Reflections & Message from Fr. Graham
Webmaster • October 10, 2020
"Parish Prayer Formation & Mission Team
As I mentioned in a homily recently, I have been reflecting on the last 6 years since being appointed as your parish priest. The lockdown and the COVID restrictions has focussed my attention in forming a Parish Prayer Formation & Mission Team. This group has been many years in the planning and making, with many starts and stops. It will be a sort of parish planning group that is based upon the themes of Prayer, Formation and Mission as reflected in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
I have initially invited TEN parishioners from across the church communities in our parish who reflect some of the different areas of parish life that we are called to focus on. These areas could equally be described as prayer and worship, learning about the faith and living and putting that faith into action. As I said in my homily, a team to help us as a parish to "hasten to attain God's promises" and the "treasures of heaven" for all whom He is calling.
We shall have our first meeting on-line on Tuesday 20 October and I ask for your prayers for the meeting, the group and our parish that we will be open to the grace of the Holy Spirit and we become a parish of saints! We shall keep you informed via the newsletter and website as together we discern God's will for our parish.
God bless you
Fr Graham"
Sunday Reflection
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live in a world where there was no sickness, disease, injustice, inequality, poverty, violence, war or death. Where the news was always GOOD news? This is the perfection of all things and for the prophet Isaiah it takes place “on this mountain” where there will be rich food, wine and no mourning and we shall be united with each other for God has saved us. It is an image that Jesus knew well, and He uses this vision of heaven as a “wedding banquet” to good effect. Those who were first invited refused to come and so even the “bad and good” were forced to come to the wedding. That is consoling, that even we are invited. We were not top of the invitation list. It is tempting to try and create the wedding ourselves. To make our own heaven, even if it looks good from the outside. To strive for our sort of equality, justice and peace. To eliminate disease through medical science alone. To endeavour to create lasting peace between nations and people. All of these are good and commendable, and it is right that we pursue them. But they are not an end in themselves. A heaven without God is not heaven at all. We are all invited to heaven but we need to be wearing the right garment for the right wedding. Jesus says that no-one can come to the Father except through Him. We need to be always ready with the sash of good works and the robe of baptism. In baptism we are joined to Christ by the light of faith and we live through Him by our love of God and neighbour. There is only one heaven and we have been given the clothes to wear for the feast. Let’s put them on now. They may get dirty but they will shine in heaven. With my prayer for you all every day. God bless you. Fr Graham
Please have a look at the newsletter as there is lots going on, and have a lovely weekend,
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.