The Open Day is on Wednesday January 21st, 2009 - The School is especially keen to meet parents with children whose birthdays fall between Sept. 2004 and Aug. 2005 and who will be starting school in Sept. 2009. Please telephone for an appointment - 01323-726004

Ash Wednesday is February 25th. Easter Sunday is April 12th

On Thursday 8th January 2009, 7:30-9pm at St Thomas a Becket Infant School: an opportunity to meet up with everyone again, or for the first time if you have not been before. There is no obligation to get involved in anything further, should you not wish to. Should you be interested, though, several people are considering getting involved in a small prayer group. We will offer suggestions and guid- ance on how these might work. In the meantime, if you have any queries please feel free to speak to any of the team - Anne, Philip and Margo (St Gregory's), Fr Barry, Graham, Virginia and Angela (Christ the King), Alan (OLR), David (DABCEC), Ita and Anna (St Joachim's) and Cheryl (St Ag- nes).

The numbers of people who showed interest in the proposed weekend next September were insufficient to confirm the provisional booking. So this year, and in future years as we have to book a weekend at least 2 years ahead, we will probably try something different instead. Watch this space for more news in 2009. For now, thank you to all who have supported and helped with these weekends over the last eleven years.

Fr. Barry has mentioned this new resource made available on the Internet by the Bible Society at www.biblesociety.org.uk/lectio

From this weekend, our parishes web site will have this material online for each week, to be found on “This Week’s Readings” web page. Take a look - they really are worth the time. Let me know what you think by emailing me at tcrooks@mac.com

History
Lectio divina dates back to the early Church Fathers around 300 AD. The four steps were first recorded by a monk, Guigo Cartujo, in 1173. These steps Lectio (Reading), Meditatio (Meditation), Oratio (Prayer) and Contemplatio (Contemplation) remain central today although methods differ.

Overview
In essence lectio divina is a simple way to meet with the Lord through reflection and prayer based on Holy Scripture. It is not a study method. Background knowledge can be helpful but is not essential.
Used in groups a structure is necessary but for individuals the steps need not be followed rigidly. Our aim is meeting God, not just completing the steps themselves. So when the Lord impresses something on us we need to stop and wait. We can always come back to the steps another time. We don’t want to lose what God is saying to us.

LECTIO – READING
Reading the Scripture passage humbly and prayerfully is the foundation for everything else that follows and cannot be rushed. So begin with a prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to ‘lead you into all the truth’ (John 16:13).

MEDITATIO – MEDITATION
Meditation deepens our appreciation of the passage and helps us to explore its riches. We read in 2 Timothy 3:16 that ‘All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instructions for right living…’ So approach Scripture in faith expecting God to speak to you. He may reveal something of himself to you. He might highlight an attitude or behaviour of yours that needs to change. He might show you a promise to encourage and strengthen you.

ORATIO – PRAYER
Prayer opens up a conversation between God and us. In the Psalms we see how the writers pour out their feelings to God, often mixing hopes and fears side by side. God values our honesty. We can’t hide anything from him anyway. Using the words of the responsorial psalm can help us but we can also use our own words to have a heart-to-heart conversation with a very special friend.
Through prayer we make our response to the light God’s Word has shed on how we are living our lives. Now we can bring what is happening in our own life and in our community before God. We speak and listen, listen and reflect – it is a conversation with God.

CONTEMPLATIO – CONTEMPLATION:
To help us interpret the Gospel reading the Liturgy provides two further Scripture readings. Refl ecting on these can both enrich our understanding of the text and bring into focus a response we may need to make to the Lord.
Contemplation gives us the opportunity for an intimate time of communion with God. Be still before God and invite him in. Few words, if any, are necessary here. Enjoy time in his presence. Just be with him and let him love you. Let him refresh your soul.

Review
After you have finished your time of reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation you may want to jot down in a notebook any experiences or thoughts that particularly impressed you. You may find it helpful to look back at these later.

'Walk with Me' is a weekly series for Advent 2008, introduced by the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham and featuring music from Joanne Boyce and Mike Stanley of CJM Music. These eight podcasts, one for each of seven weeks from Advent through to Jesus' baptism along with an introduction, are designed to help people pray through Advent and Christmastime. They are free of charge and can be used alongside the 'Walk with Me' journey of prayer booklets for Advent 2008, which are published and available from Alive Publishing www.alivepublishing.co.uk telephone: 01782 745 600, or as a stand alone pause for prayer and reflection in this busy time of the year.

