St. Martin’s Vicarage Upper Wellington Road Brighton BN2 3AN February 2026 My dear friends, As I began to write for this edition a hymn line came to my mind, ‘Rejoice the year upon its way’, it is the Office Hymn ascribed for Pentecost in the English Hymnal. Not that I am wishing the year to speed by , though the thought of warmer weather is appealing, it dawned on me how as Pentecost is the triumphal culmination of Eastertide each year, if we were to look at Ash Wednesday in a more triumphal way, our keeping of Lent may well lead us to even greater joy at Easter! By its very nature ,for some, the thought of Lent and its disciplines can to say the least be onerous and for this reason over the years we have opted for but one of the latter—the Stations of the Cross on Saturdays as the penitential act for that day’s Mass. In its turn this is a good reminder to us all that there is a penitential act before every Mass and that we might make more careful use of preparing for it. This links to my final thought on the gift of the Lenten Season—the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament before Sung Masses, when we have time to quietly reflect with Jesus before he strengthens us with his life to be his witnesses today. Witness is of course the theme of the Feast of The Presentation. It can not be helped that this year this Feast , naturally celebrated forty days after Christmass falls on a Monday: well this might also be a gift as having celebrated last year on a Sunday more may be encouraged this year to join the Wagner Group for the traditional ceremonies at S Pauls at 6pm. Many folk here were involved in the 150th celebration of the Foundation of the Society of the Holy Cross on February 28th 1855. This year we celebrate Founders Day the day before and you will see that the local Chapter meets here to celebrate at 12noon, a celebration you are most welcome to join in. With my love and prayers,Fr. Trevor
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