Lent
Fr David writes about Lent.
In the life of the Church, February marks a transition, from the glorious conclusion of the greater Christmass season, to the beginning of Lent, as we begin to follow Our Lord on the way to Calvary. This month begins with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, better known as Candlemass, 40 days on from the Nativity at Bethlehem. We turn then from the Crib to the Cross, knowing, that this year, Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent are just 2 weeks away.
ASH WEDNESDAY, the first day of Lent, falls on 17th February. It is a day when everyone of us should be in church, to receive the sign of the cross in ash, and to dedicate our observance of this holy season to the Lord. There will be a said Mass that day in All Saints at 12noon, and the Parish Eucharist in S.Mary’s at 7.30pm. As Ash Wednesday falls during School half-term, our School Service to mark the beginning of Lent will fall a week later, Wednesday 24th, in S.Mary’s at 1.15pm, and there will be an opportunity to be ‘ashed’ at this service as well.
On the First Sunday of Lent, we will launch our LENT APPEAL. This year we are supporting the work of USPG, one of our Church’s Mission Agencies, and ‘The Well is Deep’ Appeal, particularly supporting the practical needs of Christians in West Africa. (There is a link with more information on this Site.) Collecting Boxes and Gift Aid envelopes will be available.
LENT GROUPS this year will help us to reflect on the Eucharist, in preparation for the special Services that go to make up Holy Week. There will also be a Seder Eucharist, in All Saints Hall, on Friday 12th March, when we will share a meal based on the Jewish Passover, while celebrating Mass.
Many people make the effort to attend an extra act of worship in Lent. Perhaps it is by coming along to one of the daily Masses, an extra Sunday evening service, or the STATIONS OF THE CROSS, every Friday in Lent in All Saints, beginning on 19th February at 7pm. This simple yet moving devotional service takes around 30 minutes, and helps us to walk with our Lord on the way to Calvary, and the empty tomb.
Lent is a time when we are challenged to think about our financial giving to God’s Church. As a Parish we have a number of financial needs, together with development work, and it is absolutely crucial that we meet our obligations to the mission of God’s Church through our Parish Share, the contribution we make to the Diocesan Common Fund. On the 2nd Sunday of Lent we will be able to hear about GIFTS FOR GOD’S GLORY, and the challenges in front of us for 2010, to help in prayerfully considering our giving.
On the First Sunday of Lent, we will launch our LENT APPEAL. This year we are supporting the work of USPG, one of our Church’s Mission Agencies, and ‘The Well is Deep’ Appeal, particularly supporting the practical needs of Christians in West Africa. (There is a link with more information on this Site.) Collecting Boxes and Gift Aid envelopes will be available.
LENT GROUPS this year will help us to reflect on the Eucharist, in preparation for the special Services that go to make up Holy Week. There will also be a Seder Eucharist, in All Saints Hall, on Friday 12th March, when we will share a meal based on the Jewish Passover, while celebrating Mass.
Many people make the effort to attend an extra act of worship in Lent. Perhaps it is by coming along to one of the daily Masses, an extra Sunday evening service, or the STATIONS OF THE CROSS, every Friday in Lent in All Saints, beginning on 19th February at 7pm. This simple yet moving devotional service takes around 30 minutes, and helps us to walk with our Lord on the way to Calvary, and the empty tomb.
Lent is a time when we are challenged to think about our financial giving to God’s Church. As a Parish we have a number of financial needs, together with development work, and it is absolutely crucial that we meet our obligations to the mission of God’s Church through our Parish Share, the contribution we make to the Diocesan Common Fund. On the 2nd Sunday of Lent we will be able to hear about GIFTS FOR GOD’S GLORY, and the challenges in front of us for 2010, to help in prayerfully considering our giving.
Lent is also a time when we are challenged to take to heart the call to repentance proclaimed in the Gospel. Perhaps, this year, it would be right for you to arrange to meet with me, or with one of our priests to think about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, that is, Confession.
I would be delighted to have you an opportunity to talk over any of the events listed here, or any aspect of the Faith. Lent is such a marvellous opportunity given to all of us, and there will soon be an opportunity to read about other events in the second part of the season, as we look to Holy Week and Easter.
I would be delighted to have you an opportunity to talk over any of the events listed here, or any aspect of the Faith. Lent is such a marvellous opportunity given to all of us, and there will soon be an opportunity to read about other events in the second part of the season, as we look to Holy Week and Easter.