Newsletters
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FR DAVID WRITES
Happy Easter to you all! Today we celebrate the victory of Christ our God over sin and death. Easter opens a new horizon for humanity and fills us with the hope of eternal life. May God bless you all in these days of joy. Alleluia!
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THIS IS HOLY WEEK
Holy Week is the pinnacle of the Church’s year, especially in terms of prayer and liturgy. It represents a journey we make with Our Lord during the last week of his earthly life. Please join us throughout the week for the main celebrations of the Easter Triduum, in particular: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. We look forward to seeing you all during this momentous and faith-filled journey. Please also take a Holy Week poster and display it your window at home as a witness to the celebration of this sacred time. May God bless you all.
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FR DAVID WRITES
Today, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, was traditionally known as Passion Sunday as it marks the beginning of Passiontide: the inner heart of Lent that leads towards Holy Week and the Easter Triduum. Please make sure to join us in the days ahead as we celebrate the central mysteries of faith. Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week itself. Next weekend, please make a special effort to be at church in good time for Mass so that you can participate in the blessing of palms. If you are beginning schools holidays, have a safe and joyful break but remember to join us at church in Holy Week. May God bless you all.
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FR TOM WRITES
Today is Laetare Sunday and the Church bids us Rejoice! It is a moment of joy in the midst of our Lenten journey. Marked by rose vestments it reminds us that Easter is near, and offers a glimpse of the joy we will proclaim with the resurrection of our Lord. Similarly, Mothering Sunday, traditionally a day to visit one’s “mother church”, has become a time to honour all mothers for the love and care they have shown us. As we celebrate, let us rejoice in God’s love and give thanks for those who nurture our faith. May this day inspire us with gratitude to continue journeying towards Easter.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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TUESDAY: FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES 7PM
Tuesday is our parish feast day. There will be Mass at 10am for the whole primary school as we celebrate our patronal feast. If you cannot come in the evening, you can join us at 10am. The special Mass for the whole parish will be on Tuesday evening at 7pm. This will be led by Bishop Jim Curry, and will be followed after Mass with a reception in the parish hall. Please join us for this special event.
FR DAVID WRITES
Please see the notice above about Tuesday. The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes marks the anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady to St Bernadette at the Grotto of Massabielle on 11th February 1858. Tuesday is also the World Day of Prayer for the Sick. Please keep this important intention in your prayers. I wish you all every blessing as we celebrate our special feast. Just a note to say that I will be in Rome from 17-20 February so there will be one Mass only on those days.