Welcome to our Parish of St Michael, Durrington and High Salvington, which is situated to the North West of Worthing at the foot of the South Downs, overlooking the sea some two miles to the South, with beautiful views and a lovely Church set in large spacious grounds. 

We are a very warm and friendly parish and belong to the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton; Bishop Kieran Conry is our Bishop. Arundel Cathedral and Arundel Castle are seven miles to the West of us. Our church was opened on the 25^th April 1966 by Bishop David Cashman, and we celebrated our Ruby Jubilee in April 2006.

Welcome to our beautiful church and lovely community in which you will feel and experience the warmth of God's presence, and the spirit of the Lord. We have many young families in the Parish, and these photos of our church celebrate one of the highlights of our year, our First Holy Communion Day.

Warmest congratulations and every blessing to Joanna, Callum, Jo, Vicky and Judit who were received into the Catholic Church at Easter here at St Michael's.

450 join Fr Chris for Celebration

of 25 years of service

Fr Chris, our parish priest celebrated 25 years of priestly service on Thursday 21st May:  Some 400 people including parishioners, former parishioners and family together with 50 clergy including his Bishop, Kieran Conry joined to give thanks for 25 years of priestly ministry of Fr Chris. There was a packed Church for the celebration of the Mass of Thanksgiving which was followed by a reception in the parish hall afterwards.

Fr Chris, before training for the priesthood at St John's Seminary, Wonersh near Guildford, was a pilot in the RAF. He initially flew fighter jets and then Hercules transporters. He says: "I loved my time in the RAF but there was always this nagging call from God to the priesthood. I felt I had to answer his call and follow my vocation but as a result I have been blessed with 25 years of joy in the priesthood."

Fr Chris still retains a great love of flying. He still finds time to fly out of Shoreham Airport on his days off, and Carlisle when he goes to the Lake District for his holidays. Many a parish raffle prize has included a day's flight to Northern France with Fr Chris.

In his homily Mgr. Benny O'Shea reflected on the call, echoed in the reading at the Mass from St Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians, of the call of the Spirit to all of us to use our gifts for the service of the Lord. It was clear from the numbers of people filling the Church that evening that Fr Chris had indeed done that. All Christians and especially Priests are called in the words of Luke's Gospel to 'put out into the deep' and 'become fishers of men and women'.

Fr Chris was ordained priest on 17^th May 1984 in his home parish of Our Lady's, Selsey near Chichester by Bishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor (now Cardinal Cormac). He has served in the parish of St Michael's, Worthing for 14 years. Before this he was as an assistant priest in St Richard's, Chichester, St Thomas of Canterbury, St Leonards-on-Sea and St Catherine's, Littlehampton. St Michael's is a lively and friendly parish with a wide range of ages from young to old with many thriving groups and events. Under his guidance groups such as CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development), a youth group 3FC (Faith, Fun and Friendship in Christ), the Friendship Club (Over 60's), First Communion Preparation,  Alpha and many more contribute to the life of the Church and the wider community.

Towards the end of Mass Mike Donlevy, St Michael's parish treasurer, presented to Fr Chris from the parish an all expenses paid pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Fr Chris who has never been to the Holy Land was overjoyed to receive this kind gift from friends and parishioners. The Mass ended with a final blessing from Fr Chris to all present.

Holy St Michael the Archangel

 PRAYER TO ST MICHAEL, THE ARCHANGEL

Holy Michael, Archangel,
Defend us in the hour of battle,
Be our safeguard against the wickedness and Snares of the devil

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray
And do thou Prince of the Heavenly Host.
 By the power of God invested in thee
Cast down to Hell satan and all the evil spirits who Wander through the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.