Diocesan News
A&B DIOCESAN NEWS
Arundel & Brighton Diocesan News
Find out about the latest news and updates from the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton
Bishop Richard Moth
Bishop of Arundel and Brighton
PASTORAL LETTERS & PODCASTS
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THE DIOCESE OF ARUNDEL & BRIGHTON
This will take place from 10th - 18th March 2025 at St Joseph’s Church, Maidenhead. Every year, the Mill Hill Missionaries prepare for the Feast of St Joseph, their Society Patron, with a special Novena of Masses and prayers to ask for God’s blessing on the Society’s missionary outreach, and for the intentions of all those who support their work. If you are able, and it is possible to attend, Masses are at 10.00am every day of the Novena, except Sunday, when it is 11.00am. These Masses will be available to follow on Zoom via the Mill Hill website: www.millhillmissionaries.com/novena
• 25-31 July (by air) • 24 July-1 August (by coach/Jumbulance) Our pilgrimage to Lourdes is one of the most significant pastoral events in our annual Diocesan calendar. Pope Francis has declared 2025 is a Jubilee year, the Lourdes theme is ‘With Mary, Pilgrims of Hope’. We are invited to set out on our pilgrimage journey with our Lady and St Bernadette, in the ‘hope born of grace, which enables us to live in Christ and to overcome sin, fear and death.’ (Pope Francis, Spes non Confundit 2025) Lourdes is a place of renewal, a place where our relationship with Christ is deepened. Unlike tourists, visiting a popular attraction, we are pilgrims, making the journey together and staying together, entering a space in which we can be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in ways that, perhaps, we would never have thought possible before. A priority for our pilgrimage is that we support the sick and vulnerable to travel and experience Lourdes alongside us, for this purpose we need others to volunteer their time and skills every day in Lourdes. Because of this, the allocation of transport and accommodation puts the assisted pilgrims and their supporters as a priority. Travel is inevitably a challenge when planning a pilgrimage. The flights and coach bookings that are available to us will vary in time and location. Our first Mass, with the opening ceremony, is held on Saturday to ensure all are all together in our first celebration of Mass in Lourdes. More Information and Bookings: www.abdiocese.org.uk/lourdes/home
CHURCHES TOGETHER, COBHAM - invites you to the Bible Society’s “Bible Course” this autumn, running from September 26/27 for 8 weeks. The course takes participants through the books of the Old and New Testaments, explaining how they fit together and a bit about their content. The course is designed around a series of videos and a participant’s book, and is free of charge. Day time meetings will take place at St Mary’s Hall, Stoke D’Abernon at 14.00 on Thursdays from September 26 th . Evening meetings will be held at the Cobham United Church at 20.00 from September 27th . To sign up to take part in the course email: paul.fisher@abdiocese.org.uk Indicating the names of the attendees, and whether you wish to attend the evening sessions or afternoon sessions.
Illuminate your life in Christ with ‘Lighthouse’ 12th October 14.00 at St Joseph’s Church, Epsom. Lighthouse is an afternoon of renewal for the Arundel and Brighton Diocese brought to you from the Charismatic Diocesan Service of Communion (CDSC) team. The theme is ‘These are the signs that will be associated with believers’ (Mark 16:17) and during the afternoon we will explore faith and signs with talks from excellent speakers, worship together, receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, be inspired by excellent teaching, be immersed in the Holy Spirit, receive prayer ministry from our experienced and gifted prayer ministry team, and meet friends both old and new. Doors open 13.30 and the afternoon will culminate with the 17.30 evening Mass.
MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARIES MASS - 12th October, 11.30, Arundel Cathedral. Are you celebrating an anniversary with a particular significance for you this year? Bishop Richard will celebrate Mass at 11.30 followed by a small drinks reception. Please join us for a wonderful opportunity to renew your wedding vows and revel in the joy that marriage can bring. Family and friends are very welcome. The venue is wheelchair friendly with a number of disabled parking spaces. To register (essential): www.abdiocese.churchsuite.com/events/tha4tc8y?
Bishop Richard ordained Fr Eddie Hopkins and Fr Gus Campanello to the Priesthood last Saturday, with members of clergy, religious, and many lay people in attendance. Eddie and Gus underwent formation at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh and Allen Hall, Chelsea, enjoying placements in a number of diocesan parishes to prepare themselves for the gifts and responsibilities of priestly ministry. Speaking during his homily, Bishop Richard said: “This is a wonderful day in the life of our Diocese, and a wonderful day for the whole Church as you come to the moment of your Priestly Ordination. All of us present, and the many others who cannot be here today, support you in prayer as you embark upon the wonderful life that is a share in nothing less than the Priesthood of Jesus Christ Himself…
Annual Grandparents Celebration - 20th July, 15.00, Arundel Cathedral. Pope Francis calls us to this annual celebration for Grandparents and the more senior members of our community. A time to savour the fruits of family life and the wisdom of experience. Please join us for Mass celebrated by the Bishop followed by refreshments afterwards in the Cathedral centre. To register (essential): www.abdiocese.churchsuite.com/events/tha4tc8y?
MASS FOR ENGAGED COUPLES - 5th July, 19.00 , Arundel Cathedral. Join Bishop Richard for a special Mass celebrating the momentous journey of discernment that is engagement towards the lifelong commitment made by couples preparing for marriage. Join us afterwards for a small drinks reception in the Cathedral Centre. We look forward to meeting many engaged couples from across the Diocese and sharing in their joy. To register (essential): www.abdiocese.churchsuite.com/events/tha4tc8y?
INVITED – GOD WITH US - Our third season has begun. This is a diocesan-wide opportunity for everyone to pause, reflect on and grow in their faith. You are invited to join a group of parishioners each Monday evening until Christmas in St James’ Room in the Parish Centre at 19:30, where a specially commissioned film will be shown, following the film there will a time to consider some prepared questions for discussion, in small groups followed by a time for prayer. There is no need to book - just turn up to the Parish Centre, any questions please email/phone Deacon Paul : email: paul.fisher@abdiocese.org.uk or phone: 07979 755391
The first of two important Synod meetings will take place in Rome shortly, beginning on Wednesday 4th October. The Synod of Bishops will, for the first time, include non-Bishop voting members, comprising of a number of laymen people with the Catholic Church in England and Wales being well represented. Archbishop John Wilson, the Archbishop of Southwark, and Bishop Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds, were elected by their brother bishops to attend. Joining them will be Bishop Nicholas Hudson, an Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Westminster - chosen by Pope Francis, and Professor Anna Rowlands and Austen Ivereigh chosen as expert facilitators. Fr Timothy Radcliffe, the Dominican preacher, will lead a retreat for all Synod members prior to the official opening. In a 20-minute conversation Fr Jan Nowotnik - who will attend as a voting member and whose doctoral thesis focused, in part, on the preparation for a Synodal Church - joins theologian Professor Anna Rowlands to preview the Synod. Both will be in Rome, and both will have a key role in proceedings. Speaking earlier this week, Fr Jan said: “I think what the Synod is, in Pope Francis’ mind, is about drawing all the members of the Church - and those beyond the Church - into a deeper relationship with God and a deeper relationship with each other. The Church exists to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ, and to bring his healing mercy to the Church.” You can follow the latest news and updates on this latest stage of the Synod on the CBCEW website: www.cbcew.org.uk/previewing-the-synod-a-historic-moment-in-the-life-of-the-catholic-church/
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