This months's Parish Priest's News
January 2025
My dear friends,
In Advent the Diocese began a year of Celebration entitled the ‘Year of Faith’.
This marks two particular anniversaries. The first is the opening of Chichester Cathedral in 1075. True our own secondary Patron S Wilfrid brought the faith to Sussex in the 7th Century, but the Diocese was formally born when the centre moved from Selsey to Chichester when the Cathedral was opened.
The second anniversary is the 1700 anniversary of the Council of Nicea in 325 where the Creed we say at Mass was formalised. This Creed is unique in that it is the only one common to what we call ‘The one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church’ of East and West.
Each Deanery is asked to gather at a Service this month to begin this year of Celebration: our service being held at S Peter’s and presided over by Bishop Will: it is at 7pm on Thursday January 30th. I know it is dark and that many of you travel a distance but I do hope everyone who lives locally and feels safe to do so will make the effort to attend—talk to each other and travel together.
The Year of Faith is in tandem with the western Church’s ‘Jubilee Year of Joy’ for we are called to be joyful in faith which will be at the centre of our own parochial year of celebrating our 150th anniversary all of which will come together on the School’s Reflective Boards that will return in Holy Week.
Together with Fr. Andrew, Fr Nick and Fr. Robert I take this opportunity to wish you all health and happiness throughout the year!
With my love and prayers,
Fr. Trevor