St. Martin’s Vicarage Upper Wellington Road Brighton BN2 3AN September 2026 My dear friends, There were numerous thoughts going through my mind as I sat before this empty page and mused about the many thoughts that had be sewn in me by others about retirement. My response to many of these comments is that I am blessed by only moving one bus ride away in the same city that on and off has been my home for 45 years: indeed when I contemplated moving a dear friend of mine convinced me how foolish that would be. Thus it is, that I write for the final time thanking you for all the experiences of priesthood shared in the last fifteen years for whatever they may have been one can always learn and I expect this will be true in retirement ministry too! The Wagner Group has always been dear to my heart . There is a planning meeting early this month for the 2027 dates; those of the Walsingham Pilgrimage have already been announced. With the Society Churches now reduced within our City I would urge you to support these events and I look forward to seeing you then. With my love and Blessing,Fr. Trevor
August 2026 My dear friends, The visit of the Bishop of Lewes on July 5th was a moving and memorable occasion and I take this opportunity to thank all those (lay and ordained) who helped to make it so. At his visit the Bishop mentioned the weight the Vacancy will bring to the Priests, Churchwardens and their deputies and I would add my bidding to his that you remember them, regularly in your prayers. I hope by now that everyone has heard that the Parish Lunch that was planned to augment the Solemnity of Our Lady’s Assumption has been transferred to Sunday September 6th. The menu will be displayed soon and bookings open. With my love and Blessing,Fr. Trevor
St. Martin’s Vicarage Upper Wellington Road Brighton BN2 3AN July 2026 My dear friends, I hope by now that everyone knows the importance of the first Sunday in July when we look forward to a pastoral visit from Bishop Will who is our “acting” Bishop. As I said at Mass today, that might give some of you a clue as to when I am writing this, a Parish clergy we celebrate in the name of the Bishop. Added to the joy of welcoming our Father-in-God we shall have the chance of supporting James who the Bishop has kindly offered to Confirm on this occasion. Another important celebration is on July 16th. The School Leavers’ Mass at 09.30 on that day is one of mixed emotion as we both give thanks for those who have been members of the Parish family (some for eight years) but also bid them well for their continued education. A significant moment in this annual celebration is the ‘Anointing’ of those leaving : the words are, “N. remember Jesus loves you, follow him always”: you might like to add that to your prayers on this day. In the last week of the month I have the pleasure of leading the annual Wagner Group Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. While there are no Masses here, those not making the pilgrimage will be remembered at Mass in the Shrine and the schedule of Mass at S Bartholomew’s and S Paul’s is printed below the Kalendar. Please do ask if you wish any of us to take an intention for prayer in the Holy House. Thinking of Walsingham I am reminded that on August 16th we shall be holding a Parish Lunch after Mass. Bookings will open soon so please book the date. With my love and prayers,Fr. Trevor
June 2026 My dear friends, I begin this month’s offering with thanks to all who have supported our Saturday opening experiment. It is true to say that the stalls have not produced a great deal of income but of course, they cannot make a loss! These events and the Spring Bank Holiday Monday bar-b-cue have all seen a number of visitors with the usual phrase, “It is good to see the Church Open!” I hope the June Saturdays will be as well supported especially the Summer Celebration on June 13th. This issue will be published on May 31st the week before the wonderful celebration of the Feast of Corpus et Sanguis Christi. Sadly it has not been possible to secure an organist for this Sunday and while I was pondering music for the traditional ceremonies an invitation came from Fr Kieran at S Joseph’s to join with them. I therefore decided to simply conclude our celebration with the blessing thus enabling us to join our friends as the Procession passes around 12.15. If the route up Franklin Road and De Montfort Roads descending Elm Grove to Church for Benediction sounds too daunting you may like to go straight to the Church. I am looking forward to joining Year 6 for two of their leavers trips. The first is to S Paul’s Cathedral on June 4th and then at the end of the month, on S John the Baptist’s Birthday, to our own Cathedral where, supported by our friend Nic Robinson, they will be forming the Choir. When you look at the Kalendar you will see that there is no Mass here on S Barnabas’ Day as we are invited to the Patronal at Hove that evening. One last reminder is that Walsingham Balances are due by the end of the month so please help us who have to do the sums by paying them in advance. With my love and prayers,Fr. Trevor