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The Guild of the Blessed Sacrament,(GBS), originally part of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, was founded to promote devotion to the Real Presence of Our Blessed Lord in the Holy Eucharist. The chief objective of the GBS is to unite members of the parish in honouring the Blessed Sacrament in a special manner, by undertaking activities which contribute to this end. In Seaford the GBS members meet at 0800 for a corporate mass on the first Sunday of each month when regalia is worn, and members carry out the duties of readers and special ministers, and stewards, and at the end of mass the special GBS prayer is recited. On the same day they attend a "Guild Service" at 1800 followed by Benediction.
The GBS is open for membership to all Catholic men or women over the age of fourteen years. The Bishop is nominally Director of the GBS, with the Parish Priest (PP) being the local Rector. An annual election takes place at which a Warden, Deputy Warden, Secretary and Treasurer take office, or as may be decided by the members, and meetings through the year take place as also decided by members. The Secretary keeps list of current members and takes Minutes as necessary at all meetings. Subscriptions are paid by members to cover mass stipends and other approved expenses.
The GBS take part in church services such as the Maunday Thursday procession, and where the PP deems it appropriate on occasions such as the ordination of a Deacon and the visit of the Bishop. The GBS also have attended the Corpus Christi activities at Arundel Cathedral and a pilgrimage to Our Lady's shrine at West Grinstead.
It appears that the Seaford GBS is the only guild operating in the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, but there may be others in other Dioceses, and it is known that one operates in Blackheath in London. The GBS has existed in Seaford since virtually the inception of the present church (1935), and members hope that it will continue and expand so that "the faithful may strive to worship Christ Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in harmony with their way of life". Appropriate new members will be very welcome, and further information may be found in the church porch.
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