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Welcome to the Catholic Parish of Stamford
Saint Mary and Saint Augustine The Presbytery, 13 Broad Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1PG Telephone: (01780) 762010
Parish Priest: Father Simon Gillespie Mobile: 07760 372105 Email: [email protected] Deacons: Reverend Charles West-Sadler (retired); Reverend Robert S Dawson (retired)
Parish Secretary: Lauren Senior Telephone: (01780) 762010 Email: [email protected] Parish Safeguarding Representative: Tony Williams Telephone: 01780 756456 Email: [email protected]
Parish Director of Music: Ruth Proctor Mobile: 07826 017487 Email: [email protected] Parish Hall Manager: Anna Barwell Mobile: 07789 283140 Email: [email protected]
Parish Primary School: Saint Augustine’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Stamford (01780) 762094 Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham Diocesan Website: www.dioceseofnottingham.uk
Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Company Number: 7151646 Charity Number: 1134449
Fourth
13th and 14th April 2019 : Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
This is Holy Week, the Great Week, the Week when we are called to that privileged position of journeying with Jesus in his final days, through the triumphant entry into Jerusalem to the agony in the Garden and finally the death of Jesus of the Cross of Calvary. This isn’t an easy week, it’s a time of emotion and drama, of great hardship and suffering, a week when we are called to put our normal lives on hold, and truly enter into the heart of the mysteries of our faith. Today we see the Kingship of Jesus misunderstood, as he is feted whilst entering Jerusalem, but thought as one who will reject the conquering Romans and set the Chosen People free from their earthly masters. On Thursday Jesus shows God’s love by washing the feet of his disciples, but again he is misunderstood: ‘Lord, you shall never wash my feet’. As Jesus instituted the Eucharist his love was given a tangible and permanent presence here among us. On Friday the drama reaches its crescendo as the depths of God’s love for us are
demonstrated on the Cross. Whilst others fall asleep or flee, call for Jesus to be crucified or spit upon him, will we be faithful, standing with Mary and with John at the foot of the Cross? Through Friday evening and Saturday and into the night we experience the stillness of the tomb, the emptiness of a world without Jesus. Our church is barren, the tabernacle empty, only the Cross shows us what has happened, what is to come. And then, very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, we journey to the tomb to find . . . .
Come to church each day and join the drama of this Great Week!
Presbytery Safety
Work is very much in progress in the presbytery, so please take particular care by the building site. For some of the week it might be necessary to restrict access to the (back door of) the parish hall. Please take particular care where a board has been laid over the usual footpath, whilst this is being dug up. Remember to put any post into the new post-box in the church porch, or pop into the parish office in the front half of the parish hall, if the door is open.
On-line Resource for Lent
New Pilgrim Path explores and shares the rich spiritual resources of the internet. Visitors are helped to find sites that are relevant to them at the particular stage of their journey. They have pages devoted to a range of resources, including daily prayer, online retreats, inspirational reflections, spiritual poetry, religious broadcasts and many others. Each week they also feature a ‘Website of the week’. ~For more information, please go to www.newpilgrimpath.ie
Lent – extra chances for prayer
We are called to pray more in Lent, and so we might make prayer a regular part of our daily devotions. In church we have these extra opportunities:
X we will have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for half an hour each Thursday after Mass and on Saturday mornings (9.00am-10.00am);
X we will make the Stations of the Cross each Sunday at 4.15pm; X we will celebrate Solemn Vespers each Sunday at 5.00pm.
There are also Stations of the Cross booklets at the back of church which can be used for making the Way of the Cross in church, or taken home for private devotions.
For our Altar Servers
On Maundy Thursday we’ll have a training morning, starting at 10.00am, have some preparations for Holy Week and Easter, and sometime for lunch, too, and finish by 1.00pm.
Don’t forget to sign up for the various Masses and Services which you’ll be attending and serving at over the Great Week – thank you (and to your parents too)!
