HOLY WEEK
SUNDAY: PASSION SUNDAY MASS with Solemn Procession of Palms at 10.00am (begins at school)
MONDAY: Adoration at 6.00pm Mass for Refugees & all fleeing war and oppression at 6.30pm,
Sacrament of Reconciliation 7.15-7.45pm
TUESDAY: Adoration at 6.00pm Mass for Victims/Survivors of Abuse at 6.30pm,
Sacrament of Reconciliation 7.15-7.45pm
WEDNESDAY: MASS OF THE CHRISM at 11.00am (Clifton Cathedral) – all invited
Adoration at 6.00pm Mass for Peace – Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan at 6.30pm
Final Sacrament of Reconciliation before Easter 7.15-7.45pm
+++ The Sacred Triduum +++
MAUNDY THURSDAY: Tenebrae Morning Prayer at 9.00am
MASS OF THE LAST SUPPER at 7.00pm (live-streamed on Parish Website)
This beautiful Liturgy includes:
the Reception of the Holy Oils that were consecrated at the Cathedral Chrism Mass;
the Mandatum (or the celebration of the Servant Christ washing the feet of his disciples);
the Procession to the Altar of Repose, and Gethsemane Watching with Jesus until midnight.
“COME WATCH WITH ME ONE HOUR”: watching with love for Him who is all love!
Rosary for Peace … approx 10.30pm
Night Prayer of the Church … 11.45pm
GOOD FRIDAY: [Day of Prayer, Fasting and Abstinence]
Tenebrae Morning Prayer at 9.00am
GOOD FRIDAY UNITED OPEN-AIR WAY OF THE CROSS
Begins at St Nicks at 11.00am, walks up Stapleton Road and St Mark’s Road, concluding at the Baptist Church around 1.00pm. We walk with Cross as witnesses to Christ’s sacrificing love through our local community, praying for the needs of this community.
SOLEMN LITURGY OF THE PASSION at 3.00pm (live-streamed on Parish Website)
This meditative and moving Liturgy includes the Proclamation of the Passion, Veneration of the Cross, Solemn Intercessions, and Mass of the Pre-Sanctified. This is the most important Service of the Day, so please prioritise attending the Liturgy of the Passion
HOLY SATURDAY: ‘Tenebrae’ Morning Prayer at 9.30am
Today, we wait in stillness by the Tomb of Christ, the Crucified God. The Church celebrates no Sacraments, but holds a silent, mournful but hope-filled vigil at the tomb, waiting for death to explode into life with the dawn of Easter. Come and pray awhile waiting with love for the Divine Lover to wake from Sabbath rest and liberate the captive slaves of death as it’s power is destroyed.
+++ The Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ +++
HOLY SATURDAY: THE VIGIL MASS OF EASTER at 9.00pm
This is the greatest Mass of the year, one for which we prepare most especially. throughout Lent.We keep vigil into the dark hours of the night, opening ourselves in prayer, Word and song to the Rising of the Light of Christ’s Resurrection Glory. Every shadow of death scattered! Every member of our parish family should try to be a part of the great Vigil Mass. Let us fill the church! During our Vigil, we renew our Baptismal Commitment to Christ; affirming our faith in the Gospel of Life and limitless love; decide afresh to be a community of faith and proclamation.
There is an Agape after the Easter Vigil: please bring some food to share – I will look after the liquids! Please bring your offering of food to the Parish Hall before the Vigil begins.
[The Vigil Mass fulfils your Easter obligation, but you are warmly invited also to the Easter Morning Mass, a very different Liturgy]
EASTER DAY: SOLEMN DAY MASS OF EASTER at 10.00am (streamed on Parish Website)
EASTER MONDAY: Adoration at 9.30am Mass at 10.00am (Bank Holiday)
PLEASE NOTE: IN THE ANCIENT TRADITION OF THE CHURCH, RECONCILIATION WILL NOT BE CELEBRATED AFTER THE WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK.
TODAY: [1] HOLY WEEK BEGINS with the Celebration of Passion (Palm) Sunday – we begin the great drama of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We bless and process with Palms – the ancient sign of victory, hailing a King, who will win our victory by embracing the failure of the Cross. We welcome our King who will be enthroned on the wood of the Cross, crowned only with thorns and whose death becomes our Life.
[2] I hope and pray that all of us will make it a priority to be part of the great Liturgies of Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and concluding with the Easter Vigil and Easter Morning Masses. Holy Week is a kind of week-long Retreat for the whole Church, for all of us missionary disciples. Let us all come together and fill our church for each of the great Liturgies.
[3] There is a Retiring Collection for Easter Flowers
NEXT SUNDAY: EASTER CELEBRATIONS!! We celebrate the incomparable joy of Love’s victory over hatred, Life’s victory over death, Light’s victory over all darkness, Holiness’ victory of sin. The Spirit raises the dead Jesus into our Risen Living and Life-giving Lord. We all renew the promises of our baptism and commit ourselves to serving the Kingdom, living the Resurrection and being Good News to the Poor of the world.
DIOCESAN PRAYER We pray for the parishes in communion for mission of St St Benet, Kemerton, St Joseph, Tewkesbury, and St Nicholas, Winchcombe served by Fr Francis Hughes OSB Fr Luke Lukose CST, Parish Administrator Christine Davies and all their communities
PRAY FOR THIS WEEK’S PARISH MINISTRY OR MISSION We pray today for the work and Mission of our Borderlands Charity – from exclusion to Belonging. Since the year 2000 our parish has been involved in serving and accompanying the refugee and asylum community. We set up this Charity about 12 years ago to resource and develop this Mission and over the years many of our community have volunteered with Borderlands. Three of the Trustees of the Charity are parishioners. An independent Charity, Borderlands is a most valued partner organisation as we continue to serve and rejoice in our refugee and asylum community and friends.
EASTER OFFERINGS: This Easter Collection (together with the Christmas Offerings) is your personal contribution to the annual ‘wage’ of your parish priest. Envelopes are available at the door – you can also give through the digital card reader; thank you for your generosity.