This final Sunday before Lent, the first reading sums up the message of the preceding weeks; 'Be holy...for I, the Lord your God, am Holy'. Sometimes, we associate holiness with public expressions of piety and devotion (and they are important too) but it really means living fully, authentically and truly the life that God has given you and the vocation you find within. Most of all, it means that, each day, to the best of your ability, 'You must love your neighbour as yourself' and, as Jesus reminds us, 'Love the Lord your God will your whole heart and mind and spirit'. RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers all our beloved departed, especially
Margaret Bright (Funeral; Friday, 17th Feb, 2.30 pm)
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 ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICESNext Wednesday, 22nd, is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Masses on Ash Wednesday will be at 10 am, 12.15 and 7 pm and ashes will be distributed at all Masses. 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. These will begin on 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. REPOSITORY There are a number of resources available at the Repository, including 'Lent Extra' a booklet of 47 daily reflections.
Also at the Respository, we have a number of hand-made baskets, priced at £10. They are made by the people who normally make the Palm Crosses but who, due to the pandemic, lost a lot of their income. They are beautifully made and sell for £10.
CHURCHES TOGETHER
A reminder that we are looking for participants and stewards for the Annual Walk of Witness which will take place on Good Friday, 7th April. If you are interested, please contact the parish office.
SECOND COLLECTION
The Retiring Collection this week will support aid efforts in Syria/Turkey. It will be given to the Daughters of Charity who have Sisters working in both countries. We know the constraints on so many of you and appreciate whatever you can donate, at any time. And please remember to keep all those suffering and those attempting to aid them in your prayers.
Roger Tichborne would like to thank the parishioners for the great response to his appeal for HCPT last weekend; over 30 people signed up to gift aid donations, a great many made donations on the day and three nurses so far have expressed interest. If anyone else would like to be involved or would like to support Roger and the work of HCPT, he can be contacted at roger.tichborne@btinternet.com. You can also find out more at hcpt.org.uk
AND FINALLY...
some lines from Robert Herrick's poem 'To keep a true Lent':
It is to fast from strife,
From old debate
And hate ;
To circumcise thy life.
To show a heart grief-rent ;
To starve thy sin,
Not bin ;
And that’s to keep thy Lent.
May this Lent be a time of blessing and grace for all of us who share this world.
Rev Eugene Curran CM