CAFOD Family Fast Day – Lent Appeal:  

This Lent, your donations to CAFOD’s Family Fast Day Appeal will help families fighting the climate crisis and ensure that our Church network can quickly respond to emergencies, like the recent earthquake in Syria and Turkey. Give today using the envelope or at  cafod.org.uk/give and please join us in praying for CAFOD’s development and emergency response work all over the world.

Stations of the Cross

This traditional devotion is in danger of being lost and as a Whole Parish during lent we encourage maximum attendance from everyone.  Family Stations – 11.30am Sat 11th March at St G’s Church this will be followed by a  Lenten soup lunch.   Stations – 3pm Sun 12th March at St George’s Church – led by our Parish Confirmation Group.  Palm Sunday Stations and Benediction 3pm Sun 2nd April, St George’s Church and refreshments in hall.  Good Friday Family Service/Stations 10.30am Fri 7th April at St Wilfrid’s Church followed by Hot Cross buns in the hall.  All parishioners, our youngest to our most senior, are encouraged to support these, especially the Family Services.  

Celebrations at St Wilfrid’s

It was Lulu’s 75th Birthday, we all appreciate what she does for our parish community, clearing, tidying, teas/coffees and keeping our garden pots around the church & hall beautiful.  We presented her with a beautiful plant, a special “star studded” bag full of goodies including a voucher for Waitrose and a special birthday cake with sparklers.  She was so amazed, she was speechless.  Emily paid a fleeting visit from France, so we had a large Christmas Cake too! (one of the things she misses most).  She has organised a student visit from her school in France and St Richards College.

Deacon John Writes

First I give you the text of a message from Bishop Richard which came last week. “On Saturday, we celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes – the Day of Prayer for the Sick.  Mary calls us to Lourdes, a pilgrimage that is such an  important part of our diocesan life.  Mary our Mother calls us to see her Son in those around us and Pope Francis, in his message for this day writes: “Brothers and sisters, we are rarely prepared for illness. Often times, we fail even to admit that we are getting older.  Our vulnerability frightens us and the pervasive culture of efficiency pushes us to sweep it under the carpet, leaving no room for our human frailty.” Mindful of the frailty and weakness that is present in every one of us, let us do all we can to strive against the isolation that is so prevalent in our present society, ensuring that all recognise their value and dignity and know the love of Him who carries our weaknesses for us.”

I also want to draw your attention to our charity for this month at St George’s.  It is the Handicapped Children’s Pilgrimage Trust, and I ask you to support it as much as you can. First the proceeds of the sales table this month will be split between HCPT and parish and youth activities. The last Sunday of the month is the occasion for a real feast after Mass – a superb breakfast.  All the money raised at this event will be donated to HCPT.  Please support it if you possibly can