THE TRIDUUM

Today April 14th MAUNDY THURSDAY: Mass of the Last Supper with Footwashing and Stripping of the Altars followed by the Watch at the Altar of Repose. 6:00PM with Watch until 8:00PM.

April 15th GOOD FRIDAY:

The Way of the Cross for Children at 10:00AM .

The Solemn Liturgy of the Passion at Noon.

April 16th HOLY SATURDAY. EASTER EVE The Great Easter Vigil at 8:00PM for both parishes. The Blessing of the New Fire, Reading of the Prophecies, Renewal of Baptismal Vows and First Mass of Easter at St Andrew’s Deal.

April 17th EASTER DAY The Parish Mass of Easter Day at 9:00AM

Holy Baptism at 2:00PM

At Holy Trinity we celebrate The Parish Mass every Sunday at 9:00AM. There will be no Sunday School until after Easter.

This Sunday April 17th is Easter Sunday

Hymns: 110, 117, 112, 120.

Readings at Mass today: 1st Reading: Acts 10:34-43. Psalm: Ps 118: 1-2, 14-24. 2nd Reading: 1 Cor 15: 19-26. The Gospel: St John 20: 1-18.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Psalm 118

In many parts of the world, Easter is celebrated during Springtime. It’s the time of year when nature itself brings forth the beginnings of new life. The tulips begin to rise from the cold and dormant earth, the leaves begin to bud on the trees, transforming the forest into a sea of green, and the Sun begins to shine with a new and more powerful radiance, sending its warmth at it’s rising each morning. Creation itself reflects the glory and splendour of the Resurrection of Christ in so many ways.

The death of winter reflects the death of Christ and the silence of the tomb experienced on Holy Saturday. Everything appears to go dormant. Vegetation appears to die, and even the animals and insects retreat into various forms of hibernation and immobility. However, at the appointed time, as the warmth of the sun rises anew, nature itself is called forth from the death of winter into the new life of spring.

The cold winter would be deeply depressing if it were to remain so forever. Just imagine if scientists were to tell us that the forthcoming winter was a unique one in that it would now remain forever. Never again would we see the warmth of spring or summer. Never again would we see the insects, plants and leaves on the trees. What a hopeless situation that would be! But God speaks to us in so many and varied ways, and one such way is through the cycle of nature. New life is certain! The warmth will return after the winter freeze, nature will rise and the earth will sing again.

If God our Father is so diligent about caring for the natural creation, how much more does He care for the re-creation of humanity? How much more would He have cared for the Resurrection of His own divine Son? How much more does He care for our entrance into the new life won for each of us by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead?

Allow the beauty of creation to be a sign to you of a reality that is infinitely greater. Allow yourself to be drawn into the newness of life that is bestowed upon you by your sharing in the Resurrection of Christ. To rise with Him means you are to become a new creation.

Fr Paul will be on leave after Easter for one week. Fr John Chater will offer Mass on Wednesday 20th and Fr Michael will be presiding and preaching on Sunday 24th April.

This year our Annual Parish Church Meeting will take place after Mass on May 15th. We ask that if you have not yet entered your name on the Church Electoral Roll, and you worship regularly, please complete pone of the forms available at the Welcome Desk. This allows you to vote at the APCM.

You are invited to our GRAND BOOK SALE with Coffee and homemade Cake. This will take place on April 30th from 10 – 12pm

This year Ascension Day May 26th will be celebrated with a joint Sung Mass at St Andrew’s in Deal at 7:30PM. The choir and congregation of St Andrew came to us on Ash Wednesday for the Mass at St George’s, so we return the compliment on this Holy Day.

TRINITY SUNDAY – JUNE 12TH is our Patronal Festival. We are aiming for a very special Mass with visiting preacher, a grand party and a great day of celebration. Mark your diary now!

NOW THAT WE ARE BACK IN CHURCH – PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOOD BANK AND HYGIENE BANK.