Pastoral Letter from Bishop Richard - 11th June 2023
Webmaster • June 12, 2023
We celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi this Sunday, but we have the tradition in this Diocese of also celebrating the gift of the Eucharist on the Thursday, as used to be the case. This provides the opportunity for, as it were, a double celebration – at the Cathedral where the Carpet of Flowers has been a tradition
since the days of Duke Henry, the founder of the Cathedral – and in our parish communities on Sunday.
This year, the Carpet of Flowers reflects the 150th Anniversary of the Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Diocese since 1965 and a sign of faith, standing above the town of Arundel since 1873.
The Eucharist is the high point of our lives. It is The Thanksgiving. It is the Sacrifice of Calvary, the once-and-for-all sacrifice through which our Saviour saved us from sin – made present every time the Mass is celebrated. It is the Lord’s gift of Himself, first given at the Last Supper when He commanded us to
‘do this in memory of me.’ The Blessed Sacrament, then, is the Real Presence. Like the disciples at Emmaus, we ‘recognise Him in the breaking of bread’ – the bread that is become the Body of Christ, the Wine that is become the Blood of Christ. As we receive Him, we are at one with Him and because we are at one with Him, we are one with each other. This is the reality we celebrate on this great feast.
It is from this celebration that we are sent forth to bring to the world around us the message that the Lord has died and is risen, the message that is the Good News for the world. The Eucharist is, therefore, the fount of our mission as Christ’s people. The Lord gives us Himself that we might bring Him to others.
May this Corpus Christi celebration – at our Cathedral and in our parishes – bring us to focus once more on all the Lord has done for us, on his giving of Himself to us in this wonderful sacrament and on the mission that flows from our union with Him.
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 Please help us spread the word by taking a poster and/or flyers. All are welcome
From our second reading: ‘Practise these things, and the God of peace will be with you.’ [Philippians 4:9] The phrase ‘the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’ appears in Psalm 118, and in today’s Gospel, and in the Acts of the Apostles, (4:11). Occurring before, during, and after the life of Jesus suggests to me that it is one of the more meaningful descriptions of the Messiah, Jesus. The cornerstone of a building is the most important stone in a foundation; it sets the angles, alignment, and structural integrity of the entire building. All other parts of the building are placed in relation to the cornerstone. So, what is our relationship with Jesus as cornerstone? Jesus is our spiritual cornerstone, and our prayer life should be modelled on His. Jesus is our physical cornerstone and everything we do should be aligned to His actions. Jesus is our mental cornerstone, and our thoughts should mirror His thoughts. I find thinking like Jesus the hardest because Jesus showed us how to pray, and he showed us what to do, but he did not specifically tell us what to think. Fortunately, St. Paul is a help, he suggests that whatever is true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, anything excellent and anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Happy thinking and Blessings, Deacon Simon
Following his episcopal ordination, Bishop Stephen will celebrate a Mass of Welcome at Worth Abbey on Saturday 24 October at 11.00 am attended by representatives from the diocesan deaneries, parishes and schools. The Diocese is sending one coach to each deanery to enable people to travel easily to this event. The coach will have three pick-up points, St Catherine’s Littlehampton, English Martyrs, Goring-by-Sea and Holy Family Lancing (all with car parks in which to leave your car). This is an invitation to you. If you are able to come, please contact Anne Niven either with an email to emgoring@english-martyrs.co.uk or leave a message on the phone 01903 242624, with your name and telephone number. The first 52 replies will be those who go. A waiting list will be kept so that if anyone drops out the next person on the list will be invited to take a place.
Preparing for the Sacraments There will be instruction starting in the coming weeks for the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. If you would like to express an interest at this stage or enquire (for you or your child), please speak to Deacon Simon or email the office: adurvalley@abdiocese.org.uk . First Holy Communion application forms are now available from the sacristy
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.