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, 6th 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…
Mass on Sundays at 8am. If you’re finding getting to Mass a problem on Sundays, this is for you! 8am Mass every Sunday during Lent, being Sunday 10th March – Sunday 14th April inclusive. At St Mary’s.
During the 10am Mass at St Mary’s on Sundays 10th March – 14th April there will be a sermon series looking at what it is that forms our Traditionalist Catholic heritage within the Church of England: the Mass, confession of sin, an appreciation of authority, a recognition of priesthood. We will also look at how the things we see at Mass inform our thinking, eg. the clothes the priests wear, the incense, the statues etc.
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 10th March – 14th April there will be a sermon series looking how Jesus is with different groups of people. We see Him alone, with a small number of disciples, alongside critics, confronted by those with power, alongside sinners. How does Jesus behave and what does He say in these different contexts and what does that teach us?
Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays at 5pm at St Mary’s. During this 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.
