Parish of St. Wilfrid, Burgess Hill and St. Edward the Confessor, Keymer

with

St. George’s Convent, Ditchling

and St. Anne’s Convent, Burgess Hill

Parish Priest Father Rick McGrath with Father Maksym Krat

Deacon Liam McIlvenny : liam.mcilvenny@abdiocese.org.uk

Priest’s House Station Road Burgess Hill RH15 9EN

Tel: 01444 232358 email: burgesshill@abdiocese.org.uk website:www.stwilfridsbh.com

Parish Office open: 9am - 3pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Sunday 6 September 2020 ~ Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary Cycle A - Year II

~ RIP ~

Of your charity please pray for the Repose of the Soul of

Olive Guerin who died on 30 August 2020

We offer our sympathy and prayers to her family and friends. Funeral

details to follow.

May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the

mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

This weekend we move back to something nearer “normal” with the Mass schedule. It isn’t exactly what it was, but it is probably what it will be - though these days it is foolhardy to make any long-term promises. A reminder that all the changes have been co-ordinated to take into account numbers in our four places for Mass: St. Wilfrid’s, St. Edward’s. St. George’s and St. Anne’s, and the need to arrange things so that one priest is able to say all the Masses, when necessary. We have also co-ordinated the schedules with St. Paul’s, Haywards Heath, so that between both parishes, two priests can cover, when necessary.

Please note as well, that the ‘usual’ restrictions still apply: use gel entering and leaving; wear face masks; keep at least one metre between yourself (or your family bubble) and anyone else. There is often space in the Lady Chapel at St. Wilfrid’s, or choir loft, for one family group, or where the musicians usually sit - though we do hope to have some limited music again beginning this weekend, with one player and one singer. Again, a reminder, that the congregation should not join in the singing. If you arrive a little late please feel free to walk through the church to find a suitable space. At St. George’s, there is usually space downstairs in the public chapel (where the Sisters are sitting for the time being) or downstairs on the other side, or up in the galleries, though these latter do require lots of steps. With schools opening, there will be more space now at daily Masses if the weekend ones get too crowded. Also, watch the newsletter (if you get it online on Fridays) for First Holy Communion Masses, which run for five more weeks. There will be special concern on Sunday 20th, when we have nine children. Though they have strictly limited numbers of guests, it is still likely to be very crowded. A happy problem, but a problem nevertheless. When I was at school, each chapter of our French grammar had a folk saying which we were required to memorize. I still remember one well - ”Petit à petit, l'oiseau fait son nid.” - “Little by little, the bird builds its nest.” So true. Little by little for us as well. God bless you all. Fr. Rick

Mass Schedule - September 2020

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

9.15 am St Wilfrid’s

9.30 am St Edward’s

9.15 am St Wilfrid’s

9.15 am St Wilfrid’s

9.15 am St Wilfrid’s

5.00 pm St Edward’s

9.30 am St Wilfrid’s

10.00 am St George’s

11.00 am St Anne’s

10.00 am St George’s

10.00 am St George’s

10.00 am St George’s

6.30 pm St Wilfrid’s

11.00 am St George’s

~ First Holy Communion ~

Please pray for the children of our parish who make their First Holy Communion this Sunday 6 September 2020

~ Lily Belliveau ~ Thomas Keating-Jones ~ Joseph Mallon ~ Daniel Tepace Love ~

St Vincent de Paul, Burgess Hill SVP Awareness Month - September 2020 This year has been unlike any other, as we all continue to adapt to the ever-changing restrictions resulting from the ongoing pandemic. The SVP have continued our work to support those in need during this period with shopping, prescriptions, telephone calls. In line with Government guidelines, we have had to change the way in which we interact with those within our parish and community, but we are hopeful that it won’t be too long before we can resume face-to-face visits in people’s homes, albeit socially distanced. Unfortunately, due to the country-wide lockdown in March, our second collection was unable to take place, and this has had a significant impact on our resources - but we shall be holding our usual fundraising collection later this month, the weekend of 26 and 27 September, the Feast of St Vincent de Paul.

Please note the Requiem Mass for Joseph Parkinson RIP on Friday 11 September at St Wilfrid’s is for family only. The Mass will be live streamed. Please go to the parish website www.stwilfridsbh.com and click on the green ‘Mass - Live Streamed’ button or go to www.youtube.com and type St Wilfrid’s Burgess Hill in the search bar.

Fr Rick’s Anniversary of Ordination

Sunday 6 September Normally we would be celebrating

with a parish gathering, nibbles and a drink. This year we’ll have to give thanks for Fr Rick’s ministry with a prayer or two and reflect on how lucky we are to have him as our

Parish Priest. (...Fr Rick says he owes

you a glass of wine!)

Mass Intentions ~ from Saturday 5 September 2020

Our Churches are now open for Mass and private prayer, please see the timetable on page one for days and times. Below we have listed the Mass Intentions so you can see when your request and Mass Intention is being celebrated.

