Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

This is the final Sunday (Quinquagesima in the former Roman Calendar) before we begin Lent. Ash Wednesday is a matter of days away, and we should have a plan in place for our living of the Forty Days that comprise the sacred and penitential season of Lent.

Within the Newsletter you will find various initiatives for Lent this year, together with the liturgical celebrations that characterise this time. Lent is known as the Springtime of the Church since during his time our lives are renewed and we are invigorated with the grace of God, to serve Him better and become more devoted disciples of Jesus.

This is also the time when those discerning a call to become Catholic intensify their preparation for the Sacraments, either at Easter or later in the year. Next Sunday they will make a pilgrimage to Brentwood Cathedral and they are presented to our Bishop in the Rite of Election; there are fourteen from our own Parish. Please pray for them and their Sponsors.

This Saturday is the occasion of the Installation of the new Archbishop of Westminster—The Most Reverend Richard Moth. With our Bishop I shall be attending the ceremony and I remind you to pray for his intentions as he takes-up this huge responsibility of shepherding that great Archdiocese.

May God bless us as we make our own personal pilgrimages through this Lent that lays ahead of us!

Msgr Kevin Hale