St Theresa of Lisieux
Parish of Southwick with Portslade
Welcome
to the website for St Theresa of Lisieux (the Parish of Southwick with Portslade) and St George (the Parish of Hangleton and West Blatchington), situated in the west of the Roman Catholic Deanery of Brighton & Hove.
The Parish Priest is Fr Alistair Simmons.
Today is
Sunday 22 November - Christ the King
In his video reflection for this feast day, Bishop Richard speaks of how we are called to celebrate our relationship with Christ.
This Sunday is also National Youth Sunday, a day when we celebrate the young people in our parish and community and all the gifts and talents they share with us. The theme for this year’s NYS is ‘Together’. This weekend especially, we pray for the young people of our Parish.
Next Sunday, 29 November, is the First Sunday of Advent. During Advent there will be special parish activities and we have also put together a selection of resources to help you during Advent. More information on the Advent page.
Lockdown from 5 November 2020 - no public Masses
The Prime Minister has announced a new lockdown from 5th November 2020. As a result, public Masses at St Theresa's and St George's are suspended from that date.
We suggest you follow Mass online instead. There are many churches which have the technology to live-stream Mass. Links for those in the diocese are here (scroll down the page) and other useful websites, allowing you to select by place or by time, are Church Services TV and Mass-online. For the readings of the day, see Universalis.
Money Matters
We don’t much like talking about church finances, but the effects of the pandemic have made things difficult.
Every organisation has running costs and the church is no different. There are people costs: priests and lay staff, both at parish and diocesan level; these are the people who keep the organisation functioning. Then there are property costs: maintaining buildings, mainly churches and priests’ houses, and equipment. Most of these costs have continued throughout these past months, but parish income has taken a big hit.
Please ask yourself:
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How recently did I review my giving to the church? £1 in the collection doesn’t go far these days!
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Have I set up a standing order for my giving? That’s easier for the church and easier for me – no more scrabbling around for cash.
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Could I make a donation to cover the amount I would normally have put in the collection had the lockdown not happened?
Everybody’s personal circumstances are different. Some people might need to reduce their giving to the church but there will be others who might now be in a position to be more generous.
Read more about giving to the church.
St George's
Parish of Hangleton and West Blatchington
Prayers of Intercession
For the Church and her leaders. That they will be sustained in their difficulties, comforted in their distress and supported to share the word and message of love to all whom they serve.
For peace in the world following the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. May the love of God comfort those affected and seek to draw communities back together.
For world leaders. That they may have courage to make and follow through on the decisions which matter to their people in order to build local bridges and connections with international friends.
For young people. That they may be encouraged to recognise and develop the skills and talents they have and invite Christ into their homes, into their lives and into their hearts.
For those who are sick and those who care for them. May they know the presence of Christ in their illnesses and in their work.
May Christ the King welcome to His Kingdom with open arms those who have died.
For ourselves. That we may be proud to be counted as a follower of Christ and willing to show an example to others.
Elsewhere on this website...
Notices which, in normal times, would be in the newsletter, together with other useful information, are on the covid-19 page.
Articles by Fr Alistair and other contributors are on the blog page. All parishioners are invited to submit material for possible inclusion on the blog. Just send it to the Parish Office.
Part of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. The Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Trust is a Registered Charity no 252878.