1st Sunday of Lent

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

1st Sunday of Lent A new time? Dear Parishioners, dear friends: A local paper once reported that a man had been assaulted by the town clock. What they meant of course was, that the man had been assaulted by someone near the town clock!   Most of us know what it is like to be bashed by the clock. In the film ‘Clockwise’, John Cleese is trying in vain to reach a head teachers’ conference where he is delivering the keynote speech. The entire universe seems to be conspiring against him. Time turns out to be his enemy.    In 1871, revolutionaries had taken control of Paris and some fired their muskets at the clocks. The radical social theorist Herbert Marcuse explains this action as a desire to arrest the old time and begin a new time when liberty, equality and fraternity would not be just spin but everyday experience. However, there was to be no utopia – only murder on both sides of the barricades and then more exploitation, war, oppression, and poverty. Nonetheless, the longing for a new time is always there Now the season of Lent is upon us. A new time is upon us. The days in our hemisphere are lengthening. Signs of spring can be discerned. Lent of course has its origins in the time of preparation undertaken by those preparing for baptism at Easter. This reminds us that Easter is the goal of Lent.  In the early Church Lent was also a time when the lapsed were reconciled and the excommunicated readmitted to the Church’s sacramental life. It was not long before the Church came to realize the benefit to all Christian people of such a period of time to prepare for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ at Easter. It may seem that we don’t have much to give up this Lent. The popular idea of giving things up for Lent has always been balanced in the Church by the requirement to give to the poor.  What can I give this Lent? Perhaps, like Simon who helped Jesus to carry the cross, we can give encouragement to those who at this time carry the cross of suffering, bereavement, the loss of their job or business; like Veronica, we can give comfort to those who are affected by the burden of illness, pain or the exhaustion that comes with caring for a sick or disabled family member. Many of us have had the blessing of having walked in the footsteps of the Lord in the Holy Land. We can use this time of Lent to do so again or for the first time by praying the Stations /Way of the Cross. Why not join us on line for the Stations of the Cross. Take time for reflection. Pray about the vocation you have received in baptism. Reflect on the time you have and how you live. Grant us dear Lord the courage to take up your Cross so that following in your way, we may come to know the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven.  I pray you have a fruitful Lent.   Mgr Jim   For news and prayer list for the sick and our deceased go to the notice board section of our website.    Stations of the cross You can now follow the stations of the cross from our website.  Stations of the cross Much has been said about the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. Fr Ivano Millico offers a contemplative and faith-filled analysis in response to the public debate, looking at recent events through a prophetic lens and enlisting the help of the saints who have lived through moments of great crisis. Our Parish will receive some copies of this little book. If you wish to acquire one, please, contact us at: [email protected] Lenten Alms During Lent we will be supporting the Cardinal's Lenten Appeal.  Leaflets and envelopes are at the back of the Church. This Lent, please support the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal and help provide food for children and families in our communities who are facing hunger. You could also support work to help our brothers and sisters come through the global pandemic stronger and better able to cope. You can make your donations using the link bellow: The Cardinal's Lenten Appeal - Diocese of Westminster (rcdow.org.uk) CAFOD Could you walk for water as a personal Lenten Challenge.  By Walking 10.000 steps a day, every day, for 40 days?  Find out more at cafod.org.uk/walk also  Donate-to-CAFOD/Lent-Appeal Our ecumenical Lent Course  With the Kensington Council of Churches & Churches together in Notting Hill.    Wednesday evenings in Lent, from 24 February to 24 March at 7.30pm.  All five sessions will be hosted by and with speakers from: Aid to the Church in Need: https://acnuk.org If you wish yo attend the course please ask the parish office for the Zoom link: [email protected] Even if you have already decided to participate in another Lent Course (there are many on offer) please consider joining with other Christians in RBKC (including KCC and CTiNH) for one hour, each Wednesday this Lent.   See all details bellow on the attached poster.   A useful link for prayer and reflection if you are feeling weary and anxious https://www.alonetogether.org.uk/ Another Lent study group for you to consider.  Global Healing Course for Lent. Throughout Lent, the Global Catholic Climate Movement is holding a series of online evenings with inspiring speakers, films, prayer and discussion, challenging people to respond to Pope Francis' call to Care for Our Common Home in Laudato Si'. Hosted by the GCCM Laudato Si' Animators in the UK the events take place on six Thursdays from 18th February - 25th March 2021, 7.30pm - 8.30pm. To register please click here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcvcOuuqzsvEtMBwz2hxBzhhvwy0hcgyoEb   Our Lady of Victories 16 Abingdon Road London W8 6AF 020 7937 4778  [email protected]