FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
A LENTEN CALL TO PARISH RENEWAL
SUSTAINING A LIVELY FAITH COMMUNITY THROUGH
“FULLY CONSCIOUS, AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION”
“Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that fully conscious and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy. In the restoration and promotion of the sacred liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else; for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit...”
Constitution on Sacred Liturgy,
Sancrosanctum Concilium, Number 14 (emphasis added) promulgated by His Holiness Pope Paul VI on December 4, 1963.
Faith Community Examination of Conscience
Based on the 3 Point Agenda taken from Sacrosanctum Concilium, 14
1. Conscious Participation
2. Active Participation
3. Full Participation
Do I know why I go to church? Am I well aware of what my roles are in the church? Am I really aware of why I need to perform some duties in the church? Do I know that I come to church to serve the God of all creation? Do I take time to prepare myself before each Mass? Do I really open my mouth during the liturgy by singing and responding verbally as proper? Am I well aware of the deeper meaning of the church building as a dwelling place of God, where the saints and angels are always adoring and worshipping him? Do I respect this divine presence by conducting myself appropriately? Do I really confess my sins during the penitential service in Mass? Do I really listen to the Word of God during Mass? Do I take home a message from the homily? Do I really know the meaning behind my offertory gift? Do I really connect with my offertory gift and mean to really offer it to God as an embodiment of my gratitude for his love? Do I really appreciate the gift of the Eucharist? Can I say that going to church helps me, gives meaning and purpose to my life? Do I know that the church can help me to gain salvation? Do I know all that the church offers to help me gain salvation? Do I always access the benefits in the Word of God and the sacraments of the church?
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Do I get involved in parish ministries? Do I get involved in welcoming people for Mass? Do I get involved in cleaning the church? Do I get involved in cleaning the church compound? Have I volunteered to read during Mass and services? Do I get involved in singing or helping with church music? Do I get involved in offering my services to the church whenever I can help? Do I use my skills in promoting the kingdom of God? How can I help make the church flourish in many years to come? How can I promote vocations to priesthood and consecrated life? To what extent am I active in living up to the demands of my faith and building up our faith community? To what extent am I encouraging young people and children to embrace the faith and benefit from the spiritual wealth of the church? To what extent am I participating in social activities of the faith community? To what extent do I participate or even lead in prayer activities in the faith community? To what extent do I identify with other persons and families, especially when they are in need, such as in sickness and bereavement?
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Do I fully promote the gospel of Jesus Christ and his ministry within my parish? Do I read all the updates of the parish newsletter and try to play roles in any way I can? Do I make efforts to bring people back to the parish community? Do I think of how I can help others gain salvation? Do I encourage people to baptise, confirm or marry in the church? Do I encourage people to access the sacraments in general? Do I also fully make use of all the sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Confession? Do I make efforts to bring my whole household to prayer? Am I actively involved in all aspects of parish life; socially, spiritually and financially? Do I believe that the family is the domestic church? Do I promote spirituality among family members and dear ones? Do we say daily prayers, and as a family culture come together to share the word of God? Do I have an altar of prayer in my household? Do I have and make use of sacramentals like medals, rosaries and holy water?
Church versus Work - How we treat the Church versus how we treat our Work.
Author: Unknown
1. We don’t mind being late for church but we try our best not to be late for work.
2. We miss church because we say we are tired from work but we never miss work for church.
3. We spend two hours a week in church and complain that it’s too long and go to work for eight hours a day for five or six days a week.
4. When we are confronted with our mistakes in church we quickly transfer to another church. When we are confronted with our mistakes at work we apologise and promise to do better next time.
5. When we are called to be at church other than on a Sunday we make excuses that we are busy. When we are called to work on a Sunday we miss church and give the excuse that we have to work.
6. We miss church because we are not feeling well but go to work even if we are not feeling well.
7. We want our Christmas party in church to be for free but we pay for Christmas parties at work
8. We check our phones during church services but we turn off our phones during meetings at the office.
9. We shy away from responsibilities in church but we work hard at the office to be promoted
10. We complain that the sermon in church is too long but we can work hours of overtime at the office.
11. Many times the boss at the office receives more respect and honour than the pastor of the church.
12. We give the church excuses and give our work results…
PARISH NOTICES
CAFOD LENT APPEAL – FAMILY FAST DAY.
Please donate to our Family Fast Day parish collection and be a pilgrim of hope with CAFOD this Jubilee Year. You’ll be supporting communities suffering the impacts of war, poverty & climate change to find solutions and hope. Collect your CAFOD envelope this weekend and return it next weekend. Donations can also be made on the contactless device, online at cafod.org.uk/envelope or by phone on 0303 303 3030. Many thanks for your continuous support.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS.
Every Friday during Lent after 10am Mass and at 7.30pm. Morning stations will be led by the Priest and evening stations will be led by the people.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP.
Meeting every Thursday starting on the 6th March in the church at 7.30pm.
All are welcome.
THE PASSION OF CHRIST.
A 5 session programme focusing on the Passion of Christ every Sunday at 4pm starting on the 9th March in the Church. The programme will include prayers, reflections and a film. All are welcome.
MEETING FOR MEN.
Calling all married men in our parish or single men over the age of 35 years to join a new parish CMO group. First meeting will be on Saturday 22nd March at 11.30am in the church porch.
ST THOMAS MORE SOCIAL CLUB
AGM on Tuesday 11th March at 8pm in the church porch. We will look back on the last year and forward to the next. This is our Parish’s facility and all are welcome to attend.
PARISH MASS BOOKS.
We have received £1,781.00 so far for the new books but still need more donations to purchase the remaining 5 books. Donations can be made in the usual ways.
GIFT AID BOXES.
Please contact the parish office to arrange collection of your new Gift Aid envelopes or for more information/register.
Archdiocesan Jubilee Celebration Day at The Friars, Aylesford on the 7th June 2025. Led by Archbishop John Wilson, Please see the poster in the porch for information. If you are interested in a parish coach, please contact the parish office.
YOUTH FESTIVAL MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE 2025.
4th-11th August 2025. The full cost of the pilgrimage is £770. A deposit of £150 needs to be paid immediately to secure your place. Please feel free to share this information with friends & family, who may benefit from this. Please contact Noeleen for payment. Please see the poster in the porch for more information.
https://marian-uk.com/onlineBooking1.asp?id =Medjugorje&tour=7028
Contact Noeleen on 0203 808 5156.
DEANERY PILGRIMAGE.
5th July 2025 at St. John Vianney’s Church. More details to follow. Please save the date.
LUNCH CLUB.
The next meeting will be on the 20th March 2025 at 12.30pm in the hall.
UPCOMING UCM MEETING.
Wednesday 26th March at 7pm in the church porch. Please join us and participate in this month’s meeting.
New members are always welcome.
NEW PARISH NOTICEBOARD.
Thank you to two generous parishioners for their donations of £1,470 towards the new parish noticeboard.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK