NEWS & VIEWS

Today, called Septuagesima in older calendars, we begin the ‘pre-Lent’ season - our attention turns away from the childhood of Jesus towards the penitential season of Lent – ‘forty days and forty nights’ in which Jesus prepared for his earthly ministry. In the Gospel we hear Jesus call his disciples “the light of the world”. He says “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” He further explains that he has come to fulfil, not abolish ‘the law and the prophets’.

WEEKLY SERVICES Until the beginning of Lent, Mass during the week will be on Tuesday and Thursday at 10am (9.30am for Adoration) only and there will be no public Evening Prayer on Sunday.

JOYCE HINDS Joyce’s Funeral Requiem will take place here at 11.30am tomorrow, followed by committal at Forest Park. Please keep Joyce and her family in your prayers at this time.

PALM CROSSES Could you please bring any Palm Crosses you may have to church before Ash Wednesday (22 February this year) so that - in keeping with tradition - they can be burned to ash for use on our foreheads on that day.

REGULAR GIVING We rely on the people who worship at St Mary’s to cover the costs associated with our church. Financial giving to fund the ministry of the Church is part of being a Christian and an essential part of our commitment to our faith. Please, if you don’t already, would you consider giving a regular amount each month? We are really struggling to make ends meet! No amount is too small. Using our parish giving plan is easy and you are in full control (and Margaret Quinney will be pleased to help you if needed).

CANDLEMAS Thank you to all who so generously donated to our annual Candlemas appeal. You raised £920 towards the cost of the items we use in worship throughout the year! Thank you also to David and Hilary who oversee the procurement of these items and keep us in stock!

NEW YOUTH CHOIR The Royal School of Church Music in Essex and East London (RSCM-EEL) has set up a youth training choir - The Elvers - for which 35 choristers have signed up. Go to tinyurl.com/elverschoir for more information. They will be singing Choral Evensong, with the Romford based Wykeham Chamber Choir, in St Paul’s Cathedral on Bank Holiday Monday 1 May at 5pm .

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR

the sick, distressed and bereaved
John & Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Lucy Ball, Amberly Crediton, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Mel Taylor, Bernard Street, Muriel Masters, Keith Holland, Helen Johnson, Joe & Sally Cox, Kay Higgins, Edward, Peter Decker, Doris Collom, Matthew, Jacqui & Leslie Haigh, the Hinds family; Fr Christopher

the recently departed

Joyce Hinds, Dave Collom, Doreen Barclay

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Albert Andrews

Monday

Frances Fairbairn, Dorothy Crane, Urcill Slater

Tuesday

Grace Smith, Veronica Thurston

Wednesday

Emily Menday

Thursday

Margaret Weall, George Dike, Alec Jones

Friday

Ian Gorman

please pray especially for

the sick and suffering

ORDER OF SERVICE