Forthcoming Events in our parish, community and diocese
New listings are indicated with a grey background
A warm welcome awaits all who come to visit the Passiontide Prayer Stations at Stamford Methodist Church on Maundy Thursday between 10.00am and 1.00pm. You are welcome to stay for as long or short a time as you wish. More details are at: https://www.facebook.com/events/421228568712658/
The Sacramental Preparation Group has a break over the Easter holidays, and meets next on Thursday 25th April at 6.00pm in the parish hall.
The Saint Vincent Society meets in the parish hall (Broad Street entrance) at 6.15pm on Thursday 25th April.
The SPUC Pro-Life Chain will be held on Saturday 27th April from 10.00am until 12.00 noon at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. See the poster in the porch for details.
A Divine Mercy Sunday Service will be held on Sunday 28th April in Saint Joseph’s church, Oakham, at 2.30pm. All are very welcome to attend.
A Divine Mercy Sunday Service will be held on Sunday 28th April in Saint Mary’s church, Derby, at 2.00pm. The afternoon will include the Rosary, confessions, a reflection by Father Greg Tobin, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (finishing at 3.00pm), Blessing of the Image, veneration of the relic of Saint Faustina, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and Benediction. See the poster in the porch for more details.
The Stamford Street Pastors’ AGM will be held on Sunday 28th April from 5.00pm at Great Casterton church. See the poster in the porch for details – all welcome!
The Parish Film Night will be showing, on Saturday 4th May in the parish hall at 7.15pm. All are welcome – Popcorn available!
The Diocesan Beauvale Pilgrimage will be held during the afternoon of Sunday 5th May in honour of local martyrs of the reformation Saint John Houghton and Saint Robert Lawrence. Details on the poster in the porch, or from [email protected]
The fourth Diocesan Blessed Sacrament Procession will be celebrated in Nottingham on Sunday 2nd June, starting from 2.00pm. Bishop Patrick will preside, and invites people from across the diocese to join him. More details on the poster in the porch.
The Nottingham Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham takes place on Saturday 15th June, under the leadership of Bishop Patrick. Put the date in your diaries now, and closer to the event we’ll look to arrange a coach from our parish.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Monday and Tuesday
In preparation for Easter we’ll have extra periods of Adoration during Holy Week, with half an hour before morning Mass on Monday and Tuesday, from 8.30am. Confessions will be available during this time too.
Good Friday in the Parish Hall
There will be tea and coffee served in the hall as usual on Good Friday morning; all proceeds this day (and indeed the collection taken during the Solemn Liturgy in the afternoon) will support the shrines and churches, and those priests and people who administer them and look after them, in the Holy Places. These include the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and all the churches and chapels in the various places in Jerusalem linked closely to Our Lord.
They are all under the custody of the Franciscan Friars, who have been guardians of those Holy Sites for hundreds of years. Thank You – as ever – for your generosity.
Divine Mercy Novena starts on Good Friday
The traditional Novena to the Divine Mercy begins on Good Friday and runs through the following nine days until the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday, the Sunday after Easter. Leaflets explaining the Novena, including the prayers to be used, are available at the back of church. More information about local celebrations of Divine Mercy Sunday (in Oakham, Leicester and Derby) are available in this newsletter, and on the posters in the porch.
Blessing of Polish Food – Holy Saturday
This traditional blessing of the food to be eaten on Easter morning will take place next Saturday (Holy Saturday) at 10.30am – please let others know.
Extra Choir Rehearsal – Holy Saturday
Our Director of Music, Ruth, is always happy to welcome new members to the parish choir. If you would like to be part of the Easter Vigil choir come along to the rehearsal on Saturday 20th April at 5.00pm. All that is required is enthusiasm and commitment!
Easter Vigil Transport – Easter Day
If anyone needs a lift to church for the Easter Vigil (4.30am on Easter morning) please contact Carmen Collis on 07474 616788.
