have you noticed any change in your prayer or devotion to Jesus? Each church season has a grace of its own. We might experience the joy of the angels, the haste to get to Mass like the shepherds or the silence of Saint Joseph as he gazed upon Jesus. We are still in the Christmas season at least until 11 January (The Baptism of the Lord) or even to 2 February (Candlemas). Our crib stays in place until then. So, the celebration of Christmas continues even though life begins or seems to have returned to normal. The shepherds went back to work after they left the manger. But their life was never the same again, they were changed by seeing Jesus. Our lives are changed if we have worshipped Him as we celebrate the same event of His birth. Our everyday normal life is where our faith is put into practice. Just as Saint Augustine said, "We are an Easter people and alleluia is our song", I think we can also say, "We are a Christmas people and gloria is our song." To give glory to God in everything, whether we are poor shepherds or wise Magi. Ordinary days are transformed into extra-ordinary days and the same goes for us. It was an ordinary day when John baptised Jesus, but John never forgot it, nor do we. Baptism proclaims a sound from heaven invoking our vocation from God. Our corporate vocation is to give glory to God by listening to His voice and pleasing Him in all we do. This is our gift to Him. Christmas can then continue all year. May God bless you in 2026. With my prayer for you. Fr Graham