Today's Bible Reading
In the Old Testament reading God reveals himself to Moses through the burning bush which was not consumed, as the God of the ancestors of the people of Israel, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God unfolds his plan to free his oppressed people from Egyptian slavery, and bring them to the promised land. God is now sending Moses to the people of Israel to say that God, whose sacred name is 'I am who I am', will do this.
In the New Testament reading St Paul continuing the narrative of the first reading, describes how on the Exodus journey of the now liberated Israelites, they pass safely through the Red Sea waters, (a kind of 'baptism,' ) are guided in the right direction by the cloud of God's presence, are given spiritual drink (the living water that flowed from a rock,) and spiritual food (the miraculous manna.) Despite this they did not all act in a way that was pleasing to God, and so were overthrown in the wilderness. This is a warning to us to take heed lest we fall.
In the Gospel Jesus explains that although the victims of Pilate's murderous suppression of a Galilean riot were not worse sinners than other Galileans, and although those on whom the tower of Siloam fell leading to their death, were not worse offenders than the other inhabitants of Jerusalem, we will similarly perish if we do not repent. Jesus then tells the parable of a fig tree that the farmer discovers to have borne no fruit at harvest time for three years, but the farmer gives it the chance of one more year, after which he will cut it down if there is no fruit. This is how God will deal with us.
Quick Links
Times of Mass and Devotions for the week beginning Sunday 23rd March 25
Saturday 9.30 am Mass
Lent feria 6.00 pm First Mass of Sunday followed by Confessions
Sunday 23rd March 8.30 am Mass
Third Sunday of Lent 10.00 am Family Mass
11.30 am Solemn Mass followed by Confessions
6.30 pm Mass
Monday 6.00 pm Mass
Lent feria followed by Adoration and Benediction until 7.00 pm
Tuesday 6.00 pm Mass
Annunciation of the Lord 6.40pm Lent Talk in church
Wednesday 6.00pm Mass
Lent feria 6.30pm Stations of the Cross
Thursday 9.00 am Mass followed by Rosary
Lent feria
Friday 9.00 am Mass followed by Divine Mercy Prayers
Lent feria 9.35am Stations of the Cross
Saturday 9.30 am Mass
Lent feria 6.00 pm First Mass of Sunday followed by Confessions
Sunday 30th March 8.30 am Mass
4th Sunday of Lent 10.00 am Family Mass
11.30 am Solemn Mass followed by Confessions
6.30 pm Mass
Announcements This Week
IMPORTANT: Please note that our phone line is not working. Please call us on 020 7603 0814
Music at Solemn Mass Today: Wood, C (ed. D Bamford) - Mass based on Wood in Phrygian mode. Motet: Stainer - God so loved the world
Next Sunday: Casali, GB - Missa I. Motet: Lotti - Miserere mei
This weekend there is a Collection of Non-Perishable Foodstuffs for the Hammersmith & Fulham Foodbank: Thank you for bringing gifts with you to Mass and leaving them in the box in the porch. Further gifts can arrive up until the Sunday evening Mass. As well as foodstuffs, also needed are toiletries: shower gel, shampoo, deodorant, etc. The foodbank will collect our gifts early on Monday morning.
Lent Talks: Tuesdays 6.30
in Church after 6.00 pm Mass
'LET US JOURNEY TOGETHER IN HOPE'
25th March ‘Conversion and the Sacrament of Reconciliation’ (Fr John Hemer)
1st April 'The Passion Narratives’ (Fr John Hemer)
8th April ‘The Liturgy of Holy Week’ (Fr Richard)
Tuesday is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord: Mass is at 6.00 pm. Members of our parish atrium of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will be taking part in the Mass.
On Tuesday evening we have our third Lent Talk. This week the theme is 'Conversion and the Sacrament of Reconciliation,' given by Fr John Hemer. The talk will begin at 6.40 pm, not 6.30 pm because the 6.00 pm Mass of the Annunciation will be a little longer than a usual weekday Mass.
Our Weekly Lent Bible Study Group, 'Friends of Jesus' takes place on Wednesday at 2.30 pm in the presbytery, led by Therese, our Catechetical Coordinator. We focus on characters from the Gospels who may be considered as Friends of Jesus, which will help us deepen our own friendship with the Lord! We will offer you for sale, at £3.95, the booklet 'Friends of Jesus', newly published by Catholic Truth Society.
Stations of the Cross this week on Wednesday at 6.30 pm, after 6.00 pm Mass, and on Friday at 9.35 am, after 9.00 am Mass. Rosary after Thursday 9.00 am Mass. Divine Mercy prayers at end of Friday 9.00 am Mass, before Stations.
