Dearest friends,
We start lent by being shriven of our sins. It is a moment of weakness and as St. Paul tells us, ‘..when I am weak, then I am strong’. (2 Cor’ 12:10)
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, our fragility gives us strength. Our willingness to expose our ugly sins to Christ, renews us.
Reconciliation is the sacrament of love and of mercy, it is a moment to die to sin and to our own desires that we may know Christ better, that we may be more open to what He calls us to in this world.
I know that it can be hard to come to confession – especially if you have never been before.
But we are not called to the easy things, we are not called to get caught up in our own feelings, we are called to trust in God and in His infinite mercy and love.
I understand that some of you may find it difficult to come to me and express your sins – but please do know and be assured that the seal of the confession is absolute. You will find your parish priest in jail long before I would ever break the seal – to anyone for any reason.
I hope this reassurance will encourage more of you to come to confession this Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday) and to start lent as you mean to go on.
Fr. Matthew
Notices
Torfaen Male Voice Choir
The internationally acclaimed Male Voice Choir will be giving a concert at St. Luke’s on the 8th March at 7pm. Tickets are just £5 each and will be on sale later this week or available on the door. They’re astonishingly good and there’ll be a good opportunity for a chat after the concert as the boys celebrate a Welsh Rugby Win (prayers are very much in action for Wales at the moment!)
Messy Easter & Explorers
There is an initial planning meeting for those interested in helping with Explorers on Thursday 27th at 6pm in Wickham Hall ahead of the Bible Course.
Explorers is a small seed that is going to grow into a new church to be planted into St. Catherine’s School in September. I’m looking for volunteers to help with children’s crafts, serving coffee & tea (and almost certainly donuts!) and welcoming people into church.
Messy Easter will be held at St. Catherine’s on the 23rd March, 3pm-5pm. We are in need of volunteers to help us run it. Sitting with the children doing crafts, serving food, setting up and putting away. If you’re interested please be in touch.
The Bible Course
Thursday evenings, 7pm, WH
This week we move into the New Testament: Jesus & The Gospels. The Gospels capture the extraordinary life of Jesus Christ – Messiah, Saviour and Lord. Now this same Jesus calls to us: ‘Come, follow me!’
Pancake Race
Sadly, due to a lack of volunteers we’ll not be able to run this event this year. Thanks to those who offered batter… I may still take it!
Palm Crosses
Please bring them back.
Ash Wednesday is on the 5th March, can you please bring your Palm Crosses from last year back to church this Sunday so that we can burn them to use for the Ashing services at both churches.
Thank you!
Prayer Focus
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sunday 2nd March
8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:15am – Sung Mass, St. John’s
11am – Sung Mass, St. Luke’s
Divine Office Psalter Week 4, C(I), Sunday next before Lent
March
- 5th – Ash Wednesday, 10am [SJ], 7pm [SL]
- 6th – The Bible Course, 7pm, WH
- 8th – Torfaen Male Voice Choir Concert 7pm [SL]
- 9th – St. Luke’s Parish Lunch
- 12th – St. Luke’s PCC, 7pm
- 13th – The Bible Course with +Mike, 7pm WH
- 15th, 22nd, 29th – Stations of the Cross [4pm SL, 6pm SJ]
- 15th – Rosary Group, 10:30am [SL]
- 16th – St. John’s APCM 3pm
- Music & Meditation 4pm [SJ]
- 23rd – St. Luke’s APCM after Mass
- Messy Easter at St. Catherine’s, 3-5pm
- 30th – Mothering Sunday
April
- 2nd – St. Luke’s PCC, 7pm
- 10th – Oswestry Chrism Festival (Exeter Cathedral, 11am)
13th April – Palm Sunday
- 9am – Sung Mass & Procession
- 11am – Sung Mass & Procession
17th April – Maundy Thursday
- 7pm – Joint Mass with Washing of Feet & Watch, [SJ]
(Watch to continue at SL from 8:30pm)
18th April – Good Friday
- 3pm – Mass of The Lord’s Passion [SJ & SL]
19th April – Holy Saturday
- 8pm- Vigil Mass of Easter [SJ]
20th April – Easter Sunday
- 6am – Dawn Mass [SL]
- 9:15am – Mass of Easter Sunday [SL]
- 11am – Mass of Easter Sunday [SJ]
St. John’s Table Top Sale – Every 3rd Saturday at Wickham Hall