Newsletters
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FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the Third Sunday of Easter when we hear the beautiful Gospel account of the two disciples who meet the Risen Lord on the way to Emmaus. He comes to meet us too, as he opens our hearts and reveals his presence in the Breaking of Bread. Let us continue to live these joyful days of Easter with faith and devotion. Please pray for the children and young people in our parish at this sacramental time.
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FR TOM WRITES
Last week’s celebration of the Paschal Triduum, which led us into the Easter season, brought us to the heart of our faith: that Jesus took our sins upon himself, endured suffering and death, and was laid in the tomb, yet rose in glory on the third day. We have celebrated this mystery not simply in remembrance, but so it may transform our lives, strengthens us and make us his witnesses. As we continue through Easter, may this mystery take deeper root in our hearts, shaping how we live and love, so that through us others may know the joy and peace of God’s love.
OCTAVE OF EASTER: HE IS RISEN ALLELUIA!
Today we celebrate the Octave Day of Easter - the eighth day of Easter joy, when Thomas meets the Risen One. It is a full recurrence of the Easter solemnity in every sense. Known also as Dominica in Albis or Quasimodo Sunday, this is a rich day in the liturgy full of meaning, splendour, and most of all, the fullness of Easter gladness.
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HE IS RISEN - ALLELUIA!
Today is Easter Sunday, when we celebrate the great truth that Christ, who died on the cross, is truly risen from the dead. May God bless us in these days of Easter joy.
FR DAVID WRITES
Happy Easter to you all! I pray that you may enjoy a beautiful Easter Sunday today, as well as the days of the Easter Octave ahead of us. Thank you from Fr Tom and me for the kind cards, good wishes and Easter gifts we have received. On behalf of the whole parish, we would like to thank everyone who helped to prepare and celebrate the days of this Holy Week Easter, especially in terms of preparing the church and celebrating the liturgy. Can I also take this opportunity to thank and greet the whole parish on this holy day. I thank you for your presence, prayers, generosity and ministries throughout the year. Together, we bring ourselves and our many gifts to help build of community of faith and love. May God bless you all. This week I will make a visit to Rome until Thursday evening, and I look forward to seeing you again next weekend. As I go, please pray for the repose of the soul of the late Holy Father, Pope Francis, who died last year on Easter Monday, which was 21 April in the Holy Year. May he rest in peace.
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THIS IS HOLY WEEK
Today is Palm Sunday - the beginning of Holy Week. Please take a blessed palm with you and place it at home, as a sign of your willingness to follow Christ into the mystery of his Passion, Death and Resurrection. Please take a Holy Week sheet, or see the back of this newsletter, for the schedule of Masses, celebrations and confessions in the coming week. We look forward to seeing you all especially for the Sacred Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. God bless you!
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FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Traditionally, today was also known as ‘Passion Sunday’ because it marks the beginning of Passiontide: the inner heart of the Lenten season. During this time, the statues and ornaments are veiled with purple, as the beauty of these images is taken from us for a short while. Next weekend is Palm Sunday. Please make sure you arrive at Mass in good time next week so that the blessing of palms can take place peacefully and without interruption. Thank you.
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FR TOM WRITES
This Sunday, vested in rose, the Church bids us: ‘Laetare Jerusalem: et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam’, that is, Rejoice Jerusalem, and gather together, all who love her. Our Lenten journey is gathering pace and in just a few short weeks we shall gather with our eyes are fixed on the Holy City as we celebrate the great sacrifice and victory of Our Lord. Laetare Sunday is also Mothering Sunday, let us give thanks for our mothers for the love and care they have shown us.
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FR DAVID WRITES
Today on the Third Sunday of Lent we hear the Gospel pericope about the encounter between Jesus and the woman by the well. Her encounter with Christ opens her heart and she becomes a messenger of faith to the people at home. After hearing her testimony, they declare that Jesus is ‘truly the Saviour of the world’. The encounter with Christ can also transform us. In Lent, we are invited to place our trust in the Saviour and to draw water from the deep wellspring of salvation.
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FR TOM WRITES
As our Lenten journey continues, let us reflect on how this sacred season is meant for our sanctification. Lent is not a diet, nor merely a time for secular self-improvement, but above all a renewal of our love for the Lord and a sincere return to His ways. This Sunday we hear the Gospel of the Transfiguration, a moment that comes before our Lord’s Passion and offers a glimpse of His glory. May this vision strengthen us, and encourage us to persevere faithfully on our Lenten journey.
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FR DAVID WRITES
Lent is underway! Thank you to everyone for a lovely day on Ash Wednesday and a great turn out of all the faithful. As we begin this journey of grace together, let us resolve to rely solely of God’s power and help, and to support one another with love, friendship and prayer. During this time, let us look for the opportunities to enter into prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Today there is a retiring collection for Lenten alms, and next weekend for CAFOD. May God bless us in this special season.
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FR TOM WRITES
It was truly beautiful to gather on Tuesday evening for the vigil of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. We came together to commemorate the 1858 apparitions to St Bernadette while giving thanks for the gift of our parish. As we continue to treasure these moments of gratitude, let us pray that we may always deepen our devotion to our Lord and Our Blessed Mother.
ASH WEDNESDAY
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and abstinence. Mass here will be celebrated at 8am, 10am (with music) and 7pm. Ashes will be imposed at all three Masses, but not outside of Mass. The car park will be available for all three Masses.
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FR DAVID WRITES
Welcome back to Fr Tom after his short break, and welcome to you all to church this weekend. On Tuesday evening at 7 pm we have our Special Mass to celebrate the parish feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The school Mass will be on Wednesday morning at 10 am. To celebrate the patronal feast of the parish is a great grace and an important day in our shared life together. Please join us in church and afterwards in the hall. Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate the Feasts of Candlemas and St Blaise this past week.