Fr. Graham Writes: 3rd April 2022
Webmaster • April 3, 2022
“There was something quite powerful during the Reconciliation Service in Rome when the Holy Father prayed for Russia and Ukraine to be consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As solemn as the act of Consecration was, I was moved by watching the Pope go to confession. There is not one of us who hasn't sinned against God. Perhaps we might think it a weakness to have the need to go to confession to a priest?
But, the opposite is true. It is a sign of strength and maturity that we know our need of God's mercy. With St Paul we can say that we have not become perfect (yet), but we are "still running".
There are traps that we can fall into when we prepare for a good confession. The first is getting stuck. When we pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help us to know our sins we can feel so bad or sorry that we forget God's Mercy - which is always greater than our sin. Again, St Paul says, "I forget the past and strain ahead for what is to come". What is to come is being washed in the Mercy of God in the sacrament of reconciliation. Here is another trap: we can take God's Mercy for granted and minimise the damage of sin. So we can drift between crushing guilt (leading to self condemnation) or complacency (leading to a cycle of destruction). But, true sorrow brings us closer to Jesus and
reconciliation brings about gratitude. or did she sin again? We don't know.
Imagine the relief and joy of the forgiven woman caught in the act of sinning. Was she trapped in self-hatred or did she sin again? We don’t know. But, we can experience the same Mercy as she did in
the very simple act of confessing our sins to a priest. Jesus forgives through the priest. If has been a long time since your last confession, don' t worry. No one condemns but all are set free. "What
marvels the Lord worked for us, indeed we were glad".
With my daily prayers for you all each day especially the sick.
God bless you always.
Fr Graham”
WELCOME TO OUR PARISH On Satuday 17th October 2026 , our parish is hosting at St Peter’s: A Day With Saint Carlo Acutis. We are extremely fortunate to have speaker Anna Johnstone with us for the whole weekend, who set up www.ukmiracles.com in 2017. The website was launched as an information point designed to help bring Saint Carlo Acutis' International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles, and accompanying resources, to parishes and schools in the UK. Since 2024 this apostolate has also been making available a First Class Relic of Saint Carlo Acutis . Anna Johnstone is a family friend of the Acutis family, and the Governess, for three years, (2015-2018), to the brother and sister of Saint Carlo. Since 2017 Anna has given presentations on the life and spirituality of Saint Carlo Acutis, facilitated missions, and helped new Saint Carlo apostolates, across the UK. Anna is a British Catholic convert who read Theology at Cambridge. The visit on Saturday 17th October will mark the start of our parish hosting the Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles. We are reaching out to other parishes, schools and universities. Please help us spread the word by taking a poster and/or flyers. All are welcome.
Saturday Sanctuary, 3 October , 11am-12.45pm, St John the Baptist, Brighton, BN2 1AP. A morning of fellowship, reflection, prayer and silence on selected Saturdays. This session includes an Introduction to Spiritual Direction. See website for more details: www.monksinthecity.uk
Last Friday’s parliamentary vote saw the Assisted Dying Bill defeated by 286 votes to 270. Archbishop John Sherrington thanked all who contacted their MPs and all who spoke up for the dignity of human life. He reminded us that compassion means accompanying those who suffer with care and solidarity, not encouraging an end to life.
Pope Leo appointed Fr Stephen Wang as sixth bishop of our Diocese on 2 July. In a video recorded recently for the Catholic Truth Society (CTS), Bishopelect Stephen offers a simple, practical introduction to prayer. “Prayer is wonderful,” he says, “prayer is so important, but prayer can be hard as well. How many times have people come up to me as a priest and said, ‘Father, I want to pray, but I don't know how to start. I don't know what to do, and I feel a bit stuck…’ “I remember the first time I prayed as an adult; I didn't really know what to do, but I was in my bedroom. I closed my door. I sat on the edge of my bed and… just talked to God and said something like, ‘Dear God, I'm not sure if you're there. I hope you're listening. These are the things on my heart, on my mind…’” “I encourage you, whatever way works for you in prayer, find it and stick to that. There aren't too many rules, but if you can find a little bit of quiet [or] silence, listening prayerfully to the Word of God… can be a great help to prayer.” Click here to see the talk in full: Bishop-Elect Stephen on prayer Or search for Catholic Truth Society on YouTube.
There will be a free ‘Poetry Café’ at St Peter’s on Thursday 1st October from 12.00-2.00pm. Music, poetry and refreshments. Free entry. All are welcome. See poster and Wordfest brochure for more details.
RNID's friendly volunteers can support you with: • Information on hearing loss and tinnitus • Free hearing checks for adults • Hearing aid cleaning, maintenance and basic repairs • Advice on accessing local support and services Join us at The Shoreham Centre, 2 Pond Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 5WU on the second Wednesday of each month from 1pm to 3pm. No appointment necessary. RNID - National charity supporting people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.
If you have any pre-loved/outgrown children’s winter coats, hats, gloves etc. please bring to St Peter’s, and they will be taken to the SVP project in Worthing. Thank you for your support.
To tie in with our hosting of the Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition of Saint Carlo Acutis in the Parish Room at St Peter’s this autumn, we are planning a special day on Saturday 17th October, centred around Saint Carlo Acutis, with a FirstClass Relic. We are fortunate to have speaker Anna Johnstone, Guardian of the Relic and former Governess to the Acutis Family visiting our parish. Since 2017 Anna has given presentations on the life and spirituality of Saint Carlo Acutis, facilitated missions, and helped new Saint Carlo apostolates, across the UK. Anna is a British Catholic convert who read Theology at Cambridge. The day will include mass, prayer, veneration of the relic, adoration, exhibition and talks. You are welcome to all or part of the day. Tea/coffee available; please bring a packed lunch. Exhibition Dates: 17 October – 1 November 2026 You can read more here: Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition
Saturday 26 September, 10am-6.30pm, St Wilfrid’s Church, Burgess Hill, RH15 9EN (Cost: £20). Young Adults (18-35) are invited to a jam-packed day of prayer, formation, friendship, and fun. Praying to discover true peace within ourselves, to become peacemakers in the world around us, and to be renewed with an apostolic fire burning brightly within our hearts. See poster for details or visit the Diocesan website.
As many of you know about two years ago, I suffered a DVT in my right upper arm. After many tests, the cause was diagnosed as a thoracic outlet problem. This means that a vein and artery in my arm is restricted and, at some angles, the blood supply is cut-off completely. This, I am told, is not good and so I have been on blood thinners for some time and now I am to have surgery to remove the restriction. To make space, some of my rib might have to be removed. I will be out of action for a couple of weeks and return to public celebration of Mass, all being well, at the beginning of October. I am very grateful to Fr Tony, Fr Dominic, Deacon Simon and Antonia. Fr Tony will anoint me after Mass on Monday. I know you have and will continue to keep me and my family in your prayers. Thank you for all your help, understanding and support. God bless you. Fr Graham