Today marks the start of Holy Week which culminates in the Easter Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil.

PLEASE NOTE* A separate sheet with the times and details of the Holy Week liturgies is available at the back of the church. Please take a copy home you.

Holy Week, particularly Easter, is the high point of the Church’s liturgical year. It is the time when we recall, ponder on and celebrate the central mystery of our Christian faith—the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. By dying he has destroyed death and wiped out our sins; by rising he has opened eternal life to us. And, as if that were not enough, he gave us, at the Last Supper, the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the food of his own Body and Blood. The liturgies of Holy Week are liturgies of contrast: triumph and defeat, darkness and light, despair and hope. They reflect the lives of each one of us, and growing in understanding of them can give us strength and courage in our times of grief, anxiety and despair, and also add a divine and eternal dimension to our times of rejoicing. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Blessing of the Easter Food: better known in Central and Eastern Europe - especially among people of Polish, Ukrainian, Czech, or Russian backgrounds - the blessing of Easter baskets has been a Catholic ritual for centuries. Foods typically present in the baskets are hardboiled eggs (symbolising new life), bread (with all its Eucharistic overtones) and, depending on local tradition, such foods as lamb, salt, sausage. A candle decorated with religious symbols may be placed in the basket. Next, a bow or ribbon should be tied around the handle of the basket to symbolize tying together all aspects of life. Finally, a piece of cloth is typically used to cover the food as a sign of protection both before and after the food is blessed.

We invite all parishioners to bring a basket of Easter food to be blessed at 10am on Holy Saturday 4th April. For basket decorating ideas visit http://www.christchurcheltham.org.uk/gallery/2014/gallery_2014.html __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Confirmation 2015 was a great success and we thank all those whose hard work made this beautiful occasion possible: the catechists, flower arrangers, altar servers, musicians, ushers, cleaners and brass cleaners, office staff and volunteers and those who organised and served the refreshments after Mass. Our thanks, too, to Bishop Patrick Lynch for coming to confirm our young people in their Faith. Please remember our newly confirmed fellow-parishioners in your prayers. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Friday is Good Friday and is a day of fasting and abstinence. Fasting means having only one full meal a day. Two small snacks may be added. All Catholics aged 18-60 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence means not eating meat (or, for those who never eat meat, some other daily food). All Catholics aged 14 or older are obliged to abstain on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and every Friday.

29th MARCH 2015—PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD (B) Missal: Blessing of Palms: pg 94. Gospel (Year B): pg 96 Mark 11:1-10.

Mass pg 102 and 111. Scripture: 1st Isaiah 50:4-7 2nd Philippians 2:6-11 Gospel (pg 111) Mark 14:1-15:47

Psalm Response: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory! Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death,

death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all names. Praise to you, O Christ,

King of eternal glory!

Guild of St Stephen Altar Servers

Servers are still required for the Easter Triduum litur-gies, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Saturday. If you wish to serve please either put your name on the lists in the Sacristy or just turn up for the practices. Practice times for these liturgies are:

Maundy Thursday: Monday 30th March 5-6pm Good Friday: Tuesday 31st March 5-6pm Easter Sunday Wednesday 1st April 5-6pm

Peter Eastwood, Guild Master

REFLECTIONS ON THE READINGS FOR PASSION SUNDAY, CYCLE B

Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 21: 8-9, 17-18a, 19-20, 23-24; Philippians 2:6-11; Mark 14:1-15:47

Every Holy Week, we are challenged by the reading of two different narratives of the Passion within a short period. Today, Palm Sunday, we hear Mark’s account and on

