First Sunday of Lent

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The Offertory Dear parishioners and friends, The Covid pandemic and its effects required some changes to the way we celebrate the Mass. I’m sure everyone remembers the social-distancing and lack of singing. It’s wonderful that these things have returned – praise God! One part of the Mass that has not returned to normal is the Offertory Procession. This would usually take place after the Prayers of the Faithful and involve the gifts of bread and wine being brought forward and presented to the celebrant of the Mass, before the altar is then prepared for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Over the weeks of Lent, we will be using this newsletter editorial to share about the Offertory. We’ll be discussing questions such as: Why do we bring up bread and wine? Who is doing the offering? What is the purpose of the offertory? What am I to do if asked to bring up the gifts? All of this catechesis will culminate in the return of the offertory procession at all Sunday Masses from Easter Sunday (31st March) onwards. Like with all things that have returned after the pandemic, some may have forgotten how it works, for some it will be their first time, so please do pray for all involved as we return this aspect of the Mass. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) On Saturday 17th February, 6 adults from our parish presented themselves as candidates for the Sacraments of Initiation at the Rite of Election in Westminster Cathedral. Please pray for Tomas, Audrey, Neeta, Demi, Kori, and Destini who are preparing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil on Saturday 30th March. Stations of the Cross Stations take place in the Church on Friday's in Lent at 6.30pm Congratulations Congratulations to the family of Azalea and Ryeland who were baptised on Saturday 10th February. This community welcomes you and your family with great joy and assure you of our prayers. Annual Mass of Thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Matrimony Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 25th May 2024 at 2:30pm. The Cardinal is inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese, who are celebrating their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2024. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give your parish clergy the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email). RESONATE Talk Series, Jubilee 2025– Pilgrims of Hope  “Like a flame my hope is burning, May my song arise to you” Prepare for the Jubilee journeying through the ‘Our Father’ Fr Ivano Millico will hold 8 sessions at Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, Victoria starting 28th February 7pm-9pm. Sign up to attend at youth.rcdow.org.uk/events or email [email protected] See flyer here for more details. Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal 2024 If you can, please show your support for the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal. All funds raised go towards projects across our Diocese. Each year, the Diocese uses donations made to support the work of our services, such as Marriage & Family Life; Youth Ministry, and Education.  Funds are also used to support the work of Caritas Westminster, who work for and with some of the most vulnerable people in our Diocese. His Eminence, Cardinal Nichols, has expressed his gratitude to everyone who supports the Appeal, with whatever they can afford. So, please take a donation envelope today, for more information. Thank you for your generosity. World Premiere Concert - Belshazzar’s Feast Saturday, March 9, 2024 7:30 PM  - 9:30 PM Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington Voce Chamber Choir & Suzi Digby OBE give the world premiere of their newly commissioned arrangement of William Walton’s masterpiece Belshazzar’s Feast.  For this unique performance, we are joined at the Grand Organ by David Briggs—who has arranged this cantata for choir and organ, and baritone Sir Willard White. https://www.vocechamberchoir.org.uk/concerts Icon Painting Summer Course Are you attracted by the beauty of icons? Would you like to paint your own icon of Archangel Michael? Sign up for this 7-day introduction to icon painting in the Russian Byzantine style using liquid egg tempera technique. Your tutor will be Sharon Seager. For more on the Prosopon School see: https://www.prosoponschool.org When: Tues 30th July to Friday 2nd August & Monday 5th to Wednesday 7th August 2024. Time: 9.30am – 5.30pm each day Where: St Joseph’s Hall, Brompton Oratory, London Cost: £471 to cover tuition, all materials, teas/coffees. Further info on the Course, contact Sharon on Instagram: @iconsthroughsharon  For admin details etc, email Marie-Claire at [email protected] Numbers restricted to only 10 places. Ecumenical Lent Course Christian Aid—Act on Poverty . Christian Aid has teamed up with partner organisations across the UK to help churches gain a deeper understanding of poverty and empower Christians to act in the run up to the next UK general election. It all starts with our 'Act on Poverty' Lent course. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/act-on-poverty This course is provided jointly by Churches Together in Kensington and Chelsea and Notting Hill. Details of all the events can be found on the poster here. 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: Young Adult Group This is a group for people in their 20s and 30s and aims to build a community in the parish. More events will be coming soon. If there are any questions, please send us an email at: [email protected] or join our WhatsApp group using the QR code:  Welcome to all our Parishioners If you are new to the parish, please come and say hello and complete the new parishioner registration form which can be found on our website:  https://www.ourladyofvictories.net/parish-registrationfinancial-support.html Here you can also find further information on all our parish activities. Leaving a Legacy In the last year, the parish has received a number of legacies from parishioners who have remembered the work of the parish in their wills. Please pray for the repose of the souls of those parishioners. They will be remembered in our annual donors Mass. Please consider remembering the parish in your will. See the leaflets at the back of the Church or call 0207 798 9375 or email [email protected] Pauline Books and Media The Sisters of the Pauline run their shop in the repository at Our Lady of Victories Church from Tuesday to Friday and Sunday from 9am to1pm. The contact number is 07561456074.  OLOV LATEST NEWS GIFT AID DONATIONS:   Dear Parishioners:   We have worked with our colleagues in the Parish Support Team towards procedures for processing the Gift Aid from contactless donations through the Dona provider. When signing a Gift Aid declaration on the device, you will also be asked if you would like your previous contactless donations to be Gift Aided.  Further, as entering a Gift Aid declaration on the device can take a couple of minutes, we want to help reduce the amount of time you may spend on the device, and reduce the queue for it. Leaflets have been created and placed at the back of the church and on the notice board. These contain a QR code that will enable you to use your smartphone to make your Gift Aid declaration. You can also access the Dona portal and leave your donation by simply scanning the underneath QR code: You can also donate securely by debit or credit card by clicking on the button created at the section end.   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.    Eucharistic Adoration and Confession On Wednesday's, after the 10am Mass, there is Eucharistic Adoration. This is an opportunity to spend some time in prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament. During that time a priest will also be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Adoration concludes at Noon with the prayer of the Angelus. Confessions are also available every Saturday from 5 pm to 5.45 pm.   Please do keep an eye on the website: www.ourladyofvictories.net which will be updated weekly.  Mgr Jim Curry & Fr Francis   Our Lady of Victories 16 Abingdon Road London W8 6AF 020 7937 4778  [email protected]