NEWS & VIEWS

LENT is over half through, and Easter is in three weeks’ time. In today’s Mothering Sunday Gospel we hear of Simeon, traditionally known as ‘the righteous’ or (in the east) ‘the God-receiver’. He had been promised he would not see death until he had seen Christ. He blesses the Holy Family in the Temple, and prophesies the impact of Jesus, but also gives Mary the powerful prophecy that a sword will ‘pierce her soul’ – an allusion to her seeing Jesus crucified in years to come, as referenced in our offertory hymn.

Today is MOTHERING SUNDAY, when we celebrate and give thanks for our own mothers, Holy Mother Church and Mary Mother of God. During the Mass, posies will be blessed and distributed. The Rose-coloured vestments worn today denote that it is also Refreshment Sunday - a day when the strictures of the penitential season are lifted slightly. There will be no Evening Prayer this evening.

PASSIONTIDE begins next week on what was traditionally called Passion Sunday: The liturgical mood begins to turn more markedly towards Christ’s Passion and death as Holy Week approaches. Crosses, statues and images are covered to help us to concentrate on the great essentials of Christ’s work of redemption.

LENT Please do ensure you have a copy of the special Lent, Holy Week and Easterleaflet, which lists our services during this holy season, and check the list of services above.

QUIZ EVENING There will a quiz evening at St Margaret’s at 7.30pm next Saturday and St Mary’s (and St Luke’s) folk are especially invited. Tickets are £5 per person from Jannis on 020 8554 0784. Take your own food and drinks. stmargaretilford.org.uk

ILFORD COMMUNITY GROCERY for £5 a year anyone can fill their grocery basket twice a week for £4 each time. Opens Tuesday 28 March at City Gates, 25-29 Clements Road. Also there are free training courses. Details at communitygrocery.org.uk/ilford or from 020 3422 6511.

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).

PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM We have booked twelve places for a pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Shrine at Walsingham (walsinghamanglican.org.uk) from Monday 15 - Thursday 18 April 2024. The total price - including full board and travel by coach - is estimated at £380 each. Please sign the list at the back of church if you would like to come, and secure your place with a £10 deposit. If you would like further information, please ask Hilary Hardwick.

TURKEY/SYRIA EARTHQUAKE Thank you to all who donated to our earthquake appeal. You raised £600 and this has now been sent to Tearfund, who in turn will send it to their church partner in Syria. The Church writes: On behalf of the people we serve, thank you. It has been humbling to see the quick and generous response from people like you to this tragedy. Your donation is a lifeline to people who have lost everything. Thank you, and please continue to pray for everyone affected by the earthquake across the region – as well as the ongoing impact of the conflict in Syria. Poverty is not God’s plan. You are.

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR

the sick, distressed and bereaved
John & Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Sam, 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, Matthew, Jacqui & Leslie Haigh, Bibi Bacchus; Fr Christopher

the recently departed

  Anna Matthews priest

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

John Dipper, Alfred Taylor

Monday

Martha Holmes

Tuesday

Percy Hill

Wednesday

Nellie Garner

Thursday

Agnes Lilley, Florence Hearn, Francis Smith

Friday

Margaret Wagg

Saturday

Joy Edwards, Dorothy Fitch

please pray especially for

those affected by extreme weather

ORDER OF SERVICE