Welcome to the Catholic Parish of Stamford

Saint Mary and Saint Augustine The Presbytery, 13 Broad Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1PG Telephone: (01780) 762010

Parish Priest: Father Simon Gillespie Mobile: 07760 372105 Email: simon@nottinghamcatholic.com Deacons: Reverend Charles West-Sadler (retired); Reverend Robert S Dawson (retired)

Parish Secretary: Lauren Senior Telephone: (01780) 762010 Email: office@catholicstamford.com Parish Safeguarding Representative: Tony Williams Telephone: 01780 756456 Email: angant@talktalk.net

Parish Director of Music: Ruth Proctor Mobile: 07826 017487 Email: ruthproctor73@gmail.com Parish Hall Manager: Anna Barwell Mobile: 07789 283140 Email: anna.barwell@tiscali.co.uk

Parish Primary School: Saint Augustine’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Stamford (01780) 762094 Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham Diocesan Website: www.dioceseofnottingham.uk

Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Company Number: 7151646 Charity Number: 1134449

16th and 17th March 2019 : Second Sunday of Lent

In his Pastoral Letter for Lent, Bishop Patrick invited us to read Pope Francis’ recent Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exaultate, Rejoice and be Glad. The Pope writes about the universal call to holiness, and how God asks each of us to become holy, just as God is holy. It’s a hugely positive document! If you’d like a copy of the entire text it can be found on the Vatican’s website (www.vatican.va) or speak to Father Simon if you’d like a printed copy. An extract from a couple of paragraphs in the first two chapters is given below, for meditation in this second week of Lent:

(Paragraph 1) “REJOICE AND BE GLAD” (Matthew 5:12), Jesus tells those persecuted or humiliated for his sake. The Lord asks everything of us, and in return he offers us true life, the happiness for which we were created. He wants us to be saints and not to settle for a bland and mediocre existence. The call to holiness is present in various ways from the very first pages of the Bible. We see it expressed in the Lord’s words to Abraham: “Walk before me, and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1).

(Paragraph 14) To be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest or a religious. We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That is not the case. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we

find ourselves. Are you called to the consecrated life? Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by labouring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain.

(Paragraph 19) A Christian cannot think of his or her mission on earth without seeing it as a path of holiness, for “this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Each saint is a mission, planned by the Father to reflect and embody, at a specific moment in history, a certain aspect of the Gospel.

(Paragraph 20) That mission has its fullest meaning in Christ, and can only be understood through him. At its core, holiness is experiencing, in union with Christ, the mysteries of his life. It consists in uniting ourselves to the Lord’s death and resurrection in a unique and personal way, constantly dying and rising anew with him. But it can also entail reproducing in our own lives various aspects of Jesus’ earthly life: his hidden life, his life in community, his closeness to the outcast, his poverty and other ways in which he showed his self-sacrificing love. The contemplation of these mysteries, as Saint Ignatius of Loyola pointed out, leads us to incarnate them in our choices and attitudes. Because “everything in Jesus’ life was a sign of his mystery”, “Christ’s whole life is a revelation of the Father”, “Christ’s whole life is a mystery of redemption”, “Christ’s whole life is a mystery of recapitulation”. “Christ enables us to live in him all that he himself lived, and he lives it in us”.

(Paragraph 32) Do not be afraid of holiness. It will take away none of your energy, vitality or joy. On the contrary, you will become what the Father had in mind when he created you, and you will be faithful to your deepest self. To depend on God sets us free from every form of enslavement and leads us to recognize our great dignity. We see this in Saint Josephine Bakhita: “Abducted and sold into slavery at the tender age of seven, she suffered much at the hands of cruel masters. But she came to

understand the profound truth that God, and not man, is the true Master of every human being, of every human life. This experience became a source of great wisdom for this humble daughter of Africa”.

Priestly Ordination of Rev Sam Randall – Friday 15th March

Father Sam Randall, a former Anglican cleric who was received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church four years ago, was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Hopes in East Anglia’s cathedral (Saint John the Baptist, Norwich) on Friday evening. He’s pictured here after the Ordination Mass together with his wife, Mirjam, and some of the Franciscans of the Renewal Community who have supported him on his journey of faith. Pictured at the left and right are Fathers Christopher and Gabriel, who will be leading our Lenten Day of Recollection next Saturday – see more of that later in this newsletter. Father Sam’s daughter and family live in our parish, and his grand-daughter is in our parish primary school. Please keep Father Sam in your prayers as he follows this call of Almighty God and serves as His holy priest. Ad multos annos!

