AUGUST 2026 Newsletter from Arundel & Brighton NBCW Diocesan Link

 

The strength to persevere, the courage to speak out, the faith to believe.' Sr Joan Chittister OSB  


Welcome to this edition of my web newsletter August 2026. I hadn’t planned to do a blog this month, but hearing that we have a Bishop elect: Fr Stephen Wang, the rector of the English Venerable College in Rome, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to add my congratulations and share the news. For those who want to look him up on Google, type ‘Sycamore’ next to his name. I remember him as chaplain to Catholic Voices.

Stephen Wang will be installed as the Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton on Monday 19 October at 12 noon.



https://youtu.be/g2GaWOtTI7g?si=LiFeEE4lYwA5dk36

 Well, that’s it now until September. Although I look forward to meeting some of you on 15th August when I join the A&B UCM summer pilgrimage at The Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, West Grinstead.

 

Wishing you all a peaceful and joyous summer.

 

Sue Petritz

Diocesan Link for Arundel & Brighton

nbcw@abdiocese.org.uk

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                                                                            And

                    The Union of Catholic Mothers Annual Pilgrimage

              To the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation and St. Francis

                  Park Lane, West Grinstead, W. Sussex RH13 8LT

                                       Saturday 15th August 2026

                In conjunction with The Knights of St. Columba

                      10.30 – 11.00            Coffee

                          11.00 – 11.40           Spiritual Talk given by Canon Tom Treherne                                                                             Followed by preparation for Holy Mass

                           12.00 -                        Holy Mass

                        12.50 -                        Lunch Break (Please bring a packed lunch)

                           13.45 (approx.)      Gather in the Church for UCM/KSC prayers

The Holy Rosary will be prayed – in the garden for those who are able, led by Canon Tom and Mrs. Eileen Harris MBE (UCM Diocesan President)

For those who find walking difficult – in the Church, led by Mrs. Anne Ager (UCM Deputy Diocesan President) and Sean Harkins (KSC)

This will be followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction lead by Canon Tom.

Please remember to bring a Donation as the Shrine’s income depends mainly on Pilgrims.  Be generous and give what you can to support the upkeep of the Shrine.

  Many Thanks   

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SOME NEWS FROM NBCW about it’s committees

 

 

 

The Education Committee of the National Board of Catholic Women provides formation opportunities for women of all ages, equipping them for mission. Having recently compiled a resource for school leavers, the committee is now focusing on listening to and accompanying women of all ages.

This autumn, a monthly forum will commence, where women can safely discuss matters that shape and enrich their faith lives.

Through questions such as, “Where have I encountered God in my life this past month?”, women will be encouraged to accompany and mutually enrich one another, in the spirit of “Heart speaks to Heart.”

Plans for 2027 include a webinar series on the Dignity of Woman.

To join this committee or attend any of its events, please contact the NBCW administrator.

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Women in the Church

 

The Women in the Church (WIC) committee of NBCW  is a vibrant group representing a range of dioceses that meets approximately four times annually via Zoom. I represent our diocese.

We meet on zoom and after a short time of prayer we move on to discuss topical issues relating to women in our diocese or nationally, and then plan for future speakers we would like to invite to a public event.

Past speakers include  Tina Beattie, Fleur Dorrell and Sr Gemma Simmonds CJ. This year our webinars included Dr Phyllis Zagano who has just published a new book, ‘The Vatican and Women Deacons’, and the topical discussion of Synodality. The recent Study Group 5 report on the life and participation of women in the church was discussed  by panel Dr Avril Baigent, Amy Cameron and Sr Marie Kolbe Zamora.

 Recent recordings can be found on the NBCW website. 

 

We host an online book club. The next book will be 'Women of the Gospels' the new release from Canon Paula Gooder. We also have an in person day planned for NBCW members with Canon Paula Gooder on April 24th 2027 in London

If you are a member of NBCW have you thought about joining a committee? WIC would offer you a warm welcome. We are a friendly group, blessed with many diverse gifts. If you would like to find out more about the WIC committee contact the convenor  Helen Burgess, helen.burgess@northamptondiocese.org.uk

 

Catholic women are invited to join the NBCW and receive regular updates. More information about membership is on the website https://www.nbcw.co.uk/join/

 

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From the Bible Society

 

Encountering God in nature

The Quiet Revival Podcast: what's the story? Episode 6 Season 2

Encountering God through creation: Wild Church and pilgrimage

 

Be inspired to take your discipleship and exploration of faith into God’s creation.

 

 

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The Catholic Union of Great Britain: The Voice of Catholics in Public Life

 

subscribe to their Weekly Briefing

 

 

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And if you want to try something different this summer, do have a look at

godwhospeaks.art-and-culture

 

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And ongoing programmes

 

 

The Benedictine monastery of St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth near Guildford has announced a varied programme of public talks for the second half of 2026, exploring faith, literature and technological innovation.

The programme begins on Saturday 27 June 2026 with Discover the meaning of the Roman Catholic Mass, a seven part series led by Fr John Seddon OSB. Running monthly through to December, the talks will explore the meaning and symbolism of the Mass. Sessions take place from 10.30am–12.20pm on 27 June, 25 July, 29 August, 26 September, 31 October, 21 November and 19 December. Tickets are £12 plus booking fee.

On Friday 18 September 2026 (7.30pm–9pm)The Laurel and the lantern: A reflective journey through Britain's Poets Laureate will be presented by Rt Rev Dom Paulinus Greenwood OSB, Dr Jo Russell and Sheila Longman. The evening explores the lives and works of Britain's Poets Laureate from Wordsworth and Tennyson to Carol Ann Duffy and Simon Armitage. Tickets are £12 Early Bird until 4 September, £15 thereafter, with groups of three able to attend for £10 per person.

The final event, The remarkable story of R.R. Beard: Inventor of cinema lighting, takes place on Saturday 17 October 2026 from 10.30am–12 noon. Presented by Evan Venn, retired Chief Technologist of Hewlett Packard, the talk reveals the story of the Surrey pioneer whose inventions helped shape the early film industry. Tickets are £10 Early Bird, rising to £12 thereafter, plus booking fee.

All events take place at St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth, near Guildford. Advance booking is essential via www.chilworthbenedictines.com or by searching "Chilworth Abbey" on TicketSource. Free parking is available.

 

Some resources for the Summer.

 

 

 

 

How do you set up a Bible Book Club in your parish or school? Take a look at our simple step-by-step guide.

https://www.godwhospeaks.uk/bible-book-club-resource  

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Curious about Synodality and what it could mean for your parish. The School for Synodality exists to support the Church’s synodal journey of openness to the Holy Spirit through listening, sharing, and discernment. 

https://www.schoolforsynodality.org.uk/

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Vatican News Newsletter <newsletter-en@ml.vn.va>     to hear about Pope Leo and what is happening in the universal church

 

 

Pope Leo XIV promulgates the encyclical


article icon

Pope Leo presents 'Magnifica humanitas’ calling for disarmament of AI

Pope Leo XIV presents "Magnifica Humanitas" as the Church’s response to the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, calling for AI to be “disarmed” from logics of domination, exclusion and war. Drawing parallels with Rerum Novarum, the Pope urges the global community to place technological progress at the service of human dignity, solidarity and the common good.

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I could do with some help for this blog and the monthly newsletter if  anyone has a couple of hours a month to spare nbcw@abdiocese.org.uk

August 2026 Web newsletter

https://sueschurchpage.blogspot.com/2026/07/august-2026-newsletter-from-arundel.html


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