(front of) newsletter, 9th July, 2017

St. Mary Star of the Sea   1 High Street, HASTINGS TN34 3EY

Tel: 01424 421263              Email: stmarystarofthesea.hastings.uk@gmail.com

(Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity 252878)

Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines)

Parish Priest: Fr Eamonn Monson, SCA          Parish Deacon: Rev. Duncan Brown                                       

Normal Mass Times

Sundays: 6.00pm (Sat), 10.00am, 11.30am. Tuesday to Saturday: 10.00am

Adoration: First Friday of Month 10.30am to 12 noon. Saturdays: 10.30am to 11am.

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays 10.30am and after the 6.00pm Mass.

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME      9th JULY 2017    YEAR A  

   Parish Mass Book page: 99

SPECIAL COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND for the Apostleship of the Sea. ------------------------------------------------------- PARISH COMMUNITY CLUB In the Crypt. Entrance via The Bourne. Mondays 10.30am to 12 noon.  July Programme:  10th: Coffee and chat 17th: Possibly the work of the YMCA in Hastings – still to be confirmed 24th: Coffee and chat 31st: OLD TOWN WEEK COFFEE MORNING with many stalls. Please support this as proceeds are for charities. Annual subscription: £3. Coffee/tea & biscuits 50p. Do join us. -------------------------------------------------- NOTICE FROM BISHOP RICHARD PACT, the Catholic charity for prisoners and their families (www.prisonadvice.co.uk), which is engaged in a project in the Hastings area, supporting ex-prisoners, prisoners’ children and families, and prisoners themselves, is offering free training and support for parishioners interested in volunteering with them in prisons or in the local community. No previous experience is necessary. All enquiries are welcome. To find out more contact ParishAction@prisonadvice.org.uk --------------------------------------------------- BAPTISM COURSE There will be a Baptism course in the presbytery on Saturday 2nd September. You are warmly welcome to join us for Mass at 10am before the course starts at 10.30am.  The course ends at 12 noon. Parents requesting Baptism of babies or toddlers on a date in September, October or November are required to attend. Please have a provisional date (preferably a Saturday) in mind when you come. Babies and children welcome. ------------------------------------------------------ PARISH FINANCES The offertory collection last weekend came to £1024 including cheques and standing orders. Many thanks to all concerned.

ORDINATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD Please pray for FR LIAM O’DONOVAN, SCA and FR CHARLES LAFFERTY, SCA who were ordained as Pallottine Priests recently. We wish them every blessing in their ministry. Liam will serve in Greenford  and Charles will serve in Argentina. ------------------------------------------------------------ IN MEMORIAM Please pray for the repose of the soul of PATRICIA CROZIER, RIP who died recently. May she rest in peace. --------------------------------------------- GIFT AID DONATION STATEMENT LETTERS for the tax year ended April 2017. There are more up-to-date letters on the table at the back of the church. Please check even though you may already have received one. DIVINE MERCY GROUP All are warmly welcome to join us in the presbytery on the following Mondays at 2.30pm: July 17th, July 31st. There will be no Divine Mercy prayer group during August. In memory of Fr Bill Hanly, SCA: MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. – Thomas Merton, “Thoughts in Solitude”

(back of) newsletter, 9th July, 2017

MASS INTENTIONS and FEASTS:

Saturday, 8^th July, 6pm: Maria Pacitto, RIP

Sunday 9th July, 10am: John Andrews, RIP         11.30am: John Farrell, RIP

Tuesday 11^th July, St Benedict,10am: John Andrews, RIP

Wednesday 12^th July, 10am: John Andrews, RIP

Thursday 13^th July, 10am: Holy Souls                                               

Friday 14^th July, St Camillus de Leilis, 10am: John Andrews, RIP

Saturday 15^th July, St Bonaventure, 10am: Romeo Arcelo Perales Sr., RIP

REFLECTION

From today’s Gospel: Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. 

I’m in the sacristy of a neighbouring church waiting to celebrate a healing Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes. There's the persistent and heart rending sound of a child crying coming from the church. It's not an ordinary cry; it's one of deep distress and somehow I recognize the sound of this child. I have heard this child before.

A woman comes to the sacristy to ask if it would be alright to bring the child for anointing after Mass had finished because she couldn't remain for the duration of the Mass. I said "Why not bring her to the sacristy for the anointing now so that she doesn't have to wait."

They brought the little girl to me a few minutes later and of course I know her. We were together in Lourdes a couple of years ago. She's about five years old, is autistic and cannot speak. In retrospect I should have done the anointing outside because she has a fear of enclosed spaces and buildings.

