Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Dear parishioners and friends, To understand the present we always need to look at the past. To discover why things have turned out the way they have, we make a journey into the past. At Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lent gives us time to ready ourselves for the feast of Easter.   We are invited in this sacred time of Lent to let God find us where we are. We can look back on our lives to try and discern the grace of God in our lives. In Lent we are invited to take up some form of discipline. In the form of prayer, fasting and alms giving to the poor. Together at Mass we will listen Sunday by Sunday to the retelling of Gods action in history. Looking back to understand what God has done for us in the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus the Christ.   You will remember that during the pandemic - lock down we suspended many of our normal practices and customs. One of which was the presentation of the gits to the Altar during Mass - the Offertory.   This Lent we will prepare, with some instruction, for the re-introduction of this significant part of our Liturgy. Each Sunday we will have a short catechesis; published in the newsletter, explaining the significance, meaning and purpose of the preparation of the gifts. On Easter Sunday we will re-introduce the procession of the gifts. Happy Lent Mgr Jim 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. Marriage Week is an annual celebration offering the opportunity to support and promote marriage and family life. It is celebrated this year from 7-14 February. A Christian marriage is rooted in faith; that means faith in God, as the giver of life and the one who promises eternal life to those who believe in him. For reflections on Marriage, resources and signposts for support see here. Please pray for all married couples in our parish, those discerning and preparing for marriage this year. 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. Ash Wednesday 14th February will be Ash Wednesday. Masses in Our Lady of Victories will be at 10.00am and 6.30pm. Chorister at Westminster Cathedral Choir School Every September Westminster Cathedral Choir School welcomes up to six choristers into Years 4 or 5. We shall hold a zoom session, lasting 30 minutes, at 6.30pm on Wednesday 31st January and 13th March. Contact Lucy Auger for a link. Email: [email protected] 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]