A WORD FOR THE WEEK... The Jerusalem Temple was the architectural marvel of antiquity. It was the one place on the world that God’s people could offer an atoning sacrifice. Yet, it was for all of that a concession to human weaknesses. God wanted to give something better then a temple. He wanted to give himself. In the Gospel we see Jesus, who does something which would be seen as an outrageous act. But He does not come to destroy the temple, but to fulfil it (Matthew 5:17) and to reveal its true purpose in God’s saving plan. He is the Lord the prophets said would come to purify the temple and make it a house of prayer for all peoples. In the Bible we read that the God who made the heavens and the earth, who brought Israel out of slavery, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands (Acts 7:48; 2Samuel 7:5). Nor does He need offerings of oxen, sheep, or doves (Psalm 50:7–13). Notice in today’s First Reading that God did not originally command animal sacrifices, but only that Israel heed His commandments (Jeremiah 7:21–23; Amos 5:25). His law was a gift of divine wisdom, as we sing in today’s Psalm. It was a law of love, perfectly expressed in Christ’s self-offering on the cross. This is the “sign” Jesus offers in the Gospel today - the sign that caused Jewish leaders to stumble, as Paul tells us in our Second Reading. Jesus’ body - destroyed on the Cross and raised up three days later - is the new and true sanctuary. From the temple of His body, rivers of living water flow, the Spirit of grace that makes each of us a temple, and together builds us into a dwelling place of God. In the Eucharist we participate in His offering of His body and blood. This is the worship in Spirit and in truth that the Father desires (see John 4:23–24). We are to offer praise as our sacrifice. This means imitating Christ by offering our bodies and all our intentions and actions in every circumstance for the love of God and the love of others. To this we all should grow during the time of Lent.

MASS IS A TIME OF SILENCE AND PRAYER, NOT IDLE CHITCHAT. Mass is the highest form of prayer and not an appropriate moment for small talk, Pope Francis said during one of his catechesis. At church, Catholics should spend their time in silence before Mass, preparing "to meet with Jesus" instead of engaging in "chitchat," "Silence is so important," he said. "Remember what I told

you last time: we are not going to a show. Silence prepares us and accompanies us." The Pope continued, reflecting on the Eucharist as a form of prayer that is "the highest, the most sublime and, at the same time, the most concrete" way of encountering God's love. "This is the greatest grace: to experience that the Eucharist is the privileged moment to be with Jesus and, through him, with God and with our brothers and sisters”. In the Gospels, he continued, Jesus teaches his disciples that the first

thing needed to pray "is to know how to say father" and to trust in God with the humility of a child. Christians also must allow themselves to be "surprised by the living encounter with the Lord," and not simply" talk to God like a parrot, "repeating the words of prayers without thinking. The encounter with God is a living encounter. It is not an encounter of a museum, it is a living encounter. And we go to Mass, not a museum! We go to a living encounter with the Lord. Pope Francis said that the Mass is also a gift and a consolation where Christians discover that God's greatest surprise is that he loves us even in our weakness. The Lord encounters our frailty. This is the environment of the Eucharist. This is prayer.

Lent, is a time “to allow our hearts to beat Lent, is a time “to allow our hearts to beat once more in tune with the vibrant heart once more in tune with the vibrant heart of Jesus.” Hitting the reset button requires of Jesus.” Hitting the reset button requires taking a pause from “bitter feelings, taking a pause from “bitter feelings, which never get us anywhere” and from which never get us anywhere” and from a frantic pace of life that leaves too little a frantic pace of life that leaves too little time for family, friends, children, time for family, friends, children, grandparents and God.grandparents and God.

IN LENT the traditional Stations of the Cross will take place after each of the Sunday Masses at St Teresa’s and on Tuesday after the 10.00am Mass at St Ambrose Wye. There will be also be a special evening Service on Friday 16th March: The light of the Cross.

The Lent Talks will be given by Fr Rodney “Exploring the mystery of life” on Tuesdays 11am – 12 noon at St Ambrose Church, Wye: the next talk is on the 6th March (A theory of everything?)

LENT LUNCHES will take place once again at Wye Methodist Church Hall on Fridays 12.30-2.00 pm. (Donations for Christian Aid). Also on Sat 17th March (9.30-12.00) there will be a soup stall for Christian Aid at the Wye Farmers Market.

OUR DEANERY & THE EUCHARIST We warmly invite parishioners to attend a Deanery series of reflections on the Eucharist. The first, Eucharist & Community, will be led by Fr. Mark White CP on Saturday, 10th March (11.00am – 2.00pm) at The Retreat Hall, Herne Bay CT6 8TH. All are welcome. For more information, please see the notice at the back of the church.

TRAINING DAY ON THE THEME OF THE SYNOD Saturday 10th March. A day for adult Youth leaders working in our parishes in Amigo Hall, at 10:30am- 4:30pm. Fr David O’Malley will be providing input in key themes from the Synod preparation document and offering some practical guidance in working with young people.

READERS AND MINISTERS OF COMMUNION Please let Mary Addison know which Holy Week Services you will be attending, and also any dates when you will not be able to serve in the months April to June. Contact Mary on 01233 621637 or email johnmaryj@talktalk.net

MOTHERING SUNDAY 11th March refreshments will be available after Mass at St Ambrose, Wye in the Stonegate Room, please join us if you can.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION NOTICES: ►First Confession on Saturday 10th March after 10.00am Mass; ►First Holy Communion meeting for Parents (short but very important) on Saturday 17th March at 11.30am in the church.

CONFIRMATION GROUP NOTICES: ►a meeting for the leaders on the 8th March at 8.00pm in the Priest’s House; ►the group meeting will resume on Thursday 15th March at 8.00pm in the Priest’s House.