March for Life – Saturday 11th May
The day will start at 9.30am with an indoor festival called LifeFest19 in the Connaught Rooms, Covent Garden. This will comprise of workshops, children’s activities, education stalls, speakers and prayer. Everyone will then process across the city for keynote speeches in the afternoon. For details please visit www.marchforlife.co.uk
Nottingham Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage
Forms are still available at the back of church, or from Father Simon, for this year’s Pilgrimage. We will be in Lourdes Sunday 14th – Friday 19th July, and travel (full board) starts from £729. Why not make this a Parish Pilgrimage?
In the Parish Repository
Easter cards are on sale at the back of church, sourced from religious communities: the Carmelite nuns at Quidenham, and the Benedictine monks of Saint Michael’s Abbey, Farnborough. In buying them you are helping to support their communities and work. In addition to Easter cards, the parish has begun sourcing a variety of greetings cards from Saint Michael’s. These include Mass cards (for the living and the dead), cards celebrating the Sacraments, and Our Lady and other saints, and general cards - all with beautiful designs created by the monks themselves.
Pope’s Prayer Intentions for April
Doctors and their collaborators in War Zones For doctors and their humanitarian collaborators in war zones, who risk their lives to save the lives of others.
A reflection for Holy Week from Saint Augustine of Hippo
Let us too glory in the cross of the Lord. The passion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the hope of glory and a lesson in patience. What may not the hearts of believers promise themselves as the gift of God’s grace, when for their sake God’s only Son, co-eternal with the Father, was not content only to be born as man from human stock but even died at the hands of the men he had created?
It is a great thing that we are promised by the Lord, but far greater is what has already been done for us, and which we now commemorate. Where were the sinners, what were they, when Christ died for them? When Christ has already given us the gift of his death, who is to doubt that he will give the saints the gift of his own life? Why does our human frailty hesitate to believe that mankind will one day live with God?
Who is Christ if not the Word of God: in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God? This Word of God was made flesh and dwelt among us. He had no power of himself to die for us: he had to take from us our mortal flesh. This was the way in which, though immortal, he was able to die; the way in which he chose to give life to mortal men: he would first share with us, and then enable us to share with him. Of ourselves we had no power to live, nor did he of himself have the power to die. In other words, he performed the most wonderful exchange with us. Through us, he died; through him, we shall live. The death of the Lord our God should not be a cause of shame for us; rather, it should be our greatest hope, our greatest glory. In taking upon himself the death that he found in us, he has most faithfully promised to give us life in him, such as we cannot have of ourselves.
He loved us so much that, sinless himself, he suffered for us sinners the punishment we deserved for our sins. How then can he fail to give us the reward we deserve for our righteousness, for he is the source of righteousness? How can he, whose promises are true, fail to reward the saints when he bore the punishment of sinners, though without sin himself?
Brethren, let us then fearlessly acknowledge, and even openly proclaim, that Christ was crucified for us; let us confess it, not in fear but in joy, not in shame but in glory. The apostle Paul saw Christ, and extolled his claim to glory. He had many great and inspired things to say about Christ, but he did not say that he boasted in Christ’s wonderful works: in creating the world, since he was God with the Father, or in ruling the world, though he was also a man like us. Rather, he said: Let me not boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pope Francis speaking about Confession
Pope Francis called for the Sacrament of Confession to be elevated in the pastoral life of the Church during a Lenten penitential liturgy in Saint Peter’s Basilica recently. “Confession is the passage from misery to mercy,” Pope Francis said in his homily for the Lenten reconciliation service on 29th March. “Let us restore to this sacrament the place it deserves in life and pastoral ministry!” The pope said that receiving pardon for our sins through a priest is “always a new, distinctive and unique experience.” “We pass from being alone with our miseries … to being raised up and encouraged by the Lord who grants us a new start”. Pope Francis recommended that people approaching the Sacrament of Reconciliation spend time looking at a crucifix after making their confession. It would be beautiful, he said, to remain with “eyes fixed on Jesus who has just set us free: no longer looking at our miseries, but rather at his mercy.” “To look at the Crucified One and say with amazement: ‘That’s where my sins ended up. You took them upon yourself. You didn’t point your finger at me; instead, you opened your arms and forgave me once again.’” “For this is the heart of Confession: not the sins we declare, but the divine love we receive, of which we are ever in need.” The pope reflected, “How many times do we feel alone, that we have lost our way in life? How many times do we no longer know how to begin again, overwhelmed by the effort to accept ourselves? We need to start over, but we don’t know where to begin.” “Only by being forgiven can we set out again with fresh confidence, after having experienced the joy of being loved by the Father to the full.” “If we want to be free from evil, we have to make room for the Lord who forgives and heals,” Francis said. “Evil is strong, it has a seductive power: it attracts and fascinates. Our own efforts are not enough to detach ourselves from it: we need a greater love. Without God, we cannot overcome evil,” he said. “Only his love raises us up from within, only his tender love poured out into our hearts makes us free.” “This is the heart of Confession: not the sins we declare, but the divine love we receive, of which we are ever in need,” Pope Francis concluded by saying.
