Rod Thick

1/ The J&P & SVP groups are having stalls with a letter for parishioners to sign leading up to the General Election, this Sunday. There are three questions that parishioners could sign up to, these have been taken from the briefing received from SVP/CAFOD.  These questions will then be emailed to the candidates for them to reply with their answers.   They could also be used if candidates come to their doors or they could be asked at Hustings if any are arranged locally. The questions are

 

a/ With almost two million people using foodbanks in the UK, the highest number on record, what are your plans to tackle the cost of living crisis in our area and nationally?

 

b/ The UK has slashed its aid budget, turning its back on the fight against global poverty. Will you, if elected, agree to restore the aid budget to 0.7% of national income, as agreed in the International Development Act, and show that we are a country committed to making the world a better place for all?

 

c/ If elected, what steps would you take to ensure businesses are held responsible for their operations, both at home and abroad to ensure workers’ rights are upheld, affected communities are safeguarded and the natural environment is protected?

 

 

2/ Restore Nature Now March Sat 22^nd June London.  Nature Needs You!  Rivers choking on pollution, precious woodlands destroyed, seas overfished & peat bogs burned. Nature in the UK is being assaulted. Last year XRUK created The Big One, where we invited other organisations, charities and groups to demand government action on the climate and ecological nature. On June 22 we return to London, this time, side by side with dozens of organisations and thousands of people from across the country to demand action in a truly co-created action. This March will have added urgency as it comes less than two weeks before polling day.  Pledge to march, find out more information and check out the supporting organisations: http://www.restorenaturenow.com

 

 

 

3/ Refugee Week 17th to 23rd June https://refugeeweek.org.uk/ 

Celebrating Refugee week in Worthing – FACES OF RESILIENCE IN WORTHING 

Join Worthing 4 Refugees for a photography exhibition at Worthing Library, June 8th – June 22nd. These powerful images narrate the stories of local Ukrainian women who escaped the war, embarking on an odyssey from Ukraine to West Sussex. Titled “Faces of Resilience,” this collaborative effort with Worthing 4 Refugees, Adur Ukraine Support, and Community Works honours courage, hope, and the human spirit.

 

 

 

4/ SHOUT (Worthing Soup Kitchen) Donations of food required for the Community Fridge please place items in the boxes at St Mary’s one at the Carpark end & one under the card reader at the east end. Thank you https://www.worthingsoupkitchen.co.uk/

 

 

 

5/ Live Simply Tip of the Week Plastic bags only serve their purpose for an average of 30 minutes before they are thrown away. This leads to huge amounts of plastic waste ending up in our oceans every year. What can you do to help reduce the amount of trash in our environment?
 

 

1/ The J&P & SVP groups are having stall’s with a letter for parishioners to sign leading up to the General Election for this Sunday & the following one. There are three questions that parishioners could sign up to, these have been taken from the briefing received from SVP/CAFOD.  These questions will then be emailed to the candidates for them to reply with their answers.  They could also be used if candidates come to their doors or they could be asked at Hustings if any are arranged locally. The questions are

a/ With almost two million people using foodbanks in the UK, the highest number on record, what are your plans to tackle the cost of living crisis in our area and nationally?

b/ The UK has slashed its aid budget, turning its back on the fight against global poverty. Will you, if elected, agree to restore the aid budget to 0.7% of national income, as agreed in the International Development Act, and show that we are a country committed to making the world a better place for all?

c/ If elected, what steps would you take to ensure businesses are held responsible for their operations, both at home and abroad to ensure workers’ rights are upheld, affected communities are safeguarded and the natural environment is protected?

