FR TOM WRITES
This Sunday, vested in rose, the Church bids us: ‘Laetare Jerusalem: et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam’, that is, Rejoice Jerusalem, and gather together, all who love her. Our Lenten journey is gathering pace and in just a few short weeks we shall gather with our eyes are fixed on the Holy City as we celebrate the great sacrifice and victory of Our Lord. Laetare Sunday is also Mothering Sunday, let us give thanks for our mothers for the love and care they have shown us.
HOLY WEEK
Holy Week will begin on Palm Sunday (two weeks’ from today). Next week, on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, you will be able to take a Holy Week leaflet detailing the dates and times of the liturgical celebrations here for the Triduum and Easter.
CAFOD APPEAL
Thank you for your generous donations towards the CAFOD Lent Family Fast Day collection. We collected £1,511.63. Thank you.
VENERAMUS
The next Veneramus will be on Monday at 7.30pm. Please join us this Lent for a time of adoration, prayer, music and confession.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Please join us for the Stations of the Cross this coming Friday morning at 10.25am (immediately after Mass 10am Mass), and every Friday during Lent.
DAILY ROSARY
We pray the Rosary every weekday in church at approx. 9.30am. Why not join us before 10am Mass during Lent?
FEASTS THIS WEEK
On Tuesday we will celebrate the Feast of St Patrick, Bishop and Patron of Ireland. On Thursday we will celebrate the Solemnity of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church. On both days, Masses here will be at 8 am and 10 am. Please join us!
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES
The envelopes for the new tax year are now available at the back of church. They start on 12th April. Your number has not changed from last year. Please make sure you take your own box. You are also asked to let the Office know if you have moved, or if you no longer pay tax, so that we don’t claim tax on your donations. If you would like to offer Gift Aid, please request a standing order form. As usual, at the start of April, Fr David will provide a summary of income and expenditure for the parish.
GIVING TO THE PARISH BY STANDING ORDER
If you’re not part of the envelope scheme and you normally donate by cash in the loose plate collection, please think very carefully about setting up a standing order instead. This can be done by most banking apps, but there are also forms in the porch. Standing orders are a far more efficient way to give, and there is also a benefit for us by having less cash on the premises. You can choose to give monthly, quarterly or even annually, and you don’t have to look for cash at home each week before Mass. If you do set up a standing order, please mark the reference clearly as ’Planned Giving’ or ’Sunday Offering’. Thank you all for your continued generosity. Our details
Bank: HSBC Sort Code: 40-05-20 Account: 51094483.
CONFIRMATION 2026
The next meeting for candidates will take place on Saturday 21st March at 4.15pm-5.30pm, followed by Mass at 6pm.
EDNA WALLACE RIP
The Funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday 25th March at 10am. RIP.
FAIR TRADE
This weekend, 14th and 15th, we still have some Milk Chocolate ‘Real Easter Eggs’ (the ones with a 24 page booklet about Easter, in a box showing a Holy Land Spring scene). Also arrived are a number of dark chocolate eggs (ideal for vegans), some even larger Easter eggs, ‘egg boxes’ of 6 small ones, honey, Palestinian dates, pasta, fudge, freekeh and gardening gloves. Also, last minute Mothers’ Day presents.
PARKING INFORMATION
Parking is free for a max of 4 hours in total per day. Please do not exceed this limit.