Season of Lent 2023
We begin the Season of Lent; 40 days when we are called to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. During these days we are called to deny ourselves, in order to share the life of Jesus more deeply, and to make ourselves ready for our celebration of the great feast of Easter.
The Cardinal writes in today’s Pastoral Letter: “As Lent begins. I write today to give you every possible encouragement to use these weeks of Lent to refresh and deepen your faith.”
The gift of faith gives our lives an enduring purpose and stability. A faith that is refreshed and deepened helps us to be gracious, steadfast and even robust in every circumstance. Let us heed these words, and use the opportunity of Lent, to deepen and strengthen our faith.
FRIDAYS IN LENT
Each Friday of Lent, Mass will be celebrated at 7.00pm, followed by the Stations of the Cross. Friday is the traditional day for ‘making the Stations’, so attending Mass, and the Stations of the Cross, during Lent, is a positive activity during this season.
LENT GROUPS
As in previous years there will be groups meeting throughout Lent to reflect, share ideas and pray. The sessions this Lent will be based on Praying the Our Father, by Carl E. Olson which is described by one theologian as “the best collection of Lenten reflections she has seen.” The
booklet is available from CTS Books £3.50 or at the first meeting.
If you have not been part of a group previously, please do consider joining in this year. The groups are friendly and thought-provoking. There are opportunities for sharing ideas but no pressure to do so. There will be groups meeting on some mornings/afternoon and evenings,
depending on the demand. Please email:- juliaandnigel057@gmail.com or phone 07891083251 with your choice of day, time and contact details.
PASTORAL LETTER
To mark the season of Lent, the Cardinal has written a Pastoral Letter, which will be read at the Masses this weekend. The letter can be read here:
Feb 2023 Pastoral letter pre Lent
LENTEN ALMS
Traditionally, during Lent, anything that we save through self-denial is donated to the ‘Lenten Alms’. Funds raised this year will be shared between the four pillars of the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal: Marriage & Family Life; Youth & Evangelisation; The Education Service and
Caritas Westminster. You can place your contributions in the ‘box’ to the right of Our Lady’s Altar, or, if you wish to ‘Gift-Aid’ your contribution, you can use one of the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal envelopes, which will be found in the porch, and return it to the Parish Office.
