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FR DAVID WRITES
Well done to our new Confirmation candidates who began their preparation and formation last weekend. They were enrolled to receive the sacrament during the 6pm Mass last Saturday. Please keep them in your prayers. Today we keep the Third Sunday of Lent. The Parable of the Fig Tree is a reminder to us to embrace now, rather than delay, the opportunities that Lent and God’s grace offer us. Next weekend will be Laetare Sunday (the Fourth of Lent) which marks the mid-point of our journey, and it will also be Mothering Sunday. Have a wonderful Lenten week!

FR TOM WRITES
In the Gospel this Sunday we listen to Luke’s account of the Transfiguration. Often we live Lent as a dreary time, despite Christ’s warning to not parade our fasting in front of others, when it is actually a time of immense hope. The Transfiguration is a reminder of the work that God desires to do in our lives during this season. Christ came that we may see his glory, and may enter into a renewed relationship with the Trinity. Let us continue this time of Lent full of hope.

FR DAVID WRITES
We had a wonderful start to Lent on Ash Wednesday which was a lovely day, full of faith. Now we begin the journey together that will lead us through to Holy Week and Easter. Today, on the First Sunday of Lent, we meet the Lord Jesus who is victorious over temptation in the wilderness. May we imitate his fasting and prayer during this time of grace and renewal, relying solely on God’s gifts.

FR DAVID WRITES
On Wednesday, the whole Church will begin the Lenten observance together. This year we begin Lent praying for the health and wellbeing of the Holy Father. Please continue to remember Pope Francis in your prayers. Please take a sheet from the church porch which outlines some of the themes that Lent presents to us. The sheet also outlines the times of Masses and services in Lent and Holy Week. We hope that everyone will make a good start to this special time of grace, and we know that the Lord will be with us as we share his journey that leads to the Cross and Resurrection. May God bless you all.

FR TOM WRITES
Many of you will be aware that Pope Francis has spent the last week in hospital suffering with pneumonia in both lungs following a serious case of bronchitis. It is important that as Catholics we pray for the Pope because he is the successor of St Peter. In an unbroken succession, we can trace back his apostolic authority, back to Peter and to Christ, who commissioned Peter, just as he commissions each pope. Our Holy Father is an important link for us in faith. He represents the Lord for us, and he is a source of our unity. He is, as it were, a global father to the Church – not just a Holy Father, but a global father. He’s the Father of all peoples. In a particular way, he’s the father of every Catholic. Please pray at this time for Pope Francis’ health and for every strength and blessing for him.

FR TOM WRITES
A massive thank you to all who enabled our celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes to be such a resounding success. It was beautiful to celebrate the gift of our patronal saint, and to welcome Bishop Curry who implored us to be pilgrims into hope during this Jubilee Year. We were also asked to pray for all those around the world who find themselves without hope for whatever reason, in particular for all those in places that are experiencing war at this time. Let us pray for them, through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, and Patronal Saint, the Virgin Mary. As he previously mentioned, Fr David will be in Rome this week  Monday to Thursday.

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Prayer Intentions

Those who are unwell, including:  
Callum Stone, Donal Kennedy,  Lidia Solari, Fabio Amato, Veronica Keville,  Angela Mangan, John Quattromini, Marie Coutinho,  Andrea Jordan, Ifte Alam, Nadim Alam, Sheila Casey, Emma Lake, Guido Fichera, James Brady, Theresa Dillon, Lawrence Robinson, Luisa Busandri, Martin Donoghue, Kath Joyce, Lucy Jones, Megan O’Brien, Hannah Fennell, Alison Hughes, Silveria Vieira Papel, and Kay Heery.

All those who have died recently, including:
Bridget Murphy, Phyliss Morgan-Fann, and Assunta Copelli.