Parish News: The Fifth Sunday and Week of Lent

In the final week before Holy Week, the images in the church are veiled in purple. This reminds us that although we cannot see the glory of heaven yet with our physical eyes, we do behold with the eyes of faith the resurrection life. In fasting for a while from some of the beauty to be found in the church we also are made more aware of the way in which the beauty of God’s creation can be veiled and hidden by our actions.

You can donate using card online to support St Benet’s: every penny counts! You can also donate by cash or card in person, by texting BENET followed by your donation amount to 70450 to give that amount. Or why not set up a regular standing order with your bank?

You can find the readings for this coming Sunday here.

Please pray for:
The sick and those in need
Cordelia, Lolita, Reece and Vanessa.
The Faithful departed
The recently departed, all who have worshipped in and served at Saint Benet’s and those whose year’s mind falls about this time, amongst them Iris Reynolds (20th).

Lent Programme 2024
Stations of the Cross – Fridays
Every Friday in Lent at 6.30pm for 30 minutes, beginning on the 16th of February. In this short devotion we follow Jesus to the Cross and learn to let him bear our sufferings.
Lent Bible Study – Mondays
Join us at 7pm for one hour each Monday in Lent, beginning on the 26th of February after the 6.30pm Mass. 26th Feb – The Entrance into Jerusalem; 4th March – Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer; 11th March – Gethsemane; 18th March – The Trial of Jesus.

Lent is also a time when it is good to make a confession of sins to God and receive reconciliation through one of his priests, especially if your conscience is troubled with any weighty matter. If you would like to make your confession, or want to know more, speak to Father Guy.

Holy Week is the most important week of the year; do try to come to as much as you are able, particularly between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. Much of our worship over this sacred time will be enriched with beautiful choral music. Now is the time to put these dates in your diary!

Palm Sunday – 24th March
Blessing of Palms, Sung Mass and Sunday School at 11am 

Holy Monday – 25th March
Mass at 6.30pm

Holy Tuesday – 26th March
Mass at 8.30am
Chrism Mass (at St Andrew Holborn) at 11am

Holy Wednesday – 27th March
Mass and Benediction at 6.30pm
Choral Tenebrae (at St Mary Brookfield) at 7.30pm

Maundy Thursday – 28th March
School Easter Service at 9.45am
Sung Mass of the Lord’s Supper with Choir at 7pm, followed by Solemn Watch until 9.30pm

Good Friday – 29th March (day of fasting & abstinence)
Sung Liturgy of Good Friday with Choir at 12 noon
Children’s Activities and Hot Cross Bun Tea at 3pm
Stations of the Cross at 6.30pm

Holy Saturday – 30th March
Church Cleaning (coffee and hot cross buns provided) at 10.30am
Easter Vigil in the Holy Night with Choir at 7pm

Easter Sunday – 31st March (British Summer Time begins – clocks go forward)
Sung Mass with Choir, Sunday School and Egg Hunt at 11am 

The cover art is Les gentils demandent à voir Jésus by J.J. Tissot, 1886. Held in the Brooklyn Museum.