Many of us know of St Catherine's in Crawley, and have visited their Charity Shop in London Road! The Hospice is a Palliative Care Centre, offering people with progressive life-threatening illness the opportunity to live life as fully as possible, to die with dignity, and to provide support for those close to them. The Chaplain, Mike Neville, and the staff are trained to care for the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of each patient, their family and friends, whether in the Day Centre or as inpatients. We have recently heard from Mike that he now has some long awaited and much deserved assistance. This is from staff who were at the Marie Curie foundation in Caterham. This has closed recently and patients will now be treated at the Hospice.
Hospices are not funded by the NHS, so our support is vital. For the past two years, around Christmas-time, we have held a 'Tree of Light' service at St John's, in memory of loved ones who have died; and we hope to hold that again this year. Jenny Young has all the information.

 

Caring in the community

Four words which summarize the whole aim and driving force that makes St. Catherine''s unique in our community. Specialist professional care, but very special care, for patients with cancer, MND and AIDS, when curative treatment has failed to stem the onset. Care for those patients who prefer to stay at home. Care also for those for whom treatment can still provide control and comfort.

There is much, much more to our hospice, not least of which is the caring support for bereaved families and friends. As all this work continues to expand, costs escalate. Support is largely by voluntary donations. St. Catherine''s needs our help now.

Let us pray and thank God for the vision and drive of those who built the hospice, and the dedication, service and care of the staff totally committed to their patients. Visit their website here.


Representative:   Jenny Young     01342 324849

WE HAVE agreed to hold a Tree of Light Service for St. Catherine’s Hospice again this year. It will be on Sunday 13^th December at 6.30pm. This is becoming an important preparation for Christmas for many people who are bereaved or separated from loved ones for other reasons.

It is most encouraging to hear that there are many churches in the area who are also holding services this year. Crawley Down, Horley, Horsham and St Swithun’s in East Grinstead are all holding services on 6th December. For this reason we thought it would be a good idea to have our service on an alternative date.

This will be the third year we have held this service at St. John’s. Last year was most successful and I hope very helpful to people that came.

I was so grateful for all the offers of help I received last year and the hard work and generosity shown by the Mission Team and friends at St John’s. Once again I would be so grateful to hear from anyone who would like to assist in the organisation or take part in the service. We will need people to help set things up in the church before the Service, Readers for the lessons, Sidesmen, and four prayer readers and probably lots of things I haven’t remembered! It would be good to involve anyone who has any connection with St. Catherine’s and who would like to play a part. Please contact Jenny Young

I am hoping that Lyn Skinner and helpers from the St. Catherine’s supporters group will be able to prepare and serve teas and coffees for us after the service.

Di Giles provided us with a lovely Christmas tree last year as she was having one chopped down in her garden. It looked very pretty outside the church all over the Christmas period. This year I will have to think again and make some enquiries locally. We ran the electric cables for the lights from the porch which worked very well but a few minor adjustments were required and hopefully these will be ready by the time we light the tree. Rona is going to ask the Fire Service if they could come and put the lights up for us as they have in previous years. We are very grateful for their help and support.

Jenny Young