Each weekly podcast is intended to create a space for contemplation and prayer. Using Scripture, music and reflection, themes from the Sunday scripture are developed alongside the teaching given by Pope Benedict during World Youth Day earlier in the year. They also draw heavily on a Christmas retreat given by Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger back in 1977, whose style and the pattern of thought are very much the same as those of the Pope.

Archbishop Vincent said: "In choosing the overall theme of 'Building a house for the Lord' we introduce each week a consideration of the tasks which face us, we must be preparing ourselves and our world for the coming of Christ, that new creation that is seen is his resurrection from the dead."

To download the podcasts visit: www.cjmmusic.co.uk/liturgy/walkwithme

Once again with Christmas approaching and the arrival of Christmas cards, may I renew my appeal for used stamps for Leukaemia Research. Your response to this appeal in the past and through the year has been magnificent so please keep them coming. Thanking you, Veronica Dolan.

St Thomas a Becket Junior School PTA invite Parents/ friends / relatives and Parishoners to their annual Christmas Fair, taking place on Wednesday 10th Decemeber from 3pm. The children always enjoy seeing friendly faces from the parish! Stalls - 2nd hand books, cakes, tombola and plenty of children’s activities. Donations for the Fair are extremely welcome. If you would like to donate tombola items or cakes, please bring it to the Junior School Office on or before the 10th December. Thank you.

Congratulation to the Junior School on an OfSted inspection that reported that it was a 'Good' school with some 'Outstanding' features.

The letter to the children at the school says;

Dear Children

Inspection of St Thomas A Becket Junior School, Eastbourne BN22 8XT

I am writing to tell you how much I enjoyed my visit to your school. Thank you for being so friendly and helping with the inspection. Your views are important, as you are the school's customers. You said your school is a good one and I agree. Here are some good things about your school:

• You make good progress and reach excellent standards in reading and good standards in writing, mathematics and science by Year 6.
• Your behaviour is excellent and you are a credit to your school. This helps to make your school a happy one.
• You have some great opportunities for art, design and technology, and sport.
• You have a really good understanding of the different people who live in Britain today.
• All adults take superb care of you and ensure that you are safe.
• Your headteacher, teachers and school governors are working hard to make the school even better.

This is what I am asking the school to do:

• For those of you who find writing difficult, make sure your work is not too hard and you have more chances to practise important skills such as spelling.
• Help teachers in charge of subjects to be more involved in checking how well you are learning.

I hope you will continue to enjoy school and continue to try hard in all you do.

Best wishes

Eileen Chadwick Lead inspector

You can download and read the full 9 page report here

Advent lunches to support the work of CAFOD will begin on Friday, December 5th after the 12pm Mass at Christ the King.

We have been asked to look after the Sunday, November 23rd, 5pm service in the chapel at Eastbourne District General Hospital. If you would like to come along, please be there by about 4:30pm. If you have a car you may collect a free parking pass from me.

CAFOD have launched a £1 million appeal to help the people of Eastern Congo, where 250,000 people are homeless, thousands are living in makeshift camps, and there is a desperate need for the essentials to maintain life. CAFOD is working with Four Caritas church agencies in the Congo to get aid out quickly. We realise you have only recently given to Harvest Fast Day, but we hope that, once again, you will respond generously to the people who so urgently need help, and that you will keep them in your prayers. A retiring collection will be taken at all Masses next Sunday weekend 22nd/23rd November. Thank you.

At present, we have 49 retired priests cared for by the Diocese. They have each given many decades of service to the people in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. We want to help our retired priests live independent lives for as long as possible. So the Diocese provides accommodation and pastoral care. Although a priest "retires" from parish duties he is still in ministry and may, if he wishes, assist parishes with his services. As time goes on a retired priest, like any other aged person, may require more and more assistance to continue living at home. The Diocese ensures he receives all necessary personal care. Eventually he may need to move to a residential or nursing home. The Diocese helps locate suitable accommodation. Caring for the elderly, we all know, is costly but is something we do not want to skimp on. In 2007, the Diocese spent £272,000 on our retired priests. So please help by giving generously to the Retired Priests collection this weekend. Your donation can also be Gift Aided and the tax rebate benefits your parish. With grateful thanks.

