Applications for our Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage are open now! Is Our Lady calling you to Lourdes this summer? Travelling to Lourdes is a wonderful experience full of fun, companionship, faith, friendship and laughter. Each person on our pilgrimage brings distinctive gifts and graces with them, benefitting those they meet during the week. What do we do during our Pilgrimage Week? We have a daily programme of events which includes a number of Masses and liturgies in different settings, with different themes. The Pilgrimage opens with a Mass of welcome for everyone and opening ceremony, where everyone is invited to have their hands blessed in recognition of the service we offer each other as we make our pilgrimage together. We also celebrate Mass at the Grotto where we remember friends and family members who have died, and a Mass of farewell shortly before we leave Lourdes. There is a Holy Hour during the week, a time for Lectio Divina, and many other opportunities for private and group prayer at the Grotto and in the Sanctuary.

30th January, 18.30, Arundel Cathedral. People across our diocesan family are invited to join a special Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Richard, followed by a reception in the Baron’s Hall, Arundel Castle, by kind permission of His Grace, the Duke of Norfolk. All are welcome

The Order of Franciscan Friars Minor has announced that 2026 will be a Franciscan Jubilee Year, with a Plenary Indulgence linked to the Jubilee. Francis of Assisi was born in Italy in 1181 or 1182. After a carefree youth, he amended his ways and the Order of Friars Minor - commonly known as the Franciscans - began. A young woman, Clare of Assisi, wanted to share St Francis’ choice of life, with the Order of the Poor Clares originating from her. Francis received the stigmata on the mountain of La Verna in 1224. The following year he composed the famous Canticle of Brother Sun, a poetic prayer of praise to God the creator of everything; this prayer and his attitude of respect for creation inspired his proclamation in 1979 as the patron saint of ecologists. Francis died on 4th October 1226 in Assisi and was declared a saint in 1228. In a letter to the Franciscans, Pope Leo writes: “In this age, marked by so many seemingly interminable wars, by internal and social divisions that create mistrust and fear, [St Francis] continues to speak. Not because he offers technical solutions, but because his life points to the authentic source of peace.”  “The Franciscan vision of peace is not limited to the relations between human beings, but also embraces the whole of creation. Francis, who calls the sun “brother” and the moon “sister,” who recognises in every creature a reflection of divine beauty, reminds us that peace must be extended to the entire family of Creation. This insight resonates with particular urgency in our time, when our common home is threatened and cries out under exploitation. Peace with God, peace among human beings and with creation are inseparable dimensions of a single call to universal reconciliation.”

CATHOLIC RESPONSES TO WAR AND PEACE - Five Tuesdays from 13th January, 12.00 - 13.00, online (Cost: £60). An exploration of the history and development the of Catholic ‘Just War’ theory with Dr Aidan Cottrell-Boyce, starting in late antiquity and tracing the story of the Catholic response to war and peace up to the present day.  www.londonjesuitcentre.org to book. CATHOLIC UNION PUB TALK : ‘Reflections on a First Year in Parliament’ - 19 th January, 18.00, London, SW1V 1AU. Sojan Joseph MP will talk about his reflections on his first year in Parliament, drawing on his background working in the NHS in mental health for 22 years and inclusion in the community.  www.catholicunion.org.uk/eventscalendar/ to book. DAY OF REFLECTION FOR MINISTERS OF THE WORD - 24th January, 11.00-16.00 at St Michael’s Church, Worthing, BN13 3AL. Led by Bishop Richard and Catherine Christmas (diocesan Liturgy & Music Adviser) this day will include talks on the Scriptures, the Lectionary and its use in the Liturgy, the Liturgy of the Word, and preparing to minister as a reader. Register your free place:  www.abdiocese.churchsuite.com/events/ MAKING CHOICES WITH ST IGNATIUS - 31st January, 10.00 - 16.00, The House of Prayer, Molesey, KT8 0PB (Cost: £35). Ignatius offers wisdom to help us make choices: both the big decisions about what kind of life we lead, and the smaller ones of how we live out our day. The day will offer input on praying about our choices.  www.christian-retreat.org for details/booking MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING - 7th February, 10.00 - 15.00, St Philip Howard Centre, Crawley, RH10 6RP (£40). The number of people experiencing poor mental health is rising. This course will help attendees understand the impact and reality of poor mental health, enabling them to identify the early signs and symptoms and signpost people effectively.  www.abdiocese.org.uk/diocese/events to book your place.

