PALM SUNDAY
(YEAR B)
WEEK: MARCH 24TH - 30TH 2024
"Hosanna! Blessings on the King of Israel!"
YOUR CHARITABLE PRAYERS are requested for our parishioners and friends, especially those whose names appear below.
SICK: Vivien Higgins; John and Kath Green, Angela Marshall, Joseph McConnon, Joan Killeen, Eileen Killeen, Therese Passenger, Cyril and Christine Clarke, Nell Eaton, Linda Taylor, Marie Gill, Pat McQuillan, Mary Malone, Kathleen Kelly, Irene Cooper, Denis O’Grady. Deana Dobson, Tony Kenny, Luke Burke, Nora Hickey, Denis Guilfoyle, Amy Howard, Dominic Boardman, Joan Healy, Veronica Lees, Debbie Osborne Walker, Alex Standring and Janice Kopacz Standring, Barry Reid, Peter Barlow, Elizabeth Flanagan, Betti Granelli, Mary Kain, Gordon Lees,
Zophia Royales, Rita Goodier, Denis O’Grady, Beatrice Tucker.
LATELY DEAD: Binny George, Julius Ehiosun Dmodiagbe
ANNIVERSARIES: Paddy McDermott, Henry McDermott, Ronnie Heppenstall, Mr. Thomas, Mary Ann Coen
LAST WEEK'S COLLECTION: £824.94p
Standing Order: £674.00 a month
CHURCH BOXES / DONATIONS
Caritas £45.00; Donation £90.00; Legacy £1000.00
Many thanks for your kind generosity.
Our Bank: Barclays Bank - Account Name: TSDT, Our Lady and St. Patrick’s, Oldham; Sort Code 20 55 34; Account Number 50949825; Reference: Contr.
THIS SUNDAY'S MISSALETTE
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NOTICES:
All Masses will continue to be live streamed. A link is provided on the Parish website: www.smwsp.org.uk or via the Twitter App (@PhilipSumner13).
THE LENTEN PARISH RECONCILIATION SERVICE IS TODAY (Palm Sunday) at 2.30pm.
CONFIRMATIONS 2024
All meetings will take place at St. Edward’s RC Church, Lees. |
GIFT AID AND ENVELOPES
Thank you to all those who have been able to use Gift Aid to enhance their donations to the Parish in 2023-2024. For 2024-25, boxes of donation envelopes will be displayed for collection at the back of Church on Sundays 17 March, 24 March (Palm Sunday) and 31 March (Easter). If you have been using an envelope this past year, please collect the box of envelopes with the same serial number on it again – your name will be on it. Also Gift Aid forms will be available to sign on those days; if you have signed a form in the past, there is no need to sign a fresh one, as the old one remains valid. The only reason to sign a new one is if you are new to making contributions, or have recently become a taxpayer (and are paying sufficient tax to cover your contributions).
SPECIAL DAYS THIS WEEK |
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
The Isaiah reading is part of the third of four great ‘servant songs’ that come in the second section of the book of Isaiah (what we call ‘Deutero Isaiah’). These have always been interpreted by the Church as showing Jesus what lay ahead for him. He would have read these passages many times and discovered himself in them. Then, in the story that will play out this week, we see the great act of obedience in his acceptance of his destiny for our sake. But, there, we also see an amazing trust in his Father through it all. Yes, on the cross, he will cry out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” but , then, he will say, “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.”
The Philippians reading is that great hymn that speaks of Jesus’ obedience also in his incarnation. The technical term, in theology, is ’kenosis’ or ‘self-emptying’. Even before he came to Calvary, Jesus had already sacrificed so much for his people. The Son of God leaves behind his glory and his equality with God to become a slave /servant, even going further to accepting a terrible death. This reading starts almost mournfully, but by the end is a triumphant hymn of victory gained through sacrifice. “But God raised him high,,,that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord…”
It's in stark contrast to the obedience and trust manifested in Jesus that we see the fickleness of the people who hailed Jesus as the Son of David, the King of Israel, on that first Palm Sunday and then bayed for his blood only a few days later.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES IN OUR CENTENARY YEAR |
DIOCESE OF SALFORD'S ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM
This year's diocesan pilgrimage to Walsingham will be taking place on Saturday 4th May. Fr. Callum is organising a Deanery coach from St Edwards to Walsingham for the Diocesan pilgrimage. The coach will leave 7:am, at the latest. It is a long way to go for a day, but, very much worth it. For more details and to register. Please contact Janet; 07989558248.
TALKS ON THE FOUR CONSTITUTIONS OF VATICAN II |