Pastoral Letter from Bishop Richard
Webmaster • November 15, 2024
PASTORAL LETTER
for the 33rd Sunday of the Year
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
With the publication of the “Assisted Dying Bill” to be debated on the 29th of November, I ask each and every one of you to pray earnestly that the dignity of human life is respected from the moment of conception to natural death - and to write to your MPs, asking that they vote against the Bill.
The great majority of us will have experienced the death of a loved one and we know the importance of compassion for those who are facing the loss of someone they know and love. The last journey that we take is so often accompanied by illness, which can sometimes be long and, perhaps, marked by suffering.
The compassion that we are called to show - that “suffering with” that is a most precious gift to others, calls us and all in our society to show understanding and respect to all who are approaching their last days, to their loved ones and to the healthcare professionals who give so much of themselves at these times.
The proposed legislation will bring anxiety to so many and, rather than offer ‘choice’ - as has been suggested - will, instead, potentially impose significant pressure on people who are at a very vulnerable time in their lives, especially the elderly and those living with disabilities.
While the proposed legislation may offer assurances of safeguards, the evidence is clear that, in those countries such as Canada and Belgium (to take just two examples) where legislation approving “assisted dying” is in place, it takes little time before the criteria for “assisted dying” expand, often including those living with mental illness and others who do not have a terminal diagnosis.
The relationship between patient and doctors and other healthcare professionals is precious to patients and their loved ones. The pressure on doctors to recommend or enable such procedures will result in significant damage to this important relationship and, potentially, bring many who have devoted their lives to healthcare to feel unable to continue their vital work.
So, I ask you to write to your MP, urging them most strongly to vote against this proposed legislation. The outcome of the debate is by no means certain and every letter makes a difference and proclaims the dignity of life and the need to protect the vulnerable.
If you are concerned about writing a letter yourself, postcards will be coming to all parishes, which will make this task easier.
If you are writing a letter, may I ask you to call for effective support and funding for our hospices and for end-of-life care. The healthcare professionals who work in our hospices, hospitals and across the community deserve our particular support and prayers at this time.
Pray for our MPs, that they may recognise that their first priority must be the protection and care for the most vulnerable in our society and that supporting this legislation would result in a dangerous abrogation of this responsibility.
Pray, too, for those who are seriously ill, for those who are dying, for their loved ones and all who care for them, either at home or in our hospitals and hospices.
On the morning of 29th November, let us all come together in prayer - ideally for a Holy Hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and redouble our prayer through fasting, that the dignity of life may be respected.
May the Lord Jesus, Whose love conquers all and in Whom we find life to the full, prompt our every action as we seek to defend and uphold the lives of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters.
With every Blessing,
We make the sign of the cross everyday: first thing in the morning and last thing at night, before meals, when praying, in Mass, passing a church with the Blessed Sacrament, out of respect when a hearse passes with a coffin, with holy water and more. Sometimes we don't think what we are doing. The cross, a shameful instrument of death, has become a sign of life for us as Jesus crucified could not be restrained on the cross or the tomb but is risen from the dead. "Death where is your victory?" Saint Bernadette encouraged people to make the sign of the cross and make to make it large. No embarrassment or haste. Make it a prayer and a thanksgiving that we are baptised into the death and resurrection of Jesus. The sing of the cross is indelibly marked on our forehead. The mark of Christ, first made in our baptism as we are claimed for Christ and His kingdom. Jesus is lifted up high on the cross. We gaze at him, when we venerate the cross, when we see Him lifted up in the Mass,. It is there that we see perfect love. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son". To refuse this crucified love is to perish and to believe in Him is to have eternal life. Whatever suffering we endure, look to the cross. There we receive strength and the promise of eternal life. Dying He destroyed our death. May God bless you. With my prayer for you everyday. Fr Graham
Spiritual Cost Benefit Analysis It is notoriously difficult to quantify the cost of large projects. The Channel Tunnel cost 80% more than the original budget, The London to Birmingham high speed rail line is currently forecast to cost three times the original estimate. But just as important as the cost is the realised benefit. For example, using the Channel Tunnel is far greener than using ferries or flying, as the trains, unlike ships and planes, use electricity from low carbon sources. In today’s gospel Jesus spells out the cost of discipleship in stark terms. To be a disciple we must go all in. As we heard, three weeks ago, Jesus recognised that his teachings have the power to divide families against each other. This week Jesus doubles down saying that his teachings have the power to cause hatred between a disciple and their family. I think that Jesus is exaggerating to make a point. When it rains heavily, we often say it is raining cats and dogs, we do not mean it is literally raining cats and dogs, we use this figure of speech to emphasise the severity of the rain. I think that Jesus is exaggerating to emphasise the level of commitment that His disciples are expected to show. It may have also served to sift out those, in the great crowds that accompanied Jesus, that were serious in following Him. So if the cost of discipleship is complete commitment to Jesus what is the benefit? With every blessing, Deacon Simon