Forthcoming Events in our parish, community and diocese

The Parish Finance Committee meets on Wednesday 20th March at 1.00pm in the parish hall; items for the agenda to Joe Scott, chair, at joe_d_scott5@btinternet.com

The Sacramental Preparation group continues to meet on Thursday 21st March at 6.00pm in the parish hall.

The Churches Together Lent Lunch will be held on Friday 22nd March (and on each Friday in Lent) from 12.30pm in the URC Hall (opposite us) on Broad Street. See the poster in the church porch, and do come along!

Stamford Choral presents The Malcolm Sargent Concert on Saturday 23rd March at 7.00pm in De Montford Hall, Leicester, singing J S Bach’s Saint John’s Passion. See the poster in the porch for more details.

The Rutland Theological Society hosts British Muslims – challenges and hopes given by Dilwar Hussein on Thursday 28th March at 7.30pm in Oakham Methodist church. More details from Peter Lemmon (secretary) on 01780 720730.

The Rutland Rejuvenated Singers presents African Dreams on Friday 29th March at 7.30pm in Stamford (Barn Hill) Methodist church, . Entrance is £5, supporting various local causes. See the poster in the porch for more details.

The Saint Vincent Society meets in the parish hall (Broad Street entrance) at 6.15pm on Thursday 4th April.

The Parish Film Night will be showing their next film, the Secret life of Walter Mitty, on Saturday 6th April in the parish hall at 7.15pm. All are welcome – Popcorn available!

40 Days for Life : Prayer Volunteers Needed

Are you looking for a challenge during Lent, involving prayer and self-sacrifice? Are you saddened to see the harm done to babies, women and families through abortion? 40 Days for Life is a Christian campaign group whose purpose is to save the lives of unborn children through prayer, fasting and community outreach. With the support of Pope Francis and also Bishop Patrick, we are running our fourth campaign here in Nottingham during Lent 2019. The aim of our prayers is simple: we are praying for an end to abortion. But we also offer support – moral and

practical – to women who may be under pressure to have an abortion which they do not want, and which they may come to regret. Our vigil is prayerful, peaceful, and non-judgmental. If you care about abortion, and the terrible harm it is doing to our families and friends, please sign up now to pray with us, between Ash Wednesday (6th March) and Palm Sunday (14th April) on our webpage www.40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/Nottingham or contact us at 40daysforlifenotts@gmail.com. What a fantastic way to prepare for the Solemnity of Easter! And of course, Jesus told us: ‘What you do for the lest of these, you do for me.’

Parish Friendship Group

Lunch Date for your Diary We plan to have lunch at Second Helpings at Barn Hill Methodist church on Saturday 30th March at 12.00 noon. They do a very good lunch and afterwards we place our donations in an envelope. This helps to fund a very good local cause which we feel it is important to support, particularly during Lent. Ring Bridget (01780 482170) or Maria (01780 762657) for more information and to give us a rough idea of numbers. All are very welcome!

LACY : Leicestershire Active Catholic Youth

LACY Countryside Stations of the Cross on 7th April at Mount Saint Bernard Abbey. Our Stations of the Cross take place during Lent offering the opportunity to all young people, their families and friends, to be involved by reflecting and dramatizing that special journey to Calvary with Jesus. We commence at 1.30pm with the Stations around the Abbey and then coming into the Abbey for an uplifting and reflective Celebration of Mass. Further information from paulinepayne@hotmail.com

Reminder – Mid Lent Fair

Broad Street (as well as much of central Stamford) will be closed to vehicular traffic from 12 noon on Sunday 31st March until 6.00am on Sunday 7th April.

Our church will be open as usual and Mass times won’t change.

Presbytery Safety

Work is very much in progress in the presbytery, so please take particular care by the building site. Remember to put any post into the new post-box in the church porch, or pop into the parish office in the front half of the parish hall, if the door is open.