Next Sunday is Laetare Sunday, the mid-Lent Sunday of rejoicing. It is Mothering Sunday, when we give thanks for our own Mothers, living or departed, for our Mother the Church, and for Mary, Mother of us all. We will distribute flowers to children, to give to their mothers, as a token of thankfulness.
Please pray for the adult members of our Parish RCIA Group, preparing for Baptism or Reception into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, along with the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist, following their participation in the Rite of Election in Westminster Cathedral at the start of Lent.
Lenten Alms for Cardinal's Appeal for those in need in our Diocese. Envelopes available.
A variety of newly arrived booklets of Stations of the Cross are on sale on the CTS stand at the back of the church, plus other booklets of Lenten devotions and reflections
Parish Youth Jubilee Pilgrimage: Saturday 5th April for all young people from our parish (14 to 25) to gain Jubilee indulgence together. A day of companionship, fun, prayer, food, and celebration of a Jubilee Mass. The heart of the day consists of walking together a 7 miles Pilgrimage from St John the Evangelist in Rickmansworth to St Gregory the Great, our Church of Jubilee in South Ruislip. For more information, take a letter of invitation from the back of the Church for a description of the programme. There are still some vacancies. If you are interested, please speak with Fr Juan of contact him via email. Any donations to assist our young people in covering the cost of the pilgrimage would be gratefully received. You may drop an envelope marked Youth Pilgrimage into our letterbox at any time.
Mary’s Meals Recycling Box in the church porch:
Jewellery & watches: In any material even if damaged or broken
Electronics*: Mobile phones/iPads/Tablets/Sat-Navs/MP3 players/games consoles/ No laptops
Cameras*: Old film, digital and video
Foreign Currency: From any country, the currency can be old/recent, we take it all.
Please don’t put anything else into the box as there may be a charge.
The final date for donating these items is the 5th Sunday of Lent i.e. 6th April.
*All recycled items will be picked up by a third party, ‘Recycling for Good Causes’. They will ensure all data is wiped from electronics and cameras but to protect yourselves further, we strongly advise that you delete and remove all sim cards/data before donating. Thank you for your support.
Parish Lent Leaflet: 'Let us Journey Together in Hope
A summary of the Lent Message of Pope Francis, details of our Lent activities, and of how to keep this holy season.
There are two amendments: For the remainder of Lent, the Rosary will be recited after the Thursday 9.00 am Mass. There will be brief Divine Mercy Prayers after the Friday 9.00 am Mass, followed at 9.35 am by Stations of the Cross.
A Married Life Course has begun in the Parish, for couples getting married and already married. If you are interested, please contact the parish office or Fr Juan: juansola@rcdow.org.uk.
Annual Mass of Thanksgiving for Matrimony at Westminster Cathedral on Sat 17th May at 2:30 pm. For couples in the Diocese celebrating their 5th, 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and any year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage. Please email us husband and wife’s names, wedding date, years married, address, email (or phone number, if no email). We forward this information to the Diocesan Marriage & Family Life office, who in due course will send you the Cardinal's invitation.
A Mass for Bereaved Parents will be celebrated at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, 5th April, at 2:00 PM. Please don’t hesitate to attend. No previous notification needed.
'Little Rome: the story of Holy Trinity Brook Green 1851-2024' A short history book of the parish, called ‘Little Rome’, a local designation honouring the long Catholic history of our part of London is on sale from the Parish office at £12.50.
Holy Trinity Cine Club: for children in Year 7 to Year 9, and Year 10 to 12 on a Friday evening once a month. Quality ‘surprise’ movie followed by discussion and pizza. All are welcome, suggested donation of £5 towards running costs. Contact cineclubbg@gmail.com. See poster in the church porch.
SACRAMENTS
Preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism: If you have a child for Baptism under 5 years old please email us for an application form. You will be contacted once the form has been received. A copy of one of the Catholic parents’ baptism certificate will be required. Baptisms can only take place on Saturdays at 11am.
Adults who would like to enquire into the possibility of becoming Catholics, or adult Catholics hoping to be confirmed, please speak to one of the clergy or contact us by email.
Thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund, we have received a grant to help refurbish the parish centre. We provide a weekly night shelter for homeless women from November to Easter and the money we have received has enabled us to make the hall more comfortable. The West London Scouts also had their storage area made safe and easier to use. Other community projects will now be able to resume thanks to the lottery fund. This is what your money pays for when you play the lottery (if you don’t win, that is :) )
From this: to this:
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