Sunday March 7 2010, 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year C)

In the season of Lent, we tend to focus on the time our Lord spent in the wilderness between his baptism and the beginning of his ministry. This is certainly an important focus, but this season is for us a period of longing, of penance and of preparation. We keep this season always looking with hope to the forthcoming celebration of our Lord’s death and resurrection. We endeavour to make ourselves particularly aware of our own shortcomings, with great hope in the Lord’s mercy. We prepare ourselves, not just for the coming feast, but for our whole Christian lives through our practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Perhaps this Lent we could pray that all we are doing, individually and as a parish, will strengthen us for our Christian life and mission.

This Sunday’s Readings

Exodus 3:1-8,13-15 I Am has sent me to you.
Psalm 102:1-4,6-8,11 R. v.8 The Lord is compassion and love.
1 Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12 The life of the people under Moses in the desert was written down to be a lesson for us.
Luke 13:1-9 Unless you repent, you will perish as they did.

Sunday March 7: 3rd Sunday of Lent
6.00pm (Sat.) Mass: Richard McDermott RIP
9.00am Mass: Pro Populo
11.00am Mass: Kurien Joseph RIP
4.00pm Rosary & Benediction

Monday March 8: Feria
9.00am Stations of the Cross
9.30am Mass: Michael Bollan

Tuesday March 9: Feria
9.30am Mass: Colin McGill RIP

Wednesday March 10: Feria
9.00am Exposition: For Vocations
9.30am Mass: Norma Hubbard RIP
11.00am Mass: Ss. Peter & Paul’s School

Thursday March 11: Feria
9.30am Mass: Harold James RIP
7.00pm R.C.I.A.: Parish Meeting Room

Friday March 12: Feria
9.30am Mass: Margaret Kleman RIP
8.00pm Stations of the Cross
8.00pm Mothers’ Prayers: Irene Williams’ Home

Saturday March 13: Feria: 4th Sunday of Lent
9.30am Mass (Latin): Simon Callan
10.15-10.30am Confessions
10.30am Car Park Clearance
5.30-5.45pm Confessions
6.00pm Mass: Pro Populo

Sunday March 14: 4th Sunday of Lent
9.00am Mass: Candidates’ Mass: Eileen Morris RIP
11.00am 1st Communion: Rose Bateman & Jean Walsh RIP

Easter Posters
Posters advertising our Easter ceremonies are available at the back of the church. It is important to make it known that St. Joseph’s is still open at this time, so please take one and display it in a prominent place.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The R.C.I.A. group meets on Thursday of this week at 7.00pm in the parish meeting room. The topic will be Marriage & Holy Orders.

Last Sunday at the 11.00am Mass, we carried out the scrutiny for our candidates (those who are already baptised and wish to complete their Christian Initiation at Easter). Over the next three Sundays we will carry out the scrutinies for the Elect (those who are to be baptised at Easter). The first will take place this Saturday at the 6.00pm Mass, the second next Sunday at the 9.00am Mass and the third the following Sunday at the 11.00am Mass. The scrutinies are the final liturgical forms of preparation for the Easter sacraments. Please keep in your prayers all who are preparing to receive the sacraments this Easter.

Car Park Clearance
Many of you will have noticed the state of the car park in front of the temporary church. It has been used as a litter dumping area, and is now looking very unsightly. Therefore, it is proposed to form a working party next Saturday morning to clear the area. If you are able to spare half an hour or so from 10.30am next Saturday, please do come along. We will need to bag the rubbish and take it to the tip, so it would also be a great help to have two or three cars.

Parish Irish Night
The parish social committee has arranged a parish Irish night to celebrate the feasts of St. Patrick and St. Joseph. This will take place on Friday March 19 from 7.30pm to 11.00pm at St. Philomena’s School Hall. Live music will be provided by Sound as a Bell. Tickets will be on sale after all Masses this weekend and next weekend, and are priced at £5 for adults and £2 for children. Please bring your own refreshments. Stations of the Cross that evening will take place at 7.00pm.

Please remember in your prayers those who are sick or housebound at this time:
Edie Benton, Anne Betts, John Cafferkey, Esmé Easterbrook, Kathleen Fitzsimons, Betty Gillert, Mary Glynn, Frances Hill, Elizabeth Hine, Catherine Holland, Margaret Lavelle, Pauline Lawrence, Margaret Mackintosh, Mary Mandy, Olga Manzi, Noreen McCallister, Marya Misajat, Monica Okonkwo, Tina Rogers, Mary Stanley and Eileen Telesia.

Parking
As so much of the site is now cut off for demolition and building work, parking space for the Sunday Masses is at a premium. There is plenty of parking space, which is currently being wasted. Therefore, please ensure that you park your car no more than two feet away from the next car. On the grass area in front of the temporary church, there is plenty of room for cars to park two-deep. Therefore, if you are parking on the grass area, please park your car as close to the temporary church building as possible, to allow someone else to park in front of you. Thank you for your consideration and co-operation.

Put out into Deep Water – Leading in Catholic Schools
Aspiring deputy headteachers and headteachers in community schools are warmly invited to a Saturday morning gathering to consider whether they might move into leadership in Catholic schools. This will be held on Saturday April 24, 2010 from 10.00am to 1.00pm at Aylesford Priory. It will be followed by lunch. For details and booking, please contact the Southwark Diocesan Commission for Schools and Colleges, St. Edward’s House, St. Paul’s Wood Hill, Orpington, BR5 2SR. Alternatively, please call 01689 829331 or visit www.rcsouthwark.org.uk.

A Beginning Experience Weekend
This is a ministry to the widowed, separated and divorced led by a trained team of volunteers. The weekends are designed to help participants deal with the natural process of grief and loneliness. The next weekend takes place at Aylesford Priory on March 26-28. For more information, or to book, please call Ruth on 020 8679 7157, Sandra on 01293 783965 or Susan on 01227 264961

Discovering Priesthood Day
This will take place next Saturday from 10.00am to 4.00pm at Ealing Abbey. It gives an introduction to the diocesan priesthood and priesthood within the Benedictine community, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and the Community of St. Jean. It is intended particularly for young men in school year 11. If you would like more information, please call Deacon Gordon Nunn at Ealing Abbey on 020 8862 2160.

Quote of the Week
Hermits have no peer pressure. Steven Wright