RCIA GROUP session on Wednesday 7th March at 7.30pm in the Priest’s House.

JUSTICE & PEACE GROUP meet Tuesday 6th March at 7.30pm in the Priest’s House. New members very welcome.

ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY FOOD BANK the Justice and Peace Group wishes to extend a huge thank you for the generous response to the appeal made last weekend. The food will be packaged into a food box that will feed a family of 4 for 5 days whilst they’re getting back onto their feet. May God bless you.

FAIRTRADE STALL in the hall after all the Masses on 17th & 18th March. Please support us.

ALTAR SERVERS MEETING on Saturday 17th March after the 10.00am Mass, all to attend.

FLOWER ARRANGING GROUP meeting with Fr Peter on Friday 9th March at 3.00pm.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING on Monday 12th March at 7.30pm in the Priests’ House.

DEMENTIA GROUP meet Wednesday 7th March at 10am-12noon in St Teresa's Hall. All are welcome.

BORN FOR THIS, a powerful and moving depiction of the Stations of the Cross. This unmissable reflection takes place on Saturday, 24th March at 6.00pm in the Relic Chapel, Aylesford Priory. Free admission.

SATURDAY 3RD MARCH THE VIGIL MASS OF SUNDAY 5.30pm People of the Parish followed by Stations of the Cross SUNDAY 4TH MARCH THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT (B) 8.00am Rogers Recovery to Good Health followed by Stations of the Cross 9.15am Mass at Wye: People of the Parish 10.30am Stan Hone & Family followed by Stations of the Cross 5.30pm Mass in Polish MONDAY 5TH MARCH 10.00am Margaret Dutton RIP

TUESDAY 6TH MARCH 10.00am Holy Souls 10.00am Mass at Wye followed by Stations of the Cross

WEDNESDAY 7TH MARCH 10.00am Samveer Parris

THURSDAY 8TH MARCH 10.00am 1. Mrs Detta Farrell 2. Theresa Mann

FRIDAY 9TH MARCH 10.00am 1. Fr Andy O’Sullivan 2. Mary Turrell followed by Exposition and Rosary until 11.00am 6.00pm Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite

SATURDAY 10TH MARCH 10.00am 1.Kochuthsesia Mathew 2. Simon Omakobia RIP 5.30pm (Vigil Mass) Edward & Mabel Ellender followed by Stations of the Cross

SUNDAY 11TH MARCH FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT (B) 8.00am People of the Parish followed by Stations of the Cross 9.15am Mass at Wye: John Alexander Mark 10.30am Jim McDonald followed by Stations of the Cross 2.00pm Mass in Syro-Malankara Rite

MASSES AND SERVICESMASSES AND SERVICES

CONFESSIONS: SATURDAYS 10.30-11.30AM & 4.30-5.15pm

Eucharistic Adoration Monday-Thursday before Mass at 9.45am

In the morning only First Holy Confession for children Other confessions in the evening please.

ST TERESA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, QUANTOCK DRIVE (01233) 622797 WEB: www.st-teresas.kent.sch.uk

ST ANSELM’S SCHOOL,CANTERBURY (01227) 826200

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL WHO ARE SICK: William Dias, Paul Gasche, Sue Purvis, Rose Wayman, Fr Robert Copsey, John Earl, Mary Hone, Deidrie Callaghan, Marina Shelton, Silvia Arones, Thomas Kirby, Joan Bright, Baby Sebastian, Nancy Finnerty, Doreen Gavin, Fr Wilf McGreal, Marta Thompson, Fr John O’Callaghan, Kathy Collar, Bernadine Price, Bernard Claw, Ann Carter, Sue Wall, Pauline Runciman, Doreen Gabin, Paul, Mary Wells, Felicity Gliddon, Liam O’Connor, Kay Kilby, David Lavelle, Maureen Moloney, Debbie, Sarah Weston, Marilyn Mahlberg, Mark Haberland, Jane Rutter, Myrna Coleman, Teresa Ashby, David Robbins, Catherine Keane, Licia Johnston, John Lydon, Peter Laker, Fr David Peck, Sharon Mooney.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL THE FOLLOWING: Marie Henderson, Patrick Glynn, Michael McHugh, Yvonne Redmond, Teresa masters, Eileen Parker, Joe Rossi, Keith Skinner, Cathleen Burch, William Dodd, Edward Ellender, Arthur Wood, Eliza Desmond, Peter Amos, Charles wall, Mary Smith, John Kelly, Peter Wall, Maria Holden, Daniel Hayes, Robert Clark, George Kaczykowski, Christine Barrett and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: Moira Forth (Funeral Mass on 22nd March)

Vilma Gizzi (Funeral details to be announced)

LAST SUNDAY’S OFFERTORY: £1,497.24 including £375 in Standing Orders

CAFOD Collection £966.52 COUNTERS: This Week: Karen & Andy Next Week: Angela & Denis

GIFT AID: Joanna Irwin (tel. 077 71 59 2714)

ST TERESA of AVILA CHURCH & PRIEST’S HOUSE 4 MAIDSTONE ROAD, ASHFORD TN24 8TX

WEB: http://www.st-teresas-ashford.org.uk EMAIL: stteresa.ashford.t21@btinternet.com

TEL: 01233 624771 * * *

ST AMBROSE CHURCH, ST AMBROSE GREEN OXENTURN ROAD, WYE, ASHFORD TN25 5AG

* * * PARISH PRIEST ASSISTANT PRIEST FR PETER KUCHARSKI FR LUKASZ HADUCH

PRIEST AT ST AMBROSE WYE (TEL: 813765) FR RODNEY SCHOFIELD

ANNIVERSARIES

THE SICK