Newsletter 5 March 2023

Second Sunday of Lent

Sat March 4 – 5.45pm Mary C Higgins
Sun Mar 5 – 9.00am Parishioners | 10.30am Ints Annette Wright
Mon Mar 6 – No Mass
Tue Mar 7 – 7.00pm Exposition | 7.30pm Don Wood (sick)
Wed Mar 8 – 9.15am World Peace
Thu Mar 9 – 9.15am SI (Wood)
Fri Mar 10 – 9.15am SI (Beck)
Sat Mar 11 – 10.00am Confessions and Exposition | 5.45pm Peter Verdin RIP
Sun Mar 12 – 9.00am-9.15am Parishioners | 10.30am Fr Felix McAllister

CAFOD COLLECTION TODAY

Please use the envelopes provided, and if possible Gift Aid your contribution. This increases it by 25%.

READINGS AT MASS

Matthew relates the story of the Transfiguration. Peter, James, and John are shown Jesus transfigured in glory with Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets). The Preface says:

“After Jesus had told the apostles of his coming death, on the holy mountain he manifested to them his glory, to show, by the testimony of the law and the prophets, that the Passion leads to the glory of the Resurrection.”

This is another of those ‘Epiphany’ moments. St Paul says it was a grace granted from the beginning of time, but kept secret until Jesus appeared. (NB ‘God has saved us and called us to be holy’.) In the first passage from Genesis we read of God’s promise to Abraham all those years before Christ.

ACROSS, taking sick pilgrims by Jumbulance to Lourdes, are looking for nurses and helpers to travel, also offering the opportunity for those with health problems such as stroke, cancer, MS, Motor Neurone Disease etc. The cost is £995, (nurses, and students under 25 pay half) but financial help may be available. Contact Tony Murphy 07881 666974 or tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk.

LOURDES DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE

There is a poster about this on the noticeboard. The Bishop leads the group and it is at the end of July 2023.

READING DURING LENT

Why not spend some time each day reading books about the devout way of life, (growing in holiness). There are many such books on the bookshelves in the parish rooms near the exit. Just be sure to put your name and the title of the book on the list.

WORLD YOUTH GATHERING

This event takes place every two or three years and about a million young people (18 -35) gather with the Pope from all over the world. The Diocesan Youth organisers invite people to travel with them from our diocese to Lisbon in Portugal. July 31 – August 7 2023. There are a limited number of places available. See the posters on our noticeboard for details of this great adventure.

SAFEGUARDING

After many years of dedicated service from Rowena Ford, our Parish Safeguarding Representative, we are now looking to identify a new volunteer that would be willing to support the parish in this role. This safeguarding role is vital to the diocese ensuring we maintain our high standards of care and safeguarding provision. If you are interested and would like to know more about the role please contact Fr Elder, or the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator, Mr Andrew O’Brien on 07557731492 who will be happy to answer any queries and provide further information.