Wednesday 16th April, 18.00, Arundel Cathedral.  People from across our diocesan family of faith are invited to join Bishop Richard and members of clergy at the annual Chrism Mass – one of the most beautiful Masses of the Church’s year. It is during this Mass that the new oils of ‘Chrism,’ ‘Catechumens,’ and ‘Infirmorum’ are blessed for use in the sacraments throughout the diocese for the next year. These same oils will be received into the Sacred Heart at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (20.30 on Thursday 17th April).

Our local Christian communities will be holding their annual act of witness around the Cross in the pedestrian precinct between the Holly Hedge car park and the High Street on Good Friday (18th April) and invite ALL to stop if only for a few minutes between 09.30 and 11.30.

JUBILEE YEAR PILGRIMAGE TO ROME - 5 - 10 November (Cost £1,220 inc. travel, accommodation & half board; single supp. £188). Join two of our diocesan priests Fr Gus Campanello & Fr Nick Harden on pilgrimage to Rome. To find out more and book:-  sarah@tangney-tours.com or  01732 886666

TERMINALLY ILL ADULTS (END OF LIFE) BILL My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I wish to speak with you today about the process in which our Parliament is currently considering legalising assisted suicide through the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. As I have made clear earlier in this debate, as Catholics we have maintained a principled objection to this change in law recognising that every human life is sacred, coming as a gift of God and bearing a God-given dignity. We are, therefore, clearly opposed to this Bill in principle, elevating, as it does, the autonomy of the individual above all other considerations. The passage of the Bill through Parliament will lead to a vote in late April on whether it progresses further. This will be a crucial moment and I, together with all the Bishops of England and Wales, am writing to ask your support in urging your MP to vote against this Bill at that time. There are serious reasons for doing so. At this point we wish not simply to restate our objections in principle, but to emphasise the deeply flawed process undergone in Parliament thus far. We wish to remind you that it is a fundamental duty of every MP to ensure that legislation is not imposed on our society which has not been properly scrutinised and which will bring about damaging consequences. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will fundamentally change many of the key relationships in our way of life: within the family, between doctor and patient, within the health service. Yet there has been no Royal Commission or independent inquiry ahead of its presentation. It is a Private Member’s Bill. The Bill itself is long and complex and was published just days before MPs voted on it, giving them inadequate time to consult or reflect upon it. The time for debate was minimal. The Committee examining the Bill took only three days of evidence: not all voices were heard, and it comprises an undue number of supporters of the Bill. In short, this is no way to legislate on such an important and morally complex issue. One consequence of this flawed process is that many vital questions remain unanswered. Can MPs guarantee that the scope of the Bill will not be extended? In almost every country where assisted suicide has been introduced the current scope is wider than was originally intended. What role, if any, will the judiciary have in the process? We were told that judicial oversight was a necessary and vital part of the process; now we are told it isn’t needed at all. What will protect the vulnerable from coercion, or from feeling a burden on family? Can the National Health Service cope with assisted suicide or will it, as the Health Secretary has warned, cause cuts elsewhere in the NHS? Can MPs guarantee that no medical practitioner or care worker would be compelled to take part in assisted suicide? Would this mean the establishment of a ‘national death service’? In contrast to the provisions of this Bill, what is needed is first-class, compassionate palliative care at the end of our lives. This is already provided to many in our society but, tragically, is in short supply and underfunded. No-one should be dispatched as a burden to others. Instead, a good society would prioritise care for the elderly, the vulnerable, and the weak. The lives of our families are richer for cherishing their presence. It is a sad reflection on Parliament’s priorities that the House of Commons spent far more time debating the ban on fox hunting than it is spending debating bringing in assisted suicide. I am sure that you will share these concerns. It is now clear that this measure is being rushed without proper scrutiny and without fundamental questions surrounding safeguards being answered. This is a deeply flawed Bill with untold unintended consequences. Every MP, and Government, has a solemn duty to prevent such legislation reaching the statute book. This, tragically, is what may happen. So I appeal to you: even if you have written before, please make contact now with your MP and ask them to vote against this Bill not only on grounds of principle but because of the failure of Parliament to approach this issue in an adequate and responsible manner. In his Letter to the Philippians, from which we heard in the Second Reading, St Paul reflects on the difficulties and responsibilities of life. He speaks of ‘pressing on’ and ‘striving’ for the fulness of life promised in Christ Jesus. Yet he is totally confident in his struggles because, as he says, ‘Christ Jesus has made me his own.’ We too have many struggles. We too know that Christ Jesus has made us his own. So we too press on with this struggle, so important in our times.  May God bless you all, +Richard Bishop of Arundel & Brighton

