The Assumption of Our lady
Webmaster • August 15, 2020
This Sunday sees us celebrate the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady into Heaven – a special day for us in Arundel & Brighton for Our Lady, assumed into heaven, is principal patron of our Diocese. The first reading, from the Book of the Apocalypse, speaks of the victory over the power of Satan and the place that the 'woman clothed with the sun’ has in that victory. The text speaks of God’s care for her on account of her place as the mother of His son.
Pope Pius XII, in the Apostolic Constitution that defined the Assumption of Our Lady, wrote of the way in which the Fathers and Doctors of the Church down the centuries had spoken about the Assumption. Mary, chosen by God to be the mother of His son, benefitted from her son’s resurrection and was assumed, body and soul, into heaven. Having given birth to the Saviour, it would not have been right for her body to go through the corruption of the grave.
The Gospel for this great feast is Mary’s hymn of praise for all that God does for her ' The Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is His name.' God cares for the mother of His son.
All that we believe about Mary’s place in God’s plan points to her son and teaches us about our own relationship with Him also. Mary shows us the way. She who shared in this particular way in the grace of the resurrection of her son, shows us where our destiny lies – in the kingdom of the Father.
That hymn of praise – the Magnificat – speaks also of all that God does for His people, especially those who are the humble of the world. This feast is also about the wonderful things that God does for us. Just as God cares for the mother of His son, so God cares for each and every one of us, calling us to be with Him in His kingdom and living lives that proclaim His love for all that He has created.
The Assumption is a wonderful feast. We rejoice in all that the Father has done for Mary. We rejoice, too, in our own destiny and the call that we have to proclaim the new life of the resurrection.
With every blessing,
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.