PALM Sunday (A)
The official title for today is ‘Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord’. This is because today we start Holy Week when we focus more intently on Christ’s Passion, this year according to St. Matthew. Firstly, however, we will recall Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem with people waving palms. We will re-enact this at morning Masses when we process from the Parish Centre to the church, waving our palms. For the proclamation of the Passion, please join in with the parts of the crowd, marked ‘C’ in the booklets.
MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY
Confessions will be heard after Masses. On Tuesday, the Chrism Mass will take place in Westminster Cathedral at 12 Noon. At this Mass the sacramental oils will be blessed and priests will renew their commitment to their Ministry. There will be a Holy Hour on Wednesday from 9.30am. Confessions will be heard during the Exposition period.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
There will be confessions between 10.30 and 11am. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper is at 8pm and will include the procession of the oils and the washing of feet. At the end of Mass, the Blessed Sacrament will be taken in solemn procession to the Altar of Repose where there will be watching until 10.30pm.
GOOD FRIDAY
This is a day of Fasting and Abstinence as we recall Christ’s Passion and Death. The Office of Readings takes place in the church at 10am and then at 11.30, also in the church, there will be Stations of the Cross for families.
The Main Liturgy is at 3pm when we have the Solemn Liturgy of the Passion. This will include the Passion according to St. John, for which you are invited to join in with the parts of the crowd, marked ‘C’ in the booklets. For the veneration of the Cross, please come forward when invited to touch the cross with your hand. There will be a retiring collection for the Holy Places.
At 7pm there will be prayer and reflection at the Cross.
HOLY SATURDAY
This is a day of emptiness. The Church is bare as Jesus lies in a tomb. The Office of Readings takes place in the church at 10am and this will be followed by confessions.
Then after dusk falls we have the Easter Vigil at 8.pm. We will begin outside by Our Lady’s Grotto with the Blessing of the Fire and the lighting of the Easter Candle. During the Mass there will be 5 adult baptisms. Please note that there is no 6.30pm Mass that evening.
EASTER SUNDAY
We celebrate the greatest event in the history of the world—Jesus has risen from the dead. During Masses we will renew our Baptismal promises and we will be sprinkled with the New Easter Water.
ALTAR SERVERS REHERSALS
Altar Servers’ rehearsals for the Easter Triduum are as follows:
MAUNDY THURSDAY Rehearsal on Wednesday at 4.30pm
GOOD FRIDAY Rehearsal on Friday at 12.15pm
EASTER VIGIL Rehearsal on Holy Saturday at 11.am.
CHOIR REHERSAL
There will be a rehearsal for those who are able to sing in the choir during the Easter Triduum on Wednesday Evening at 7pm in the church.
TAKEHOMENEWS
Next week’s newsletter will cover two weeks.
NINA KEVINS R.I.P
Please pray for the repose of the soul of NINA KEVINS whose funeral Mass will be on Thursday 25th April at 11am. Her body will be brought to the church at 5pm on Monday 24th
NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES
If you have not already collected your box of envelopes, please ask after Mass. Many prefer to contribute by standing order and there are leaflets for this on the table at the back of the church. You can use this form also if you are able to start Gift Aiding your donations, but there is no need to do so if you are already on Gift Aid. But please let us know if your circumstances change and you are no longer able to Gift Aid. Thank you.
VOCATIONS EVENING
On Wednesday, 17th May, there will be an Open Evening at St James, Spanish Place, for any men interested in learning about or discerning a vocation to the priesthood. The regular evening Mass at 6pm will be followed by a gathering in the social centre for a short presentation, informal conversations and refreshments. Do come and join us if you can. The nearest tube stations are Bond Street and Baker Street.
WESTMINSTER DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
This takes place from 21st to 28th July. Please see the Tangney Tours poster in the church for details and ask one of the priests for an application form if you are interested in going.
GOOD COUNCIL NETWORK
"Come and hear from a Mother who changed her mind about abortion at the very gateway into an abortion centre and hear about the lives saved and changed during Lent 40 Days for Life campaign outside the abortion centre in Brixton. Come to Our Lady Of The Rosary Church Hall, 364 Brixton Road, London SW9 0TH. Tuesday 4th April 7-9pm. Talks and Refreshments. www.GoodCounselNetwork.com"
Four:12 Quiz Night
It’s back! We invite you to an evening of fun brain teasers on Friday 21st April 2023 in the Canon Smyth Parish Hall.
Doors open at 7pm. £9/adult & £6/child (under 16). Teams can be from 1-6 people. Bookings can be for groups larger than 6, but you will have to split into different teams.
Book your places after weekend masses at the repository shop/entrance porch, or by visiting www.four12.co.uk/quiz or email four12.oak@gmail.com
Admission price includes food (e.g. fish and chips). A licensed bar will also be available.
Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal
There is a box near Our Lady’s altar for contributions to this appeal as well as envelopes on which you can Gift Aid your contribution. Funds raised this year will be shared between Marriage and Family Life, Youth and Evangelisation, The Education Service and Caritas Westminster. If you prefer you can use the QR code to make your donation on line. Thank you for your generosity.
HOMES FOR UKRAINE MATCHING SERVICE
Caritas Social Action Network, in partnership with St John of God Hospitaller Services, an international Catholic charity with many services for the vulnerable in the UK and Ireland, are matching Ukrainian people displaced by the brutal war in their country with people in the Catholic community willing to host them in their homes for six months. If you have room in your home and in your heart to consider welcoming a stranger displaced by war, then we’d love to hear from you. Please visit https://sjog-homesforukraine.uk/ for more information.
Flower Arranging
We are very grateful to those who arrange the flowers in the church. However, we do need more flower arrangers to join the rota. No experience is required. If you would like to help, please speak to Emilia or one of the priests.
Foodbank for the community
Non – perishable food is required for the foodbank, please leave your donations in one of the marked boxes in the church porch. Thank you