St. Martin’s Vicarage

Upper Wellington Road

Brighton

BN2 3AN

March 2024

My dear friends,

As we know in the early Church the season of Lent was the time when those to be admitted to the Church were prepared for their Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion that would take place during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. The practice of Infant Baptism and the growth of the Church (leading to this celebration being held locally without the Bishop) leaves us today with the separate celebrations of the Sacraments and for most Admission to Holy Communion between. This year seven of our Parish Family began preparation for Confirmation , Please remember Billy, Cat, Delph, Ella, Joe, Meg and Toby regularly in your prayers and everyone write 7.30pm on May 9th in your diaries as Bishop Will will be presiding at the Wagner Group Ascension Day Mass here that night.

Related to the ancient practice is that Lent is the time when we prepare to renew our Baptismal Promises at Easter. In ancient times this preparation was often made with public acts of penitence . Today the season is a good time to consider our use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation: remember all the priests are available if you wish to discuss a first use, or a renewal, of this Sacrament.

Frs. Andrew, Nick and Robert join me in wishing you a Holy Week and Happy Easter.

With my love and prayers,

Fr. Trevor