2nd Sunday of Lent (a)
2nd Sunday of Lent. (a)
Times of Mass and Confession:
Sundays:
Vigil Mass (Saturday) 6.00 p.m. & 10.00 a.m.
Weekday:
9.00 a.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday)
7.00 p.m. (Thursday) – note time change
10.00 a.m. (Saturday)
Confessions:
After Mass on Saturday morning.
Please remember the following parishioners, relatives and friends in your prayers:
Sick: John McPartland, Veronica Allan, Irene Callan, Elizabeth Brown, Patricia Allison, Bridget Ferry.
Died: Cynthia Lobo, Jennifer Alderson.
Anniv: Catherine McCue
Saturday: As part of their preparation for celebrating their Confirmation and First Holy Communion the boys and girls of P4 will be taking part in a Ceremony of Enrolment and Presentation of the Gospel during the 6.00 p.m. Mass.
Sunday: The Coffee morning will take place in the hall after Mass with the Vocations group in charge. All welcome to go round and sample the bacon rolls etc.
Sunday: Do you know someone who suffers from Dementia/Alzheimer’s illness? Do you know someone who cares for a relative or friend ? If so then you will be welcome to a workshop to learn more about this illness and its impact and also to see what we can do to help in any way. The workshop will take place in St. Cuthbert’s Hall at 2.00 p.m.
Wednesday: A safeguarding training session will take place in the Church Hall at St. Cuthbert’s at 7.30 p.m. led by one of the training team from the Archdiocese. This is an essential requirement for all parishioners who are members of the PVG scheme or who are in the process of joining it. Even if you completed training recently attendance is essential. If you have any concerns please ask Mairi Allen, the parish safe guarding coordinator or myself.
Thursday: Please note that there is no Mass in the morning but it is at 7.00 p.m. to give those who cannot manage to Mass during the day an opportunity to come to Mass on a weekday during Lent.
Next Saturday/Sunday: Aged and Infirm Clergy Fund Special Collection – The following is a letter from the Archdiocesan Director of Finance. “Last year we asked for your assistance in meeting the additional funding requirements of the Aged and Infirm Clergy Fund (AICF) by contributing to an additional collection as well as the normal collection taken in September each year. I am pleased to report that these collections in 2016 raised an amount of £112,000 which, after we make our gift aid claim, I anticipate will reach an amount of over £125,000 — three times the amount collected in 2015. This is a great response and we thank you for contributing so generously to this request as it enables us to meet the increasing costs of providing retirement allowances, accommodation and support to priests in their retirement, and helps also to build up the funds that will be used to support retired priests in the future. These financial challenges continue however and we are again holding 2 special collections for the AICF this year. If you wish to gift aid your donation, special collection envelopes are again being provided and will be available at the back of the church for you to take away and complete. If you would like to consider making a regular contribution to the Aged and Infirm Clergy Fund please contact the curia finance department at the following e-mail address, finance@staned.org.uk . Many thanks in advance for your continuing support. Derek Buglass, Director of Finance.”
Next Sunday: Fundraising Afternoon Tea between 2.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. in St Cuthbert’s Church Hall in aid of Cancer Research And Make a Wish Foundation. Tickets priced, £10.00, are available from contact people mentioned on the poster at the back of the Church
Diary Dates:
20th March: The Archbishop Romero centenary will be marked at 7.30 p.m. in the Sacred Heart with a lecture called ‘The Secret of Romero – Passion for God and Compassion for the Poor.’ It will be given by Sister Martha Zechmeister SJ Professor of Systematic Theology, El Salvador. All are welcome. Admission by donation
A Letter of Thanks has been received from Michael Willis of Aid to the Church in Need who spoke at Mass last Sunday. In it he says, ‘I received such a pleasant and kind reception from the parishioners. Can you please thank them for their generosity and prayers?’ The collection raised £1187 and from the Gift Aid envelopes used in both St. Cuthbert’s and Our Lady’s a further £185.00 will be collected.
The Gift Aid Envelopes for the new tax year are available from the sacristy after Mass. These are for Parishioners who kindly Gift Aid their offering so that a tax reclaim can be made. Last tax years this came to £9034.11. They come into effect on 9th April after which any remaining envelopes in your box should not be used and should be destroyed. Please consider gift aiding your offering.
With every best wish and Blessing
To you, your families
and those who are dear to you
Monsignor Tony
