St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church Hastings

A message from our Diocesan Administrator

My dear brothers and sisters,

It’s become a regular Sunday evening ‘thing’ for me to flick through parish websites and social media platforms to get a glimpse of the life of our communities of faith. How blessed we are to be in such good company with one another in our discipleship of Jesus and in our service of the Gospel. I recently spent a week in Rome with the Bishops of England and Wales, amongst whom there was much talk of, and encouraging interest in our Diocesan Pastoral Plan. I know that, across the Diocese, you are working closely with your priests and deacons to help realise the beautiful vision Bishop (Archbishop) Richard set out for us in ’The Word Who is Life’.

I pray for you all daily. I’m especially mindful of the people of the parishes in which I have been privileged to serve; of the specific needs, sorrows, and joys marking the life of our parish communities in any given week; and of those whose names appear in your newsletters by reason of receiving the Sacraments, or in sickness or bereavement, and the souls of those of our number who have died. All of these prayers I gather together in the Mass I am asked to offer each Sunday ‘for all the people of the Diocese’. Please pray for me; and keep praying, each day, for the election of a new Bishop for our Diocese.

God bless you all.

Father Jonathan Martin

Diocesan Administrator

Canon Jonathan Martin has been elected as our Diocesan Administrator, following the installation of Archbishop Richard at Westminster.

Elected by the diocesan College of Consultors, Canon Jonathan will serve our community of faith until a new bishop is appointed by the Holy Father, shepherding the people of our Diocese so that the Gospel message and the work and mission of the Church may be taken forward across the parishes and schools of our diocese.

Click on the link to find out more: abdiocese.org.uk/news/diocesan-administrator

***Please note that the February Holy Hour (Sunday 22nd February) is cancelled*** Deacon Duncan is unavailable for this month.

Update on the Pastoral Plan

As expected, the formation of the new Eastbourne & St Leonards Parish is paused until a new bishop has been appointed to the Diocese.

St Mary Star of the Sea Church is in an interim period while we await the appointment of a new Parish priest from the East African Pallottine Province. From the first week in February 2026, The Irish Pallottines are no longer in a position to be able to cover the transition period. We are therefore relying upon help from priests from the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton to cover Masses for the weekends only. Holy Week will be celebrated in the usual way.

Deacon Duncan Brown

In our interim period the parish telephone may not be monitored everyday, please email hastings@abdiocese.org.uk

OFFICE HOURS: Monday & Wednesday 10.30am – 12.00pm. Phone Carolyn on 01424 421263 or email pt.hastings@abdiocese.org.uk

Archbishop Moth’s Installation

The live link to the Archbishop Elect’s Installation Mass at Westminster Cathedral at noon on 14th February: westminstercathedral.org.uk/spiritual-life/watch-a-mass/

Users will need to scroll down the page slightly to see the viewing window. I hope some of you will be able to watch and enjoy the services if you are unable to attend in person.