Fr. Aaron Writes 30th May 2021
Webmaster • May 29, 2021
Dear Friends,
I write this having come back from a lovely and energising break in Scotland and the North-East of England - I think I may have brought the sunshine back with me! Whilst away I prayed for all of you at the Shrine of St Cuthbert in Durham Cathedral, praying especially for all the sick and housebound, the recently deceased and the bereaved.
In this past week we feted many of our priests who have celebrated their jubilees in the past year. My predecessor Fr Richard Biggerstaff celebrated his twenty-fifth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood last Wednesday – Ad multos annos – May he and all the others have many years ahead!
This Trinity Sunday we welcome seminarian Gary Carter, who is currently in his third year of formation at Wonersh and soon Allen Hall in London. Please make Gary feel welcome as he begins his placement with us here. Do feel free to invite him to visit you pastorally and also if anyone would like to meet up with him for coffee or a meal, it would give him a chance to meet up with you and get to know you.
Liturgy Changes – as from May 17th, the advice from the Bishops Conference and in consultation with Public Health England and the HM Government Task Force, is that we can now respond ‘Amen’ when the priest offers the Body of Christ. So from now on we can respond individually ‘Amen’ when we receive the Blessed Sacrament. Holy Communion is permitted both in hand or on the tongue.
Weekday Mass – on Monday & Wednesday Mass will be at 10am this week.
First Confession and First Holy Communion – Applications are now closed. Our classes begin on June 12th. Please pray for our children who begin preparation for these wonderful sacraments.
A Special Corpus Christi Mass for the Vulnerable and for those who have been shielding plus their carers – together with the help of the parish SVP, there will be a special Mass for those who might find a return to church a little daunting. There will be only a few places available in the church. Mass will be at 4pm for the vigil of the Feast of Corpus Christi on Saturday June 5th.
Corpus Christi – at the end of all Masses next weekend there will be a short period of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. It will be an opportunity to pray for an end to the pandemic and to pray for our parish together as we continue to re-engage with parish and sacramental life.
In Memoriam:
Kevin Tayler RIP – We pray for his family and friends at this sad time. Kevin’s Requiem Mass will take place here at St John’s on Monday 7th June at 12 Noon.
Connie Brown RIP – Connie sadly died last Sunday. We keep David and all the family in our prayers at this sad time. Connie’s Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday 9th June at 10am here at St John’s.
Please also pray for Pamela Jones RIP and for Krystyna Deszberg RIP, who passed away this week.
May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
Social Media: Check out our parish social media pages for the latest news, last minute changes and items of interest:
@catholichorsham (Twitter)
St John the Evangelist, Horsham (Facebook page)
Catholic Horsham (Instagram)
With every prayer and good wish for the coming week.
CAFOD HARVEST FAMILY FAST DAY
Parishioners raised over £2533.85 for St Johns school
HARVEST APPEAL
NBCW September Newsletter now available
When you sign a petition it makes a difference!
Elim Cafe raises £608.31 for Venezuela Earthquake Appeal