Lord Jesus, you opened the eyes of the blind, healed the sick, forgave the sinful woman,
and after Peter’s denial confirmed him in your love. Listen to my prayer:
forgive all my sins, renew your love in my heart, help me to live in perfect unity with my fellow Christians
that I may proclaim your saving power to all the world. Amen.
Programme for the Great Week in Stamford
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord – 14th April X 6.00pm Vigil – Mass with the Blessing of Palms
(Ruth Lindsay RIP) X 9.00am – Mass with the Blessing of Palms (Eileen
Ivy Pattinson) X 10.30am – Mass with an Ecumenical Procession,
together with All Saints and Saint Mary’s congregations, starting from Saint Michael’s churchyard on the High Street. (Rob Bailey and family)
X 4.15pm – Stations of the Cross X 5.00pm – Sung Vespers (Evening Prayer of the Church)
Monday of Holy Week – 15th April X 8.30am – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions X 9.00am – Mass (Pro Populo – people of the parish)
Tuesday of Holy Week – 16th April X 8.30am – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions X 9.00am – Mass (Noah Robin Edwards)
Wednesday of Holy Week – 17th April X 11.30am – Mass of Chrism in Saint Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham
– all are welcome to celebrate this diocesan occasion with our Bishop and all the priests of the diocese, at which Bishop Patrick asks priests to renew their commitment to ministry, and then blesses the oil of the sick and the oil of catechumens, before consecrating the Sacred Chrism. This Mass, celebrated on Maundy Thursday (or slightly earlier in Holy Week, depending on circumstances) in all the Cathedrals of the world, celebrates the unity of each diocese, each particular Church, around the Bishop, the leader and shepherd of that Church. We might pray this day especially for Bishop Patrick and his ministry of shepherding the people of Nottingham Diocese, through governing, teaching and offering the sacraments for us. (Jeremiah and Honoria Hegarty and family RIP)
Maundy Thursday – 18th April X 7.30pm – The Mandatum Mass of the Lord’s Supper, with
the washing of feet, and the presentation of offerings for the poor (Adam Dudek – blessings)
X After Mass – Watching before the Blessed Sacrament until midnight – Confessions will be available during this time
X 11.50pm – Compline (Night Prayer of the Church) Good Friday – 19th April A day of fasting from food and abstaining from meat X 9.00am – Tenebrae (Office of Readings and Morning Prayer of the Church) X 9.40am – Confessions X 10.00am – Stations of the Cross X 12.00 noon – Stamford Ecumenical Walk of
Witness, starting from Saint Michael’s church in the High Street
X 3.00pm – The Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday with the collection for the Holy Places
Holy Saturday – 20th April We will spend the day in silence and stillness, waiting at the tomb
X 9.00am – Tenebrae (Office of Readings and Morning Prayer of the Church) X 9.40am – Confessions X 10.30am – Polish Blessing of Food X 12.00 noon – Sext (Mid-day Prayer of the Church) X 4.30pm – Vespers (Evening Prayer of the Church) EASTER DAY – 21st April
X 4.30am – Solemn Vigil and Mass of the Resurrection, (Mass offered for all the people of the parish) party in the parish hall afterwards X 8.30am – Lauds (Morning Prayer of the Church) X 9.00am – Mass of Easter Day (Irena Dudek RIP) X 11.00am – Mass of Easter Day (Janet Monk RIP) X 2.00pm – Mass of Easter Day in HMP Stocken (Marriage thanksgiving and blessings) X 5.00pm – Solemn Vespers of Easter Day to end the Easter Triduum
Saint John Fisher High School, Peterborough
