1/ The Columban Missionaries in Britain are inviting students aged 13 – 18 to enter the 2026 Schools Media Competition, exploring the theme: “Becoming a refugee is never a choice. But how we respond is” Closing date 14th Feb Columbans launch Schools Competition 2026 – Columban Missionaries
2/ Worthing Area Justice & Peace Group invites you to a morning of Living Simply and Bringing Hope to All. Sat January 31st 10am to 1pm St Peter’s Church, West Street, Shoreham-by-Sea. BN43 5WG. To book a place please contact Ashley ajralston37@gmail.com
3/ Holocaust Memorial Day 27th January The theme for this year is ‘Bridging Generations’, it’s a call-to-action. A reminder that the responsibility of remembrance doesn’t end with the survivors – it lives on through their children, their grandchildren and through all of us. This theme encourages us all to engage actively with the past – to listen, to learn and to carry those lessons forward. By doing so, we build a bridge between memory and action, between history and hope for the future. Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | Bridging Generations: Theme for 2026
4/ 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.
5/ Peace Sunday will be held this Sunday 18th January. The Bishops’ Conference encourage us all the use the day to reflect on the Pope’s message for the World Day of Peace on the 1st January.
Pope Leo has said that the theme for his message which will be ‘Peace be with you all: towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace’.
Pax Christi promote Peace Sunday with the support of the Bishop’s Conference and have produced a number of resources to help us reflect including a liturgy and activities for children. You can download these from the Peace Sunday 2026 page on their website www.paxchristi.org.uk On Peace Sunday, we will be taking a collection to support Pax Christi’s work which includes promoting nonviolence as a way of resolving conflict, advocacy and campaigning for peace and peace education in schools. If you are unable to give on the day then you can also donate via their website www.paxchristi.org.uk/product-category/peace-sunday-appeal/ or scan the QR code in the newsletter.
Please take time to visit the display in the Lady Chapel on the 18th January. There will be quotes from Pope Leo’s Message on the board, prayer cards and other resources to take, including Pax Christi’s Newsletter & White Peace Poppies also available to help us promote Peace in our world
6/ CAFOD is inviting parishes across our Diocese to join their “Big Lent Walk” fundraising challenge, walking 200km during the 40 days of Lent and bringing the gift of clean water to our brothers and sisters like Mortikana, aged 70, from southern Ethiopia. www.walk.cafod.org.uk