Fr. Aaron Writes 1st January 2023

May I continue to wish all parishioners a Happy and Blessed Christmas and offer my best wishes for a grace-filled New

Year. Be assured of my prayers for you all as we end one year and begin another together. May our parish so benefit from

the many graces received over this Holy Season of Joy. We look forward to the many opportunities in 2023 for us to be a

welcoming parish to all, to grow in understanding of the wonder of Christ’s presence in the Mass and the Sacraments,

growing together always in our love of God and neighbour.

May 2023 be a time of blessing, grace and healing as we pray for our children and young people preparing for the

Sacraments, for all the couples who are to be married in and from our parish, for those discerning a call to serve as priest

or deacon as well as the other new ministries available in the church, for the sick and housebound, the bereaved and

abused. May Our Mother Mary, whose Feast we celebrate this weekend to inaugurate the New Year, accompany us with

her maternal protection and intercesssion.

My Gratitude and Thanks – I would like to express my huge thanks to all who helped prepare our parish for the Christmas

celebrations. We had great numbers at the Masses, a real sign people are returning home to meet the Lord in the Holy

Eucharist.

Thanks to those who helped prepare the Church and the liturgies, such as musicians, sacristans, servers, readers, cleaners,

flower team & welcomers.

Thanks to all those who helped with the various celebrations in the hall over the Octave.

My personal thanks go to those in the Parish office, Sue and Cozette and Deacon Tom, for their hard work and support.

Thank you also for your generous cards and gifts at this time and for your kindness and generosity in the Christmas

collection.

RCIA – Initiation in the Catholic Faith – I would like to hold a meeting with those who wish to form a new team to help

guide those who find themselves wanting to be in full communion in the Catholic Church. If you have already indicated to

me that you would like to help, or have come to a decision that you can help, you are welcome to an informal meeting

which will take place between the end of the 9:15am Mass and the beginning of the 11:15am Mass on Sunday 15th January

in Room 1 of the Parish Hall. I really need parishioners who can help in different ways. Coaching and help will be given.

Solemnity of the Epiphany – There will be a Vigil Mass at St Gabriel’s, Billingshurst at 7pm on Thursday 5th January.

Masses at St John’s will be at 12 noon and at 6pm on Friday 6th January. The Blessing of Chalk to mark our homes will take

place at our Masses at St John’s.

First Holy Communion – At all weekend Masses on the weekend of 7th/8th January, the children preparing for First

Confession and First Communion will be enrolled formally into the programme. At whichever Mass the children attend –

6pm Vigil, 9:15am or 11:15 am – there will be the Rite of Enrolment.

With every prayer and good wish,

Fr Aaron