The Pope’s Message for Lent

“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Romans 8:19)

Dear Brothers and Sisters Each year, through Mother Church, God “gives us this joyful season when we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed… as we recall the great events that gave us new life in Christ” (Preface of Lent I). We can thus journey from Easter to Easter towards the fulfilment of the salvation we have already received as a result of Christ’s paschal mystery – “for in hope we were saved” (Romans 8:24). This mystery of salvation, already at work in us during our earthly lives, is a dynamic process that also embraces history and all of creation. As Saint Paul says, “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Romans 8:19). In this perspective, I would like to offer a few reflections to accompany our journey of conversion this coming Lent. 1. The redemption of creation The celebration of the Paschal Triduum of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection, the culmination of the liturgical year, calls us yearly to undertake a journey of preparation, in the knowledge that our being conformed to Christ (cf. Romans 8:29) is a priceless gift of God’s mercy. When we live as children of God, redeemed, led by the Holy Spirit (cf. Romans 8:14) and capable of acknowledging and obeying God’s law, beginning with the law written on our hearts and in nature, we also benefit creation by cooperating in its redemption. That is why Saint Paul says that creation eagerly longs for the revelation of the children of God; in other words, that all those who enjoy the grace of Jesus’ paschal mystery may experience its fulfilment in the redemption of the human body itself. When the love of Christ transfigures the lives of the saints in spirit, body and soul, they give praise to God. Through prayer, contemplation and art, they also include other creatures in that praise, as we see admirably expressed in the “Canticle of the Creatures” by Saint Francis of Assisi (cf. Laudato Si’, 87). Yet in this world, the harmony generated by redemption is constantly threatened by the negative power of sin and death. 2. The destructive power of sin Indeed, when we fail to live as children of God, we often behave in a destructive way towards our neighbours and other creatures – and ourselves as well – since we begin to think more or less consciously that we can use them as we will. Intemperance then takes the upper hand: we start to live a life that exceeds those limits imposed by our human condition and nature itself. We yield to those untrammelled desires that the Book of Wisdom sees as typical of the ungodly, those who act without thought for God or hope for the future (cf. 2:1-11). Unless we tend constantly towards Easter, towards the horizon of the Resurrection, the mentality expressed in the slogans “I want it all and I want it now!” and “Too much is never enough”, gains the upper hand. The root of all evil, as we know, is sin, which from its first appearance has disrupted our communion with God, with others and with creation itself, to which we are linked in a particular way by our body. This rupture of communion with God likewise undermines our harmonious relationship with the environment in which we are called to live,

so that the garden has become a wilderness (cf. Genesis 3:17-18). Sin leads man to consider himself the god of creation, to see himself as its absolute master and to use it, not for the purpose willed by the Creator but for his own interests, to the detriment of other creatures. Once God’s law, the law of love, is forsaken, then the law of the strong over the weak takes over. The sin that lurks in the human heart (cf. Mark 7:20-23) takes the shape of greed and unbridled pursuit of comfort, lack of concern for the good of others and even of oneself. It leads to the exploitation of creation, both persons and the environment, due to that insatiable covetousness which sees every desire as a right and sooner or later destroys all those in its grip. 3. The healing power of repentance and forgiveness Creation urgently needs the revelation of the children of God, who have been made “a new creation”. For “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Indeed, by virtue of their being revealed, creation itself can celebrate a Pasch, opening itself to a new heaven and a new earth (cf. Revelation 21:1). The path to Easter demands that we renew our faces and hearts as Christians through repentance, conversion and forgiveness, so as to live fully the abundant grace of the paschal mystery. This “eager longing”, this expectation of all creation, will be fulfilled in the revelation of the children of God, that is, when Christians and all people enter decisively into the “travail” that conversion entails. All creation is called, with us, to go forth “from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21). Lent is a sacramental sign of this conversion. It invites Christians to embody the paschal mystery more deeply and concretely in their personal, family and social lives, above all by fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Fasting, that is, learning to change our attitude towards others and all of creation, turning away from the temptation to “devour” everything to satisfy our voracity and being ready to suffer for love, which can fill the emptiness of our hearts. Prayer, which teaches us to abandon idolatry and the self-sufficiency of our ego, and to acknowledge our need of the Lord and his mercy. Almsgiving, whereby we escape from the insanity of hoarding everything for ourselves in the illusory belief that we can secure a future that does not belong to us. And thus to rediscover the joy of God’s plan for creation and for each of us, which is to love him, our brothers and sisters, and the entire world, and to find in this love our true happiness. Dear brothers and sisters, the “lenten” period of forty days spent by the Son of God in the desert of creation had the goal of making it once more that garden of communion with God that it was before original sin (cf. Mark 1:12-13; Isaiah 51:3). May our Lent this year be a journey along that same path, bringing the hope of Christ also to creation, so that it may be “set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21). Let us not allow this season of grace to pass in vain! Let us ask God to help us set out on a path of true conversion. Let us leave behind our selfishness and self-absorption, and turn to Jesus’ Pasch. Let us stand beside our brothers and sisters in need, sharing our spiritual and material goods with them. In this way, by concretely welcoming Christ’s victory over sin and death into our lives, we will also radiate its transforming power to all of creation.