 

 

2/ SHOUT (Worthing Soup Kitchen) Donations of food required for the Community Fridge please place items in the boxes at St Mary’s one at the Carpark end & one under the card reader at the east end. Thank you https://www.worthingsoupkitchen.co.uk/

 

 

3/ Restore Nature Now March Sat 22^nd June London.  Nature Needs You!  Rivers choking on pollution, precious woodlands destroyed, seas overfished & peat bogs burned. Nature in the UK is being assaulted. Last year XRUK created The Big One, where we invited other organisations, charities and groups to demand government action on the climate and ecological nature. On June 22 we return to London, this time, side by side with dozens of organisations and thousands of people from across the country to demand action in a truly co-created action. This March will have added urgency as it comes less than two weeks before polling day.  Pledge to march, find out more information and check out the supporting organisations: http://www.restorenaturenow.com

 

4/ Refugee Week (17-23 June), we’re linking migrant justice and climate groups to share their stories and amplify the interconnections between our movements.  There are a few different ways you can get involved in this collaboration project: In the lead up, you can start sharing Refugee Week with events & simple acts to your networks and supporters https://refugeeweek.org.uk/

People have always moved, yet as the climate crisis worsens and the impacts on people in marginalised communities become more severe, more people are being forced to leave their homes.

At the same time countries and corporations in the global north profit from the increased militarisation and proliferation of racist border policies. The securitisation of the climate crisis – where border policies are cast as ‘solution’ to the effects of climate breakdown – prevents climate action. It threatens and dehumanises people who move, people who have typically done the least to cause this crisis. Find out more: climatejustice.uk/migrantjustice/

 

5/ LIVE SIMPLY Tip of the Week. Don’t bin or recycle glass jars. Soak them to remove the labels and then fill them with loose ingredients like coffee, tea, pasta or porridge oats.  From Greenpeace

1/ Live Simply Tip of the Week  Get to know your neighbours; they are more likely to keep your home safe than energy-guzzling security lamps.

 

 

 

2/ SHOUT (Worthing Soup Kitchen) Donations of food required for the Community Fridge please place items in the boxes at St Mary’s one at the Carpark end & one under the card reader at the east end. Thank you https://www.worthingsoupkitchen.co.uk/

 

 

 

3/ With a UK general election on 4^th July, politicians will be looking for our votes.

We have a responsibility as Catholics to make sure political parties commit to taking action to tackle poverty and injustice. Raising our voices and contacting parliamentary candidates as a parish community will send a strong signal to those standing for election in our local constituencies.

As Christians, we have a long tradition of being actively involved in the big issues of our time. The lives of many saints show us that the greater their devotion to the Lord, the deeper their commitment to addressing the social problems of their time.

That’s why we must make 2024 a ‘Year of Encounter’ where we use the general election as a special opportunity to speak with those running for election about the key issues that matter to us as people of faith. Such issues as poverty, climate change and injustice.

Further information to follow.

 

 

4/ Restore Nature Now March Sat 22^nd June London  Nature Needs You!  Rivers choking on pollution, precious woodlands destroyed, seas overfished & peat bogs burned. Nature in the UK is being assaulted.

Last year XRUK created The Big One, where we invited other organisations, charities and groups to demand government action on the climate and ecological nature. On June 22 we return to London, this time, side by side with dozens of organisations and thousands of people from across the country to demand action in a truly co-created action. This March will have added urgency as it comes less than two weeks before polling day.

Pledge to march, find out more information and check out the supporting organisations: www.restorenaturenow.com

 

 

 

1/ Live Simply Tip of the Week Buy more consciously—Look for goods that have less packaging. For instance, don’t buy individually wrapped cheese, or individual snack packs. Buy fewer things, but spend more to buy local, or support businesses that pay fair wages

 

2/ SHOUT (Worthing Soup Kitchen) Donations of food required for the Community Fridge please place items in the boxes at St Mary’s one at the Carpark end & one under the card reader at the east end. Thank you  https://www.worthingsoupkitchen.co.uk/

 

3/ With a UK general election on 4^th July, politicians will be looking for our votes.

We have a responsibility as Catholics to make sure political parties commit to taking action to tackle poverty and injustice. Raising our voices and contacting parliamentary candidates as a parish community will send a strong signal to those standing for election in our local constituencies.

As Christians, we have a long tradition of being actively involved in the big issues of our time. The lives of many saints show us that the greater their devotion to the Lord, the deeper their commitment to addressing the social problems of their time.

That’s why we must make 2024 a ‘Year of Encounter’ where we use the general election as a special opportunity to speak with those running for election about the key issues that matter to us as people of faith. Such issues as poverty, climate change and injustice.

Further information to follow.

