Saint Wilfrid

Introduction

Saint Wilfrid Church in Burgess Hill, within the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, was formally opened on 12 October 1940, Saint Wilfrid's Feast Day.

History

The decoration and furnishing of the church is largely the work of the Guild of St Joseph & St Dominic. In July 2010, to coincide with the 70th Anniversary of the first Mass, the church was re-opened following a brief closure to complete the decoration.

Architecture and furnishings

The Stations of the Cross are the work of Sir Frank Brangwyn, and only a very small number of prints were made before the plates were destroyed. The statue of St Wilfrid is thought to be of South German workmanship and to date approximately from 1525. The wall behind the altar displays Our Lady and Saint John on either side of the cross, with Saint Wilfrid and Saint Richard of Chichester flanking them. Bas-reliefs of Saint Joseph and Saint Theresa of Lisieux (The Little Flower) are positioned on either side of the sanctuary. A steel time capsule in the font's base holds photographs of the congregation and other items capturing parish life in the year 2000.

Parish life

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) addresses areas of social concern within the parish. The RCIA programme at Saint Wilfrid’s and Saint Edward’s is for those wishing to be baptised, received into full communion, or for adult Catholics preparing for Confirmation, and is open to lapsed Catholics and others.

The Confirmation programme is run in co-ordination with Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, Haywards Heath and St Paul’s Catholic College, Burgess Hill. The Parish Centre hosts meetings and social functions for the parish throughout the year.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Parents seeking baptism for their babies are invited to attend two preparation sessions. Children over the age of 7 attend the RCIC sessions, which usually run alongside the First Holy Communion Preparation sessions. The parish arranges the anointing, at home or in hospital, of those with severe or long term illness, or before surgery. The parish provides sacraments to those in hospital, care homes, or housebound, upon request.