The Pastoral Plan & The New Worthing Parish (Newsletter note)

Webmaster • September 26, 2025

As a deanery of Worthing we are not unique in becoming a single parish, it is all part of our Diocese Pastoral Plan. Here’s more detail on the plan. Bishop Richard issued his third Pastoral Plan for the Diocese, in January 2024, appointing Canon Kieron O’Brien as the Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Planning. Canon Kieron explored the progress of the Plan: “Over the past 17 months, across the Diocese, our eleven former deaneries have started the process of becoming eleven new parishes, served by a team of clergy, who — while retaining their particular connection to a specific community — will be working more closely with each other than before.


Recently a meeting of the priests and deacons of the Worthing Deanery met with Canon Kieron O’Brien and Deacon Nick St John who have been working with with us to guide us towards becoming a ‘New Parish’. Each of these new parishes is at a different stage, with the pace of change tailored to local circumstances, but it is hoped that by the end of the year (2026) all eleven new parishes will be formally established. Worthing is the last deanery to follow this path.


The Worthing Deanery covers a large and irregular area and so there is a need to create ‘clusters’; groups of communities within a smaller geographical area, who will work more closely together to organise tasks such as preparation for each of the sacraments, the upkeep of buildings, the maintenance of Health and Safety and Safeguarding.


It must be recognised that the major reason for re-organisation is spiritual renewal for each and every one of us. We each have our own special gifts and these will be needed for a successful parish. The Clergy Team will run the parish and they will work with the Leadership Team, a small group composed of some clergy and some laity. This group will be driving the vision and will take some time to appoint and to start working together as a team.


This new model will hopefully facilitate some economies of scale and sharing of resources. However, if we see this purely as a structural change to enable greater efficiency, we will be missing the whole point of the Pastoral Plan. To this end, we need to return to three key words: Vision, Mission and Synodality.


“It is essential that the leadership (clergy and laity) in our new parishes can unite around a shared vision of what the Catholic Church, in this time and place, can look like, and feel like. Bishop Richard shares his vision for the Diocese in the opening pages of the Pastoral Plan; that is a good place to start, but the vision also needs to set the direction of travel locally, so that the Parish can be truly mission focused...This can only be achieved in a spirit of synodality, which is ‘church speak ’for ‘walking together and accompanying each other in faith. ’ Key to this are conversations in the Spirit (which can be one-to-one or in small groups) whereby we listen deeply to each other, to discover what is in our hearts for our new parishes.”

Fr. Graham Writes: 28th September 2025

By Webmaster • September 26, 2025
The poor man, Lazarus, died and was "carried by the angels to Abraham's side". In life, Lazarus had suffered greatly; not only in poverty and sickness but also in shame and being ignored. He begged. The rich man, at whose gate Lazarus sat, didn't even notice him in life and did not know his name or recognise him as a person. Yet Lazarus dies and goes to Abraham, "our father in faith". The rich man dies and goes to Hades and is still far off from Abraham. One experienced suffering on earth and received heaven as a gift. The other received comfort and relied on himself for security and reward in the afterlife. It wasn't quite the reward he was expecting. Jesus became poor for us and suffered. He died and in His resurrection and ascension He is seated at the right hand of the Father and has Abraham worship Him. Our Catholic faith demands charity and seeing each person as a human being made in the image and likeness of God. Our faith affirms a life after death which embodies our faith and action in life. If we ignore Jesus here, how will we know and love Him when we see Him face to face? Faith also assures us of our connection with the souls in purgatory. We can assist them with our prayers in the hope of heaven that Jesus has won for us on the cross. We are strengthened in this struggle by grace and the sacraments. We are pledged heaven in the Mass. It is heaven where we shall be carried to by the angels to be with God and the saints for ever. With my prayer for every day. God bless you.  Fr Graham

From Bishop Richard's Pastoral Letter: 21st September 2025

By Webmaster • September 19, 2025
“As witnesses to Christ, we are called to respond to these cries, witnessing to Hope and (be) the Lord’s instruments in raising those who are cast down. As Jesus proclaims in this Sunday’s Gospel, we have only one master and we must place the mission He has given us before all else. We carry out our mission strengthened and nourished by prayer and the celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, as members of our parish communities. Pope Francis wrote: “Mission is experienced in fellowship with our communities and with the whole Church.” Of course, we have a distance yet to travel; there is much to be done and this will always be so. However, there is no need for us to fear, for all is gift. “Jesus is at your side at every step of the way” Pope Francis reminded us, “He will not cast you into the abyss or leave you to your own devices. He will always be there to encourage and accompany you. He has promised and he will do it: ‘For I am with you always, to the end of the age’.”"  [You can pick up a copy of the full pastoral letter in the church porch.]

Fr. Graham Writes: 14th September 2025

By Webmaster • September 12, 2025
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

Deacon Simon Writes: 7th September 2025

By Webmaster • September 5, 2025
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

Fr. Graham Writes: 17th August 2025

By Webmaster • August 15, 2025
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

Future Date for your Diary: LIVE SIMPLY

By Webmaster • August 15, 2025
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:

Deacon Simon Writes: 10th August 2025

By Webmaster • August 9, 2025
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

Summer Holiday Foodbank campaign

By Webmaster • August 9, 2025
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.

SVP National Raffle

By Webmaster • August 1, 2025
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.

Fr. Graham Writes:3rd August 2025

By Webmaster • August 1, 2025
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.