St. Richard’s Catholic College warmly invite all staff in their feeder schools, and Catholic teacher’s in our parishes, to a Mass on Tuesday, November 4th at 7pm to be held at the College. Refreshments after Mass give you a chance to meet with colleagues in Eastbourne & St. Leonards deanery schools. Further details, and to register, contact the Chaplain, Angela Brennan, at the college - chaplain@st-richards.e-sussex.sch.uk

A series of five evening meetings being held during November and December at St Thomas a Becket Infant School with the object of exploring and developing our faith. Please take a leaflet at the back of the Church and sign up.

Faith schools, especially Catholic schools, come in for a lot of comment these days on rules of admission, what they teach, how they teach and more.

If you've a child at the Junior School you will already know that it has had an OfSted inspection this week. Watch out for the results when they are published.

Why not let the school know you're opinion of the results of this, our Catholic community school. And if, as hoped, the results are favourable why not let Rachel Turner, the headteacher, know how grateful we are to have a Catholic Junior School for our children to enjoy.

Details of how to contact the school can be found here

Christ the King/ The Holy Rood - Please bring your box in for counting on either Oct 18/19th or Oct 25/26th. Thank you for picking up the emptied boxes. Please collect a copy of the Missions magazine when leaving/collecting your box.

St. Joachim - Please bring in your box for the contents to be counted

This Tuesday, October 7th, 7 to 9pm, Doreen Cronin, Acting Principal, on behalf of the Governors and Staff, warmly welcomes parents and their children to the College to talk with staff and observe pupils taking part in a representative selection of activities.

On Wednesday, October 8th, 7 to 9:45pm, Sacred Heart Church, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BF. The evening begins with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a talk given by Fr. Richard Blythen, currently serving as a chaplain in the Royal Navy. For more information - Fr. Paul Turner (Vocations Director) on 01293-603773, vocations@dabnet.org, or visit www.calledbyname.org.uk

On the Feast Day of St. Wilfrid, October 12th, 6:30pm at St. Saviour and St. Peter's Church, South Street, Eastbourne as part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations.

St. Richard’s Y9 and Y10 pupils went on a cultural exchange to Poland last year. We are delighted to be welcoming the Polish students on their return visit in October.
During their stay, Bishop Kieran will be visiting and celebrating Mass at St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Bexhill on Monday 13th October at 6.30pm. We would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone and especially our Polish families in our college and parish communities. There will be a shared supper in the hall after Mass so if you can, bring a plate of food and join us in this celebration.

CAFOD & Christian Aid invite you to discuss the impact that climate change has on developing countries and what we, at home, can do to help. Thursday, October 16th, 7:30pm at Our Lady of Ransom Parish Hall.

Parents of 14-18 year old young men interested in attending the day on November 8th, 10 to 4pm, should apply to Fr. Paul Turner 01293-603773

On Tuesday, September 23rd at 6:30pm, Doreen Cronin, Acting Principal, invites parents and their children to come to St. Thomas a Becket Junior School to discuss the decisions involved in transition from primary to secondary school. St. Richard’s leadership and management team, including the Pastoral Leader of Year Seven, the Lay Chaplain, and Learning Support Manager will all be available to talk to you about St. Richard’s Catholic College.

Envelopes will be available from next weekend. If you pay tax, please fill in the Gift Aid slip on the envelope so that Cafod can reclaim the tax already paid by you. Your continued generosity is needed for Cafod to support the poor and needy, and especially its response to sudden emergencies. Thank you.

On Oct 4th starting at 10am. Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation & St. Francis, Park Lane, West Grinstead. Poster in the church with full details of the day and how to get there.

CAFOD Arundel & Brighton invite you to a Supporters' Day on Saturday, 20th Sept., 10 to 4pm, at St Wilfrid's Catholic School, Old Horsham Road, Southgate, Crawley, RH11 8PG. Excellent speakers, excellent day - all are welcome. Tea/coffee provided. Bring a packed lunch. Fairtrade produce stall and CAFOD resources available. Please call 01483 898866 for more information and directions to venue. RSVP.

EAST SUSSEX LIFE - AGM will be held on Monday 6th October at 7:15pm in Christ the King Parish Rooms, and followed by an illustrated talk at 8pm entitled 'LIFE Fertility Care-an alternative to IVF?' Everyone is welcome to attend either or both of these events.

Melvin, Gina Moulding and family wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to all who, in any way, contributed to Emma's amazing celebration of life; and for the love, care and concern shown during her challenging illness. It is an honour to belong to such a caring community.