Good Friday, we shall read, as we do each year, John’s account. They are very different, both in content and outlook: John presents a Jesus of kingly serenity, while Mark’s stark portrait of Jesus emphasises the depths of abandonment before his final triumph. Throughout his Gospel, Mark has stressed the failure of the disciples to understand Jesus, but they have at least followed him. Now they will fail to do even that. From the moment Jesus moves to the Mount of Olives, the behaviour of the disciples is portrayed negatively. While he prays, they fall asleep three times. Judas betrays him and Peter curses, denying knowledge of him. All run away, with the last one leaving even his clothes behind in order to get away from Jesus – the opposite of leaving all things to follow him. As we listen to the story of the Passion, we might ask ourselves how we would have stood in relation to the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. With whom would we identify ourselves? Today, we distribute palms and even walk in procession, so we might think we would have been among the crowd that welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem. But perhaps, if we’re honest, is it not more likely that we might have been among the disciples who fled from danger, abandoning him? Tragically, down the centuries, Holy Week was often a time of pogrom for Jews - at the hands of Christians, who accused them of being ‘Christ-killers’. Thankfully, such a misreading of the Passion has now been totally repudiated by the Church, which has condemned an interpretation that blames Christ’s Passion without distinction on all the Jews then living or on the Jews of today.

The reading from Isaiah has been chosen to echo the hostility encountered by Jesus. The figure in the passage is the anonymous ”Servant”, whose attitude in the face of the grievous assaults, insults and shame inflicted upon him is to pursue his God-given task with unshakable steadfastness and with the courage of the martyr. The overriding motif is confidence in God who has called him to this task and who will uphold him.

The response to Psalm 21, ”My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” are words used deliberately by Mark to express the depth of the suffering of the abandoned figure of Jesus. Mark’s attention to such details as dividing Jesus’ garments links what happened to Jesus with passages from the Jewish scriptures, as Mark, like the other Gospel writers, endeavoured to explain the rich meaning of Jesus’ action. Yet, as in the Isaiah text, there is, in this psalm of such anguish and desolation, a note of confidence in and even praise of

God. The reading from Philippians is a hymn used in

the early Christian liturgy, confessing belief in Jesus as Redeemer and Lord. The first part describes the Incarnation as a humiliation and a voluntary sharing in the limitations of humankind, setting the death of Jesus in the total context of his human life. The second part describes his exaltation by God, ending with the confession that Jesus is Lord.

The New Testament explains the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus with reference to the Jewish festival of Passover, which remembers the slavery in and deliverance from Egypt. Jesus celebrated it yearly, just our Jewish friends and neighbours will do this week. On Thursday evening, when we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, we shall see most clearly the parallels between the Passover and our own Christian Eucharist. In both, a historical event of suffering and deliverance is commemorated and redemption experienced. Both look toward the future when the definitive redemption of the whole universe will be accomplished. So let us remember the Jewish people as they celebrate Passover this week and pray that our new dialogue with them, begun during the Second Vatican Council, will continue to flourish.

Sr Margaret Shepherd nds _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ SUNDAY SMILE SUNDAY SMILE SUNDAY SMILE SUNDAY SMILE ☺☺☺☺

Sometimes I pretend to be normal, but it’s so boring I always go back to just being me. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Christchurch Coffee Shop: now open every Friday morning 9am - 11am in the parish hall. Home-made cake!

Sunday 5th April - Teas / Coffee Volunteers 9:30am - Brenda Hayman, Elizabeth Holmes, Elisa War-ner, Trisha Kirk.

11:30am - SVP—Mary Riley, Yvonne Plummer, Pat Tims, Delbana Vataj, Rebecca Adams.

If you are not able to be on duty, please arrange for someone to take your place. Volunteers’ phone numbers are on the back of the rota.

His state was 

divine, yet he did 

not cling to his 

equality with God 

but emptied him-

self and became 

as men are.   

And being as all 

men are, he was 

humbler yet, 

even to accept-

ing death, death 

on a cross. 

