Dear Parishioner
We have had many lovely celebrations since I last spoke to you. We still remember the joy of Christmas, joy increased because, as Christians, it has so much more meaning for us. May I thank you for supporting our Bazaar and for contributing to our World Gifts scheme. We were able to give almost £6000 to people in need, and so help them to enjoy Christmas, too.
In January we had a wonderful Ecumenical Service here to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. When you hear comments like ‘It was the best Service I have ever attended’ you realise that something very special had happened, and there was a great feeling of unity.
Now we are preparing for Lent and for a more sombre time of year. I do hope you will be able to come to the church on Ash Wednesday, 25th February, so that we begin Lent together as a Parish. You will read in this issue about our Cross of Repentance. I am sure that it will have a dramatic effect on our outlook on Lent when we are faced with placing a pin into the cross as a sign of repentance.
I hope you will also come to some of the other opportunities that are part of Lent for us, such as the Stations of the Cross on Fridays. Jesus does not force us to follow him, he invites us, and I am encouraging you to take up his invitation by using the six week period of Lent to make more effort in the three areas of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. There are all sorts of things offered in this Newsletter. Choose one at least, if you can.
For parents, I do urge you to explain to your children about Lent and Holy Week. They will certainly celebrate Easter, but help them to understand more about Easter by bringing them to the church for other services in Lent.
By making an effort to walk the journey of Lent may we all celebrate Easter more fully and joyfully than ever before.
Father John Joe Maloney
(Parish Priest)
“Come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping, mourning. Let your hearts be broken, not your garments torn, turn to the Lord your God again, for he is all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness, and ready to relent.”
From the First Reading on Ash Wednesday, Joel
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In this issue
Ö Lord, I am not worthy
Ö Lent, Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving
Ö Lent Holy Week
Ö The Cross of Repentance
Ö Examination of Conscience
Ö Forgiveness of ourselves
Ö Listen to Our Children
Ö Fr Gihong - Farewell - Hello & goodbye