Her distress continued in the sacristy but I remember we had a way of connecting in Lourdes, so I said "high five", and straight away our two palms met and I prayed with her in that way and anointed her. 

What this child teaches me is the honesty and truth of her cry. There are no filters, no pretence. However difficult it may be for others to listen to her distress, for her this is the truth and it is expressed in all its purity.

As we were at the beginning of Lent, we were witnessing again the experience of Jesus in the desert. The version from Mark is quite stark, short and simple, "The Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness and he remained there for forty days, and was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, and the angels looked after him."

The desert is something we are driven to by the Holy Spirit. It is not something of our own making but, like so much of the work of the Spirit, it is done to us, as it was with Mary in the Annunciation, as it is with Jesus now and it will be done to Him again in the Agony.

Strangely, the Spirit drives Jesus to spend 40 days "with the wild beasts" who inhabited the place. He befriends the wild and the wild is not His enemy. The enemy is Satan with whom the real struggle happens. And the angels are there to look after Jesus throughout the struggle.

What is central to the desert experience is that it is a place of truth where there are no filters and no pretence but like the little girl in the church we are meant to cry out the truth that we are experiencing and not hide from it as we often do. And in crying out the truth we come to a personal, face to face encounter with Jesus who is Truth itself.

Truth sorts things out in a way that's necessary. God used Noah and the Ark to sort out the good from the bad; Jesus used the desert to sort out what God the Father wanted of him and to refuse the deception of Satan. 

God always gives us Truth that ultimately sets us free, whereas Satan uses subtle deception, the immediacy of the feel-good factor which ultimately robs us of life. We are to choose which we want.

So now I'm asking the Spirit to drive me as Jesus was driven into the desert that I haven't chosen and remove from me all pretence; bring me to befriend the wild beasts that are inside me and above all bring me to a new and more complete experience of God for the sake of those whose lives I touch and for my own.

Eamonn Monson

(front of) newsletter, 2nd July, 2017

St. Mary Star of the Sea   1 High Street, HASTINGS TN34 3EY

Tel: 01424 421263              Email: stmarystarofthesea.hastings.uk@gmail.com

(Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity 252878)

Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines)

Parish Priest: Fr Eamonn Monson, SCA   Parish Deacon: Rev. Duncan Brown                                       

 

Normal Mass Times

Sundays: 6.00pm (Sat), 10.00am, 11.30am. Tuesday to Saturday: 10.00am

Adoration: First Friday of Month 10.30am to 12 noon. Saturdays: 10.30am to 11am.

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays 10.30am and after the 6.00pm Mass.

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME      2^nd JULY 2017    YEAR A  

   Parish Mass Book page: 96

WE WELCOME TO GOD’S FAMILY ETHAN CHRISTOPHER NIELSON, who was baptized on 24th June 2017. --------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL COLLECTION NEXT SUNDAY for the Apostleship of the Sea. ------------------------------------------------------- WALSINGHAM ASSOCIATION Our next meeting is on Tuesday 4th July 2017 at 10.30am in the Day Chapel. New members welcome. Please come and join us. ---------------------------------------------- PARISH COMMUNITY CLUB In the Crypt. Entrance via The Bourne. Mondays 10.30am to 12 noon.  July Programme:  3rd: Terry of Supporting Seniors 10th: Coffee and chat 17th: Possibly the work of the YMCA in Hastings – still to be confirmed 24th: Coffee and chat 31st: OLD TOWN WEEK COFFEE MORNING with many stalls. Please support this as proceeds are for charities. Annual subscription: £3. Coffee/tea & biscuits 50p. Do join us. -------------------------------------------------- NOTICE FROM BISHOP RICHARD PACT, the Catholic charity for prisoners and their families (www.prisonadvice.co.uk), which is engaged in a project in the Hastings area, supporting ex-prisoners, prisoners’ children and families, and prisoners themselves, is offering free training and support for parishioners interested in volunteering with them in prisons or in the local community. No previous experience is necessary. All enquiries are welcome. To find out more contact ParishAction@prisonadvice.org.uk --------------------------------------------------- BAPTISM COURSE There will be a Baptism course in the presbytery on Saturday 2nd September from 10.30am till 12 noon. Parents requesting Baptism of babies or toddlers on a date in September, October or November are required to attend. Please have a provisional date (preferably a Saturday) in mind when you come. Babies and children welcome.

