The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (corpus Christi)
Published
Today, we celebrate the solemn feast of Corpus Christi. It is three feasts in one: the feast of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, the feast of the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and the feast of the Real Presence of Jesus in this Sacrament. Corpus Christi is a doctrinal feast established for three purposes: 1) to give God collective thanks for Christ’s abiding presence with us in the Eucharist and to honour Him there; 2) to instruct the people in the Mystery, Faith, and devotion surrounding the Eucharist, and 3) to teach us to appreciate and make use of the great gift of the Holy Eucharist, both as a Sacrament and as a sacrifice. In the three-year cycle of the Sunday liturgy, there is a different theme each year for this Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. In Cycle A the theme is the Eucharist as our food and drink; in Cycle B the emphasis is on the Eucharist as the sign of the covenant; and in Cycle C the theme focuses on the priesthood of Jesus. Although we celebrate the institution of the Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday, the Church wants to emphasize its importance by a special feast, formerly called “Corpus Christi.” It was Pope Urban IV who first extended the feast to the universal Church. This is one of the few feasts left in which we observe a procession and a sung “Sequence.”
THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI)
| Day / Date | Time | ChurchCh | Intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| SATURDAY 6th June | 6.00pm | CC | Lourdes Ribeiro RIP (Costa Family) |
| SUNDAY 7th June | 8.30am | SJ | Vera & Philip Weston RIP (Barry Weston) Welfare of Jack Chapman (Jacinta Goldup) |
| SUNDAY 7th June | 10.00am | CC | God’s Blessings on Emma & Alex (Mahoney family) |
| SUNDAY 7th June | 12noon | SPH | God’s Blessings on Sue & Simon Medwin For the People of the Parish |
| MONDAY 8 h June | 10.00am | CC | Welfare of Louise Hodge (Jean & John Smallcombe) |
| TUESDAY 9th June | 10.00am | SJ | James Stone RIP (Marie Marriott) |
| WED 10th June | Priest celebrates Mass privately | ||
| THURS 11th June | 10.00am | CC | Wilfred Hirst RIP (Frances Hirst) |
| FRIDAY 12th June | 10.00am | CC | William Kinsella |
| FRIDAY 12th June | 6.15pm | CC | Mass (Latin) |
| SATURDAY 13th June | 10.00am | CC | Holy Souls |
| SATURDAY 13th June | 12 noon | CC | For Our First Holy Communion Children |
| SATURDAY 13th June | 6.00pm | CC | Marian Barlow RIP |
| Sunday 14th June | 8.30am | SJ | John snr, Mollie & Gerard Murphy RIP &Welfare of Jack Chapman (Jacinta Goldup) |
| Sunday 14th June | 10.00am | CC | For the People of The Parish |
| Sunday 14th June | 12noon | SPH | In Thanksgiving, Golden Wedding (Jacqui Shaw) |
Are you in year 7-13 and would like to come and join us for pizza, fun and games? We would love to see you at our meeting in Fisher Hall after Saturday 6.00pm Mass– Stefano. Next meeting dates 13th June, 27th June & 11th July then a break for the Summer.
Parish Bereavement Support: Please see our new leaflets with full details, at the back of each church. The next workshop will be on Saturday 27th June, 2-4pm. At St Peter’s. Details below.
MUMS/DADS NIGHTS Taking time to feed our own faith by exploring an aspect of Christianity with other parents in the parish. We meet in someone's home, watch some input to get us thinking and chat over pizza and drinks. All are very welcome. Contacts Isabel (07851062232 or Nick (07851609097)
COMMUNITY STOREHOUSE, PADDOCK WOOD Please continue with your donations, which can be left in the Narthex at St Justus. A request has been received from them for the following: cereal, jelly, tinned / instant potato, tinned vegetables, savoury biscuits & washing powder / liquid. If you'd prefer, details for an online bank transfer: Community Storehouse, HSBC Bank Sort code: 40-36-35Acc No: 11298410 Ref: St Justus member. Waitrose and Tesco gift cards are welcome as an alternative.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL would like to thank everyone for the generous support given to their charitable work. Presently baby food, toiletries and non-perishable food would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
“THE LIFEBOAT" BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT. On Saturday 27th June from 2-4pm, at St Peter’s, Hadlow we will be holding the next in our series of workshop afternoons, to support those coping with bereavement and grief. The workshop is for anyone in the parish who has experienced the grief of loss, either recently, or long ago. This session, we will focus on Holding On, Letting Go Come and look at ways of enabling a continuing relationship with your dearly departed whilst also building a future for yourself. Places must be booked in advance, by Sunday 21st June. Please email or phone for more information, or to reserve a place. Isabelle: 07873953423 or Isabelle.parsons23@gmail.com
First Holy CommunionsPlease pray for the 20 children who will be making their first Holy Communions over the next two weekends.Fr Philip
GIFT-AIDERS and those using SO envelopes, please collect your box of envelopes or envelopes, if you have not already done so from the Narthex in Corpus ChristiIf anyone wants a box or set of SO envelopes and there isn't one there for them to please let Tony Mahoney know.
BLESSING OF THE GRAVES – TONBRIDGE CEMETERY Sunday 14th June at 12noon with refreshments in the hall afterwards. Maura Branch, who is organising this, will be available after Masses for those who wish to partake. Please have your cemetery details ready for her if you have not already done so.
BINGO NIGHT FUNDRAISER FOR MALAWI-TWIN in honour of Brian and Martina. Saturday 20th June 2026, 7:00 pm at Fisher Hall. Enjoy tea, coffee and cakes, plus an evening of fun, great company and prizes to be won. Entry £1 per person, bingo books £5, and a raffle (donations welcome). Please bring cash if possible.
SAINTS PETER AND PAUL PATRONAL FEAST DAY CELEBRATION. On Sunday 28th June, St Peter’s will be holding our annual garden party lunch after 12 noon Mass. If you would like to come, please sign up on the list at the back of the chapel. Bring your contributions of food and drink for the lunch on the day!
MASS INTENTIONS Once you have booked your Mass Intention request with the parish office and then if you decide to pay your stipend via contactless, please ensure that you leave a message to identify yourself, if you are not Gift-aider, and also let the parish office know as the Intention & the amount has to be entered into the Mass Register. Thank you.
Congratulations to Cassandra Elks who was baptized last weekend & to her family & Godparents.