 

 

1/ Christian Aid Week a 2nd collection will take place after Masses this weekend.  Please add your donation to the envelope & fill in the Gift Aid section if a tax payer.  Thank you

 

 

2/ Live Simply Tip of the Week Buy less stuff—Before purchasing something new, ask yourself, “Do I need this? Does this bring me joy?” Have clothes, shoes, and other items repaired rather than throwing them out.

 

3/ Refugees and Asylum Seekers For many years local refugees and asylum seekers have sought English lessons, few of them are easy access (no registration required) or are for those with little or no English or can cater for different levels of English.  Many refugees and asylum seekers face significant barriers to joining classes (difficult time/place/childcare needs/wrong level etc.), Worthing 4 Refugees’ response has been to provide very successful one to one teaching in their home.  Worthing 4 Refugees are launching a pilot of new easy-access English classes.  Starting on May 1st,  It will not stop during the school holidays, so it may particularly be useful during late July and August. It is also open to non-refugees/asylum seekers for a small charge (£1.50 per class); it’s FREE for refugees and asylum seekers.  worthing4refugees.org.uk/   https://mcusercontent.com/f2d882b822585a73ec281fb6a/files/0f4d2ad6-01f0-7312-3117-096121e47cf7/W4R_English_Classes_Flyers.pdf

 

 

4/ CAFOD Easter Walk Thanks to everyone who took part in the walk, so far we’ve raised approx. £600 including gift aid. Please could other’s who did the walk please let the Justice & Peace group know how much they raised.

 

5/ Legacy Event Join Diana Trimino who leads CAFOD’s work in Latin America to explore the power of leaving a gift in your Will to make a lasting impact in the world, at St Peter’s Church, Shoreham-by-Sea, on Thu 27 June 10:30am to 12:30pm.  To find out more and to book your place please go to cafod.org.uk/legacyevent

 

 

 

 

 

1/ Live Simply Tip of the Week  Make your Sunday lunch planet-friendly, by choosing local, seasonal ingredients to roast, and ditching the meat. Even better, make the most of your oven’s energy by filling it up. Cook a pudding. Or roast extra veggies, like butternut squash, to add to pasta or risotto later in the week. Provided by Friends of the Earth  http://www.foe.co.uk

 

2/ Refugees and Asylum Seekers For many years local refugees and asylum seekers have sought English lessons, and while there are ESOL providers locally, few of them are easy access (no registration required) or are for those with little or no English or can cater for different levels of English.  Many refugees and asylum seekers face significant barriers to joining classes (difficult time/place/childcare needs/wrong level etc.), Worthing 4 Refugees’ response has been to provide very successful one to one teaching in their home.

Worthing 4 Refugees are launching a pilot of new easy-access English classes.  Starting on May 1st, please find a link to the flyer with all the information on. It will not stop during the school holidays, so it may particularly be useful during late July and August.

It is also open to non-refugees/asylum seekers for a small charge (£1.50 per class); it’s FREE for refugees and asylum seekers.

https://mcusercontent.com/f2d882b822585a73ec281fb6a/files/0f4d2ad6-01f0-7312-3117-096121e47cf7/W4R_English_Classes_Flyers.pdf

 

3/ Christian Aid 2nd Collection – Next Sun 19th May a 2nd collection for Christian Aid Week will take place after all Masses

 

4/ CAFOD Year of Prayer Webinars: During this Year of Prayer, we will be offering some webinars exploring different ways of praying. We start with Imaginative Contemplation led by Stephen Hoyland of The Jesuits in Britain on Tuesday 28 May from 7-8pm. https://cafod.org.uk/pray/year-of-prayer/year-of-prayer-webinars

 

 

 

1/ Live Simply Tip of the Week Fit more active travel into your day and daily routine As the weather warms up, it’s worth considering what journeys can be made by walking or cycling. Could you get off a stop early to walk the rest of your journey, take a relaxing stroll home, or hop on a bike and enjoy a cycle friendly route? If you prefer exploring outdoors on foot, find out if there’s a local Ramblers group.