This was formed last Sunday (7th December) at an Inauguration Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard at Christ the Prince of Peace. The Mass, which was attended by people and clergy from across the community of communities,’ ten churches and Mass centres, marked an important milestone in the development of mission in the Diocese, with Weybridge the third new parish to be formed this year. Speaking during the Mass, Bishop Richard remarked: “There have been many conversations and a lot of wonderful meetings to bring us to today’s celebration. Let us pray for one another, and continue to pray together, delving more deeply into the wonder of the Faith and working ever more closely in this great mission that the Lord has given to us, journeying with one another towards the Kingdom of Heaven.” Weybridge is the second deanery in Surrey to become a parish in the care of a group of priests working together ‘in solidum,’ with the priests as a whole - and each priest individually - responsible for the pastoral care of the new Parish.

Saturday 11th October, 10.00 - 13.00 at St Dunstan’s Catholic Church, Shaftesbury Road, Woking GU22 7DT.  Curious about spiritual direction? It’s not about being told what to do, but about having someone walk alongside you as you listen for God’s voice in the middle of daily life. Spiritual direction is a gentle space to grow in your relationship with God, to notice where God is already at work, and to be encouraged in faith, hope and love. The diocese has a network of trained spiritual directors so please join us for tea/coffee from 10.00, a short talk at 10.30 with time for questions, then try a 10 - 15 minute taster session with trained A&B Diocese spiritual directors. Free; all welcome.

The Diocese is gathering on Saturday 20th September (10.00-16.30) to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope, the 60th Anniversary of the Diocese, and our continuing mission in these present times. The celebration will be taking place at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, which has a capacity for 1,200 people to attend. We have a number of guest speakers scheduled to inspire and uplift us during the day; topics covered include: • Communities of Hope - Michelle Moran (Sion Community) • Scriptures of Hope - Dai Woolridge (Bible Society) • Missionaries of Hope – Rev. Greg Bakker (Church Mission Society) We will also be joined by the ‘One Hope Project,’ a Catholic Worship Collective who will assist us with our music and those involved in our diocesan Schools Singing Programme will also be with us for the day. Families are encouraged to attend, as there will be a special ‘youth stream,’ allowing the younger members of our communities to engage with the virtue of hope in a way that is meaningful for them. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will also be available throughout the day. The day will finish with Mass. Tickets have been allocated proportionally to each parish according to Mass attendance; Sacred Heart Parish has 11. The festival is free to attend, members of the Parish attending are asked to travel by coach, leaving from the Sacred Heart (the cost of this is covered). Those people with disabilities/access issues will be able to travel independently and parking for this will be available on site.  If you would like to receive one of our Parish tickets to attend please get in touch with the Parish Office within the next two weeks (by 13.00 Monday 11th August) - first come first served (no additional tickets available).

On Saturday afternoon this weekend Bishop Richard ordained two new priests for service in the diocese, Scott Coleman and Gary Carter. They will begin their priestly ministry in September having received their appointments from the bishop. We pray that they will be happy in their respective ministries and that God will inspire other men to think about offering themselves for service in the Church.

JUBILEE YEAR PILGRIMAGE TO ROME - 5 - 10 November (Cost £1,220 inc. travel, accommodation & half board; single supp. £188). Join two of our diocesan priests Fr Gus Campanello & Fr Nick Harden on pilgrimage to Rome. To find out more and book:-  sarah@tangney-tours.com or  01732 886666