Rod Thick

1/ SHOUT! When we contemplate the Christmas story, the image of “no room at the inn” for the Holy Family stands out. SHOUT! Helps brothers and sisters for whom there is literally no room, or those who are really struggling to feed their families at Christmas. If you can spare an extra item from your festive shopping, please donate it to SHOUT!. There are boxes for food donations at the church entrances of both Holy Family and St Mary of the Angels. Let us ensure that all are invited, “the greatest and least”, to our Christmas celebrations. Thank you

2/ SHOUT Thanks to the lovely bunch of volunteers who gave their time up on Christmas Day – we managed to provide a Christmas Day dinner for 100 people. Sadly some did not make it to the venue – but we delivered Christmas Day Meals thanks to another volunteer on driving duties. There were so many people behind the scenes quite literally helping to make this happen – Thank you for giving the gift of Christmas to all of our families and children, those who would otherwise be on their own and our homeless community. Thank you!

3/ Columban Missionaries have launched their 2024/2025 Schools Media Competition, which has the title: ‘Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope’.  Encouraging creativity and faith engagement with issues in the world today, this year’s competition welcomes both written and image entries until the 7th February 2025, with winners being announced on the 10th March 2025. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winning entrants and the first prize is an impressive £300. The competition is targeted at students aged between 13-18 years old. Pope Francis has decreed that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee Jubilee 2025 The theme he has chosen is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and he urges us to look for signs of hope in the world around us and work for peace and justice. For more information  http://www.columbans.co.uk

4/ Live Simply Tip of the Week – Live Simply Tip of the Week  Cut down meat eating or eliminate altogether, and cut down on dairy foods, and on food waste. .

5/ Covenant with the Poor In 1997 Bishop Cormac signed this Diocesan Covenant with the Poor and urged parishes to look at their involvement with poverty issues and to prepare their own parish covenants. This is our Covenant from many years ago.  “We the people of St Mary of the Angels, Worthing, pledge ourselves as individuals and as a community to place concern for the poor, at home and abroad, at the centre of our Christian life”.

1/ SHOUT! When we contemplate the Christmas story, the image of “no room at the inn” for the Holy Family stands out. SHOUT! Helps brothers and sisters for whom there is literally no room, or those who are really struggling to feed their families at Christmas. If you can spare an extra item from your festive shopping, please donate it to SHOUT!. There are boxes for food donations at the church entrances of both Holy Family and St Mary of the Angels. Let us ensure that all are invited, “the greatest and least”, to our Christmas celebrations. Thank you

2/ Columban Missionaries have launched their 2024/2025 Schools Media Competition, which has the title: ‘Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope’.  Encouraging creativity and faith engagement with issues in the world today, this year’s competition welcomes both written and image entries until the 7th February 2025, with winners being announced on the 10th March 2025. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winning entrants and the first prize is an impressive £300. The competition is targeted at students aged between 13-18 years old. Pope Francis has decreed that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee. The theme he has chosen is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and he urges us to look for signs of hope in the world around us and work for peace and justice. For more information  http://www.columbans.co.uk

3/ Live Simply Tip of the Week – Get rid of the big items. There’s tons of little clutter in our lives, but if you start with the big items, you’ll simplify your life quickly and in a big way.

4/ Covenant with the Poor In 1997 Bishop Cormac signed this Diocesan Covenant with the Poor and urged parishes to look at their involvement with poverty issues and to prepare their own parish covenants. This is our Covenant from many years ago.  “We the people of St Mary of the Angels, Worthing, pledge ourselves as individuals and as a community to place concern for the poor, at home and abroad, at the centre of our Christian life”.

1/ SHOUT Worthing Soup Kitchen would like to thank you at St Mary of the Angels all for your support for the Food Bank at 219 Tarring Road it has been greatly appreciated. We are able to open more often and tackle food waste better in our community.  We are running half of the new premises as a charity shop – that should enable us to raise enough finances to cover the following year’s rent – as the food pantry will not make any money.  St Mary’s have been very generous with weekly donations of food & there’s a box each end of the church with a list of the items required.  Please donate what you can to help the poor & needy in our town.

