Arundel Cathedral
Arundel Cathedral
Arundel Cathedral  
       
The best known annual festivity at Arundel Cathedral is the Corpus Christi celebration in late May/early June. This feast, honouring the Body and Blood of Christ, is celebrated by the laying down of a carpet of flowers along the centre aisle of the church. After Mass the Blessed Sacrament is carried in procession with hymns down the flower decorated aisle and, weather permitting, along the streets of the town to the Castle quadrangle, where there is Benediction.
This tradition was introduced to Arundel by Duke Henry in 1877 inspired by an Italian custom.
Preparing the Carpet of Flowers  
   

There are many parish based organisations which include:
The Youth Group
This group arranges social and sporting events for younger parishioners. Visits to the theatre, conservation and charitable projects are among the activities undertaken. Participation in Catholic youth programmes are encourages and assisted.

The Arundel Catenians, who hold regular meetings in the district for social and charitable purposes.

 
           
                 
The Cathedral Organ The Sardhana Support Group (www.sardhana.org.uk), whose aim is to provide help to the parish of Sardhana in north India.
Regular events such as quizzes and Indian Dance displays are held in Arundel

The Arundel and Brighton Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes is supported each year by the Arundel Parish and help given to individuals to participate.

Choral and other concerts are held in the cathedral which are widely supported especially during the Arundel Festival season in late August each year. One of the foremost of these is given by the Sir Malcolm Sargent Choir of volunteer choristers, who donate their takings to a cancer charity.

Catholic Women's League
We usually meet on the last Thursday of the month after the 10am Mass. Matters of regional, national and international interest affecting Catholic women are discussed. Contact number available from Cathedral office.

Christian Aid
Christian Aid has been supported by the Arundel churches for over 25 years; the main fund-raising event being a 'Light Lunch' held on the first Sunday of each month at the Norfolk Centre in Mill Lane, from 12.30pm - 2pm. Collections are made during Christian Aid week to raise funds to enable Christian Aid to respond to emergencies world wide and promote self-help projects.

 
Lavinian Club
This group was founded by the late Duchess Lavinia in 1950 and is open to all residents of Arundel aged 60 and over. The annual subscription is currently £5.00. Two outings are arranged each year - the cost for members being well subsidised. Transport includes facilities for disabled members who are most welcome.

The Confraternity of Altar Servers
aims to help the altar servers to deepen their Christian understanding, especially relating to the Holy Eucharist. It also seeks to intensify their awareness of the Church's teaching and worship and to encourage them to carry out their Ministry of Service with reverence and devotion. To find out more about becoming a Server please contact John G. Brazier in the Sacristy after Mass.

First Holy Communion Group
Each Autumn, baptiized Catholic children from Year 3 and older begin preparation for their First Holy Communion the following year on the Sunday before Corpus Christi. Under the direction of catechists, they meet on the first Saturday of each month.

RCIA
Adults, baptized or not, who are considering membership of the Catholic Church, can join a group which meets each week beginning in July, with breaks for holidays. There are several stages in the Rite for the Christian Initiation of Adults. Those who wish to complete the preparation are received at the Easter Mass Vigil.

The Friends of Arundel Cathedral
Our Cathedral naturally welcomes admirers of religious architecture, but material support is also vital to ensure its beauty remains undimmed by the passing of the centuries. With this in mind, the Friends of Arundel Cathedral have sought since 1985 to make a significant contribution every year to maintaining this hilltop hymn in sunlit stone” to the Glory of God.

Please consider joining us in preserving this jewel of our Catholic Heritage in Sussex for generations yet unborn. To become a Friend of Arundel Cathedral, telephone one of the contact numbers available from the Cathedral office. In return, you will receive details each year of the special events planned in Arundel for our Friends from far and near. Visit our website at www.arundelcathedralfriends.org.

 
Churches Liason Committee
The Arundel Churches Liason Committee meets three times a year to promote and further Christian Unity within Arundel and maintain co-operation between the three Churches. Lay members represent the congregations and sit with the clergy to discuss and arrange shared activities and worship.

Ecumenism
The churches of Arundel have recently been twinned with those of Stegaurach in Bavaria. In October the Arundel Cathedral Parish participated in an exchange visit by the parish of Stegaurach. We were delighted to welcome the six German visitors led by Fr Andreas and hosted a supper at Warningcamp on 28th October for the visitors and about twenty clergy and parishioners from the Arundel churches. This was an enjoyable event which fostered friendship among all concerned.

St Mary's Hall
The Cathedral Parish is fortunate in having a spacious and conveniently located parish hall for parish social activities and the monthly coffee meetings held after 9.30 mass once a month on the first Sunday of the month. The hall may be hired for suitable meetings and activities by non parish organisations..


St Philips Catholic Primary School (Head Mistress; Margaret Fraher)
The school is in London Road close to the Cathedral and is closely linked to the life of the parish and has around 200 pupils.
The school provides excellent music for mass in the cathedral on certain Sundays and feast days.
Besides achieving high academic and social standards the school also gives priority to sporting activities.

The Bell Magazine
This is Arundel's own self-funded magazine, produced quarterly and delivered to every home and business in the postal code area. Members of the three Christian churches give their time voluntarily to form the editorial team. As well as lively articles of local interest, The Bell has a Town Diary, listing forthcoming events of all kinds, and a Directory of the many local services and groups with their contact telephone numbers - www.arundel.org.uk/bellmagazine.htm