FR JEROME WRITES
We have moved from the season of Lent and the period of Passiontide and embarking on a new journey, a paschal journey with the early church, and an opportunity to re-discover the meaning of Community. Each year we seem to reach this point either exhausted by the intensity of the past seven weeks or exhilarated, ready for a joyous journey through the Easter season reinvigorated by our shared experiences. The early church could have hidden from view after the traumatic events of the last week but, filled with the spirit of God, they began to build, and so must we. We are faced with many problems but we should follow the example of the early church and aim to build not decline.
THANK YOU
Fr David, Fr Jerome & Fr Johnson would like to thank you for your kindness over Easter. For your prayers, good wishes, cards and gifts.
DANIEL O’SULLIVAN RIP
Requiem Mass Thursday 27th April at 10am. May he rest in peace.
WORKS IN THE CHURCH
Please be careful this weekend in the church as we are still in the midst of our redecoration works. Next week, the Masses from Monday - Friday will be in the hall.
VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD
On Wednesday 17 May, there will be an open evening at St James’s, Spanish Place, for any men interested in learning about or discerning a vocation to priesthood. The regular evening Mass will be at 6pm, followed by a gathering downstairs in the Social Centre for a short presentation, informal conversations and refreshments. The nearest tube stations are Bond Street and Baker Street.
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES
Envelopes for 2023/24 are now available at the back of the church. They are in numerical order and your number will be the same as last year. Please take yours as soon as you can. If you can’t find your box, please email the Parish Office.
CONTACTLESS CARD READER
We now have a contactless card machine, which takes cards and smart phones, and you can add Gift Aid if you follow the instructions on the reader. Once you have used a card with Gift Aid, it recognizes it for any subsequent donation.
FOOD BANK
Thank you for your ongoing support. We are seeing a significant increase in the number of people accessing the foodbank. These items are really popular: toilet rolls, soap, detergent, basmati rice, spaghetti, lentils, noodles, couscous, oil, sugar, green tea, coffee, tinned tomatoes, tinned fish and tinned fruit.
VOLUNTEER CATECHISTS
If you would like to volunteer for next year’s Confirmation programme please see Teresa or ask the office for further details.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2023
Parents are reminded of their meeting on Tuesday 18th April at 8pm. The children’s session is on Saturday 22nd April, 10am—12.30pm for First Reconciliation, followed by Mass for the whole family on Sunday at 11.15 am.
Rehearsals for First Holy Communion will take place on Thursday 27th April at 5.20pm & 6.20pm.
First Holy Communions take place on Saturday 29th April at 11am & 2pm.
CONFIRMATION 2023
Candidates are reminded of their Retreat Day on Saturday 22nd April from 10.45am— 4.30pm.
BAPTISMS
If you would like your Child to receive the Sacrament of Baptism please come to the next meeting on Wednesday 17th May at 5pm in the Parish Centre.