Evening Prayer and Benediction restarts on October 26th, 4:30pm, at St. Joachim. Full details of the schedule of dates is available on the Mass Information page or click here

SHINEWATER FUN DAY at SHINEWATER PARK. Saturday 6th September 12. 30 to 5pm. Arranged by North Langney Forum. Side Shows, Tug of War and other games for the family.

JOINT CHURCHES TOGETHER BBQ and Blessing 7th Sept 1.30 pm. Arranged by Churches Together East Side, Langney Shopping Centre and the Chaplaincy. Please bring the Parish News Letter for the Free BBQ.

For additional information please phone Nigel Hewitt on 01323 728189.

The next meeting will be on Monday 18th August at 7:30pm in Christ the King Parish Rooms. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

The Catholic Children’s Society is on the look out for interesting photographs depicting the theme of ‘the cross’ which they can print as greetings cards. It may be that you already have a possible photo tucked away in a box in the loft but perhaps there will be new opportunities when you are away on holiday this summer? The six winning entries will be printed in a series of limited edition cards which will be made available to purchase online to raise money for the Society. Entries close on 15th September 2008 so there is still plenty of time.
Full details of how to apply are online at www.cathchild.org or you can email or call Ann Hoggan from the Supporter Care team: ann.hoggan@cathchild.org 020 8668 2181 she will be pleased to post you an application form.
Good luck, and happy snapping!

Volunteers are invited to be trained as social mentors to support offenders during their final 6 weeks in HMP Lewes (3 to 4 visits), meet them on release and support them within the community following release. You will become the facilitator of all existing support services giving the ex-offenders realistic targets to aim towards, acting as advocate wherever necessary. It has been proven that intensive social mentoring of ex-offenders does significantly reduce re-offending rates, creating a safer community to live in, but more importantly enabling our ex-offenders to rebuild their life to one within which they live, not just solely exist.
All volunteers will require Enhanced CRB checks, plus others security checks imposed by HMP Lewes.
For further details please contact Pauline Prior at sussexpathways@surefish.co.uk.

The next meeting of the East Sussex LIFE group will be held in the Parish Rooms at Christ the King on Monday 7th July at 7:30pm. Anyone interested in our work is welcome to attend.

2008 marks the founding 100 years ago of The Catenian Association and as part of the centenary celebrations the Catenians have arranged for Masses for Vocations to be said countrywide and beyond on Sunday June 29th.

If you want to know more about the Catenians click here

There will be an open evening this Monday, June 16th, at the School of Education, Falmer campus University of Brighton, for anybody interested in talking about the theology/religious education courses (diploma and degree). This is a drop-in session anytime between 5pm and 8pm: Mayfield House 115. Refreshments provided. Contact Kate k.williamson@brighton.ac.uk

There will be a Discovering Priesthood Day at Arundel Cathedral (London Road BN18 9AY) on Saturday 28th June (10am - 4pm). This day is aimed at young men from 14 -18 years who would like to find out more about the life and ministry of Catholic priests. Parents should contact Fr Paul Turner, the Diocesan Vocations Director for a parental booking form. For further information please contact Fr Paul Turner the Diocesan Vocations Director on 01293 603773 or vocations@dabnet.org.

An Exciting New Full-Time Post to support the Shaping of the Diocesan Schools Service of the Future


Assistant Education Officer
Salary £22,000 - £24,000
15% non-contributory pension
4-weeks paid leave + Bank Holidays

The role will include

• Managing the office of the Catholic Schools Service
• Acting as a point of contact for schools, governors and clergy on issues relating to policy, administration, projects and legislation
• Liaising with and contributing to the work of schools, the Catholic Education Service, Local Authorities and other Dioceses

Applicants will have experience in:

• Office practice and management
• Financial controls, budgeting and monitoring
• Catholic Education, Policy and Implementation.

The Catholic Schools Service
The Catholic Schools Service is a small friendly team, providing a unique environment, a good opportunity to be creative and use a range of skills, and work in partnership with other agencies.

We require applicants who have commitment, initiative, self-motivation and have excellent communication skills.

Please contact Mary Reynolds, Director, Catholic Schools Service on 01293 511130, or email schools@dabnet.org to request an application pack , or write to The Christian Education Centre, 4 Southgate Drive, Crawley RH10 6RP.

