Regrettably the St Mary of the Angels Hall and the Parish Rooms are no longer available for hire. If you have any questions please contact the parish priest.
News
Important Guidance for the General Election 4th July
The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has produced a resource to help us to seek answers from all local candidates in the General Election to key questions of concern. As they put it, now is the time to get involved and speak out. Please see www.cbcew.org.uk/election24/ for more information. But before you do there is a difficult choice for Catholics, particularly when a change of government may lead to reduced rights of the unborn child, or an increased risk of euthanasia, both issues that Catholics are rightly concerned about. If you feel that no party represents you there are two single issue pro-life candidates in both Worthing constituencies: Kathryn Alexandra Attwood in Worthing West and Ivana Foreman in East Worthing and Shoreham. Both are standing for “Vote Life”. For more information see https://votelife.co.uk/.
Diocesan Pastoral Plan – Worthing Deanery
Fr Father Terry: As you know, our diocese is gradually moving to a system of moderated parishes. For us, this means that the different communities which currently form the Worthing Deanery will canonically become a single parish. At present, the deanery consists of the parishes of Worthing and Lancing, Adur Valley, East Preston, Goring, High Salvington, and Littlehampton and Rustington. The bishop will meet with clergy and laity in the new year to consider, with us, the implications involved in all of this. At first, the individual parish priests in each of the parishes will retain their status and role and will be supported and encouraged in their ministry by the moderator, who has a responsibility to foster communion and unity across the new look parish. In time, of course, when parish priests retire or die, the situation, in each case, will need to be considered and, where necessary, appropriate changes made. It is the role of the moderator,
working with the people and clergy of the various communities (and, of course, with the bishop), to oversee and minister that process. Thus, a moderated parish needs a moderator and Bishop Richard has appointed me as moderator for this area. I am excited about this invitation and opportunity. In time, there will be a formal induction of the moderator to set this new model in motion. Please pray for me and for the various communities that will, in due course, make up the moderated parish. There will be lots of opportunities to discuss this face-to-face when I return to the parish in mid September. On another note, I look forward to being with you all on 29th June to celebrate my Silver Jubilee of ordination.
Holy Family Building Projects: An Update
We are currently in the process of seeking and evaluating quotations for the replacement of our old hall. Before we can gain diocesan permission to proceed with such a major project, we have first to ensure that Holy Family church is itself in good repair in accordance with our most recent quinquennial survey. These tasks are in hand and we will inform parishioners as progress is made. Please bear with us!
St Mary of the Angels Car Park Entrance Doors
The decision to keep the car park doors closed except for during Mass is one of necessity for security. The doors have suffered badly from the weather, to the point where they will not now open or close unless both doors are opened or closed simultaneously. As the car park doors are a designated fire exit, they are opened whilst there is a service in the church. They are opened about ten minutes prior to the commencement of the service, and closed soon after when the bulk of the congregation has left the church. We would suggest that people time their arrival at the church for ten minutes or so before Mass starts and they will then be able to access the church through the car park doors.
Closing the doors is not intended to keep people out, or make access or egress difficult, but to extend the useful life of the doors for as long as possible. The church is a Grade II listed building and any remedial work, or any proposed alterations, needed to the structure have to be approved by the Historic Churches Committee (HCC). To that effect, an application detailing the repairs or alterations has to be submitted to them, supported by necessary documentation, costings, measurements etc., and evidence of Diocesan approval, for their consideration and approval. Once the application has been received by the HCC it is circulated and a notice displayed publicly, for a period of 28 days to allow for any comments or objections to be lodged. In the event that the work is external to the building, additionally a Press Notice has to be inserted in the local paper inviting comment or objection within 28 days. After the 28-day period the matter is considered by
the HCC who may approve (or reject) the application and grant (or refuse) a Faculty allowing the work to be carried out.
The doors have deteriorated to the point that they are badly in need of replacement. A quote was obtained last July, valid for 90 days, for the manufacture and installation of the replacement doors. However, the Diocese insisted on receiving a copy of the current Quinquennial Report detailing the condition of the church (to include the state of the car park doors) prior to agreeing to the proposed replacement and thereby allowing us to submit an application. This agreement has now been received and an application has been submitted to the HCC. We are now in the mandatory 28-day period awaiting public comment. Once that period has passed and, hopefully, HCC approval is given, we can proceed. However, we will then need to seek a revised quote, which we trust will be acceptable to the Diocese. Then the work can begin. The construction and installation of the doors will probably take six or seven weeks after approval of the revised quote.
A Thank-you from Fr Terry
I am still somewhat astounded by the whole experience of last Sunday’s farewell! The lovely liturgy and the festive party were such happy events. To see so many of you sharing in the start of my sabbatical in this particular way was incredibly touching and humbling. The celebrations were a thoughtful and imaginative gesture, and I am deeply moved by your kindness. I want to say a gigantic thank you to all those who worked so hard to successfully
organise everything (including all that wonderfully delicious food!).
Thank you too, so very much, for the many cards, gifts, prayers, best wishes and – not least – the immensely generous offering.
Be assured my ongoing prayers for you all. Please remember to pray for me. God bless, Fr Terry.
Fr Terry: A Sabbatical
After conversations with Bishop Richard, it has been agreed that I will take a year’s sabbatical. Following that time away, God willing, I will return to Worthing & Lancing as Parish Priest. I have been in public ministry for thirty-five years and will celebrate my silver jubilee of priestly ordination next year. I value this sabbatical opportunity as a time to pray, study, read, rest, and walk the dogs. As is sometimes said, it’s a chance to press the ‘reset’ button!
An excellent priest is coming to be with you while I am away. Fr David Osborne will be joining you, as a member of our parish family, from Wednesday 20th September. Fr David has been assigned to the parish for the whole year, and he will offer you first-rate liturgical and pastoral care. He is a priest for whom I personally have great respect and admiration. I have already made arrangements for supply priests to cover the first weeks of September, until Fr David arrives. I am grateful to them for their generosity. Thus, on Monday 4th September, my sabbatical will begin.
We remain united in Jesus Christ and in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Oremus pro invicem: Let us pray for one another.