Lenten Prayer for Holy Week

MASSES AND OTHER INFORMATION

Please visit the Mass Times page for more information on Mass times and other events, or click here.

PARISH OFFICE OPENING HOURS

The parish office opening hours are from 8.15am to 12.15pm Tuesday to Friday. Closed on Bank Holidays.

REFLECTION

Holy Week, which begins this Sunday, is the greatest week in the Church’s year. It is made holy by the death of Christ, the Good Shepherd who died for his flock. He died because of sin. Since we are all sinners, each of us can truthfully say that we had a hand in his death. Lord, remember not only people of good will but also people of ill will. Do not remember only the sufferings that have been inflicted on us but remember too, the fruit we have brought as a result of this suffering, the comradeship and loyalty, the humanity and courage, the generosity and the greatness of heart that has grown out of it. And when they come to judgement, let all the fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness. (Prayer found in Auschwitz).

GIFT AID GIVING IN THE NEW YEAR

If you give regularly through gift aid Please collect a blue box or a white envelope from the back of church. Any queries please email: accounts.abi@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk or drop a note into the parish office.

In the last 6 months we received £14,156 for Gift Aid from HMRC, representing about 20% of our total income as a parish. Thank you. However, as a result of changes to Diocesan record keeping and a change to our charity number we need to obtain an updated Gift Aid declaration from you. Without this we will be unable to continue to claim Gift Aid on your donations.

The diocese have developed an online form to make the process of obtaining valid Gift Aid Declarations easier. You can access the form here, or on the diocesan website, where the form can be found on the Support Us tab by choosing Gift Aid from the drop down menu. Filling in the form takes only a few minutes.

If you prefer, to fill out the paper-based Gift Aid Declaration, send a request to accounts.abi@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk and, once completed, return it to the Parish Office.

If you have any questions or need any help completing the form please contact Carole Sawyers on accounts.abi@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk or contact the Parish Office with your name and phone number.

OUR LENTEN PROJECTS

Our two Lenten fundraising projects this year are:

BEFSA: Borien Educational Foundation for Southern Africa is an educational charity trust, non-profit organisation (NPO) and public benefit organisation (PBO) working to reduce poverty in South Africa through a diverse set of interventions.
MARRIAGE CARE: specialising in marriage preparation, relationship counselling and relationship knowledge. They also provide crisis support and helplines.

There are leaflets at the back of the church and information, photographs and a donation link on our parish website here where you can also make a donation. Please think of practical ways in which you can raise money, and also support those events advertised in our newsletter.

OUR LENTEN PROJECTS

The retiring collection on Palm Sunday, Sunday 29th March is for our Lenten Fundraising Projects. You can also make your donations using the card system at the back of the church or online here.

The retiring collection on Good Friday, Friday 3rd April is for the Holy Places and Christians in the Holy Land.

The collection on Easter Sunday 5th April is an opportunity for us to give thanks to God for the ministry of our priest, Fr Jamie. You can also make your donations using the card system at the back of the church or online here.

PRAY FOR OUR YOUTH

Please pray for the 34 children preparing for their First Holy Communion and the 24 young people preparing for Confirmation in early Summer this year. Thank you.

ABSTINENCE DURING LENT

During Lent, Pope Leo invites us to undertake a “very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace.”

INVITATION FROM THE WINTERSHALL TEAM

Wintershall CIO is a registered charity (Charity number 117111) founded to bring the Bible story to life through drama. Their performances are excellent!

On 3rd April they will have performances at 12 noon and 3.15pm of The Passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square, London. No tickets or booking are required, the 90-minute performances are completely free of charge – a gift to Londoners and visitors. This event is very popular – please arrive 40 minutes before your chosen performance. For those who cannot make it to the Square the performances will be livestreamed on their Facebook page here.

Supported by the Mayor of London, one hundred Wintershall players bring their electric and moving portrayal of the final days of Jesus to this iconic location in the capital. The production is open air with visibility maximised using a large screen. There is a realistic interpretation of the crucifixion so parental guidance is advised. You can view the short promotional video below.

SUPPORT THE FOODBANK

We cannot miss the fact that food prices have risen and are still rising. As a parish, we encourage you to please continue to support those who cannot afford enough food - through the Abingdon Food Bank. For practical reasons, and because nearly all supermarkets now have collection points as you leave their premises, it is easier for you to place your donations there, so please do not leave your contributions in our church. You can find out what is needed, the location of collection points, and also make a money donation, here. Thank you.

