Fr. Graham Writes: 1st June 2025
Webmaster • May 30, 2025
The martyrdom of Saint Stephen is often remembered for its approval by Saint Paul before his own conversion to Christ. But if we look at the account before this we can see the powerful involvement of the Holy Spirit. Stephen had already witnessed to the death and resurrection of Christ to the antagonistic crowd. Now, "full of the Holy Spirit" he sees heaven open and Jesus enthroned at the right hand of the Father. Being full of the Holy Spirit enables us to see heavenly things. It also, like Stephen, leads to mercy. Stephen forgives those who stone and kill him. The Holy Spirit has come into the world "for the forgiveness of sins" (Prayer of Absolution in Confession).
As we pray for the continuing outpouring of the Holy Spirit on us we can expect to see Jesus more clearly, to see heavenly things and to forgive and be forgiven.
This same Spirit unites us to God and to each other. We are united to the whole Church throughout the world and with the Church in heaven as well as those who have died awaiting heaven in purgatory. This unity is what Jesus prayed for. Jesus' desire is that we are one with Him as He is one with the Father so that we will be with Him in heaven and see His glory.
It is the same Spirit, that filled Saint Stephen, that changes bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. May we, and our First Holy Communion children, be filled with the Holy Spirit so that receiving Jesus we stay with Him, experience His Mercy and taste Heaven.
With my prayer for every one of you.
God bless you,
Fr Graham
Led by St Barnabas House Chaplain Sarah Bell and volunteers, there will be space to share stories and forge friendships, helping each other to find comfort and hope. The next meeting will be on Friday 13 June at Millward Court Day Centre in Shoreham-by-Sea (Wilmot Road, BN43 6BU) starting at 10.30am to 12pm. The group meets every fortnight. All meetings are free to attend and open to anyone at any point of their bereavement journey. Refreshments will be provided and there is no need to book so you can just turn up on the day. Find out more: www.stbh.org.uk/events/bereavement-cafe-shoreham/
Monday 1st September – Sunday 8th September 2025 Join us for the whole pilgrimage or walk with us for a day During this Jubilee Year we would be delighted if you joined us as Pilgrims of Hope on some or all of the Augustine Camino, starting at Rochester Cathedral and finishing at the Shrine of St Augustine in Ramsgate. The pilgrimage will take us to four of the designated Jubilee churches and shrines in the area: • The Friars, Aylesford • St Jude’s Shrine, Faversham • St Thomas of Canterbury, Canterbury • St Augustine’s Shrine, Ramsgate To find out more details or to book your place on the pilgrimage, please contact Roy Peachey, the Mary’s Meals Supporter Engagement Officer for Kent, Surrey, Sussex and South London, on roy.peachey@marysmeals.org.uk or 07593 447297.
This Anniversary of the Consecration marks five decades of faith, hope, and unity at Worth Abbey. Mass is at 11.00am (full schedule on the poster in the porch) and at 2:30pm an Address by Rt Rev. Jeremias Schröder OSB, Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation. worthabbey.net/latest-news
Saturday 5th July , 12pm-4.15pm,Church of Our Lady of Consolation & St Francis, West Grinstead, RH13 8LT. With Mass, personal consecration to Our Lady, Rosary, Adoration, Chaplet, Benediction and opportunities for Reconciliation. Bring a packed lunch. For details, contact Jayne by email .
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, At this time of the Church’s year, we are in Ascensiontide, having celebrated that feast on Thursday. Jesus has returned to the Father and the Apostles are waiting in expectant hope for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. We, of course, have received the Spirit – in our baptism and in our confirmation. Indeed, at present, we rejoice in the great number of our young people who are receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at this time of year. All are coming to the Cathedral – making a pilgrimage to the mother church of the Diocese in this Holy Year and in our 60th year. Those being confirmed hear the words of the prayer: that the anointing of Confirmation conform them more fully to Christ, the Son of God. The more closely we are conformed to Christ, the more effective we shall be in our witness to Him. St Stephen, whose martyrdom forms the text of the first reading this Sunday, was so closely conformed to Christ that he was ready to shed his blood in witness to Him. The word ‘martyr’ means ‘witness’ – so being a martyr in the broadest sense is the call for every Christian. In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear Jesus tell us that through our witness, the world will come to believe in Him. This is the mission the Lord has given to each and every baptised person. Wherever we are – whatever we do – our lives must speak to others of the wonder of the Lord’s love for us and His call to every person, of every age, to life in Him. With every blessing + Richard
There are three events organised by the Worthing Deanery Justice & Peace Group to celebrate Refugee Week 2025. Please put them in your diary and come along to one or all: • Faces of Resilience on Sunday 15th June 2-5pm at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church Hall, Vermont Drive. East Preston, BN16 1JU. Come and see photographs and listen to a ‘Living Book’, vividly telling the stories of Ukrainian women fleeing war and seeking refuge in the UK. Join us in prayer in the church at 3pm for refugees, people seeking asylum and peace in our world. See you there! • Display during the week of Refugee Stations of the Cross at St Mary of the Angels, Worthing and Holy Family, Lancing. • An evening of Stories and Sharing on Saturday 21st June 7-9pm at St Peter's Church Hall, Shoreham. Come and hear from refugees and those who support them in our local community, with opportunity for discussions and sharing food. More details to follow, or please ask Carolyn Fuhrmann 07748326326
We can listen to the advice of Cardinal Mercier (1851–1926) as we ask for the same intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit: I am going to reveal to you the secret of sanctity and happiness. Every day for five minutes control your imagination and close your eyes to all the noises of the world in order to enter into yourself. Then, in the sanctuary of your baptised soul (which is the temple of the Holy Spirit) speak to that Divine Spirit, saying to Him: O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your Will. If you do this, your life will flow along happily, serenely, and full of consolation, even in the midst of trials. Grace will be proportioned to the trial, giving you the strength to carry it and you will arrive at the Gate of Paradise, laden with merit. This submission to the Holy Spirit is the secret of sanctity.
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
Alex Starley’s year as President of Adur Valley Catenians has drawn to a close. Alex chose as his charity fundraising cause our local "Adur Valley SVP". Along with his fellow Catenians, he will present a cheque to Ann Oliver and the SVP team this Sunday 25th May after 9am mass in the parish room. Adur Valley Catenians will be going for a walk afterwards along the beach walk to Lancing and back. The weather is looking fine. All are welcome to join us. Alex and Trish want to take this opportunity to thank the Adur Valley Catenians for their love and support throughout his year as president and always. It was great fun. May God bless you all.
I am going to reveal to you the secret of sanctity and happiness. Every day for five minutes control your imagination and close your eyes to all the noises of the world in order to enter into yourself. Then, in the sanctuary of your baptised soul (which is the temple of the Holy Spirit) speak to that Divine Spirit, saying to Him: O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your Will. If you do this, your life will flow along happily, serenely, and full of consolation, even in the midst of trials. Grace will be proportioned to the trial, giving you the strength to carry it and you will arrive at the Gate of Paradise, laden with merit. This submission to the Holy Spirit is the secret of sanctity.