Closing date: 12 June 2008

There will be an Enquiry into the Priesthood Evening at St Josephs Guildford (Eastgate Gardens GU14AZ) on Wednesday 11th June. The evening starts at 7pm with Adoration and continues with a talk and discussion on the priestly vocation. The evening will end by 9:30pm with night prayer. Light refreshments will be available. Any men thinking about the priesthood will find this an ideal opportunity to meet other enquirers and to deepen their understanding of the vocation.

On June 7th at the Christ the King 6pm Mass, for the feast of St. Columba, please pray for an increase in membership of the Order. If you are interested in knowing more, please speak to one of the members and/or look at Knights of St. Columba : Official Web Site at www.ksc.org.uk

The next meeting will be held in Christ the King Parish Room on Monday 19th May at 7:30pm. All are welcome.

Could Red Box holders from Christ the King & The Holy Rood bring the box in for counting on either the weekends of May 24/25th or May 31st/ June 1st. Thank you for the support and help in the past. Please do remember to collect your box the weekend after it is counted.

Lynn’s Travel are running a trip to Arundel Cathedral on May 22nd for the annual carpet of flowers, Corpus Christi Mass and procession into the castle grounds. Depart Eastbourne 1pm. Contact John Carmody (726334) by next weekend if interested. Cost £8.50

The Catholic Children’s Society is seeking to recruit adoptive families for the large number of children who desperately need new parents. It needs Catholic families for single children, groups of brothers & sisters, children with disabilities and children from black and minority groups. All children have particular needs, but all can benefit from family life. If you feel you have something to offer, please ring the Society - a call doesn’t commit you but they would like to hear from you. Contact The Catholic Children’s Society, Linkline House, Hove, BN3 2BD, Telephone: 01273-821234. Please mention ‘Parish Campaign’. Thank you for reading this notice.

Come and visit CAFOD's stall and workshops at the annual National Christian Resources Exhibition to be held at Sandown Park, Esher. Tickets are valid for all four days. Purchased in advance: £5 (pre-book by 7th May by phone 0800 061 2772 or visiting www.creonline.co.uk). Tickets on the door: £7 Free admission to under 16s. There is a full programme of workshops, talks and events. Lots to see and do for everyone! CAFOD workshops include: Unearth Justice, Fundraising (faith in action), Teaching Resources for Schools, Live-Simply.

Langney Centre Chaplaincy.
The Langney Shopping Centre chaplaincy is now up and running, and will be officially launched at the Centre by Wallace Benn Bishop of Lewes on Monday 28th April at 10am. You are welcome to attend.

East Sussex Life are organising a London Bridges Walk on April 27th in reparation for the 40 years of legal abortion in the UK & to coincide with the vote on the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Bill. Assemble at Tower Bridge on Sunday April 27th @ 1:30pm. The walk lasts 4 hours. If travelling by train contact John Carmody (726334)

Fancy a weekend of fun at Worth? Want to recharge your batteries and your faith?

Then Cursillo may be for you. Cursillo is for those whose faith needs a fresh injection of energy, or for those who feel they would like a time of reflection in beautiful surroundings. The 3 day residential weekend takes place at Worth from May 23rd to May 28th.

For more information see www.cursillo.org.uk, or better still pick up a leaflet at the back of the church and contact Caroline Rother: 01323 416641 or Angela Coppard: 01323 760711.

Annual Mission and Unity Gathering at The Christian Education Centre, 4 Southgate Drive, Crawley, RH10 6RP, on Saturday 19th April 2008 - 9:30am (for coffee) to 3pm. Excellent guest speaker. Contact David Hellicar (01323 729523) for more info or transport help. All welcome - it’s free!

Session 1: Thursday 15th May; 7.30p.m - 9.30pm
Session 2: Thursday 22nd May; 7.30p.m - 9.30pm

Venue: Christ the King Parish Hall
Contact Person Barbara Hopper Tel. 01293 515666

Once again on behalf of our Infant Jesus Sisters in Somo, Cameroon I would like to thank you , Fr Barry, and all the people of the parish for your continued generosity towards our Sisters in Cameroon. As I said to Sr Ita last night I appreciate that every penny, every pound of your contribution has to be earned and collected. You are a living example of Christian sharing with our sisters and brothers in need.

