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.

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The Parish Priest is Fr Alistair Simmons.

Today is

Masses

Sunday Mass is celebrated at the church of St Theresa of Lisieux in Southwick at 9:30 am and at the church of St George in Hove at 11 am.

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While the threat of the coronavirus Covid-19 remains with us, it cannot be 'business as usual'. We ask you, therefore, to note these important points:

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  • Numbers at Mass will be strictly limited to allow for social distancing.
    You must request a seat, preferably by emailing (using this link, rather than the usual Parish Office address) if you wish to attend.  If you just turn up, stewards will have to turn you away. This isn't how we'd choose to do things but, unfortunately, is necessary at present.
    Please remember to bring a face covering when you come to Mass.

  • We have produced some guidance for you and would ask you to take the time to read it so that you know what to expect. The government's introduction of the 'rule of six' does not affect our worship but means we must be extra careful when leaving after Mass.

  • There is no obligation, at present, to attend Mass. For some people, it would be wiser not to come because of age or health conditions.

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The deadline for requesting a seat is the end of Thursday for the following Sunday. Please remember to tell us which of the two Mass places/times you wish to attend.

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Online Masses

If you are unable to attend Mass in person, we suggest you follow Mass online. There are many churches which have the technology to live-stream Mass. The Diocesan website has links for churches in this area. 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.

Sunday 27 September - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2020

Thhis year, Pope Francis has focussed his message on internally displaced persons (IDPs), which he describes as "an often unseen tragedy that the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated."

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There is more information about the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, including the full text of Pope Francis' message, on the Bishops' Conference website.

St George's
Parish of Hangleton and West Blatchington
Prayer for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees

 

Father, you entrusted to Saint Joseph what you held most precious: the child Jesus and his Mother, in order to protect them from the dangers and threats of the wicked.

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Grant that we may experience his protection and help. May he, who shared in the sufferings of those who flee from the hatred of the powerful, console and protect all our brothers and sisters driven by war, poverty and necessity to leave their homes and their lands to set out as refugees for safer places.

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Help them, through the intercession of Saint Joseph, to find the strength to persevere, give them comfort in sorrows and courage amid their trials.

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Grant to those who welcome them some of the tender love of this just and wise father, who loved Jesus as a true son and sustained Mary at every step of the way.

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May he, who earned his bread by the work of his hands, watch over those who have seen everything in life taken away and obtain for them the dignity of a job and the serenity of a home.

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We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, whom Saint Joseph saved by fleeing to Egypt, and trusting in the intercession of the Virgin Mary, whom he loved as a faithful husband in accordance with your will.

 

Amen.

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Pope Francis

Money Matters

We don’t much like talking about church finances, but the effects of the pandemic have made things difficult.

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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.

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Please ask yourself:

  • How recently did I review my giving to the church? £1 in the collection doesn’t go far these days!

  • 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.

  • Could I make a donation to cover the amount I would normally have put in the collection had the lockdown not happened?

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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.

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Read more about giving to the church.  

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.