Newsletter- 5th Week of Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners
‘Then shall your light break forth’ – Today’s readings at Mass on the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time encourage us all to be bold in our actions. When we share and welcome those in need, and protect that which builds up loving community, we bring God’s light into the dark places of our world and help one another to be lifted out of the gloom of isolation (First Reading). The Psalmist says that those who imitate God’s light will be remembered and honoured forever. For St Paul, knowledge of Christ crucified was everything – it was the light for His way and revealed how the power of the Holy Spirit was at work in the world (Second Reading). The Gospel reminds us that, in loving service of the Kingdom, our good works cannot and should not be hidden. By our acts of service and kindness to one another we live as salt; by our faithful trust in God’s love, we live as His light in the world. But we remember that what we do is always done so that God might be glorified and not we ourselves.
Let’s pray that our coming week might be full of good works, and that through all our actions God’s glory, mercy, and truth might be revealed more fully to all whom we encounter in our daily lives and through all we seek to be and do in the days ahead.
Lent Information 2026
Ash Wednesday – Christmas is only just past and now Lent is fast approaching. Lent begins this year on Ash Wednesday 18th February which falls this year during the school half term break. We shall offer two Masses that day in the parish at which there will be the Imposition of Ashes. A simple said Mass at 9.30 am in the morning and then in the evening a Sung Mass at 6 pm. We shall be joined in the evening by the parents and children from our First Holy Communion Group.
Extra times of Confession on Fridays in Lent (starting Friday 20th February from 6 pm – 6.45 pm) N.B. (No confessions Friday 27th March nor Friday 3rd April).
Adoration and Quiet Private Prayer on Fridays in Lent before the Blessed Sacrament concluding with a simple Blessing from the Monstrance – (starting Friday 20th February from 6 pm – 6.50 pm) N.B. (No Exposition Friday 27th March nor Friday 3rd April).
Stations of the Cross – Fridays in Lent (starting Friday 20th February at 7 pm) – N.B. 6 pm Friday 27th March – (First Holy Communion candidates and catechists lead the devotion tonight). Additional Stations of the Cross: Wednesday in Holy Week and Good Friday at 6 p.m.
Important Lent Diary Date
Deanery Lenten Station Mass, at The Immaculate Conception and St Norbert’s church, Spalding, Tuesday 24th February, at 7 p.m.
All parishioners are warmly invited to attend. No Mass in St Marys Grantham that day.
Bishop Patrick will preside and preach at Mass that evening and I do hope as many parishioners as possible from St Mary’s will be able to join with me and my brother clergy and their parishioners from around our Deanery at this special evening.
Programme for the Evening
Adoration – from 6 pm – 6.45 pm
Confessions – from 6 pm – 6.45 p.m.
Station Mass – 7 p.m. – Principal Celebrant and Preacher – (Bishop Patrick) – Concelebrants – (Priests of the Deanery)
Refreshments – Immediately after Mass in the parish Hall.
CAFOD Fast Day collection 2026 – Friday 27th February is the day designated by the Church for special prayer for the needy and hungry of the world. This Lent by praying, eating simply and giving to CAFOD we will be helping to support CAFOD in their important and vital work helping local experts on the ground to provide simple, effective solutions to the toughest problems facing many of the poorest peoples around the world. This Lent, as we deepen and enliven our faith, we can reflect on Jesus’ call to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31). CAFOD envelopes will be available from the First Sunday in Lent as you leave church to make a Lent offering. Please return your envelopes in the weekly collection plate throughout Lent. All donations received will be forwarded to CAFOD after Easter.
With my prayers for you and for your families during the week ahead
Your parish priest and friend,
Fr Jonathan
2026 8th February – Newsletter – Download