Palm Sunday
This weekend we celebrate Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord.
The feast commemorates Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and marks the first day of Holy Week. It is a reminder of the welcoming of Jesus into our hearts and of our willingness to follow him.
(Weather permitting) We will start our services outside with the blessing of the palms and walk together into Church to start our service.
All are welcome to start Holy Week with us on Saturday at 6pm or Sunday at 9.30am (with children's liturgy session during Mass)
Please pray for His Holiness, Pope Francis.
"On Wednesday afternoon, 29 March, Pope Francis went to Rome’s Gemelli hospital for some scheduled check-ups that have revealed a respiratory infection that requires a couple of days of treatment. Pope Francis says he is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayers reaching him."
See the Bishop's Conference website for further details and updates:
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/pope-francis-grateful-for-closeness-and-prayers-as-he-undergoes-medical-check-ups/
CAKE SALE ALERT! 
After both Saturday and Sunday Masses this weekend, there will be a cake sale in the hall in aid of CAFOD, to support the work they do overseas in times of crisis.
Please bring some cash along, if you can, and enjoy some delicious cakes, all for a good cause!
Thank you.
In case you hadn't already heard, on Sunday 23rd April the UK Government will be testing the new Emergency Alert system.
Frequently asked questions are below:
What is an emergency alert?
An emergency alert is a free service being launched by the UK Government that will warn you about serious nearby threats to life through your mobile phone or device.
There will be a National Test Message of the system on Sunday 23 April 2023.
What will an emergency alert look like?
Emergency Alerts will appear on your device and you will hear a loud siren-like sound for up to 10 seconds. It will appear on your device's home screen and you must acknowledge it before you can use other features. They appear as a notification and may include telephone numbers or website links containing further information. A loud, siren-like sound and vibration will accompany the message to raise awareness of the hazard or threat.
What shall I do when I receive the National Test Message on 23 April?
When you receive the Welcome Message you do not need to take any action. The siren will stop automatically after ten seconds. A welcome message will stay on screen until you acknowledge it, just like a ‘low battery’ warning.
What will emergency alerts be used for?
Emergency alerts will be used to inform people about severe threats to life in particular areas, such as flooding or wildfires.
Are emergency alerts free?
Emergency alerts are a free service provided by the UK Government.
Will people living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland receive emergency alerts?
People living in all parts of the UK will be able to receive emergency alerts.
What should I do if I receive a real emergency alert?
When you get an alert, stop what you’re doing (when it is safe to do so) and follow the instructions in the alert. If you are driving, as when receiving any phone call or message, do not look at or touch your phone until it is safe to do so.
Will the Government use emergency alerts to spam me?
No. Emergency alerts will only be used to warn you about an immediate threat to life.
Does the Government use my personal data to send an emergency alert?
No. The system uses the cell tower your phone is connected to. When an alert is triggered, all towers in the area will broadcast the alert. To do this the Government does not need to know the specific location or personal data on your device.
Will I still receive emergency alerts if I don’t have a smartphone?
Emergency alerts work on all 4G and 5G phone networks widely used by smartphones. This will not include older ‘non-smart’ phones but the 3G technology that they use is being switched off next year. If you do not have a compatible device, you’ll still be informed about an emergency as the emergency services have other ways to warn you when there is a threat to life.
What happens if I receive an emergency alert when I am driving?
You should not read or respond to an emergency alert when you are driving or riding a vehicle. Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before picking up your phone and reading the message. If there is nowhere safe or legal to stop close by, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, tune into live radio for information until you can find somewhere safe and legal to stop.
Will emergency alerts affect my battery life?
No. Neither emergency alerts nor having the ability to receive them will impact your phone’s battery life.
How can I unsubscribe from emergency alerts?
You can opt out of the emergency alerts system in your phone’s settings, just search for “emergency alerts", and turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’. You will not receive alerts if your device is turned off or in airplane mode. However, these alerts are potentially life-saving so we recommend you keep them switched on.
Thanks to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for
Palm Sunday Year A
Opening Gospel according to Matthew 21: 1-11.
Jesus returns to Jerusalem, and Matthew is anxious to show how Jesus fulfils the Old Testament with the quote from Zecharia 9: 9, about a donkey. In the original it signalled how unthreatening the Messiah would be, then Jesus interacts with several groups, the Disciples have to be instructed what to do, the crowds get it right by shouting “Hosanna”, and continues with quotes from Psalm 118, Jerusalem is “shaken” and ask, “Who is this?”, and the crowds respond “This is the prophet”. Whilst all this is going on, Jesus proceeds with calm certainty.
1st Reading from the prophet Isaiah 50: 4-7.
This reading is taken from “Deutero-Isaiah”, the second Isaiah, and this is his third song of the Suffering Servant. The Servant offers his back to the whips, his cheeks to be slapped and his face to accept the shameful spittle. It is so easy to see how the early Christians used the text as they tried to understand the appalling fate that had befallen their Lord.
Psalm 21: 8-9, 17-20, 23-24
The Response is the opening line of this Psalm, as customary the Judeans would quote the opening lines to indicate how they were feeling and what they wanted to say, Hence Jesus cries out from the cross at a terrible time in his crucifixion. Early Christians immediately saw the connection Jesus was trying to make, yes it is cry from the heart for deliverance, but it also looks to the triumph of God in all of this apparent disaster. That is why those watching thought God might come and take him from the cross. We only have a very small section of the psalm here, it is worth reading it through several times to get the full import of what Jesus is saying.
2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 2: 6-11.
Paul is encouraging unity among the Philippians, and he uses this beautiful hymn to emphasise how Christ did not cling to anything but self-emptied himself. Whether Paul composed this hymn or was it used in the liturgy at the time, we have no way of knowing at this distance, all we know is that it is a very powerful and beautiful piece of theology exploring who Jesus really was.
