Fr Tony writes.....

I am very conscious that we have a large parish here. Between the three churches we have a Mass attendance of more than a thousand people each weekend. As you know we have six different celebrations of the Mass apart from the Polish community and the congregation at St Joseph’s Convent. One problem this creates is that it is very difficult for us, as priests, to get to know everyone. I suppose it is impossible to know everyone, but I have been thinking about how we could get to know more of you.
I want to suggest that if you would like to see either of the priests in your home, please let us know. As you know, Fr Dominic will be leaving us shortly, but we will also be welcoming his successor, Fr Jonathan. Depending on how many people invite us, it will probably take some months to get round. As you can perhaps imagine, our diaries are pretty full, but I would certainly welcome the chance to meet more of you at home. Don’t feel that you have to invite us for a meal, although that is always welcome, but if you let us know that you would welcome a visit, we can try to arrange a mutually convenient date.
Meanwhile please keep us in your prayers.

Last Wednesday Bishop Kieran invited the priests of the Diocese to come and con-celebrate Mass at the Cathedral to mark a number of priestly jubilees. They ranged from 65 years, through 50, 40 and 25 years. In all they had given more than 700 years of service to the Church. It was an opportunity to celebrate the gift of the priesthood as we come to the end of this “Year of the Priest”.
I hope that we shall have our opportunity to celebrate here with Canon Dermod on Saturday July 3rd. I announced several weeks ago that we would have a special Mass on that day at 12 noon. Although, as you know, the Canon is in hospital at the moment, we are still hoping that we will be able to share in this day with him as planned. He is anxious that this celebration should be focused not on him but on the priesthood. He does not want to receive gifts, but I know that he would greatly value our prayers at this time. We will announce more details nearer the time.

This weekend several of our young people are being confirmed by Bishop Kieran at the Cathedral at Arundel. This is the climax of months of preparation. Please remember them and their families in your prayers. Each year we have young people preparing for Confirmation, and much younger children preparing for their First Confession and First Holy Communion. There is also the “Journey in Faith” programme for adults who are seeking to know more about the Catholic Faith, and in many cases hoping to be received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church.
As the Confirmation programme reaches its climax it is a good moment for me to say a huge “Thank you” to all the catechists who give so much time and energy to these different programmes. I am sure that people do not realise how much work is involved. I want to thank them not only for the work itself but also for the generosity and love that inspires what they do. It is a real and precious ministry in the Church. Thank you, and God bless you.
We are always pleased to welcome new people to help in these programmes. If you would like to be involved please let us know.

I want to say a big “Thank you” for your very generous response to the collection last weekend towards the costs of the Holy Father’s visit in September. The Diocese suggested a target figure for each parish. Our target was £1189, which I thought entirely unrealistic, but in fact you have given even more than they suggested. The collection amounted to£1992.35. Some 104 people gift- aided their offering. This came to £1289.93, and through the Gift Aid scheme a further £283.78 will come from the Inland Revenue. Thank you all very much.
The money is, of course, very welcome, but so also is the obvious enthusiasm of so many people who clearly want to welcome the Holy Father. We are waiting to hear details of the events that will be open for us to attend. I will let you know as soon as we have more information. Meanwhile I would ask you all to keep the Holy Father and his visit in your prayers during the next few weeks.
There will be a “Novena” of prayer here from Tuesday September 7th finishing on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on Wednesday September 15th, the day before the Holy Father arrives. There will be a special evening Mass on that day, followed by a parish party. More details nearer the time.

As you may recall earlier this year we advertised extensively asking young people to consider putting their names forward to the Diocese for selection to World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid. I am delighted to say that all four young people who put their names forward have been chosen to accompany the party from Arundel and Brighton. Since Pope John Paul II instigated the first World Youth Day in 1984 millions of young Catholics have benefited from these gatherings, and for many they have been a profound turning point on their journey of faith.
Our four young people, Christina Blunt, Jane Ireland, Joanne Jordan and Ryan Jordan have committed themselves to work hard through sponsored service projects and special events that they are organising to raise the cost of the trip and they are keen to talk to you all at Mass over the next few weeks to tell you about their hopes and aspirations for the event. I know that you will be interested to hear what they have to say and I hope that you will feel able to support the fundraising activities as they come along. Each candidate has to raise £970.00.
Please pray for them and all the young people of our Parish.