Parish Bulletin - for the weekend 21st/22nd March 2020
Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)
The fourth Sunday of Lent is the equivalent of the third Sunday of Advent - we’re halfway through the penitential season. At Mass cheerful rose pink vestments may be worn instead of dark purple and flowers are allowed around the altar. The traditional name of the day is Laetare or Rejoicing Sunday.
Of course, it doesn’t feel like there’s much to rejoice about in the world at the moment! But as Christians we look forward with joyful hope. This crisis will not last forever, and God is with us now, sharing our suffering and consoling our fears. It’s God who gives courage and strength to the key workers who are looking after us. It’s God who gives patience to those who are stuck at home unexpectedly. It’s God who gives us reassurance when we feel anxious or afraid. May we turn to God in prayer often this week, so that we are open to the graces he wants to give us.
This weekend we also celebrate Mothering Sunday. May God bless our mothers and grandmothers and may he be especially close to families who are apart at this time.
We pray for those who have died.
Anniversaries
Genevieve Elizabeth (Joan) McAteer, Alphonsus McErlain, Brigid McErlain, Ena McKendry, Kathleen Montgomery, Daniel O’Loan, Eric Turner, Marie Scullion, Sean Scullion.
Our Lady & St Patrick’s Church will be open each day for private prayer. The normal hours will be 9.30am to 7pm, but there may occasionally have to be brief closures during those times.
Sunday Mass will be available through Facebook this week. The parish is partnering with the Catholic Minute Facebook page to offer our Mass online. It will be available from 11am live on the Catholic Minute page: fb.me/catholicminute and the video will be available to watch afterwards on our own page too.
Please note that according to regulations the church must be locked when Mass is being celebrated.
Updates and videos will be available on Facebook throughout the week.
Confessions will be available on Monday evening from 5.30 - 7.30pm. To allow for social distancing they will take place in the back porch instead of the confessional. Please enter the church through the carpark side porch as normal.
Regular visits to the sick by the priest or Minister of Holy Communion are suspended. However emergency call outs are being carried out as normal. Please contact the Parochial House (or if it’s for a hospital patient, ask the staff to contact the priest on call).
A very special thank you to those parishioners who have offered prayers and practical help. Thanks as well to those who have made financial contributions. The collection at Mass last Sunday raised £928.
We know many people are worried about their own family finances at this time, so it means a great deal that some people are able to support the parish too. If you want to make an offering you can leave your envelope through the door of the Parochial House. If you’re isolating at the moment just save your envelopes at home until we’re all out and about again!
You can also make a payment online to the parish account (Sort code: 95-06-79 Account No: 10020192). If you are someone who normally pays by envelope, please use your envelope number as a reference.
With thanks and prayers,
Fr Damian