With the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and the summit in Anchorage, Alaska, the hope of peace is close to our hearts and prayer intentions. The peace that we bring is often shortlived, fragile and fragmented. The peace of the Kingdom of God is eternal and unshakeable. It is based upon truth, justice and reconciliation. Peace has nothing to do with politics. Jesus says the peace He brings is with the sword of truth - a firm foundation. Not everyone will accept it or Him. His way is not the popular or easy way, it is the way of the cross. It is through the narrow door where salvation lies. Jesus is the Truth, the Prince of peace and the door through which we enter eternal life. To know Him is to be free, forgiven and, despite continuing war and violence all around, at peace. We must strive and pray for the peace and unity of all. But we must also remember our true home is in heaven. Heaven is where Jesus is - in prayer, in the scriptures, in the sacraments, in the church, in the saints, in our neighbour. He is close. Enter while the door is open for when it is shut, it will be too late. Then there will be weeping, unheard of before. All are invited to be saved and recline with Jesus in the Kingdom of heaven. God bless you all and with my prayer for you every day as we bask in Mary's Assumption. Fr Graham
There will be an evening of LIVE SIMPLY on Wednesday September 24th open to all (in the Parish Room at St Peter’s). Come and find out how you can get involved with parish, local and regional events. Be proactive by helping out with groups, and your parish needs. Be ready to talk to your neighbours in the new Worthing area. Follow a readymade plan via LIVE SIMPLY guidelines. More information below:
The term ‘assumption’ encompasses several ideas. As we observe the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven this coming Friday, it is important to clarify its intended meaning in this context. 1. Assumption as a proposition or axiom taken for granted: This definition does not apply, as there is substantial contemporary and traditional evidence that Our Lady was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. 2. Assumption as the act of laying claim to or taking possession of something (e.g., assumption of power): This is not relevant here, since Mary did not assert her role; rather, it was graciously offered to her and she accepted. 3. Assumption as taking on a new responsibility or position (e.g., assumption of a role): While Mary did accept the role of Theotokos (“God-bearer”) at the Annunciation, this event is distinct from the Assumption. 4. Assumption as the taking on of another's debts: This meaning is also inapplicable, as Christian doctrine teaches that Jesus bore the debt of humanity’s sin, not Mary. 5. Assumption, derived from the Latin *ad-sumere* (“to be taken towards something”): This is the pertinent definition. Mary, mother of Jesus, was taken up into heaven, body and soul, by the divine will and power of God. (Definitions referenced from Webster’s Dictionary.) With continued prayers for all, Deacon Simon
Thank you to all who have contributed to our Foodbank appeal. For the next two weeks the theme is “Personal Hygiene”. Please bring toiletries, nappies, sanitary products etc. For more information speak to Ann Olliver or email the Parish Office.
Tickets (£1 each) will be on sale this weekend at SP and CTK for the annual SVP National Raffle. The top two prizes are £5,000 and £1,000 respectively, plus many others.
In advance of the feast of The Transfiguration of the Lord on Wednesday, here is an article from Universalis: “The Transfiguration of the Lord can sound embarrassingly magical. Jesus goes up onto a mountain and his clothes become dazzlingly white. Prophets appear and talk to him. And then it is all over and Jesus tells his disciples to say nothing. We should hold on to the absurdity of the incident. There is simply no reason for all this to have happened. In particular, there is no reason to put it into a gospel—the evangelist makes no capital out of it, it is simply there. And this is the strength of the Transfiguration as an historical incident. There is no reason for anyone to have invented it. It is not central to the Christian case. It is not used to win arguments. There is only one reason to put it into the Gospel, and that is because it happened. It is one of those cases of the evangelists writing things down without knowing why they were important, and their very puzzlement is what makes the story so convincing. Why, then, did it happen? Surely so that we could see and understand that Jesus is at once one of the prophets and the one that was prophesised by them; and that he is God, and lives for all eternity in a blaze of dazzling and unapproachable light. The true miracle of the Transfiguration is not the shining face or the white garments, but the fact that for the rest of the time Jesus hid his glory so well.” With my prayer for you all. God bless you, Fr Graham.
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
Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they often work in difficult, hazardous conditions. Sea Sunday is Sunday 13th July. It is when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea. Your support will make a big difference to seafarers and fishers in need. You can donate in church, by visiting www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate , or by texting ‘SEA’ to 70460 to donate £5. This collection is vital to enable Stella Maris to continue its important work, so please give generously. Thank you.