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FR DAVID WRITES
Today on the Third Sunday of Easter we hear the beautiful Gospel story about the mysterious appearance of the Risen Jesus on the way to Emmaus, and about how the disciples not only recognised him at the breaking of bread but also about how their faith in the resurrection was confirmed. They asked each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us?'. May we too, like them, be moved by the power of God's word and come to even greater faith in the Risen Lord. Next week, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is known as Good Shepherd Sunday and is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life.

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BENEDICT XVI
Today, Sunday 19th April, marks the fifteenth anniversary of the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. On Thursday, Benedict also celebrated his 93rd birthday in lockdown inside the Vatican City. Today, incidentally, is also the twelfth anniversary of Fr David's ordination as a deacon.

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HOLY WEEK 2020
Today is Palm Sunday - the first day of Holy Week. Through our liturgical celebrations in this special week, we enter into the mystery of the Lord's passion, death and resurrection. Please join us in prayer and online if you can as we celebrate these important days in the life of the Church. Obviously, this year our experience of Holy Week will be very different to how we normally pray and celebrate. Nevertheless, these days of Christ's saving work are at the heart of our faith. DR.

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Palm Sunday 5th April

(6.30pm Vigil Mass)

10am Sunday Mass

5pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

 

Monday 6th April

10am Weekday Mass

5pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

 

Tuesday 7th April

10am Weekday Mass

5pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

 

Wednesday 8th April

10am Weekday Mass

5pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

 

Holy Thursday 9th April

10am Morning Prayer

7.30pm Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

 

Good Friday 10th April

Day of Fasting and Abstinence

10am Morning Prayer & Office of Readings

11am Fr David's message to Young Parishioners

3pm Celebration of the Passion of the Lord

 

Holy Saturday 11th April

10am Morning Prayer & Office of Readings

7.30pm Solemn Easter Vigil & First Mass of Easter

 

Easter Sunday 12th April

10am Mass of Easter Sunday

 

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FR DAVID WRITES
On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, we enter the special time of Lent known as ‘Passiontide’.  Today we hear the Gospel about Lazarus who comes back from the dead. Like the Samaritan woman, and the blind man healed by Jesus, this Gospel is about those who come to faith after being enlightened by Christ. Jesus prays that the Father might cause everyone ‘to believe’ that it was God who sent him, and that everyone might believe through the miracle he works. Christ, our Saviour, is the one who came to seek out and save that which was lost, and call back to life those who were dead.

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FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as 'Laetare Sunday'. Today is one of two days when we use rose coloured vestments - a lighter shade of the darker purple which signifies our joy and hope. Right now, there is much to hope for and much to pray for. This has been the saddest Lent I have ever known, but even now we see much goodness and kindness all around us, it can really lift our spirits. Today is also Mothering Sunday. Although the people cannot come to church today, we still want to extend our greetings and love to all the mums of the parish, as we know you all do the same. Please try to say some prayers at home, follow our Masses on the website at 10am if you can. We miss you all - we send you our prayers and love.

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FR DAVID WRITES
Today, on the Third Sunday of Lent, we hear the magnificent Gospel passage about the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. In her encounter with Christ, the woman comes to faith. She then spreads the message about Jesus to everyone she knows. Ultimately, they all come to believe in Christ whom they declare, 'the Saviour of the world.' May our faith also spread among others so that they too might come to believe and be saved.

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SETTLEMENT SCHEME FOR CITIZENS OF EU COUNTRIES (NOT INCLUDING IRELAND)
The Church stands in solidarity with all European citizens who have made their homes here in Britain - they are a valued part of our parishes, schools and communities. For this reason, we would like to highlight this information for the attention of parishioners who may be affected: All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK are required by the UK government to apply through its Settlement Scheme to continue living, working and accessing services here. Details and links to the application process can be found at: gov.uk/eusettledstatus Information on assistance for those who may have difficulty applying is available at: gov.uk/help-eu-settlement-scheme The deadline for the scheme is 30th June 2021.

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FR DAVID WRITES
Today on the First Sunday of Lent we hear about Jesus's experience in the wilderness. In this Year of the Word, we are asked to listen more carefully to God who speaks to us. In Lent we are invited to join Jesus in the wilderness in order to really hear what God is saying. This can be an uncomfortable challenge when sometimes we come face to face with our real selves, along with all the attachments and ambitions that seek to rule us. Like Christ, let us rely on the power of the Word of God to overcome every temptation. Please pray for the Rev. Matthew Harbage who will be licensed as the Vicar of St Paul's Church of England Parish this week. We wish him well as he begins his new ministry.

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FR DAVID WRITES
This week the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Please see the attached sheet for the details of events and opportunities this Lent. Please bear in mind, however, that Lent is not all about ‘extra activities’ or doing more religious things—it is about interior conversion. This can come about in the simplest and most unexpected ways. The key is to listen. One suggestion for the Year of the Word: read Mark’s Gospel in one or two sittings. It is short, snappy and completely transforming. Jesus’s words there will speak to you. The tools for Lent are prayer, fasting and giving alms. Let us make a good beginning together!

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FR DAVID WRITES
Many thanks to everyone who came to celebrate our parish feast day last Tuesday - it was a truly memorable evening. I would also like to thank everyone who supported it and contributed towards our celebration in any way. It was also lovely to award the Benemerenti medal, on behalf of Pope Francis, to Dorothy Landi in recognition of her seventy years of service to the parish and particularly our choir. As I mentioned in my homily, we are looking towards the centenary of the parish in 2023 and there will be much to think and pray about as we approach that important anniversary.