OXFORD PRO-LIFE COMMUNITY

Oxford Pro-Life Community are working to build a living and lively community of people in Oxford that has a real impact in promoting the respect for the inviolable right to life of all human beings. If that sounds exciting to you and you can spare an hour or so a week visit oxfordprolife.org.uk/volunteer

CATECHISM IN A YEAR

Fr Mike Schmitz from Ascension Press has produced a 365-day podcast entitled "The Catechism in a Year". Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, providing insight, explanation, and encouragement as the Church's teachings are explored, following a reading plan inspired by Ascension's "Foundations of Faith" approach. Listeners can follow along with any recent version of the Catechism and can find the reading plan on the Ascension website. More information is available here.

CAR PARKING

With the very restricted parking space available at the church, please use alternatives if you can, so that those who are less able may use our car park. Thank you for your understanding.

Abingdon Community Fridge fights food waste by redistributing surplus food from local businesses and members of the community. The Abingdon Community Fridge is open to all. For more information visit their Facebook page here, or email info@abingdoncommunityfridge.org.uk

They are located at Hadland Road Community Centre, OX14 3YH and open on:

Mondays: 4.00-4.30pm
Thursdays: 1.00-2.00pm
Saturdays: 10.30-11.30am

The Community Fridge is in need of funding to continue its work (hire of hall, insurance, food safety training for volunteers, etc.). To donate, please use this link here, or contact margaretdhancox@gmail.com

PARISH NEWSLETTERS

Items for the newsletter should be sent to the parish office (abingdon@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk) by the Wednesday of each week please. Copies are available in the church and on this website here. Please keep contributions as brief as possible and please take newsletters home with you. Thank you.

DIOCESAN NEWS

To keep up to date with the news of the Diocese and the Bishop please follow on:

E- News: use the link here. (subscription service available)
Facebook: @PortsmouthRC
Twitter: @PortsmouthRC
The Diocese website: https://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/

If you would like to share news with the rest of the Diocese, please contact: communications@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

JOB VACANCIES IN OUR DIOCESE

All current vacancies in the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth can be viewed here.

LENTEN RESOURCE

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales introduces this year's series of "We Dare to Ask", a Lenten resource seeking to encourage an appreciation of what is given in Christian Baptism. Easy to use by individuals, it is comprised of five sessions which reflect on the Baptismal promises we make or renew at Easter. You can access this resource here.

IMPORTANT MASS INFORMATION

There will be no Mass on Easter Monday (6th April) or on Wednesday 8th, Thursday 9th and Friday 10th April.

On Saturday 11th April there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Mass as usual at midday, but no Confessions.

There will be no Mass on Monday 13th April.

PRAYING WITH POPE LEO DURING MARCH

Pope Leo’s prayer intention for March is that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence. Pope Leo's initiative called Pray with the Pope can be viewed here and also his worldwide prayer network for Scotland, England and Wales is available here. Pope Leo told a group of journalists that we should “Work for peace and seek solutions without weapons.” He said: “Pray for peace, work for peace, less hatred. Hatred in the world is constantly increasing.” “Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,” he said. The Pope warned of an immense tragedy if violence escalates out of control. “Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions,” he said, “I address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss!”

CHRISM MASS

The Chrism Mass this year takes place on Tuesday 31st March at 11am in the Cathedral and Bishop Philip invites us to it. The Mass is the special Liturgy in Holy Week during which the Bishop blesses the three Holy Oils for use in the Sacraments: the Oil of the Blessing of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of Chrism. The Mass is one of the main diocesan events of the year and during it, all the priests also make a renewal of their commitment to priestly service. If you are thinking of driving to Portsmouth for this, please consider offering a lift to others who would like to go. Perhaps you could let our parish office know.

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

Almighty God, you have created each of us with a unique purpose. Grant us the grace to discern your call in our lives and to respond generously. May our hearts be open to your love and your will Inspire young people to discover the beauty of serving you in the priesthood, the consecrated life, and in all vocations that build up your Church. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, and all the saints, hear our prayers and bless our efforts to foster vocations in our families, parishes, and communities. Amen.