IN MEMORIAM Please pray for the repose of the soul of MARGARET TERRILL, RIP Reception of remains: July 5th at 4.30pm. Funeral Mass: 6th July at 10am. May she rest in peace. -------------------------------------- A LETTER FROM BISHOP RICHARD I have been contacted by people asking how we as a Diocese can contribute practically to the support of those who have lost their homes and possessions in the Grenfell Tower Fire. In this crisis situation I would encourage direct donations to support Catholic organisations already engaged in the relief work.  The Diocese of Westminster has set up an Emergency Relief Fund to accept these donations and pass them on.  The funds are being shared between Caritas Westminster and the Catholic Children's Society, who are both present in the community providing assistance to individuals and families affected by the disaster.  If you go to the Diocese of Westminster website at www.rcdow.org.uk   you can click on a link on the home page to donate to the Emergency Relief Fund.  Donations can be Gift Aided.     --------------------------------------------------- PARISH FINANCES The offertory collection last weekend came to £638.53 including cheques and standing orders. The collection for Peter’s Pence came to £104.09. Many thanks to all concerned. --------------------------------------------- GIFT AID DONATION STATEMENT LETTERS for the tax year ended April 2017. There are more up-to-date letters on the table at the back of the church. Please check even though you may already have received one. DIVINE MERCY GROUP All are warmly welcome to join us in the presbytery on the following Mondays at 2.30pm: July 3rd, July 17th, July 31st. There will be no Divine Mercy prayer group during August.

(back of) newsletter, 2nd July 2017

MASS INTENTIONS and FEASTS:

Saturday, 1^st July, 6pm: Paul Murphy, RIP

Sunday 2^nd July, 10am: John Andrews, RIP

                           11.30am: Eryk (1 year old) & his parents Greg & Agata's 8th wedding anniversary

Tuesday 4^th July, St Elizabeth of Portugal,10am: Beauchamp Family

Wednesday 5^th July, St Anthony Zaccaria, Priest,10am: Annette Matheson birthday intention.

Thursday 6^th July, St Maria Goretti, 10am: Parishioners                                                       

Friday 7^th July, First Friday Mass of Sacred Heart, 10am: John Andrews, RIP

Saturday 8^th July, BVM on Saturday, 10am: In thanksgiving

Part-time Secretary to Bishop Richard – 21 hours per week Pease Pottage

The Bishop’s residence in Pease Pottage has a small office team comprising a Full-time Personal Assistant and a Part-time Secretary.  The PA is responsible for managing the Bishop’s diary, organising meetings and supporting him with mailings and other communications.  The Part-time Secretary takes the lead on some of the office administration, such as filing and archiving, co-ordinating the Diocesan Confirmation programme and processing requests for Papal Honours.  The Part-time Secretary also has a role in supporting Bishop Richard in his written correspondence.  Both staff members are very busy dealing with these tasks and also many ad hoc interactions on the telephone, by email or in person with Diocesan clergy, staff and parishioners. The current Part-time Secretary is retiring after many years’ service so we are seeking a replacement.  Reporting to Bishop Richard, you would have duties such as typing correspondence and liaising with the Catholic Press to provide notification of the Bishop’s Diary.  Record-keeping tasks would include updating basic financial spread-sheets and databases.  You would also be responsible for ordering supplies, co-ordinating property maintenance projects and liaising with the Finance team in Hove to monitor the house budget.  Support and training will be given. You will be educated to at least GCSE standard with qualifications or proven competence in secretarial work.  You will have excellent communication and organisational skills with a high level of IT competence, particularly using word processing, email and the internet. The remuneration package comprises a competitive salary and a 15% non-contributory pension scheme. The role will be three days per week to be agreed with the successful candidate.

Please contact Sarah Kilmartin:  telephone: 01273 859705 or email: finance@dabnet.org for an application form and job description. 

Closing date:  Thursday 6^th July 2017.  Interviews will be held in Hove on Wednesday 12^th July (afternoon).

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STANDING UP FOR LIFE

On Tuesday 27 June the British Medical Association annual representative meeting in Bournemouth voted in favour of a motion seeking to end all legal restrictions on abortion. There were already 190,406 abortions in this country in 2016 and 98% of these were carried out on mental health grounds.

Here are some of the things you can do to put an end to the genocide of unborn babies:

Take out a free subscription to LifeSite News at https://www.lifesitenews.com/#user-subscribe They will send you the latest news on life issues. It’s an excellent way to get informed so that you can stand up for life with facts at your fingertips.

