Passiontide and beyond March 21st 2021

Tuesdays in Lent: Mass at 6:00pm with Homily. This Mass will revert to Wednesdays after Easter.

Wednesdays in Lent is our Zoom Lent Course at 7:00pm entitled “By His wounds.”

Fridays in Lent: The Stations of the Cross at 12 Noon

Thursday March 25th is Lady Day or the Feast of the Annunciation. Mass at 12 Noon.

Will you join us for The Bishop of Richborough’s Chrism Mass on Wednesday 31st March at Noon. Bishop Norman will bless the oils on a live-streamed Mass from Saint Mary’s Parish Church in Little Walsingham, Norfolk.

Christian sacraments and sacramentals, filled with symbolism, are steeped in historical and scriptural richness. In their celebration, a host of everyday substances are used, serving as signs and symbols of the much deeper realities they represent.

Oil is one of the many rich symbols we have in our Christian tradition. On this day our Bishop will bless the holy oils used in the Church. The Church uses three types of holy oils for a host of purposes. The multifaceted use of oil among ancient peoples is referenced in a variety of scriptural passages.

The oil of the sick, which is pure olive oil, is used for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. While ideally celebrated with the community during the Mass for the anointing of the sick, this sacrament can be administered any time and in any place.

Both adults and infants prior to baptism are anointed with the oil of the catechumens, which is also pure olive oil. For adults, this pre-baptismal anointing often takes place during a special initiation ceremony when the person begins to prepare for the Sacrament of Baptism.

The third oil, holy chrism oil, is olive oil mixed with balsam. The oil symbolizes strength, and the fragrant balsam represents the “aroma of Christ” (2 Cor 2:15). Anointing with chrism oil signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is used to consecrate someone or something to God’s service.

PCC meet via Zoom on April 13th at 6:30PM.

Sunday April 18th we welcome the Bishop of Dover, The Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin as our preacher at the 10:00AM Mass.

On Sunday May 2nd The Archdeacon of Canterbury, The Venerable Jo Kelly-Moore will be the preacher at the 10:00AM Mass.

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP 2021

PALM SUNDAY 28th March The Liturgy of Palms and Parish Mass with the reading of the Passion. 10:00AM

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of Holy Week Mass at 6:00PM Stations of the Cross on Wednesday at 5:00PM.

MAUNDY THURSDAY April 1st

9.00am Morning Prayer. No Evening Prayer as attending evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Mass of the Last Supper at 6:00PM followed by the Watch at the Altar of Repose until 9:00PM. The Liturgy of Footwashing is not permitted under Covid-19 rules.

GOOD FRIDAY April 2nd

9.00am Morning Prayer. Stations of the Cross for Children and Families at 10:00AM. The Solemn Liturgy of the Passion 3:00PM. No Evening Prayer.

HOLY SATURDAY April 3rd

9.00am Morning Prayer.

The Easter Vigil for both parishes at St Andrew Deal. 8:00PM. Fr We invite as many as can come to be with Fr Paul and all the clergy as we concelebrate this moving and atmospheric liturgy of lighting the New Fire, blessing the Paschal Candle and renewing our Baptismal vows. You all are invited to share in the First Mass of Easter.

EASTER DAY April 4th Easter Day Festal Mass with Renewal of Baptismal Vows at 10:00AM.

The last week of Lent is known as Holy Week. It is when Christians remember the last week of Jesus’ life and is the most important time in the Christian year. There are many church services and processions.

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week. It reminds Christians of the journey Jesus made into Jerusalem, on a donkey, to celebrate the Jewish festival of Passover (Pesach). Jesus chose a donkey to show that he had come in peace. Many people welcomed Jesus by shouting, waving palm branches and throwing branches down in the path of the donkey.

According to the Bible, on the night before his death Jesus had a final meal with his friends. Before this festival meal for Passover, Jesus surprised his friends by washing the feet of every person, a task that was normally done by a servant. He wanted to show his followers that they should love one another in humble ways. Later in the meal, which is known to Christians as ‘The Last Supper’, Jesus passed round bread and wine. He said the bread was his body broken for them and the wine was his blood shed for them. He was telling them that he was going to die and that when they share bread and wine they should remember him.

On Good Friday Christians remember the day that Jesus was killed on the cross. He was nailed to a wooden cross by Roman soldiers. This is the reason why the cross is an important sign for Christians today. There are crosses in churches and many Christians wear a cross on a chain.

The Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening and Easter Sunday are both happy occasions for Christians because they believe that Jesus rose from the dead on this day. They believe that Jesus’ resurrection or coming alive shows that death is not the end of everything. Church bells are rung and churches are decorated with flowers such as white lilies which are associated with Easter. The colours in the church change to white or gold which are thought to be the best we can offer.