Newsletter 24/25th February

NEWSLETTER 25TH FEBRUARY 2018

Masses this week

Masses next weekend

Lingfield Mass Centre – St. Bernard’s

Reconciliation (Confession)

SICK/HOUSEBOUND VISITS –  requests for visits and for Holy Communion in the Lingfield area – contact Deacon Ted.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT –  “Exposition takes place every Friday morning at Our Lady & St Peter’s between 09:00-12:00pm.  Come let us adore Him.”

REFRESHMENTS –  Everybody is cordially invited for refreshments after Sunday Mass at both St. Bernard’s and Our Lady & St Peter’s churches.

WILLS & BEQUESTS –  The Parish has benefited greatly in the past from the thoughtfulness of parishioners who have nominated the parish to receive funds from their estate.  Please consider it.

GIFT AID OFFERINGS/DONATIONS –  can be taken out at anytime throughout the year.  It is a valuable source of additional income for the parish with no extra cost to the parishioners

CONGRATULATIONS  –  Max and Liz celebrating their 50^th (Golden) Wedding Anniversary. And to Finella on her birthday!

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN EAST GRINSTEAD  –  AGM  7.30pm at St. Luke’s, (behind the Hospital).  All welcome.

NEXT SUNDAY  –  1^st Holy Communion children receive their crucifixes.

CAFOD LENTEN FAST DAY  –  2^nd Collection.  Thank you.

2^ND COLLECTION NEXT WEEK  –  For Parish Easter Flowers.

DURING LENT –  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament between 09:00 and-12:00 noon, followed by the Holy Rosary, will continue each Friday morning at Our Lady & St Peter’s. Why not pop in for a visit at any time that suits you during these days.

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE BOXES – (Our traditional Lent alms project) will be available at the back for you to take home.

Lourdes Pilgrimage 2018 – forms for this year’s pilgrimage from 26 July – 3 August are now available online from www.ablourdes.org     (helpers, doctors, nurses and able pilgrims).  If you require paper copies please ring the Pilgrimage Office on 01403 740110.  Redshirts (years 10 and 11) apply by 28 March on the same website.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY  –  We have gone a long time without any and that is not a good thing.  We need someone to take responsibility to organise.  (as I am sure there will be willing helpers to do it).  If you feel you can serve the Church in this way, like to give it a go or want to know more, please contact Fr. Steven.

Women’s World Day of Prayer 2018  –  the services will be at 10.30 and 8pm on Friday 2 March at St John’s Felbridge.  The service has been prepared by the Women of Surinam (South America) and the theme is All God’s Creation is Very Good!

We are holding a Fairtrade Big Brew  –  on Tuesday 6^th March at 5 Stream Park opposite the Felbridge Hotel.  Please come either 10-12am or 2-4pm, for a cup of coffee or tea.  If you need a lift email Tina & Mike on [email protected] or tel; 07544382565.”

CAKE SALE  –  After the 9am Mass on Sunday 11^th March Lingfield SVP are holding a cake sale in St. Bernard’s hall.  All proceeds are in aid of the SVP Baby Feeding Programme in South Sudan.

The next Fairtrade Sale  – will be after both masses on 24^th/25^th February.  Any special orders please ring Mike and Tina on 07544382565 or email [email protected], or Chris and Margaret Vasey on 834436 or email [email protected].

Fairtrade Fortnight – Tuesday 27 February – 7pm for 7.30pm at St Luke’s Church. Churches Together AGM –  Fairtrade Gold – From Misery to Hope. Guest speaker: Greg Valerio: jeweller and acclaimed author of “Making Trouble.” 7pm for 7.30pm start at St Luke’s Church, Community Centre, 54 Holtye Avenue, RH19 3EP. Fairtrade wine and nibbles provided plus Fairtrade food and craft stalls.