From the Vatican, 4 October 2018, Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

FRANCIS

Lent Retreat Day of Recollection – Saturday 23rd March

Prepare for Holy Week and Easter with this Lenten retreat. The retreat will be led by two Franciscan Friars of The Renewal, with the theme of ‘Discipleship’, the next of the pastoral themes commended to our diocese by Bishop Patrick. The Bishop writes:

I would like to encourage each of us to hear and respond to his invitation to be his disciple, to follow him more closely and seek to serve him more closely in our daily lives.

The day will start at 9.30am and conclude at 4.30pm. Note that Mass on this Saturday evening will be celebrated by Father Christopher and Father Gabriel, the priests leading the Retreat Day, as part of the Recollection, in our parish church. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. The day will be held in Launde Abbey, 18 miles from Stamford, and situated in the beautiful Leicestershire countryside. Transport if required can be arranged. Please are limited, so please consider if you wish to use this as a way of deepening your prayer journey this Lent. On behalf of the PPC I invite you to come on our Parish retreat. Do something different this Lent, prepare for Holy Week, be inspired, motivated and fulfilled. A lot of thought and preparation has been put into making this a worthwhile exercise. We have arranged for the inspirational and renown Franciscan Friars of the Renewal to lead us in a setting that is beautiful, peaceful and will add to the whole retreat experience. It is a chance to escape the humdrum of everyday life, to listen, reflect and hopefully be encouraged and strengthened in your faith as we head towards Easter. Lunch and teas will be provided. Transport can be arranged for those who need it. Please speak to Noel Kent, John Allison, Thomas Fegan or Father Simon for more information. Noel Kent, chair, PPC

“Francis, go and repair My House.” These words spoken to St. Francis from the crucifix would not only change his life but usher in a spirit of reform and renewal throughout the entire Church. Since 1987, when eight Friars under the navigation of Father Benedict Groeschel launched out into the deep, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal have responded to the call of Saint Francis through a life of prayer, preaching the Gospel and serving the poor. In the Great Jubilee Year of 2000, the Friars came to England, first in the East End of

London, and then in 2005 establishing Saint Pio Friary, where they welcome those in need at their soup kitchen and serve the on-going renewal of the Church through preaching and ministry at Saint Patrick’s Mission, a centre for Catholic renewal that seeks to create a culture of Catholic spiritual renewal and missionary outreach in Bradford’s city centre. For more information on the Friars, see the BBC documentary “Bronx to Bradford: Friars on a Mission”; their Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/StPioFriary/ or their websites: www.stpatricksmission.co.uk and www.cfrfranciscans.co.uk

Lenten Penitential Services and Station Masses

Sunday 7th April – Confessions at 4.00pm in Saint Joseph, Oakham Tuesday 9th April – Confessions at 7.00pm in Saint Mary Immaculate, Grantham Wednesday 10th April – Confessions at 7.00pm in Saint Francis (Convent), Melton Thursday 11th April – Confessions at 7.00pm in Sacred Heart and Saint Gilbert, Bourne Friday 12th April – Confessions at 7.00pm in Saint Mary and Saint Augustine, Stamford

On-line Resource for Lent

New Pilgrim Path explores and shares the rich spiritual resources of the internet. Visitors are helped to find sites that are relevant to them at the particular stage of their journey. They have pages devoted to a range of resources, including daily prayer, online retreats, inspirational reflections, spiritual poetry, religious broadcasts and many others. Each week they also feature a ‘Website of the week’. ~For more information, please go to www.newpilgrimpath.ie

Lent – extra chances for prayer

We are called to pray more in Lent. Bishop Patrick has asked that we pray this year especially for Vocations, and so we might pray the prayer in this newsletter each day, or perhaps make another prayer a regular part of our daily devotions. In church:

X we will have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for half an hour each Thursday evening after Mass (7.30pm-8.00pm) and on Saturday mornings (9.00am-10.00am);

X we will make the Stations of the Cross each Sunday at 4.15pm; X we will celebrate Solemn Vespers with a reflection led by parishioners, each

Sunday at 5.00pm.

