From Bishop Richard - 1st April
Webmaster • May 30, 2025
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
We are honoured to be the first parish in 2026 to host a visit of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, along with the Relics of Saints Jacinta and Francisco. This is a wonderful opportunity to have an insight into Fatima. There will be mass, rosary, meditation, confessions, divine mercy, films and items to buy. 9.45am until 4.45pm (please bring a packed lunch; tea & coffee will be available). To learn more, email: patsydaniels@gmail.com , or see poster/flyers in the porch. If you are able to help on the day please speak to Fr Graham or email the office.
SVP Cake Sale: Sunday 1st March, CTK Cuthman Room (after 11am mass) All proceeds to our local SVP, supporting the elderly, homeless, refugees and those struggling financially in our area. See poster for details.
You are warmly invited to have some soup and bread in aid of ACN. Please contact elareeves57@gmail.com if you would like to come. We hope to do more.
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 (next to the votive candles). 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 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 that these prayer intentions will remain private. They will not be read aloud. The aim is to ensure that our intentions remain current and meaningful
We are hosting this year’s service at St Peter’s, which has been prepared by the women of Nigeria and the theme is " I will give you rest, come..." The service will be followed by light refreshments in the Parish Room afterwards. All are welcome.
"Lent is the perfect time to work on our prayer lives!" Not my words but an invitation from another. Perfectly true though. The words are echoed by Pope Leo XIV in his Lenten Message for this year. Pope Leo goes on to reflect on the power of the words we speak, that can bring peace or harm: “I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour.” It is always tempting to retaliate when someone hurts us or provokes us. We know where the temptations come from! Jesus shows us how to respond. Not only by His answers to the devil in the wilderness but also by the way He accepts His passion and cross. Sometimes words, sometimes silence, never harmful. Jesus trusts in His Heavenly Father, the authority of the Word of God and primacy of the worship of God. Jesus knows that everything has been put into His hands. That He will undo the disobedience of Adam by His obedience to God's will. He knows that through His death and resurrection grace will always outdo sin and death. When we are tempted to say a word that might harm or hurt, remember the words that were thrown at Jesus as He carried His cross and the silence that absorbed them. Abstinence is about the love of God and His authority over our bodies and souls. It draws our attention away from self and to a deeper and real relationship with God and our neighbour - be them friend or stranger. With my daily prayer for you this Lent. May God bless you. Fr Graham
We have spoken about preparing for Lent. We will be reminded about prayer, fasting and alms giving on Ash Wednesday by Jesus in the Gospel for the day. Alms giving is often misunderstood. It is not just about giving to charity but about justice. To give to those in need is to give them their right to live, to eat, to drink, to have somewhere to sleep, to be without fear. It is also for ourselves. As we grow in spiritual discipline we know we need forgiveness from God and others. The practise of alms giving is an act of love and love cancels many a sin. Our Lenten Alms collections and donations will be distributed equally between our local SVP project at St Charles Borromeo and also Let the Children Live, a priest helping Columbian street children, see here . Collections throughout Lent.
The singer is a local man who has visited St Peter’s before as Elvis. He is exceptional and we can promise you a great evening. Refreshments will be available to purchase at the event. It will be a great night and if you like Elvis’ music you really will not be disappointed. Tickets are £12.00 each. If you are interested, please email Liz Matthews at the school – office@stpetersshoreham.co.uk and advise how many tickets you would like.
Adur Valley Catenians Quiz Night in aid of 'Safe in Sussex', a women's refuge from domestic abuse Saturday 28th February, 6.30 for 7.00pm , at The Towers 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.
Tuesday 19th to Thursday 21st May 2026 . Full cost including meals and transport by coach will be £300. 25 rooms have been booked with a few spare ones to go. Friends from local parishes will be most welcome to join us. However, we must have definite names by Thursday 19th February at the latest. Please contact parish office for more information. 01903 785901.