FR DAVID: LENT, HOLY WEEK & LENTEN ALMS
Today, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, is the beginning of Passiontide. This is the inner heart of Lent that leads towards Holy Week and Easter. We can see that Passiontide has begun by the presence of the purple coverings in church. Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week. Please take the Holy Week sheet this weekend with the all the information and times of celebrations from Palm Sunday onwards. As advertised in the Lent sheet, today there is a second collection for Lenten Alms (Cardinal’s Appeal). Finally, if you have begun the school holidays we wish you a happy break—but don’t forget to come to church for the great celebrations of Holy Week and Easter!
THE CARDINAL’S APPEAL
Thousands of families across the diocese are continuing to feel the effects of the pandemic, along with rising prices of essentials such as gas and food. This has left many with an impossible dilemma, unable to afford food as well as utility bills. Caritas Westminster is working to give volunteers the skills they need to give people a lifeline. Your support will enable us to reach more people across the diocese. It will also provide funds to the four main Caritas services: Bakhita House, St Joseph’s, Deaf Service, SEIDs, and much more.
SHORT PENITENTIAL SERVICE WITH INDIVIDUAL CONFESSIONS
Takes place on Friday at 10.30am. Please note there will be NO Stations of the Cross on this day.
HOLY WEEK COLLECTIONS
On Good Friday there will be the traditional collection ‘Pro Terra Sancta’ (for the sacred places of the Holy Land). On Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday there will be the Easter Collection which is very important for the life of the parish. If you are going to be away, you can leave your offering before you go. Envelopes are available in the church porch.
ROSARY
Please join in the rosary every weekday morning (Mon-Fri) at 9.30am in church.
BERNADETTE CLUB
The next meeting will take place on Thursday 7th April, 2pm – 4pm, in the Parish Hall.
FRANCES JEYARAJAH RIP
The Requiem will take place at 10 am on Wednesday 13th April. May he rest in peace
MEN OF ST JOSEPH—MASS & WALK TO WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL
This Friday at 6.30pm there will be a Mass here with the Men of St Joseph. This is a Polish group who will come for Mass and then walk from here through the night to Westminster Cathedral. The walk will include prayer and reflection. If any men from our parish would like to join either the Mass, the walk (or both) you are most welcome. Some, or most, of the liturgy will be in Polish. There is a poster in the notice board outside the church doors.
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES
Please collect your planned giving envelopes from the back of the Church. Envelopes are in alphabetical order—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.
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.
100KM SPONSORED WALK IN AID OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES PRIMARY SCHOOL
Our school turned 50 last year, and to raise much needed funds Tony Frisino, one of the dads, is going to walk 100km from 8th April to 8th May. All money raised will go towards a new library and refurbishment of the caretaker’s house. To sponsor Tony please go to https://wonderful.org/fundraisers/454
FOODBANK NEWS
‘The foodbank continues to support an increasing number of families week on week. 25 families visited us on 23rd March. We would really like to recruit a few more volunteers. If anyone is interested in helping on one or two Wednesdays per month (from 2pm to 4.15pm), 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.’
UKRAINE REFUGEES
Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) are in close dialogue with the UK Government on responding to the war in Ukraine. Guidance on how Catholic households and groups can support refugees from Ukraine is available on their website, updated as new information becomes available: https://www.csan.org.uk/ukraine/