Lent is a time for spiritual discipline, denying ourselves so we know what to value about how God made us. As well as the usual times for prayer, there are the following services for us to appreciate. Do support them and reap spiritual rewards.
Ash Wednesday, 26th March. The first day of Lent when we are to be at Mass, during which we have ash marked on our foreheads to remind ourselves that one day we will die and return to the dust of the earth. It’s a powerful beginning of Lent. There will be Masses at 7.30am, 9.30am and 7.30pm at St Mary’s and at 5pm at the Good Shepherd.
During Lent…
During the 10am Mass at St Mary’s on Sundays 1st March – 5th April there will be a sermon series looking at who’s part of the Church: people with roles; our departed loved ones; the Saints; all God’s people on earth; bishops, priests and deacons; Jesus, the Head of the Church.
Rosary
Rosary on Sundays at 4.45pm at the Good Shepherd. A great extra to our spiritual lives as we meditate on the life of Jesus and Mary so we can have a clearer sense of how they wish us to live.
During the 5pm Mass at Good Shepherd on Sundays 1st March – 5th April there will be a sermon series reminding us how Christianity looks in different parts of the world, looking at each continent in turn.
Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays at 5pm at St Mary’s. During this
Stations of the Cross
beautiful service, we walk round and spend time reflecting
on the last moments of Jesus’ life before His death. The pain He went through teaches us how to treat others.
We’re all encouraged to make a Confession of sin during Lent and you can do this by speaking to one of the priests and arranging a time.
On Tuesdays, there’ll be two opportunities to look at the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Reconciliation Unit’s course entitled, “Difference.” So often when we come up against people and situations that are different to our expectation or our experience there can be tensions. This course over five sessions will seek to see opportunities where difference is a reason for growth. We will be reminded how we fall short of Jesus’ vision for us and how we need to be reconciled to Him. Each session will happen after the 12.15pm Mass at the Good Shepherd and after the 7.30pm Mass at St Mary’s from Tuesday 3rd to 31st March inclusive. Come to one or all of the groups.