This will take place from 10th - 18th March 2025 at St Joseph’s Church, Maidenhead. Every year, the Mill Hill Missionaries prepare for the Feast of St Joseph, their Society Patron, with a special Novena of Masses and prayers to ask for God’s blessing on the Society’s missionary outreach, and for the intentions of all those who support their work. If you are able, and it is possible to attend, Masses are at 10.00am every day of the Novena, except Sunday, when it is 11.00am. These Masses will be available to follow on Zoom via the Mill Hill website: www.millhillmissionaries.com/novena

• 25-31 July (by air) • 24 July-1 August (by coach/Jumbulance) Our pilgrimage to Lourdes is one of the most significant pastoral events in our annual Diocesan calendar. Pope Francis has declared 2025 is a Jubilee year, the Lourdes theme is ‘With Mary, Pilgrims of Hope’. We are invited to set out on our pilgrimage journey with our Lady and St Bernadette, in the ‘hope born of grace, which enables us to live in Christ and to overcome sin, fear and death.’ (Pope Francis, Spes non Confundit 2025) Lourdes is a place of renewal, a place where our relationship with Christ is deepened. Unlike tourists, visiting a popular attraction, we are pilgrims, making the journey together and staying together, entering a space in which we can be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in ways that, perhaps, we would never have thought possible before. A priority for our pilgrimage is that we support the sick and vulnerable to travel and experience Lourdes alongside us, for this purpose we need others to volunteer their time and skills every day in Lourdes. Because of this, the allocation of transport and accommodation puts the assisted pilgrims and their supporters as a priority. Travel is inevitably a challenge when planning a pilgrimage. The flights and coach bookings that are available to us will vary in time and location. Our first Mass, with the opening ceremony, is held on Saturday to ensure all are all together in our first celebration of Mass in Lourdes. More Information and Bookings: www.abdiocese.org.uk/lourdes/home

CHURCHES TOGETHER, COBHAM - invites you to the Bible Society’s “Bible Course” this autumn, running from September 26/27 for 8 weeks. The course takes participants through the books of the Old and New Testaments, explaining how they fit together and a bit about their content. The course is designed around a series of videos and a participant’s book, and is free of charge. Day time meetings will take place at St Mary’s Hall, Stoke D’Abernon at 14.00 on Thursdays from September 26 th . Evening meetings will be held at the Cobham United Church at 20.00 from September 27th . To sign up to take part in the course email: paul.fisher@abdiocese.org.uk Indicating the names of the attendees, and whether you wish to attend the evening sessions or afternoon sessions.

Illuminate your life in Christ with ‘Lighthouse’ 12th October 14.00 at St Joseph’s Church, Epsom. Lighthouse is an afternoon of renewal for the Arundel and Brighton Diocese brought to you from the Charismatic Diocesan Service of Communion (CDSC) team. The theme is ‘These are the signs that will be associated with believers’ (Mark 16:17) and during the afternoon we will explore faith and signs with talks from excellent speakers, worship together, receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, be inspired by excellent teaching, be immersed in the Holy Spirit, receive prayer ministry from our experienced and gifted prayer ministry team, and meet friends both old and new. Doors open 13.30 and the afternoon will culminate with the 17.30 evening Mass.

MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARIES MASS - 12th October, 11.30, Arundel Cathedral. Are you celebrating an anniversary with a particular significance for you this year? Bishop Richard will celebrate Mass at 11.30 followed by a small drinks reception. Please join us for a wonderful opportunity to renew your wedding vows and revel in the joy that marriage can bring. Family and friends are very welcome. The venue is wheelchair friendly with a number of disabled parking spaces. To register (essential):  www.abdiocese.churchsuite.com/events/tha4tc8y?