Lent starts on Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) - try and get to Mass at 9.30am (with St James’ School) or at 8pm. It is a day of fasting and abstinence (eating less and avoiding meat) - no snacking! Applies to those 18yrs-60yrs but a good discipline for us all.
Archbishop Peter’s Lenten Pastoral Letter will be read today at all Masses.
We shall also hear developments about our LiveSimply project – our parish wide project and particularly appropriate for Lent.
And there is a second collection for the Cabrini Children’s Society. (This has the full support of the Archbishop, and funds collected from parishes are only used for aims and purposes in accord with Catholic teaching).
So quite a bit to think about today........
WEEK OF ACCOMPANIED PRAYER - Sunday 3rd March - Saturday 9th March.
If you would like to take part in this opportunity to reflect on your prayer and relationship with God, with the support of a prayer guide, please note that TODAY (10th) is the last day for returning application forms to the box in the porch.
Tuesdays of Lent- (but not March 5th) Lectio Divina- looking at the gospel reading of the previous Sunday, quietly and prayerfully -an ancient way of reading the scriptures developed by the Benedictines (NOT a discussion group). The Lent gospels are very rich in meaning, and point us towards the mystery of Easter. Sessions are from 1.30-2.30pm in Southborough Baptist (opposite St James’) and repeated from 8.00-9.00pm in Christ Church, Willet Way. All sessions will be led by clergy – try and get along to some of the sessions.
Confessions during Lent – Friday Feb.22nd at St Joseph’s, Bromley at which Bishop Pat will preside (8pm) and our own Penitential service here on Thursday March 21st at 7.30pm. Priests from the deanery will be available to hear confessions at each of these services.
Stations of the Cross – Fridays in Lent at 7.00pm starting on 15th February.
Holy Week Choir (for Holy Thursday, 28th March 8pm; Good Friday 29th March, 3pm; and Easter Vigil Saturday 30th March, 8pm). Rehearsals this year will be on Sundays 4.30pm- 5pm (following the Festival Chorus rehearsal) starting NEXT Sunday (Feb.17th).
(NB Festival Chorus rehearsals will start at 2.30pm prompt from next Sunday (17th).
ALL singers most welcome to the Holy Week Choir but commitment essential.
Save the Date! St Patrick’s Night Social (in aid of parish funds) in our hall Saturday 16th March for all the family - details next week.
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Mass attendances last Sunday were 647. |
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Sunday 10/2/13 |
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) 6pm – Neil Meehan RIP (Meehan family) 9.15am – Daniel Carrigan RIP (Gwen Carrigan & Family) 11am – For the intention of Guy and Rachael Harris (Ann Kenny)
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Monday 11/2/13 |
Our Lady of Lourdes 9.30am – Sheila Owens RIP (Teresa Forde)
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Tuesday 12/2/13 |
Feria 9.30am – Cornelius O’Shea RIP (Anniversary) (E. Gibson)
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Wednesday 13/2/13 |
Ash Wednesday 9.30am – In celebration of Teresa West’s birthday (Mothers Prayers Group) Mass also at 8pm.
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Thursday 14/2/13 |
Ss Cyril and Methodius 9.30am – Kenneth Craen RIP (Jeanne Craen)
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Friday 15/2/13 |
Feria of Lent 9.30am – Violet Myers (Morley Family)
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Sunday 17/2/13 |
First Sunday in Lent (C) 6pm – People of the Parish 9.15am – Desmond Quin RIP (Geraldine Thompson) 11am - Patrick O’Connor RIP (Scott Family)
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This week: |
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Tuesday Project Board at 8pm (meeting room). The hall roof is now ‘signed off’ and the board will now explore the next stage of our programme. A great achievement - many thanks everyone! The board will now explore the next stage of our Development and Maintenance Programme (which we shall ‘roll out’ for you soon).
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Wednesday: ‘Ash’- Masses at 9.30am and 8pm.
1st communion children’s confessions, 6.30pm-7.30.pm.
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Thursday: 1st communion children’s confessions, 6.30pm-7.30pm.
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Friday: Stations of the Cross - 7pm. (lasts about 30 mins -come and try this moving devotion if you have never been before.)
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Next Sunday: Clothes please for the Manna Centre (men’s - good condition). The response is always fantastic and I am sure it will be next week. Have a ‘turn out’ this week..........
Also 2nd collection for the Maintenance and Refurb. Fund
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Family Beetle Drive on Saturday 2nd March, 7.30pm in the Social Centre. Lots of fun - no previous experience required! No unaccompanied children please (minimum age, 7yrs). Tickets: £5 adult, £3 child, £12 family (includes light refreshments) from Sue David. Raising money for 3rd Petts Wood Scouting Groups and the Hall project.
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Let’s all make a special spiritual effort this Lent in this Year of Faith- there are all kinds of things happening (and don’t forget the Lent booklets and the Catholic papers) – and the library- why not read a good spiritual classic for Lent...or maybe something more popular/lighter...it’s all there on our shelves!
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As we approach Lent and try to LiveSimply...
The LiveSimply prayer
Compassionate and loving God,
you created the world for us all to share,
a world of beauty and plenty.
Create in us a desire to live simply,
so that our lives may reflect your generosity.
Creator God,
You gave us responsibility for the earth,
a world of riches and delight.
Create in us a desire to live sustainably,
so that those who follow after us
may enjoy the fruits of your creation.
God of peace and justice,
You give us the capacity to change,
to bring about a world that mirrors your wisdom.
Create in us a desire to act in solidarity,
so that the pillars of injustice crumble
and those now crushed are set free.
Amen.
Linda Jones / CAFOD