Parish News: The 4th Sunday and Week of Lent

This Sunday marks the half way point to Easter. On a long journey we need to stop and take refreshment and the same is true of our path through Lent. So on this Sunday the liturgical mood is lightened from deep purple to rose pink; a glimpse of the glory of the resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is also Mothering Sunday when we give thanks to God for our mothers and for Mary, Mother of God and spiritual mother of all Christians.

St Benet’s is self supporting: we receive no regular central church or government funding, so you can donate using card online to support St Benet’s: and every penny really does count! 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?

The readings for this Sunday are available here.

Please pray for:
The sick and those in need
Brenda, Reece, Victoria, John, Chinye and Cheryl.

The Faithful departed
All who have worshipped in and served at Saint Benet’s, those who have died recently, amongst them Barbara Lins, and those whose year’s mind falls about this time, amongst them James Quaye (1st), Laurie Tackley (2nd) and George Francis (4th).

Stations of the Cross will be prayed every Friday in Lent at 6.30pm, beginning on Friday 7th March. In this devotion we walk around the church following Jesus from his condemnation to his burial. It lasts about 30 minutes and is an excellent way to deepen your life of prayer during this holy season.

I believe in one God; our Lent learning course will be on the Creed which we say at mass each week. It was agreed at the Council of Nicaea in the year 325 and so this year is the 1700th anniversary. Every Monday of Lent at 7pm, beginning on Monday 10th of March.

On Sunday 6th July Jonathan our Bishop will be here to celebrate mass for us on the Sunday of St Benedict. At that mass Baptism and Confirmation will be offered. If this is something you would like to explore for you or your children, please speak to Father Guy or email him. A course of preparation will take place on Sunday mornings at 10am from Sunday 27th April.

The cover art is The Return of the Prodigal Son by Pompeo Batoni (1708–1787). Held in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.