On Wednesday 3rd April a Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Bishop Alan Hopes and many of the local priests, rejoicing in the 60th birthday of the school, and also commemorating the retirement of the headteacher, Mr Sean Hayes (whose 60th birthday it was). A wonderful evening saw staff, governors and pupils, past and present, giving thanks to God and then looking back at an exhibition of the school’s sixty years, in particular that period since 2008 which has seen Mr Hayes at the helm, including the rebuilding of much of the school site. Although our parish
links with the school aren’t presently very strong, a number of parishioners have received an excellent Catholic education at Saint John Fisher over the years, and we pray that this might once again be the case. We pray, too, for Mr Hayes as he leaves the school, and for Mrs Kate Pereira who will take on the headship after Easter.
2020 : The Year of the Word
The Bishops of England and Wales have decided to commemorate the anniversaries of Verbum Domini and Saint Jerome by dedicating the year 2020 to the Bible under the title “The God Who Speaks”. This initiative takes place in cooperation with the British Bible Society, with several events scheduled throughout the year to “celebrate, live and share” the Word of God. The year will also serve to commemorate two important anniversaries of Scripture’s role in the Church. 2020 will mark the tenth anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini. It is also the 1,600th anniversary of Saint Jerome’s death, whose Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible would go on to serve the Western Church up until the last century. On 30th September 2019, the feast of Saint Jerome, the Bishops’ initiative will be officially launched, and on 1st December, the First Sunday of Advent, the campaign year begins. Events will be centred around three themes in approaching the Word of God: celebrating, living and sharing. We will be asked to reflect on how we, as a parish, and as individual Christians, celebrate, live and share the Word, and to ask ourselves where to improve so as to “achieve transformation in our hearts and in our communities”.
Job Opportunity
The University of Nottingham Catholic Chaplaincy are currently seeking a new Catholic Lay Chaplain for the coming academic year (2019/2020). This is a full time paid position (37.5 hours a week) with live in accommodation offered, and for an initial one year contract, starting in August 2019. The position offers a great opportunity for anyone recently graduating from University and thinking about a career within Lay Chaplaincy, taking a gap year out, or seeking to further their pastoral experience within a University setting. Previous experience is not essential as full training will be offered, but relevant pastoral / lay chaplaincy experience and experience of University life is preferable. The deadline for applications is Monday 6th May and interviews will be held on Friday 10th May at the University of Nottingham. For more information or to receive a detailed Job Specification or to arrange a time to speak informally about this position please make contact, in the first instance, with Father Jonathan Rose (Catholic Chaplain to the University of Nottingham) by email: [email protected]
Prayer for Priestly and Religious Vocations
Almighty God, we pray, give us holy priests to strengthen us in our Christian calling, that we may be more closely conformed to Christ and share more effectively in his saving work. Through their ministry at the altar, and by their administration of the sacraments, may our lives be sanctified and become more closely associated with the redemptive sacrifice of Christ. As they preach the Gospel and teach the faith may we be inspired to dedicate ourselves to the work of evangelisation. As they serve our parishes may we be led into deeper communion of faith, hope and charity. O God, bless our diocese also with men and women who will serve the mission of the Church by taking religious vows, inspiring us with lives consecrated to you.