Holy Week and Easter – an Advance Invitation

We can’t begin Lent without thinking about the journey’s end – Holy Week and Easter itself. Put these dates in your diary now and make every effort to come to church over that Great Week: Palm Sunday (14th April)

X Masses at 6.00pm vigil and 9.00am; then a Procession (as last year) from Saint Michael’s Churchyard at 10.30am, leading into the 11am Mass;

X Sung Vespers in church at 5.00pm. Maundy Thursday (18th April)

X The Mandatum Mass of the Lord’s Supper, with the washing of feet, at 7.30pm, and then Watching before the Blessed Sacrament until midnight;

X Compline (Night Prayer of the Church) will be celebrated at 11.50pm. Good Friday (19th April)

X Tenebrae (Office of Readings and Morning Prayer of the Church) will be celebrated at 9.00am;

X Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 10.00am; X An Ecumenical Walk of Witness, starting from Saint Michael’s church on the

High Street, will begin at 12.00 noon; X The Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday will be celebrated at 3.00pm.

Holy Saturday (20th April) X We will spend the day in silence and stillness, waiting at the tomb; X During the day we’ll pray the Liturgy of the Hours in church: X Tenebrae (Office of Readings and Morning Prayer) at 9.00am; X Sext (Midday Prayer) at 12.00 noon; X Vespers (Evening Prayer) at 4.30pm.

EASTER DAY (21st April) X We will begin Easter with the Solemn Vigil and Mass of the Resurrection at

4.30am (followed by bacon sandwiches and prosecco in the parish hall); X Sunday Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 8.00am; X Masses as usual at 9.00am and 11.00am; X Sung Vespers (Evening Prayer) of Easter Day at 5.00pm.

Cafod Lent Fast Day – Friday 15th March – Collection

There will be a collection at Sunday Masses for the proceeds from our fasting on Friday’s Lenten Fast Day. Thank You all, on behalf of the people of Bangladesh

From our Parish Primary School

Lent in School We began the season of Lent in school with a lovely whole-school Mass attended by lots of parents and parishioners. All the pupils made a Lenten promise to give something up for Lent and wrote it on a fish and brought it up to the altar and laid them in fishing nets. This forms part of the @CAFOD #GiveItUpChallenge. Money collected in Lent will go towards this charity and help those people overseas who do not have enough to eat. Pupils are also taking part in 40 Acts of generosity where they complete an act of kindness every day to learn that we can prepare ourselves spiritually in Lent by our actions too.

Bridge Club Year 5 and 6 all learned how to play Bridge last Friday thanks to the lovely members of Stamford Bridge Club. Saint Augustine’s will be running a Bridge club after Easter. We will also have plans for taster sessions for the younger pupils too.

World Book Day We had a really fun World Book Day in school with pupils and staff dressing as their favourite story characters. We held a teacher swap where teachers read a story to a different class, a whole-school character quiz and book tokens were awarded to Erine, Miya, Summer, Ewan and Miss Auton for their fabulous costumes. It was lovely to see so many parents and grandparents in school at the end of the day, sharing a story with the children.

Presbytery Refurbishment – Fundraising Update

Since the launch of our fundraising appeal in January, when information was presented about the refurbishment work in the presbytery, and the potential fundraising needed, about £200,000, parishioners have given £13,970 and pledged a further £30,831.50, giving a fantastic total-to-date of £44,801.50 (including gift aid). Of course there’s a long way to go to reach our target, but this is a brilliant amount raised in such a short time, and as ever heartfelt thanks to those in our parish who have given and pledged so generously.

If you’ve not yet had opportunity to donate, take a pink form from the back of church today to find out what’s happening and how you can help!

200 Club – New Year

If you’ve not yet renewed your membership (for those who pay annually) please put your cheque into an envelope with your name on and hand it in during the collection or to Christina Armitage or to Father Simon. If anyone wishes to take out a 200 Club Subscription and help our Presbytery Refurbishment Project please take a form from the back of church. To maintain 100 members in our Club (the break-even point) we need another six members to fill places vacated this year. Monies should be paid by 24th March (for both new members and renewals) to ensure your inclusion in the first draw of the new year on 31st March. Remember, £200, £100, and £50 is won monthly by a member of our parish, and a further annual draw of £2,000 in February!

