My dear friends, Once again with printing deadlines approaching I find myself at the keyboard. My first thoughts go to thanking those who prepared what I fondly called our Parish New Year’s Eve Lunch and the following week stocked stalls, worked the stalls and what is more cleared up for our Winter Wonderland. In the middle of the week of school celebrations we heard that there had been a more positive response from the Church Commissioners with regard to our redevelopment project that has led to a PCC meeting being called in the first days of the month. Pleased remember all involved, particularly Sir Peter Field ( the steer man) and Mr Lap Chan (our architect), in your prayers. Finally, as I have said before, I welcome the return of the Epiphany to January 6th. The Wagner Group will be celebrating the Solemnity with a Sung Mass (including the Blessing of Chalk) at 6pm at S Paul’s West Street and there will be a said Mass here at 12noon. It is a good opportunity to say that as the only other Wagner Church with heating, Fr. Thomas has also offered to host the Wagner Candlemass on February 2nd, also at 6pm. 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
My dear friends,This edition rather than crept has leaped up at me after a very busy week—you’ll be pleased to know that this will therefore be short.I am about to head off to shopping before the Parish Lunch and in advance thank you to those who will spend tomorrow preparing for it. Next comes the reminder that your popping in to the Winter Wonderland next Saturday (Nov. 29th) would be much appreciated by those who have worked so hard for this major fundraising event.It will then be full steam ahead for the Christmass Celebrations which include 6 School Nativities and presentations from our own, Fairlight and Elm Grove Schools. These are always joyful and I am grateful that Ange is often around opening up for them and their rehearsals as early as 9am in the morning.Full details of the Christmass Liturgies will appear on the Sunday Bulletin.Fr. Andrew, Fr. Nick and Fr, Robert join me in wishing you all a Blessed Christmass and if you are travelling to be with loved ones a safe journey.With my love and prayers,Fr. Trevor
St. Martin’s Vicarage Upper Wellington Road Brighton BN2 3AN November 2025 My dear friends, My last piece of administration before packing, so that this issue may be published as I return at the end of October, has as usual led me to re-read the previous issues of the newsletter. I begin therefore with a heartfelt thanks to those who supported Fr Robert at the Cathedral, the Diocesan Walsingham Celebration and contributed so generously to the Harvest Celebration. There is, of course a change to the opening days of this year’s ‘Patronal Month’. In that November 1st falls on a Saturday, All Saints Day is transferred to the next day—who says the Church doesn’t make life easier some times? The knock-on off this being that All Souls Day moves to the following day—Monday 3rd. As per our custom , when the clocks have gone back, the Solemn Requiem will be at 12noon and the said at 5.30pm. The lists will be available for you to ask for names to be read at the opening of each but as always I remind you the thinking is you will intend to be there yourself! The exception to our ‘winter timetable’ is, of course, S Martin’s Day itself: what would the principal celebration be like without the School Choir? I am delighted to say that our friend and neighbour, Fr. Thomas, as accepted m y invitation to preach at this celebration. In the October issue I spoke of the Parish Lunch that we are planning for November 23rd, the feast of Christ the King. The menu has yet to be finalised so for now please book the date. Finally, much preparation is already under way for this year’s ‘Winter Wonderland’ on November 29th: once again this is a sincere plea for support by everyone to our fundraisers and volunteers. With my love and prayers,Fr. Trevor
My dear friends, As you know the traditional Harvest Lunch has had to be cancelled due to the Diocesan Walsingham Celebration taking up ‘Cooking Day’, but fear not, there will be a lunch on the 23rd November. Continuing the “fear not”, the traditional Harvest Favourites will be sung at Mass on Sunday 5th and you are most welcome to come to the School Harvest Celebration the following Wednesday at 2.30pm. As has been announced at the Parish Mass for the last two weeks, this year we are joining the School in supporting the Brighton City Mission so gifts of in date, non perishable gifts will be much appreciated. For the following two weeks you will be in the care of my brother priests as I shall be thinking of you when saying Mass on the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean respectively. As well as covering school worship, I am very grateful to Fr. Thomas for agreeing to cover the two Thursdays of my holiday and have published our neighbouring parishes Mass times on the back page for other days when cover has not been available. It is good to be able to announce that at the time of writing we are only four pilgrims short of the number next year’s Wagner Group Pilgrimage is budgeted on. I am assured these places will be claimed and therefore we can begin looking at what grants may be available. With my love and prayers,Fr. Trevor