Fr Aaron - Update: Palm Sunday
Webmaster • March 27, 2021
Dear Friends,
We begin our Holy Week celebrations this weekend with the Palm Sunday commemoration of Our Lord’s Triumphal Entry in Jerusalem. We place ourselves in the saving events of our salvation as we walk with Christ. Everything we find in the Holy Week, we find in our lives; all the emotion and the toil, the blood, sweat and tears are ours, Christ takes it all upon himself.
Last year, I celebrated behind closed doors without you present in church, this year we in smaller numbers and with revised rites gather faithfully with much thanksgiving in our hearts.
I hope you will be able to proclaim “Hosanna to the King!”, do show your neighbours that you are celebrating but perhaps decorating your front door with palms or by placing a cross at the window, even printing an image of the particular days of Holy week – do send photos of these to our parish Facebook page! In this small act of evangelisation, you might just reawaken and provide some possibility of someone thinking to themselves – “what is this week all about?”
Thank you to all those who have booked their places for the Easter Services – all places in the church are now fully booked. There are still some places in the church hall, where you will be able to join via the Live-streaming service. The stewards will guide you from the hall to church for Holy Communion.
There are extra Stations of the Cross on Good Friday morning at 9:30am (for Families) and 11am (Traditional stations) and also in the evening (7pm) you do not need to book a place for these services.
You may consider attending Mass during the Octave of Easter throughout the week, as Easter Day is celebrated each day in Easter week with much solemnity.
I know there may be disappointment, as you may lose out on a place, but this is the only way I can guarantee your safe attendance by following the guidelines. I thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.
Chrism Mass – will take place at Arundel Cathedral on Wednesday of Holy Week at 6pm. Numbers will be limited for this Mass due to distancing and capacity measures. If you would like to apply for a place at this celebration please email the cathedral: arundel@abdiocese.org.uk
The Parish Office – A reminder to parishioners that there still is a ‘Stay at Home’ order from the Government, this being so the parish office is closed to visitors, please do not come to the office for non-essential business. The office will be open for phone calls and correspondence. If you need me in an emergency use the emergency line: 07566 277227
Holy Week Confessions – are available after Mass on Monday and Tuesday. During the watch after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Fr Ian and I will hear confessions until 11pm. Also on Holy Saturday, there will be an opportunity of confessions after Morning Prayer.
Collections – On Good Friday, the collection goes to assisting our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. Please be generous to the small minority of Christians who remain in the land of Christ’s birth.
At Easter the collection goes to the Parish Priest and forms a large part of his income for the year ahead. Many thanks for your kind generosity in advance.
Altar Servers Practice – We will meet to look at the revised Holy Week ceremonies on Tuesday 30th March at 6pm in the church.
Foundation Governors needed for our two primary schools – I really would like to encourage any parishioners to consider offering themselves in the service of our schools, the parish and the diocese in this role. We are really in need of new governors to facilitate the smooth running of our schools and the education of our children, especially in these times, we need parishioners to step up to this wonderful role. Please see the advert in the newsletter.
In Memoriam:
Our deepest sympathies and condolences go those who have lost loved ones in the past week or so.
Please pray for the Repose of the Souls of:
Peter Meaghan RIP – We pray for Barbara, for her family and friends at this sad time. The funeral Mass will take place at St John’s at 10am on Wednesday 31st March.
Bried Weaving RIP – Please pray for Bried’s repose of soul. We keep Geoffrey, Jackie, Ian and all the family in our prayers at this sad time. Bride’s Requiem Mass will after Easter on Thursday 8th April at 10am.
May they all rest in peace and rise in glory.
Social Media: Check out our parish social media pages for the latest news, last minute changes and items of interest:
@catholichorsham (Twitter)
St John the Evangelist, Horsham (Facebook page)
Catholic Horsham (Instagram)
With every prayer and good wish for the coming week.
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