Sincere thanks to everyone who’s supported the Club in its first year!

Presbytery Refurbishment Update

Due to the clemency of the weather our builders have made significant progress in their first three weeks, and it’s obvious to see that the wall to the left of the presbytery has been demolished, and the foundations are now being dug out for the new presbytery dining room and parish office. What’s less obvious (from the outside) is all the work going on in the original building, including the partition walls for the en-suite bathrooms, preparations for rewiring (including removing some burnt-out wiring), and the removal of the ground floor toilet (in the cupboard under the stairs) and preparations for the new disabled-access toilet in the former kitchen. Thank you to all our parishioners for your patience during these works: the church boiler was turned off when the electricity was disconnected recently, and access to the parish hall isn’t always straightforward. Work is projected to last until mid-September, with regular updates in the Sunday newsletter.

Wajir MIssion

Pat Gallagher is travelling to Kenya with her granddaughter Victoria to spend some time helping at the nurseries run by the Daughters of Saint Anne. Pat will also be travelling to the remote Wajir Mission which so many parishioners have supported over the past 40 years. Please pray for a safe trip for them both.

Nottingham Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 2019

The Nottingham Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage, led by Bishop Patrick, takes place from Sunday 14th July until Friday 19th July. The Pilgrimage begins when the heart is moved to make the journey and take the first step; please do consider beginning that journey. Through the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, we reach out to the sick, the lonely and the marginalised, members of our parishes and communities, as well as the active, able bodied and involved members too. How we journey as pilgrims takes many different forms, but each year we are supported by a large medical team of volunteers and an army of young people, as well as many other volunteers too, all of whom give of their time from across the diocese to make it a very special experience for all. We come together as a diocesan Pilgrim community journeying with Christ and Our Lady to this special and holy place that we call Lourdes. The experience of Lourdes, and in particular volunteering at Lourdes, has helped many people to have a real “Encounter” with Christ. Forms are available at the back of the church.

A Reflection from ‘Marriage Matters’

A real presence through listening Jesus was transfigured and was in communion with His Father, and His companions were overwhelmed, hearing the Father’s voice. We can hear the voice of Jesus now – but can we listen to Him? Let’s start by listening to each other, not just ears, but eyes, hearts, our whole being, becoming really present to each other, ‘a real presence’, every day.

The Bishop’s prayer for those killed in Christchurch on Friday

For God’s comfort and strength to all those who have been bereaved, injured and traumatised by the attacks on the two Mosques in New Zealand; and may all

those who have died be welcomed into God’s merciful and eternal love.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all those celebrating this weekend!

Liturgy this Sunday and next Sunday This week Next week

Celebration Second Sunday of Lent Third Sunday of Lent Cycle & Psalter Year C, Week 2 Year C, Week 3 Mass Page 157 Page 160 Penitential Rite C, page 8 C, page 8 First Reading Genesis 15:5-12.17-18 Exodus 3:1-8.13-15 Psalm Psalm 26:7-9.13-14 Psalm 102:1-4.6-8.11 Second Reading Philippians 3:17-4:1 1 Corinthians 10:1-6.10-12 Gospel Luke 9:28-36 Luke 13:1-9 Preface Second Sunday of Lent, page 72 Reconciliation 1, page 36 Eucharistic Prayer Three, page 28 Reconciliation 1, page 36 Memorial Acclamation C (Save us, Saviour) C (Save us, Saviour)

Sunday’s Antiphon and Motet

Motet: God be in my Head - Rutter (Words from a Sarum Primer, 1538) God be in my head and in my understanding. God be in mine eyes and in my looking. God be in my mouth and in my speaking. God be in mine heart and in my thinking. God be at my end and in my departing.

Antiphon: Visonem quam vidistis, nemini dixeritis, donec a mortuis resurgat Filius hominis. Speak to no man of the vision you have seen, until the Son of Man be risen from the dead.

Pope’s Prayer Intentions for March

Recognition of the Right of Christian Communities. That Christian communities, especially those who are persecuted, feel that they are close to Christ and have their rights respected.

Many Thanks for your Generosity

Envelopes £357.00 Loose plate £241.19 Standing Order £305.00 Collection Total £903.19

Sincere thanks for all your generosity!

