Although it seems as though the Christmas season has only just finished, and this Tuesday’s feast of the Presentation of the Lord is closely linked with it, it is now only a couple of weeks until Lent begins.

Now is the time to think about how we will live this important season. There will be opportunities in both of our churches to engage in extra prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Consider coming to an extra Mass during the week, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament or Stations of the Cross. Spending more time in prayer or spiritual reading at home can also be helpful. To help with this the Walk With Me booklets will soon be available (along with calendars for the children).

There will be Austerity lunches each Friday in Saint Augustine’s Hall with proceeds going to Together in Matson (the young people’s project we are involved with) and Saint Peter’s High School HCPT Group.

There is also the CAFOD family fast day, and the opportunity to contribute to the Lenten Alms.

We can also think about our commitment to our parishes. The Annual General Meetings take place on 18th February at 7:30pm (Saint Augustine’s) and 25th February at 7:00pm (English Martyrs). These meetings are for the whole of each parish. Please come to hear about the past year and help to plan for the year ahead.

We are approaching the half-way point of the Lenten Season. Hopefully our spiritual preparations for our celebration of the Sacred Triduum and Easter are well underway. There is still time for us to renew our efforts during this time of grace to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.

Our parish reconciliation services will be at 7:30pm on Wednesday 24th March at Saint Augustine’s and at 4:00pm on Saturday 27th March at English Martyrs.

The main services of the Triduum are taking place at English Martyrs Church this year. They begin with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday at 7:30pm. This will be followed by watching until Midnight with Night Prayer at 11:50pm. The Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday is at 3:00pm and then the highlight of our year is the great Easter Vigil at 8:30pm on Holy Saturday evening.

Although these celebrations are taking place at English Martyrs they are for both communities and the various ministries are being carried out by people from both churches. These three celebrations form one complete whole and it is good to participate in all of them.

Three people are due to be received into the Church at Easter, either at the Vigil or at the 11:00am Easter morning Mass at Saint Augustine’s.

Most of the other Holy Week services will be at Saint Augustine’s. A full timetable will be available next week.