2/ A service for Palestine  You are warmly invited to a special service at St. Mary’s Church, Goring at 6.30pm on Wed 18th December to pray for justice and peace in Palestine. The service includes, a talk “Greetings from Bethlehem”, Palestine hymns & poetry by candlelight, Christ in the rubble & prayer birds for peace. Concluding with a craft sale & refreshments, all proceeds going to support the people of Bethlehem.  All are welcome – all faiths or none

3/   During the Season of Creation many of us signed a petition asking the Government to sign up to the Fossil Fuel non Proliferation Treaty calling for new fossil fuel exploration to be stopped. The campaign is a global movement calling for a planned just transition away from fossil fuels, it is supported by countries, towns & cities, organisations and individuals across the globe. This includes a number of UK towns and cities including London, Glasgow, Brighton& Hove, Lewes and Hastings. Will Worthing be next? Next Tues 17th Dec a motion is being presented to Worthing Council asking them to endorse the call for this treaty.

What you can do to help: 1/ Join us at the demo before the meeting at Worthing Town Hall 5:45pm on Tuesday 17th December. 2/ Write to your Borough Councillor Worthing Borough Councillors asking them to support the motion at the council meeting. Every action we take will help make a difference

4/ Our Parish Project with the Columbans  The parish is supporting the Columbans this year with a £1,000 donation for their project in the Philippines where they are creating a rainforest.  See https://columbanmission.org.ph/letter-from-the-catholic-parish-of-worthing-and-lancing/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHJEcZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXhqlD-pek9p2Ygn9_YhHdoF-WOXW2bFNkOIOyiLWaRIuegpRIpFXeIm9g_aem_vpopfGkWZTcyrEhk7lInrA

Individuals can also donate to this project by adopting a tree to mark a special event such as a baptism, confirmation, wedding, Christmas or birthday gift.  Go to Special Projects – Missionary Society of St. Columban | Philippines

1/ SHOUT Worthing Soup Kitchen would like to thank you at St Mary of the Angels all for your support for the Food Bank at 219 Tarring Road it has been greatly appreciated. We are able to open more often and tackle food waste better in our community.  We are running half of the new premises as a charity shop – that should enable us to raise enough finances to cover the following year’s rent – as the food pantry will not make any money.  St Mary’s have been very generous with weekly donations of food & there’s a box each end of the church with a list of the items required.  Please donate what you can to help the poor & needy in our town.

2/ Fairtrade Chocolate Advent Calendars which includes a booklet with the Christmas message & activities are on sale at £5 each

3/ Live Simply Tip of the week – Why not buy Fairtrade Christmas presents this year. There are many items available including jewellery, clothing, confectionery & drinks.  Another idea for Christmas presents, CAFOD Christmas Catalogues, now in their 36th year are available at the back of the church.

4/  Columban Missionaries have launched their 2024/2025 Schools Media Competition, which has the title: ‘Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope’.  Encouraging creativity and faith engagement with issues in the world today, this year’s competition welcomes both written and image entries until the 7th February 2025, with winners being announced on the 10th March 2025. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winning entrants and the first prize is an impressive £300. The competition is targeted at students aged between 13-18 years old. Pope Francis has decreed that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee. The theme he has chosen is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and he urges us to look for signs of hope in the world around us and work for peace and justice. For more information  http://www.columbans.co.uk

5/ A Service for Palestine  Wed 18th Dec at 6-30pm St Mary’s Church Goring BN12 4UZ – as the world prepares to celebrate Christmas, we remember the birthplace of Jesus was Bethlehem, Palestine, where crimes against humanity are taking place.

Greetings from Bethlehem talk by Rev. Munther Isaac

Palestine hymns & poetry by candlelight

Christ in the rubble & prayer birds for peace

Palestine crafts for sale to support the people of Bethlehem

Spiced hot chocolate & mince pies for sale

All welcome

1/ Why CAFOD works in Sudan Since April 2023 the escalating conflict in Sudan has meant that 8 million people have been driven from their homes into refugee camps, where they are very vulnerable to the spread of diseases. These communities can’t return to their land or rebuild their villages.

Our partners are distributing emergency food packages and helping to fix water pipelines damaged in the conflict. We are also supporting children whose families have been displaced by fighting in other parts of the country. We are helping to provide emergency education and support for local families in making a living.  Why CAFOD works in Sudan Sudan

A conflict that many of us are not aware of and needs our prayers and publicising

2/ SHOUT Worthing Soup Kitchen would like to thank you at St Mary of the Angels all for your support for the Food Bank at 219 Tarring Road it has been greatly appreciated. We are able to open more often and tackle food waste better in our community.  We are running half of the new premises as a charity shop – that should enable us to raise enough finances to cover the following year’s rent – as the food pantry will not make any money.  St Mary’s have been very generous with weekly donations of food & there’s a box each end of the church with a list of the items required.  Please donate what you can to help the poor & needy in our town.