Prayers For . . .

All who have died recently, especially Godfried Cardinal Danneels, Archbishop Emeritus Mechelen-Brussels (the diocese in which Leuven is situated), who died on Thursday 14th March; Deacon Ray Faghy, from Stapleford (Nottingham), who died on 23rd February, and whose Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Monday 25th March in Nottingham; Margaret Seamer who died on 3rd March and whose Requiem Mass will be celebrated in church on Wednesday 27th March at 11.00am.

May they rest in peace!

All our parishioners and friends who have asked for our prayers: especially Barbara Martin, Robert Plant, Lorraine Martin, Eileen Brentnall, Daniel Dopson, Joy, Hariet McBain-Allan, Kate Myers, Kitty Hughes, John and Julia Newman, Maria Pinto, Catherine Farndell, Marie Lunny, Mary Patrick, Dympna Middleton, Vincent Kelly, Sister Attracta, Verlia Duque, John and Stella Chapple, Jo and Bernard Raffo, Victoria Crouch, Peter Herrick, Mark Grab, Rosa Maria Santos, Kenneth Court, Veronica Hosking, Beth Coleman, Joan Middleton, Pat Dancer, Augusta Deane, Irene Mulligan, Nora Hunt, Valerie Pellier, Fiona Ruddle, David Cooke, Helen Allen, Jean Maker, Anna Orme, Lucy Court, Debbie Reed, Ken Woods, Lilian Popple, Anne Woods, Monsignori Jonathan Moore and Joseph Phelan; Canons John Berry and Michael Bell; Fathers John Cairns, Anthony Colebrook, Hugh Doherty, James Hannigan, Christopher Hogan, James Lynch, Frank McLaughlin, Neil McLaughlin, Robert Rutledge, Michael Tutcher, Daren Brown, Kevin Clark, David Bowler, Kevin Gradwell, Joe O’Hanlon, John Warrington and Richard Finn OP; Deacons Bill Hutchinson, and Bob Dawson.

Bishop Robert Byrne, Cong Orat, has been named by the Pope as the fourteenth Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle and will be installed as Bishop on the solemnity of the Annunciation, Monday 25th March.

Readings at Masses this week

Monday Daniel 9:4-10; Psalm 78(79):8-13; Luke 6:36-38 Tuesday 2 Samuel 7:4-5.12-14.16; Psalm 88(89):2-5.27.29; Romans 4:13.16-18.22; Matthew 1:16.18-21.24 Wednesday Jeremiah 18:1-20; Psalm 39(40):5-6.14-16; Matthew 20:17-28 Thursday Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1:1-4.6; Luke 16:19-31 Friday Genesis 37:3-4.12-13.17-28; Psalm 104(105):16-21; Matthew 21:33-46 Saturday Micah 7:14-15.18-20; Psalm 102(103):1-4.9-12; Luke 15:1-3.11-32

Masses and Services this week

Saturday 16th March SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT 6.00pm Vigil Mass C Steel RIP and family 7.00pm Confessions Sunday 17th March SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT 9.00am Mass Pro Populo (people of the parish) Children’s liturgy; Tea and coffee in the hall after 11.00am Mass George Ebenezer RIP Tea and coffee in the hall after 3.00pm Ecumenical Service, Whitefriars Care Home 4.15pm Stations of the Cross 5.00pm Sung Vespers Monday 18th March Lenten Feria 7.00pm Mass Monsignor Brian Dazeley Tuesday 19th March SOLEMNITY OF SAINT JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 9.00am Mass Intentions of Cardinal Pell Wednesday 20th March Lenten Feria 7.30am Mass Father James Forbes and Monsignor George Tutto RIP Thursday 21st March Lenten Feria 7.00pm Mass Peter Morgan Bone and Michael David Bone 7.30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction Friday 22nd March Lenten Feria 10.00am Mass John Herd RIP Saturday 23rd March Lenten Feria

No morning Adoration or Confessions THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT 6.00pm Vigil Mass Margaret Seamer RIP Celebrated by Fathers Christopher and Gabriel CFR 7.00pm Confessions Sunday 24th March THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT 9.00am Mass Peter Bone Children’s liturgy; Tea and coffee in the hall after 11.00am Mass Pro Populo (people of the parish) Tea and coffee in the hall after 4.15pm Stations of the Cross 5.00pm Sung Vespers