Holy Week Schedule 2008

HOLY WEEK and EASTER 2008 EASTER TRIDUUM

Saturday 15th MARCH
Mass: 10:00am
Confessions:
Mass: 10:30am – 11:00am; 5:30pm – 6:15pm
6:30pm [Vigil Mass of Palm Sunday]
Confessions after Mass


Sunday 16th MARCH – PALM SUNDAY
Masses: 9am, 10:15am*, 12 noon, 6:30pm
- Palms will be blessed and distributed at all Masses
* Assemble at the grotto at 10:15am, for blessing of Palms and
Procession into Church.
Confessions: after each Mass


Monday 17th MARCH
Mass: 9:30am, & 6:30pm
Confessions 10 – 10:30am


Tuesday 18th MARCH
Mass: 9:30am
[12 noon: Mass of Chrism at Westminster Cathedral]

Lenten Penitential Service: 7:30pm


Wednesday 19th MARCH
Mass: 9:30am
Confessions: 10 – 10:30am

MARCH 20th - MAUNDY THURSDAY
8pm EVENING MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Followed by Watching at the Altar of Repose until midnight.
11pm Holy Hour concluding with Night Prayer at 11:50

MARCH 21st - GOOD FRIDAY
Day of Fasting and Abstinence.

10am – 12 noon Children’s workshop on the Passion
3pm CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S PASSION
8pm Prayer at the Tomb


MARCH 22nd - HOLY SATURDAY
3pm - 4pm Confessions
8:30pm THE EASTER VIGIL and
First Mass of Easter
Assemble for lighting of Easter Fire outside
main doors

MARCH 23rd - EASTER SUNDAY
Masses: 9am, 10:30am, 12 noon
THERE IS NO EVENING MASS ON EASTER SUNDAY

MARCH 24th - EASTER MONDAY
Mass: 12 noon - No evening Mass

MARCH 25th (Easter Tuesday) to MARCH 28th (Easter Friday)
Mass: 10am - No evening Masses

TONIGHT BBC One: 8pm. Mon 8:30, Fri 9pm, Next Sun

The BBC is broadcasting a new drama, “The Passion”, over four episodes over the next seven days at peak viewing times. It is an adaptation of the events of Holy Week. The story is told from three points of view: the religious authorities; the Romans; and Jesus and his disciples. All the key players are intimately characterised, with Jesus at the centre. The producers apparently wanted to present Jesus with a touch of the contemporary, working man about him. The emphasis will be upon his humanity, not his divinity.

As such, and as a dramatic work, there is likely to be helpful angles to this drama, as well as emphasises that are false and not in accord with Catholic teaching – especially when it comes to depicting Christ’s suffering in a human but also creaturely manner. Christ is fully human, but also in fact God, through Whom all things are made by God the Father. The writer is explicit about “not taking a line” on this latter, fundamental aspect of who Jesus was and is. This will undermine his stated desire to want to stay close to the Gospel story.

Nevertheless this broadcast is an opportunity for evangelisation since many people will be talking about Jesus and the Passion story who would not otherwise be doing so; it is likely to stimulate discussion and reflection.

It might provide opportunities for handing our Holy Week timetable, copies of this newsletter, and witnessing to the merciful love of God for us. See also www.life4seekers.org.uk for more evangelization resources.

CHARITY AND WITNESSING TO THE RESURRECTION

Pope Paul VI wrote that “the Church exists in order to evangelise.” We know that the church exists for many reasons and that it is a visible sign of God’s presence among us. We also know that it exists in order that we might praise and worship Him together here on earth. However Pope Paul was making the point that the Church also bears a message and that the message is one which is to be both lived and shared.

In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus tells Martha “I am the Resurrection”. This is the Good News and this is the message which is given to the Church to proclaim. During this season of Lent we are counselled by the Church to devote extra time to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. By giving material help to others we are acting as Christ wants. However we can also see the call to evangelise and giving God’s message as a work of charity and love.

Many people still need to hear the message of God’s, loving forgiveness and the freedom from sin that Jesus is offering the world. By living as Christians we are the ones that Jesus has called to be ‘a light’ in the darkness of people’s lives. We are also the bearers of the message that Jesus spoke to Martha and that He is ‘the Resurrection’.

This is part of God’s work in our lives. Our parish offers many ways in which people can learn and grow in their faith. Currently we are running a ‘Seeker’s Group’ for those who are looking for deeper meaning in their lives. One upcoming event after the great feast of Easter will also be a visit from two members of a Marian Movement from Italy who will be talking about seeing God’s call to evangelise others as a ‘Work of Love’, that is a way of loving others as Jesus commanded us to. (Easter Monday, 24th 7:30 pm).