Fr. Aaron Writes :27th March 2022

Dear Friends,

A blessed Mothering Sunday to all our mothers. As we make our way to our Mother Church of StJohn’s, we pray for all mothers, whether they are with us or with the Lord. We also pray in a particular way for all grandmothers and great-grandmothers. We ask Mary for her maternal intercession for them all. 

We can continue to support our brothers and sisters inUkraine by donating to CAFOD, which will help the sister charity CARITAS UKRAINE and the UK Disasters Emergency Committee to help hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflict in the country. To find out more, please visit www.cafod.org.uk. 

You can also help via Aid to the Church in Need: www.acnuk.org and give to theUkraine Emergency Appeal. Their website gives details of how your generosity helps the local Church in Ukraine. Our money goes a lot further in Ukraine, so you can help the local diocese buy what they need for their people. Attached to the online version of this Newsletter are other ways in which we can help. 

TIME – TALENT – TREASURE 

Planned Giving Drive - Weekend Three - My Parish Commitment 

‘Each one should give as much as he has decided on his own initiative, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver’

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   – 2 Corinthians 9:7 

Over the last couple of weeks, you have heard about Stewardship and Planned Giving. We have asked all parishioners to prayerfully reflect on what they contribute to our parish, having taken into consideration the needs of our parish and having reflected on the message of stewardship. 

This weekend we ask all parishioners to complete a pledge form. These forms will remain private and confidential. Please provide your full contact details and select the method of offertory-giving best suited to you. If you pay UK income tax, please sign the Gift Aid declaration (in one name only) so that the parish can claim 25p back from the government for every £1 you donate, at no extra cost to yourself. 

Finally, we thank you for all you already do for our parish. Without your continued support, this wonderful, living church would not continue to be the spiritual centre it is today. 

If you have any questions, there are volunteers from our Parish Finance Committee available after Mass today. 

Children’s Liturgy – I am delighted to announce that this restarted last Sunday and will take place during the 10am Mass on Sundays. 

Lenten Devotions - Stations of the Cross take place on Fridays in the morning before Mass, and in the evening. Confessions are restored to 5:15pm before the Saturday evening Vigil Mass. 

Lent Confessions – our parish Lenten Confession service will be on Monday 11th April at 7pm at the beginning of Holy Week. We will be joined by a number of priests from the deanery to help us on our penitential path to holiness. 

First Confessions – Congratulations to the children who made their First Confessions last Tuesday; it was a very prayerful event. We look forward to the next phase of preparation for First Holy Communion. Session 4 will be at 1:30pm on Saturday 2nd April, when we will be looking at the events of Holy Week. 

Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary – Last Friday, Pope Francis consecrated Russia, following the instructions of Our Lady to the Children of Fatima, in the Vatican. As a parish, we joined ourselves with Pope Francis and the whole Church last Friday at 4pm, praying for world peace and a return to faith in God. 

PPC – Parish Pastoral Council – The minutes of the first meeting will be available on our website homepage this week. A sub group meeting took place last Tuesday, to take forward proposals for Life-long Formation in the parish. We had a very fruitful conversation and will meet again on Tuesday 5th April at 7pm in the Hall, to focus on new schemes of formation for the parish in the year ahead. 

Face Coverings – with the end of COVID legal requirements, it is a personal choice whether to wear a face covering in Church. Please respect the decision of those who continue to wear masks and those who do not. 

Wedding – Congratulations to Soudi Peat and Jamal Nejad who were married this weekend on Saturday here at St John’s.

Retreat – I shall be having some days on a Lent Retreat this week. I will keep you all in my prayers.

With my very best wishes and prayers for you all, 

Fr Aaron