Catholic Deanery of Eastbourne and St Leonards

Synthesis of high priority points raised in both Hub meetings: October 2025

1. Reflection Time: Reaching those on the Margins

   Two groups reflected on how the parish hub can reach those less connected with parish life — families, young people, the housebound, and those on the periphery.

   Additional contributions:
   
   • Submission from Sally-Ann (East Hub): Shared reflections on reaching those on the margins of parish life.
   • Guiding questions for group work:
     1. Who are these people?
     2. Where are they?
     3. How do we reach them?
     (These were explored further in small group discussions)
   
   Key Suggestions:
   
   • Strengthen outreach through SVP and Afternoon Tea groups.
   • Visit the sick and housebound via EMHC.
   • Improve parish communication to promote upcoming events.
   • Livestream Masses for those unable to attend.
   • Offer transport to Mass and parish events (with safeguarding considerations).
   • Foster inclusivity for:
     • Foreign nationals
     • Those with literacy challenges
     • Traveller communities
   • Promote Faith in the Family Lent and Advent initiatives.
   • Enhance school-parish links with St Mary Star of the Sea.
   • Host an annual hub gathering to celebrate parish life and ministries.
   • Strengthen Family Masses ie St Mary Star of the Sea.
   • Work with local charities:
     • Seaview Centre (homeless)
     • Local Foodbanks
   • Advent/Lent flyers to share liturgies and activities.
   • Welcome flyers to connect new parishioners with parish life.
   
   

2. Planning Time – Focus Group Structure

   • Four existing focus groups: Communications, Prayer & Worship, Formation, Stewardship.
   • New fifth focus group introduced: Pastoral Care
     Volunteers: Marylou Cockshoot, Chris Hamill, Mary Robertson (West), Sally-Ann Hart, Fr Richard Blythen & Caroline Johns (East)
   • Focus groups operate across the entire parish (except Stewardship which is hub-based).
   • Aim: “Create a culture of invitation.”
   • Each group will meet at least once per month.
   
   

3. Communications – Update

   Progress continues toward creating a Hub-wide communications strategy to strengthen identity and belonging.

   Newsletter and Website:
   
   • One Hub newsletter being developed.
   • Front page: All Mass times listed.
   • Back page: All churches listed.
   • Space allocated for local parish items.
   • Distribution and production methods still being finalised.
   • Contact list to include hall hire details, key ministry leads (data via parish secretaries).
   • Website to include email and phone contacts.
   • Proposed monthly publication date: 15th.
   • Software: Microsoft Publisher under consideration.
   • First issue aimed for Advent, including Christmas events.
   • Future potential features include a “What does the Church teach about…?” column.
   
   

4. Prayer and Worship – Update

   • Members invited to submit suggestions.
   • A time of silent prayer supported discernment.
   • Discussions included:
     • Review of Vigil Mass times (potential reduction from two to one, still under consideration).
     • Sunday evening Mass at OLR – remains due to growing attendance.
     • Avoid fortnightly alternating Masses, which could harm small communities.
     • Each community to retain a Sunday Mass.
     • No major changes before Easter next year.
     • Open and honest discussion welcomed—recognition that change takes time.
   Mass Context:
   
   • East Hub: 5 parishes, 8 churches.
   • West Hub: 3 parishes, 7 churches.
   • Three diocesan parishes: Bexhill, St Leonards, Battle.
   • Two Orders also support Hub priest provision.
   • Twelve Sunday Masses remain across the Hub.
   • Only changes implemented so far relate to three Saturday Vigils set at 6pm.



5. Formation – Sacramental Programmes

   • Aim is shared initiatives and best practice, not centralisation, respecting each community.
   • Catechist collaboration meeting held across three parishes.
   • Programmes differ locally due to times and structure.
   • First Holy Communion:
     • OLR uses Growing Up Catholic.
     • Christ the King/St Joachim and St Thomas/St George use I Belong.
     • St Leonards using Jesus Loves Me – 25 Children
     • Collaboration will grow gradually—possible resource sharing. Lumen Christi already successfully collaborates across churches
   • Confirmation:
     • OLR has 60 children currently; Lumen Christe 52
     • St Leonards & Hastings 21 young adults (collaborating)
   • RCIA:
     • OLR 14 adults, mostly young men seeking meaning.
     • Hastings & St Leonards 13 (collaborating)



6. Mission & Stewardship

   • Stewardship Group launching 20 October (St George’s).
   • Purpose: Combine buildings and finance planning across parishes (Quinquennial Inspections).
   • Starting from a “blank sheet” for better effectiveness.
   • Plan to build a database of local contractors (as diocesan list is Brighton/West Sussex-focused).
   • Members to include parishioners with skills in finance, building, and management.
   • Meetings monthly.
   • West Hub undertaking similar work.



7. Parish Mission Prayer

   • Prayer revised using feedback from both Hub meetings.
   • Shifted from mission statement to prayer format.
   • Final draft approved unanimously by group.
   • To be:
     • Printed in newsletter
     • Distributed as prayer cards
     • Prayed regularly in all churches



8. Administration & Governance

   • Leadership communications to be circulated by Fr Kevin and Hub Secretaries.
   • Focus Groups now tasked with:
     • Developing action plans
     • Feeding back to Hub Leadership meetings
   • Question raised: continuity if Moderator unavailable.
     Response: Bishop would appoint a successor to continue the process and honour agreed work.
   • Parish leadership model: team of priests working collaboratively under a Moderator.