Mary Immaculate – pray for us. Saint Hugh of Lincoln – pray for us The saints of our diocese – pray for us.
Easter Greetings from foreign friends
Father Simon and Parishioners, I wish in this Lenten Season God bless your apostolic activities. Keep us in your prayers; we thank you for everything! God bless you Sister Lettemehret Tesfai and the sisters in Wajir
Dearest brother in Christ Father Simon. Your parishioners will visit the Holy Land in May; many thanks in advance for your solidarity and support. Easter Greetings. Christ is risen! He is truly risen! Yours in Christ. Father Mamdouh Abusada
Parish Retreat Day – Saturday 23rd March
About 20 parishioners journeyed to Launde Abbey in mid-March for a day of etreat and reflection led by Fathers Gabriel and Christopher of the Bradford Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. The theme of the day was Discipleship, echoing the pastoral theme Bishop Patrick has asked us to consider in this season of Lent (and for the next two Lents also), with parishioners variously listening to the Friars and having the opportunity to discuss is small groups what was being said. Launde Abbey, owned by the Anglican dioceses of Leicester and Peterborough, is a beautiful and prayerful place in the midst of the Leicestershire countryside, and their hospitality and welcome provided the perfect setting for talks, walks, prayer and our communal lunch. In the evening the Franciscans came to Stamford to celebrate the Vigil Mass, and to preach, giving an opportunity for those not able to join in the whole day to gain something of the Friars’ insight into Discipleship. A letter of thanks from the Fathers is on the noticeboard – if you didn’t manage to come this time, consider making this a priority next time our parish hosts a Retreat Day.
Parish Friendship Group
The Parish Friendship Group enjoyed a very convivial lunch together at Second Helpings on Saturday 30th March. As well as learning something of the workings of Second Helpings (which takes fresh produce from local outlets and produces a hot, tasty, and nutritious lunch for those who come along, on a pay-as-you-can basis) parishioners were able to meet new friends in our local community.
Liturgy this Sunday and next Sunday This week Next week
Celebration Palm Sunday Easter Day Cycle & Psalter Year C, Week 2 Year C, Week 1 Mass Page 184 Page 258 Penitential Rite omitted C, page 8 First Reading Isaiah 50:4-7 Acts 10:34.37-43 Psalm Psalm 21:8-9.17-20.23-34 Psalm 117:1-2.16-17.22-23 Second Reading Philippians 2:6-11 Colossians 3:1-4 Gospel Luke 19:28-40 John 20:1-9 Preface Passion of the Lord, page 73 Easter 1, page 74 Eucharistic Prayer Three, page 28 One, page 18 Memorial Acclamation C (Save us, Saviour) C (Save us, Saviour)
Sunday’s Antiphon and Motet at the 10.30am Mass
Motet: Hosanna to the Son of David – Telemann Hosanna to the son of David, hosannna to the son of David, hosanna, hosanna to the son of David, hosanna, hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, hosanna, hosanna in the highest, hosanna, hosanna, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest, hosanna, hosanna. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Antiphon: Pater, si non potest hic calix transire, nisi bibam: fiat voluntas tua. Deus, Deus meus, clamo per diem, et non exaudis, et nocte, et non est requies mihi. Pater, sic non potest hic calix transire, nisi bibam illum: fiat voluntas tua. Father, if it is not possible that this chalice pass unless I drink of it, may your will be done. O God, my God, I call throughout the day and you hearken not, and even at night there is no rest for me. Father, if it is not possible that this chalice pass unless I drink of it, may your will be done.
A Reflection from ‘Marriage Matters’
The Kingdom of God is a lifestyle choice Today’s readings are deeply moving, calling us to what? Can we stand up for our marriages; make lifestyle choices, putting our marriage first? Joseph of Arimathea stood up for what he believed in, when others had run away. He lived in ‘hope of seeing the Kingdom of God’. This kingdom is among us; let us choose it today – for us.
Prayers For . . .