 

 

2/ Refugees and Asylum Seekers For many years local refugees and asylum seekers have sought English lessons, and while there are ESOL providers locally, few of them are easy access (no registration required) or are for those with little or no English or can cater for different levels of English.  Many refugees and asylum seekers face significant barriers to joining classes (difficult time/place/childcare needs/wrong level etc.), Worthing 4 Refugees’ response has been to provide very successful one to one teaching in their home.

Worthing 4 Refugees are launching a pilot of new easy-access English classes.  Starting on May 1st, please find a link to the flyer with all the information on. It will not stop during the school holidays, so it may particularly be useful during late July and August.

It is also open to non-refugees/asylum seekers for a small charge (£1.50 per class); it’s FREE for refugees and asylum seekers.

https://mcusercontent.com/f2d882b822585a73ec281fb6a/files/0f4d2ad6-01f0-7312-3117-096121e47cf7/W4R_English_Classes_Flyers.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

3/ CREW AGM and Open day! Why not join us for our AGM and open day on Saturday, May 11, 2 – 4:30pm. CREW is two years old now and we thought it would be a great idea to invite those interested in what we do, along with our volunteers and members for an informal chat over tea and cake. This will be followed by a short AGM (Annual General Meeting) at 4pm open to the general public to hear about our achievements, current projects and future plans and ideas.  worthingcrew.co.uk/  8/9 South Street. Worthing. West Sussex. BN11 3ALWalking Pilgrimage for Young Adults, 25 May, 9.30am-4.30pm, Hailsham BN27 3JG. Starting at St Wilfrid’s Church, Hailsham and visiting St Pancras, Arlington, and Michelham Priory. Please bring a packed lunch and wear suitable clothes and footwear. For more information, contact Gary O’Brien by email here.6/ Legacy Event Join Diana Trimino who leads CAFOD’s work in Latin America to explore the power of leaving a gift in your Will to make a lasting impact in the world, at St Peter’s Church, Shoreham-by-Sea, on Thu 27 June 10:30am to 12:30pm.  To find out more and to book your place please go to cafod.org.uk/legacyevent.

 

4/ The United Nations Development Goals –  The United Nations Development Goals – The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.  https://sdgs.un.org/goals

,

 

 

5/ Legacy Event Join Diana Trimino who leads CAFOD’s work in Latin America to explore the power of leaving a gift in your Will to make a lasting impact in the world, at St Peter’s Church, Shoreham-by-Sea, on Thu 27 June 10:30am to 12:30pm.  To find out more and to book your place please go to cafod.org.uk/legacyevent.

 

6/ CREW AGM and Open day! Why not join us for our AGM and open day on Saturday, May 11, 2 – 4:30pm. CREW is two years old now and we thought it would be a great idea to invite those interested in what we do, along with our volunteers and members for an informal chat over tea and cake. This will be followed by a short AGM (Annual General Meeting) at 4pm open to the general public to hear about our achievements, current projects and future plans and ideas.  worthingcrew.co.uk/  8/9 South Street. Worthing. BN11 3AL

 

1/ Live Simply Tip of the Week  No Mow May For those of you with lawns this is a national campaign to encourage people not to mow their lawns until the end of May in order to boost the flowers, and nectar, available to pollinating insects such as bees, butterflies and moths. We’re approaching May very quickly!

2/ National Justice & Peace Network Conference Swanwick, Derbyshire from 19- 21July 2024. The theme for the weekend is ‘Just Politics’ and the aim to explore the need for truth and integrity in public life.  Here’s the information if anyone wants to book a place www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/conference/

 

 

3/ Fairtrade Gold is more than just gold, it’s gold with heart. That means we care about the miners who mine this most precious mineral for your gold jewellery as well as the environment surrounding the mines they work in. Fairtrade gold are available from over 300

jewellers. www.fairtrade.org.uk/farmers-and-workers/gold/

 

4/ A dangerously hot election in India The sheer scale of India’s election is mind-boggling. Kicking off last Friday, about 1 billion people will come out to vote over the next six weeks. Globally, this is the biggest ever year for elections, and they could have a huge impact on global climate action. But in India, the immediate concern is what impact heatwaves driven by climate change could have on the voting process.

