Newsletter 3/4th February

NEWSLETTER 4TH 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

TODAY  –  is a 1^st Sunday of the month.

FINANCE COMMITTEE   –  meets 3pm Thursday at the Presbytery.

2^ND COLLECTION NEXT WEEK  –  Lourdes Pilgrimage Fund.  Can be gift-aided using the charity’s envelopes.

THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IN OUR AREA  –  Thank you for responses received to Bishop Richard’s questionnaire.  A summary of these was combined with others generated within Crawley Deanery parishes and they formed a presentation to the Bishop at a special meeting of the Deanery on 17^th January.  The presentation, in two parts, can now be accessed on our Parish website at www.eastgrinsteadcatholicparish.com (if you cannot access this site a hard copy can be made available to you, just contact Chris Pond on 327002).  Bishop Richard expressed his sincere appreciation for the interest shown.  When all Deaneries have reported (Crawley’s was 2 of 13), his intention is to produce his own report and we will be kept fully appraised.

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.

PARISH 100 CLUB  –  Congratulations to winners in the January draw: 1st, £50, no 126, Miss McLaughlin; 2nd, £25, no 43, Mr Giblin; 3rd, £15, no 123, Mrs Donohue. We have a small number of memberships available @ £20 for nearly £1,200 each year in prize money; just speak to Chris Pond (327002).

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.

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.

Called by Name Retreat – Called by Name is a vocation retreat for young adults (aged 18-35) being held 9 – 11th February at Worth Abbey, Crawley. It offers an opportunity for you to tune-in more deeply to the call of Christ in your life, to discern His will for you, discover deeper meaning and direction in your life, and to grow in the trust and freedom to respond generously to the Gospel. The weekend will include talks from a range of speakers from different walks of life, spiritual accompaniment, and space for prayer and reflection. The retreat is not aimed only at those discerning a possible call to religious life/priesthood, but to every young person seeking to know and live the call of Christ. The cost is £63 for students/unwaged, £105 waged, and includes meals and accommodation. To book, or for more info, please contact Katrina on [email protected] / 01342 710318.

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!

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT (26^th Feb. – 11^th March)  –  “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.”

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 –  needs washing powder (small packets), Long Life Fruit Juice, Tinned meat (hot dogs and meatballs) Tinned carrots, Nappies (only Sizes 4/5/6) and deodorants for male and female.  No more Christmas treats please.  Thank you for your continued very generous support. Either leave goods at the back of both churches, or in EG library, Barclays bank or leave at Jubilee Community Centre.  Items purchased at Waitrose and Sainsburys can be placed in special baskets in the store.

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.  Please take a lable from the Advent Tree at OLSP and bring the item along next week.  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 can 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.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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