I spoke to Sr Noreen who is in Cameroon at present. The sisters run a Technical school, a 4-year cycle, for 100 girls in Somo. They are constantly in need of school materials.e.g. - tracing paper for patterns, needles, upkeep of sewing machines/computers, cooking materials, textbooks, supplies which we take for granted but which are treasured in Somo. During the first months of this year there has been alot of politicial unrest which has an immediate impact on the funding of schools, hospitals for their day-to-day running expenses.Thank you very much indeed for enabling us to continue our work among these girls to provide them with skills for their future life.

May the blessings of Peace and Joy of the Risen Lord fill your hearts and home in recognition of your sustained spirit of sharing.

With loving and grateful wishes,

S Alice KilBride, General Bursar Infant Jesus Sisters

Again we send our heartfelt thanks to Fr. Barry and all parishioners of Christ The King, Holy Rood and St.Joachim for the very generous gift of money to our community in Kenya this Easter.

Kenya is getting back to some sort of normality after the most terrible recent struggle and we pray for peace, rain and better times for all.

You are all in our prayers too.

Kindest regards from Sr. Marian.

Thank you for the £639.77 contributed to the Fast Day and £234.36 in other donations to CAFOD.

Many Pray-as-you-go users will be familiar with the traditional Catholic devotion known as the Stations of the Cross, a series of meditations on scenes from the Passion of Jesus, from his sentencing at the hands of Pilate to the laying of his body in the tomb.

There are fourteen standard stations, which can be found on the walls of just about any Catholic church in the world. But some variations from this form exist, including one more closely following the scriptures, approved by Pope Benedict in 2007.

This year, during Lent, in addition to the daily Pray-as-you-go, we are offering a series of ten scripture-based meditations in the tradition of the Stations of the Cross. The first four are available now and included in this week’s podcast feed. More will follow next week.

There will be a meeting at 7pm in Westminster Hall, London to campaign for changes to the Bill to better protect innocent unborn life and family values. Contact John Carmody (726334) for more information.

This year’s Justice & Peace Assembly is on Sudan. It will be at DABCEC, Crawley. Contact John Carmody (726334) for details (esp. transport if required).

Headteacher required for St. Philip’s Catholic Primary School. Uckfield from April/Sept 2008. A formal advertisement will appear in the TES/CTG early Feb. Contact the Clerk to Governors (01825 762032) for further information.

Thinking Faith, a new on-line journal, which has been developed by Jesuit Media Initiatives in close collaboration with an editorial team of Jesuits and lay co-workers, has been officially launched.

Edited by Peter Scally SJ, the web site is open to the widest set of subjects from science to theology, policy studies to poetry and spirituality to culture and development. It builds on the tradition of the former British Jesuit journal, The Month, contributing to debates and issues from a British (and European) perspective. But unlike a printed publication, Thinking Faith does not have a weekly or monthly edition, but a 'rolling' format. Articles may be added at any time, with subscribers informed by email alert, enabling a faster response to news, events and issues of concern.

Among the first contributors to the online journal - to coincide with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - are Michael Hurley SJ of the Irish Province on where our hopes for ecumenism stand now, Dan Madigan SJ on interfaith dialogue, and broadcaster and Anglican deacon, Cindy Kent, on the situation of the Church of England. British Jesuit, Frank Turner, who is Director of the Jesuit European Office in Brussels (OCIPE), writes on the European treaty; while Raúl Gonzalez SJ of Venezuela and Anthony Egan SJ (South Africa) addresses the Chávez government and the ANC's new leader respectively.

Jesuit brother, Guy Consolmagno of the Vatican Observatory is another contributor as the journal goes online, alongside Jim Corkery from Ireland, a noted expert on the writings of Pope Benedict XVI, who offers his views on Spe Salvi.

Thinking Faith is to be found at www.thinkingfaith.org.

St Thomas a Becket Infant & Junior Schools have an Open Day on Wednesday 23rd January. The Infant School is particularly interested in hearing from parents with children wishing to apply for a place in the School in September 2008. Various appointment times available. Call the Infant School on 726004 or Junior School on 737221.

Veronica Dolan; “Once again thank you for your generous response to my appeal for used stamps. Although Christmas is over the appeal goes on, so please keep it in mind throughout the year. Leukaemia Research can raise thousands of pounds from your contributions. Happy new year to all.”

On behalf of the Salvation Army and the Oasis, Marie Williams would like to thank everybody for the wonderful response to the Christmas appeal. May God bless you all.