FR DAVID WRITES
On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, we enter the special time of Lent known as ‘Passiontide’. Today we hear the Gospel about Lazarus who comes back from the dead. Like the Samaritan woman, and the blind man healed by Jesus, this Gospel is about those who come to faith after being enlightened by Christ. Jesus prays that the Father might cause everyone ‘to believe’ that it was God who sent him, and that everyone might believe through the miracle he works. Christ, our Saviour, is the one who came to seek out and save that which was lost, and call back to life those who were dead.
RENEWAL OF THE DOWRY OF MARY
Today we are invited to renew the dedication of our country and every person to Our Lady. This renewal recalls the dedication of England as the ‘Dowry of Mary’ by King Richard II in 1381. This renewal will take place in homes and parishes all across the country. Here, it will be led by our priests at the Vigil Mass on Saturday, and again at the 10am Mass on Sunday (both Masses will be live streamed). Let us also pray that Mary, the mother of mercy, may pray for us at this difficult time in the life of our country and, indeed, the whole world.
BRITISH SUMMER TIME
If you’re not feeling confused enough already, don’t forget that the clocks go forward one hour this weekend during Saturday night/Sunday morning.
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
This coming week, Monday-Friday, there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in church (streamed live) from 5pm-6pm. Please tune in to join us in prayer as we prepare for Holy Week. This will also take place on Palm Sunday evening at 5pm.
PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION
Next Sunday, 5th April, is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. As is now the case, our Masses will streamed live on the website on Saturday at 6.30pm and on Sunday at 10am. Unfortunately, for obvious reasons, we will not be able to distribute the blessed palms. However, we do invite you to join us online for this important day which begins the greatest week in the Church’s liturgical calendar.
ADVANCE NOTICE FOR HOLY WEEK
Please note that in Holy Week there will be some changes in the times of Masses on the live stream:
Monday 6th April
10am Weekday Mass of Holy Monday
5pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Tuesday 7th April
10am Weekday Mass of Holy Tuesday
5pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Wednesday 8th April
10am Weekday Mass of Holy or ‘Spy’ Wednesday
5pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Holy Thursday 9th April
10am Morning Prayer
7.30pm Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday 10th April
10am Morning Prayer & Office of Readings
3pm Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
Holy Saturday 11th April
10am Morning Prayer & Office of Readings
7.30pm Solemn Easter Vigil & First Mass of Easter
Easter Sunday 12th April
10am Mass of Easter Sunday
RECONCILIATION
The bishops are going to make a statement on confession and the Easter duties. We will highlight it in when it is released. Please bear in mind the teaching of the Church when you cannot go to confession: to call to mind one’s sins, to make an act of perfect contrition and a firm resolution to go to confession at the first possible opportunity when it becomes available again. Please see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1452: When contrition arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, it is called "perfect". Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.
THE PASSAGE: DOUBLE YOUR DONATION
The Passage is raising funds through the Big Give until 12 midnight on Tuesday, 31st March to support its work Helping Homeless People to move away from the street to during the present Coranvirus situation and to provide support to keep them off the street both immediately and in the longer term. This is a matched giving scheme for online donations. If someone (can be company, individual or trust) gave £10 online matched giving would bring the Gift up to £20 (and for individuals to £22.50 with Gift Aid). For more information ring Andrew Hollingsworth 020 7592 1886 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Donate at https://bit.ly/334RmGH