Second Sunday of Lent

Second Sunday of Lent

16th March  2014 

Parish Mass Book— page 155

 

Mass Times and Intentions

                                      6.30 pm  Vigil  Jim Norton

Sunday  16 March      10.00 am  People of Parish

                                                                                                                                                     

Monday                       10.00 am  Eucharistic Service

Tuesday                      10.00 am  Mary Appleby

Wednesday                         10.00 am  Peggy Love

Thursday                     10.00am   Fr Jim Lennon

Friday                          10.00 am  Requiem Mass - Isobel Brennan

                                      7.00pm  Malcolm Johnston

 

                                     6.30 pm  Vigil  People of Parish

Sunday  23 March     10.00 am  Sean & Margaret Gorham

 

Sacrament of Reconciliation 

Friday  6.00 pm  -  7.00 pm

Saturday 5.45 pm - 6.15 pm

 

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

Friday 9.30  - 10.00 am

Friday 6.00  -  7.00 pm

 

Please pray for:

 

 

· all who are sick,

 

· Isobel Brennan, Brian Dobie and all who have died recently,

 

· all whose anniversaries occur at this time. 

 

Pastoral Visit by Bishop Seamus  

 

Bishop Seamus will be making a pastoral visit to the parish as part of his visit to parishes in the deanery next weekend. The Bishop will preside at the Masses and will informally meet parishioners afterwards. Every three years the visit comes to visit us, out of courtesy to him I think it is important that as many parishioners are present next weekend.  There will be a social after the  Sunday morning Mass.

Lent   is an opportunity for us to take stock of our relationship  with God and to be aware of where in our lives we need to grow in grace. Our faith is based on the belief that God has, is and will always offer the life of grace to us in Christ Jesus. How can you and I be aware of and respond to this constant and generous offer?

 

During Lent the following activities will be taking place:

 

· Friday morning 10.00 am Stations of the Cross

 

· On Friday evening at 7.00 pm there will be Mass.  This will be preceded by:

 

· Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 6.00 to 7.00 pm  ( I will also be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation)

 

· Lenten Lunches and Prayer with Churches Together 12 noon to 1.15pm at the Salvation Army  ( We have been asked to make soup for 20th March  Four volunteers please to make soup for those respective days)

 

· Service of Reconciliation, Sunday 6th April at 4.00 pm

 

Family Fast Day   

There will be a retiring collection this weekend for Family Fast Day. It is a day of special prayer for the needy and hungry of the world. Envelopes are available in the Narthex if you wish to gift aid your donation.  Prayer cards  are available in the Narthex.  Please take one.

 

First Holy Communion  

 

This weekend we have our next liturgy for the first holy communion candidates which will focus on the offertory and is called Offering Ourselves.  There will be a session for parents at 9.00 am where I will begin to go through parts of the Mass.

 

Gift Aid and Planned Giving 

 

You will see that boxes are available for gift aid and planned giving for the new tax year starting on 6th April.  If you do not have a box of envelopes, or a standing order with the parish,  you are very welcome to do so.  Please give your contact details ie name and contact telephone number, to myself,  the parish secretary Pat Bateman, or one of the table men in the Narthex.

 

 

Journey of Faith 

 

The rite of election service at St Mary’s Cathedral was a beautiful occasion that was much appreciated by our four candidates, their sponsors, and family.  It was lovely to see such a large number of people who are wishing to be in full communion with the church at Easter.  Please continue to pray for our candidates.

 

St Bede’s School 

 

The pupils of Years 5 and 6 will join us for Mass on Tuesday morning at 10.00 am.

 

Children’s Liturgy 

I had a very useful discussion with our children’s liturgists about Godly play.  They hope to use some of these methods  in the weeks ahead

YMT Mission to St Benet Biscop’s High School 

 

The mission workshop that took place last Sunday appears to have been a great success with over forty people present.   The young people have designed a prayer card which will be presented to the parish on the weekend of 26/27th April.  This weekend will also be the launch in preparing the parish for this mission.  Some of the young people will talk to us that weekend about the mission.  It is wonderful to see our young people making such a wonderful positive contribution to the preparations of this mission.  My thanks and respect to them and all who are involved.  There is a further meeting this Thursday, 20th March at 7.00 pm.

 

Baptismal Catechesis in the Parish  

 

As mentioned in previous weeks the way we prepare and celebrate the sacrament of baptism in the parish is going to be radically different.  Please see information sheet about this in the Narthex.  Please note that the first preparatory session will be on 27th March.  So if anyone wishes to have their child baptised in the spring please contact me as soon as possible if you have not done so already.,

 

Meeting of Social Group Re World Youth Day Fund Raising 

 

The Social Committee will be meeting on Sunday after 10.00am Mass to  arrange fund raising events  for the Papal  World Youth Day Event for 2016. Since we wish to arrange events that will attract young people I would encourage young people to take part and share your ideas

 

Passion Play

The BBC  are putting on a Passion play at Betts Park, South Shields  on Good Friday 18th April starting at 11.00 am .  To apply for tickets go to bbc.co.uk/greatnorthpassion and click on the link. It's being done as a random draw and you can apply for up to six tickets.

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