Fr. Aaron Writes 25th June 2022
Dear Friends,
First Holy Communion – Congratulations to the children who made their First Holy Communions on Saturday! Pray that they and their families will remain faithful to the Lord’s command – “Do This in Memory of Me” and that they may be strong in Faith and Love of God. The children will receive their certificates at any Sunday Mass they attend over the 9th/10th July.
The Sacrament of Confirmation – Please pray for our young people as they get ready to celebrate their Sealing and Anointing with the Holy Spirit. We look forward to Bishop Richard coming to administer the Sacrament on Sunday 3rd of July at 3pm as he confirms them.
Lourdes Pilgrimage Helpers – We welcome to our parish the Lourdes pilgrimage helpers who will be having their induction day this Sunday. I will celebrate Holy Mass for them on Sunday afternoon at 3pm in the church. All are welcome to join us.
Sunday Morning Mass Schedule –
NEXT WEEK! on Sunday 3rd July we will revert back to a 9:15am and an 11:15am Mass, thus ending the pandemic timetable of three Masses on a Sunday morning. I thank you for your understanding. Children’s liturgy will be celebrated during the 9:15am Mass.
Reverend Nick Harden – will be ordained to the Priesthood for our Diocese next Saturday at Arundel Cathedral at 2pm. Keep Nick in your prayers as he prepares to receive the gift and grace of the Sacred Priesthood. If you have not been to an ordination, do come along – all are welcome.
Reverend Christopher Morris – a good friend of mine who has been a visitor to St John’s will be ordained a Priest on Thursday 30th June at 6:30pm in Motherwell Cathedral. Keep Chris in your prayers. I shall be travelling to Scotland for the occasion.
Father Martin Thompson –
will be visiting us next weekend (2nd/3rd July) from his mission in Albania. Do make him feel welcome.
Canon Tony Churchill – will be staying with me in the Presbytery for a while from mid-July as he retires and waits to move in to his retirement flat.
6pm Vigil Mass – It has been a while since I have celebrated the evening Mass. I haven’t abandoned ship! With all my extra duties outside the parish, in the deanery, the diocese and beyond, I have found that these extra events and meetings have taken place on Saturdays, meaning it has been difficult to get back to Horsham for Mass. I thank you for your patience and I thank all the visiting priests for helping out.
New Catholics – On Tuesday 28th June, there will be the third of our meetings organised for all those who have expressed a desire to become a Catholic and for those who wish to be baptised and confirmed. We have looked at the questions: Why God? Why Christ? And we end with Why the Church? We will meet in Rooms 2/3 of the Parish Hall at 7pm. Wine and nibbles will be available. To anyone who would like to join the group as a refresher, you’d be most welcome.
The Parish Fayre -
In response to the Stewardship drive during Lent, when we called for more volunteers in parish ministries, there will be a Parish Fayre of Volunteers
on the weekend of 16/17th of July. There will be manned stalls with information on how to join the various ministries and volunteer roles in our parish.
With every prayer and good wish,
Fr Aaron
