Dear friends,
(Fr Richard remains on annual leave until Tuesday, 17 March: please consult the weekly sheet for changes to the usual Mass schedule.)
Greetings from the St James’ Way – an ancient pilgrimage route between the former Cluniac abbey in Reading, and the port of Southampton, from where medieval pilgrims sailed to France or Spain to continue their journey to the tomb of the apostle at Santiago de Compostela. Having departed the Hampshire market town of Alresford this morning, I joined the St Swithun’s Way – along which I will walk to Winchester. I hope to arrive in time for Evensong in that city’s beautiful cathedral, where I will remember you all in my prayers. Our journey through this season of Lent may likewise be thought of as a pilgrimage – walked in the company of the Lord and one another, and a route by which we draw that little bit closer to heaven.
The fourth session of our shared Lent Course will take place tomorrow (Friday) evening, at All Saints’ Church (531, Kenton Road HA3 0UL), beginning with Stations of the Cross at 7pm.
Then, this weekend, we will celebrate Mothering Sunday: do join us at 10.30am, for a Parish Mass in which flowers will be blessed and distributed, and suitable celebratory refreshments will be served afterwards in the Hall!
Our beautiful Easter lilies may be sponsored in memory of a departed loved one: please PRINT CLEARLY on the list in church the names of those you wish remembered, and then place your donation (suggested £5/name) into the basket at the back.
There are still a limited number of spare seats (£40pp) on the ‘bus to Wolverhampton for the funeral Requiem of Katherine Lewis, on Tuesday next week, 17 March, at St Joseph RC Church, East Park WV1 2QN, at 12.30pm: the minibus will leave St Mary’s promptly at 9am – please sign up in church. Those unable to travel to Wolverhampton, but who wish to watch the funeral service online, can do so here or here (two different camera angles!) Please note that there will be no public Evening Prayer, Rosary or Mass at St Mary’s on Tuesday, 17 March. We continue to hold Fr Edward, and all who mourn Katherine, in our prayers.
On Wednesday next week we will undertake the Passiontide veiling of the images in church: please do stay to help after the 9.30am Stations of the Cross and Mass – and thank you to those who have kindly ironed the veils, which should now be returned to church.
A reminder that we are invited to the Bishop of Fulham’s Lay Congress, on Saturday, 21 March at St Alban, Holborn (10.30am-3pm): please speak to Johnette if you would like to attend – return taxi travel from St Mary’s is available free of charge.
Please continue also to let Pat know what you can contribute to the bring-and-share parish party in the Hall after the Vigil and First Mass of Easter, on Saturday 4 April at 8pm.
We will again be taking a group to the Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage this summer, 3-7 August – a fun-filled week of worship, fellowship and outdoor activities in the beautiful north Norfolk countryside, for young people aged 11-18. The PCC will generously subsidise participation in this Pilgrimage, with just £50 asked for each young person from their families. Please speak to Fr Richard, by Sunday 22 March, to put your name down to attend.
Included with this mailing is an invitation to the Patronal Festival (with Baptism and Confirmation) celebrations at St Mark, Noel Park on Sunday, 26 April at 5pm – followed by a party.
And apologies that, on the news sheet, the Bishop of Fulham’s Chrism Mass is listed as taking place on Tuesday, 31 April: that should, of course, be Tuesday, 31 March…
Give life, O Lord, by your unfailing light, to those who walk in the shadow of death; and bring those rescued by your mercy from every evil to reach the highest good,
Fr Richard