First Sunday of Lent (Year A) 1st March 2020

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

Sat 29th Feb

6.00 pm Vigil Edward Doran, RIP

Sun 1st Mar

8.30 am The Whooley family, intentions

10 am People of the Parish

12 noon Marie Gilgan, intentions

Mon 2nd Mar Lent feria:

6.30 am Bernie Went, RIP

10 am Maura McCormack, RIP

Tues 3rd Mar Lent feria:

10 am Maisie Craig, RIP

Weds 4th Mar Lent feria:

10 am Maura McCormack, RIP

Thurs 5th Mar Lent feria:

10 am Fr. Bernard Crowe, RIP

Fri 6th Mar Lent feria:

10 am Fr. Anthony Stark, RIP

7.30 pm Stations of the Cross

Sat 7th Mar Lent feria:

10 am Jean Cunningham, RIP

Confession: Saturday 10.30 am and 5.30 pm

Exposition & Benediction: Thurs. 10.30-10.45 am & Sat. 5.30-5.55 pm

Please pray for the sick and those who care for them, today especially for the frail elderly and for those who work as carers.

Parish Collection: Last week’s collection came to £ 1145.40– Thank you.

Baptism

We welcome Santino Constantine who was baptised into our Catholic community of St Mary’s last Saturday.

6:30am Dawn Mass on Monday:

Fr Peter writes: During Lent I am going to add an extra Mass each week. The first of these will be at 6:30am on Monday. I am calling this a “Dawn Mass” and hope to encourage those who commute to come to Mass before going to work. Mass will be half an hour.

Coronavirus news:

Fr Peter writes: In keeping with latest coronavirus diocesan guidelines (issued to all parishes), I have introduced alcohol gel dispensers in the porch. One will also be available for Eucharistic Ministers to use before dispensing the host or chalice. I have also put a dispenser in all toilets and kitchens in the hall. Please do not apply to damaged or sensitive skin. Our diocesan adviser – Mr Jim McManus, Public Health Officer for Hertfordshire, says the best defence against the virus is good hand hygiene. Please remember to keep gel dispensers away from candles.

Safeguarding Reminders:

Please ensure your child is accompanied by a parent when using the toilet in the church porch and keep a watch on them when they are playing outside the hall.

“Flip a Pancake Competition for CAFOD”:

A big “thank you” to all the Pancake Flippers who came to the presbytery on Tuesday. You raised a wonderful pancake sum of £93 for CAFOD – and the “Pancake Flipper Queen” was Claire Bradnum with a staggering 45 flips in 30 seconds! Big “thank you” to Holly for making all the pancakes!

CAFOD Family Fast Day – Friday 6th March:

Envelopes are at the back of church for you to take away. Abstain from a meal on Friday 6th March and the money saved can be put in the envelope and brought back to church next weekend. If you are a tax payer, please remember to complete the gift aid application on the envelope. This year’s campaign focuses on those who provide charitable medical support to the poor and vulnerable in Zimbabwe.

Stations of the Cross:

Fr Peter writes: If you cannot go on a pilgrimage this year, why not come to Church on Friday at 7:30pm and pray the Stations of the Cross. It is a special pilgrimage walking in the steps of Jesus as He carries His cross. It is not long – 35 minutes at most, and you will join Our Blessed Lady, Simon of Cyrene, Veronica and the women of Jerusalem as they try to help Jesus. You will find that as you make this unique pilgrimage others will join you in prayer: those who suffer in mind or body, those unjustly imprisoned, and those who are often lost and forgotten. The journey of the Cross is the Lord’s way of showing the lengths God’s love goes to, so we can understand that we are God’s beloved. The pilgrimage starts at 7:30pm on Friday.

First Confessions:

Fr Peter writes: Next Saturday at 11am, Children from our parish will be making their First Confessions. Their families will be present and they will be invited to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I will be joined by two other priests, so, this is an excellent opportunity for you to come to confession as well.

All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK:

All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK are required by the government to apply through its Settlement Scheme to continue living, working and accessing services here. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2021. Details and links to the application process can be found at: gov.uk/eusettledstatus

Please bring this to the attention of friends, family members and fellow parishioners who may need to apply. Information on assistance for those who may have difficulty applying is available at: gov.uk/help-eu-settlement-scheme

The Catholic Church in England and Wales stands in solidarity with all European citizens who have made their homes here. They are a valued part of our parishes, schools and communities.

Mass Intentions:

We try to register Mass intentions for a requested date, however, sometimes they may have to be transferred if there is a funeral. If you would like to be informed in case your Mass is transferred, please provide Yvonne with a contact telephone number when you book a Mass, so we can let you know.

Annual Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony

Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 30th May 2019 at 3pm.

The Cardinal will be inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese who are celebrating their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2020. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give Yvonne Merola, the Parish Administrator the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email) by Tuesday 31st March 2020. Many thanks.

Notice Boards:

If you have any notices you want displayed in the porch please give them to Fr Peter or hand them into the Presbytery. Some notices may take priority over others.