Pastor

Dear Everyone,

     THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT – STRENGTHENING OUR FAITH (Luke, Chapter 6, verses 28- 36)

     So how is Lent going for you now that we have entered the Second Week of Lent? In today's Gospel according to Saint Luke, Jesus takes three of his disciples aside and reveals himself to them in his glory as the Son of God. His aim is to strengthen their faith in him as they make the difficult journey to Calvary. Jesus does something similar for us in the Sunday Mass. He invites us to step aside from our daily activities to pray, to listen to his word and be nourished by him. Strengthened, we go out from Mass ready to take up our journey along the way of the Cross. And speaking of the Way of the Cross (often called "the Stations of the Cross" remember that this coming Friday they are replaced (just for this Friday) by the 7.00pm Celebration of First Reconciliation (Confession) for 55 of our children and their families .
Please continue to keep Pope Francis in your daily prayers: while his condition has gradually  improved a little he is still very unwell and facing an extended hospital stay.

     Blessings and Peace upon you and your loved ones

     Father John

OF YOUR CHARITY please pray for the happy repose of the souls of the following parishioners who have died in the last week:
* MARGARET USOWICZ died last Saturday in Middlemore Hospital and a Memorial Funeral will be held for her later at a time to be advised.
* TOM BRACKEN died last Wednesday in Middlemore Hospital after a short illness. Dr. Tom
Bracken's wife Beverley was farewelled from here just eighteen months ago. Tom's Funeral Mass will be held here this Tuesday 18th March at 11.00am. Because it is Lent, there will still be the usual 9.15am Mass.
* DENNIS BURGESS died during the week and his Funeral (not Mass) will be held here this Thursday 20th March at 11.00am. Because it is Lent, there will still be the usual 9.15am Mass.
May Margaret, Tom, and Dennis rest in peace, and we remember their families also in our prayers.