Fifth Sunday of Lent
Mass Readings: Pages 169 – 172
Order of Mass: Pages 7 – 47
Jesus is the centre of the unity for the whole family of God. Face to face with the hour of his passion. Jesus does not shrink, but carries the will of his Father– this is why he glorified; his death is the means whereby God reaps for himself a universal harvest. In him, God has made a new covenant with human race, and so he is the source of eternal life and salvation for all who obey him in faith.
On the very threshold of the Passion, we are taken back once again to a prophecy of Jeremiah in which God promises a new covenant, not an earlier one where God took the people from Egypt which the people broke. Now the promise is Deep within them I will plant my law, writing it on their hearts.
It is good reflect again on the use of the heart on which the Law is to be written. This should help us to realise that God’s covenant and his law is for the whole person—body, mind, heart, soul—we are to be living embodiment of God’s gift to us.
But the second reading which is taken from the Hebrews keeps in front of us the close relation of suffering and love. We are told of Christ going through the torment of facing death and offering up prayer and entreaty, aloud in silent tears. It then says strangely that ‘he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. It is difficult for us to see how it was heard except that ,he learnt to obey through suffering.’ so we too must learn to obey through suffering on our way to death and eternal life.
In the Gospel, Christ tells us that a grain of wheat has to fall to the ground and die in order to produce a rich harvest. This Jesus himself did and he has left us an example, that we follow in his steps.
Sunday Teas:
This Sunday’s teas will be served by the French Speaking Prayer Group.
Next Sunday’s teas will be served by the St Vincent de Paul Group and the Volunteers.
Thank you to all those who help out with the Sunday Teas.
Last Sunday’s Collections: The 1st collection was £582.27p + £293.15p in Gift Aid Envelopes giving us a parish total of £ 875.42p. The 2nd collection for Parish Funds was £43.22p. Thank you for your generosity. Today’s retiring collection is for Parish Funds.
Stations of the Cross: The Stations of the Cross will be on Wednesdays after 9.30am mass, Fridays at 7pm and Sundays at 4pm.
Father Stuart’s Lent Series on the ‘Pivotal Players’: The Pivotal Players is a multi-part film that illumines a handful of saints, artists, mystics and scholars who not only shaped the life of the Church, but changed the course of civilization. All held in the Parish Centre at 7.30pm on the following Wednesdays – 21st March BI, John Henry Newman; 28th March, G.K. Chesterton. All are welcome.
Baptism Preparation Classes: The second class (of two) will be on 22nd March at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre (no. 4 Genoa Road). It is important to attend both classes.
Mass in Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage: If you are celebrating your 1st/10th/25th/40th/50th/60th+ wedding anniversary this year, please give your names as soon as possible. Please use the form provided (at the back of the church) and write very clearly so you can receive an invitation from the Archbishop. The Mass will be on Saturday 16th June at St George’s Cathedral.
Quiet Area: Please note that the Narthex will be sound proofed very shortly so it can be used as a quiet area for parents and babies.
Advance Notice: The church will be re-painted very soon. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Spring Walk: Join the Friends of Cator and Alexandra on Sunday 18th March for a leisurely walk around Cator Park and Alexandra Recreation Ground via the River Pool embankment. Thousands of spring bulbs should be in bloom. Meet at 2.00pm by the Friends notice board in Cator Park. A free walk lasting about 1.5 hours although donations gratefully received. The walk ends at Alexandra Nurseries.
The Passage: The Passage, a Christian Charity working with homeless people in London is raising funds through the Big Give from 12pm (midday) Thurs 22 March – 12pm Thurs 29 March to support its work with homeless people this winter. Double your Donation, Double your impact. This is a matched giving scheme for online donations. If someone (can be company, individual or trust) gave £10 online matched giving of £10 would bring the Gift up to £20 (and for individuals to £22.50 with Gift Aid with higher rate tax relief it may cost the donor less than £10). For more information ring Andrew Hollingsworth 020 75921856 andrew.h@passage.org.uk. www.thebiggive.org.uk/thepassage.
The maximum is £10,000 from any one person/body. It is not a limit per household but per person.
School Admissions – St Mary’s Catholic High School, Croydon: The school reports a significant increase in the number of successful Year 7 applications from Catholic families this year. If parents are disappointed that they have not been allocated a Catholic school for their child, there are now just a few places available at St Mary’s for September. Please contact the school for further information regarding admission to the school (Tel: 0208 6863837), or visit the school’s website.
Top of the Pew Competition: St Anthony’s Parish has been drawn to play Hayes Free Church at home in the annual Top of the Pew Competition. The match will be played on Sunday 15th April at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. Please come along and support St Anthony’s Parish team.
Life in the Spirit Seminars: Starts on Wednesday 18th April for 8 consecutive Wednesdays at SS Joseph and Swithun Parish, Plaistow Lane, Bromley, BR1 2PR. 7pm Registration and refreshments, 7.30pm Welcome and gathering followed by the Seminar at 8 until 9.30pm. If you are interested in attending please email admin@stjosephsbromley.org or call 020 8402 0459. The poster is on the noticeboard.
Please pray for the sick of the Parish:John Barry, Mercie Ihekweme-Hill, Kieran Quinn, and Michael Creech.
Please note: We no longer collect used printer cartridges or mobile phones. Thank you.
Notices for the newsletter need to be emailed/posted to the presbytery by 6pm on Thursdays.
MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS (18th —25th March 2018) (Year: B)
Sunday 18th | Fifth Sunday of Lent (B) | ||
(Saturday) …
|
6:00pm
9:30am 11:15am 5:30pm |
Louise Furey RIP + members of her family
Mr & Mrs Albert D’Souza Andrija Dolenetz People of the Parish |
|
Monday 19th | St Joseph, spouse of the BVM | ||
9:30am
|
Susan Pettinger RIP | ||
Tuesday 20th | Feria | ||
|
9:30am
7:00pm |
Mr Macario Da Costa RIP
Thanksgiving to God for continued mercies and protection |
|
Wednesday 21st | Feria | ||
|
9:30am
|
Deceased of the Egan & Begbie families | |
Thursday 22nd | Feria | ||
9:30am | Sarah Marie Shoppie RIP | ||
Friday 23rd | Feria | ||
9:30am | George Loader RIP
+ Michael & Melodie Cronin RIP |
||
Saturday 24th | Feria | ||
9:30am | Maria Saunders RIP | ||
Sunday 25th
(Saturday) …
|
6:00pm 9:30am 11:15am 5:30pm
|
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Da Cruz Family—in thanksgiving Amelia Corbett RIP Thanksgiving People of the Parish |
Mass Times
Sunday: 9:30am, 11:15am & 5:30pm Monday: 9:30am
Tuesday: 9:30am
Wednesday: 9:30am
Thursday: 9:30am
Friday: 9:30am
View our Diary for a full list of services...
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