Phil. 2:7-8 

REMINDERS REMINDERS REMINDERS REMINDERS

London Marathon 2015 in aid of Fr. Deva’s children’s hostel: Anna Simmons is running in the London Marathon on the 26th April in support of the Stella Louise Children’s Hostel in South East India, run by Fr. Deva. We will be collecting sponsorship after all Masses on the 18th/19th April. Alternatively you can go to www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/annasimmons1 Your support is very much appreciated. For further information please contact Viv or Mike Simmons on 02088594813 General Election update: the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have written a letter to all Catholics that covers a wide range of topics. Pick up your copy at the back of the Church or visit www.catholic-ew.org.uk/Home/News/Election-Letter2 St Vincent de Paul Society Raffle: Christchurch SVP members thank you all for taking part in their raffle. £150 was raised at Christchurch of which £30 will be used by the Christchurch SVP Conference to alleviate poverty in our area. The draw will take place at the end of March and prize winners will be contacted in early April. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ARE YOU INTERESTED ARE YOU INTERESTED ARE YOU INTERESTED ARE YOU INTERESTED

Good Friday event: the choir will sing Rutter’s Requiem and a few other pieces. At United Reformed Church, Court Road at 7.30pm. Retiring collection in aid of Greenwich and Bexley Hospice. All are welcome. Teachers required at Bishop Challoner School, Bromley. Contact the school office on 020 8460 3546 or download an application pack from www.bishopchallonerschool.com or email sue@bishopchallonerschool.com: - Religious Studies Maternity Cover required for September and possibly earlier. Apply as soon as possible. - Part-time Maths teacher for September and possibly earlier Deadline Wednesday 15th April 2015 by 1.00 pm - Teacher of Computing to A level. For September. Please apply as soon as possible. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

During Lent, as part of your almsgiving, please remember the Food Bank and those who are struggling to pay for food and heating. Jesus taught that sharing of our money, resources and time is the way to serve Him. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

REGULAR EVENTS REGULAR EVENTS REGULAR EVENTS REGULAR EVENTS

• Baptism Preparation Course resumes on Friday 17th April. If you have a child under school age whom you wish to have baptised, please come on any Friday; the course is for 4 weeks. Meetings are in the Priory at 8pm, just turn up. Leaflets are available in the Church.

• Journey in Faith (RCIA) Anyone interested in joining the Catholic Church should speak to

Fr John. We run a course that meets in the Priory on Mondays at 8pm. We hope to start a new course in May.

• Parent & Toddler Group: Will not be meeting during the school holiday. Wednesdays (term time) 9.30am -11.30am. £2 per family session.

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LITURGICALLITURGICALLITURGICALLITURGICAL

Today is Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, the beginning of Holy Week. On this day, the Gospel is the reading of the Passion from one of the three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). As this year is Cycle B, we will be reading St Mark’s account of the Passion on page 111 in the Sunday Missal. Wednesday: the Chrism Mass will be celebrated at St George’s Cathedral on Wednesday 1st April at 11.30am. The sacred Chrism is consecrated for the Archdiocese and the holy oils are blessed at this beautiful Mass, which is celebrated by the Archbishop with representative clergy from all parts of the Archdiocese. After the homily, the Archbishop calls upon the priests to renew their priestly promises. The sacred Chrism is used in Baptism, Confirmation and Ordination as the sacramental seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. The blessing of the holy oils is a very ancient liturgy, dating from at least the 4th Century, but had most likely been in use even earlier. The holy oils are normally kept in the tabernacle. The Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens are plain olive oil – the Oil of Chrism is perfumed with balsam. For more details about this liturgy visit www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/chrism07_notes.html. Easter duty The time for the fulfilling of Easter Duty has begun. The Church enjoins on all Catholics the obligation of receiving Holy Communion at least once a year, preferably during the Easter season. Because one must be in a state of grace in order to receive Holy Communion, fulfilling one’s Easter Duty may also mean receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please pray for the souls of all deceased parishioners, especially Mary O’Connor. May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

Safeguarding our children Entrances to the church and hall remain open during Mass.

There is a potential hazard to children using the toilet on their own .

Blessed is he 

who comes in 

the name of 

the Lord. 