GOOD FRIDAY WALK OF WITNESS

All are welcome to the Church in Abingdon (CiA) Good Friday Procession of Witness and Open-Air Service on Good Friday (Friday 3rd April). We will leave from the Abingdon Library at 11.45am, through the precinct to Abingdon Market Place for a service at 12 noon.

GOLF DAY - FUNDRAISING EVENT

We will be holding our Annual Golf Day again this year on Monday 30th March at Drayton Park. A big thank you to Mary McKenna for letting us hold this event free of charge to support our annual Lenten Appeal. Thank you also to Ian for his help on the day. Meeting up at 9am for tea/coffee and bacon rolls. First tee at 10am. The usual format – teams of 4 – prizes for the first two teams, plus nearest the pin prizes. The cost will be £25 for the day. We usually get terrific support from our golfers for this very worthy cause. Please book in with Terry Murphy – Tel: 07584 248169 or email: terry.murphy62@yahoo.co.uk We look forward to seeing you all.

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

Our Diocese of Portsmouth will be running Life in the Spirit via online Zoom meetings again this year, on Thursday Evenings from 23rd April. There is also a Holy Spirit Day, to be attended in person, this year at St Bede's, Basingstoke on Saturday 23rd May. Don't miss this opportunity to come to know Jesus in a personal way, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. You can read information here. You can now register for the course here.

PRAYER FOR CHRISTIANS IN AREAS OF CONFLICT

Pope Leo invites the faithful to pray that Christians living in the midst of war may be seeds of peace. You can watch his video above, and here is the text of Pope Leo’s prayer intention:

God of peace, who through the blood of Your Son has reconciled the world to Yourself, today we pray for Christians living amidst wars and violence. Even surrounded by pain, may they never cease to feel the gentle kindness of your presence and the prayers of their brothers and sisters in faith. For only through You, and strengthened by fraternal bonds, can they become the seeds of reconciliation, builders of hope in ways both small and great, capable of forgiving and moving forward, of bridging divides, and of seeking justice with mercy. Lord Jesus, who called blessed those who work for peace, make us Your instruments of peace even where harmony seems impossible. Holy Spirit, source of hope in the darkest times, sustain the faith of those who suffer and strengthen their hope. Do not let us fall into indifference, and make us builders of unity, like Jesus. Amen.

BIBLE STUDY SESSIONS

Bible study sessions resume for another six sessions which will be running on Tuesday afternoons from 2pm to 3.30pm in the parish centre, beginning on Tuesday 6th January. For more information please email: evangeliseabingdon@outlook.com

'YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES' PRAYER

O Lord, graciously look down upon us your servants and upon our work to build Your Holy Church here in this place. Enlighten our minds and lead us into all truth as we seek to do Your will. Abundantly bless our labours, that Your Holy Church may serve You ever more faithfully to the glory of Your Holy name. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

OPEN DOORS

Open Doors takes place on Mondays from 11am to 2pm in the Parish Centre and runs every Monday, except Bank Holidays. We offer tea/coffee, lunch (served at 12.15pm) and friendly conversation to anyone in the Parish or local community who is on their own or would like more company.

Please note that there will be no Open Doors session on Monday 6th April (Easter Monday), as sessions do not run on Bank Holidays.

ARE YOU IN NEED OR WANT TO HELP OTHERS?

For nearly two centuries the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) has been seeking and finding those in need and responding in love. As well as visits, we can offer practical and financial help where possible. We always maintain confidentiality. Our SVP members meet every fortnight on a Wednesday evening. If you are in need or know someone who is, do contact our parish SVP group via the parish office and we will see what we can do to help. Equally, if you would like to get involved in any way, please do contact us.

LITURGY WEBSITE AND UPCOMING COURSES

The Diocese now have a Liturgy website, which provides reflection, guidance and a chance to ask questions. You can access by clicking on the image above.

NEW TO THE PARISH? OR CHANGED ADDRESS?

We warmly welcome all new parishioners who have joined our parish in the last year. Please do make yourselves known if you have not already done so, and also let us know if you would like to contribute to parish life in any way. If you have already registered with us, but have changed your address or contact details, please also let us know. Forms and other information are available on our website here to register. Forms and other information are also available in the porch at our church. You can view and download our welcome booklet here. You can also view our latest annual report here.