3/ Fairtrade Chocolate Advent Calendars which includes a booklet with the Christmas message & activities are on sale at £5 each

4/ Live Simply Tip of the week – Live Simply Tip of the week Soothe coughs naturally for a cheaper and natural alternative to shop-bought cough medicine, soothe sore throats with an infusion of organic honey and lemon in hot water. The honey will relieve irritation and has valuable antimicrobial properties.

5/  Columban Missionaries have launched their 2024/2025 Schools Media Competition, which has the title: ‘Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope’.  Encouraging creativity and faith engagement with issues in the world today, this year’s competition welcomes both written and image entries until the 7th February 2025, with winners being announced on the 10th March 2025. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winning entrants and the first prize is an impressive £300. The competition is targeted at students aged between 13-18 years old. Pope Francis has decreed that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee. The theme he has chosen is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and he urges us to look for signs of hope in the world around us and work for peace and justice. For more information  http://www.columbans.co.uk

1/ SHOUT Worthing Soup Kitchen would like to thank you at St Mary of the Angels all for your support for the Food Bank at 219 Tarring Road it has been greatly appreciated. We are able to open more often and tackle food waste better in our community.  We are running half of the new premises as a charity shop – that should enable us to raise enough finances to cover the following year’s rent – as the food pantry will not make any money.  St Mary’s have been very generous with weekly donations of food & there’s a box each end of the church with a list of the items required.  Please donate what you can to help the poor & needy in our town.

2/ Fairtrade Chocolate Advent Calendars which includes a booklet with the Christmas message & activities are on sale at £5 each

3/ Live Simply Tip of the week – Why not buy Fairtrade Christmas presents this year. There are many items available including jewellery, clothing, confectionery & drinks.  Another idea for Christmas presents, CAFOD Christmas Catalogues, now in their 36th year are available at the back of the church.

4/  Columban Missionaries have launched their 2024/2025 Schools Media Competition, which has the title: ‘Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope’.  Encouraging creativity and faith engagement with issues in the world today, this year’s competition welcomes both written and image entries until the 7th February 2025, with winners being announced on the 10th March 2025. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winning entrants and the first prize is an impressive £300. The competition is targeted at students aged between 13-18 years old. Pope Francis has decreed that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee. The theme he has chosen is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and he urges us to look for signs of hope in the world around us and work for peace and justice. For more information  http://www.columbans.co.uk

1/ SHOUT Worthing Soup Kitchen would like to thank you at St Mary of the Angels all for your support for the Food Bank at 219 Tarring Road it has been greatly appreciated. We are able to open more often and tackle food waste better in our community.  We are running half of the new premises as a charity shop – that should enable us to raise enough finances to cover the following year’s rent – as the food pantry will not make any money.  St Mary’s have been very generous with weekly donations of food & there’s a box each end of the church with a list of the items required.  Please donate what you can to help the poor & needy in our town.

2/  COP 29 – 11th to 22nd Nov is where world leaders comes together to agree on the actions to address the climate crisis, such as limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, helping vulnerable communities adapt to the effects of climate change, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. To follow the conference & for more information https://unfccc.int/

3/ Aid to the Church in Need Red Wednesday is 20 Nov. This year’s focus is on Christian children who are displaced and suffering due to targeted violence. Please pledge them your prayers and action this Red Wednesday.  A second collection will be held for ACN today 17th Nov to support the Diocese of Nouna, Burkina Faso who have welcomed 30,000 displaced Christians of whom 80% are school age. Any parish that collects £500 the amount will be doubled by a generous benefactor. We have banners outside of both churches See acnuk.org/our-campaigns/redwednesday/

4/ Fairtrade Chocolate Advent Calendars which includes a booklet with the Christmas message & activities will be on sale from this weekend at £5 each

1/ Transition Town Worthing Repair Café We are now taking bookings for the next one on Saturday 30th November at Friends/Quaker Meeting House, 34 Mill Rd, Worthing, BN11 5DR from 10am – 4pm  Our talented team of volunteers can help you to repair your clothes, toys, bicycles, small household electrical/electronic items, small items of furniture, computers/laptops/tablets, and knife/scissor sharpening. We also have specialist repairers who come in as and when needed for things like: jewellery, simple upholstery & furniture repairs (chairs and stools), darning and soft toy/doll renovation – so do let us know if you need any of these services.
To book please see our website here: https://www.ttworthing.org/repair-cafe/

2/  COP 29 – 11th to 22nd Nov is where world leaders comes together to agree on the actions to address the climate crisis, such as limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, helping vulnerable communities adapt to the effects of climate change, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. To follow the conference & for more information https://unfccc.int/  There’s a rally & march in Central London see https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/march-for-global-climate-justice-tickets-1056562620239  There’s also a smaller version in Brighton on 16th , this one includes a march from the West Pier to Palace Pier.   Meet 12noon at West Pier

3/ Worthing 4 Refugees are looking for a Trustee for the charity. If interested & for further information please contact Gay Jacklin info@worthing4refugees.org.uk phone 07833 617997

4/ Fairtrade Chocolate Advent Calendars with the Christmas message will be on sale from next weekend at £5 each

5/  Year of the Jubilee is 2025 Dec 2024 – Dec 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope, this is the link https://cafod.org.uk/news/uk-news/jubilee-icon-blessed One of the issues to be covered will be debt.  Finance companies are raking in huge profits even after debt restructuring, because countries are not getting enough debt relief. Countries in crisis need real debt cancellation and they need it now!

6/ Aid to the Church in Need next Sunday 17th Nov there will be a 2nd collection to support the Diocese of Nouna, Burkina Faso who have welcomed 30,000 displaced Christians of whom 80% are school age. Any parish that collects £500 the amount will be doubled by a generous benefactor.

1/ CAFOD-DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal
The conflict in the Middle East is getting worse and the families affected need our help. Please donate today to the CAFOD-DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal and support our local Caritas partners in Gaza and Lebanon as they continue to provide essential food, water and shelter: cafod.org.uk/give

2/ SHOUT Worthing Soup Kitchen would like to thank you at St Mary of the Angels all for your support for the Food Bank at 219 Tarring Road it has been greatly appreciated. We are able to open more often and tackle food waste better in our community.  We are running half of the new premises as a charity shop – that should enable us to raise enough finances to cover the following year’s rent – as the food pantry will not make any money.  St Mary’s have been very generous with weekly donations of food & there’s a box each end of the church with a list of the items required.  Please donate what you can to help the poor & needy in our town.

3/ Parish Projects for 2024 The London Catholic Worker provide hospitality for destitute refugees and asylum seekers. They have a community meal every evening and other regular Christian activities  As part of their work of hospitality they help run an Urban Table soup kitchen and collect and transport donations for the refugees in Calais. They focus their resistance on the “war on terror”, arms trade, British nuclear weapons, and solidarity with migrants and refugees. They hope and pray others will be inspired and want to be part of their vision and work.  www.londoncatholicworker.org/

4/Worthing 4 Refugees are looking for a Trustee for the charity. If interested & for further information please contact Gay Jacklin info@worthing4refugees.org.uk phone 07833 617997

5/  Year of the Jubilee is 2025 Dec 2024 – Dec 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope, this is the link https://cafod.org.uk/news/uk-news/jubilee-icon-blessed One of the issues to be covered will be debt.  Finance companies are raking in huge profits even after debt restructuring, because countries are not getting enough debt relief. Countries in crisis need real debt cancellation and they need it now!

1/ CAFOD-DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal
The conflict in the Middle East is getting worse and the families affected need our help. Please donate today to the CAFOD-DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal and support our local Caritas partners in Gaza and Lebanon as they continue to provide essential food, water and shelter: cafod.org.uk/give

2/ SHOUT Worthing Soup Kitchen would like to thank you at St Mary of the Angels all for your support for the Food Bank at 219 Tarring Road it has been greatly appreciated. We are able to open more often and tackle food waste better in our community.  We are running half of the new premises as a charity shop – that should enable us to raise enough finances to cover the following year’s rent – as the food pantry will not make any money.  St Mary’s have been very generous with weekly donations of food & there’s a box each end of the church with a list of the items required.  Please donate what you can to help the poor & needy in our town.

3/ Parish Projects for 2024 South coast skate club SCSC was set up to help introduce people to the skateboard community in Worthing.  We have worked closely with the council in getting involved with Causes, events and other community groups in the area to promote the positive impact that skateboarding can have on the community and the wellbeing of induvial. Since the start we have always tried to keep the club free from any kind of fee.

4/Worthing 4 Refugees are looking for a Trustee for the charity. If interested & for further information please contact Gay Jacklin info@worthing4refugees.org.uk phone 07833 617997