TAKEHOMENEWS SUNDAY 22 MARCH 2026

Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A

“Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord”

This is this Sunday’s psalm (Psalm 130, De Profundis). The Psalmist cries for God’s help from the depths of his misery. He expresses his situation as “depths”. The image of “the depths”, biblically, suggests a state of fear and hopelessness or even death.

But the Good News is that ‘the depths’ is not beyond the power of God (Ps 95:4, Ps 77:16, Proverbs 3:20). Thus, God promises in this Sunday’s first reading from Ezekiel 37 to raise his people from their graves (depths). The image of graves is used here to describe God’s people's sense of hopelessness and being forgotten. For those whose hopes are weakened by their experiences, through the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord says, “I will open your graves (depths), raise you, and fill you with my spirit.”

This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus, who entered the grave, the depth of all depths, to save us. In him, we have been raised to life through baptism and filled with God’s Spirit, which gives life to our mortal bodies as St. Paul reminds us in this Sunday’s second reading.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. In raising Lazarus from death, Jesus points to his identity as God, the Life-Giver, but also to the resurrection that awaits all believers. Like Martha, we are now being asked, "Do you believe? Yes, Lord, we believe.

Happy Sunday   

Fr. Chinedu

            FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION MASS

Our parish feast of the Annunciation is this Wednesday, 25th March at 7.30pm. This will be followed by light refreshments in the Parish Centre.  After the Mass, we will proceed to the hall. We invite you, our parishioners, to bring with you your special dishes to be shared with others. Drinks shall be provided by the parish.  Please give your names and contact numbers to the Stewards if you would like to support the parish feast by volunteering. Thank you.

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. 

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 

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.  

MISSIO BOXES

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

CLOCKS GO FORWARD NEXT SATURDAY NIGHT 28 MARCH

British Summer time begins.

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.

DIVINE MERCY

Divine Mercy Sunday 2026 Celebrations at St Andrews Church, Washington Drive, Cippenham, Slough SL1 5RE on 12 April 2026 at 2:30 pm. The service will be led by Mgr Sean Healy and will include Enthronement of the Image of Merciful Jesus, Mass, Talk, Chaplet, Adoration and Veneration of the Image of Merciful Jesus.  All Welcome to celebrate this glorious feast. Please call Millie on WhatsApp 07957594646 for more information.

WASHING OF THE FEET MAUNDY THURSDAY

We need volunteers for the washing of the feet.  Please leave your details   with the priest in the sacristy.

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. 

Many thanks for your generosity which has helped us through some difficult times.

Annual Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony

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.

Holy week and Easter Services
Palm Sunday	Vigil Mass	6:30 PM
	Morning Mass	9:00 AM
	Morning Mass	10:30 AM
	Morning Mass	12 Noon
Monday of Holy Week	Morning Mass	9:00 AM
	Confessions	9:40 to 10:00 AM
Tuesday of Holy Week	Morning Mass	9:00 AM
	Confessions	9:40 to 10:00 AM
Wednesday of Holy Week	Morning Mass	9:00 AM
	Confessions	9:40 to 10:00 AM
Maundy Thursday	Confessions	10:30 to 11:30 AM
Mass of the Lord's Supper followed by Watching at the Altar of Repose		8:00 PM
Good Friday	Stations of the Cross for Families	11:30 AM
	Service of the Passion	3:00 PM
Holy Saturday	Confessions	10:30 to 11:30 AM
	Easter Vigil Mass	8:30 PM
Easter Sunday	Morning Mass	9:00 AM
	Morning Mass	10:30 AM
	Morning Mass	12 Noon
Easter Monday	Morning Mass	10:00 AM