TAKEHOMENEWS SUNDAY 15 MARCH 2026

Fourth Sunday of Lent, (Laetare Sunday) Year A

We Rejoice

On this Laetare Sunday, we are invited to rejoice. We put on lighter vestments to symbolise this joyful mood as we draw closer to Easter Festivities.

We started our Lenten Journey by acknowledging our sinfulness. At the transfiguration, we were asked to listen to Jesus.  Last Sunday, we saw that   Jesus is the One who gives the Living Water (Holy Spirit) that quenches our thirst and opens our eyes of faith and makes us children of light (Ephesians 5:8-14).

Jesus opens our eyes, like the Blind man in the Gospel, that we may see as he sees and not be led astray by appearances. The prophet Samuel, in this Sunday’s first reading (1 Samuel 16:1,6-7,10-13), judged by appearance. But God invited him to see beyond appearances. Like Jesus, through prayers and patience, we judge beyond the way things might appear.

Jesus is the one who alone can open our eyes to see God’s gifts, such as the gifts of our mothers and mother figures in our lives, so that, with gratitude and confidence in God’s goodness, we keep working and trusting. In God’s time, regardless of what people think of you, God’s grace will eventually triumph as it did in David’s and the Blind Man’s lives in this Sunday’s readings. In the meantime, we must celebrate, rejoice with our mothers and pray for them on this Mothering Sunday.

Happy Mothering Sunday  

Fr. Chinedu

NEW OFFERTORY ENVELOPES

New Offertory envelopes will be available after Masses this weekend.  One of the Stewards/Priests will be available to hand you your box from the presbytery lobby.  We are not allowed to put the boxes on display in the church because of data protection. If there is not a set available for you please fill out a request form and we will have a set ready for you on the following weekend. 

MISSIO BOXES

Please pick up your red box from the sacristy.  The next box count will be in May.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

During this Lenten season on Friday’s, there will be Stations of the Cross after    morning Mass and again at 7pm. 

STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR FAMILIES GOOD FRIDAY 11.30AM

If your child would like to read during the children’s Stations of the Cross, please give details to the stewards.

CONFESSIONS DURING LENT

Saturdays: After morning Mass. (During Holy Hour) 10:45am to 11:15 am  

Before Saturday Vigil Mass. 5: 45 PM to 6:15 PM

Parish Reconciliation (Penitential) Service: Friday, 27^th March.  7pm followed by     Stations of the Cross.

Holy Week: Monday to Wednesday after morning mass: 9:40 am to 10:40 am.

HOLY WEEK ARRANGEMENTS

Please take a card giving the times of services for Holy Week and Easter.

Please note that there is no 6.30pm Mass on Holy Saturday 4^th April.  The Easter Vigil starts at 8.30pm.  

SECOND SCRUTINY

The Scrutinies are Rites celebrated on the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent, by those people who are preparing to be baptized at Easter.  They are important and special rites of the Church.  Please continue to keep these candidates in your prayers.

BAPTISM PREPARATION

The next preparation session for parents who wish to have their baby baptised is on Sunday, 3^srd May at 4pm in the church. 

RAFFLE TICKETS

Get ready for the chance to win prizes in our 2026 Summer Raffle, which will be drawn at the Summer Fayre on 5th July 2026. Only £1 per ticket. Available after    masses from 5th April.

ANNUAL MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIMONY

Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 23 May 2026 at 2:30pm.

The Archbishop is inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese, who are celebrating their 5^th 10^th, 25^th, 30^th, 40^th, 50^th and 60^th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2026. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give your parish office the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, your full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).  Please advise Susan in the office before Thursday 16 April 2026.

TOILETS

We thank the stewards in our parish and all our parishioners for your patience with the use of the toilets.

Our policy has changed for easier accessibility.  The door to the hall will be open during mass and any other celebration in the church.  For the safety of your child, the Parish policy is that children up to the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult while accessing this area/ using these facilities. 

This includes accompanying children while visiting the toilet. Your child remains your responsibility at all times while on the Parish site.