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Sunday's readings remind us that Jesus was human in every way, even to being tempted. You can't be tempted by things that don't attract you. Lent is a time when we deal with our temptations; acknowledging and letting them go. Our temptation to self-reliance is counteracted by a focus on prayer and our reliance on God's grace. We remind ourselves that He, not we, created the world and holds us all in care. Our temptation to self-indulgence is counteracted by a focus on fasting and mindfulness about what we need and use. We can fast from anything that harms us. Our temptation to self-centredness is counteracted by a focus on alms-giving, reaching out to others in their need. Alms can be time, care and resources as well as money. RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers all our beloved departed, especially those who died recently and those whose anniversaries occur at this time.
We continue to remember in our prayers all those who are sick and those who care for them. Your prayers are especially requested for: David Smith LENTEN REFLECTIONS During Lent, Sr Avril will be leading reflections in the Bethany Room each Tuesday morning after Mass, reflecting, especially, on the Way of the Cross. We begin this Tuesday, 27th February. STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT We will have Stations of the Cross every weekday evening during Lent (Monday - Friday) at 6pm. These will begin on Monday, 27th. SUNDAY EVENING PRAYER DURING LENT The Daughters of Charity invite everyone to Evening Prayer and Exposition at 5pm each Sunday of Lent until Palm Sunday. The prayer will be followed by tea. MASS OF ENROLMENT This Saturday at 10am, we will have the Mass of Enrolment for Children beginning the Parish First Communion Programme. CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY This Lent, your donations to CAFOD's Family Fast Day Appeal will help families fighting the climate crisis and ensure that our church network can quickly respond to emergencies. You can use the envelopes provided in the church of donate at cafod.org.uk THE PASSION; TRAFALGAR SQUARE, 7TH APRIL There will be live performances of the Passion at noon and 3.15pm. They will also be live-streamed at facebook.com/Wintershallplay ST PATRICK'S PARTY Don't forget, there will be a party on 18th March. Tickets available this weekend. It will be a nice break mid-Lent, so sign up soon. BEGINNING EXPERIENCE A healing ministry for those who have gone through divorce, separation or bereavement. Next weekend; 21-23 April. Contact Freda 01322-838415 or besouthofengland@gmail.com SECOND COLLECTIONThis weekend, we prepare for the Cardinal's annual Lenten Collection, which supports the charities and outreach of the diocese. You can read or listen to the Cardinal's pastoral letter here, or copies will be provided in the Narthex. We thank you, as ever, for your generous donations to the appeal for support to Turkey/Syria. £1,000 will be given to the Daughters of Charity who work in the region.
AND FINALLY...
If we sometimes feel overwhelmed by our mistakes, faults, foibles, frailties and sins, some lines from James Thomson might help;
Once in a saintly passion
I cried with desperate grief
"O Lord, my heart is black with guile,
Of sinners I am chief."
Then stooped my guardian angel
And whispered from behind,
"Vanity, my little man,
You're nothing of the kind."
The focus must always be on God's grace and mercy, not on our sins.
Rev Eugene Curran CM