Hosanna in 

the highest! 

FORTHCOMING EVENTSFORTHCOMING EVENTSFORTHCOMING EVENTSFORTHCOMING EVENTS

• A Quiet Time: join us on Wednesday 1st April at the Haven, McAuley Close (off Glenure Road) 10—11am for Lectio Divina (read, reflect, respond, rest) and silent prayer.

• Society of St Vincent de Paul: our next meeting is on Monday 13th April at 6pm in the Priory, to be followed by another meeting on Monday 20th April at 6.30pm in the Priory.

• Quiz night at St Mary’s on Saturday 18th April 2015. Doors open at 7.30pm for a prompt start at 8pm. Tickets are £40 for a team of 8 players or £20 for a team of 4. Crisps etc on sale, licensed bar.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NOTICESNOTICESNOTICESNOTICES

Ministers of Holy Communion: the rota for the Triduum is on the notice board in the sacristy. It has also been emailed out to those concerned. Ministers of the Word – new rotas: Copies of the rotas for the Triduum and for Masses from 11th April onwards are available in the sacristy. Please would all readers pick up a copy. Prayers for the Sick: has been cancelled for Tuesday 7th April. Volunteer Notice Board: we urgently need help with running the Repository, Wednesday Play Group, Coffee Mornings (Friday and Sunday), Fund-raising and St Vincent de Paul Society. There are volunteer slips attached to the notice board for each of these jobs. If you are able to volunteer please complete the relevant slip and put it in the volunteer box at the back of the church. Thank you for supporting your parish.

Baptisms: we welcome Ayomide Tiana Deborah Agunbiade-Braams, Amelia Bankole and Amelie Kathleen Laye into our parish family. Please pray for all those who are to be baptised this Easter, especially our own fellow-parishioners. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Last Sunday’s collection came to £1748. Thank you for supporting your parish. The second collection for the Hall Building Fund raised a wonderful £2497. Thank you for your generosity. On Good Friday, the universal annual collection for the upkeep of the Holy Places and for the support of Christian education in the Holy Land will be taken up. This year, in particular, we ask you to be generous to this cause. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From prayer to action and back again—learning and doing together: meet others for discussion about working together in the run up to the General Election. The Spring Assembly of the Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of the Archdiocese of Southwark on Saturday 25th April 10.30am—4pm in the New Barn, Aylesford Priory.

A reminder for parents - food and/or drink should not be brought into the church for consumption during Mass. Thank you for your co-operation.

THIS WEEK IS HOLY WEEK

Sunday: PALM SUNDAY

3pm Baptisms

5pm Stations of the Cross

Monday: 8.30am Morning Prayer (Mon-Sat)

Exposition after 9am Mass.

10am Church cleaning

Tuesday: 9.30am Prayers for the Sick

11am Legion of Mary

Wednesday: Exposition after 9am Mass

9.30 am Toddler Group in the hall

Thursday: MAUNDY (HOLY) THURSDAY

No 9am Mass

8pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Silent prayer at Altar of Repose till midnight

Friday: GOOD FRIDAY

10am Stations of the Cross

12 noon Children’s Good Friday Liturgy

3pm Solemn Good Friday Liturgy

Saturday: HOLY SATURDAY

10am Blessing of the Easter Food

Confession 11am—12 noon ONLY

No 12 noon Mass

No Confession 5-6pm

No 6pm Mass

9pm Easter Vigil Mass

Sunday: EASTER SUNDAY

9.30am Children’s Mass

11.30am Sung Mass

3pm Baptism

6.30pm Mass

Monday: EASTER MONDAY

12 noon Mass (no 9am Mass)

a.m.D.g.

Hosanna in the highest! *** 

Love one another. This is my 

Body which will be given up for 

you. This is the chalice of my 

Blood, the Blood of the new and 

eternal Covenant.  *** 

My God, my God, why have you 

forsaken me? *** 

Jesus is risen, he is not here.