Dear Friends,

This Sunday we begin the final phase of our journey towards Easter as we enter Passiontide. We have Masses at 8.00 am and 10.45 am – and we’re encouraging our 9.15 am and 10.45 am congregations to come together at 10.45 am on the fourth Sunday of each month. Some of our young people will be taking part, and we hope you’ll be able to join us. We’ll hear the wonderful stories of the ‘dry bones’ from Ezekiel, and the raising of Lazarus.

We end the day with a beautiful service of Readings and Music for Passiontide at 6.30 pm, in place of Evensong. Please come along for this peaceful and reflective time of worship.

Looking ahead, there’s plenty going on this week. On Wednesday we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation with High Mass at 7.30 pm, followed by drinks. We’re pleased to welcome Br Michael Jacob SSF from the Community of St Francis in Alnmouth to preach for us.

On Friday at 2.30 pm, Stations of the Cross will be held at the Middleton Lodge Calvary (please see below for how to get there). The forecast is currently for a cold but dry day, so do wrap up warm (but if it ends up raining hard we’ll meet at St Margaret’s).

On Saturday morning from 9.30 am, we’ll be giving our church a spring clean in readiness for Holy Week and Easter, and if you’re able to lend a hand we would appreciate it.

There will be another communication from us before Palm Sunday, but please see below for all the details of Holy Week services, including special services for families at 9.15 am on Palm Sunday and Easter Day.

With my prayers and best wishes,

Fr Alex