At masses across the Benefice this morning, we marked the mid-point of Lent, Laetare Sunday (Mothering Sunday) with masses praying for our mothers and for the love they share with us. Flowers were distributed and special prayers were said at the 9.30 Family Eucharist at St Andrew's as well as the 11.00 am Mass at St Mary Magdalen's, where we welcomed members of our Choir Church from School, who came along and supported our singing, particularly of the mass setting. It was a joy to see the young people in Church serving God in this way, and we look forward to seeing them on future occasions.As we look ahead to the final weeks of Lent and Easter, we look forward to opportunities to worship with the wider community both on Palm Sunday (2 April), where we will begin both the 9.30 am and 11.00 am masses with a procession of palms, at St Andrew's beginning in the courtyard behind the Church, and at St Mary Magdalen's beginning in the School; and also on Easter Sunday, when we have the opportunity to renew the promises made at Baptism.Further details of the programme for Holy Week itself will be published in the coming days. We look forward to welcoming you to join us in our worship.
Worship this Sunday:8.00 am: Said Mass at St Mary Magdalen’s9.30 am: Family Eucharist at St Andrew’s11.00 am: Mothering Sunday Mass at St Mary Magdalen’sWorship this week:Mon: School Mass at St Mary Magdalen’s at 1.15 pmTue: Sung Mass at St Peter's at 6.00 pmWed: Mass at St Andrew’s at 10.00 amThur: Exposition at St Mary Magdalen’s at 5.30 pmMass at St Mary Magdalen’s at 6.00 pmLent Course at St Peter’s Vicarage at 7.00 pmFri: Mass at St Mary Magdalen’s at 10.00 am Friday Praise Mass (Annunciation) at St Nicholas’ SchoolStations of the Cross at St Anne's RC Church, Cobham Road at 6.30 pmNext Sunday — 5th Sunday in Lent:8.00 am: Said Mass at St Mary Magdalen’s9.30 am: Family Eucharist at St Andrew’s11.00 am: Solemn Mass at St Mary Magdalen's (with Choir Church) 8.30 pm: Compline at St Andrew’s
We gathered for worship with family-friendly music, and a relaxed atmosphere. The Liturgy of the Word focussed on the Gospel reading for the Third Sunday of Lent, the Samaritan Woman at the Well, with a brief homily reflecting on the value of water, particularly when we are thirsty, and the fact that Jesus gives us living water, and that this living water is a gift for everyone, even for those who might think they are not worthy.Our prayer activities, in addition to the usual puzzles and crosswords, included an opportunity to prepare Mothering Sunday greetings ready for the following week, together with a booklet with the fourteen Stations of the Cross, and 'Lent in a Bag', to encourage us to continue our devotion at home.We regrouped at the altar for the Liturgy of the Sacrament, with more family friendly worship music, and the opportunity to encounter Jesus as we celebrated mass together. The worship was followed by a hot meal of Curry and Rice, which was enjoyed by all, both for the physical nourishment it offered, but also because it gave the perfect opportunity for conversation and fellowship.Family Celebration Masses are celebrated on the second Sunday of the month, and are open to all. The next one will be on Easter Sunday, 9 April, at 11.00 am, when we will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus! Make a note in your diaries; it will be great to see you there!
Sunday 12 March - Third Sunday of Lent 9.30 am: Family Eucharist at St Andrew’s 11.00 am: Family Celebration Mass at St Mary Magdalen’s 6.00 pm: Liturgy of Healing and Wholeness at St Mary Magdalen’sWorship this week: Mon: School Mass at St Mary Magdalen’s at 1.15 pm Tue: Sung Mass at St Peter's at 6.00 pm Wed: Mass at St Andrew’s at 10.00 am Youth Church at St Christopher’s School at 3.45 pm Thurs: Exposition at St Mary Magdalen’s at 5.30 pm Mass at St Mary Magdalen’s at 6.00 pm Lent Course at St Peter’s Vicarage at 7.00 pm Fri: Mass at St Mary Magdalen’s at 10.00 am Stations of the Cross at St Mary Magdalen’s at 6.30 pm Next Sunday — 4th Sunday in Lent: 8.00 am: Said Mass at St Mary Magdalen’s 9.30 am: Family Eucharist at St Andrew’s 11.00 am: Mothering Sunday Mass at St Mary Magdalen's (with Choir Church)