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 26: 14-27, 66.
It opens with Judas mercenary plot to betray Jesus and hand him over the religious authorities for 30 pieces of silver. Then the Passover Meal supposed to be a joyous occasion becomes very distraught as Jesus reveals that he is about to be betrayed by one of them around the table, a terrible breach of the law of hospitality. Then Peter boisterously proclaims he will never deny Jesus, but we know he will. Then whilst Jesus prays in great sadness his disciples sleep leaving him utterly alone in his great need for comfort. The betrayal takes place with a kiss, and he comes before the Sanhedrin, and we watch as Caiaphas entices Jesus to declare who he really is. Then condemns him for heresy. So begins the terrible physical ordeal of Our Lord. Peter denies Jesus three times as Jesus predicted before the cock would crow twice. Then the farce of Pilates examination, three times he declares Jesus innocent, but he releases Barabbas, a brigand. The name means a son of God, so we have the spectacle of the actual Son of God left to take upon himself the sins of the nation. Jesus becomes the scapegoat for all our sins. Jesus is cruelly scourged and mocked in the Roman soldiers game of Kings, crowning him with thorns and beating him mercilessly. Before making him carry his cross to crucifixion. As they set off the centurion conscripts Simon from Cyrene to carry Jesus’ cross. Jesus is crucified and dies. We need to ponder this event and explore all aspects of his terrible treatment on our behalf and really take on board exactly what Jesus did for us. The centurion makes his declaration of Faith, and the women stand faithfully at the foot of the cross.
Let us truly Mourne for our transgressions and affirm a new purpose of Amendment following faithfully the Gospel of Jesus. God Bless. Deacon Vincent.
*I fully acknowledge the assist given me by Nichlas King’s Study Bible in this andall my reflections. For his insight into the books and writings of the Holy Bible. He has been my inspiration and insight into the wonders of Holy Scripture.*
Palm Sunday Year A
Opening Gospel according to Matthew 21: 1-11.
Jesus returns to Jerusalem, and Matthew is anxious to show how Jesus fulfils the Old Testament with the quote from Zecharia 9: 9, about a donkey. In the original it signalled how unthreatening the Messiah would be, then Jesus interacts with several groups, the Disciples have to be instructed what to do, the crowds get it right by shouting “Hosanna”, and continues with quotes from Psalm 118, Jerusalem is “shaken” and ask, “Who is this?”, and the crowds respond “This is the prophet”. Whilst all this is going on, Jesus proceeds with calm certainty.
1st Reading from the prophet Isaiah 50: 4-7.
This reading is taken from “Deutero-Isaiah”, the second Isaiah, and this is his third song of the Suffering Servant. The Servant offers his back to the whips, his cheeks to be slapped and his face to accept the shameful spittle. It is so easy to see how the early Christians used the text as they tried to understand the appalling fate that had befallen their Lord.
Psalm 21: 8-9, 17-20, 23-24
The Response is the opening line of this Psalm, as customary the Judeans would quote the opening lines to indicate how they were feeling and what they wanted to say, Hence Jesus cries out from the cross at a terrible time in his crucifixion. Early Christians immediately saw the connection Jesus was trying to make, yes it is cry from the heart for deliverance, but it also looks to the triumph of God in all of this apparent disaster. That is why those watching thought God might come and take him from the cross. We only have a very small section of the psalm here, it is worth reading it through several times to get the full import of what Jesus is saying.
2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 2: 6-11.
Paul is encouraging unity among the Philippians, and he uses this beautiful hymn to emphasise how Christ did not cling to anything but self-emptied himself. Whether Paul composed this hymn or was it used in the liturgy at the time, we have no way of knowing at this distance, all we know is that it is a very powerful and beautiful piece of theology exploring who Jesus really was.
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 26: 14-27, 66.
It opens with Judas mercenary plot to betray Jesus and hand him over the religious authorities for 30 pieces of silver. Then the Passover Meal supposed to be a joyous occasion becomes very distraught as Jesus reveals that he is about to be betrayed by one of them around the table, a terrible breach of the law of hospitality. Then Peter boisterously proclaims he will never deny Jesus, but we know he will. Then whilst Jesus prays in great sadness his disciples sleep leaving him utterly alone in his great need for comfort. The betrayal takes place with a kiss, and he comes before the Sanhedrin, and we watch as Caiaphas entices Jesus to declare who he really is. Then condemns him for heresy. So begins the terrible physical ordeal of Our Lord. Peter denies Jesus three times as Jesus predicted before the cock would crow twice. Then the farce of Pilates examination, three times he declares Jesus innocent, but he releases Barabbas, a brigand. The name means a son of God, so we have the spectacle of the actual Son of God left to take upon himself the sins of the nation. Jesus becomes the scapegoat for all our sins. Jesus is cruelly scourged and mocked in the Roman soldiers game of Kings, crowning him with thorns and beating him mercilessly. Before making him carry his cross to crucifixion. As they set off the centurion conscripts Simon from Cyrene to carry Jesus’ cross. Jesus is crucified and dies. We need to ponder this event and explore all aspects of his terrible treatment on our behalf and really take on board exactly what Jesus did for us. The centurion makes his declaration of Faith, and the women stand faithfully at the foot of the cross.
Let us truly Mourne for our transgressions and affirm a new purpose of Amendment following faithfully the Gospel of Jesus. God Bless. Deacon Vincent.
*I fully acknowledge the assist given me by Nichlas King’s Study Bible in this andall my reflections. For his insight into the books and writings of the Holy Bible. He has been my inspiration and insight into the wonders of Holy Scripture.*
.jpg)
