THE OLD CATHOLIC MISSION IN SUSSEX

The Sussex Mission of the Catholic Apostolic Church in Europe, UK
[aka, The Old Catholic Church in Europe]
is staffed by Priests of the Oratory of St John Vianney

 PARISH PRIEST
 & Community Chaplain

Canon Jerome Lloyd OSJV

Parish Office Tel: 01273 774889
Email: parishpriest@occesussex.co.uk
Skype: canon.jerome.lloyd

The Very Revd Canon J Lloyd OSJV VG
"Domus Ecclesia"
52A Regency Square
Brighton BN1 2FF

 Biography

 ASSISTANT PRIEST
 Spanish/Portuguese Chaplain

Canon Emilio Tundidor-Suarez OSJV

 Tel: 07891 816272

Email: fr.emilio@osjv.co.uk

Skype: emilio_uk

 PASTORAL ASSISTANT

 Mr Peter Southgate
MICM DHyp MBSCH

Tel: 01273 721763
Mob: 07742 608382

Email: pa@occesussex.co.uk

 Biography

BISHOP

 

The Most Reverend Dennis Beevers OSJV
Titular Bishop of Dunstanburgh
Metropolitan Bishop of the OCCE : NCAC UK

VOCATION

"Servant of the servants of God" despite being a Papal title ("Servus servorum Dei"), describes accurately any vocation to the Sacred Ministry i.e. to be a deacon or a priest.  Like Catholic Clergy throughout the world and throughout the ages, our Clergy have offered themselves, their lives, their abilities, their gifts in service of Christ and of His people, the Church.

WORKER PRIESTS

In the tradition of the Apostles themselves, our Clergy provide for themselves and their families by their own labour; our Clergy are not paid by the Church.  In fact, our Clergy contribute and sustain our Parishes by their own financial contribution, as well as by their spiritual and pastoral ministry. 

OCCE Clergy may be engaged in secular employment full/part time or even retired, but they are not supported financially by the Church or by the people they serve.  In this way, our Priests are truly "Fathers" of the family of the local Church, contributing equally with their parishoners to the financial and spiritual stability of the whole Parish Family.

HOLY ORDERS

The Apostolic Succession of the OCCE is descended from the Old Roman Catholic Church (Utrecht) through Archbishop Arnold Harris Mathew, former Regional Bishop for Great Britain of the Union of Utrecht Churches and the Roman Catholic Church through Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa, former Diocesan Bishop of Botucatu, Brazil and titular Bishop of Maura, and founder of the Igreja Católica Apostólica Brasileira.  The validity of the Sacraments offered through our Apostolic Succession have been attested to at various times by independent authorities including the Polish National Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion and the Holy See.

VOCATIONS

The Catholic Apostolic National Churches provide for the ordination of individuals interested in the ministry through individual parish-guided study in Christ the King Theological Seminary. Through this program, an individual can, through study, prayer and discernment, determine whether becoming ordained as a Deacon or Priest is truly what God has in store for them. Seminarians enrolled in programs can complete their ministry practicum working at parishes and missions. Individuals who express an interest in Holy Orders are referred to the program to begin the application and discernment process. Not everyone is called to serve the Lord in this capacity, and acceptance in the programs is based upon many factors. Married and single men are eligible for study, prayer and discernment, which may lead to an ordained, sacramental ministry within the church. Individuals interested in the program should email us for further information and to review the programs for candidates.

Many people come to vocations late in life, having raised a family, retired from the "9 to 5", or seeking to leave some personal testimony of their love of Christ, through the loving of others. Today, many people join religious orders and serve in varying degrees. Some people serve, giving a small amount of their daily lives in service, sacrificing time from family and friends to help those they do not know. Others profess vows as nuns or brothers, becoming “eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom” and taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Holy Orders, the sacramental gift of the priesthood, calls men, married and single, to serve God in a way that is truly unique. If you feel called to serve God, answer that call, come from wherever you are in life, and bring your gifts to the table.

There is no reason to wait or hesitate.

Our clergy serve in the immediate areas they reside in. Candidates with families will not be asked to uproot their families and move. Unmarried religious and clergy likewise will not be moved nor reassigned unless they so request. Priests, Deacons, Nuns, Brothers and Laity can and do serve as missionaries to other countries, feeding the hungry and caring for the ill, as well as providing educational and spiritual nurturing. Can you give as little as a month of your time helping others here in the United States or in other countries? We are a working people, a building people, sacrificing for the others because Christ sacrificed so much for us. The surroundings are not breathtaking, the accommodations by no means luxurious, and the work is hard. Join us in serving God, by serving others.