St Francis, whose feast we mark today, lived the Gospel call to poverty, humility & joyful charity. His witness continues to inspire the Church’s care for the poor & the environment today, with people across the world called to respect God’s creation & work for justice & peace.

On this Feast of St Luke, we give thanks for the gift of Scripture. Lord, we thank You for Your living Word that guides, nourishes, and draws us closer to You. May it shape our thoughts, guide our words and direct our actions, so all we do may reflect Your truth and love. Amen.

As we honour St Philip Howard on his feast day, may we too find the strength to live as he did: with hearts turned toward God, confident that fidelity, even in small things, can make us saints.

In Rome today, Pope Leo will declare St John Henry Newman the 38th Doctor of the Church and co-patron saint of education. Lord, we thank You for the Doctors of the Church, whose wisdom guides our faith. May their teachings illuminate our hearts and lead us closer to You. Amen.

On this feast, we remember those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith: family, friends, people we knew and loved, people we never knew. Father, thank You for the saints who surround us in faith. May they inspire us, guide us and draw us closer to Christ. Amen.

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception & the Catholic dogma that Mary, Mother of God, was preserved free of original sin from the instant of her conception in St Anne's womb, a grace that prepared her to bear Jesus. Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Right Reverend Richard Moth as Archbishop of Westminster. You can read the full statement here: abdiocese.org.uk/news/new-archb…

Come along to one of our churches this Christmas to celebrate the Birth of Jesus, the Word Made Flesh, God-with-us. Find your local church here: abdiocese.org.uk/diocese/church… vimeo.com/1147388259/c5b…

Wishing people across our Diocese a very happy and holy Christmas.

We thank you, Lord, for the example and inspiration of the saints. May we be bold in proclamation and defence of the Faith, in solidarity with those around the world who are persecuted for their faith. Amen. St Stephen, patron of deacons and altar servers, pray for us.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the Evangelists, whom You inspired to proclaim the Good News of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May their words continue to draw us closer to You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. St John, the Beloved, pray for us.

O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practising the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards.

O God, who gave the Martyr St Thomas Becket the courage to give up his life for the sake of justice, grant through his intercession, that, renouncing our life for the sake of Christ in this world, we may find it in heaven. St Thomas Becket, pray for us.

Happy New Year, and happy Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. We ask her to watch over us, to guard and to guide us in this coming year, and to help bring us ever closer to her son, Jesus. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

Today, the Feast of the Epiphany invites us to act like the wise men in modern times: look for Jesus even when life is busy and full of distractions, spread his light in a world that's often divided and use our precious gifts to support the marginalised.

Applications are now open for the 2026 Arundel & Brighton Lourdes Pilgrimage! Each year, we take more than 700 pilgrims to Lourdes, including pilgrims who need help to make the journey. Is Our Lady calling you to Lourdes this summer? Find out more: abdiocese.org.uk/lourdes

Applications are now open for our 2026 Lourdes Pilgrimage! Each year, more than 700 pilgrims travel to Lourdes with us, including our Redshirts (Years 10 & 11), who explore what it means to be a Catholic, as a group, and serve others. Find out more: abdiocese.org.uk/lourdes

On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we reflect on the call received at our Baptism, when we were consecrated to God and invited to a life of holiness. How are our new year’s resolutions helping us grow in holiness? Image: J. Armstrong, St George's Church, West Blatchington

Applications are now open for our 2026 Lourdes Pilgrimage! Each year, we take over 700 pilgrims to Lourdes including our Purpleshirts (Year 12), who serve as Helpers in the day and gather each evening to explore their faith and socialise. Find out more: abdiocese.org.uk/lourdes

People across our diocesan family are invited to a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Richard on 30 January at 6.30pm in Arundel Cathedral. Mass will be followed by a reception in Arundel Castle, by kind permission of His Grace, the Duke of Norfolk. All are welcome.