Third Sunday of Lent 23.03.2025

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

Sun 23rd Mar​​

8.30am​ Kitty Heenan, RIP

​10am​​​ Fr John Dermody, intentions

​12noon ​​​Lillian Murphy, RIP

Mon 24th Mar        ​ Lent Feria

10am           ​Gino Tomei, RIP

Tues 25th Mar​ The Annunciation of the Lord

10am​ Alessandro Ricci, intentions

​Weds 26th Mar​​ NO MASS

Thurs 27th Mar​ Lent Feria

10am​ Funeral Mass for Una Murphy ​

Fri 28th Mar​ Lent Feria

10am​ In thanksgiving

Sat 29th Mar​ Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare Sunday)

5pm​ Kitty Heenan, RIP

4.30pm – 5pm: Confessions and Exposition

 YOUR PRAYERS:

Let us keep in our prayers: Julius Lipner, David Ryan, Margaret Ryan, Michael O’Boy, Christina Cahill, Eric Nicholas Darwent, Therese Kemp, Jose Luis Pérez, Karina McKiernan, Jonathan Heller, Izabela Lissowska and Sveta Valeri – all unwell at this time. We also pray for: Canon Bernard Scholes,James Corr, Maud Holloway, Una Murphy, Mary Drumm, Kitty Heenan, Fr Sean Carroll, Fr David Barnes, Gerry Stenson, Luis Goncalves,Arcangela Moretto, Patrick Jean Noel Louis-Auguste, Jose Barreto, Gianpiero Gallian, Mary Teresa Foran, Martin Flanagan, Noeleen Hare, Noreen McGlynn and James McCormack whose anniversaries occur at this time or have died recently. May they Rest in Peace.

OFFERTORY

The offertory collection for the week ending 16th March 2025 - £639.54 and Contactless was

£198.60. The Offertory via Standing Order, Stripe and Online Banking will be communicated one month in arrears.

CAFOD – SECOND COLLECTION

The second collection for CAFOD raised £1098.51.  Many thanks for your generosity for this worthy cause and thank you to Daniel and Cathy, for speaking at the Masses regarding the work of CAFOD and how your donations help.

ANNUAL MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR MATRIMONY AT WESTMINSTER CATHERDRAL ON SATURDAY 17TH MAY 2025 AT 2.30 PM

The Cardinal invites couples in the Diocese celebrating in 2025 their 5th, 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and any year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic Marriage.  Please give the following details to the parish office: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, number of years married, address, e mail (or phone number if no e mail).  PLEASE SEND THEM BY 29TH MARCH 2025..  These details will be forwarded to the Diocese and invitations will be sent out by the Diocese directly.

LENT THOUGHT:

LET YOURSELF BE RAISED UP BY HIS INFINITE LOVE

“The same Christ who, by his cross, saved us from our sins, today continues to save and redeem us by the power of his total self-surrender. Look to his cross, cling to him, let him save you, for “those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness”. And if you sin and stray far from him, he will come to lift you up by the power of his cross. Never forget that “he forgives us seventy times seven. Time and time again, he bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness that never disappoints but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew”.

Pope Francis “I want you to be Happy” – Hodder & Stoughton

WHAT SHALL I DO FOR LENT?

Pray, Fast, provide unopened in date non-perishable food to the foodbank, help clean the church on a Monday morning after Mass, go to a daily week -day Mass at 10am, attend the Lent study course on a Monday evening, volunteer and help Fr Peter, help with the gardening around the church, be an altar server…the list is endless!

ST MARY’S LENT COURSE – 2025

“WHEN YOU PRAY”

You know prayer is important but still find it challenging. Perhaps it’s hard to find time, or you’re unsure what to do when you pray. Or maybe you feel discouraged by your weaknesses and your inability to overcome them.

If you have any of these feelings, you are not alone. Many of the saints struggled in prayer. They were like us. But each time they fell, they got up again and learned to rely more on God’s grace.  “When You Pray” is Authored and presented by Dr Edward Sri. 

This Monday’s Theme “Trust & Surrender”

Every Monday until Monday 7th April. Each session is an hour.

Make it one of your Lent commitments for 2025.

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS:

The RCIA group has been meeting since September and are about to begin a more intense period of formation before Easter. At the Easter Vigil Aziz and Arlan will be Baptised, receive their First Holy Communion and Confirmed. Roger and Milka will also be confirmed. Please keep John, their catechist, and their sponsors in your prayers as we journey through Lent towards the great feast of Easter.  

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

During Lent the “Stations of the Cross” will be celebrated every Friday at 10:30am. The outdoor stations need a few repairs – Fr Peter would be grateful if volunteers came forward to help with the repairs and placing of the crosses around St Mary’s church. Please contact Fr Peter if you would be willing to help – volunteering is a great Lent project for those uncertain how to mark this special season.

ST MARY’S JUBILEE DAY TRIP TO ROME:

For those who have booked, you now need to pay your full balance by 14.4.25. Just go towww.pilgrimagepeople.org

WEEKDAY EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

At 9:30am there will be half an hour of Veneration of the Blessed Sacrament before every weekday Mass.

CONFIRMATION PARENTS MEETING

There will be a mandatory meeting for parents of Confirmation candidates on Tuesday 22nd April at 7:30pm in the small hall.

HOLY WEEK” at ST MARY’S

17th April—Maundy Thursday

Mass of the Lord’s Supper​​​​ 8:00pm

Followed by Vigil at the Chapel of Repose until 11pm

18th April —Good Friday

Family Stations of the Cross in Church 11:00am

Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion 3:00pm

Stations of the Cross 7:00pm

19th April —Holy Saturday

Confessions 10:30 am to 11am

Easter Vigil 8:00pm

Sunday 20th April —Easter Day

Sunday Masses ​​​ 8:30am, 10am and 12noon

CONGRATULATIONS TO FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CHILDREN

On Saturday, First Holy Communion children, along with their families, celebrated making their First Reconciliations. Thank you to Margaret for her excellent catechesis and Fr Dennis and Fr Carlo for helping Fr Peter celebrate this important sacrament.

WASHING OF HANDS – FRIDAY 28th MARCH – 1pm

To commemorate Jesus washing the apostle’s feet on Holy Thursday, all the staff and children of our parish school – Our Lady of Lourdes – will come to St Mary’s church on Friday at 1pm and wash each other’s hands. You are welcome to join them and Fr Peter as they interpret the command to do as Jesus did.

PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE MASS AFTER RECEIVING COMMUNION

Please stay for the final blessing unless you have to leave Mass early to return to work.