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION groups – In East Grinstead we meet each Thursday. We are now meeting earlier, from 5.00-6.00pm during the darker months, in a member’s home. Do contact Gabrielle if you would like to join us. At Worth Abbey we meet every 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday of the month, from 7.45-8.45 pm, in the Chapel of The Blessed Sacrament, in the Abbey Church. For those who wish to stay, Compline starts at 9.00 pm in the Abbey Church. Visitors and new members are always welcome at both venues. If you would like any more information, please contact Gabrielle Joyce, on 01342 326118.

CAFOD Family Fast Day: Friday 23 February  –  CAFOD’s Family Fast Day this Lent is an opportunity to support those who  don’t have enough to eat. You give up a meal, or eat a simple meal, in solidarity. This Lent, your donation will make double the difference. For every pound you donate, CAFOD, the UK government agency will also donate a pound, up to a total of £5 million, meaning twice the number of lives can e transformed. Twice the number of children can have the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong. Please collect your Fast Day envelope from church this week and give generously. In light of recent news you may wish to know if CAFOD has a statement about safeguarding vulnerable communities on cafod.org.uk – see noticeboard.

EASTER RETREAT FOR 18-35s AT WORTH ABBEY  –  Worth Abbey and The Wellspring Community invite young adults (ages 18-35) to celebrate the Easter Triduum (29th March-1st April) with a retreat at Worth Abbey. Over the Easter Triduum young adults from across the UK will be gathering to celebrate the Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The retreat will be centred around participation in the Triduum liturgy from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, with a programme of talks by the monks, discussion, prayer & reflection and fellowship. Leading up to the retreat, you are welcome to be part of a ‘Cross Walk’- a group of young adults and monks who will walk to Worth from Arundel, across the beautiful South Downs, carrying the cross. We will begin the walk on Palm Sunday (25th March) and arrive at Worth on Maundy Thursday (29th March). Booking forms are now available. Please contact [email protected] [email protected]. You can also find more information via Facebook.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS – YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!  –  Do you support Catholic schools and the right of Catholics to send their children to them?  Then we need you to make your voice heard.  The Government is making a critical decision on whether to overturn the admission cap which prevents Catholic schools from allowing all Catholic pupils to attend. They have acknowledged that this policy discriminates against Catholics and promised to abandon it, now we need you to tell them not to u-turn on their promise to Catholics.  Visit http://catholicnews.org.uk/education-cap or search for ‘Catholic Education’ in your search engine to write to the Government and urge them to drop their policy which bans new Catholic schools.

BISHOP RICHARD INVITES YOU TO JOIN HIM FOR THE WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES IN DUBLIN WITH THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS  – 21-26 August 2018 sees the arrival of the World Meeting of Families in Dublin, Ireland.  The Diocese is making the most of this wonderful opportunity by organising a pilgrimage for those who would like to attend.  It is open to families of all shapes and sizes, from tiny tots to Grandma and Pops! We will be staying together in Dublin City University accommodation and travelling to events together by coach.  A three Day congress will be followed by a Festival of Families and a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration with Pope Francis.  If you would like more information about the event visit www.worldmeeting2018.ie/en/ If you would like to join us on pilgrimage, please speak to your parish priest about how he can support you financially, and for a booking form.  Alternatively you can contact Lizzie or Katherine of Diocesan Pastoral team [email protected].

EG Foodbank – requires surface cleaner, tinned fruit, milk Longlife 1 litre, Washing powder – small packets, toilet rolls – small packs, tissues, tinned meat, pasta sauce jars, coffee – small jars, and tinned rice pudding.

CRAWLEY OPEN HOUSE – welcomes sleeping bags, blankets, and flasks to give to homeless people who turn up at the Door when the Centre is full.  In addition tinned and packet food is welcome as well as coffee, tea and sugar. Please leave donated items at the back of church at OLSP and St. Bernard’s.  Larger items, including duvets and clothes also be donated at both churches, or taken directly to COH at Three Bridges.  Tel: 01293 447702.  Alternatively, if you prefer, please leave a cash donation in the basket and the SVP will purchase items on your behalf.

GATWICK DETAINEES WELFARE GROUP – desperately needs medium sized trousers and trainers size 9 & 10.

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Arundel and Brighton Diocese is a Registered Charity No.25287 and Fairtrade Diocese