Sat 5 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

5.00 pm St Edward’s For the recovery of a sick grandchild

6.30 pm St Wilfrid’s People of the Parish

Sun 6 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

9.30 am St Wilfrid’s First Holy Communion Mass

Intentions of Brigitte and Carlos Reyes

in celebration of their 20th Wedding

anniversary

11.00 am St George’s Intentions of Fr Rick in celebration of the

anniversary of his ordination to the

priesthood

Mon 7 Feria in Ordinary Time, Week Twenty-three

9.15 am St Wilfrid’s Intentions of Jill Lamb

10.00 am St George’s Frances Brown RIP

Tues 8 Feast ~ The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

9.30 am St Edward’s Intentions of Deacon Liam and Caroline

McIlvenny in celebration of their 40th

Wedding Anniversary

11.00 am St Anne’s Intentions of Sister Marcellina FMSL

Private Mass - Sisters and residents

Wed 9 Feria in Ordinary Time, Week Twenty-three

9.15 am St Wilfrid’s Father David Rea RIP

10.00 am St George’s Sister Mary Kieran RIP

Thurs 10 Feria in Ordinary Time, Week Twenty-three

9.15 am St Wilfrid’s Mary and Eddie Richards RIP

10.00 am St George’s Intentions & well-being of Father Frank Bray

Fri 11 Feria in Ordinary Time, Week Twenty-three

Day of Abstinence

9.15 am St Wilfrid’s Kathleen Scanlon RIP

10.00 am St George’s Michael and Catherine Spetch RIP

2.00 pm St Wilfrid’s Requiem Mass for Joseph Parkinson RIP

Sat 12 Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

5.00 pm St Edward’s John and Dorothy Ward RIP

6.30 pm St Wilfrid’s Eugene Griffin RIP

Sun 13 Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

9.30 am St Wilfrid’s First Holy Communion Mass

People of the Parish

11.00 am St George’s Intentions of Sister Mary Columba

Prayers for the sick

Please remember in your prayers those from our community who are unable to join us for Mass: Carol Budgen, Fr Tony Collins, Joan de Lacey, Ben de Souza, Dorik Frantz, Haslum Owen Gotting, Elmira Irasga, Anne Johanson, Janusz Kent, Mary Klimek, Catherine Mooney, John Mooney, Anywhere Muriro, Mrs Muriro, Alex Murray, Val Parris, Peter Ramage, Mariette Richardson, Damian Sewell, Barry Sexton, Mark Swallow, Sister Pat (Convent of the Poor Clare's, Crossbush), Mary Stapleton, Margaret Vincent, Vicky, Mary Wallace, Brenda Walsh, Sheila White, Canon Colin Wolczak, Fiona Wright and all those with long term illnesses.

In order to keep the Prayer List up to date - names will remain on for one month. If you have a name you would like added or one you would like to remain on please advise the parish office. Thank you.

Homily The common message of all three readings this weekend is pretty clear and quite simple and straightforward - and very, very uncomfortable. Like so many simple things, it is far less simple than it sounds. St. John Chrysostom, in his commentary on the Gospel passage points out that it does not say: “accuse, or punish, or take to court.” It says “correct,”- and always and only, as St. Paul reminds us, out of love. What does that mean in practice? Your idea is as good as mine. It must mean something. It is clear, and relatively easy, between children and their parents or teachers, whose very vocation require correcting, training, teaching. It is a lot less clear and very much harder with adults. A discussion over coffee or in the pub about abortion, for instance can be had in a friendly sort of way and yet the Christian point of view be strongly maintained - and other options presented, if the case is a real one. The example and joy of a committed relationship can be shared and discussed, in contrast to say, a promiscuous lifestyle. Openly, but not ostentatiously, returning an overpayment or something accidently included, can be a good example, or a word about how the waiter might be out of pocket if we don’t mention an item not included on a bill. The possible examples are legion, and you can think of better ones than I can, so perhaps the chief goal this Sunday should just be to “be aware that we need to look out for each other”.

We need to remember the other Scripture passages about not judging lest we be judged, and being conscious of the plank in our own eye instead of the splinter in our neighbour’s. And always and above all the injunction to love our neighbour and to forgive as we hope to be forgiven. Nevertheless, love means being concerned, and doing ‘something’ about that concern. Food and drink and the environment and prejudice about almost anything is fair game for public judgment today, but as Christians we’re called not to be judgmental, but loving. That doesn’t mean ignoring what is wrong or hurtful or damaging, but trying to lead our brothers and sisters to something better. Like so much, it sounds so simple, and if you think it is, you may not have done too much of it very successfully. Please reflect on the readings - and good luck.

Knitting and Crocheting Project As lockdown restrictions ease further and there is some sense of returning to 'normality', the SVP are pleased to announce the resumption of the Knitting and Crocheting Project on Wednesday, 16 September from 10.00 am-12.00 noon in the parish centre. There will be safety measures in place in line with Government guidelines, so we hope it won't deter you from coming along and enjoying the morning.

St Paul’s Catholic College 2021 Admission Application Forms

We shall be holding Signing Sessions for the St Paul’s Catholic College Admissions forms soon, please check the parish newsletters late September/beginning October for details of dates and times. (Please note St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School Admission Forms do not need to be signed by the Parish Priest).

The Parish of St Wilfrid, Burgess Hill and St Edward the Confessor Keymer is part of the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton Diocesan Trust registered charity no.252878 www.dabnet.org

First Holy Communion Programme 2020-2021

Registration forms for the 2020-2021 FHC programme will be available next weekend and also via the website.