LENT
Invited. Lent 2021 – The Mission has begun! More than 1,000 people have signed up to the programme with individuals and families across the Diocese - and indeed, the world, taking part. If you haven't managed to sign up for the group sessions you can still take part at home. You can find each week's pre-recorded episode on the Diocesan website, with a transcript and Thursday's group questions listed underneath each week's film in the supporting resources. Season one is a series of programmes that help us to understand exactly how much we are loved by God, Details:
www.abdiocese.org.uk/invited
CAFOD Family Fast Day Collection this weekend: You can donate (and gift-aid) online at
www.cafod.org.uk Mary Barrett is also walking alongside Abdella this Lent by challenging herself to walk 10,000 steps every day, for 40 days. You can sponsor her at walk.cafod.org.uk/fundraising/mary-walking-for-water
Could you Walk for Water as a personal Lenten challenge by walking 10,000 steps a day, every day, for 40 days? Find out more at
www.cafod.org.uk/walk
Caring for Creation during Lent a parish group reflecting on the weekly Gospel reading, share inspiring stories from around the world and on excerpts from Laudato Si - for details contact: [email protected]
...Also, Have you considered focusing on ecological con-version as your Lenten sacrifice? Maybe go plastic free - contact: [email protected]
The World Day of Prayer this year is Friday 5th March. The ecumenical service has been prepared by the women of Vanuatu, 'Build on a Strong Foundation', and local zoom prayer services will be available in the parish at 10.30am and 7.30pm. Contact the parish office for zoom details.
Something extra for Lent - once in a while try surfing the internet for something of a ‘religious’ nature to ponder and if you find an item which helpful - share it with others.
Churches and Lockdown 3 - what we can do...
Now we are in our third Lockdown we can still attend communal worship (Mass) but we must only sit with our own household or support bubble and we cannot mingle with other households before, during, or after coming to Church. It is good to be able to have the choice of coming to Mass but remember that the obligation to do so is still suspended and it is important not only to be safe but to feel safe
Church opening times this week
Wednesday - St Joseph's 5.30pm - 6.30pm Private Prayer
Public Mass
Friday - St Joseph’s Church 10,00am Mass
Saturday - St Joseph’s Church 5.30pm
Sunday - Holy Family Church 9.00am
St Joseph's Church 11.00am
St Teresa’s Church 5.30pm
Please be mindful that the numbers are limited due to Government guidelines and that at both St Joseph's and Holy Family we can overspill into the halls, so Mass at those Churches can accommodate more people.
Those entering are asked not to touch or physically venerate statues or other sacred objects.
Toilets and washing/baby changing facilities are to remain closed
Details of live-streamed Masses in the Diocese can be found
here
With very many thanks to our own volunteer stewards, who enable our public Mass and private prayer to continue in whatever way we can during this unfolding pandemic. It is thanks to these parishioners that we have been able to open the churches and offer, as best we can, a safe and welcoming place to be in the Lord’s presence for any who wish to come for private prayer, or gather for the Mass. Even if fewer people and families may come at present, the welcome of open doors and lights shining can be in itself a witness and beacon of hope for those who pass by.
Volunteer Stewards are still needed for our Masses and private prayer opportunities, you must not be from those instructed to shield themselves, nor from those under 18 or over 70 years old, or from groups considered more vulnerable to coronavirus. If you can help in please email the parish office with the subject line ‘Volunteer’ and encourage others to offer as well.
Track & Trace. In order to comply with Track & Trace, we have provided a QR Code in all churches, if you have a smart phone please scan the code, on entry, or please give your contact details to a Steward. Details will be kept for 21 days. Thank you for your co-operation.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF SOUL OF:
Frank Sladowski RIP, funeral details to be arranged.
Halina Ambrose RIP, funeral details to be arranged.
Please remember them and their families in your prayers.
Telephone support If you would like to have a chat with someone for whatever reason in the parish, or would like to offer a bit of support at this time, please contact the parish office to share your details
Telephone Support of the bereaved, members of our Deanery Bereavement Team are able to offer you the time and space to talk If you have been recently bereaved. In the current circumstances, face to face visiting may prove difficult, but a chat on the phone is simple to arrange. If you would like to talk to someone then please contact the Parish office and this can be arranged.
Parish Online Zoom group There is a small group of parishioners who meet via Zoom each week on a Sunday evening at 6pm for about 40mins to share the Gospel for that week, prayer requests and a song / hymn. We are keen to welcome anyone and if you are interested, please get in touch via the parish office.
Marriage Care write to say: Please encourage your parishioners to seek support if they are experiencing relationship distress. Our professional relationship counselling service is provided on a donation-only basis and seeking help at whatever stage can make a real difference. You can find out more and book counselling sessions at www.marriagecare.org.uk
Lourdes Pilgrimage Appeal Collection There are plans for an ‘able pilgrimage’ this year. For those who wish to donate on-line to the A&B Lourdes Pilgrimage Appeal Collection, start by using the A&B Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage website: https://www.abdiocese.org.uk/lourdes/home, then click the DONATE button on the right of the screen. If you have any questions, please contact the A&B Lourdes Pilgrimage Office, either by email on [email protected] or call 01403 740110
A call to the women of the Diocese do you have photos to share showing how Catholic women continued to practice their faith in good works and worship during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during lockdown? Please email your pictures to Sue: [email protected]
The parish Justice & Peace group have a new newsletter on the parish website. https://pnl.parishportal.net/uploads/20/90882-pnl-j&p-newletter-jan-2021-web.pdf Do read it for news of local homelessness, the Medaille Trust, Cafod, and the climate, as well as those detained at Gatwick. For further details of the J&P group which meets monthly online please contact the parish office.
Scouts and lockdown - our beavers, cubs, scouts and explorers are continuing in very imaginative ways at the moment. They celebrated Founders Day this week and said thanks to some of the leaders who have gone above and beyond to continue Scouting during lockdown. The Commissioner Commendation Award for good service has been awarded to Martin Beckett, Sarah Davis, Tors Brown, Nikki Hurst, Graham Mountain, Matt Brown and Paul Cove. Well done to them all for their commitment and enthusiasm. More volunteer helpers are always welcome - check the website: www.17threigate.org
Foundation Governors for our Primary School The school’s Governing Body is currently looking for 2 Foundation Governors to join their team of volunteers. Foundation Governors are practising Catholics, appointed by the Bishop specifically to preserve and develop the Catholic ethos of the school. A mixture of skills and experience is needed, and at the moment they are looking for skills in education and in finance - contact the parish office for more details.
