Newsletter 14th February 2021

Dear Parishioners

Father Kevin has now settled into his new residence in Manchester and is receiving much needed rest ahead of his treatment. We do pray that Father receives the very best medical treatment in Manchester and gets well soon with the support of his family and grandchildren close by. 

In the meantime, please pray that as a Parish full of love and support for one another, we can continue to keep our Church doors open.  

We started the refurbishment on the upstairs Parish Halls, which are starting to look bright and refreshed. We have already received an enquiry about a regular booking for theses rooms. 

Many thanks for all your donations. This helps parish finances enormously during this difficult time. With your continued financial support, we can keep the Church open and warm whilst also slowly working our way through the list of renovation projects. 

Lent

As we approach the season of Lent let us remember it is a forty day penitential period leading up to Holy Week and Easter when Christians mark the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Catholics the beginning of Lent is traditionally marked by a day of fasting and by the distribution of ashes on the foreheads we are encouraged to make a commitment to prayer, charity and fasting or self-denial. Many Catholics make Lenten promises or resolutions to mark the importance of this holy season.

“This year, with the strong ‘Stay at Home’ message from public health authorities, north and south, we will still be able to receive the ashes, which are normally applied to the forehead in the shape of the sign of the cross with a small difference. The Vatican has asked that ashes not be applied to the forehead in the usual manner but to be sprinkled on the top of people’s heads, still using the words “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return”, or “Repent and believe in the Gospel”.  

We are very fortunate in our church of St Marys to be able to continue to mark Ash Wednesday and Father Stephen Dye has very kindly offered to celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass for us and our families at 6pm. Please remember to book on the Mass Booking site.

To replace our cross on our forehead, we are encouraged to keep the fast, to make our normal Lenten promises, and to consider making little crosses to wear using black ribbon or card for Ash Wednesday.

God Bless

Andrew

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