Dear friends,
This weekend marks the midpoint of Lent, as we also celebrate Mothering Sunday. As usual, flowers will be blessed, for distribution to the congregation – and we will mark this happy occasion with a slice of cake, and a glass of something sparkling, after Mass on Sunday in the Hall. If you are able to help put together the flower posies, please join us tomorrow (Friday) after the 9.30am Mass. Please also now would those who kindly took home the Passiontide veils to iron, return them to church this weekend. And don’t forget that the clocks go forward one hour overnight on Saturday!
Tomorrow evening’s session of our Lent Course will begin with Stations of the Cross at 7pm, at All Saints’ Church (not at St Mary’s).
This Sunday’s Gospel is the beautiful parable of the Prodigal Son. Fittingly for Mothering Sunday, it describes the ideal of a parent’s love – but also, in the example of the resentful older brother, recognises the tensions which may arise in family life. We are reminded that God is our Father in heaven, and that we are His family, the Church. We are encouraged to commend our families to His safe-keeping, and to thank Him for all who have shown us a measure of His love.
We need your help! We continue to require volunteers to deliver our Easter invitations to homes locally; there will also this weekend be in church a sign-up sheet for Holy Week, when we require volunteers to have a foot washed on Maundy Thursday; to set up and serve refreshments after the Walk of Witness on Good Friday, and to read at the Easter Vigil. Please also speak to Ryan to help with the Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Day, Sunday 20 April – and to Pat about your contributions to the bring-and-share party after the Easter Vigil the night before. On Holy Saturday morning, 19 April, we will be in church from 9.30am to clean, decorate and arrange the flowers for the Queen of Feasts, the Resurrection of the Lord! (Note also that next Sunday, 6 April, will be the final opportunity to donate towards the cost of this year’s Easter flowers.)
We also need you now to return your completed Electoral Roll registration forms.
Our May Devotion is approaching, the afternoon of Saturday, 3 May (as per the attached poster). This will begin at All Saints’ Church at 2.30pm, and include a procession thereafter to St Mary’s – where a Homily will be preached by Fr Mario Lainez SDS. The afternoon will conclude with a sparkling afternoon tea in the Hall – and we would be thrilled to hear from you either to volunteer to set up and serve refreshments, and/or to bake a cake! (Please see Pat.) Please put the date in your diary, and stay alert for further notices. Please also find attached an invitation to the Patronal Festival celebrations at our sister parish of St Alphage, Burnt Oak on Monday, 28 March at 6pm (followed by a party).
This week’s incense is Evesham Lily. (Please note that next week on Tuesday, 1 April, Morning Prayer will be said at the earlier time of 9am.)
May Christ, who bore our sins in his body on the Tree, heal you by his wounds,
Fr Richard