Dear Friends in Christ,
As we embark on our annual Lenten journey together, let us fully engage in this significant time marked by prayer, fasting, and acts of kindness. Lent serves as a vital opportunity for deep reflection on the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to walk directly alongside Him to Golgotha, a pivotal moment in our story of salvation that changed everything. This season is not only special but also sacred, prompting us to thoroughly immerse ourselves in thoughtful contemplation and prayer. This year, Pope Francis has proclaimed a Jubilee year, a unique time for us to examine our spiritual lives and implement positive changes that will draw us closer to God and to one another. As pilgrims of hope, we stand united, walking with Christ through Lent—resolutely alongside Him on the streets of Jerusalem as He carries His cross for our salvation and for the salvation of the world.
With blessings,
Fr. Ruslan
As we embark on our annual Lenten journey together, let us fully engage in this significant time marked by prayer, fasting, and acts of kindness. Lent serves as a vital opportunity for deep reflection on the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to walk directly alongside Him to Golgotha, a pivotal moment in our story of salvation that changed everything. This season is not only special but also sacred, prompting us to thoroughly immerse ourselves in thoughtful contemplation and prayer. This year, Pope Francis has proclaimed a Jubilee year, a unique time for us to examine our spiritual lives and implement positive changes that will draw us closer to God and to one another. As pilgrims of hope, we stand united, walking with Christ through Lent—resolutely alongside Him on the streets of Jerusalem as He carries His cross for our salvation and for the salvation of the world.
With blessings,
Fr. Ruslan
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You may wish to join one of our opportunities for collective and personal prayer, through Mass, Adoration, the Stations of the Cross, individual or group reflections, praying the rosary, the World Day of Prayer, Mothering Sunday and our parish penitential service. As a parish community, we warmly invite you to join us in our Lenten journey. Our Lenten programme follows below; further details are also available on our website, including a Lenten calendar for children, or from our parish office. And please keep an eye on our weekly newsletter for any updates!
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PRAYER: DIVINE MERCY REFLECTION AFTERNOON
On Saturday 8 March from 1.30-4.30pm we’ll be led by Marian Fathers in an afternoon reflection in the church. This will include Mass, Benediction and a talk on Divine Mercy and hope during this Jubilee year; there will be refreshments in the hall afterwards. See the porch/our website for the full programme: https://www.sterconwalds.org.uk/parish-retreats.html PRAYER: DAILY ROSARY DECADE Join others in the parish by saying a decade a day for each of the 40 days of Lent. This is great for anyone starting out praying the Rosary or those wanting to get back into prayer, praying for ourselves and for others. Message Caroline to join on WhatsApp or email for the daily reflection on 07717 764 755. PRAYER: ADORATION Adoration continues in the church on Tuesdays at 6.30pm, followed by Mass at 7.30pm. We’ll be following our theme ‘We dare to Hope’ throughout Lent. PRAYER: STATIONS OF THE CROSS These will take place on Fridays at 11.30, followed by Mass and our Lenten lunches. SHROVE/PANCAKE TUESDAY On 4 March we’ll have our annual pancake party from 3.45-5pm. £3 per person; final chance to sign up here: LENTEN REFLECTION GROUP We Dare to Hope There will be a 5-week reflection series on the Jubilee theme of hope on Thursday mornings starting on Thursday 13 March from 9.45-11.00am. All are welcome. Sign up here: https://sterconwalds.churchsuite.com/events/pqq1e5oo CHURCHES TOGETHER LENT BIBLE STUDY This will take place at the Methodist Church during Lent on Tuesdays from 2.30-3.30pm at their church. All are welcome MOTHERING SUNDAY We celebrate Mothering Sunday on the 4th Sunday of Lent - Sunday 30 March. Traditionally it is when we honour our ‘mother churches’ - the church where we were baptised! It is now also a feast for mothers of families. Please join us the day before, on Saturday 29 March, in the church hall from 10.15-11.15am we shall will be making flower posies and enjoying refreshments. The posies are gifts to give out to women during all Mothering Sunday Masses. Sign up here: https://sterconwalds.churchsuite.com/events/1szzrvfl EASTER EGG HUNT The Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Easter Sunday 19 April after the 9.15 Mass! PRAYER AT SUNRISE Join Walton Churches together as we celebrate the Lord’s resurrection with music and prayer at sunrise on Easter Sunday. Time and location to be confirmed. |
WALK WITH ME REFLECTION BOOKLET
If you’d prefer some individual reflection material, do pick up a copy of the Lent ‘Walk with Me’ booklet from the church porch. It contains daily reflections with scripture readings. Donations welcome! COFFEE MORNING Our monthly (1st Wednesday of the month) drop in Welcome Coffee Morning in March will follow the 9.30 Mass on Ash Wednesday from 10-11.30am in the hall. Join us for a cuppa and a chat. Come and say hello! PRAISE AND PLAY TODDLER GROUP Our toddler group meets on Fridays during term time, and will be marking our Lenten journey towards Easter with activities in our hall. Come along! Please note there is no session on 14 March. Sign up here: https://sterconwalds.churchsuite.com/events/hkjh4yyr. CHILDREN’S LITURGY Children’s liturgy for pre-first holy communion children continues throughout Lent during the 9.15 Mass. WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER - FRIDAY 7 MARCH This year the ecumenical service will be held by our friends at the Methodist church on Terrace Road, Walton at 10am. All will be very welcome. We shall have a special Stations of the Cross in our parish that Friday too - details to follow. FASTING AND ALMSGIVING: FRIDAY LENTEN LUNCHES On Fridays throughout Lent we’ll share lunch at 12.30 (after 12pm Mass). All are welcome - sign up in the porch or just come along. Donations will go to a selected charity each week. FASTING AND ALMSGIVING: FAMILY FAST DAY AND CAFOD COLLECTION CAFOD makes its annual Lenten appeal; we’ll listen to talks on 8/9 March during the Masses, and Family Fast Day is on Friday 14 March. You’re encouraged to have simple meals on that day, pray, and donate to CAFOD to support their work. The second collection for CAFOD will be on 15/16 March. PENITENTIAL SERVICE Our Lenten Penitential Service will run alongside Adoration on Tuesday evening 25 March at 7.30pm. Please join us for this opportunity to reflect and receive God’s forgiveness |
EASTER CELEBRATIONS/MASSES
Our Easter celebrations and Masses will take place as follows; all are welcome.
Maundy Thursday
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 8pm with washing of the feet
Good Friday
Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 3.00pm
Easter Saturday
Blessing of Easter Food at 11am and 1pm
The Solemn Vigil of Easter 8pm
Easter Sunday
Prayer at sunrise (Churches Together, details and time tbc)
9.15am
11.15am
Italian Mass: 12.30pm
Polish Mass: 1.30pm
Our Easter celebrations and Masses will take place as follows; all are welcome.
Maundy Thursday
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 8pm with washing of the feet
Good Friday
Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 3.00pm
Easter Saturday
Blessing of Easter Food at 11am and 1pm
The Solemn Vigil of Easter 8pm
Easter Sunday
Prayer at sunrise (Churches Together, details and time tbc)
9.15am
11.15am
Italian Mass: 12.30pm
Polish Mass: 1.30pm