We celebrate St Lucia -the Patron Saint of Light-on the date nearest to her Feast Day. She is the young Scandi girl who served the poor of her district secretly, under cover of darkness, wearing a candle crown to light her way. A young girl from our congregation takes the part of the Saint in a re-enactment of her life, but her crown is made of glow-sticks, to satisfy our parish Health and Safety requirements, This is a very popular service with the children from our local schools, and their families, and all are welcome to attend.

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Dates and times for Lenten Services 2023
Thiis coming Sunday 26.03.2023 is the first Sunday of Lent
Throughout Lent we shall hold our Sunday Mass at the usual time of 10.00am
The first Sunday of the month will be Family Service
our Midweek Mass will be every Wednesday at 9.15am
Saints Days will be announced as appropriate
Sunday 19th March will be Mothering Sunday. this is a Family Service.
Everyone is invited to join us for any of our Services and you are assured of a warm welcome.

A Short Reflective Eucharist Held In The Lady Chapel

4pm - This is a beautiful service of the Blessing of the Crib and Carols -the church be lit by a thousand fairy lights and glow sticks, and every one is welcome so please come along and join us.
After the service we will serve free mince pies and wine.

Christmas Day we celebrate the birth of our Lord at our sung Mass at 10am, and everyone is invited to this also.

Tuesday 26th will be St Stephen's Day
Wednesday 27th is St John the Evangelist
Thursday 28th is the Feast of Holy Innocents
All these 3 services will take place at 9.15am and will be Low Mass and last under 30 minutes

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The first Sunday Of The Month is a Family Service and the format is changed accordingly e.g. We have a slightly shorter service and The Sacrament is that of the Pre- Consecrated. The Liturgy is lighter; reflected in the music & hymns. The Sermon Slot is Family friendly. There is a safe child friendly area at the back of church where smaller children can be engaged if they wish whilst still being part of the service. We randomly involve children in the liturgy e.g. Swinging The Incense - taking the collection - and ringing the bell etc. refreshments served after the Service.

These services are for Palm Sunday and Holy Week 2023
02.04.2023 Palm Sunday begins with a procession around the Church followed by the Palm Sunday Liturgy with Blessing of the Palms and Liturgy of the Passion with hymns and readings from Holy Scripture
At 6pm we will walk the Stations of the Cross in Church

Maundy Thursday at 6pm we hold Holy Eucharist to commemorate the Last Supper of Our Lord-immediately followed by the dramatic Liturgy of the Stripping of the Altar-concluding the Service with the Watch of Passion at the Altar of Repose.

Good Friday, Devotions at 2pm with space to reflect, moving into the Good Friday Liturgy and the Proclamation of the Cross and receiving Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament processed from the Lady Chapel
At 5pm the W.alk pf Witness from the Vicarage for Stations of the Cross

Easter Eve 7pm-ish-The Easter Vigil is a spectacular Liturgy which includes The Lighting of the Holy Flame and the Blessing of the Paschal Candle and as the Lights eventually come up the magnificent Excultet -the Easter Song of Praise-is sung,

Easter Day 10am-Family Service with Festal Eucharist-The Church will look resplendent as we rejoice in the Resurrection with bells, and Alleluias and the Blessing of the chocolate eggs !

Everyone is invited to any of our wonderful Easter Services and will receive the warmest of welcomes-please come along and see us on this marvellous occasion !
We wish you a blessed Holy Week and the happiest Easter from all of us at St James Church Coundon