Newsletter: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

Next Wednesday, 17th February, marks the beginning of the season of Lent. There will be two Masses here in the Church, 10:00am and 6:30pm. This year, because of COVID regulations, the need for caution and for the vulnerable to shield, the Parish is also providing a DIY Ash Wednesday kit. This includes a small amount of blessed ashes, and a liturgy leaflet so that you may arrange a service in your own home.

These DIY Liturgy kits will be available Saturday morning, 13th February, from outside the Church 10:30am to 12:00pm, and on Sunday. My aim is that housebound and shielding parishioners will have these packs delivered through their letter box sometime over the weekend.

The next season of Children Liturgy packs will also be available on Saturday, 10:30am - 12:00pm for those families who have signed-up. If you would like your child, aged 3-10 to participate in the sessions please email or call the Parish Office so that extra packs may be made.

This Sunday at Mass there will be three presentations on screen for potential Lenten Alms projects on which you may wish to vote. These presentations will also be available to view on the website. This year as Lent is likely to be an 'online Lent' only one charity will be selected. Voting may be done online, in person at Sunday Mass, or by telephone on Monday and Tuesday, 15th and 16th February. Voting will close on Tuesday 16th February at 10.00 pm and the result will be announced later in the week.

Each Friday during Lent join Deacon Joseph for Stations of the Cross in the comfort of your own home. We will meet via Zoom at 7:30 pm. To join Stations of the Cross click here.

This week the parish led its first new(ish) parishioner meeting since my arrival here nearly five years ago. There were eight young families all who have had children baptised in the last two years. Most of the families had only arrived in St Margaret’s over the last three years, and the evening was a sign of hope that the parish has the potential to grow in the years ahead.

May I also report the sad news that Bernard Sharratt, a long-time parishioner and highly active in the Parish over the years, died on Monday, and that Margaret Tobback, another long-standing parishioner and friend of Fr Sydney Dommerson and Fr Fitz, died on Tuesday. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

With good wishes
Fr Peter

The 10.30 am Sunday Mass can be accessed here.

Click the links below to download the Page, Mass sheet, Mass readings and the Look colour in sheet for the children.

Newsletter: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Sunday Mass can be accessed here.

Click the links below to download the Page, Mass sheet, Mass readings and the Look colour in sheet for the children.

Newsletter: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Sunday Mass can be accessed here.

Click the links below to download the Page, Mass sheet, Mass readings and the Look colour in sheet for the children.

Dear Parishioners, 

Yesterday evening, Monday 25th, the core team for the Parish Pastoral Council met to reflect on the recent life of the Parish and plan for the forthcoming season of Lent. Despite the lockdown and the obvious need for maintaining Covid-19 regulations St Margaret’s has continued to offer Mass and provide in some small way for the spiritual needs of the neighbourhood. This has been possible through the kind assistance of our weekly stewards on Sunday and a dedicated group of volunteers working in the background. The online provision of Mass and courses has improved over time and will inevitably become a stable part of every Parish’s offering. As regards the immediate future lockdown has been presumed to last till Easter. If matters change for the better, the Parish can adapt!  

Lenten Alms Project: There is still time to make an application should you to present a potential charity. Forms are available by emailing the Parish Office. 

Childrens’ Liturgy: The fortnightly sessions are proving very popular and the new packs for the second half of the spring term are available from the Parish Office.  

Ash Wednesday: 17th February: Mass at 10:00am and 6:30pm. Please note this year a small amount of ash will be sprinkled on the head and your forehead will not be marked. This is to comply with regulations sent out by the Bishops’ Conference. 

This Lent Stations of the Cross will be offered on zoom, along with a Lent Course from Ascension Press, half hour weekly sessions to keep us focused for the season. There will be Stations of the Cross for children too. Nearer Easter, some of our musicians will lead a Lenten Meditation evening. Details forthcoming. A full timetable will be announced next week. 

On a lighter note a number of social events have been planned 

New Parishioners Party; Tuesday February 9th, at 8:00pm. This will be an opportunity to meet with Fr Peter and other recently arrived parishioners. Click here to join.

Parish Pub Quiz:: the second of the new series will take place on Friday 12th February at 8:30pm. Click here to join. 

Shrove Tuesday: 16th February. This year the Parish will host a zoom Mardi Gras with folk music at 8:00pm. (please bring your own pancakes and drinks!). Click here to join.

With good wishes 
Fr Peter