All who have died recently, especially X Deacon John Parker, of Saint Edward’s parish, Leicester, who died on Monday; X John Marsh, who died on Saturday 30th March, and whose Requiem Mass will
be celebrated in church on Tuesday 23rd April at 11.00am. May they rest in peace!
All our parishioners and friends who have asked for our prayers: especially Sister Chritianne Champalbert, Michael Paine, Barbara Martin, Robert Plant, Lorraine Martin, Eileen Brentnall, Daniel Dopson, Joy, Hariet McBain-Allan, Kate Myers, Kitty Hughes, John and Julia Newman, Maria Pinto, Catherine Farndell, Marie Lunny, Mary Patrick, Dympna Middleton, Vincent Kelly, Sister Attracta, Verlia Duque, John and Stella Chapple, Jo and Bernard Raffo, Victoria Crouch, Peter Herrick, Mark Grab, Rosa Maria Santos, Kenneth Court, Veronica Hosking, Beth Coleman, Joan Middleton, Pat Dancer, Augusta Deane, Irene Mulligan, Nora Hunt, Valerie Pellier, Fiona Ruddle, David Cooke, Helen Allen, Jean Maker, Anna Orme, Lucy Court, Debbie Reed, Ken Woods, Lilian Popple, Anne Woods; Monsignori Jonathan Moore and Joseph Phelan; Canons John Berry and Michael Bell; Fathers John Cairns, Anthony Colebrook, Hugh Doherty, James Hannigan, Christopher Hogan, James Lynch, Frank McLaughlin, Neil McLaughlin, Robert Rutledge, Michael Tutcher, Daren Brown, Kevin Clark, David Bowler, Joe O’Hanlon, John Warrington and Richard Finn OP; Deacons Stephen Doona, Bill Hutchinson, and Bob Dawson.
Readings at Masses this week
Monday Isaiah 42:1-7; Psalm 26(27):1-3.13-14; John 12;1-11 Tuesday Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 70(71):1-6.15.17; John 13:21-33.36-38 Wednesday Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 68(69):8-10.21.22.31.33-34; Matthew 26:14-25 Chrism Mass Isaiah 61:1-3.6.8-9; Psalm 88:21-22.25.27; Revelation :5-8; Luke 4:16-21 Thursday Exodus 12:1-8.11-14; Psalm 115(116):12-18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15 Friday Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 30(31):2.6.12-17.25; Hebrews 4:14-16.5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42
Many Thanks for your Generosity
Envelopes £344.20 Loose plate £419.51 Standing Order £305.00 Collection Total £1,068.71
Lent Lunches
Sincere thanks to all who have partaken of the Lent Lunches over the past six Fridays, and to all those who have helped to prepare and serve them. A total of £841.57 has been raised, a 12% increase on last year, for the work of Christian Aid.
Easter Flowers
We’ve had a break from flowers over the weeks of Lent, but so that our church can look fittingly beautiful thank you to those who contributed so generously last weekend to our second collection for Easter Flowers, which raised £352.37. Thank You, too, to all those in our parish who arrange the flowers and enhance the beauty of our church.
Presbytery Refurbishment – Fundraising Update
The financial year has just ended and many pledges and donations have been given for the work to the presbytery, now well underway.
X £14,970 has been donated X £34,941.50 has been pledged X £10,150 was given earlier in the year X £5,800 raised from the 200 club X this gives a total raised so far of £62,861.50!
Almost a third of the money we need to raise! If you’ve not yet had opportunity to donate, take a pink form from the back of church today to find out what’s happening and how you can help!
Easter Collection
A reminder that the collection on Easter Day is the traditional gift offering to the parish priest – thank you in advance for your generosity!
Envelopes are available at the back of church if you wish to take one home.
How to make a Palm Cross
Whilst the Palm is the symbol of triumphant entry on Palm Sunday, the Cross is the symbol of death on Good Friday. Some Catholics like to shape their ‘straight’ palm into a Cross at the end of Holy Week and keep it in their home throughout the year.
