FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as ‘Laetare’ Sunday—a day of joy in the heart of Lent. Today is also Mothering Sunday or Mothers’ Day. We send our best wishes to all mums in the parish, and also pray for those mothers who have already gone to God. Next weekend is the beginning of Passiontide, the inner part of Lent that lead us towards Holy Week. This week will also see the end of term in our school. Please remember that although Holy Week this year falls in the Easter holidays, it is still important to join in the special celebrations at church. I hope you all have a lovely day and enjoy your weekend.
WEEKDAY 8AM MASS
Fr Johnson is back from his travels (safe and sound) so the usual routine before the 8am Mass will recommence on Monday morning onwards.
ROSARY
Please join in the rosary every weekday morning (Mon-Fri) at 9.30am in church.
POPE FRANCIS’S CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART
Thank you to everyone who came to Mass on Friday to join in this special universal prayer for peace in Ukraine. Please let us continue with our prayers at this time of need.
SHORT PENITENTIAL SERVICE WITH INDIVIDUAL CONFESSIONS
Takes place on Friday 8th April at 10.30am. Please note there will be NO Stations of the Cross on this day.
ADVANCE NOTICE OF TIMES FOR HOLY WEEK
The full scheduled to be published next weekend. The times of the main celebrations are given here in advance:
Palm Sunday 9th/10th April: all weekend Masses as usual
Holy (Maundy) Thursday 14th April: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7.30pm
Good Friday 15th April: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 3pm
Holy Saturday 16th April: Easter Vigil 7.30pm
Easter Sunday 17th April: Easter Sunday Masses 8.45am, 10am, 11.15am, 12.30pm
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES
Please collect your planned giving envelopes from the back of the Church. Envelopes are in alphabetical order—thank you.
CAFOD
Thank you so much for your support of CAFOD’s Lent Family Fast Day, the Walk Against Hunger and the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Your support means we can respond in crises such as Ukraine where our Caritas aid workers and volunteers could quickly help families fleeing conflict. It also means we’re there in the long-term and can continue to respond to crises around the world, including in Afghanistan, Syria, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. We work alongside communities as they rebuild their lives once the conflict is over, as in Sierra Leone. For lots more detail on how your donations are being used, please go to the CAFOD website cafod.org.uk
ANNUAL MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 14th May 2022 at 3pm. The Cardinal is inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese, who are celebrating their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2022. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give your parish clergy the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email.
FOODBANK NEWS
The foodbank continues to support an increasing number of families week on week. 25 families visited us on March 23rd. We would really like to recruit a few more volunteers. If anyone is interested in helping on one or two Wednesday afternoons per month (from 2.00p.m. to 4.15), please contact Fr Matt (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
We are grateful for all donations, currently we are running short of tinned fish, rice, coffee, shower gel, shampoo, toilet rolls and laundry products. Thank you.
PAPER SHOP
The shop can now be found to the right as you enter the Parish Hall. There are a lot of items, including cards for various religious events and Easter cards now in stock. The shop is open on Sunday mornings between 9.30am and 12.30am. We have a rota of volunteers. However, if there is no one there when you call in, please leave your offering on the counter. Please note that the shop is NOT OPEN on Saturday afternoons. Please pop by on a Sunday morning.
FRANCES JEYARAJAH RIP
The Requiem will take place at 10 am on Wednesday 13th April. May he rest in peace.
VOLUNTEERS SUNDAY MORNING REFRESHMENTS
Volunteers are needed to help run the Sunday morning refreshments after the 10am & 11.15am Mass. Please leave your details with the Parish Office if you able to help—Thank you.