The parish I serve is in Eastbourne. Eastbourne is a victorian seaside resort with a long promenade connected to the Beachy Head and Seven Sister National Park. There has been a lot of development over the last 30 years which has change Eastbourne from a predominately holiday and retirement destination to a growing younger population with a diverse cultural background.

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The parish church was built in 1962 and is located in the poorer side of Eastbourne. The is open and light with a community that both is friendly and made up of many nationalities united in their love of the Lord Jesus.

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As a community we strive to create an atmosphere that encourages prayer and an encounter with God through beauty. That beauty has been made more evident thorough reordering the church and providing a mass liturgy that aims to lift the soul nearer to God. Last year 2025 we received 5 into the church, which included two 16 year old boys and a lady in her 80’s! This year we have receive a young couple in their late 20’s. The clergy are very happy to visit anyone new to the area and provide a house blessing and get to know you. In June a married man from our community, Neil Taylor, will be made a Deacon via the Ordinariate.

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The community has held a number of creative workshops, launched a new Catholic Women’s League group, supported a local homeless charity called Matthew 25, established a Seniors Group for fellowship chats and light bites, will relaunch ‘Men of St Joseph’, and hope to form children’s liturgy later this year. We are hoping to do more on-line content teaching/introducing the faith with some shorts via the website, FaceBook, X and possibly something like TikTok.

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You can connect with us via email, parish website, phone message or in a physical visit. Any personal visitors will be met before mass by friendly welcomers and clergy after mass. Tea and Coffee is offered after mass and people are usually very willing to chat to anyone who seems to be a visitor.

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In October, 13th - 15th, Eastbourne will be hosting the Ordinariate Festival. Our Ordinariate groups are spread across England, Wales and Scotland, this geographical distance creates some difficulties in forming our identity and sense of belonging. The festival is a wonderful way of seeking to overcome some of these challenges.

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The themes of each festival has also sought to address our unique character and gifts which have been identified and published through the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith on 26th March this year. These gifts are seen as a unique contribution to the wider Roman Catholic Church. The theme of this year’s festival; ‘Beauty, Truth, and Goodness’ help emphasise aspects of the identified unique gifts of the Ordinariate. As the document states, “Evangelisation through Beauty….not as an end in itself, but insofar as it has the power to lead us to God." Will be explored at the festival this year.

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The festival falls into two parts: First, the talks, Mass, Matins and Evensong which will be open to all and all are welcome! The second part which is fellowship over shared meals and discussions with the Bishop David are limited in number and restricted to Ordinariate members, associate members and those who have made their spiritual home within an Ordinariate group. To access this second part requires registration via this website. Numbers are limited because of space and catering purposes.

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Whether you are attending only the open public events or both public and closed events we are very much looking forward to seeing this October in Eastbourne.