Fourth Sunday of Lent (Year C)

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Rejoicing in Love Laetare Sunday & Mothering Sunday This Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, is known as Laetare Sunday—a moment of joy in our Lenten journey as we anticipate the hope of Easter. It is fitting that in our country, it is also Mothering Sunday, a day to honour and give thanks for the gift of mothers and all those who fulfil a motherly caring role in our lives.   Motherhood is a sacred vocation, reflecting God’s love in a unique and powerful way. In their selflessness, patience, and nurturing care, mothers embody the virtues of Christ, who teaches us to love without condition. Whether by offering guidance, comforting in times of distress, or simply being present with unwavering support, mothers create a foundation of faith, love, and stability within the family, and are a cornerstone of society, and the domestic church.   The Church, too, is our mother, nurturing us in faith and guiding us towards holiness. Through her teachings, the Sacraments, and the love of the Christian community, she offers us spiritual nourishment, strength, and consolation. Like a mother, she calls us to conversion, encourages us in our struggles, and leads us ever closer to Christ, her Son.   As we rejoice this Laetare Sunday, let us give thanks for our mothers, living and departed, and pray for all who dedicate their lives to the care of others. May Our Blessed Lady, Mother of God, the perfect model of motherhood, intercede for them, and bless them, and us, with strength, wisdom, and joy.   Happy Mothering Sunday! Yours In Christ, Deacon Paul Please pray for those who are sick: June Scully, Elisabeth Freeman, Eileen Hawthorne, Vidal Geronimo, Estelita Risaldo, Claire Godinho, Eunice Van Vurren, Canice Carson, Pamela Faber, James Langan and  Theresa Chee.    Please pray for those who are recently deceased: Tom Loftus.   Please pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time:  Manfred Stocklein, Josephine Murray, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Kenny Everett, Paul Jackman and Teresa Rooney. Congratulations To the 12 engaged couples who completed our parish marriage preparation course this week and thank you to all our mentor couples who led the sessions: Rafaella and Matteo, Susana and Jeroen, Vivian and Alfonso, Benedicte and Patrick, Stefano and Laura, Gianluca and Maddalena, and Anne Cecil and Fred.   Congratulations to the families of Leo and Maria Vittoria who are to be baptised on Saturday 29th March. This community welcomes you with the joy of the risen Jesus and assures you of our prayers. Holy Hour of prayer for the Protection of Life - Sunday 6 April at 3pm Cardinal Vincent with the Bishops of England & Wales have encouraged us to make time to pray for the protection of life. With the 'Terminal Ill Adults (End of Life)' Bill, reaching a significant stage in its passage through Parliament, now is a particular moment to pray earnestly for our lawmakers and all who support the vulnerable in our society. Jubilee of Communications Competition As part of the Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Hope, the Church is celebrating the great service that communications teams offer all over the world, and praising God for how he uses them to build his Church. Westminster Youth Ministry are celebrating young talented writers by their Framing Hope competition series, and we can’t wait for you to get stuck in! Write us an article answering the following question: How do you live as a Pilgrim of Hope in your daily life? Deadline: Friday, 14th November at 12:00. Word limit: 750 words 3 age categories: 11-14, 15-17, 18-35.  All the details can be found at: https://youth.rcdow.org.uk/january-jubilee-of-communications/ CHRISTIANS IN THE HOLY LAND: CHALLENGES AND HOPES Bishop William Shomali, Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem and Palestine speaks on how the war affects the daily life of Christians in the Holy Land, on Monday 31st March from 12pm at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Ave, London WC2H 8EP. Attendance free of charge; however, as light refreshments will be provided, please register at https://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/forms/bloomsbury Westminster Cathedral’s Great Cross: Two Sides, One Story Fr Patrick for his Christian Art website, has produced a video looking in detail at the Cathedral Rood. A perfect introduction to Lent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcm-o3Bga0E UPDATED: ECUMENICAL LENT COURSE 2025 - THE NICENE CREED  Churches Together in Kensington & Chelsea - Churches Together in Notting Hill. Wednesday 2nd April at 7.30pm: Mgr Keith Baltrop (Parish Priest of St Mary of the Angels, Bayswater) will speak on the Creed at Notting Hill Methodist Church, 240 Lancaster Road, W11 4AH  - all welcome. The Victorious Word Podcast Each Sunday during Lent a new episode of The Victorious Word podcast will be released, hosted by Charlie Brown and featuring Fr Nigel and Fr Francis. In the podcast they will share their thoughts on the upcoming Sunday Mass readings, to help get the most out of our Lenten journey. Walk with us as we explore and meditate upon the deep spiritual riches of this great season of Lent. You can access the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, from your smart speaker, just search for ‘The Victorious Word podcast’. Episode 1 - 4 are available now and Episode 5 will be released on Sunday evening. Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal 2025 This Holy Year invites us to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. We invite you to consider supporting work being done in the Diocese of Westminster to bring hope into many lives. Your contributions will help fund vital projects across our               Diocese, including Youth & Evangelisation, Social Action, Marriage & Family Life, and Catholic Education Initiatives. His Eminence, Cardinal Nichols,   extends his heartfelt thanks to all who give what they can to this meaningful cause. Donation envelopes are available today, and you can also contribute online. Thank you for your kindness and support. Lourdes Pilgrimage: 25th July - 1st August 2025 Registration for the Westminster diocesan pilgrimage led by Cardinal Vincent Nicholas is now open via the online form at https://pilgrimages.rcdow.org.uk or by contacting the Pilgrimage Office on 020 7798 9173. Options to travel by plane or train are available and there are many volunteering opportunities for those wishing to serve. Deadline to register: Wednesday 30th April. Parish Pilgrimage to Walsingham – Jubilee Celebration: 7th June 2025 Mark your diaries for Saturday, 7th June 2025, as our parish embarks on a special day-pilgrimage to Walsingham, the ancient National Shrine lovingly known as “England’s Nazareth”.           This pilgrimage is a unique opportunity to celebrate the Holy Year Jubilee proclaimed by Pope Francis, a time of renewal, grace, and deepened faith. Please register your interest with the parish office as soon as possible but expect an early start from 7.30 am. For a commitment, we are requesting  £10 deposit. Donation: using the reference ‘Walsingham’: Bank: HSBC, 69 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5EY Sort Code: 40-05-20 Number: 61263714 Or in cash, or cheque  Account: Our Lady of Victories, Kensington Jubilee 2025 Our designated Jubilee Church for the West Area of the diocese is St Gregory the Great, 447 Victoria Rd, South Ruislip HA4 0EG. Every Saturday: 10am Mass will be a Jubilee Mass, followed by Confession, Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. More events to follow. https://www.st-gregory.org.uk/ Pauline Books and Media The bookshop will be open from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Friday and Sundays.  The shop will reopen on Friday on Jan 18th.The contact number is 07561 456074. Young Married Couples Group Are you a young married couple seeking to build friendships and desiring to connect with other young married couples? Well, a young married couples group is present in our parish. The purpose of the group is to offer support and foster friendship and connection among the many young married couples present in our parish. The ideal age range of the group is under 40. The group meets every month to socialize and foster communion and support. Among the different activities offered are meals together, trips out, games nights and social exercises. If you’re interested in attending, please email Steve and Annie Caprio at [email protected]. You can also join our Whatsapp group using the QR code below:  Welcome to all our Parishioners If you are new to the parish, please come and say hello and complete the parishioner registration form which can be found on our website:  https://www.ourladyofvictories.net/support.html Here you can also find further information on all our parish activities. Weekly Mass Schedule Monday to Friday - 10.00 am Saturday - 6.00 pm Sunday - 9.00 am, 10.30 am, 12.00 pm and 6.00 pm.    All our Masses are live-streamed from our website.  Please note: the sanctuary and first five pews are livestreamed 24/7. All the celebrations of Mass are recorded. The recordings are kept securely for 28days, after which they are deleted.   Eucharistic Adoration and Confession On Wednesdays, after the 10am Mass, there is Eucharistic Adoration. This is an opportunity to spend some time in prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament. A priest will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 10.30 to 11.15am. Adoration concludes with Benediction and the Angelus at Noon. Confession also available every Saturday from 5 to 5.45 pm. Parish Team: Fr Nigel Woollen (Parish Priest) Fr Francis Thomas (Assistant Priest) Rev. Paul Hewitt (Permanent Deacon)  Sr Maureen McNamara rsm (Sacramental Programmes) Mrs Rachel Mulira (Parish Secretary) Our Lady of Victories 16 Abingdon Road London W8 6AF 020 7937 4778  [email protected] Support our Parish Financially here