RCIA (JOURNEY IN FAITH)
The next session will take place on Monday 4th March at 7.30pm.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
There will be Stations of the Cross every Friday morning after the 10 am Mass during Lent.

‘WALK WITH ME’ BOOKLETS
Would you like a daily prayer reflection for every day in Lent? ‘Walk with Me’ Lent booklets are available in the paper shop, price £1 each.

WEEKDAY ROSARY
The Rosary is said everyday before the 10am Mass.  Why not join in as part of your Lenten observances?

FR DAVID WRITES
On Wednesday we began our Lenten journey, and today is the First Sunday in Lent when we hear about Jesus who is victorious in the wilderness. Let us pray for each other in this Lenten journey, relying solely on God’s grace in our own time of need. Lent orientates us towards the coming celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death at Holy Week and Easter. We hope you all had a good half-term holiday.

FR DAVID WRITES
As well as being the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, today is also the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Patroness of the Parish. A very happy feast to you all in this 101st year of our parish. The Feast will be marked this weekend at the 9.45 am Mass. Please don’t forget that this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. There will be more information about Lent next weekend. There are ‘Walk with Me’ Lent booklets available to buy in the shop, which begin on Ash Wednesday. We send best wishes to everyone on half-term holidays this week.

LENT: ASH WEDNESDAY
Masses here, with distribution of ashes, will be at 8 am, 10 am, and 7 pm. Please note that ashes will not be given outside of Mass. Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence. The car park will be open for all Masses on Wednesday.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES
This year, our Patronal Feast in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes on 11th February falls next Sunday. That day, the 9.45am Mass will be the Mass of the Feast; other Masses next weekend will be Mass of the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. However, the full Primary School will join us in church this Friday morning for a children’s celebration of Our Lady of Lourdes, to which everyone is also welcome.

FR DAVID WRITES
Please see the message below about Candlemas Day this Friday, a day which marks the end of the Christmas mystery in the liturgy. Today (Sunday) at the 11.15 am Mass we welcome our children, families and catechists involved in the First Holy Communion programme. We send all parishioners best wishes from here at church.

THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD (CANDLEMAS DAY)
This Friday, 2nd February, is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as the Purification of Mary or Candlemas Day. This feast marks the fortieth day since Christmas, when the child Jesus was presented to the Lord in the Temple. It is customary on this day to bless candles. If you have any candles from home that you would like blessed, please bring them to Mass at either 8 am or 10 am.

FR DAVID WRITES
Today, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, is also known as the Sunday of the Word of God. This year, the lectionary gives us Gospel readings from St Mark. Have you ever read Mark’s Gospel? Can I suggest a challenge? Why not make time to read Mark in one go? Choose a modern translation. His Gospel is short (only 16 short chapters); he writes in a direct and snappy way. We only hear sections (pericopae) at Mass - you will be amazed at how different it is to read it all in one go! The word of God is alive and active - why not let the Gospel speak to you now and see how it goes!

FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. In these days after Christmas and the Epiphany, the light of the Christmas message continues to shine brightly through the liturgy. We continue to hear about the revelation of who Jesus really is and about what God has marvellously accomplished in the mystery of Christ. St John declares, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ Jesus gives the invitation to his followers, ‘Come and see!’ Like the shepherds and the Magi, we too are invited to come and see the Christ, and to behold his glory as the Word-Made-Flesh and the Lamb of God. On Friday 2 February, the Church will celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas) which marks the final end of the Christmas mystery in terms of the liturgy. May God bless you all the week ahead.

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Today is the Solemnity of the Lord’s Epiphany - the feast of the revelation about the mystery of the Word-made-flesh. Today we see the Wise Men, who followed the star to Bethlehem to worship the Baby Jesus, come to the crib. Tomorrow (Monday) is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and the end of the Christmas season. The Feast of the Lord’s Presentation (Candlemas) will be celebrated on Friday 2nd February.

FR DAVID WRITES
We had beautiful celebrations here on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. A very big thank you to everyone who worked so hard to prepare for and celebrate Christmas here in Church—there are many people and many ministries involved. Thank you also to all who bring so much life to the life of the parish throughout the year. Everyone is grateful for so much kindness and generosity.

May God bless you all and may you continue to celebrate the festive season in your hearts and homes.

The clergy and parish team wish you all a happy, holy and peaceful Christmas, and every blessing for the New Year.

FR DAVID WRITES
Congratulations to Fr Jerome who was canonically installed as Parish Priest of St John Vianney, West Green, on Friday evening. Thank you to those who came to support him. Please make sure you take a card detailing the Christmas Mass times. Thank you to all those who supported the Joint Carol Service at St Paul’s Church last weekend, and especially our readers and singers. Finally, we send best wishes to all who begin their Christmas holidays this week. God bless you all.