 

5/ CREW – Worthing Climate Centre is two years old now and we thought it would be a great idea to invite those interested in what we do, along with our volunteers and members for an informal chat over tea and cake. This will be followed by a short AGM (Annual General Meeting) at 4pm open to the general public to hear about our achievements, current projects and future plans and ideas. worthingcrew.co.uk/  8/9 South Street. Worthing. West Sussex. BN11 3AL

6/ A dangerously hot election in India The sheer scale of India’s election is mind-boggling. Kicking off last Friday, about 1 billion people will come out to vote over the next six weeks. Globally, this is the biggest ever year for elections, and they could have a huge impact on global climate action. But in India, the immediate concern is what impact heatwaves driven by climate change could have on the voting process.

7/ Legacy Event Join Diana Trimino who leads CAFOD’s work in Latin America to explore the power of leaving a gift in your Will to make a lasting impact in the world, at St Peter’s Church, Shoreham-by-Sea, on Thu 27 June 10:30am to 12:30pm.  To find out more and to book your place please go to cafod.org.uk/legacyevent.

 

 

 

 

 

1/ St Faustina Community Health Centre in Uganda.  Our churches have supported the Centre for several years now. Providing much needed equipment for the Centre and for projects to help school children & groups in the community. Our J&P Group have liaised with Fr Sylvester, Head of the Centre, and responded to their requests for help by organising collections and transportation of goods which our parishioners have so generously donated, and which has been of great help in enabling the Centre to meet the needs of the local community.

There’s a display of photos received from Fr Sylvester showing how our support has been put to such good use. You can view the display in the main entrance of St. Mary’s church, and in Holy Family church.

If you would like to contribute to the work of St Faustina on a regular basis, or with a one-off donation, please go to their website: stfaustinamedicalcenter.com/

 

2/ From Care For Calais who we have supported in the past. “Wet weather, and a constant wave of police evictions every 48 hours, means more and more people in Calais are being forced to live in dangerous conditions. This week we met people living on the banks of railway bridges, sleeping on concrete foot passages, and some living next to the crash barrier with vehicles travelling at 130 kmph (80mph) right next to them”.
3/ Live Simply Tip of the Week  No Mow May For those of you with lawns this is a national campaign to encourage people not to mow their lawns until the end of May in order to boost the flowers, and nectar, available to pollinating insects such as bees, butterflies and moths. We’re approaching May very quickly!

 

4/ The Santa Marta Group A group that was highlighted at the A&B Assembly earlier this year is an anti-trafficking charity that aims to act as a catalyst for law enforcement, civil society and the Church to work together to combat this global crime. The alliance was launched in 2014, supported by Pope Francis and named after his residence santamartagroup.org/

 

1/ For those who have signed up for the CAFOD Easter walk we will be meeting at Worthing Pier next Sat 20th at 10am and walking towards Shoreham, you can go as far as you feel able.  Sponsor forms and information about the Walk are still available at both churches.  Please take a sponsor form or sign or create a Just Giving Page at https://walk.cafod.org.uk/sign-up. Anyone & any age would be welcome to join us whether you are being sponsored or not.’

 

2/ St Faustina Community Health Centre in Uganda.  Our churches have supported the Centre for several years now. providing much needed equipment for the Centre and for projects to help school children & groups in the community. Our J&P Group have liaised with Fr Sylvester, Head of the Centre, and responded to their requests for help by organising collections and transportation of goods which our parishioners have so generously donated, and which has been of great help in enabling the Centre to meet the needs of the local community.

There’s a display of photos received from Fr Sylvester showing how our support has been put to such good use. You can view the display in the main entrance of St. Mary’s church, and in Holy Family church.

If you would like to contribute to the work of St Faustina on a regular basis, or with a one-off donation, please go to their website:  stfaustinamedicalcenter.com/

 

 

3/ Live Simply Tip of the Week   Make your own compost. Shop-bought costs over £4.00 for 20 litres. A heap in your back garden is absolutely free.

 

4/  Lifecentre Chichester is a charity that offers support to people who have had an unwanted sexual experience, such as through trauma-informed therapy, listening ear, and safe environment. It also provides resources, fundraising, and church support for survivors and their communities.  They were involved with the J&P Assembly earlier this year . If anyone knows of anyone in need of their services the web address is https://lifecentre.uk.com