THIS IS HOLY WEEK
Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. Whether we are able to come to church or will pray from home, together let us make this Holy Week a time of prayer and peace. Through God's grace, we are privileged to share in the Paschal Mystery of Christ who died on the cross and rose from the dead for our salvation. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to celebrate these wonderful liturgies in their usual magnificent form - it remains the case that the time we spend inside church in groups must still be reduced - so you will notice some legitimate changes in the rites this year. Please God, next year all will be restored. We wish you all every blessing at the start of the special week.
PALMS
The palms available this weekend have already been blessed by Fr David on Saturday afternoon, so the blessing will not take place again during Mass. Please do take a palm with you, or one for someone who cannot come to church. However, please be considerate and remember there are six Masses where people will want to take palms.
THE TRIDUUM & EASTER SUNDAY
No tickets are needed for Palm Sunday or the smaller liturgies of the week (e.g. stations of the cross, weekday Mass on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). However, tickets ARE needed for the main Masses of the Triduum and for Easter Sunday. Please advise friends and neighbours that they will not be able to come to Mass if they do not have a ticket. However, we will keep the church open on the evening of Holy Thursday and Good Friday so that people can come to pray in silence if they have not been able to come to church. Please remember that Mass times are different during the Triduum so please check your ticket or newsletter.
GOOD FRIDAY
Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence. There will also be the annual collection for the Holy Places.
PROCEDURE AT CHURCH
Please stay away if you have any symptoms or if it is safer to stay at home. Please use the hand sanitiser on the way in, and wear the face covering inside the church. We must all observe social distancing inside the church, and please, no mingling outside! Thank you.
FOUR SEASONS DRAW
If anyone would like to be part of the Draw for 2021—we hope to hold the Spring Draw in early April – the stake is £3 per quarter. Please email the parish Office for details or an application form.
LENTEN ALMS
This week there will be a second collection for Lenten Alms. These alms go to the Cardinal's Appeal which helps projects in the diocese connected with young people, family life and our contribution towards the common good in the wider community.
EASTER COLLECTION
Next weekend, the Easter collection officially takes place. However, in effect it is already open. If you cannot come to church next weekend but would like to contribute, please use the Easter Collection envelopes (some at the back of church) or any envelope from home with 'Easter' written on it. Last Easter's collection was inevitably much reduced, as was Christmas, so your generosity would be greatly appreciated.
PARISH OFFICE - BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
The Parish Office will be closed for the Bank Holidays of Good Friday and Easter Monday. All urgent business should be concluded this week before the Easter break. Thank you.
FOOD BANK
Thank you all so much for your generous donations to the Foodbank. If anyone would like to volunteer to help on a Monday afternoon, please contact Father Matt Harbage (Vicar): 07746 444179 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
THE PASSAGE—NO NIGHT OUT
The Passage is raising funds through the Big Give until Wed 31st March to support No Night Out, a new initiative to take newly homeless people off the street straight away. Further details of the work is at www.passage.org.uk
Double your Donation is a matched giving scheme for online donations. If someone (can be company, individual or trust) gave £10 online matched giving of £10 would bring the Gift up to £20 (and for individuals to £22.50 with Gift Aid). For more information ring Andrew Hollingsworth 020 75921886, or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CAFOD WORKSHOP ONLINE EVENT
On Saturday 10th April from 11am to 12.30. 2021 is a critical year as world leaders decide how to rebuild after the pandemic. As Catholics we have an important role to play in calling for the world’s poorest communities to be included. Join us to find out how to meet your MP as a parish group. Book at www.cafod.org.uk/mpmeeting