You can see how Life Charity helps people in crisis pregnancies at

 https://lifecharity.org.uk/our-services/pregnancy-matters/ and if you join them as a supporter your donation, however small, will give real material help to parents-to-be.

Another charity that is well worth supporting is Right-to-Life. A leading provider of political intelligence and education on contemporary issues in which the human right to life is fought for and defended, RTL have informed ordinary members of the public and enabled them to act as citizens in defence of those whose dignity and life is endangered. If you join them for £10 a year, they will regularly send you the latest news with links to click in order to, for example, lobby parliament, sign petitions etc on behalf of those who have no voice of their own.

You can also get informed about life issues and many other issues such as the concentration camp that is North Korea, the persecution of Christians and other minorities in various countries, and the plight of orphaned refugees and asylum seekers (and also some interesting articles on Catholic writers) from Lord Alton of Liverpool at https://davidalton.net/

(If you go to our blog at  http://staroftheseahastings.blogspot.com/ you can click on the above links on our blogged version of this newsletter.)

(front of) newsletter, 25th June, 2017

St. Mary Star of the Sea   1 High Street, HASTINGS TN34 3EY

Tel: 01424 421263              Email: stmarystarofthesea.hastings.uk@gmail.com

(Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity 252878)

Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines)

Parish Priest: Fr Eamonn Monson, SCA 
                                     Parish Deacon: Rev. Duncan Brown                                       

Normal Mass Times

Sundays: 6.00pm (Sat), 10.00am, 11.30am. Tuesday to Saturday: 10.00am

Adoration: First Friday of Month 10.30am to 12 noon. Saturdays: 10.30am to 11am.

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays 10.30am and after the 6.00pm Mass.

TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME  25th June 2017    YEAR    Parish Mass Book p.93

THURSDAY 29th JUNE IS: the Solemnity of Ss Peter and Paul and is a Holy Day of Obligation, with Masses at 10am and 7.30pm. ----------------------------------------------- There will be a special collection at this weekend’s  Masses for Peter’s Pence. ------------------------------------------------------- QUIZ EVENING Saturday 1st July ( by Bethune  Twinning Association)  in the church hall. The cost is £10 per table of 4  and there will be a raffle. Please contact Ann-Marie Hassan: email: aahassan@sky.com  or phone 07729 629915 or you can see her in the church most days and at 10am Sunday Mass. You can also leave a message in the church for her. 7pm  for 7.30pm start. Cost of table = £10. Refreshments of Tea and Coffee will be provided free but you can bring your own preferred drinks.All welcome; bring your friends for an enjoyable evening. (Don't worry - we are not trying to sign you up). ------------------------------------------------- PARISH FINANCES The offertory collection last weekend came to £882.63 including cheques and standing orders. The collection for Day for Life came to £76.46 Many thanks to all concerned. ------------------------------------------------------- PARISH COMMUNITY CLUB In the Crypt. Entrance via The Bourne. Mondays 10.30am to 12 noon.  June Programme:   26th: Trip to Paradise Park/ Newhaven Fort. Members only, booked in advance. New year starts in June for our club. Annual subscription: £3. Non-members welcome: 50p for talks. Coffee/tea & biscuits 50p. Do join us.

IN MEMORIAM Please pray for the repose of the soul of MARGARET TERRILL, RIP, a long-standing parishioner of Star of the Sea who was in a nursing home for the last 4 years. May she rest in peace. ------------------------------------------------------------- A LETTER FROM BISHOP RICHARD I have been contacted by people asking how we as a Diocese can contribute practically to the support of those who have lost their homes and possessions in the Grenfell Tower Fire. In this crisis situation I would encourage direct donations to support Catholic organisations already engaged in the relief work.  The Diocese of Westminster has set up an Emergency Relief Fund to accept these donations and pass them on.  The funds are being shared between Caritas Westminster and the Catholic Children's Society, who are both present in the community providing assistance to individuals and families affected by the disaster.  If you go to the Diocese of Westminster website at www.rcdow.org.uk   you can click on a link on the home page to donate to the Emergency Relief Fund.  Donations can be Gift Aided.     --------------------------------------------------------- GIFT AID DONATION STATEMENT LETTERS for the tax year ended April 2017. There are more up-to-date letters on the table at the back of the church. Please check even though you may already have received one. DIVINE MERCY GROUP All are warmly welcome to join us in the presbytery on the following Mondays at 2.30pm: July 3rd, July 17th, July 31st. There will be no Divine Mercy prayer group during August.